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Friday, March 12, 2021

Fresh bread fumes and the joy of a really good book.

Perreca's has been around for 
over 100 years

Yes, I'm back in the bread delivery saddle!  It was very nice to be able to arrive at the bakery at the crap of dawn and still be able to see.  It was also nice not to have to battle slush, ice and snow.  As a matter of fact, it was so warm that I contemplated rolling down the car windows on the way back, but didn't want to lose the glorious warm bread fumes.  Perreca's is on a small side street dubbed "Little Italy", lined with brick-faced row houses and a smattering of little shops.  Italian pastries, small restaurants, a day spa (!) and Perreca's bakery.  Maria was happy to see me and we traded joint replacement war stories.  Perreca's is the kind of narrow, high-celiinged store that has all kinds of wonderful Italian treasures from floor to ceiling and all the signs are hand-written.  Oooooh, I love it!

I have been pretty much stuck on audio books for the past few years - it's the only way I can claim to multi-task (knitting/listening).  While I have listened to a lot of good books, the really good books are few and far between.  One of them was "News of the World" - as much as I love Tom Hanks, I have no desire to see a saccharine version of this wonderful book - and now I have a new one to add to my short list.  "The Thursday Murder Club" was highly recommended by the New York Times Book Review - which, in my case, is the knell of death.  I am so glad I listened to regular reader reviews!  I borrowed it from the library (hurrah for the Libby App!) and I managed to string it out to two and a half days.  Only because I didn't want it to end.  It has everything I love:  a great narrator, murder(s), fabulous characters that I felt I knew after the first hour, comedy, just enough plucking of the heart-strings, wonderful dialogue, a few red herrings.  I was quite bereft when it ended.  Then I listened to an interview with the author that was included with the recording.  There is another book coming!!!  O, frabjous day - callooh!  callay!  


19 comments:

Michelle said...

I really need to get on the audiobook bandwagon – and never venture into Little Italy as I'm sure I would overdose on carbs and butter!

Mama Pea said...

Ahhh, the aroma of freshly baked bread, a warm(ish) day for a car ride, and a good audio book. Sounds loverly to me. I just finished listening to "One Thousand White Women" by Jim Fergus. A long one (I love good ones that are long) but kept me interested to the very end. I've made note to get both of the two you mentioned. Thanks.

Nancy In Boise said...

I love good books! I tend to go towards non-fiction, but I love a god one! Sounds like your little Italian area is my kind of place!

Joanne Noragon said...

A car full of the fumes of an authentic Italian bakery. Heaven.

Karen said...

I landed on your blog today quite on a whim. Oh boy! I have a fairly recent bionic joint, just last month went through the pillow nonsense (finally discovering a $5 pillow suits me just fine after spending a great wad on horrible stuff). The ice slid off our roof today but WHEW, thank goodness it didn't block our door -this year! We'll get through this winter okay Susan! (Get walking as soon as it clears up and you;ll do great!)

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Fresh bread and a good book -- two of life's great pleasures!

Steve Reed said...

That's a very quaint-looking little street, with those old-fashioned signs for Perreca's. Nice photo! Thanks for the book reviews, too -- I hadn't heard of either of those.

coffeeontheporchwithme said...

That looks like a street I'd love to explore! I've written down the name of that book. I shall see if our library has it. -Jenn

Camille said...

I love the Libby app and will definitely queue up the two books you recommended. I was recently also sad to finish the Alice Hoffman audio trilogy of her "Magic" books ie: Practical Magic, The rules of Magic, and Magic Lessons. Fabulous. Now I need to go find a good bakery.

Susan said...

I've got into audio books but I keep falling asleep when listening to them and then have to work my way back to something I remember hearing. I think I might have to move somewhere more cultured i.e. has a bakery.

Debby said...

I have to say, upon first reading, I didn't think you and Maria were trading stories.

Driving a car filled with the fragrance of warm bread sounds heavenly.

AnnieK said...

Let me make a suggestion, The Eagles of Heart Mountain. By Bradford Pearson. I normally dont like nonfiction, but this one was very good.AND I am getting a new hip next month....

Retired Knitter said...

MUST check that book recommendation out!

ellen abbott said...

I loved News Of The World. I'm even interested in seeing the movie. I don't do audio versions because I don't have headphones or an app. and I like to read.

Rosalea said...

Always appreciative of a 'heads up' on a good book! It's on my 'reserve' list at the library. So glad to hear the hip is doing well, and you are out and about again.

The Maine Gray Zone said...

The "News of the World" book is not well translated in the movie. I loved the book.

Goatldi said...

Good books and fresh bread. Yum plus Irish butter!

Ed said...

My kryptonite has always been fresh bread out of the oven.

www.self-sufficientsam.blogspot.com said...

I grew up around Italians and the food cannot be beaten. I've tried even using a cookbook they gave me but alas....it cannot compare to the smells and atmosphere and taste of those celebrations in Chicago. You are so fortunate to have an Italian bakery and more!
Thank you for the book recommendations....always open for good/great books! Enjoy your SPring!