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Tammy Evans's avatar

I am on a walk listening to the podcast as is a normal tradition. And then I hear the mention of the stranger than fiction movie that sounds amazing. So I had to stop the podcast look up the trailer and then add it to my list of movies to watch soon. Caroline, you are indeed correct about how amazing this movie is.

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Caroline Donahue's avatar

It is SO GOOD. I am due a rewatch as well. It’s such a winner. Report back once you’ve seen it again. The CAST. I get emotional.

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Grace Jeschke's avatar

This conversation is so much fun! One of my reading (and writing) kinks is fiction with descriptive cooking and/or food motifs. I was infuriated when I read a novel where the MC opens a restaurant and the only description of food was one brief scene at the farmer’s market!

Another kink is writing that feels like velvet damask: a richly textured fabric that you want to touch, which enhances rather than distracts from a seamless reading experience. I came to that conclusion reading the first two Southern Reach books by Jeff Van Der Veer, which is not my usual genre at all … Books with various threads/POVs and/or dramatic irony also can feel like tapestry.

It’s so true that we (I) read to vicariously experience things!

(and I also bookmarked Stranger than Fiction)

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Caroline Donahue's avatar

These are so fantastic, Grace! I can definitely recommend recent podcast guest Orlando Murrin's mysteries as there is loads of descriptive cooking in there. I'm assuming you've read all of Ruth Reichl as well? If not, you are in for a food delight.

Writing that feels like silk damask is my favorite description yet. I'm going to keep my eye out for books that might earn that title. LOVE.

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rio's avatar

for descriptions of food i highly recommend Land of Milk and Honey by C Pam Zhang. it’s a dystopian story with a very interesting premise and the writing is so delectable!!

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Caroline Donahue's avatar

Oooh- fun tip! I love all of us referring books to each other. 🥰

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Grace Jeschke's avatar

Thanks! It’s been on my TBR but I’ll bump it up.

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