Double Delights (& More October Reads)
I read (or listened to) six books in the month of October, including a gorgeous new cookbook called Double Delights, from twin sisters (and our very dear friends), Evy and Nola Halberstadt.
Besides the cookbook, everY other book I finished this month was an audiobook — and most of them were by the same author! I did a bunch of physical reading, as well, but am still working on those paper-bound books.
For my impressions of each of the titles I actually completed last month, check out my reviews below.
The 6 Books I Read in October:
Theo of Golden by Allen Levi
My husband, daughter, and I listened to Theo of Golden on Audible while driving back and forth to out-of-town volleyball tournaments last month. It is one of my favorite books I’ve read all year. In fact, all three of us thoroughly enjoyed it.
My husband texted a message to our family group chat saying as much when we were just three hours in, noting that we’d been shedding tears all the way to College Station over the touching storyline. To this, my mother quipped, “I’ll have to remember the name of that book, in case I ever want to cry for three hours!”
The tale was both intriguing and inspiring. I loved how Theo’s thoughtfulness and lavish generosity had such a positive impact on the people around him.
Supergifted by Gordon Korman
My daughter and I listened to Gordon Korman’s Supergifted together last month. This book further chronicles the zany adventures of impulsive middle schooler, Donovan Curtis, and his brilliant but socially awkward friend, Noah Youkilis, both of whom we met in the first installment of this series, Ungifted.
When Donovan stops a runaway fuel truck from crashing into a neighbor’s house, he leaves the scene before anybody can recognize or thank him for his quick-thinking heroism. In fact, he is determined to keep his identity a secret.
But the town seems equally determined to learn the identity of this Superkid. So to make sure nobody discovers Donovan is the person they’re looking for, Noah claims the credit himself. Can he convince even the skeptics that he pulled off such a courageous feat?
Hypergifted by Gordon Korman
My daughter and I convinced my husband to listen to Hypergifted (the final book in Gordon Korman’s gifted series) with us on our way to Kansas for last month’s volleyball nationals.
He was as impressed with Korman’s storytelling as Abby and I have been. This book follows Donovan and Noah to a prestigious college campus, where Noah has been granted early admission and has chosen Donovan to room with him there over the summer. As you might expect from these two, misadventures abound.
The characters are loveable, the plots are clever, and the books leave us asking ourselves, “How does Gordon Korman come up with so many hilarious stories?”
Island Book 2: Survival by Gordon Korman
In Gordon Korman’s Survival , six troubled kids whose parents, for various reasons, signed them up for a cooperative program called “Charting a New Course” find themselves marooned and alone on an uncharted Pacific island in the after the ship they were on sinks during a storm.
Or, at least they assume they are alone. It soon becomes apparent that is not the case. In fact, they face harrowing dangers on multiple fronts.
If they are to survive, they will first have to learn the meaning of cooperation and mutual trust — and avoid attracting any attention from anybody who might wish to do them harm.
Island Book 3: Escape by Gordon Korman
I finished Escape last month, as well. It’s the third and final installment in Gordon Korman’s Island Series, and I must say, I found the conclusion very satisfying.
Six troubled kids whose parents, for various reasons, signed them up for a cooperative program called “Charting a New Course” find themselves marooned and alone on an uncharted Pacific island in the after the ship they were on sinks during a storm. There they really learn the meaning of cooperation as they face harrowing dangers on multiple fronts.
Will they ever be able to escape the dire circumstances and find their way back home? This book takes several unforseen twists and turns to answer that question.
Double Delights by Evy & Nola Halberstadt
I read Evy & Nola Halberstadt’s Double Delights from cover to cover. It is one of the sweetest, most beautiful and well-written cookbooks I’ve ever seen. And I’ve had the privilege of sampling many of the recipes included in this book over the years and can attest to how great they taste!
Even so, I gave up eating refined sugar after a cancer diagnosis two years ago and really just bought this book as a way to support our precious young friends. I didn’t expect it to include anything I can actually eat now. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the number of savory and sugar-free recipes in the book, including one for a mouthwatering quiche, which is what I’ll be baking first!
For My Fellow Bookworms
Do you love to read as much as we do? I’ve gathered all my best resources for bibliophiles onto this page, or you can read more of my book reviews by following this link .
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