Here are a few of my favorite things that make life even sweeter … Inspiring memoirs by incredibly talented women who overcame challenges to do what they love. Stories that remind us of the power of human connection. Books that make us laugh. Sweeping sagas that celebrate courage and freedom. Stage and screen moments that make us feel alive. Conversations about what matters most. Travel that connects us to people we love. Practical products that make our children and grandchildren happier. Here’s to more peace, love, and joy in 2025!
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Favorite Things: Books
Since 2018, I’ve switched from Kindle and paperbacks to audiobooks. They make commuting enjoyable, are easy on the eyes, and who doesn’t love being told a great bedtime story? Audible, owned by Amazon, has a standard membership of $14.95 per month, which gets you one book each month and access to their library of free selections, such as classics. With a monthly Spotify Premium membership of $11.99, you get ad-free music, podcasts, and 15 hours of audiobook listening.
Memoirs
Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten
Book, Kindle, Audiobook on Amazon
Audiobook included with Spotify Premium
My favorite genre is memoir. When Ina Garten released Be Ready When the Luck Happens read by the author herself, I binged her story in two days. I’ve loved watching her Cooking for Jeffrey since The Barefoot Contessa. She’s been my go-to cook for delicious recipes that never fail and entertaining ideas for twenty years. Her voice is as soothing as her comfort food — but what I loved learning is how tough she is.
Her television/cookbook empire was built by skills in the kitchen, prolific creativity, and her casual, classy style, but there’s more to the story. The book reveals the scope of her smarts, her tenacity in overcoming obstacles, and her wisdom in choosing an amazing partner. She has an MBA from George Washington University School of Business and wrote nuclear energy policy for Presidents Ford and Carter. While she had class/financial advantages growing up the daughter of a charismatic surgeon and shrewd businesswoman who pushed her academically, her parents’ dark sides were traumatizing obstacles to overcome. Her childhood was controlled and miserable by an emotionally cold mother and physically abusive father. If she completed five of six tasks perfectly her father gave her, there was “hell to pay.”
Her life changed at 17 when the stars aligned and she met Jeffrey who has stellar military and business accomplishments of his own. She credits her success and happiness to his telling her to do what she loves and always treating her with respect and kindness. They survived and thrived despite separating briefly and living on opposite ends of the world. She says they’ve always been able to talk, and Jeffrey was right. They could stay connected and both pursue their dreams.
“Two For the Road” was my favorite chapter. After reading Arthur Frommer’s Europe on $5 a Day they did just that. With a pup tent and gas stove, they camped across Europe May – August in 1972. A bonus of the book are photos of that time and other special memories. Ina fell in love with French cooking when a woman in Normandy showed her how to make Coq au Vin. In 2000, Ina bought a Parisian apartment where she still cooks for friends.
Her interest in French cooking renewed mine. Inspired, I cooked Coq au Riesling again. I also read the memoir below and continue reading wistfully my friend’s blog on France. I’d love a return visit!
Ina was the first guest on Oprah’s new podcast that just launched. I love her secrets to success.
My Life in France by Julia Child
Book, Kindle, Audiobook on Audible
Audiobook on Spotify
After Ina’s book, I made a bee-line for Julia’s memoir. I loved the movie Julia & Julia and vaguely remembered the lady my grandmother watched cook with a voice the pitch of a turkey gobbling.
The book’s descriptions of France and French food are luscious. She, too, was a tenacious woman. She wanted to do her part in WWII. When turned away from the women’s navy and army cores because she was 6 feet 2 inches, she worked instead typing secret files for what became the CIA. Like Jeffrey Garten, Child’s husband was in the military and the couple made France a second home. She was the only woman in her class at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. She published her first cookbook at age 49. It took her nine years to complete it.
She became an award-winning public television host and author. In the 1960s, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, had a radical mastectomy, and lived to be 91.
After discussing the memoirs by Child and Garten with my friend, Sally, she loaned me Stanley Tucci’s Taste: My Life Through Food. The award-winning writer/director/actor/tv host played Julia Child’s husband in Julia & Julia and appeared in Ina Garten’s new series, Be My Guest.
My Name is Barbra by Barbra Steisand
Book, Kindle, and Audiobook on Amazon
Audiobook Included with Spotify Premium
I’m enjoying this book because I’m a Barbra Streisand fan and appreciate her dedication to authenticity and details in covering what seems to be every detail of her life. At 48+ hours, this is more an autobiography than a memoir. I confess to skipping some of the showbiz minutiae but appreciate her warm, conversational voice, eccentricities that make her Barbra, and vulnerability. Unlike Garten and Child, she lived in near poverty after her father died. Her mother was emotionally unavailable, and her stepfather was verbally abusive. She was an old soul and a “little adult” from an early age — from taking herself to the dentist as a child to leaving home at 16 to make it in the arts.
Nonfiction Essays
ANYTHING by Dave Barry makes me laugh. A lot. He was a columnist for the Miami Herald from 1983-2005 and has won the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary and The Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism. Because his books read like standup comedy, I’ve just included the links to audio versions below of my favorites.
Best.State.Ever.: A Florida Man Defends His Homeland
Audiobook on Amazon
Audiobook on Spotify
I’ll Mature When I’m Dead
Audiobook on Amazon
Audiobook on Spotify
Fiction
A Good Hard Look by Ann Napolitano
Book, Kindle, and Audiobook on Amazon
Set in Flannery O’Connor’s small hometown of Milledgeville, Georgia near the end of the iconic southern writer’s life, the novel is a compelling tale of rural life, human connection, and heartbreaking loss. This is literary fiction and beautiful writing at its best.
Oh, William! by Elizabeth Strout
Book, Kindle, and Audiobook on Amazon
Audiobook for Purchase on Spotify
My friend Sara gave me this book three years ago and confidently said, “You’ll like it.” I’m glad I finally read it because it introduced me to William and Lucy, a divorced couple who reconnect as both deal with loss in the present and ghosts from the past. The book description reads: “Lucy Barton is a writer, but her ex-husband, William, remains a hard man to read.” Strout is a Pulitzer Prize winner and darling of Oprah, NPR, and the New York Times. Needing to know more about Lucy and her world, read the two books that followed…
Lucy by the Sea by Elizabeth Strout
Book, Kindle, and Audiobook on Amazon
Audiobook Included with Spotify Membership
The pandemic drives ex-couple William and Lucy to flee Manhattan and shelter in a cabin on the coast of Maine. In a small town they navigate big feelings. As the sea churns around them, the world stands still. What’s next?
Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout
Book, Kindle, Audiobook on Amazon
Audiobook Included with Premium Membership on Spotify
Lucy, still living with William in Crosby, Maine meets Olive Kitteridge, the prickly heroine of Strout’s Publitzer-Prize-winning book, and forms a deeper friendship with Bob Burgess from Lucy by the Sea as the town tries to solve a murder.
Still Life With Bread Crumbs by Ann Quinlenn
Book, Kindle, Audiobook on Amazon
A photographer whose career is slipping moves from NYC to a cabin in upstate New York where she finds inspiration and love. It’s not as Hallmark as it sounds — more Virgin River.
Swamp Story: A Novel by Dave Barry
Audiobook on Amazon
Audiobook on Spotify
From the book description because nobody tells a story like Dave…
Jesse Braddock is trapped in a tiny cabin deep in the Everglades with her infant daughter and her ex-boyfriend, a wannabe reality TV star who turned out to be a lot prettier on the outside than on the inside. Broke and desperate for a way out, Jesse stumbles across a long-lost treasure, which could solve all her problems—if she can figure out how to keep it. The problem is some very bad men are also looking for the treasure, and they know Jesse has it.
Meanwhile, Ken Bortle of Bortle Brothers Bait and Beer has hatched a scheme to lure tourists to his failing store by making viral videos of the “Everglades Melon Monster.” The Monster is, in fact, an unemployed alcoholic newspaperman named Phil wearing a Dora the Explorer costume head. Incredibly, this plan actually works, inspiring a horde of TikTokers to swarm into the swamp in search of the Monster at the same time villains are on the hunt for Jesse’s treasure. Amid this mayhem, a presidential hopeful arrives in the Everglades to start his campaign. Needless to say, it does not go as planned. In fact, nothing in this story goes as planned. This is, after all, Florida.
Favorite Things: Podcasts
Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus
On Spotify and all podcast platforms
I LOVE this podcast where the wise-cracking actress gets “schooled” by women she admires. My favorite episodes so far are interviews with Jane Fonda, Anne Lamott, Jane Goodall, Ina Garten, Isabel Allende, and Carol Burnett.
In my queue: Sally Field, Amy Tan, Bonnie Raitt, Ina Garten, Gloria Steinhem, Rita Moreno, Nancy Pelosi, and Julie Andrews.
Meaningful Conversations with Maria Shriver
On Spotify and all podcast platforms
Though recorded in 2019, Maria’s topics are timeless. Interesting episodes I’ve enjoyed so far are with Rob Lowe, Martha Beck, Kathie Lee Gifford, and Chelsea Handler. In my queue: Brene Brown, Hoda Kotb, Jon and Dorothea Bon Jovi.
I also follow Maria’s Sunday Paper where she just posted Jane Fonda’s inteverview on CBS Morning on rethinking aging:
Favorite Things: Movies
Gladiator 2
I’ve been waiting to see this movie since I saw it being filmed when I was in Morocco. It was a great sequel to Gladiator, and I’ll never forget sharks — yeah, sharks — in the Colosseum.
A Complete Unknown
Great portrayal of Bob Dylan and Joan Baez. Her “Diamonds and Rust” was inspired by their relationship, and though Johnny and June Cash are known for “It Ain’t Me Babe,” I get now why it better fits Dylan, the songwriter.
Favorite Things: Streaming
The Chosen
The Chosen has broken records for crowd-funding, translations, streaming views, and box office. Still, I was hesitant to try it. I’ve been disappointed in Jesus’ portrayal in every other movie. Other actors/scripts made him so otherworldly, so aloof in perfection, so like the adage “too heavenly minded for earthly good.” Son of God came closer to the compassionate Jesus I know. The actor Diogo Morgado was beautiful but like the others, dramatic. Something didn’t ring true.
I finally tried the first episode of The Chosen. Compelling but dark. A few weeks later, I gave the series another try. I’ve been binging Seasons 1 – 4 since. I appreciate that the series fleshes out the people who followed Christ closest — their flaws, fears, faith, and doubt. How intimately he knew each person — choosing them for their diversity and willingness to learn rather than their accomplishments. How often their questions are my questions. Even better, Jesus was fleshed out. He was a down-to-earth teacher and engaging storyteller. He led with grace, strength, and humor. He cared about all people — not just the Jews — as seen in the clip below. Likewise, the actor is gracious, humble, and fun whether speaking with fans in interviews from Fox News to The View.
To me, this is the greatest story ever told — it makes life not just better, but best. Worth living. I’m glad the series does it the justice it deserves. In a time when so many assume the party line/position based on cultural and political definitions of “Christian” formed in echo chambers… at a time when bad things are done under that name… the series reminds me that Christ’s time on earth was fraught with those same things. Seeing a closer depiction of the One I’ve known since middle school as he baffles religious and political leaders — even disciples who are just human — gives me hope. It makes me smile and cry. It helps me remember that though there’s so much I don’t understand, ultimately and forever, Love wins.
The series is now on Prime but rotates between all the major platforms so it’s easy to find. Season 5 of the series is to return — first in theaters — in March-April 2025.
Favorite Things: Theater
Broadway’s Moulin Rouge!
The show was an early birthday gift from my sister and brother-in-law. The Grammy-nominated music — even better than in the movie with additions by Adele, Katy Perry, Sia, Rihanna, and Beyonce — had the crowd on their feet. See tour stops in 2025 here.
Favorite Things: Encore Series Worth Watching Again
Ally McBeal
Streaming on Hulu, Ally McBeal‘s back with courtroom drama, fantasy sequences, and a quirky cast. Calista Flockhart plays Ally, the lead (my Enneagram 4 Soul Sister) whose looking for love and finds it for awhile with guest stars Roberth Downey, Jr. and Jon Bon Jovi. Other guests include Barry White, Al Green, Mariah Carey, Josh Groban, Tina Turner, Sting, Elton John Farrah Fawcett, Anne Heche.
Queen Charlotte
I’ve been enthralled with the storylines, costumes, and sets of Seasons 1 -3 of Bridgerton, but the series’ prequel — the love story between Queen Charlotte and King George — slays me.
Encore Movies to Watch With Children
Mary Poppins
As much as I appreciate Ms. Rachel (an excellent educational program) and enjoy Bluey! (a brilliant Australian cartoon that’s fun for adults, too), there comes a time in every parent or grandparent’s life to slip a Disney classic into the mix. The one that has held my one-year-old grandson’s attention throughout is Mary Poppins. He’s a music fan and watching it again, I understand why it gets a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes. The film, like the main character, t is “perfect in every way.”
Favorite Things for Babies (From My 1st Year as Nana)
Playlist for Play or Story Time
Toys for Little Musicians: Piano with Amazing Sound, Musical Instruments, Allegro: Musical Journey Through 11 Masterpieces, Baby Einstein Musical Mix and Roll
Comfortable Clothes by Kate Quinn
Uber Soft, Absorbent Diapers — available at Target or Amazon.
- Perfect for Travel: Designed for sensitive skin with innovative RashShield
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Protection, reducing irritation during long flights or car travel. - Absolutely No Chlorine: Made with ultra-soft materials that are completely removed of chlorine and harsh chemicals, ensuring gentle care for delicate skin.
- Eco-Friendly Materials: Sustainable, high-quality materials let parents choose an eco-conscious option.
Protection, reducing irritation during long flights or car travel.For Moms or Nanas needing arch support for strolling or running with baby: ASICS Yay Gel Kayano 29 Running Shoes — come in 20+ colors
Favorite Things: Travel Destinations for the Family
Costa Rica
Florida
Colorado
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