I hope this post finds you well. How was your weekend? I had a very good one. Friday night, I met some ladies from the 'hood for happy hour at our village wine bar. It was great to catch up with them.
Saturday, we met our favorite parents-in-law, The Adorables, for a delicious lunch at Jose On Lovers. My daughter always asks if we talked about them. I honestly tell her that we don't. I don't think she thinks we have lives outside of our children.
We hit a hiccup in our construction process. Hopefully, we'll get back on track today.
The Mister takes deep cleansing breaths when he is out in his precious garage. It's hard for him to see such chaos in his pristine space.
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Allow me to introduce you to my new friend, Jude. She is a very popular and well-read bookstagrammer that is at the helm of @heyjudereads. She is a voracious reader that takes on many genres.
I have been following her for a long time. I did not realize until recently that Jude lives in my neck of the woods. I sent her a message asking her if she would like to meet me for lunch.
A couple of months ago, we met. I brought a list of books that I wanted to talk to her about. I miss not having a book club to chat about books. I had such a great time chattin' it up about books.
Jude was kind enough to agree to participate in my new series.
Tell us about yourself, i.e., your home state, family, career, etc.
I'm Jude Fricano. Married 20 years and mom to a 16-year-old reader daughter. We currently reside in Dallas, TX, by way of Bloomington, IL, Charlottesville, VA, and Saratoga Springs, NY where we grew up. I am a leader in a contact center for a large insurance company.
I'm Jude Fricano. Married 20 years and mom to a 16-year-old reader daughter. We currently reside in Dallas, TX, by way of Bloomington, IL, Charlottesville, VA, and Saratoga Springs, NY where we grew up. I am a leader in a contact center for a large insurance company.
When did your love affair with reading begin?
I was a quiet child with two younger siblings. Our weekly visits to the public library felt like the key that opened a whole new world. I loved choosing new stories, and the more I read, the more I wanted more!
What are your favorite genres?
I'm a fan of literary fiction, contemporary fiction, and memoir.
Paper book, ebook, and/or audiobook?
I prefer a paper book, but due to my ability to read advanced copies, I've grown to appreciate both audio and ebook reads.
What are the best books that you have read in 2022?
What book(s) and/or authors come to mind that you consider overrated?
If you don't enjoy a book, do you finish it or not?
Unless it's a book for book club, I give it 50 pages, and if it hasn't grabbed me, I DNF.
Favorite place and time of day to read?
Book corner of my room when the work day ends and family time/dinner has yet to
begin.
begin.
Your table is set for six. What five authors (living or not) would you invite for lunch?
Ann Patchett
Ethan Joella
Sue Miller
Sue Monk Kidd
Anne Tyler
Ethan Joella
Sue Miller
Sue Monk Kidd
Anne Tyler
What book(s) resonates with you the most?
What is the funniest book that you have ever read? The saddest? The most depressing?
Funniest
Saddest
Most depressing
What are you presently reading, and what's next on your list? Is there a book you are looking forward to that will be published later this year?
Thank you so much, Jude, for your insightful answers.
I look forward to another lunch.
Don't forget to give @heyjudereads a follow. Not only does she give great reviews, but she also has the scoop on great giveaways.
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Linking up with:
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Jose on Lovers has been the best recommendation you’ve given me. We go there each time we come to Dallas… this year we even met the daughter’s boyfriend and his family there for dinner. Upscale, but not fancy and always very tasty. -niki
ReplyDeleteThe food and service are great! Glad you liked it, Niki.
DeleteAnnie G here. I love Ann Patchett. Kathy from Buttonwood highly recommended that book also. I hope Santa is listening. Lucy by the Sea will be added to the list as well. Missing you from Massachusetts. Hi to Miss Millie.
ReplyDeleteMissing you, sweet Annie! xx
DeleteJude is simply wonderful! I loved this little insight into her reading choices. I always feel like I enjoy the books she recommends.
ReplyDeleteJude has got great taste in books and and a fun personality - a dynamic duo!
DeleteI DO NEED TO JUMP INTO THE READING WORLD MORE!
ReplyDeleteI FEEL I HAVE VERY LUTTLE TIME FOR THAT!YOU KNOW THE ITALIAN AND THE PIG AND THE DOG AND CAT TAKE UP MY DAY!
YOUR ONE AND ONLY CONTESSA
Just found you after Cynthia H had us read your Cabo trip. So fun and beautiful pics.
ReplyDeleteI’m in Horseshoe Bay, not that far from Dallas.
Love this day about books, I’ll be checking them out.
Welcome to my blog! Please thank Cynthia H for steering you my way!
DeleteI really liked Where the Forrest Meets the Stars! I need to check out some of the others she likes too! They look good!
ReplyDeleteI added a few to downloads thanks to Jude!
DeleteI agree with some of her overrated books/authors, and can't wait to read Demon Copperhead. I've heard the audio on that one is excellent, although I don't know if I can hang in there for 20 hours of listening. Thanks for the fun series!
ReplyDeletethank you Katie for the introduction to Jude. I cannot wait to follow her. So many new to me books and some that I enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week!
Elizabeth@pineconesandacorns.
How fun to meet up like that!! Bonding over books is a good way to start a friendship!! Thanks for introducing us to Jude and for the great reviews! xo
ReplyDeleteShadow of the Wind is one of my favorite books!! It reads like a really visual movie. I highly recommend it.
ReplyDeleteThat was one of the ones that I downloaded! Great minds think alike!!
DeleteHi from Deirdre—had to come check out Jude’s recommendations! So many favorite authors and reads listed here but Ethan Joella is new to me. Off to learn more about him!
ReplyDeleteHi Deirdre! Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteI'm with Jude about those books that are overrated, sometimes I think I am missing something. Like the interesting part of the book - maybe pages were torn from my copy? And Wally Lamb...magnificent. Thank you for introducing us to Jude - I must follow this brilliant mind!
ReplyDeletexo,
Kellyann
I hopped over to her Insta and my daughter’s best friend from college mom follow her too! I had the funniest reaction to the book where the forest meets the stars. I love you reached out for a lunch date!
ReplyDeleteHey it’s me laura the anonymous is default and i have yet to figure it out
ReplyDeleteI hear you, Laura. It's the bane of my existence.
DeleteBetween your recommendations and now Jude's, I'll be set for great books to read for the season. :) Thank you!
ReplyDeleteKaren B.
You are entirely welcome, Karen! Thanks for commenting.
DeleteI always love it when you share your reading, Katie! Some fun titles here!
ReplyDeleteI have read most these books on Netgalley…and reviewed…good ones
ReplyDelete