Becca Likes Books

Last night I went to the Big Green Bookshop in Wood Green, London, for the first time (for @bookcunt’s launch party), and it was so lovely. It’s a tiny little space crammed full of gorgeous books, with well-thought-out displays and a little children’s reading nook full of the brightest and best picture books.

I bought two books:

…The Deception Artist I had only heard about maybe the day before, so when I saw it on the display table in a moment of serendipity, I had to buy it. Wonder has been on my wishlist for a while.

Displays aren’t restricted to new books, and I got a bit squealy seeing this lovingly nestled on a table among other great fiction:

The bookshop owners clearly have great taste, and indeed Simon Key, who was there at the time, was lovely and chatty and clearly really passionate about books.

They do a lot of events - see their website for more details - and also have a really cool ‘Twisitor’ board which visitors can sign with their Twitter username. I spotted a few famous names, including Caitlin Moran.

All in all, it’s a lovely place and well worth a visit if you’re ever in London. Support indies!

I really love this book and have bought it for a few of my friends - it’s just what we need, interesting and delicious meals with a focus on economy. I appreciate that she gives advice on how to choose, prepare and cook different (and cheaper) cuts of meat, and also has some really good vegetarian recipes (the courgette, pesto and ravioli bake is genius). The sausage and bean cobbler is set to become a staple and the carrot cookies are so tasty! There’s nothing bland in here.

Other favourites include:
- pork parmigiana
- cola braised sticky beef short ribs (phwoar)
- peanut butter and banana brownies
- Spanish-style roast chicken with smoked paprika, black olives and red peppers
- tray-baked ginger glazed salmon

This is a must for all student bookshelves - or indeed anyone looking for fun and exciting new recipes.

I’ve been a fan of the author’s blog for a while - her writing is brilliantly funny, insightful and will often sucker-punch you with something truly moving. Her stories are little slices of life linked to the book she’s reading at the time, from her earliest reading memories, through childhood, school, first love, terrible first jobs, sex, death, university, becoming a ‘proper grown up’ and her somewhat turbulent relationship with her mother. The book contains stories from the blog but also new ones that haven’t been published before - and they’re really really good (can’t say any more!).

You will laugh out loud, cringe, cry and probably fall in love with her dad. You will also discover what happens when you read Lolita on a Megabus and why you should never read Isaac Asimov in a pub. If you want to read something with real heart, read this.