Books on my Bed Stand

My bed stand is usually covered by books. There are books that I'm reading, books that I'd like to read and books that appeared mysteriously and need to be put away. Right now I'm reading through these books:

Heat: An Amateur's Adventure as Kitchen Slave, Line Cook, Pasta Maker, and Apprentice to a Dante-Quoting Butcher in Tuscany

A book about writer (= not a trained chef) who decides to intern in Mario Batalli's kitchen Babbo. An entertaining book if you're interested in food and cooking, but be warned, the book has quite a bit of crude language and the occasional sexual reference.

Signs and Mysteries: Revealing Ancient Christian Symbols

Mike Aquilina describes the signs and symbols that were used by early Christians as they practiced their faith in a difficult and often hostile environment. This book is easy to read and can be inspiring to those who enjoy arts and crafts. I'm thinking about using some of the symbols as ideas for embroidery work.

The Big Book of Catholic Customs and Traditions for Children's Faith Formation

I recently bought this book from Amazon and have been slowly reading parts of it here and there. Some of the activities and suggestions are targeted for a classroom setting but most can be used at home. It has feast day plans and ideas for each month of the year with special sections for Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter.

Slow-Cooked Comfort: Soul Satisfying Stews, Casseroles and Braises for Every Season

Cook books are so much fun to read, especially when they are seasonally appropriate. When I read about the stews I feel all warm and cozy despite the cold wintery weather outside. I've made the beef bourguignon (delicious!) and this week I'm trying out the chicken etouffee. This is definitely a book I would consider buying.