Kathrin's Books

Books of the Month - May

Spain: A Culinary Road Trip: Whether you are drawn to the allure of Spain or simply enjoy discovering Spanish cuisine from the comfort of home, Spain: A Culinary Road Trip is a feast for the senses. Companion to the PBS television series Spain... On The Road Again, the book follows Mario Batali on an unforgettable eating tour through Spain's diverse regions. Dishes like the signature pineapple with lime and molasses echo the inventive spirit of Ferran Adrià — the celebrated Catalan chef of El Bulli fame on the Costa Brava of northeastern Spain. As with all of Batali's cookbooks, the recipes are approachable yet deeply satisfying. This first edition is a fine choice for cookbook collectors and makes a cherished gift.

Books of the Month - April

Martha Stewart's Gardening: Month by Month: A Peak Martha classic, and for many readers, the definitive Martha Stewart book. This lavishly illustrated large-format volume takes readers through the six-acre garden at Stewart's Westport, Connecticut estate month by month. First published in 1991, it remains one of her most beloved and sought-after titles. Martha Stewart's Gardening: Month by Month is filled with photographs of Stewart pruning, raking, and moving through her grounds with characteristic purpose — alongside her beloved dogs, amid the fragrant rows of her herb garden, and among her breathtaking roses. But this is far more than a coffee-table showpiece. It offers heartfelt, solid gardening advice drawn from years of hands-on work. It offers an intimate look into one of the most beautiful — and most personally tended — private gardens in the United States.

Books of the Month - March

A New Leaf (Cape Light, Book 4): The new leaf motif is not merely symbolic but foundational, guiding the narrative toward restoration. Renewal is portrayed as active redirection, requiring intentional change and inward resolve. Spiritual overtones gently shape the theme, with hope and light serving as enduring symbols of grace, clarity, and new beginnings. Renewal is presented as both tangible and recurring, affirming that endings may lead to wholeness and that second chances are woven into the fabric of life. In keeping with Thomas Kinkade’s broader tradition of inspirational storytelling, hope emerges as a regenerative force, and light—both literal and metaphorical—illuminates the path toward beginning again.

Books of the Month - February

The Lifted Veil: Women's 19th-Century Stories This beautiful collection of stories unveil how these works, from Britain, America, and beyond, reflect social change and the expanding literary voice of women in the 19th century. The Watsons by Jane Austen — an unfinished tale of family, marriage prospects, and social constraints. Maurice, or the Fisher’s Cot by Mary Shelley — an exploration of human relationships and emotional life. The Green Dwarf by Charlotte Brontë — an imaginative adventure with Gothic overtones. The Grey Woman by Elizabeth Gaskell — a suspenseful narrative of deception and peril. A Whisper in the Dark by Louisa May Alcott — an atmospheric and introspective story. The Lifted Veil by George Eliot — a supernatural-tinged novella concerned with foresight and fate. A Pair of Silk Stockings by Kate Chopin — a modern, ironic look at female desire and independence. The Fatal Marriage by Mary Elizabeth Braddon — dramatic fiction driven by passion and consequence. The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman — a landmark psychological work addressing mental health and gender roles. The Buddhist Priest’s Wife by Olive Schreiner — a reflective dialogue that subtly interrogates gender norms. Souls Belated by Edith Wharton — a later-century American perspective on ambition and disillusionment. The China Bowl by Charlotte Mew — a poignant meditation on family, loss, and change. This edition is as much a work of art as it is a book, featuring exquisite bindings, illustrations, and typography that make it stand out on any shelf. Its beauty is intended to celebrate both the stories and the physical book itself.

Thomas Kinkade

Thomas Kinkade’s books are wonderful works of fiction, co-written with Katherine Spencer. This collection features titles from the Cape Light series and the Angel Island series.

An Unfinished Novel

Unfinished novels occupy a unique place in literary history. Left incomplete by their authors—often due to illness or untimely death—these works offer a compelling glimpse into a story still in motion. Readers encounter fully realized characters and themes, yet also the open spaces of what might have been. Editorial notes, outlines, and surviving drafts often accompany such texts, providing valuable insight into the author’s creative process. Though incomplete, these novels remain important literary artifacts, appreciated both for their artistry and for the poignant sense of a final work forever in progress.

Books Ideal for Travel: A Companion for Every Journey

Travel offers a unique opportunity to step away from routine and immerse oneself in new experiences—and the right book can be the perfect companion along the way. Whether you're on a sun-drenched beach, a bustling train, or waiting at an airport terminal, a well-chosen book can enhance the journey, offering escape, reflection, or even inspiration. Compact, engaging reads are ideal for travel. Novellas, short story collections, and page-turning thrillers are particularly well-suited for their accessibility and momentum. ravel has a rhythm of its own—quiet mornings, hurried connections, unexpected pauses—and poetry fits seamlessly into those in-between spaces. Unlike longer novels, poetry invites you to slow down and savor language in small, powerful doses, making it an ideal companion for the traveler. Slim volumes of verse are easy to pack and carry, and a single poem can linger in your mind long after you've closed the book. Collections by Mary Oliver, Rainer Maria Rilke...

Charles Dickens: His Life, Works, Letters, Art, and Illustrations

Explore the world of Charles Dickens, one of the most influential and beloved writers of the Victorian era. This collection offers a deep dive into his literary masterpieces, personal letters, vivid illustrations, and artistic legacy. Charles Dickens’s storytelling shaped generations and brought to life unforgettable characters such as Oliver Twist, Ebenezer Scrooge, David Copperfield, and Esther Summerson.

Books about literature, bookstores, the love for books.

"Books are silently patient; they ask for nothing but are always there for you." Karl Lagerfeld "La Page Cachée — The Hidden Page "Because he knows the magic that is to be found within the covers of a book." Daisy Wood, The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris (2022) "He stumbled on a series called The Pickwick Papers by someone named Charles Dickens, who was very funny…" R.F. Kuang, Babel (2022) "He looked so much like the rugby player he said he was, but he had a reader's soul, one that was able to look beyond what was presented to see what lay below the surface." Madeline Martin, The Booklover's Library (2024)

Debut novels

First books