The Books of 2026: 18-20

 18. The Joy of Snacking - Hilary Fitzgerald Campbell. Graphic Memoir. Campbell, who wrote another graphic memoir about her true crime obsession called Murder Book, now explores her quirky relationship with food. She really doesn't care for meals; snacks are her thing. She writes/illustrates her prejudice towards certain foods. For example, jelly is a non-starter for many reasons, including the word jelly itself. There are also her bouts with disordered eating, and she gets into a long-term relationship with a foodie, of all things. The book ends on a triumphant note -- she faces her fears and tries stand-up comedy, and her father introduces her to Heirloom Tomato Toast, from tomatoes he grew himself. Since Campbell pairs her experiences with different snacks, I'm going to pair The Joy of Snacking with one of my favorite snacks, popcorn with pickled jalapeno slices.

19. The Living is Easy - Dorothy West. Novel. Unlikeable characters are decidedly not a recent phenomenon. Cleo Judson is overbearing and manipulative to all who love her. She reminds me of Becky Sharp, with her scheming and social climbing. She also has an insatiable need to recreate her family of origin, and one by one, she plucks her sisters from their husbands and their native south. I was fascinated by Cleo, but the other characters seemed flat, except for her husband, Mr. Judson. My heart broke for him.

20. Sipsworth - Simon van Booy. Novel. Audiobook. A lonely older (80s?) woman named Helen rescues and befriends a mouse, and goes through extraordinary measures to restore the mouse, who she dubs Sipsworth, to full health. In doing so, she begins to make friends, and her past, illustrious career is revealed. Cute book. I admit that I was charmed, and I don't even like mice! Read this one for book group.