My name is Wendy Fink. My husband Matt and I have raised our three children in Evanston (where we have resided for almost 30 years). I like to read, knit, cook, scrapbook and exercise. I volunteer at EPL and ETHS regularly.
1) A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman (2014)
I relished the delightful character development of Ove from a depressed bitter man seeking to check out of life into a warm giving grandfather figure in his Swedish community. The simple narrative style and sparse dialogue work well to mimic Ove himself.
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2) Illuminae and Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff (2015 & 2016)
These two books tell a riveting sci-fi story all through primary documents (emails, interview notes, journal entries and drawings, text messages, etc.). The books are super creative and innovative, and the story line is thrilling. I cannot wait for the conclusion.
3) The Girl with All the Gifts by M.R. Carey (2014)
I listened to this post-apocalyptic thriller about a special little girl and her teachers. Hearing the story from the special girl’s perspective adds depth to her emotional and intellectual growth. The ending is a great surprise!
4) The Vegetable Butcher by Cara Mangini (2016)
This excellent cookbook provides knowledge of every vegetable (A to Z), how to pick them, how to clean them, how to cut them and how to prepare them. Having been stuck in the same five-vegetable pattern for awhile, this book has nicely broadened both my taste buds and my culinary skills.
5) Spark Joy by Marie Kondo (2016)
This illustrated sequel to The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up has armed me with illustrations and advice on how to successfully navigate both small and large clean up projects around my house. I also have used Ms. Kondo’s strategies to assist my aging parents in streamlining their belongings.
