good books part 7

I'm on a roll with my book recommendations - making up for lost time I guess! Compiled with good books part 5 + good memoirs part 6, this is still a large part of what I've read (and loved!) over the past year. 

Before We Were Yours is a powerful historical fiction novel based on a notorious true life scandal, in which Georgia Tann the director of a Memphis-based adoption organization, kidnapped and sold poor children to wealthy families all over the country. I was unaware of this major historic scandal until I picked up the book, turns out it is pretty mind blowing. We begin in Memphis, 1939, with twelve year old Rill Foss and her four younger siblings living an unconventional life aboard the families Mississippi River Shanty Boat. The tale that unfolds as it alternates with the likable present day character Avery Stafford is riveting, wrenching and ultimately uplifting. 

I positively can not shout enough love for this richly entertaining series. I finished Crazy Rich Asians and immediately purchased the next two; China Rich Girlfriend and Rich People Problems. I lowered my expectations after glancing over some negative reviews; not enough Nick and Rachel was one big complaint about book #3. After reading, I would disagree. Nick and Rachel get just the right amount of page time for their story line and they don't fall completely off the radar as some hasty reviews lead me to believe. A deeper look into the lives of characters who just scratched the surface in book one, like Astrid, Charlie Wu, Su Yi, and Kitty, plus many newcomers proves to be fascinating. The relationships are wildly entertaining, the writing snarky and hilarious, while remaining visually descriptive to the point of stunning; Kevin Kwan ensures you will be entertained at the turn of every page. 

Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine, and the talk of the book world right now. This young lady struggles with appropriate social skills and is none the wiser of her deadpan weirdness and awkward interactions, which transpires into a beautifully written and incredibly funny novel. A #1 New York Times bestseller, I suggest you get to know this out-of-the-ordinary heroine everyone is talking about!

What if the person you’re looking for is standing right next to you, and you don’t even know it? Wryly romantic, Miss You was a terrific and moving summer beach read, one in which the main characters Gus and Tess prove to be realistic and likable. The story unfolds following the trajectories of their separate lives over sixteen years from 1997 - 2013. Eberlen thoughtfully deals with a number of grim issues: autism, cancer, divorce, bereavement, and adultery. Among the struggles and challenges comes destiny; what is ultimately uplifting, heartfelt and meant-to-be!

I took a step outside my comfort zone and into The Thousandth Floor Young Adult series set in New York City 100 years into the future. Sounds bizarre and it is, but I'm pretty sure if you can appreciate my taste in books, or perhaps Gossip Girl (I never watched!) maybe the OC (taking it way back!) you're going to love these, where the drama of high society rich and privilege meets the imaginative and dazzling ways of the future. 

“Equal parts cotton candy and red meat, in the best way.” —People 

“Ultra-readable.” —Vogue 

The Female Persuasion - I enjoyed it! Maybe not as much as the hype, but it's worthwhile. (Heads up: Source for the below because I had a hard time contextualizing.) Charming and wise, knowing and witty, Meg Wolitzer delivers a novel about power and influence, ego and loyalty, womanhood and ambition. At its heart, this novel is about the flame we all believe is flickering inside of us, waiting to be seen and fanned by the right person at the right time. It’s a story about the people who guide and the people who follow (and how those roles evolve over time), and the desire within all of us to be pulled into the light. 

good books part 6

the memoir edition....

I read most of these memoirs months and months ago. I don't recall that anyone recommended them to me with gusto, I just stumbled upon them and one memoir led to another. I am passionate to recommend them now. These women are candid, confident, bold, hilarious and more. I felt like I was getting to know some underground celebrities, some really cool yet controversial women. There is one male author in the mix. His story Alligator Candy is the most devastating of the memoirs I've read. 

Unwifeable

Mandy Stadtmiller

My story is not unique. Single girl comes to New York; New York eats her alive. But what does stand out is my discovery that you can essentially live a life that appears to be a textbook manual for everything one can do wrong to find love—and still find Mr. Right.

 Mandy's story is told with refreshing candor and brilliant hilarity as she recounts failed romances and blackout nights. There is a deep level of rawness and pain. Just when you think Mandy's out of the woods - she spirals. She totally keeps you on edge - is she going to make it? Will she ever be wife-able?

The Rules Do Not Apply

Ariel Levy

Wow, Ariel. This book is complicated, wrenching, engrossing. There's grief, infidelity, alcoholism, ambivalence and estrangement. Years later, she finds herself at a friend’s birthday party, where a stranger asks her: “Are you the Ariel who all the bad things happened to?”

You'll Grow Out Of It

Jessi Klein

Jessi Klein is hilarious. I don't remember laughing out loud at any book as much as I did with this one. I think the fact that I had no expectations and no idea who she was/is going into this might have helped with my level of enjoyment. A lot of reviews wreak of disappointment and call her out for various reasons, lets just say her readers expected more. I didn't judge the writing on a structured level. I simply enjoyed for what it was; candid, real and FUNNY!

Alligator Candy

David Kushner

David Kushner grew up in the suburbs of Florida in the early 1970s, running wild with his friends, exploring, riding bikes, and disappearing into the nearby woods for hours at a time. (Does this sound familiar to anyone else? Even though I came of age in the 90's in Cape Cod, New Hampshire and Vermont, my childhood was certainly one of adventuring wild and free in the woods.) One morning in 1973, everything changed when David’s older brother Jon took a short bike trip to the local convenience store and never returned. 

How does one family survive the worst thing? It's a dedication to a brother tragically deprived of his right to live and a reflection on how to live in a world riven by pain, suffering, and evil. It was agonizing and disturbing, but so worthwhile to read.

Look Alive Out There
Sloane Crosley

As I started this collection of essays I'm scratching my head - why does this authors name sound so familiar? I don't think I read her first set of essays I was Told There'd  Be Cake (but then why am I reading this book if she's so forgettable?!) It finally hit me that I read her novel The Clasp years ago - it never made it into any of my book reviews. The Clasp was actually a great book!

Anyways, this woman is not forgettable. Sloane Crosley is one of a kind. With a trademark hilarity and wit, you will laugh out loud at her stories and observations. I found myself thinking - wait - this really happened to you? Or hold up - you really thought this was a good idea? I read a funny quote about her that resonated: "shes someone who shoots for the stars and hits the ceiling." Some essay subjects become more serious, and there's a deeper insight to be gained from her sharp, perceptive words.

When reading memoirs, I like to alternate. I couldn't have read Ariel, Mandy and Jessi all in a row. Is anyone else like this? I'll read a memoir, a thriller, a novel and so on as to not tire of one genre or style of writing. Let me know your thoughts or if you have read any of these!

good books part 5

It has been over a year since I shared the books I've read! I chalk it up to wedding planning and buying a house - that year when the blog fell off my radar. I have easily read 30+ books since last August. Plus now that I'm pregnant and I've got a lot more down time, I'm flying through them! 

{I think this is the first time I've mentioned a house purchase and my pregnancy on the blog. Just two life altering moments I've casually decided to drop ;) Hopefully more on both those here soon, but in the meantime, Instagram has you covered!}

Girls Burn Brighter

Shoba Rao

I source some book recommendations from A Cup of Joe. (I just realized I've read 4 of the 7 on her spring 2018 list; which will in turn all make my list!) This book was the most surprising of recommendations I've taken. Here's what Joanna quotes “This is the best book I’ve read in a long time,” my best friend texted one night. (She edits books for a living, so when she likes something, I pay attention.) An hour later she texted again, “Maybe the best book I’ve read, ever.” Later that night, yet another text popped up. “I can’t stop reading, you have to borrow it as soon as I’m done.” 

Well that settles it! A must read...or is it? This novel was heavy and disturbing. I'm not sure it's for everyone. We enter the lives of two best friends growing up in rural India, Poornima and Savitha, who encounter unfathomable misogyny and prejudice in countless ways. An act of devastating cruelty splits them up, and the story remains a quest to find one another. "So what, I asked said friend, did she love so much about it? “Every page served as a reminder of what a gift our friends are, and all the ways a deep love between female friends can sustain us during the most difficult times.” Sounds good to me. Me too. Heavy as it was, it stuck with me. I'm glad I read it. 

The Light We Lost

Jill Santopolo

I flew through this novel depicting the love story of one woman, Lucy, and her two meaningful relationships. It involves a deep look at the choices she makes and the what ifs she lives with. The authors prose have a simplicity and a beauty to them. This book was emotional and it irritated me on so many levels! I mean this in a good way. I loved reading it, but throughout it I found myself just clawing with emotion and opinion towards Lucy, that I wanted to shout to anyone who would listen. It made me cry, it made me think, it frustrated me, it made me feel deeply.

Domina

Ultima

L.S.Hilton

I could not put down the second and third books in L.S Hilton's erotic psychological thriller series. Beginning with Maestra, this trilogy will hook you and shock you - these books are ruthless, extravagant, sharp and provocative ~ "like a ritzy 50 shades meets Da Vinci code." Femme fetale Judith Rashleigh returns in Domina and Ultima with enough murder, sex and European glamour to leave you riveted. 

The Dollhouse 

The Address

Fiona Davis

I've become a big fan of Fiona Davis's impeccably structured novels - both The Dollhouse and The Address take place in New York City - alternating between different periods in history at famous residences. The Dollhouse was her debut set in mid-century and present day NYC. The Address takes on different historical eras - The Gilded Age in 1884 and the Regan-Era in 1985. 

Both of these novels appeal with mystery, love, and beautiful tributes to a bygone era. There are captivating settings, historical descriptions and architectural details. The storytelling intricately overlays the past and the present, where ultimately the time periods and characters are tied together in suspenseful, unexpected ways. I'd recommend both but space them out. (Not sure if that's just me but I like to read a few books in between the same author to mix it up.)

Crazy Rich Asians

Kevin Kwan

Jumping on the bandwagon here! I want to see the movie so I figured I better read the book first. It started out slow for me, but it quickly picked up and I did really enjoy it. CRAZY RICH is like, mind blowing, unfathomably, obscenely wealthy. And snobby!! God so snobby. Brilliantly obnoxious and fun at the same time, I'm looking forward to the next two in the series. 

Have you read any of these seven books? What did you think?

I still have a stack of recommends with a lot of memoirs in the mix. Lots more books coming your way!

good books part 4

My girlfriends were asking if I have read any good books lately and I happily directed them to part 3. Since then, I've read a lot more. (And a lot less thrillers, how refreshing.) Writing these posts have been gratifying for me, especially now that I have a collection of books to reflect on. Enjoy the recommendations and let me know yours in the comments. 

The Secret Wife | Gill Paul

A captivating romance set in 1914 war torn Russia is woven with a present day timeline in London and upstate NY. The Secret Wife is a meticulously researched and compelling love story that reveals a fascinating time in history. Clever and beautifully written, this was one of my absolute favorite books this year. 

The Perfume Collector | Kathleen Tessaro

The Perfume Collector is another one of my favorites this go round. Nuanced and elegantly written, Tessaro seamlessly weaves a tale of two women who have never met - sweet, endearing Grace Munroe and fascinating, enchanting Eva D'Orsay. Their separate timelines feature a mysterious, luxurious, scent filled journey through London, Paris, New York and Monte Carlo from 1927 thru 1955. If a book about perfume doesn't sound enticing (it did not to me) trust me, it is easy to embrace the role perfume plays in this novel! Scent as a character is so incredibly, beautifully portrayed. 

 Kissing Frogs + Fish in the Sea | Stephanie Blackburn

Kissing Frogs and sequel Fish in The Sea are written by a local author Stephanie Blackburn. Her novels follow the life of Elliot Roux and her tight group of girlfriends as they navigate their twenties in Boston. Stephanie's writing evokes the realness of emotions, from heartbreak to humor, successes and failures, to the bonds of friendship and trying family drama. Locals and twenty somethings especially will enjoy the relatability factor.  

Anything is Possible | Elizabeth Strout

This was a quick book - it actually proved a perfect 4th of July Lake read - sunbathing, boating, kids and family running all around, it was easy to put down and pick up since it felt more like a series of short stories. Strout has a prose unlike anyone else I've read; she poetically depicts a cast of small town, mostly poor characters coping with love, loss and life. Although the full cast of characters proved mostly forgettable, I still found the book engaging. Strout received extensive praise for the prequel My Name is Lucy Barton. Lucy's character is (controversial to what I stated above) a poignant role in this book!

Small Great Things | Jodi Picoult

A must read from Jodi Picoult. She's one of my favorites but I put off reading this as I wasn't sure I'd enjoy it. Once I finally dug in I was hooked. The book begins in a hospital with Ruth, a black nurse who has worked in L+D for over 20 years, and white supremacist parents who make it known Ruth is not to touch their newborn baby. Something terrible happens and Ruth is charged with a crime. The story unfolds from 3 points of view: Ruth's, the white supremacists father's and Ruth's white lawyer, Kennedy. Well researched, eye opening, challenging, frustrating, and gratifying, this has been deemed the most important novel Picoult has ever written. 

Sex Object | Jessica Valenti

Jessica Valenti is a highly publicized and controversial feminist. I had no idea about her and no one recommended this book to me, I randomly stumbled upon it. This memoir was different, it struck a chord in me. Deeply moving, darkly funny, and bracing, I found Jessica to be incredibly brave and likable. I genuinely appreciate this memoir and her.

good books part 3

My last two book posts proved to be super popular! So without further ado...

Maestra

L.S. Hilton

This was for sure a shocking psychological thriller but I must convey that it was alarming, thrilling, and shocking in an enjoyably sense. It was not disturbing to me in the same way as Behind Closed Doors or Pretty Girls. Maestra follows a young art assistant Judith Rashleigh through London, Italy and France. This book was erotic, exotic, fast paced and hard to put down. The New York Post said this one makes 50 Shades look like the bible. They are not wrong. 

Purity

Jonathan Franzen

For me, Purity reads on the same level as The Goldfinch and Fates and Furies - where these authors come at you with unrivaled literary prose, bizarre plot lines and vivid characters. This novel might take you a little longer to get into but the results are worthwhile. Purity has just enough sex and murder woven in with extreme fidelity, journalism, news leaks, travel, day-to-day, and relationship dynamics to keep things really interesting.

The Trespasser

Tana French

A super interesting read that takes place among a murder detective squad in Ireland, written with a thick Irish dialect. The Trespasser follows the trials and tribulations of Antoinette Conway on her first big murder case. It reads like a really in depth CSI show with intense interrogations, fascinating witness-cop interaction and unexpected twists. 

Everything We Keep

Kerry Lonsdale

Compared to the rest of the books on my list this one was an overall uplifting and comfortable read. I won't downplay the fact that the main character Aimee is a young woman who just lost her fiancée and is dealing with crippling grief as it unfolds into a mysterious everything is not as it seems scenario, but, it's also a story of overcoming loss and finding love again. There are unexpected twists, some dark moments, combined with a good amount of tender, lighthearted, happy moments too. 

Don't You Cry

Mary Kubica

I am a big fan of Mary Kubica's masterful ways with suspense and enjoyed this sinister and gripping story almost as much as The Good Girl. This one won't disappoint!

Truly Madly Guilty

Liane Moriarty

Truly Madly Guilty might be my favorite book of Liane Moriarty's so far. The story is expertly woven as it jumps back and fourth between different characters points of view; leaving the reader with a massive cliffhanger, the eventual reveal, and the aftermath of a life changing event. 

And how exciting that Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman are starring in the HBO Mini series adaptation of a different book of hers, Big Little Lies! I am looking forward to watching that. 

Behind Closed Doors
B.A. Paris

In mentioning this book above and all the expletives I want to throw out there to describe my emotions while reading*, I'll warn you to proceed with caution. On second thought you might want to dive right in just so you know what everyone's reeling about. Behind Closed Doors depicts beyond disturbing behavior of a newlywed couple - the husband towards his wife, which is extremely unsettling to read. A true psychological thriller but it's nothing like you've read in the past.  

*I'm technically not reading this but listening to an audio book - which has turned out to be a nice change of pace on my commute and at the gym!

good books part 2

The last time a book recommendation post appeared on Indulge Inspire Imbibe was January 2015! Here's a look at a handful of books I've read over last year and a half that I think are worth a mention.

Eligible

Curtis Sittenfeld

I loved Eligible! I always enjoy Curtis Sittenfeld's novels and this one was my favorite of hers so far. It was a fun read with interesting and amusing characters. Although, I wasn't a huge fan of the ending. It was one of those - I've invested so much in these characters but this cheesy, quick wrap up is all I get? Ah well. I'd still recommend it and would love to hear others thoughts!

Fates and Furies

Lauren Groff

This novel is on the more serious side of the spectrum, and one of the years most talked about. It was remarkable and complex. An excerpt that sums it up nicely: Every story has two sides. Every relationship has two perspectives. And sometimes, it turns out, the key to a great marriage is not its truths but its secrets. At the core of this rich, expansive, layered novel, Lauren Groff presents the story of one such marriage over the course of twenty-four years.

The Girl On The Train

Paula Hawkins

Everyone read this thriller sometime in the last year, right? If you haven't, give it a go; it's exhilarating, a for sure page turner. You won't be disappointed!

Luckiest Girl Alive 

Jessica Knoll 

Recommended for fans of Gillian Flynn, Paula Hawkins and Jodi Picoult - the author debuts a solid mystery novel with a compelling intensity and twists you won't see coming. This book was hard to put down.

Pretty Girls

Karin Slaughter

This was, hands down, the most terrifying, disturbing book I have ever read. I had NO IDEA going into it, so let this be a fair warning. I mean, it was one of those once you start you can't stop (except to put it down because it becomes so disgusting you need to remove yourself and take a breather...) I was in a constant state of shock. And I keep wondering about author Karin Slaughter. WHO IS THIS WOMAN?! Honestly. I have so many questions about how her mind works. If any of you have read this, please share your thoughts - or just tell me to relax about it already. 

Brain On Fire

Susannah Cahalan

Brain on Fire is an award winning memoir of Susannah's struggle with a rare brain disease at age 24 - diagnosed in the knick of time. Her story is profound and breathtaking, her writing swift and compelling. I was glad I read this one, it's nice to incorporate true stories in the mix of all these crazy-town girl focused thriller novels. 

I Smile Back 

Amy Koppelman 

Written in 2008 and made into a movie starring Sarah Silverman in 2015, this novel tackles the crippling mental illness of a suburban Mom with a loving husband and two adorable kids. As Laney struggles with addiction, depression and severe anxiety, I found myself routing for her, enraged at her, and deeply compelled by her come-undone story. Curious if any of you have seen the movie? Is it worth watching?

What are you guys reading? What should I read next?

Portland | Oregon

We were in Portland for the first two nights and first full day of our Oregon trip. For me, a perfect weekend in the City of Roses ended up going a little something like this...
  We arrived from Boston on a Friday evening at 8:30 pm. After settling into our hotel we walked fifteen minutes to Little Bird Bistro, where I had not made a reservation but knew they served food until midnight. The hostess was able to seat us within 10 minutes. Our meal was wonderful. Their take on classic French cuisine is comforting and innovative.

What we ate + drank: Marrow Bones ($19) roasted garlic, char broiled squash, lentil hummus, toast /  Merci Merci ($10) Pampelaire, Aviation Gin, Aperol, Dolin Blanc /  Manhattan Noveau ($10) bourbon, Bordeaux wine, Benedictine / Fried Chicken "Coq au Vin" ($25) pommes raclette, bacon glazed mushrooms, rosemary-balsamic juice / Green Beans ($10) roasted cherries, foie gras vinaigrette.

Our Saturday morning began at Blue Star Donuts. I am still reminiscing, practically drooling over the flavors we had: passion fruit cocoa nib, blueberry basil bourbon (Bulleit!), hazelnut dulche de leche; and the ones I wish we did: marionberry jam with peanut butter powder, hard apple cider fritter. We washed down breakfast with a Stumptown cold brew coffee.

We seemed to have timed this visit perfectly as we arrived to the pristine kept, light filled space and waited in line no more than 5 minutes; but by the time we left the place was a mob scene!! And my #donut selfie? A must after laughing at their blackboard.

We leisurely perused Powell's City of Books and strolled around Pioneer Courthouse Square and the city center; the gorgeous weather adding to my affections. 

We debated taking an Uber to lunch, but I am always interested in a city's public transportation system, turns out Portland's is great. Between the bus lines and the max light rail the TriMet was a breeze.  We caught the #4 bus at Salmon and 5th which took us over the Hawthorne Bridge to SE Division and 32nd for lunch at Pok Pok. 

I read all about Portlander's braving two-hour waits, the famed spicy papaya salad and Vietnamese fish sauce wings and about Chef Andy Ricker opening outposts in NYC and LA.  I watched him chauffeuring Anthony Bourdain around Thailand on Parts Unknown. ALL THE HYPE.

I can't tell you if Pok Pok was worth the wait, because we didn't have one. (Afterwards, we walked out to a huge crowd on the street. We looked at each other all - are we really that good?! Missing all the lines?!) What I can tell you is that I loved it here at this Thailand street style inspired bungalow shack. If you are in Portland, you should go. 

What we ate + drank: Papaya Pok Pok ($9) central Thai style spicy green papaya salad with tomatoes, long beans, thai chili, lime juice, tamarind fish sauce, garlic, palm sugar, dried shrimp, peanuts / Sticky Rice ($3) / Heat Ray ($10) tequila, som celery drinking vinegar, fresh lime, Thai chili / Muu Paa Kham Waan ($15.50) boar collar meat rubbed with garlic, coriander root and black pepper, glazed with soy and sugar, grilled over charcoal, served with a spicy chili lime garlic sauce and cooling mustard greens. 

After Pok Pok we crossed the street to Salt & Straw. Again, lots of hype about this spot, and again, we somehow avoided the long line as a crowd showed up directly after us. That's three times now at popular spots!! The ice cream itself is something to write home about; perfectly smooth and creamy with creative flavors using local ingredients. I wasn't that into my Pear & Blue Cheese, though! The Bartlett pear was tooth achingly sweet and I hardly got any crumbles of the pungent blue cheese, which certainly would have added some balance. 

I was infatuated with Bob's pick of Freckled Woodblock Chocolate. Woodblock is the first bean-to-bar chocolate maker in Portland, roasting cocoa beans in a 19th century-old fire roaster. Then they add harvested Jacobson Sea Salt from the Oregon coast and use an old-school ice cream making technique called “freckling” to suspend the chocolate in an untempered state. The sea salt really made this flavor stand out. 

We walked with our ice cream in the warm sunshine about half way down SE Division Street, eventually deciding to hop back on the #4 bus a few stops. It was time to get our brewery crawl on! From small batch handcrafted beers that started as garage experiments at Baerlic, to the emerging style of barrel aged sours at Cascade, to European style brews with a focus on Northwest grown ingredients at Commons, these beers and their tasting rooms are so incredibly unique and thoughtful. Enjoy a photo montage of our afternoon, and look for a complete list at the bottom of this post.

I won't get into specifics of each and every beer we drank but I will mention our bar snacks at Hair of the Dog - which were excellent and much needed at this point in the day. We had Pork Toast ($5.25) with tender bits of pig, warmed on grilled bread and a Pickled Vegetable Sampler ($4.50). I had never had pickled broccoli or brussels sprouts and I loved them.

Around dusk we headed for the hotel which was a solid half hour walk. Our 9:15 pm dinner reservations allowed us time to meander back, relax and freshen up. We then hopped the TriMet to Irving Street Kitchen. The large rustic-urban space enveloping us in a warm glow, we settled on glasses of wine and main courses each. I am still thinking about this meal. Dreaming, lusting, swooning. It was fantastic.

What I ate: Beet & Ricotta Cavatelli ($19) / black truffle Stracchino, Ras El Hanout breadcrumb, roasted carrot

After dinner we wandered The Pearl District taking in the abundance of trendy bars and shops. We settled on watching football games at local haunt Life of Riley Tavern and closed out the evening at Deschutes Brewery. The next morning we cheered on marathon runners near the finish line. We had no idea there was a marathon going on until we arrived, so that was fun!

We also spent a half day and night in Portland on the back end, which worked out well for fitting in a couple of things we didn't have time for on the front. Since I mentioned a lot in this post, but omitted certain things too - below is a handy recap. A quintessential guide to Portland for beginners if you will: books, beers, donuts, roses. 

[My Portland top 5]

5) Northeast Alberta Arts District. Inevitably you will find yourself downtown and in The Pearl District. And hopefully in SE Portland. Northeast has a flare all its own. Funky graffiti artwork on walls and benches, hip coffee shops, art galleries and laid back bars. We got a cappuccino at Just Bob, walked around for a bit, then got cocktails at the trendy but low key hangout The Knock Back.  

4) Powell's City of Books / 1005 W Burnside St. You just don't see bookstores like this anymore. Powell's is inspiring. I could have spent all day perusing the shelves. 

3) The Rose Garden / 850 SW Rose Garden Way. Do your best to get here. We skipped it initially but I was so glad we went on our last day. Portland is the city of Roses, after all!

2) The Food. It can be extremely overwhelming with so many acclaimed restaurants from which to choose. I researched and debated a lot but in the end was really happy with our choices.

Lunch: Pok Pok / 3226 SE Division St

 Bunk Sandwiches / 211 SW 6^th Ave  

Dinner: Little Bird Bistro / 215 SW 6TH Ave 

Irving Street Kitchen / 701 NW 13th Ave / Pearl District

Departure / 525 SW Morrison Street / Meier & Frank Building 15th floor

Sweets: Salt & Straw / 3345 SE Division Street

Blue Star Donuts / 3459 SE Hawthorne Blvd

1) A brewery crawl in Southeast Portland. There is an abundance of unique

breweries within walking distance in this residential meets industrial neighborhood. Tasting barrel aged sour beers on the sun drenched Cascade patio was a favorite trip moment. All of the breweries are listed in order of our crawl. Note: Deschutes is not in SE Portland but in the Pearl District. We fittingly ended our night here!

Baerlic Brewing / Hosford-Abernathy neighborhood / 2235 SE 11th Ave.

Cascade Barrel House / handcrafted sour beers / 939 SE Belmont St.

The Commons Brewery / traditional European beers w local ingredients / 630 SE Belmont St. 

Hair of the Dog / small batch bottle conditioned beers / 61 SE Yamhill St. 

Deschutes Brewery / award winning, distinctly Northwest craft beer / 210 NW 11th Ave.

Thank you for sticking with me on this adventure. I know these last couple posts have been much longer than usual. The Columbia River Gorge is up next!