Litsy

Cooking for Picasso | C A Belmond, Camille Aubray

pick

Fascinating, dual timeline family saga, exploring the ways a young woman‘s acquaintance with Pablo Picasso during the summer of 1936 influences successive generations of her family for years to come. Excellent storytelling, plus I learned quite a bit about Picasso and his art. Now I want to visit a Picasso museum. And the south of France! Another excellent pick by @TheBookHippie for #SundayBuddyRead !
#24in24 @Jas16

Jas16 Wow you are making incredible progress! 2mo

julieclair @Jas16 No, just catching up on reviews from books I read in January! 😉 2mo

33 likes2 comments

TheBookHippie

Pablo Picasso: 1881-1973. The works 1937-1973 | Pablo Picasso, Carsten-Peter Warncke

Picasso deep dive 😂🎨🖼️🖌️ #nerd

CBee 😍😍😍😍 3mo

59 likes1 comment

TheBookHippie

Pablo Picasso: 1881-1973. The works 1937-1973 | Pablo Picasso, Carsten-Peter Warncke

In the news today https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2024/feb/06/picassos-barcelona-footsteps-of-t...

#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD PEEPS 🎨

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kspenmoll

Cooking for Picasso | C A Belmond, Camille Aubray

Mystery,Murder, Mayhem…that‘s my genre for January. I did read 1 nonfiction book & 3 fiction- not a mystery!!! 13 books in total. #nunlit #RevThomasAquinashistoricalmystery #SavannahCat #nonfiction #NancyDrewBR #sundaybuddyread #historicalfiction #spy #mysteries #policeprocedural #serieslove2024 #seasonalcozies #January
Top 3: Mercy House, The Last Garden in England, Journey to Munich

TheBookHippie, Librarybelle, Andrew65, jlhammar, TheSpineView, julieclair

Librarybelle Excellent stats!! 3mo

TheBookHippie ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️ 3mo

TheSpineView Great job! 3mo

sblbooks I just ordered The Last Garden in England from Pango. It sounded really good. 3mo

julieclair Great month of reading! 🎉👏 3mo

47 likes5 comments

Larkken

Cooking for Picasso | C A Belmond, Camille Aubray

so-so

I… honestly don‘t know. There were too many threads going in this book. #butwhatofthepitcher? #justiceforjulie 😬
#sundaybuddyread was enjoyable as always, though! @TheBookHippie
#Popsugar2024 set in a travel destination on my bucket list (south of France - oh, the foooddd!)
#52books24 chapter headings have dates

Larkken #52bookclub24 @Kristy_K, @LaraReads, @KarenUK, @Hooked_on_books, @BarkingMadRead, @Crazeedi, @brittanyreads, @Magpiegem, @BookBelle84, @Larkken, @jenniferw88, @julesG, @Deblovestoread, @MidnightBookGirl, @Librarybelle, @triplem80, @Tove_Reads, @Read4life, @Bluebird, @BarbaraBB, @eeclayton, @hissingpotatoes, @Book_Lover95, @TheAromaofBooks
3mo

TheBookHippie ♥️♥️♥️♥️ 3mo

BarbaraBB The food… yess! 3mo

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3mo

Hooked_on_books I‘m seeing a lot of so-so reviews for this one. Too bad it didn‘t work out better! 3mo

33 likes5 comments

DebinHawaii

Cooking for Picasso | C A Belmond, Camille Aubray

so-so

#JumpStart2024 #ReadAway2024

Read for #SundayBuddyRead this book had a lot of promise & their were parts I really enjoyed( (the food, French Riviera setting, glimpse into the art world & learning more about Picasso) but it just was too all over the place with plot lines, characters that were not flushed out, & I felt myself yelling in my head at the author & one of the MCs, Celine) & not enough for it to be a pick & so it gets a so-so for me.⬇️

TheBookHippie, DieAReader, Lizpixie, Andrew65, GHABI4ROSES

DebinHawaii … As usual, the discussions led by & extra research of @thebookhippie were what made it fun & interesting & I learned a lot. (Although it didn‘t help me like Picasso any better—misogynistic🐷 it did help me appreciate his talent & understand him more). The author‘s second book The Godmothers tagged below is much better but I‘m not sorry we read this one even if it wasn‘t a hit. If you have read it (spoiler if you have not) I just have to say… ⬇️

The Godmothers: A Novel

(edited) 3mo

DebinHawaii … #JusticeForJulie 😡🥺😢 she got a raw deal as a character! 3mo

DieAReader 🥳Great! 3mo

kspenmoll Wonderful review. Love your graphics! 3mo

62 likes4 comments

vonnie862

Cooking for Picasso | C A Belmond, Camille Aubray

so-so

Well, I enjoyed the mystery of the characters trying to find the missing Picasso painting but a lot of random things happened.
However, I did learn new things about Picasso.

30 likes

TheBookHippie

Cooking for Picasso | C A Belmond, Camille Aubray

This post contains spoilers

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#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD

I thank you so much for Sunday !!!

We finally made it to the end of January!!!

Librarybelle I feel like I have a little more insight on Picasso, at least! Not the worst book I‘ve read - there were parts that I liked - but glad I borrowed this one from the library. 3mo

Karisa Thank you for another fun read! Yes, worth it to think about Picasso and his art a bit more @Librarybelle I didn‘t realize he was such a 💩😂 It‘ll make me look at his art a bit differently now. The food and Ondine though 😍 Maybe the book should‘ve just been all Ondine‘s pov with a little Celine epilogue for closure… I always want to fix the books 😂 3mo

mcctrish I agree the Ondine/Picasso/food/south of France was all worth it 3mo

See All 22 Comments

IndoorDame Thank you for all the art resources! While I have mixed feelings about this one, starting the year off on a creative note was a major goal of mine! 🖼️🎨♥️ 3mo

AmyG Ha, yes….not the worst book we‘ve read. Highlight…the food. As always, thank YOU. (edited) 3mo

Read4life An author I wouldn‘t have picked up if not for this group. I‘m glad I read both books with this group! Thank you. 😊 3mo

Larkken @Karisa that would have been a more enjoyable book to me as well! 3mo

Larkken For some reason I‘m more annoyed that celine never got the pitcher back than that she had to sell the Picasso? But yes! I enjoyed getting introduced to many of the themes in this book - thanks for putting it on my radar @TheBookHippie I would not have read it otherwise! (edited) 3mo

vlwelser The food and the setting were great. The art speaks for itself with no intervention from the author. 3mo

Deblovestoread I would have picked this up based on cover and title and enjoyed the Ondine part of the story a lot. I didn‘t realize it was the same author as The Godmothers until a few days ago. Wish she would have kept Julie alive as part of the HEA. 3mo

DebinHawaii Sundays are always a treat! A so-so on this one for me although I did enjoy parts & learning more about Picasso (although I like him less now!). Thank you for all the extra research that you put in & the always amazing hosting. 😘❤️❤️❤️ 3mo

vonnie862 This month flew by so fast!!! Thanks again for hosting. Looking forward to February's read! 3mo

julieclair Despite everything, I actually enjoyed this book. I have had it on my shelf for ages… just waiting to read it with this group! You always do such an amazing job of hosting, Christine. Thank you. 💙 And now… it‘s headed to the library book sale. 😀🤣 3mo

TheBookHippie @julieclair 😅😂😂😂 3mo

TheBookHippie @Larkken RIGHT? Where is the pitcher?! 3mo

CoffeeAndABook Hi @TheBookHippie , a few days late but nevertheless - thank you for hosting this! I am so glad I finally read it, just based on cover + blurb I had intended to read it forever! The story had a solid premise but needed TONS of editing (as stated above) but it was intriguing enough and so worth it for the art aspect!!! And parts of the story were very enjoyable. It was a momentous concept to take on as a debut novel so kudos for that!! ⬇️ 3mo

CoffeeAndABook ⬆️ as to the striped pitcher @TheBookHippie @Larkken - wasn‘t it mentioned in the first chapters of the book that the EVIL twins 👿 threw it out? I kept hoping it would turn up after all but I think it was just simply in the trash 🥴😵‍💫 Have a lovely week everyone and thanks again for the fascinating research and hosting 😘💝 3mo

TheBookHippie @CoffeeAndABook ♥️🤦🏻‍♀️ I guess I thought that they were lying 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫 ughh. Thanks for the reminder!!! It was a fun ride of a book! 🙃 3mo

mollyrotondo Sorry I was late for the second half of this read. I enjoyed the beginning a lot but then it dragged a bit once Celine went to France. Loved learning more about Picasso. Knowing more about his treatment of women and how that is represented in his art has made me turn on him but I was still really fascinated by it all. Thank you Christine! 3mo

TheBookHippie @mollyrotondo it all still fascinates me but as @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick says what a douchecanoe.. 3mo

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick I had to push through to finish because it was going back to the library. I didn't get to comment all the way through, but Picasso was a douchecanoe indeed. However, some women like that behavior, and so the men are rewarded. I didn't mind the Celine portion, I enjoyed Ondine's story, and I can't say I'm surprised by Picasso's actions. I didn't love this one, but I've finished worse. 3mo

TheBookHippie @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick RIGHT?! The women who like it 😵‍💫. 3mo

16 likes22 comments

TheBookHippie

Cooking for Picasso | C A Belmond, Camille Aubray

This post contains spoilers

show me

#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD

😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫👀👀👀👀
I loved Ondine.
I loved the art.
I loved the food.

I think the book needed an edit. This is her first book. Godmothers which I loved loved loved was her second.

What did you think ?

This section frustrated me I didn‘t even do rabbit holes 😂😬🤷🏻‍♀️

Librarybelle It definitely needed an edit. I felt the author could get across what she wanted to say without so many words or episodes or even these magical coincidences that seemed to come at the right moment. 3mo

CoffeeNBooks I feel like the main idea of the story, looking for a lost Picasso, still could have been accomplished (maybe even better) without the addition of so many other things. I did love Ondine and reading about the food and art. If I saw this book in the library, I would have picked it up because of the title and cover, so I'm glad we read it. I just didn't like it. 😁 3mo

TheBookHippie @CoffeeNBooks my used copy already at the used bookstore 😂👀(our bookstore here uses credit system ) I agree even without Godmothers I would have picked it up …. 3mo

See All 17 Comments

CoffeeNBooks @TheBookHippie lol! 😂🤣😂 3mo

Karisa Yes! Ondine, art, and the food saved it all. Worth a read with you all for sure! I‘m a snag it from Libby type so no cost for me either. Totally agree with @Librarybelle a good edit could‘ve polished it all up so much! Though I don‘t mind a magical coincidence once or twice in a story, this was too much all at the end. Must‘ve been on a deadline 😅 3mo

mcctrish Imo it needed an editor who loved this genre of book - I‘m sure it had an editor but it sure wasn‘t one that jammed with this genre. If I had not known about this book I would have wanted to read it while I was on my trip last summer. I usually buy my Sunday Buddy Reads so I don‘t have to worry about how long I have them, but this one I got from the library and I can‘t wait to take it back 🤣 3mo

IndoorDame Agreed. Ondine was a great character, and the art and the food were amazing! Lots of the time I found this a fun read, but it went off the rails in my opinion. I think about 75% of the subplots had the potential to be amazing all on their own if fleshed out, and the whole thing could have come together better with different (read more and better) editing. 3mo

AmyG Ahhhhhhhh, I disn‘t know this was her first book. Makes sense now. Yes, Godmothers was much better. Ondine was the best character. (edited) 3mo

Read4life Such a leap from this book to Godmothers. Better flow and the editor did their job with Godmothers. I enjoyed seeing how her writing evolved from this one to Godmothers. Thanks for such thoughtful book choices, Christine. 3mo

Larkken Yes to everyone! Loved Ondine, the food, the south of France, the rabbit holes about the art. My biggest “hole” was with Gilot, and I really enjoyed learning about her. I had no idea she was living until last year! 3mo

TheBookHippie @Larkken I put her book on our schedule for nonfiction November 2025 👀😂✔️ 3mo

Larkken @TheBookHippie ooo fun! 3mo

vlwelser Godmothers was so much better. 3mo

DebinHawaii I forgot this was her first book! It does explain a lot. I had it in my Kindle TBR from a deal before it was in the list based on the cover & description & was thinking it might be one for my virtual foodie book club but I am glad I read it with our group—infinitely more fun! It definitely did not live up to its potential but I am excited for the Gilot bio. 3mo

vonnie862 This book was all over the place. I did like the mystery of trying to find the painting but I was not too fond of the men in the book. I haven't read Godmothers, but I don't know if I should pick it up. 3mo

julieclair Yes to everything you said. Now I really want to view some real Picasso paintings somewhere. 3mo

mollyrotondo I enjoyed this book but I think the Ondine was way better than the Celine story. I think she made a wise choice in Godmothers to not switch back and forth between past and present. She focused exclusively on the family history and bookended the story with the more current ancestor. I liked Godmothers a lot more but still enjoyed the historical part of this story. 3mo

10 likes17 comments

TheBookHippie

Cooking for Picasso | C A Belmond, Camille Aubray

This post contains spoilers

show me

#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD

Celine and Gil
Dumbwaiter
Well there‘s the painting to save the day 😳😂🤦🏻‍♀️😊
Thank goodness they knew a buyer ..
And it all ends HEA ♥️😂🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️
And oh she can paint Celine can.. so that‘s good.

BarkingMadRead Very neat and tidy 🤣 3mo

TheBookHippie @BarkingMadRead OMG the hate reading I did 😵‍💫 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️. All ends happily ever after 🤦🏻‍♀️😅 except poor mom. 3mo

Librarybelle @TheBookHippie I love that…hate reading! And yes, of course there happened to be a buyer who will allow Celine to visit whenever as the painting travels around the world in a yacht for the time being. 3mo

See All 16 Comments

CoffeeNBooks I'm glad they figured out where the painting was... but again, too many convenient plot twists that were fairly far-fetched. 3mo

Karisa Yep, rushed ending for sure. The pacing of the whole book felt off. Leisurely paced first third with Picasso, sped up life with Luc in America, slowed down trip to France, sped up happy ending… 🤷🏻‍♀️ I didn‘t hate it though😂 The yacht part blurred into a Maria Callas book partly set on Aristotle Onassis‘ boat I just finished. Maybe reading about a real larger than life story made this all feel more possible? 😅 3mo

mcctrish #hatereading 👏🏻👏🏻 I think my problem is this book had such potential but CA took lazy, inauthentic short cuts at any opportunity- the Picasso part rang true because she couldn‘t go that far off book ( totally tired herself out with that ) 3mo

IndoorDame I don‘t know if I‘m more upset that her unlikely scheme actually panned out and she became an overnight millionaire, or that she left a priceless piece of art with a guy she barely knew to “sell for her” and that didn‘t come back to bite her in the ass. 🤯 3mo

AmyG The convenience of everything working out. 😳 I liked this book up to last section. 3mo

Read4life I agree with you @AmyG That sealed it as a so-so for me. 3mo

Larkken I think I would have been fine with it except for the mom dying really threw me into #hatereading everyone else‘s HEA. Like, what was the point of selling the painting? Was it to give Celine a nice life, despite the mini lecture about money not giving you happiness?!? 3mo

vlwelser This was all just totally ridiculous. Even for a novel about a fake relationship with Picasso. 3mo

DebinHawaii The food, scenery & art were the highlights. @IndoorDame I was yelling at her for that! 🤯🤬 3mo

vonnie862 When she left the painting with Gil, I started screaming! Luckily, he turned out to be good...too good in fact. 3mo

julieclair @IndoorDame @DebinHawaii @vonnie862 But at least it did occur to her to worry a bit about leaving the painting with Gil… 🤣🤣🤣 3mo

mollyrotondo I didn‘t care about the painting at this point lol I was only interested because I thought it would help her mom but CA decided to kill her off anyway. And did we know Celine could paint? Was the tipoff that she is good makeup? I wanted just a book about Ondine and we could have scrapped the Celine escapades. 3mo

TheBookHippie @mollyrotondo not until the end… apparently once she knew Picasso was her grandpa… I assume the make up was leading us .. 3mo

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