Hi, there! I’m CJ, a writer and avid reader who loves to spend time in the kitchen.
HISTORY:
In 2018, a friend (Thanks, G!) suggested I start a blog as a way to combine my love for books with my love of cooking and baking. The concept is that I review a book I’ve read and then post a recipe that was inspired by the story.
My immediate reaction was to dismiss the idea as impossible. Then, the two most dangerous little words popped into my head: “Why not?”
After that, I couldn’t get the idea out of my head.
Welcome to A Well-Read Tart: my blog about reading, recipes, writing, and whatever else happens to pop up while I have your rapt attention.
BOOKS:
I post (spoiler-free) book reviews of what I’ve been reading. Most of my reviews are positive, but I also think it’s important to post my honest reviews of books I didn’t like. The main reason for this blog to help connect people with great reading recommendations, and I want to do my best to guide you toward what I think you’ll love and what I think you’ll want to avoid.
In case you’re interested, I’m an active member on Goodreads. Since I read more books than I can blog about, you can follow me here if you want to see every book that I’m reading in “real time.”
FOOD:
I post recipes that are inspired by the books I’ve read and reviewed on the blog. Most of the time, I’m creating my own recipes; other times, I’m adapting a recipe I’ve found online. I always give credit to original recipes when necessary.
Food is my Very Favorite Thing, and I’m always finding my way into the kitchen to whip up a snack or a sweet. I love cooking, but baking is my first love, inspired by baking with my grandmother when I was a little girl.
WRITING:
If you check out my “Writing” section, you’ll see that I’m working hard to fulfill my lifelong dream of becoming a published author. I’ve currently written three novels, and when I’m not blogging, you can find me in various stages of querying literary agents or revising a rough draft of a novel.
I want this section of my blog to provide support for other writers. It’s a place where I talk about how much I love writing, how frustrating it can be, how I rediscovered my love for it after a long and unexpected hiatus, and lots of other writing-related issues like querying literary agents, revising manuscripts, climbing out of plot holes, and other fun stuff like that.
EVERYTHING ELSE:
I love tea, carbs, desserts, Zumba, cats, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” TV show, candles, being outside in the sunshine, taking long walks, traveling, and all things hygge. I live in Northern New Jersey, in a little cottage nestled among the woods and mountains with my husband, cat, and turtle. It’s safe to expect any and all of these things to make an appearance in my posts at any given time, though I’ll try to stay true to the main reason for creating this blog – to discuss books, recipes, and writing.
Happy reading! Love, books, and carbs,
CJ xoxo