Curious about the literary flavors we'll be serving up on Novel and Nosh? This episode peels back the curtain on my reading preferences to give you a taste of what's to come where books and food collide.

When I submitted my four and five-star reads to ChatGPT for analysis, the results painted a surprisingly accurate portrait of my literary palate. From "Atmospheric Escapes" featuring immersive worlds like those found in "The Night Circus" and "Pachinko," to the gentle enchantment of "Magical Realism and Soft Fantasy" in books like "The House in the Cerulean Sea," my reading tendencies fall into eight distinct categories that will influence the recommendations you'll hear on this podcast.

At the heart of Novel and Nosh lies my love for "Bookish and Culinary Comforts" – stories where food and literature serve as emotional anchors. Think "The Mysterious Bakery on the Rue de Paris" or "The City Baker's Guide to Country Living." These comfort reads blend sensory joy with personal transformation, books that nourish in the truest sense. Beyond this core category, you'll discover my appreciation for emotionally resonant fiction exploring identity and family dynamics, powerful women navigating historical settings, character-driven suspense, meaningful romance, and transformative journeys.

Whether you recognized beloved titles from your own shelves or discovered new potential favorites, this episode offers a roadmap to our upcoming literary-culinary adventures. If any of these categories resonated with you, Novel and Nosh might be your perfect next listen. Grab a good book and some delicious food – your next reading feast awaits!

Thank you for listening to Novel and Nosh. For more information, please head to our website at www.novelandnosh.com

Novel Nosh explores the intersection of literature and food through personal stories and creative pairings. I share my 25-year journey of combining these passions, from my first book club to today with the podcast creation.

• Started by pairing crème brûlée with "The Lovely Bones" for a book club, connecting the breaking of the sugary crust to digging into frozen ground
• Grew up surrounded by books thanks to my mother's bookstore job while developing a parallel passion for food
• Find comfort in food-themed books like "Bread Alone" and Jenny Colgan's "Little Beach Street Bakery" series
• Created an Instagram account years ago showcasing book and food pairings, including "Bird Box" with a Dark and Stormy cocktail
• Launching this podcast at almost 50 as a way to finally commit to this long-standing passion
• Building a community around books and food across multiple platforms including Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Facebook

Subscribe to the podcast, visit novelandnosh.com, and join our Facebook group to connect with others who love books and food as much as I do.

Thank you for listening to Novel and Nosh. For more information, please head to our website at www.novelandnosh.com

In this very first episode of Novel and Nosh, Courtney introduces the heart behind the podcast — a cozy, creative space where books, nourishing meals, seasonal rhythms, and slow living come together.

You’ll get to know Courtney’s four pillars: Novel (books + stories)

Nosh (food + nourishment)

Nest (home + beauty)

Navigate (seasonal living + nature-inspired travel).

If you're a midlife woman craving more joy, simplicity, and intention in your daily life — this is your invitation to curl up, breathe deep, and reconnect with what matters most.

Thank you for listening to Novel and Nosh. For more information, please head to our website at www.novelandnosh.com