Reading has always been an important part of my life. As a little girl I would sneak lights to read after my bedtime. When I lived in Japan I spent my hours on the train reading and gave Amazon Japan a lot of business sending me books in English. Although my schedule nowadays doesn't permit me to read as much as I would like I still fit it in when I can. 
Currently I am in the midst of reading "The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of Elements" by Sam Kean. I find science history really fascinating (yes, I am a nerd) and this book full of quirky tales involving the elements has me totally engrossed. I'm really enjoying it and can't wait to finish it.
I just finished reading "Baking Cakes in Kigali: A Novel" by Gaile Parkin. Set in Rwanda after the genocide, the book tells the tale of a Tanzanian woman, Angel Tungaraza, brought to the country through her husband's job at a university. Known for her cake baking and wisdom, Angel helps others while raising her grandchildren and dealing with the pain of having lost her own children. The book revolves around an apartment complex of expats and is full of colorful characters and stories and, as someone who enjoys baking, I loved the cake descriptions. Although the bleak realities of AIDS and genocide are present, "Baking Cakes in Kigali" is uplifting and I found it a wonderful read.
Another recent book that I enjoyed was "The Sharper Your Knife, the Less You Cry: Love, Laughter, and Tears in Paris at the World's Most Famous Cooking School" by Kathleen Flinn. The book is her memoir of moving to Paris with her new love to attend the famed French cooking school Le Cordon Bleu after leaving her job. Part of the reason I adore this book is because I am jealous and would love to do the same. The stories are about good food, adjusting to living in a foreign country and following your dreams. What more can you ask for in a book?
So, what have you been reading? Can you recommend me some good reads? I need to start planning some books to bring to Italy with me next week.