Tuesday, November 29, 2022
Review - Mad Honey
AUTHORS: Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan
RATING: ★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): A soul-stirring novel about what we choose to keep from our past, and what we choose to leave behind.
Olivia McAfee knows what it feels like to start over. Her picture-perfect life—living in Boston, married to a brilliant cardiothoracic surgeon, raising a beautiful son, Asher—was upended when her husband revealed a darker side. She never imagined she would end up back in her sleepy New Hampshire hometown, living in the house she grew up in, and taking over her father's beekeeping business.
Lily Campanello is familiar with do-overs, too. When she and her mom relocate to Adams, New Hampshire, for her final year of high school, they both hope it will be a fresh start.
And for just a short while, these new beginnings are exactly what Olivia and Lily need. Their paths cross when Asher falls for the new girl in school, and Lily can’t help but fall for him, too. With Ash, she feels happy for the first time. Yet at times, she wonders if she can she trust him completely . . .
Then one day, Olivia receives a phone call: Lily is dead, and Asher is being questioned by the police. Olivia is adamant that her son is innocent. But she would be lying if she didn’t acknowledge the flashes of his father’s temper in him, and as the case against him unfolds, she realizes he’s hidden more than he’s shared with her.
Mad Honey is a riveting novel of suspense, an unforgettable love story, and a moving and powerful exploration of the secrets we keep and the risks we take in order to become ourselves.
REVIEW: I had such high hopes for Mad Honey, but it was a huge disappointment. (Giving it three stars was pushing it). I’ve always loved and enjoyed the escapism that comes with reading and being able to tune out the world for a little while. Well, that didn’t happen with this book. I could’ve turned on the nightly news and gotten the same results because this story is riddled with political hot topics, such as domestic abuse, abortion, discrimination, gender identity, sexual identity - just to name a few. It started off great, and I was fully invested in the first half of the book. There were a couple of short hot topic passages that made me roll my eyes and groan. Still, I pushed through because I was genuinely intrigued and wanted to find out who Lily’s killer was. But then…THEN…that ridiculous plot twist happened. (I’m not giving away any spoilers, but if you’ve read it then you already know). That was it for me. I was officially DONE. I skimmed the remainder of the book to find out what actually happened to Lily and the final verdict in Asher’s trial, and then I put it down for good. Now, just so you know, it takes A LOT for me to not finish a book. I’m the type of reader who will power through anything for the simple fact that I hate giving up. But this book was just too much - too much information about beekeeping and random facts that read more like filler than actual storyline and entirely too much political correctness. This is the first book I’ve read by Jodi Picoult, and perhaps I should’ve started with a different one because now I’m leery of reading anything else with her name on it. I wish I’d read through the reviews first. Oh well…lesson learned.
Friday, November 25, 2022
Recipe - No Sugar Added Sweet Potato Casserole
- 7 cups cubed peeled sweet potatoes (2 pounds)
- ½ cup reduced-fat milk
- 5 tablespoons butter, melted, divided
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- ¼ cup pepitas
- ¼ cup chopped dried fruit, such as cherries, dates, raisins or currants
DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bring an inch or two of water to a boil in a large pot fitted with a steamer basket. Add sweet potatoes, cover and steam until very soft, 18 to 20 minutes. Remove basket and discard water. Return sweet potatoes to the pot. Add milk, 4 tablespoons butter, salt, vanilla, ginger, cinnamon and pepper; mash until desired consistency. Transfer to a 1 1/2-quart baking dish. Stir pecans, pepitas, dried fruit and the remaining 1 tablespoon butter together in a small bowl. Sprinkle over the top of the sweet potatoes. Bake casserole until hot and the nuts are lightly toasted, 20 to 30 minutes.
NUTRITION INFO: Serving Size: about 1/2 cup; Per Serving: 217 calories; protein 4g; carbohydrates 20g; dietary fiber 3.6g; sugars 8.6g; fat 14.5g; saturated fat 5.5g; cholesterol 20.3mg; vitamin a iu 13518.2IU; vitamin c 13.9mg; folate 9.5mcg; calcium 59.4mg; iron 1.2mg; magnesium 54.9mg; potassium 455.5mg; sodium 324.4mg; thiamin 0.1mg.
(Recipe and photo courtesy of Eating Well)
Thursday, November 17, 2022
Review - Hester
AUTHOR: Laurie Lico Albanese
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): Isobel Gamble is a young seamstress carrying generations of secrets when she sets sail from Scotland in the early 1800s with her husband, Edward. An apothecary who has fallen under the spell of opium, his pile of debts have forced them to flee Edinburgh for a fresh start in the New World. But only days after they've arrived in Salem, Edward abruptly joins a departing ship as a medic––leaving Isobel penniless and alone in a strange country, forced to make her way by any means possible.
When she meets a young Nathaniel Hawthorne, the two are instantly drawn to each other: he is a man haunted by his ancestors, who sent innocent women to the gallows––while she is an unusually gifted needleworker, troubled by her own strange talents. As the weeks pass and Edward's safe return grows increasingly unlikely, Nathaniel and Isobel grow closer and closer. Together, they are a muse and a dark storyteller; the enchanter and the enchanted. But which is which?
In this sensuous and hypnotizing tale, a young immigrant woman grapples with our country's complicated past, and learns that America's ideas of freedom and liberty often fall short of their promise. Interwoven with Isobel and Nathaniel's story is a vivid interrogation of who gets to be a "real" American in the first half of the 19th century, a depiction of the early days of the Underground Railroad in New England, and atmospheric interstitials that capture the long history of "unusual" women being accused of witchcraft. Meticulously researched yet evocatively imagined, Hester is a timeless tale of art, ambition, and desire that examines the roots of female creative power and the men who try to shut it down.
A vivid reimagining of the woman who inspired Hester Prynne, the tragic heroine of Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, and a journey into the enduring legacy of New England's witchcraft trials.
REVIEW: Such a great story! First of all, the premise - an “unveiling” of Nathaniel Hawthorne's inspiration for his character Hester in The Scarlet Letter. Pure genius! Secondly, the amount of research the author undertook for this book is just incredible. It’s one thing to really enjoy reading a story, but it reaches another level for me when I learn new things in the process too. With Hester, the author teaches you about the Salem witch trials, the intricate art of embroidery, and a sensory phenomenon called synesthesia. With so many great elements, this book captured me right from the start and didn't let go. I would happily recommend it to everyone.
Monday, November 14, 2022
Recipe - Herb and Apple Stuffing
INGREDIENTS:
- 16 cups 1-inch bread cubes, white or whole wheat
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cups medium-diced yellow onion
- 2 cups medium-diced celery
- 2 Granny Smith apples, unpeeled, cored and diced
- 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 1 1/2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary leaves
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1/2 cup sliced blanched almonds, toasted, optional
DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
Put the bread cubes on a 13 by 18 by 1-inch baking sheet and bake them in the oven for 7 minutes.
In a large sauté pan, melt the butter and add the onion, celery, apples, parsley, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Sauté for 10 minutes, until the mixture is soft.
Combine the bread cubes and cooked vegetables in a large bowl and add the chicken stock, and almonds, if desired.
Place the stuffing into the main cavity of the turkey and into the neck of the bird. I cook a 12-pound turkey for 2 1/2 hours at 350 degrees F in a preheated oven. Make sure the stuffing in the cavity is secured by wrapping the legs tightly with string.
(Recipe and photo courtesy of Food Network)
Saturday, November 12, 2022
Review - I'm Glad My Mom Died
AUTHOR: Jennette McCurdy
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): A heartbreaking and hilarious memoir by iCarly and Sam & Cat star Jennette McCurdy about her struggles as a former child actor—including eating disorders, addiction, and a complicated relationship with her overbearing mother—and how she retook control of her life.
Jennette McCurdy was six years old when she had her first acting audition. Her mother’s dream was for her only daughter to become a star, and Jennette would do anything to make her mother happy. So she went along with what Mom called “calorie restriction,” eating little and weighing herself five times a day. She endured extensive at-home makeovers while Mom chided, “Your eyelashes are invisible, okay? You think Dakota Fanning doesn’t tint hers?” She was even showered by Mom until age sixteen while sharing her diaries, email, and all her income.
In I’m Glad My Mom Died, Jennette recounts all this in unflinching detail—just as she chronicles what happens when the dream finally comes true. Cast in a new Nickelodeon series called iCarly , she is thrust into fame. Though Mom is ecstatic, emailing fan club moderators and getting on a first-name basis with the paparazzi (“Hi Gale!”), Jennette is riddled with anxiety, shame, and self-loathing, which manifest into eating disorders, addiction, and a series of unhealthy relationships. These issues only get worse when, soon after taking the lead in the iCarly spinoff Sam & Cat alongside Ariana Grande, her mother dies of cancer. Finally, after discovering therapy and quitting acting, Jennette embarks on recovery and decides for the first time in her life what she really wants.
Told with refreshing candor and dark humor, I’m Glad My Mom Died is an inspiring story of resilience, independence, and the joy of shampooing your own hair.
REVIEW: When my two boys were teens, they loved watching iCarly, and I enjoyed watching it with them. Sam Puckett was always our favorite character, and after reading this autobiography, it saddens me to know that Jennette McCurdy was going through her own personal hell during that time. Reading her story was an eye-opening experience. I was shocked. I cringed at her candidness. I wanted to rush through the “heavy” parts. But, most of all, my heart broke from a deep place of knowing and understanding. It was tough to read at times, and there were moments when I had to put it down and walk away for a few minutes. I really admire Jennette’s honesty. I’m sure this couldn’t have been easy to write, but I’m so glad she didn’t hold anything back. If anything, her unreserved and outspoken truths just make me admire her even more.
Thursday, November 10, 2022
Recipe - Oven Fries
- 3 large baking potatoes, cut into 1/4-inch-thick matchsticks
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- Salt
- Cooking spray
DIRECTIONS: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. In a large bowl, toss the potatoes with the oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray and spread the potatoes in a single layer. Bake until golden and crisp, about 35 minutes. Remove the fries with a spatula and season with salt.
(Recipe and photo courtesy of Food Network)
Tuesday, November 8, 2022
Review - The Love Hypothesis
AUTHOR: Ali Hazelwood
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): As a third-year Ph.D. candidate, Olive Smith doesn't believe in lasting romantic relationships--but her best friend does, and that's what got her into this situation. Convincing Anh that Olive is dating and well on her way to a happily ever after was always going to take more than hand-wavy Jedi mind tricks: Scientists require proof. So, like any self-respecting biologist, Olive panics and kisses the first man she sees.
That man is none other than Adam Carlsen, a young hotshot professor--and well-known ass. Which is why Olive is positively floored when Stanford's reigning lab tyrant agrees to keep her charade a secret and be her fake boyfriend. But when a big science conference goes haywire, putting Olive's career on the Bunsen burner, Adam surprises her again with his unyielding support and even more unyielding... six-pack abs.
Suddenly their little experiment feels dangerously close to combustion. And Olive discovers that the only thing more complicated than a hypothesis on love is putting her own heart under the microscope.
REVIEW: Such a great story! First of all, who doesn’t love a brooding hero? Adam is a tough one to crack, but you can tell there’s something endearing underneath that hardened exterior, and I enjoyed how Olive pulled him out of his shell. They are both scientists, and I will admit I was completely lost when it came to all of the “science-y” talk. (There were several times I had to stop and comb through a dictionary.) But this story has so many great layers. There’s the romance, of course, but there’s also depth to these characters, especially Olive, whose honesty and vulnerability really tugged at the old heartstrings. If you want a story that has it all - funny bits, steamy bits, lovey-dovey bits - then this is the book for you. I look forward to reading more of Ali Hazelwood’s work in the near future. Read it! I promise you’ll be glad you did.
Monday, November 7, 2022
Recipe - Slow Cooker Pork Tacos
- 3 whole ancho chiles
- 3 whole pasilla chiles
- 4 cloves garlic, unpeeled
- 2 to 3 chipotles in adobo sauce
- 1/2 medium white onion, roughly chopped
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
- Kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 3 3/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 4 pounds boneless pork shoulder (untrimmed), cut into chunks
- Freshly ground pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Corn tortillas, warmed, for serving
- Assorted taco toppings, for garnish
DIRECTIONS: Put the ancho and pasilla chiles and the garlic in a bowl; add 2 to 3 tablespoons water. Microwave on high until soft and pliable, 2 to 3 minutes. Stem and seed the chiles; peel the garlic. Transfer the chiles and garlic to a blender.
Add the chipotles, onion, 2 tablespoons olive oil, honey, vinegar, 1 tablespoon salt and the oregano to the blender; puree until smooth. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over high heat; add the chile sauce and fry, stirring, until thick and fragrant, about 8 minutes. Pour in the broth and reduce until slightly thickened.
Season the pork all over with salt and pepper and transfer to a large slow cooker. Add the bay leaves and cinnamon stick, then pour in the sauce. Cover and cook on high until the meat is tender, about 5 hours. (Or cook the meat in a large Dutch oven, covered, for 1 hour 45 minutes at 350 degrees; uncover and cook 30 more minutes.)
Discard the bay leaves and cinnamon stick. Shred the pork with 2 forks; season with salt and pepper. Serve the shredded pork in the tortillas, along with toppings.
(Recipe and photo courtesy of Food Network)
Sunday, November 6, 2022
Review - Every Summer After
AUTHOR: Carley Fortune
RATING: ★★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): They say you can never go home again, and for Persephone Fraser, ever since she made the biggest mistake of her life a decade ago, that has felt too true. Instead of glittering summers on the lakeshore of her childhood, she spends them in a stylish apartment in the city, going out with friends, and keeping everyone a safe distance from her heart.
Until she receives the call that sends her racing back to Barry’s Bay and into the orbit of Sam Florek—the man she never thought she’d have to live without.
For six summers, through hazy afternoons on the water and warm summer nights working in his family’s restaurant and curling up together with books—medical textbooks for him and work-in-progress horror short stories for her—Percy and Sam had been inseparable. Eventually that friendship turned into something breathtakingly more, before it fell spectacularly apart.
When Percy returns to the lake for Sam’s mother’s funeral, their connection is as undeniable as it had always been. But until Percy can confront the decisions she made and the years she’s spent punishing herself for them, they’ll never know whether their love might be bigger than the biggest mistakes of their past.
Told over the course of six years and one weekend, Every Summer After is a big, sweeping nostalgic look at love and the people and choices that mark us forever.
Six summers to fall in love. One moment to fall apart. A weekend to get it right.
REVIEW: As a reader and also an author, this can sometimes cause a disruption when it comes to reading and reviewing. With this book, I bounced back and forth between so many different emotions from a reader’s perspective but also an author’s point of view. Now…let me explain. As a reader, I was instantly caught up in the dynamic between the main characters, Sam and Percy. It was so endearing to witness how their relationship grew from friendship to first love, and oh the memories it brought back from my younger years. (My first love was also named Sam, so yeah…there’s that too). I loved how these characters were flawed and fought for their relationship. You won’t find a Hallmark channel couple here, and I personally loved that. Give me something REAL any day - real struggles, real imperfections - nothing sappy and unrelatable. Now, as an author, I will admit I stopped many times after reading some of Carley’s lines, just awestruck and thinking to myself, “Damn, I wish I’d come up with that”. Knowing this is her debut novel only adds to my admiration of her work. This book will stay with me a long time, and I recommend it to everyone.
Saturday, November 5, 2022
Recipe - White Chicken Chili
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 15 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 15 oz. can whole kernel corn, undrained
- 1 10 oz. can Rotel tomatoes, undrained
- 1 package ranch dressing mix
- 1 tsp. cumin
- 1 Tbsp. chili powder
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- 1 8 oz. package light cream cheese
- 2-3 chicken breasts
DIRECTIONS: Place chicken at the bottom of the crock pot, then pour out the whole can of corn, Rotel tomatoes, and black beans on top of the chicken. Top with seasonings and ranch dressing mix. Stir together. Place cream cheese block on top. Cover with lid and cook on low for 6-8 hours. After the cooking time is over, take chicken breasts from crock pot and shred and add back to the chili.
NOTE: I used original Rotel, but you can you use the hot Rotel if you want it spicier.
(Recipe courtesy of Beauty and the Beastons YouTube channel)
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