Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Recipe - Breakfast Casserole with Spinach and Sausage
- 12 ounces turkey breakfast sausage
- 1 5-ounce package fresh baby spinach
- 12 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups whole or reduced fat milk
- 2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- ¼ cup sun dried tomatoes in oil, drained and finely chopped
DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9” x 13” casserole dish with cooking spray and set aside.
Add the sausage to a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, breaking up the sausage with a wooden spoon, until just cooked through. Transfer the sausage to a small bowl with a slotted spoon.
Reduce heat to medium then add the spinach to the skillet with the liquid and oil left behind from the sausage. Cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted. Remove with a slotted spoon, carefully squeezing excess liquid from the spinach by pressing with the wooden spoon over the sink. Alternatively, you can transfer the cooked spinach to a fine mesh sieve and drain, pressing lightly to remove excess moisture. Place spinach on a cutting board and roughly chop.
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl or large measuring cup, add the eggs. Whisk until uniform. Add the milk, 1 cup mozzarella, 2 tablespoons parmesan, salt and pepper. Whisk to combine.
In the prepared casserole dish, layer the sausage, cooked spinach, and sundried tomatoes. Pour the egg mixture over the top then top with remaining 1 cup mozzarella and 2 tablespoons parmesan.
Transfer to oven and bake for 35 minutes, rotating halfway through (if desired), to allow for even browning. Slice into 10 pieces and serve.
NUTRITION INFO: Serving: 1 slice, Calories: 245 kcal, Carbohydrates: 5 g, Protein: 22 g, Fat: 15 g, Saturated Fat: 6 g, Cholesterol: 268 mg, Sodium: 616 mg, Fiber: 0.5 g, Sugar: 2.5 g
(Recipe and photo courtesy of Skinnytaste)
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
Review - A Christmas Carol
AUTHOR: Charles Dickens
NARRATOR: Jacob Daniels
RATING: ★★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): 'If I had my way, every idiot who goes around with Merry Christmas on his lips, would be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart. Merry Christmas? Bah humbug!'
Introduction and Afterword by Joe Wheeler
To bitter, miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, Christmas is just another day. But all that changes when the ghost of his long-dead business partner appears, warning Scrooge to change his ways before it's too late.
REVIEW: I listened to the audiobook version on Spotify, narrated by Jacob Daniels, and he did a magnificent job. I've watched many different movie versions of A Christmas Carol and have loved all of them, but I'd never read the book. I struggle with reading the classics, but I made a goal this year to read at least three. I've tried many times reading the physical books but have always ended up sound asleep by the end of the first chapter. So, I decided to try them in audiobook format, and that seemed to do the trick. Jacob Daniels did such an amazing job with the different character voices, and I was sucked in from the very beginning. I loved Scrooge's transformation. I will say that Dicken's had a very strange way with words, and there were many times I had to rewind certain parts to grasp what was said, but overall it's a great book, and I would recommend it to everyone.
Saturday, December 16, 2023
Recipe - Escarole Pasta with Sausage and Peppers
- 1 medium head escarole (rinsed and torn into bite sized pieces)
- 12 ounces pasta (white, whole wheat, or gluten-free)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil (extra virgin)
- 1 medium onion (chopped)
- 1 medium red bell pepper (chopped)
- 5 cloves garlic (chopped)
- 1 lb. Italian chicken sausage (removed from casing)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
- kosher salt and fresh pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS: Rinse escarole and tear into bite sized pieces.
Cook pasta in a large pasta pot of salted water according to package directions for al dente.
Reserve 1 cup water before straining.
Meanwhile, while pasta water boils, heat a large non-stick skillet on medium heat.
Add olive oil; when hot add onions, peppers, garlic, salt and pepper. Cook until soft, about 4-5 minutes.
Add sausage, breaking up with a wooden spoon and cook until golden, about 6 to 8 minutes.
Add escarole, cover and cook 2 minutes; remove the cover, stir and cook about 3 more minutes or until wilted. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
Add the cooked pasta, crushed red pepper flakes, reserved water and Parmigiano Reggiano, toss well and transfer to a large serving bowl.
NUTRITION INFO: 11/2 cups, Calories: 298, Carbohydrates: 47g, Protein: 21g, Fat: 5.5g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Fiber: 7.5g, Sugar: 1.1g - WW Points: 10
(Recipe and photo courtesy of Skinnytaste)
Friday, December 8, 2023
Review - The Book Woman’s Daughter
AUTHOR: Kim Michele Richardson
NARRATOR: Katie Schorr
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): Bestselling historical fiction author Kim Michele Richardson is back with the perfect book club read following Honey Mary Angeline Lovett, the daughter of the beloved Troublesome book woman, who must fight for her own independence with the help of the women who guide her and the books that set her free.
In the ruggedness of the beautiful Kentucky mountains, Honey Lovett has always known that the old ways can make a hard life harder. As the daughter of the famed blue-skinned, Troublesome Creek packhorse librarian, Honey and her family have been hiding from the law all her life. But when her mother and father are imprisoned, Honey realizes she must fight to stay free, or risk being sent away for good.
Picking up her mother’s old packhorse library route, Honey begins to deliver books to the remote hollers of Appalachia. Honey is looking to prove that she doesn’t need anyone telling her how to survive, but the route can be treacherous, and some folks aren’t as keen to let a woman pave her own way. If Honey wants to bring the freedom that books provide to the families who need it most, she’s going to have to fight for her place, and along the way, learn that the extraordinary women who run the hills and hollers can make all the difference in the world.
REVIEW: I fell in love with Cussie Mary’s story in The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, so I was excited to learn more about her daughter, Honey. I listened to 80% of it on audiobook because Katie Schorr is the absolute BEST narrator I have ever heard, and she truly brings this book series to life. I read the other 20% from an ebook only because I was in a public place where audiobooks weren’t allowed. Honey Lovett is an admirable character. She’s been through a lot of heartache in her short life, but she meets every circumstance head on just like her mom, and you can’t help but love her. The injustice she and the other female characters endured at the hands of the men made my blood boil - even more so knowing that during this era in history these horrors really did exist. My only grievance with the book is the ending felt rushed, much like the first book. There were several unanswered questions. What happened with Honey and Francis? Did they marry? Did Cussie and Jackson survive prison? Did the Gillis family retaliate? There’s no epilogue included, so I guess we’ll never know.
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
GMA Book Club Pick Now Available
Received my two copies of Good Morning America’s December book club pick, The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon. One copy is in my Little Free Library, so come on by and snag it if you’d like to read it. If you don’t want to keep it, please consider returning it for others to enjoy. The other copy will be going into circulation at work and should be available in a couple of weeks.
Friday, December 1, 2023
December GMA Book Club Pick Winner!
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
Recipe - The Best Lasagna Recipe
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 lb 93% lean ground beef
- 1/2 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- Black pepper, to taste
- 12 no-boil lasagna noodles
- 24 ounces part-skim cottage cheese (or use ricotta cheese)
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 1/2 cups part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, plus more for for garnish
DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 375F degrees.
Heat a large skillet, when hot add the ground beef, onion, and garlic and cook over medium-high heat, breaking the meat up with a wooden spoon until no pink remains.
Add the crushed tomatoes, season with salt and black pepper, to taste, cover and let it simmer over low heat 20 minutes, stirring 3 times.
In large mixing bowl, beat the eggs and combine with 1 1/2 containers cottage cheese, 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese, Pecorino Romano and parsley. Set aside.
In a 13 x 9 casserole dish, spread 1 cup of sauce on bottom of pan. Layer in the order, 4 uncooked lasagna noodles (it's okay if they overlap), then 1/3 of the cheese mixture, 1 cup of the sauce.
Repeat the next layer using 4 uncooked lasagna noodles, 1/3 part of the cheese mixture, and 1 cup sauce. For the top layer add the remaining sauce and finish with 1 cup mozzarella.
Cover tight with foil and bake 55 to 60 minutes, until the pasta is cooked through.
Uncover and continue cooking until all the cheese browns slightly, about 5 minutes.
Garnish with fresh parsley, and let sit 5 minutes before cutting. Slice into 8 pieces.
NUTRITION INFO: 1/8th, Calories: 372 kcal, Carbohydrates: 36 g, Protein: 33.5 g, Fat: 11 g, Saturated Fat: 5.5 g, Cholesterol: 103.5 mg, Sodium: 648 mg, Fiber: 3.5 g, Sugar: 6.5 g
(Recipe and photo courtesy of Skinnytaste)
Wednesday, November 22, 2023
Review - The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek
AUTHOR: Kim Michele Richardson
NARRATOR: Katie Schorr
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): In 1936, tucked deep into the woods of Troublesome Creek, KY, lives blue-skinned 19-year-old Cussy Carter, the last living female of the rare Blue People ancestry.
The lonely young Appalachian woman joins the historical Pack Horse Library Project of Kentucky and becomes a librarian, riding across slippery creek beds and up treacherous mountains on her faithful mule to deliver books and other reading material to the impoverished hill people of Eastern Kentucky.
Along her dangerous route, Cussy, known to the mountain folk as Bluet, confronts those suspicious of her damselfly-blue skin and the government's new book program. She befriends hardscrabble and complex fellow Kentuckians, and is fiercely determined to bring comfort and joy, instill literacy, and give to those who have nothing, a bookly respite, a fleeting retreat to faraway lands.
REVIEW: What a great book! I’d never heard of the blue skinned people of Kentucky until I read this story, and it was very interesting to learn about them. Being a librarian myself, I truly admired Cussy Mary and her determination to get books to people who needed them, despite the adversity she received from it. She’s a strong-willed and inspiring character, and I liked that. I went through so many emotions while reading this story - heartbreak, happiness, joy - just to name a few. The only reason I didn’t give it five stars is because the last few chapters felt very rushed, like the author was in a time crunch to finish the book. The pacing up to this point was perfect. I listened to the first 1/4 of the book on audiobook, and the narrator, Katie Schorr, is AMAZING! I would recommend this book in all print forms, but I have to say that the audiobook was my favorite because the narrator truly sounds like the Cussy Mary I’ve imagined her to be.
Tuesday, November 21, 2023
Recipe - Corn Casserole
INGREDIENTS:
- 8.5 oz corn muffin mix
- 15 oz can sweet yellow corn, drained
- 14.75 oz can sweet corn cream style
- 16 oz fat free Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup melted light butter
- 1/2 cup egg whites
- cooking spray
DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 350F.
Spray an 9 x 13 baking dish with cooking spray.
In a large bowl combine all the ingredients and mix with a spoon, it will be fluffy and you will think you did something wrong, don’t worry, you are doing fine.
Pour into baking dish and bake 55-60 minutes, or until the edges are golden.
Let it cool a few minutes before cutting.
NUTRITION INFO: 2 2/3 x 3 inch pieces, Calories: 211 kcal, Carbohydrates: 42 g, Protein: 7 g, Fat: 3.5 g, Sodium: 636 mg, Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 8.5 g
(Recipe and photo courtesy of Skinnytaste)
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Sullivan Book Nook November Update
Just a glimpse of what’s available in the Little Free Library. If you see something you’d like to have, please come get it. You don’t have to leave a book to take one.
Monday, November 13, 2023
Review - Something Wilder
AUTHOR: Christina Lauren
NARRATORS: Patti Murin and Jon Root
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): Growing up the daughter of notorious treasure hunter and absentee father Duke Wilder left Lily without much patience for the profession… or much money in the bank. But Lily is nothing if not resourceful, and now uses Duke’s coveted hand-drawn maps to guide tourists on fake treasure hunts through the red rock canyons of Utah. It pays the bills but doesn’t leave enough to fulfill her dream of buying back the beloved ranch her father sold years ago, and definitely not enough to deal with the sight of the man she once loved walking back into her life with a motley crew of friends ready to hit the trails. Frankly, Lily would like to take him out into the wilderness—and leave him there.
Leo Grady knew mirages were a thing in the desert, but they’d barely left civilization when the silhouette of his greatest regret comes into focus in the flickering light of the campfire. Ready to leave the past behind him, Leo wants nothing more than to reconnect with his first and only love. Unfortunately, Lily Wilder is all business, drawing a clear line in the sand: it’s never going to happen.
But when the trip goes horribly and hilariously wrong, the group wonders if maybe the legend of the hidden treasure wasn’t a gimmick after all. There’s a chance to right the wrongs—of Duke’s past and their own—but only if Leo and Lily can confront their history and work together. Alone under the stars in the isolated and dangerous mazes of the Canyonlands, Leo and Lily must decide whether they’ll risk their lives and hearts on the adventure of a lifetime.
REVIEW: Another great read by Christina Lauren! I listened to the audiobook while traveling to my son’s home in Alabama (a six-hour drive one way), and it didn’t take long before I was completely sucked into this story. I loved the main characters, Lili and Leo, and their slow burn reunion romance was incredible and HOT! The narrators were perfect, especially the man who portrayed Leo. (I don’t know the narrators names. My apologies!) His voice was like butter and SO soothing and sexy. As a matter of fact, when I traveled home from my trip, I got so caught up listening to this story that I totally forgot to check my gas gauge, and I was on empty by the time I realized it. Fortunately, I made it in time to a gas station. LOL. So, just a word of caution - don’t be a moron like me and forget to check your gauges if you’re listening to the audiobook while driving! Something Wilder has something for every reader - romance, action, suspense, drama - and I would recommend it to everyone.
Friday, November 10, 2023
Recipe - Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
INGREDIENTS:
2 lbs sweet potatoes (about 5 medium, peeled)
1/2 cup golden raisins
1 tsp agave (or honey or brown sugar)
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
pinch nutmeg
pinch allspice
8 oz can unsweetened crushed pineapple (drained)
2 tbsp chopped pecans
1 cup mini marshmallows
DIRECTIONS: Cut sweet potatoes into large chunks; boil potatoes in a large pot covered with water until potatoes are soft if pierced with a fork. Drain and return to the pot.
Preheat the oven to 400F.
Mash the sweet potatoes and add in raisins, agave, spices and pineapple.
Lightly spray a pie dish, casserole dish or even individual ramekins with oil, spoon in sweet potatoes.
Sprinkle with pecans and marshmallows.
Bake for 15 minutes.
NUTRITION INFO: 1/10th, Calories: 132.5kcal, Carbohydrates: 29.5g, Protein: 1.5g, Fat: 2g, Sodium: 15.5mg, Fiber: 2.5g, Sugar: 10.5g - WW Points: 5
(Recipe and photo courtesy of Skinnytaste)
Friday, November 3, 2023
Review - Fourth Wing
AUTHOR: Rebecca Yarros
RATING: ★★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): Enter the brutal and elite world of a war college for dragon riders...
Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general—also known as her tough-as-talons mother—has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.
But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away...because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans. They incinerate them.
With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter—like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant.
She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise.
Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom's protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret.
Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda—because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die
REVIEW: It’s not often I read fantasy fiction, but I’ve had SO many people recommend this book to me that I decided to give it a try. When I read the final page last night, all I could think of to say was, “Wow…wow…wow…WOW!” I was honestly too stunned to come up with anything else, and all my husband could say was, “Honey, is something wrong?” LOL. Fourth Wing is such an amazing story. Violet is a badass heroine, and I admired her tenacity and how she kept proving everyone wrong who doubted her abilities. Xaden was a favorite character too, and he and Violet together? HOLY HELL! The chemistry between those two is just incredible. I read this book in two days because I couldn’t put it down. There were SO many times I held my breath during the fighting scenes, and I became so fully invested in every character that I literally sobbed during the last two chapters. (I’m not giving away any spoilers, but if you know you know). Fourth Wing has something for everyone - action, romance, fantasy, drama - and I would highly recommend it to everyone. I can’t wait to read more from this series!
Saturday, October 28, 2023
New Halloween Coloring Pages
I put some Halloween coloring pages inside my Little Free Library! Enjoy! 🎃
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
Recipe - Candy Corn Fruit Parfaits
INGREDIENTS:
Light Whipped Topping:
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 cup fat free plain Greek yogurt
Parfaits:
- 2 2/3 cups diced pineapple (fresh or canned)
- 2 2/3 cups jarred mandarin oranges (drained)
DIRECTIONS: To make the lighter whipped cream, place a metal mixing bowl and metal beaters of a hand mixer into the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes.
Place the sugar into the mixing bowl and add the whipping cream. Using a hand mixer, beat just until the cream and vanilla reaches stiff peaks, about 2 - 3 minutes. Fold in the Greek yogurt.
In 8 oz jars or clear plastic cups place 1/3 cup mandarin oranges in each, then 1/3 cup pineapple. Top each with 3 tablespoons of whipped cream.
NUTRITION INFO: 1 parfait, Calories: 151kcal, Carbohydrates: 23g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 3.5g, Cholesterol: 19.5mg, Sodium: 20mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 21g - WW Points: 5
(Recipe and photo courtesy of Skinnytaste)
Sunday, October 22, 2023
Review - Emergency Contact
AUTHORS: Lauren Layne and Anthony LeDonne
NARRATORS: Tim Paige and Brianna Cohen
RATING: ★★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): From New York Times bestselling author Lauren Layne--and her real life husband and high school sweetheart, Anthony LeDonne--comes a new holiday romcom that is sure to warm even the coldest heart.
Katherine, an ambitious NYC attorney, gets diagnosed with a concussion and must be monitored for 48 hours to make sure it doesn't get worse. Unfortunately, she forgot to update her emergency contact so the person they call is her ex-husband, Tom. Unable to be left alone, Katherine reluctantly agrees to travel to Chicago with Tom for the holidays. But thanks to a blizzard, what should have been a quick plane ride turns into an antagonistic overnight misadventure that stirs up old feelings even as Tom prepares to propose to his girlfriend on Christmas Eve.
A delightful meet-cute between The Proposal and Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, Emergency Contact is perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Sally Thorne.
REVIEW: What a great story! I’m a new listener to audiobooks, and I decided to give this one a try while traveling recently to my son’s home in Alabama. (A six hour drive one way). First off, the narrator’s are perfect - very soothing, easy to understand, and charismatic. Secondly, the story itself has a little bit of everything for every reader - romance, humor, drama, etc. It pulled me in from the start and kept me interested the entire time. It definitely moved to first place on my rom-com list for the year. My favorite parts were the snarky comments between the two main characters, which made me laugh out loud SO many times. Truly wonderful writing! It was also very emotional and relatable in many ways, so I’ll admit I shed quite a few tears too. I could see this story playing out in my mind so clearly, and I believe it would make such an amazing Hallmark movie. I would happily recommend Emergency Contact to everyone, and I look forward to reading more from these authors in the future.
(DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this title from NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.)
Saturday, October 21, 2023
Recipe - Healthy Mummy Hot Dogs
- 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour (whole wheat or gluten-free mix, plus more for dusting)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup non-fat plain Greek yogurt
- 1 egg white (beaten)
- 8 turkey hot dogs (halved crosswise)
- 1 package candy eyes
- Mustard or ketchup (optional - for serving)
DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Line a baking sheet with a silicon baking mat or parchment paper. If using parchment paper, spray with oil to avoid sticking.
In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking powder and salt and whisk well. Add the yogurt and mix with a fork or spatula until well combined, it will look like small crumbles.
Lightly dust flour on a work surface and remove dough from the bowl, knead the dough a few times until dough is smooth and tacky, but not sticky, about 15 turns (it should not leave dough on your hand when you pull away).
Dust your work surface and a rolling pin with more flour.
Roll the dough out thin into a rectangle. Slice the dough into 1/4 inch thick slices.
Wrap the dough around each hot dog half leaving room for the eyes and place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining hot dogs and dough.
Brush each with the egg wash and bake in oven for 12 minutes.
Using mustard or ketchup, “glue” the eyes on. Allow to cool for 10 minutes and serve.
NUTRITION INFO: 1 dog, Calories: 81kcal, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 2.5g, Saturated Fat: 0.5g, Cholesterol: 15.5mg, Sodium: 342mg, Fiber: 0.5g, Sugar: 0.5g - WW Points: 2
(Recipe and photo courtesy of Skinnytaste)
Friday, October 20, 2023
Review - Being Henry: The Fonz…and Beyond
AUTHOR: Henry Winkler
NARRATORS: Henry and Stacey Winkler
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): From Emmy-award winning actor, author, comedian, producer, and director Henry Winkler, a deeply thoughtful memoir of the lifelong effects of stardom and the struggle to become whole
Henry Winkler, launched into prominence by his role as “the Fonz” in the beloved Happy Days, has transcended the role that made him who he is. Brilliant, funny, and widely regarded as the nicest man in Hollywood (though he would be the first to tell you that it’s simply not the case, he’s really just grateful to be here), Henry shares in this achingly vulnerable memoir the disheartening truth of his childhood, the difficulties of a life with severe dyslexia, the pressures of a role that takes on a life of its own, and the path forward once your wildest dream seems behind you.
Since the glorious era of Happy Days fame, Henry has endeared himself to new generations with roles in such adored shows as Arrested Development, Parks and Recreation, and Barry, where he’s been revealed as an actor with immense depth and pathos, a departure from the period of his life when he was so distinctly typecast as the Fonz that he could hardly find work.
Filled with profound heart, charm, and self-deprecating humor, Being Henry is a memoir about so much more than a life in Hollywood and the curse of stardom. It is a meaningful testament to the power of sharing truth and kindness and of finding fulfillment within yourself.
REVIEW: I fell in love with the Fonz when I was a teenager. He was so good-looking, charismatic, and he had the sweetest heart. Well…he and Henry Winkler really aren’t so different. I rarely listen to audiobooks, but his familiar voice pulled me right in. I love that he narrated his own book, and he has such a wonderful way with words and emotions. When he talked about his horrible parents and struggles with dyslexia, I could honestly feel his pain, and I smiled so big at his excitement over acting roles and how he gushed with joy over his wife and children. The only reason I didn’t give it five stars is because I didn’t care much for Stacey (his wife) and the way she narrated her parts of the book. Her voice is very monotonous and totally opposite from Henry’s. Still, I would recommend it to everyone. I learned a lot of new things about this man I’ve admired for many years, and it was such a treat.
(DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this title from NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.)
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
Recipe - Air Fryer Chicken Bites
- 3 pounds chicken breast, cut into 1 inch cubes
- 1/4 cup Italian dressing
- 1 tablespoon Adobo seasoning
- 1 tablespoon dry Italian herbs
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon Sazon seasoning, homemade or store bought (optional)
DIRECTIONS: In a large bowl combine the chicken with Italian dressing, adobo seasoning, dried Italian herbs, kosher salt and optional sazon.
Air fry the chicken in an even layer, in batches as needed at 400F for 12 minutes, or until browned and cooked through, shaking the basket halfway.
NUTRITION INFO: Serving: 1/8th, Calories: 233 kcal, Carbohydrates: 1 g, Protein: 38.5 g, Fat: 7.5 g, Saturated Fat: 1.5 g, Cholesterol: 124 mg, Sodium: 1 mg, Fiber: 0.5 g, Sugar: 0.5 g
(Recipe and photo courtesy of SkinnyTaste)
Sunday, October 15, 2023
Review - Little Women
TITLE: Little Women (audiobook)
Summary (from Goodreads): Generations of readers young and old, male and female, have fallen in love with the March sisters of Louisa May Alcott’s most popular and enduring novel, Little Women. Here are talented tomboy and author-to-be Jo, tragically frail Beth, beautiful Meg, and romantic, spoiled Amy, united in their devotion to each other and their struggles to survive in New England during the Civil War.
AUTHOR: Louisa May Alcott
NARRATOR: LibriVox (Spotify)
RATING: ★★★★★
It is no secret that Alcott based Little Women on her own early life. While her father, the freethinking reformer and abolitionist Bronson Alcott, hobnobbed with such eminent male authors as Emerson, Thoreau, and Hawthorne, Louisa supported herself and her sisters with "woman’s work,” including sewing, doing laundry, and acting as a domestic servant. But she soon discovered she could make more money writing. Little Women brought her lasting fame and fortune, and far from being the "girl’s book” her publisher requested, it explores such timeless themes as love and death, war and peace, the conflict between personal ambition and family responsibilities, and the clash of cultures between Europe and America.
REVIEW: I started 2023 with a goal to read at least three classic books by the year’s end. I started several and put them down just as quickly. I don’t know why, but I’ve never been able to enjoy the classic’s. I’ve lost count of my attempts at reading Pride & Prejudice. (I believe chapter two is the farthest I’ve gotten). So, I decided to try something different to reach my goal, and I resorted to audiobooks. Now, don’t stone me for saying it, but I’ve never cared much for audiobooks. (When a woman narrator speaks for every character, including the men, it really throws me off - and vice versa). But one day I stumbled upon a dramatic reading of Little Women by LibriVox on Spotify, and I noticed there were several male and female narrators, so I decided to give it a shot. Well…I LOVED IT! My drive to work takes 45 minutes, so I used that time to listen, and it didn’t take long before I was fully immersed in the story. Louisa May Alcott was an amazing writer, and she had such a beautiful way with words. I fell in love with Jo, Amy, Meg, Beth, and Laurie. I smiled. I gasped. I laughed. I cried. I was genuinely sad when I finished it, and I would highly recommend Little Women to every reader. So…now I’m on to my second classic book. Who knows, maybe I’ll look for a Pride & Prejudice audiobook and actually finish it this time. We shall see.
Saturday, October 14, 2023
Sullivan Book Nook October Update
Weekend pics from the Little Free Library. If you see something you’d like to have, please come get it. You don’t have to leave a book to take one. (Thank you to everyone who has donated books recently. I really appreciate it).
Friday, September 29, 2023
Sullivan Book Nook Restocked
New additions to the Sullivan Book Nook Little Free Library. If you see something you’d like to read, please come get it. I always appreciate book donations, but you don’t have to leave a book to take one. Have a great weekend!
Thursday, September 28, 2023
Clean Slate for the Little Free Library
Got the Little Free Library emptied and cleaned this morning. The only two books I kept were the Good Morning America book club picks. The rest were donated to some other little free libraries in the area. I’ll be refilling mine with books tomorrow. If you have a preference for certain book genres and authors, please let me know so I can be on the lookout for them. Also, if you have any new adult or children’s fiction books you’d like to donate I would really appreciate it. Thank you!
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
Recipe - Brown Sugar Baked Beans
- 1 yellow onion, finely diced
- 15.5 ounce can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 15.5 ounce can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
- 15.5 ounce can northern beans, rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/3 cup dark brown brown sugar, unpacked
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
DIRECTIONS: Instant Pot Directions:
Add the ingredients to the insert and stir them together well.
Place the lid and lock. Set to Manual, High pressure, and set for 8 minutes.
Once finished, natural pressure for about 10-15 minutes, then quick release.
Stir before serving.
Slow Cooker Directions:
Add the ingredients to the slow cooker and stir them together well.
Cover and cook low 6 to 7 hours. Stir before serving.
Oven Directions: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. In a cast iron skillet add 2 teaspoons of canola oil and the onions. Cook them until translucent on medium heat, about 4-5 minutes. Add in the rest of the ingredients and stir. Cover tightly and bake for 45 minutes.
NUTRITION INFO: Serving: 2 /3 cup, Calories: 156 kcal, Carbohydrates: 30 g, Protein: 7.5 g, Fat: 1 g, Sodium: 382 mg, Fiber: 3 g, Sugar: 9 g
(Recipe and photo courtesy of Skinnytaste)
Monday, September 11, 2023
Review - The Last Carolina Girl
AUTHOR: Meagan Church
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): A searing book club novel for fans of Where the Crawdads Sing and The Girls in the Stilt House following one girl fighting for her family, her body, and her right to create a future all her own
Some folks will do anything to control the wild spirit of a Carolina girl...
For fourteen-year-old Leah Payne, life in her beloved coastal Carolina town is as simple as it is free. Devoted to her lumberjack father and running through the wilds where the forest meets the shore, Leah’s country life is as natural as the Loblolly pines that rise to greet the Southern sky.
When an accident takes her father’s life, Leah is wrenched from her small community and cast into a family of strangers with a terrible secret. Separated from her only home, Leah is kept apart from the family and forced to act as a helpmate for the well-to-do household. When a moment of violence and prejudice thrusts Leah into the center of the state’s shameful darkness, she must fight for her own future against a world that doesn’t always value the wild spirit of a Carolina girl.
Set in 1935 against the very real backdrop of a recently formed state eugenics board, The Last Carolina Girl is a powerful and heart-wrenching story of fierce strength, forgotten history, autonomy, and the places and people we ultimately call home.
REVIEW: Such a great debut novel! I'd never heard of eugenics before discovering this book, so the shock and anger that radiated through me while reading Leah's story kept me turning the pages, and I finished this book within just a couple of days. Leah is such an admirable character, especially considering all she went through during her first fourteen years. I was glad she had her happy ending, but knowing how it could've been more fulfilling still breaks my heart. I can't imagine what the real survivors of this horrible atrocity in our nation's history went through while dealing with a loss of such magnitude. Meagan did a wonderful job with this story, and I can't wait to read more of of her work in the future. I would never have guessed this was the work of a debut author. The story flowed effortlessly, and the writing is beautiful and stirred so many of my emotions. I would definitely encourage everyone to read it.
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
Recipe - Mini Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
INGREDIENTS:
- 1/2 cup white whole wheat flour
- 3/4 cups unbleached all purpose flour
- 3/4 cup raw sugar
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 3/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling
- 2 tbsp virgin coconut oil, or canola
- 2 large egg whites
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- baking spray
- 2/3 cup mini chocolate chips
DIRECTIONS: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a mini muffin tin with paper liners and lightly spray liners with oil for easy removal.
In a medium bowl, combine flours, sugar, baking soda, pumpkin spice, cinnamon, and salt with a wire whisk. Set aside.
In a large bowl mix pumpkin puree, oil, egg whites and vanilla; beat at medium speed until thick. Scrape down sides of the bowl.
Add flour mixture to the wet mixture, then blend at low speed until combined; do not over mix. Fold in chocolate chips.
Pour batter into prepared muffin tin and bake on the center rack for 22 to 24 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let them cool at least 15 minutes before serving.
NUTRITION INFO: Serving: 2 mini muffins, Calories: 160 kcal, Carbohydrates: 27 g, Protein: 2 g, Fat: 5 g, Saturated Fat: 1 g, Sodium: 118 mg, Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 18 g
(Recipe and photo courtesy of Skinnytaste)
Saturday, September 2, 2023
New Geocache in the Little Free Library
Friday peek inside the Sullivan Book Nook Little Free Library. We have a long holiday weekend ahead, so if you see something you’d like to read, please come get it. I always appreciate book donations, but you don’t have to leave a book to take one. Also, if you’re into geocaching, I’ve placed a cache inside the library.
Friday, September 1, 2023
Review - Expiration Dates
AUTHOR: Rebecca Serle
RATING: ★★★★
RELEASE DATE: March 5th, 2024
Summary (from Goodreads): Being single is like playing the lottery. There’s always the chance that with one piece of paper you could win it all.
From the New York Times bestselling author of In Five Years and One Italian Summer comes the romance that will define a generation.
Daphne Bell believes the universe has a plan for her. Every time she meets a new man, she receives a slip of paper with his name and a number on it—the exact amount of time they will be together. The papers told her she’d spend three days with Martin in Paris; five weeks with Noah in San Francisco; and three months with Hugo, her ex-boyfriend turned best friend. Daphne has been receiving the numbered papers for over twenty years, always wondering when there might be one without an expiration. Finally, the night of a blind date at her favorite Los Angeles restaurant, there’s only a name: Jake.
But as Jake and Daphne’s story unfolds, Daphne finds herself doubting the paper’s prediction, and wrestling with what it means to be both committed and truthful. Because Daphne knows things Jake doesn’t, information that—if he found out—would break his heart.
Told with her signature warmth and insight into matters of the heart, Rebecca Serle has finally set her sights on romantic love. The result is a gripping, emotional, passionate, and (yes) heartbreaking novel about what it means to be single, what it means to find love, and ultimately how we define each of them for ourselves. Expiration Dates is the one fans have been waiting for.
REVIEW: This was my first time reading Rebecca Serle’s work, and I truly loved it. The plot was intriguing and very different from anything I’ve read before, which kept me turning the pages and completing the book in only a couple of days. Daphne is a remarkable heroine with a medical condition, who overcomes many odds, and her circumstances reminded me so much of my oldest son, who is a Type 1 diabetic. (I caught myself ugly crying during parts of this story that hit really close to home.) Even though I predicted the ending halfway through the book, I was so happy it turned out the way I hoped it would. I would highly recommend Expiration Dates to everyone, and I can’t wait to read more of Rebecca’s work in the near future.
(DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this title from NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.)
Monday, August 28, 2023
Recipe - Pumpkin Smoothie
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup milk of choice
- 1/2 cup crushed ice
- 6 oz nonfat Greek or plain yogurt
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon, or more to taste
- 2 tsp packed brown sugar, or maple syrup to taste
- add a scoop of vanilla protein, optional
DIRECTIONS: Put all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Divide in two cups.
Serve with a straw.
NUTRITION INFO: Serving: 1 cup, Calories: 185.5 kcal, Carbohydrates: 40 g, Protein: 10.6 g, Fat: 0.5 g, Saturated Fat: 0.1 g, Cholesterol: 1.2 mg, Sodium: 66.8 mg, Fiber: 2.6 g, Sugar: 10.2 g
(Recipe and photo courtesy of Skinnytaste)
Friday, August 25, 2023
Review - Love and Other Words
AUTHOR: Christina Lauren
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): The story of the heart can never be unwritten.
Macy Sorensen is settling into an ambitious if emotionally tepid routine: work hard as a new pediatrics resident, plan her wedding to an older, financially secure man, keep her head down and heart tucked away.
But when she runs into Elliot Petropoulos—the first and only love of her life—the careful bubble she’s constructed begins to dissolve. Once upon a time, Elliot was Macy’s entire world—growing from her gangly bookish friend into the man who coaxed her heart open again after the loss of her mother...only to break it on the very night he declared his love for her.
Told in alternating timelines between Then and Now, teenage Elliot and Macy grow from friends to much more—spending weekends and lazy summers together in a house outside of San Francisco devouring books, sharing favorite words, and talking through their growing pains and triumphs. As adults, they have become strangers to one another until their chance reunion. Although their memories are obscured by the agony of what happened that night so many years ago, Elliot will come to understand the truth behind Macy’s decade-long silence, and will have to overcome the past and himself to revive her faith in the possibility of an all-consuming love.
REVIEW: Love and Other Words is a wonderful story of “firsts” - first boyfriend, first love, first kiss - and it’s also a beautiful story about loss, family, and friendships that withstand the test of time. I’ve always been a huge fan of Christina Lauren, and these two authors have such a magical way of weaving a story together that pulls you through every emotion you can possibly imagine. Elliott and Macy’s relationship made me cry, laugh, sigh…and I couldn’t help but reminisce about my own first love and the powerful and complex emotions that came with it. I adored the closeness Elliott and Macy shared, and the way they learned and grew together as a couple was so endearing. The only reason I didn’t give it five stars is because the ending felt somewhat difficult to believe. I don’t want to give away spoilers, but I’ll just say that I found it very hard to believe Elliott didn’t know about Macy’s “revelation”, especially considering how much they were in love and how much they knew about each other’s lives. It just seems impossible he wouldn’t have found out sooner, in some way or other, about what happened. Despite that, I would still wholeheartedly recommend this book to everyone, and it’s definitely earned a place in my top three favorite Christina Lauren reads.
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
Recipe - Pasta Fagioli Soup
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 medium celery stalk, chopped
- 1 medium carrot, finely chopped
- 15 ounce can cannellini beans, not drained
- 15 ounce can tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes,
- 1 large bay leaf
- 1 tbsp dried basil, or 2 tbsp fresh
- 1 tbsp dried parsley, or 2 tbsp fresh
- 1 tsp dried oregano, or 2 tbsp fresh
- 2 14 ounce cans chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 cups water
- kosher salt and pepper to taste
- 6 oz dry Ditalini pasta or other small pasta
- grated parmesan cheese for topping (optional)
- fresh basil, for serving
DIRECTIONS: In a large heavy pot or Dutch oven, sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil over medium heat.
Blend the beans with one cup water in electric blender until almost smooth.
Add blended beans to pan then add the can of tomato sauce, celery, carrots, chicken broth, basil, bay leaf, parsley, oregano, salt and pepper. Add 1 cup water and bring to a boil. Simmer, covered for 20 minutes stirring occasionally.
Add pasta and cook uncovered until pasta is al dente, according to pasta directions.
Ladle soup into bowls and top with grated cheese (extra), if desired. Meal Prep Tip: Cook the pasta separate if you want to make this ahead. If you refrigerate with the pasta, it will soak up the liquid.
NUTRITION INFO: 1 1/2 cups, Calories: 262.5 kcal, Carbohydrates: 46 g, Protein: 10 g, Fat: 4 g, Saturated Fat: 0.5 g, Cholesterol: 46 mg, Sodium: 623 mg, Fiber: 5.5 g, Sugar: 6 g
(Recipe and photo courtesy of Skinnytaste)
Tuesday, August 8, 2023
Review - The Women
AUTHOR: Kristin Hannah
RATING: ★★★★★
RELEASE DATE: February 6th, 2024
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Summary (from Goodreads): An intimate portrait of coming of age in a dangerous time and an epic tale of a nation divided.
Women can be heroes. When twenty-year-old nursing student Frances “Frankie” McGrath hears these words, it is a revelation. Raised in the sun-drenched, idyllic world of Southern California and sheltered by her conservative parents, she has always prided herself on doing the right thing. But in 1965, the world is changing, and she suddenly dares to imagine a different future for herself. When her brother ships out to serve in Vietnam, she joins the Army Nurse Corps and follows his path.
As green and inexperienced as the men sent to Vietnam to fight, Frankie is over- whelmed by the chaos and destruction of war. Each day is a gamble of life and death, hope and betrayal; friendships run deep and can be shattered in an instant. In war, she meets—and becomes one of—the lucky, the brave, the broken, and the lost.
But war is just the beginning for Frankie and her veteran friends. The real battle lies in coming home to a changed and divided America, to angry protesters, and to a country that wants to forget Vietnam.
The Women is the story of one woman gone to war, but it shines a light on all women who put themselves in harm’s way and whose sacrifice and commitment to their country has too often been forgotten. A novel about deep friendships and bold patriotism, The Women is a richly drawn story with a memorable heroine whose idealism and courage under fire will come to define an era.
REVIEW: The Women is another prime example of why Kristin Hannah is, and always will be, my favorite author. My father-in-law served in Vietnam, so I’ve heard numerous stories over the past 30 years of the horrors he faced during the war. Reading Kristin’s account of a woman’s Vietnam experience gave me a whole new and different perspective on this tragic time in America’s history. As always, Kristin’s extensive research is evident in her work, and her vivid descriptions made me feel as if I was there, seeing the devastation through Frankie’s eyes. I felt so many different emotions while reading this book - sadness, anger, disbelief, and hope are just a few that come to mind. There were many times I caught myself crying over the injustice and despair Frankie encountered during and after the war. Her moments with Barb and Ethel were some of my favorite scenes in the story, and I truly loved their closeness and loyalty to each other. I also enjoyed the many layers of Frankie’s relationship with her parents and how it evolved over time. I can’t recommend this book enough. It will certainly open your eyes and broaden your view of the Vietnam War as you discover a part of it that is rarely talked about. I was hooked from the first page, and I know The Women will remain in my heart and mind a very long time.
(DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this title from NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.)
Monday, August 7, 2023
Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo Now Available
The Good Morning America book club August pick, Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo, is now available in my Little Free Library! The second copy is going into circulation at work, so it should be available to check out in a couple of weeks. If you take it with you, please consider returning it after you read it so other people can enjoy it. (NOTE: I read this book, and I believe it’s best suitable for adults only, but that’s just my personal opinion).
Thursday, August 3, 2023
Review - Family Lore
AUTHOR: Elizabeth Acevedo
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): From bestselling, National Book Award-winning author Elizabeth Acevedo comes her first novel for adults, the story of one Dominican-American family told through the voices of its women as they await a gathering that will forever change their lives.
Flor has a gift: she can predict, to the day, when someone will die. So when she decides she wants a living wake--a party to bring her family and community together to celebrate the long life she's led--her sisters are surprised. Has Flor forseen her own death, or someone else's? Does she have other motives? She refuses to tell her sisters, Matilde, Pastora, and Camila.
But Flor isn't the only person with secrets. Matilde has tried for decades to cover the extent of her husband's infidelity, but she must now confront the true state of her marriage. Pastora is typically the most reserved sister, but Flor's wake motivates this driven woman to solve her sibling's problems. Camila is the youngest sibling, and often the forgotten one, but she's decided she no longer wants to be taken for granted.
And the next generation, cousins Ona and Yadi, face tumult of their own: Yadi is reuniting with her first love, who was imprisoned when they were both still kids; Ona is married for years and attempting to conceive. Ona must decide whether it's worth it to keep trying--to have a child, and the anthropology research that's begun to feel lackluster.
Spanning the three days prior to the wake, Family Lore traces the lives of each of the Marte women, weaving together past and present, Santo Domingo and New York City. Told with Elizabeth Acevedo's inimitable and incandescent voice, this is an indelible portrait of sisters and cousins, aunts and nieces--one family's journey through their history, helping them better navigate all that is to come.
REVIEW: This book was…interesting. I did enjoy it, but there were so many layers it was hard to keep up. First of all, there are numerous characters, and at times I struggled to keep track of them all and they’re own unique storylines. Secondly, there is a ton of Spanish in this story, so there was a lot of highlighting text and translating it, which was distracting. Thirdly, there is a lot of jumping back and forth between the past and future, which was a bit confusing. BUT, all of that aside, this WAS an enjoyable read, and the author has a beautiful voice and a special way with words that kept me turning the pages. I would recommend it to everyone. (Okay, maybe not those under 18 years of age, but I would recommend it to everyone else).
(DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this title from NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.)
Thursday, July 27, 2023
LFL Update - Lots of Kids Books Available
Here’s what’s currently available in the Sullivan Book Nook Little Free Library. Lots of kids books to choose from. If you see something you’d like to have, please come get it. You don’t have to leave a book to take one.
Tuesday, July 25, 2023
August GMA Book Club Pick Winner!
Monday, July 24, 2023
Recipe - Loaded Egg Muffins
- nonstick cooking spray
- 9 large whole eggs
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- black pepper, to taste
- 3 tablespoons thawed frozen spinach, drained
- 3 tablespoons diced tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons diced onion
- 3 tablespoons diced bell pepper
- 3 strips cooked bacon, chopped
- 2 ounces shredded cheddar
DIRECTIONS: Preheat the oven to 350F. Spray the muffin tin generously with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
In a large bowl whisk the eggs, season with salt and pepper.
Mix in the remaining ingredients.
Fill and place tins on a cookie sheet and bake 20 to 25 minutes, until set.
(Recipe and photo courtesy of Skinnytaste)
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
Review - The Mystery Guest
AUTHOR: Nita Prose
RATING: ★★★★
RELEASE DATE: November 28th, 2023
Summary (from Goodreads): When an acclaimed author dies at the Regency Grand Hotel, it's up to a fastidious maid to uncover the truth, no matter how dirty—in a standalone novel featuring Molly Gray, from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Maid, a Good Morning America Book Club Pick.
Molly Gray is not like anyone else. With her flair for cleaning and proper etiquette, she has risen through the ranks of the glorious five-star Regency Grand Hotel to become the esteemed Head Maid. But just as her life reaches a pinnacle state of perfection, her world is turned upside down when J.D. Grimthorpe, the world-renowned mystery author, drops dead—very dead—on the hotel’s tea room floor.
When Detective Stark, Molly's old foe, investigates the author’s unexpected demise, it becomes clear that this death was murder most foul. Suspects abound, and everyone wants to know who killed J.D. Grimthorpe? Was it Lily, the new Maid-in-Training? Or was it Serena, the author’s secretary? Could Mr. Preston, the hotel’s beloved doorman, be hiding something? And is Molly really as innocent as she seems?
As the case threatens the hotel’s pristine reputation, Molly knows she alone holds the key to unlocking the killer's identity. But that key is buried deep in her past—because long ago, she knew J.D. Grimthorpe. Molly begins to comb her memory for clues, revisiting her childhood and the mysterious Grimthorpe mansion where she and her dearly departed Gran once worked side by side. With the entire hotel under investigation, Molly must solve the mystery post-haste. If there's one thing Molly knows for sure, it's that dirty secrets don't stay buried forever...
REVIEW: The Maid is one of my favorite books, so I was thrilled to get my hands on The Mystery Guest. Molly Gray is such a wonderful character, and she will always remind me of Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory in her mannerisms and the way she talks. Nita Prose is a genius with dialogue and description, and it's so easy to picture this wonderful world in my mind while I read her books. She brings every character to life - not just Molly - and I hope we get another glimpse inside the Regency Grand Hotel in the near future. Although The Maid is still my favorite of Nita's books, The Mystery Guest was enjoyable too. There were parts that felt a bit rushed, but in the end it's a great little whodunit, and I would gladly recommend it to everyone.
(DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this title from NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.)
Sunday, July 16, 2023
Recipe - Greek Pasta Salad
- 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 16 oz pasta (rotini, cavatappi or bow ties), wheat or gluten-free
- 1/2 cup halved pitted kalamata olives, plus 2 tablespoons brine
- 1/3 cup red onion, diced
- 3 cups (from 1 large) English cucumber, diced
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 orange bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, cubed
- fresh oregano, optional garnish
DIRECTIONS: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions for al dente, adding an extra minute.
Drain and rinse under cold water, drain.
Meanwhile, In a large bowl, combine the dressing ingredients.
Add the olives, red onion and brine from the olives and mix to combine.
Stir in the pasta with the cucumber, tomatoes and bell pepper and toss well. Add the cheese just before ready to serve.
(Recipe and photo courtesy of Skinnytaste)
Sunday, July 9, 2023
Review - Hello Stranger
AUTHOR: Katherine Center
RATING: ★★★★
RELEASE DATE: July 11th, 2023
Summary (from Goodreads): Love isn’t blind, it’s just a little blurry.
Sadie Montgomery never saw what was coming . . . Literally! One minute she’s celebrating the biggest achievement of her life—placing as a finalist in the North American Portrait Society competition—the next, she’s lying in a hospital bed diagnosed with a “probably temporary” condition known as face blindness. She can see, but every face she looks at is now a jumbled puzzle of disconnected features. Imagine trying to read a book upside down and in another language. This is Sadie’s new reality with every face she sees.
But, as she struggles to cope, hang on to her artistic dream, work through major family issues, and take care of her beloved dog, Peanut, she falls into—love? Lust? A temporary obsession to distract from the real problems in her life?—with not one man but two very different ones. The timing couldn’t be worse.
If only her life were a little more in focus, Sadie might be able to find her way. But perceiving anything clearly right now seems impossible. Even though there are things we can only find when we aren’t looking. And there are people who show up when we least expect them. And there are always, always other ways of seeing.
REVIEW: Before reading this book, I had never heard of face blindness/prosopagnosia, so the plot really intrigued me. (Yes, it’s an actual medical condition). You can tell Katherine Center did a lot of research on the topic, and she explained it in a way that’s easy to understand. The heroine, Sadie, is a very likable character, and it was interesting seeing how her other senses came into play when her sight was altered. (For those who don’t know what face blindness/prosopagnosia is, Katherine described it as seeing disjointed puzzle pieces of someone’s face where their actual face should be). It’s hard for me to imagine not being able to know someone immediately just by seeing their face, but there are people out there who have to deal with this every day. I loved the dynamic between Sadie and her family, and the relationship between Sadie and the hero, Joe, was sweet and endearing. I’ve always been a fan of Katherine Center, and this book is another hit. I would gladly recommend it to everyone.
(DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this title from NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.)
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