🐾 Cujo by Stephen King - This was my first and last time reading anything by the horror master himself, and I didn’t even attempt to watch the movie.  

🤡 Poltergeist - This movie MESSED.ME.UP. You know the scene where the kid fights the clown in his bedroom? Well, I’ve been terrified of clowns ever since. I was about 12 years old when this movie came out, and I ended up sleeping between my parents every night for a week after I watched it. 

🫣 Cat People - First, a little backstory. Growing up, my best friend, Karen, loved horror movies (Still does!) She tried so many times to watch them with me, but I kept my eyes covered throughout the entire movie - well, most of it. She would trick me by saying, “Nothing bad is happening right now. I promise. You can look”. And, of course, gullible me would believe her, and I’d open my eyes to someone’s throat getting slashed. Cat People was one of those movies…so was Friday the 13th, Nightmare On Elm Street, and Amityville Horror. 

👀 Speaking of movies, I can’t watch the trailers for horror movies either. As soon as they come on, I close my eyes. The last one I remember watching all the way through was The Strangers in 2008, and it gave me nightmares. 

♠️ Ouija - Karen somehow talked me into doing other scary things, like playing her Ouija game. I’ve always believed there are things in this world that can’t be explained, and this game is one of them. I’ll never forget the spooky aura that surrounded us while we played, and I haven’t gone anywhere near a Ouija board since. 

🏚️ On the subject of bad auras, I had another one when I visited my first “haunted” house with Karen. (Have you noticed how she plays a significant role in my fear of scary things?) There was an old abandoned house deep in the woods behind the home where she grew up, and one day when we were teenagers she finally convinced me to go there. Y’all…I’m not joking when I say I felt something very strongly in that house. It was the strangest sensation and one I haven’t felt again since that day. Needless to say, I never went back.

I hope you all have a safe and fun HALLOWEEN! 🎃 

DIRECTIONS: Heat a large pot over medium-low heat and add the sausage. Cook, breaking up with a spoon until cooked through, 5 minutes. Add the celery, onion, carrot and garlic. Cook for 8-10 minutes until vegetables begin to soften. Add the chicken broth, water, parmesan cheese rind (if using) and increase heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. When broth boils, add the Bouillon and black pepper. Stir to combine, cover and cook medium low simmer 15 to 20 minutes, until the vegetables are soft. Reduce heat to low and add the tortellini and spinach. Simmer until tortellini cooks to al dente according to package directions, about 5 to 6 minutes. Once cooked, remove the rind. Stir to combine then serve with freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano (if using).

NOTES: If you use chicken broth with salt, omit the the Better Than Bouillon.

NUTRITION INFO: Serving: 1 -3/4 generous cups, Calories: 372 kcal, Carbohydrates: 34.5 g, Protein: 29 g, Fat: 13.5 g, Saturated Fat: 4 g, Cholesterol: 88 mg, Sodium: 990 mg, Fiber: 3 g, Sugar: 5.5 g

(Recipe and photo courtesy of Skinnytaste)

🧡 THERE’S MORE THAN ONE GENRE - From the time I read my first romance novel when I was fourteen years old until just a few years ago, I read strictly romance books. Now, don’t get me wrong, I still love them dearly, but I eventually grew tired of reading the same tropes over and over again. So I started reaching for historical fiction a couple of years ago, and I immediately fell in love. I’ve been devouring everything by Kristin Hannah, Kate Quinn, and Kristin Harmel - just to name a few. Books based during the World War II era are my favorite. 

⏰ LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO WASTE ON BAD BOOKS - Once upon a time, when I started a book I would finish it no matter how bad it was, but I don’t do that anymore. Maybe it’s getting older. Maybe it’s my patience wearing thin with age. I don’t know. All I do know is that if I can’t get hooked within the first couple of chapters then I'm done. 

🎧 THERE’S MORE TO LIFE THAN PRINT BOOKS - Another thing I was adamant about in my younger years was reading ONLY print books because I felt that audiobooks and ebooks didn’t count. (I know…ridiculous, right?) I just started using audiobooks within the past year, and I LOVE THEM! It takes me 45 minutes to get to work, so that gives me a lot of listening time, and I’m really enjoying it. I still read print books and ebooks from time to time, but I usually fall asleep if I get too comfortable in my recliner or bed when I try to read them. LOL. 

🚫 CHALLENGE (NOT) ACCEPTED - I used to take part in every reading challenge I came across, but I don’t join any now because I always feel rushed to complete them, and I get angry with myself if I don’t reach my goal. I’m bad about comparing my progress to other readers too, and President Roosevelt was right when he said “Comparison is the thief of joy”. Well, I don’t want anything stealing my joy of reading. 

🥈 NOT POPULAR? THAT’S OKAY! - Bestseller lists don’t interest me anymore, and I don’t focus on what’s “in” or what Oprah, Jenna, or Reese are reading. I don’t have to have “the next best thing” unless it’s by one of my favorite authors. I just read what makes my little heart happy. 

Have a great day! 

TITLE: The Briar Club (audiobook)

AUTHOR: Kate Quinn

NARRATOR: Saskia Maarleveld

RATING: ★★★★ 

REVIEW: Kate Quinn has weaved yet another wonderful story, and Saskia Maarleveld has once again done an amazing job as narrator. I hope these two never part ways, because a Kate Quinn novel just wouldn't be the same without Saskia's narration. This novel has so many incredible aspects to it. Firstly, the many characters were all unique in their own way, and it was so much fun getting to know them. Everyone has their own chapter in the book, and you couldn't pick a more varied bunch of people if you tried. I adore how they all bonded in this book and the lasting friendships that were made. Secondly, the addition of the Briarwood House as a "character" was a lovely twist and very interesting. (I mean, how often do you get the viewpoint of a house in a story?) I also love how Kate included recipes from the Briar Club Thursday night dinners. You get it all with this book - mystery, romance, suspense, etc. I laughed. I cried. I sighed. I was even shocked a couple of times and had to pick my jaw off the floor. As always, Kate's writing is superb and unmatched, and Saskia does another extraordinary job bringing all of the characters to life. I'm forever amazed at how she can give a whole cast of characters their own individual voice and sound. I highly recommend The Briar Club to everyone. 

Hello, dear readers! Today's Top Ten Tuesday prompt is brought to you by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl, and today we're talking about books I was assigned to read in school. Now, I went to school during the dinosaur age, so this one was kind of tough for me, considering the ole brain isn't what it used to be. I can hardly remember what I read last year, much less 30+ years ago. So, with that being said, there aren't ten books on my list, but these are the few I can remember: 

1. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson - This one wasn't assigned to me but chosen for a book report. I know I loved the book, but I can't recall anything about the plot other than it was sad. 

2. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens - I don't remember much about this book either other than I didn't particularly care for it. I've read a few Dickens books since then, and the only one I have enjoyed is A Christmas Carol. 

3. Charlotte's Web by E.B. White - This book broke my little heart in middle school, and it still does. 

4. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne - I enjoyed this book, even though it did annoy me that Hester Prynne was treated like such a pariah. I know you have to consider the day and age it was written in, but still...it irked me. 

5. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens - Another Dickens book I didn't care about, but I do remember it was better than A Tale of Two Cities. 

Happy Tuesday! 

DIRECTIONS: Place cold water and flour in a blender and blend until smooth; pour into a medium pot and set heat to medium. Add celery, mushrooms, chicken bouillon and butter and bring to a boil. Add chicken, cover and simmer on low 15 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside; continue to cook the remaining soup an additional 5 minutes, until vegetables are soft. Place celery and 1 cup of soup into the blender; blend until smooth, then return to the pot and simmer a few minutes. Shred or cut the chicken into small pieces and add back to the soup, garnish with fresh parsley. Makes about 6 cups. 

NUTRITION INFO: 1 -1/2 cups, Calories: 111.5 kcal, Carbohydrates: 12 g, Protein: 13.6 g, Fat: 3.4 g, Saturated Fat: 1 g, Cholesterol: 5.2 mg, Sodium: 538.8 mg, Fiber: 0.9 g, Sugar: 1.4 g

(Recipe and photo courtesy of Skinnytaste)

 

Hello, dear readers! Today's Top Ten Tuesday prompt is brought to you by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl. I decided to go with something a little bit different than this week’s assigned topic, which was ten bookish brags and/or confessions, since I couldn’t think of anything to brag or confess about that’s book related. So, without further ado, I present to you my top ten reasons for choosing a book instead. Happy Tuesday!

✍🏼 AUTHOR - This is kind of a no-brainer. I mean, who doesn’t automatically reach for a beloved author? If it has Kristin Hannah, Christina Lauren, Katherine Center, or Jojo Moyes’ name on the cover then I’m getting it. 

🪖 GENRE - Like favorite authors, I think most readers lean toward favorite genres too. For me it’s historical fiction, especially stories based around the World War II era. 

👩‍❤️‍👨 TROPE - I don’t read as many romance books as I used to, but when I’m in the mood for one, I tend to look for two specific tropes, friends to lovers or enemies to lovers, with the latter being my favorite. There’s nothing I love more than a book with snarky comments between a hero and heroine who start out despising each other. 

🍁 SEASON - Stories that take place in the fall and winter months appeal to me more than beach/summer reads, especially if there’s romance involved. 

❤️ HERO - Speaking of romance, there are certain types of heroes I adore. Cowboys? Umm…yes please! I’ll take a rugged country boy or cowboy over a preppy dude any day of the week. (Oh, and he needs to be hardworking, humble, and love dogs too. Just sayin’).

🏘️ SETTING - I’ve been a small town girl my whole life. We all know each other here. There’s a 90% chance someone in your family went to school with or graduated high school with someone in my family, and there’s a 100% chance you’ll get some type of casserole if you’re sick, had surgery, or if there’s been a death in your family. So, I prefer small town settings over cities in the books I read too. 

🗣️ RECOMMENDATIONS - Unfortunately, this can be a hit or miss most of the time, so I usually only take recommendations from other readers I share very similar tastes with.

🎧 FORMAT - I never thought I would become an audiobook lover, but it’s my favorite type of format, mainly because my job involves a lot of driving. If I sit still and try to read an ebook or print book, I’m usually asleep after the first 15 minutes or so. What can I say? I’m old…and tired. LOL.

🥗 NON-FICTION TOPICS - I don’t read a lot of non-fiction books, but when I do it’s either a healthy eating cookbook or a weight loss self-help book.  

📙 COVER - This is last on the list because it’s a rare occasion when I’ll choose a book based solely on the cover. Some of the best books I’ve ever read have the blandest covers I’ve ever laid eyes on. 

Happy Tuesday! 

DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 375F. Spray a 12-cup non-stick muffin tin generously with baking spray. In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients from flour to salt. Whisk to combine. In a medium bowl, combine wet ingredients from eggs to oil. Whisk to combine then pour mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Whisk until JUST combined. Don’t over mix. There will be lumps but don’t worry. Fill 12 muffin tins to the top with batter. Place in the oven and bake 22-25 minutes, rotating halfway through bake time, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Allow to cool in pan for 10 minutes then with a paring knife or off set spatula, gently remove muffins from tin and transfer to cooling rack. These are pancakes, not muffins so they will need syrup or honey to top them, just like pancakes do! Top with your favorite maple syrup,. 

NUTRITION INFO: Serving: 2 muffins, Calories: 244 kcal, Carbohydrates: 41.5 g, Protein: 10.5 g, Fat: 5 g, Saturated Fat: 1 g, Cholesterol: 63.5 mg, Sodium: 315.5 mg, Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 5 g

(Recipe and photo courtesy of Skinnytaste)

Hello, dear readers! Today's Top Ten Tuesday prompt from That Artsy Reader Girlis Books I Read or Avoided Because of the Hype. I've linked each title below to my review of the book, just in case you're interested. Happy Tuesday!