Bookish & Cookish

Bookish Review: The Fault in Our Stars

2012-02-08T10:16:00.000-06:00

The Fault in Our Stars is the latest from YA author John Green. I became a fan of the Green brothers through their YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/vlogbrothers) long before I read any of John's books, so I was very excited when I heard that both John and his brother Hank were coming to my town on the Tour de Nerdfighting to promote this book. Even before it was released, this book was getting a ton of buzz and has been widely lauded as Green's best book to date, as well as being on the NYT bestseller list. John has said that he worked on this book for over a decade, and the end result is lovely. The book begins with a sense of doom, since the main character has terminal cancer. But, she's not dead yet, and the book talks a lot about how life changes and what your life should be--if it should be any different--knowing that it is about to be over. John has said that being a parent helped him write this, and the scenes with the parents of the terminal characters are some of the most heart-wrenching because what is more terrible than outliving your children? There are a few predictable and a few outrageous scenes, but overall the book is funny and touching and heart-breaking and very hard to put down. Highly recommended.

Bookish Review: P is for Peril

2012-02-04T10:07:00.001-06:00

P is for Peril is the latest addition to Sue Grafton's series. I have read other books in the series, but it has been so many years since I read one, I could not even tell you which ones, though I am fairly certain A is for Alibi was among them. The main character, Kinsey Milhone, is a private investigator. In this one, she has been charged with finding a doctor who just disappeared, seemingly into thin air. There is also a side plot line involving the new landlords she gets herself involved in. Some things are rather far-fetched, but it's overall a quick, pretty enjoyable read. You can absolutely jump into the series with virtually no problems from not having read the earlier works. Not a must-read, but not bad.

Bookish Review: Learning to Breathe

2012-02-02T19:59:00.000-06:00

Memoirists face the danger of coming off as self-absorbed, neurotic, or both. In Learning to Breathe, Priscilla comes off mainly as neurotic, but I don't think she'd argue too much with that description. She's mostly more likable than Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love), though the book is not quite as compelling. Priscilla struggled for most of her life with panic attacks, and the book covers her exploration into meditation (among other things) to try to gain control of her life and her breath. My own prejudices gave me a hard time deciding how I felt about this book. On the one hand, Priscilla has a pretty great life and I was often thinking, "Suck it up!" or "What do you have to be panicking about?" On the other hand, although I have never had a panic attack, I have had asthma attacks, and the inability to breathe is a VERY scary feeling. To have that come on suddenly and frequently such that you felt you could not trust your own body and felt somewhat hijacked in your own life--that is nothing to scoff at. In addition, I sometimes have trouble reading about the granola-crunchy benefits of meditation and chakras and yoga, while at the same time, I practice yoga semi-frequently and find that it can do amazing things. I don't know if it is my Western mentality struggling with Eastern ideas, or if I am too much of a pragmatist most of the time to be thinking about clearing energy channels (which requires more openness and imagination) without rolling my eyes. Still, I think Priscilla's story might be helpful for those who suffer from panic attacks or who are looking for a source of calm. Definitely not a must-read, but it could be beneficial for some.

Bookish Review: Falling for Hamlet

2012-01-28T11:20:00.000-06:00

Falling for Hamlet retells Shakespeare's "Hamlet" from Ophelia's point of view, set in the present day. In this one, Ophelia is not crazy and doesn't kill herself, just pretends to. The book is sprinkled with lines from the play (and some from other Shakespeare plays), but the majority is re-written prose. Hamlet is a college student and Ophelia is a modern-day high schooler who lives in the building with the royal family. They're together, though their families do not approve. When Hamlet's father dies, things start to fall apart. The book was an enjoyable read, and the transition of the classic story to the present-day is pretty well done. It seems this could be used to pique teen's interest in the play.

Cookish: Snacktime

2012-01-27T16:06:00.000-06:00

Guacamole

3 ripe Haas avocados
1/2 medium tomato, chopped
juice of 1/2 lemon
grated onion
salt
pepper
garlic powder

Slice the avocados in half, remove the pit, and spoon the flesh into a bowl. If your avocados are not perfectly ripe, you can chop them, but if they're really ripe, they'll be pretty mashable just as they are. add the lemon juice (you can add more if 1/2 is not enough). Add salt, pepper, and a few shakes of garlic powder (or granulated garlic). Use your microplane grater and grate a couple teaspoons of onion juice in. (You can just add chopped onion, if you like. I don't really like chunks of raw onion, so this is my alternative.) Mash the avocados to the desired consistency and stir in the tomatoes. You can also add a few shakes of Tabasco. Serve with tortilla chips.

Bookish Review: Seven Sorcerers

2012-01-24T12:52:00.000-06:00

Seven Sorcerers is the start to a series, so don't expect a very tidy ending. This middle-grade novel involves a girl, Nim, who wakes up to find that every trace of her brother has disappeared and she is the only one who remembers him. He's been snatched by a bogeyman, and she is the next on the list. She joins up with another kidnapped child who managed to escape the bogeyman's grasp and goes on a quest to find her brother and return everyone's memories of him and her. They travel through a magical world fueled by human's hopes and fears that is slowly dying, encountering magical creatures and danger along the way. Nim is a very likeable character, and it's a pretty good read. Recommended for fans of Fablehaven. (It is not, as one person told me it was supposed to be, "the next Harry Potter.")

Bookish Review: Second Glance

2012-01-21T18:52:00.000-06:00

I think this may be my favorite Jodi Picoult novel yet (she's written a lot more than I've read, but I have read a few). Her books are usually somewhat hard to read and tackle difficult topics. This one focuses on a ghost story, which was an interesting departure. It also touches on suicide, eugenics, selective breeding, rare diseases, discrimination against American Indians, and love--so, you know, nothing too complicated or controversial! It's set in Vermont and weaves together stories from the 1930s through today, mainly focusing on the impact loved ones can have on us, what family means, and some paranormal activity. Quite an enjoyable read and not as bleak as some she's written. Oh, and the eugenics information she includes is based on real-life happenings in the 30s, which I had not heard about. Pretty interesting--and scary.

Bookish Review: One Day

2012-01-18T20:06:00.000-06:00

One Day is a book that was made into a movie; I watched the movie first, I am sorry to say. I can't resist Anne Hathaway. At any rate, I have now read the book, too! First, I'll tell you that the movie actually sticks remarkably close to the plot of the book, which doesn't often happen, so well-done to the filmmakers. The story is about Emma and Dexter, two college acquaintances who hook up on the night of graduation and then become friends. The story is told by focusing on the same date every year and tracing their friendship, more-than-friendship, not-even-friendship saga. It is pretty well-written and enjoyable, but bittersweet, as might be expected. Both the book and the movie are recommended; read the book first.

Cookish: Dinner time

2012-01-14T11:13:00.000-06:00

So, this "recipe" is not really exact. It was more an effort to use up some leftovers from the pasta spinach bake a little while ago. As such, I didn't measure anything, and you could change all of the amounts anyway, depending upon how many you're feeding, so here are just some general guidelines:

Ingredients
Pesto (I used a couple spoonfuls)
Toasted pecans (a handful, broken into pieces or chopped)
Whole wheat pasta (I had less than 1/2 pkg of egg noodles)
Cream cheese (a tablespoon or two, just enough to add some creaminess)
Chicken (I defrosted 3 boneless, skinless tenders)
Peas ( about 1/2 cup)
salt, pepper, red pepper, garlic powder (to taste)

I cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces, seasoned it, and sauteed til cooked through. Meanwhile, I cooked and drained the pasta. Then, I tossed everything together. Easy, tasty!

Bookish Review: The Family Fang

2012-01-10T22:57:00.000-06:00

The Family Fang is an interesting book about the damage parents can inflict on their children and whether those children can overcome the damage. Mr. and Mrs. Fang are performance artists and when they have children, the children become an integral part of the art. They refer to their children as Child A and Child B more often than their actual names and the question becomes whether they actually love their children or just love what they can do for their art. When their parents disappear, Annie and Buster must determine whether something has actually happened to them or if this is just another piece of art, and whether they should go along with it this time or not.

I wouldn't call this a fun read, but it is interesting and pretty well-written.

Bookish Review: The Weed that Strings the Hangman's Bag

2012-01-06T17:21:00.000-06:00

Flavia DeLuce is one of my favorite characters. First seen in The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, she returns in this book to solve another mystery. A precocious 11-year-old, Flavia is ever trying to poison her older sisters, who torment her in many ways, under the nose of their inattentive philatelist father. Flavia misses nothing and her observations and machinations are always entertaining. This one is highly recommended, and I hope to find the time soon to read the others in the series.

Cookish: Dinner time

2012-01-05T15:49:00.000-06:00

Chicken Tortilla soup

1 28-oz can diced tomatoes, drained, liquid reserved
lemon (you could use lime, I just happened to have lemon)
1/2 onion
2 carrots
2 celery stalks
3 chicken tenders
5 cloves garlic
1 box chicken broth
cumin
chili powder
Sazon seasoning (optional)
salt
pepper
corn
tortilla chips
cheese
jarred jalepenos (reserve 1 tbs of liquid)
avocado
hot sauce, to taste

I've made tortilla soup many times and many different ways. It usually fluctuates based on what I have on hand. Here's what I did this time:

I heated a little oil in a large saucepan and sauteed 1/4 onion, chopped, and 3 whole garlic cloves along with the cumin, chili powder, and sofrito. Meanwhile, I used the tomatoes, remaining 1/2 onion, garlic, jalapenos, and lemon juice to make this salsa.

I added the liquid from the tomatoes, the tbs of jalepeno liquid, and the chicken broth to the pan, and added the carrots and celery. I allowed that to cook for a few minutes and then added the cut-up chicken, 1/4 cup of salsa, and corn. I would also add black beans to this, but I didn't happen to have any. I let that simmer for 15 minutes, added salt and pepper to taste, and voila! To serve, I topped with crushed tortilla chips, cheese, an extra squeeze of lemon, hot sauce, and diced avocado.

Bookish Review: The Bucolic Plague

2011-12-27T16:33:00.000-06:00

The Bucolic Plague is a memoir about a couple of New Yorkers who buy up a mansion in rural New York and try to start a farm, which they only tend on weekends. The Fabulous Beekman Boys also apparently have a reality show, but it comes on "planet green," which is a channel that I did not even know existed, let alone ever watched. The book is a very good read--funny and touching. This is not Kilmer-Purcell's first memoir, and I will probably pick up the other one--the guy has had a very interesting life, to say the least. In this one, readers get to experience the hard work that goes into running a weekend farm with goats and a vegetable garden whilst still working full time. The village depicted is quaint and homey, with an excellent cast of characters, including more gay couples than one might expect in a farming community in upstate New York (more than the author and his partner expected when they first stumbled upon the hamlet). The story probably would have been very different if not for the economic collapse and both Beekman Boys losing their high-paying Manhattan jobs. Though more fortunate than many, I think their plight is one many people can relate to, and the deterioration of their relationship, though hard to read, is very real. (Fear not, they bounce back!) You can read more about their projects and products on beekman1802.com. The book was quite enjoyable, and I wish I could watch the show.

Bookish: A Feast for Crows

2011-12-23T16:33:00.000-06:00

The fourth book in the Game of Thrones series, A Feast for Crows is an enjoyable read, if a bit more of a slog than the first three. Martin continues to introduce new characters and continues to have no compunctions about maiming, torturing, or killing off characters, no matter how beloved. Many of the most lovable, favorite characters are not even featured in this book. This book and the fifth actually encompass the same time period, so you're only getting half the story, which is rather frustrating, especially when you finish the book and the story feels so incomplete. Luckily for you and me, the fifth book is out now. The poor, unfortunate souls who read this when it first came out had to wait YEARS for the fifth one, which seems quite like torture. So, overall, a good read, though I was left with the feeling that I had to get through this one to get onto book five rather than really enjoying it for itself.

Cookish: Dinnertime

2011-12-13T01:55:00.000-06:00

Spinach Pasta bake
Adapted from This Recipe from Rachael Ray Magazine

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 lbs. baby spinach (I used frozen--a bag and a half)
4 tbsp. butter
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
Salt and pepper
sprinkle of nutmeg
8 oz. wide whole wheat egg noodles
Bechamel Sauce (see below)
5-6 oz. fresh goat cheese (1 pkg)
3 tbsp. prepared pesto
1 1/2 cups coarse fresh breadcrumbs

Defrost the spinach and squeeze out any moisture.
In a large skillet, melt 2 tbsp. butter over medium heat. Add the garlic and stir until golden, about 1 minute. Stir in the spinach. Season lightly with salt and pepper and nutmeg; remove from the heat.
Preheat the oven to 400°. In a large saucepan of boiling, salted water, cook the noodles, stirring often, until al dente. Drain— but do not rinse—and return to the saucepan. Stir in the white sauce to coat.
Lightly grease an 8-inch square glass baking dish. Layer in half of the noodles and press with a spatula. Dot with half of the goat cheese, spread the spinach on top and press down. Stir 3 tbsp. pesto into the remaining noodles and spoon over the spinach. Dot with the remaining cheese. Cover snugly with foil and bake until hot and bubbling, about 35 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt the remaining 2 tbsp. butter over medium heat. Add the breadcrumbs and cook, stirring, until golden and crisp, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. sprinkle the crumbs on the baked pasta.
Note: I think you could just use some panko and brown the top of the casserole with the crumbs on at the end of baking. I did like the fresh crumbs--I'd suggest adding them directly to each serving, and storing any extra in a ziploc outside of the fridge so they don't get soggy.

Bechamel
- 2 tbsp. butter
- 1 finely chopped shallot
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 cups milk, warmed
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper
DIRECTIONS:
1. Melt butter in medium saucepan over medium heat. Add shallots and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in flour for 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in warm milk; bring to boil and cook for 2 minutes, whisking constantly. Remove from heat and stir in parmesan and 1/4 tsp. each salt and pepper.

Cookish: Snacktime

2011-12-11T01:47:00.001-06:00

I call this recipe Crack Corn, though Paula Deen has her own name for it. Click here for Paula Deen's caramel corn recipe

The recipe works really well. You need about 8 quarts of popped corn. I pop 3 bags of light butter microwave popcorn, because it is easy. I usually use 2 1/2 bags of it, approximately, which is a little less than 8 quarts, but it works out well. I also usually add some peanuts when I have them on hand. Fair warning: only make this when you have a crowd coming over. It's virtually impossible to stop eating this, so you really don't want to be the only one in the house--this is not exactly health food, folks.

Cookish: Something Sweet

2011-11-19T09:45:00.000-06:00

It's fall; time for caramel apples! I adapted the recipe from Chow: http://www.chow.com/recipes/12223-basic-caramel-apple. Sorry for the odd measurements; I cut the recipe in half and had to make some substitutions due to what I had on hand.

INGREDIENTS

4 large apples
4 chopsticks or craft sticks
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
7/8 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup corn syrup
1/8 cup molasses
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 teaspoon kosher salt

INSTRUCTIONS

Wash the apples under hot water to get off any wax coating, then dry thoroughly. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and set aside. Set the apples stem side up, and push the sticks down into the apple cores; set aside. Prepare an ice water bath by filling a bowl halfway with ice and water.
Combine the remaining ingredients in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook until the mixture registers 250°F on a candy thermometer, about 10 minutes. [I lost my candy thermometer, so I just went with the ice bath test: http://www.exploratorium.edu/cooking/candy/sugar-stages.html You're looking for "firm ball" stage.) Immediately dip the bottom of the saucepan in the ice water bath and let it chill until the bubbles have subsided, about 1 minute. Stir until stiff caramel from the bottom is incorporated into the warm caramel on top. Remove from the water bath.
Dip the apples one at a time into the caramel, rotating once to coat 3/4 of the way up the sides. Lift the apple straight up from the caramel, letting the excess drip back into the pot until the drips have slowed, about 10 to 15 seconds. Flip the apple so the stem is facing downward and let the caramel set, about 10 to 15 seconds more. Place on the prepared baking sheet, stem side up, and repeat with the remaining apples. (If the caramel gets too hard to coat the apples well, set the pan over low heat and rewarm, stirring constantly, until the caramel is loose and pourable.)
Refrigerate the apples until set, at least 10 minutes. The apples can be made and stored in the refrigerator up to 1 day in advance.

NOTE: I was taking these to a party, so I wanted slices instead of the whole apples. First, I cut the apple and dipped just the slices. Don't do this. The caramel only sticks to the peel, not the inner part of the apple. So, dip the whole apple, and then slice it. That's your best bet.

Bookish Review: The Magicians

2011-11-17T09:28:00.000-06:00

I have mixed feelings about this book. I had read Grossman's previous work and I was not a huge fan. But, this came recommended by friends and got a lot of buzz and good reviews, so I thought I'd give it a short. There are definitely a lot of Narnia and Harry Potter allusions, as perhaps you'd expect. The book is about a teenager who's a bit obsessed with a Narnia-like series of books and then discovers that magic is real, but it's a lot harder than it seems in books. All hunky-dory so far. Grossman's writing of teenagers can be a little cliche, but it's not unbearable. My problem is, as we all know, I like a happy ending, especially with my magical realism/fantasy. There's no happy ending here--no ending, really, since there's a sequel (I'm not sure how many books are planned). The problem is, I didn't love the characters enough, so I probably won't read the others. If you're a Narnia fan who's grown up to hate saccharine endings and like a little darkness in your novels instead, you may enjoy this. Me, I'd rather read Harry Potter.

Bookish Review: Heads You Lose

2011-11-15T09:22:00.000-06:00

If you've read other reviews on the blog, you probably know I love Lisa Lutz's Spellman series. This is a departure; it's a murder mystery written in alternating chapters by Lisa and David Hayward. The story is kind of odd, but the fun part is the snarky letters Lisa & David write to each other preceding each chapter (as well as the footnote comments when one reads the other's work). I didn't love it as much as the Spellman books, but it is still pretty entertaining, particularly if you enjoy the writing process or if you have ever had to collaborate with someone on a project and it didn't turn out quite as you hoped. They wrap up all the loose ends by the final chapter, don't worry. Overall, an enjoyable romp.

Cookish: Something Sweet

2011-11-12T09:11:00.001-06:00

Sorry for the lack of posts lately! Life has been very busy. But I have a special treat for you. Do you (like me) love Girl Scout cookies? Of course you do. And are Samoas your favorite? Of course they are; you have good taste. Do yourself a favor and make these: http://bakingbites.com/2009/02/homemade-girl-scout-cookies-samoas-bars/

It's really pretty simple and the result is delicious! (I know, I made them last night.) They recommended dipping the bottoms in chocolate as well as drizzling on top, which is probably the better way to do it, but I'm lazy. I just did the drizzle--delish!

Cookish: What's for lunch?

2011-09-19T15:54:00.000-05:00

Continuing with lunches to take to work or school, here's a dish that can be eaten hot or cold.

Peanut/Sesame Noodles
Ingredients
2 tbs peanut butter
1 tbs tahini
2 tbs soy sauce
1/4 tsp chili garlic sauce
1/2 tsp sesame oil
1/8 tsp ground ginger
1/8 tsp garlic powder
1 tbs rice vinegar
1 tbs honey
1/2 pkg whole wheat spaghetti
up to 1 cup pasta cooking water
1-1 1/2 cups shredded chicken
1 pkg broccoli slaw
sesame seeds

Mix the first 9 ingredients together for the sauce. Boil the noodles, setting aside 1 cup of the boiling water before draining. Toss the pasta, chicken, and broccoli slaw together. Add enough water to the sauce to make it the consistency of heavy cream. Toss with the other ingredients. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and eat, or refrigerate for lunch the next day.

Cookish: What's for Lunch?

2011-09-16T08:23:00.002-05:00

Well, I am back in school now, so I have been looking for things to make for lunch that are good to eat cold or room temperature (access to a microwave is now limited for me!). One of the first things I went to was pasta salad: easy to put together and eat for a week. Here is the latest incarnation:

Ingredients

2 ears of corn, roasted my favorite way, kernels cut off the cob

1 large, ripe tomato, chopped

1 can black beans, rinsed

sliced carrots

1/2 box rotini pasta, cooked & cooled

tomatillo salsa, to taste (1/4-1/2 cup)

salt & pepper

Toss all of the ingredients together and there you go! You can certainly add onions if you are a fan. I don't even really like tomatoes, but since I was going for a quasi-Mexican dish, I figured they were appropriate, and they really were delicious.

Cookish: What's for dessert?

2011-09-11T22:29:00.000-05:00

Oh yes, these happened. I call these SugarBomb Cupcakes. These are the Chocolate, Peanut Butter Cookie Dough, Toasted Marshmallow Cupcakes from Joy the Baker. Her photos are much better than mine--go check them out. Also, I had an issue with the frosting. You'll see that hers stays in a nice swirl. Mine started in a swirl, but quickly collapsed. Once you toast them, they form a crust on top, so they don't drip anymore, but it was impossible to frost them and get them in the oven before the swirl collapsed. I'm not sure why. I don't have an electric stand mixer, so I put the whisk attachment on my hand mixer, and it took much longer than 5 minutes, and maybe I should have beaten it even more. The whisk is definitely smaller than the one on a stand mixer, so maybe it didn't incorporate the air as quickly? They were still delicious, but I wanted them to look like Joy's! And they are a LOT of sugar. Next time, I think I will do the cupcakes with the frosting and leave out the cookie dough. And beat the frosting longer, maybe with the regular hand mixer beaters and not the whisk attachment. The cupcakes are awesomely decadent and impressive, though. Highly recommended!

Bookish Review: A Storm of Swords

2011-09-09T12:16:00.000-05:00

A Storm of Swords is the 3rd book in George RR Martin's Series. I must warn you, this one is very infuriating at times. Martin kills off some beloved characters in really terrible ways and gets other embroiled in terrible situations. A lot of it is tough to read. There are triumphs as well, of course. Dany, the dragon queen, gains a lot of strength in this one. Another exciting addition to the series.

Bookish Review: A Clash of Kings

2011-09-07T11:51:00.000-05:00

A Clash of Kings is the sequel to A Game of Thrones. In this book, the king is dead, as is his Hand, who was labelled a traitor for exposing the truth--that the queen cuckholded her husband with her own brother, so the king's supposed children are not legitimate heirs to the throne. The kings brothers are battling to take over, lords of the other kingdoms are declaring themselves king and/or dividing their loyalties among the contenders. The last remaining heir of the original ruling family has rediscovered how to awaken dragons and magic is reawakening in the kingdoms. In short, all hell is breaking loose and more characters are going to die along the way.

Martin introduced even more characters to keep track of, but this one is another page turner, for sure.

Cookish: What's for dinner?

2011-09-05T11:43:00.000-05:00

Thai Noodle Bowl with Shrimp

*adapted from Rachael Ray Magazine

Ingredients

4 oz. rice noodles
1 can (13.5 oz.) coconut milk
1 tbsp. soy sauce
1 tbsp. thai green curry paste
1 lb. peeled, deveined medium shrimp, cut in half
1 pkg of stir-fry veggies*
hot sauce to taste
Salt and pepper
Cilantro and lime wedges for garnish

DIRECTIONS:

Cook noodles; drain. In same pot, bring 1 cup water, coconut milk, soy sauce and curry paste to a simmer. Add veggies and shrimp and cook until shrimp are opaque and veggies are crisp-tender. I cut the shrimp in half to make them cook faster and make it seem like there are more shrimp! (but you can leave them whole if you prefer.) Season with salt and pepper and hot sauce. Divide noodles among bowls and ladle soup on top. Garnish with cilantro and lime wedges.
*I used a package from the refrigerated section that contained broccoli slaw, sugar snap peas, carrots, and broccoli. But you can use any veggies you like.

Bookish Review: Why We Broke Up

2011-09-02T09:39:00.000-05:00

I picked up an ARC of this book at a conference. Let me say this: they put some money into this project. The book is quite heavy for its size, which means they used really nice paper. They've also got this awesome marketing campaign: http://whywebrokeupproject.tumblr.com/

The book is the story of a girl returning to her ex-boyfriend all of the mementos of the relationship, explaining to him why she saved each one and why they broke up. Towards the end, when you discover the main reasons they broke up, the book lost a bit of its satisfaction for me because the reversal seemed to come out of nowhere. Given that the entire story is told by the girl, however, and that she was completely blindsided by what happened, I suppose it makes sense for the reader to be blindsided as well--except that the whole story is her looking back, and you would think she'd point out a few more things that should have been red flags (she does point out some, but most are minor). Still, it was an interesting read, though I think I find the tumblr page more intriguing than the book itself.

Bookish Review: A Game of Thrones

2011-08-30T09:16:00.000-05:00

A Game of Thrones has been getting a lot of press lately because of the HBO series based on the book. That would not normally be enough to get me interested in a book, since I don't even have HBO. It had been recommended to me by several friends, though, so I decided to read it.

The book is the first in a series. It is long, and complex. Martin switches perspective every chapter, there are lots of characters, and it is highly detailed. SO, it takes a little while to get into it. The characters are nicely fleshed-out, though, and you'll begin to care about them pretty quickly. The book is low fantasy, set in a kind of medieval world made up of 7 united kingdoms, as well as a few others. The king who is currently on the throne took it by force, overthrowing the mad king, who had inherited the throne, and killing or banishing his offspring. The new king is pretty well-loved, but not by his wife, and if something should happen to him, what will happen to the kingdom?

A few things to be aware of: the book contains sex, violence, and incest. Martin also has no problem killing off characters--even main characters, so don't get too attached. Despite being so long, the book really is compelling and a page-turner. You'll want to have the 2nd one waiting in the wings for when you finish.

Cookish: Party Time

2011-08-28T08:59:00.003-05:00

Desserts at my cousin's bridal shower

I threw a bridal shower for my cousin J. We were going for finger food, so cake balls seemed like the perfect dessert. This was my first time making them, and they were a huge hit!

I got the recipe from Bakerella. It's a box of cake mix and a tub of frosting and some coating. Ooh, tough, right? ;) I used red velvet cake + cream cheese frosting + white coating and chocolate cake + chocolate frosting + chocolate coating. I purchased CandiQuick candy coating to coat the cake balls. It worked okay, but here's the thing: it's not less expensive than chocolate chips, you'll need more than one package, it's not that easy to work with, and it doesn't taste that good. SO, when I ran out of coating, I melted some white chocolate chips with some vegetable oil (per package directions). Worked like a charm. Easier to work with and hardened up just fine.

These are so easy. Do yourself a favor and make some!

UnCookish: Eating Out

2011-07-14T17:54:00.000-05:00

Next food place review: Blue Dot Donuts. Blue Dot is located on Canal St in Mid-City in New Orleans. I have been to Blue Dot twice now, and I have not been disappointed. My overall favorite may be the red velvet doughnut, which is only available sometimes, but is supremely delicious. I have also had the Dulce de Leche, which was good, but was really too rich for my taste. I've had the chocolate frosted cake doughnut topped with coconut, which is supremely tasty, as well as the chocolate-frosted cake doughnut with sprinkles, which was very good, though I prefer the chocolate-frosted yeast doughnut with sprinkles. I just prefer yeast doughnuts to cake. I had two others today, which were really awesome. First the PB&J doughnut. See below for close-up. Mmmmm. You need some milk with this one. I also had a chocolate-frosted buttermilk doughnut, which was great. (That's the one on the bottom left in the top picture.) Blue Dot is owned by some NOPD officers--how awesome is that? It has not been open long, but has been getting great coverage, both locally and with upcoming features in Martha Stewart magazine and on the Food Network. The doughnuts really are great. You can also get a doughnut ice-cream sandwich--I haven't had one yet, but they sound awesome. I usually go by after yoga at Balance Yoga & Wellness, which is right nearby. I recommend going to yoga there (the Anusara class is great--Laura is phenomenal), and then stopping by Blue Dot for a chocolate milk (the ultimate after-workout drink) and a doughnut. That's the way to start your day off right!

Cookish: Snacktime

2011-07-11T10:17:00.001-05:00

Hummus

Hummus is really easy to make and the last

time I did it, I think I perfected it! Here's what you need:

3 cloves of garlic

1 can of chickpeas

1 lemon

3 tbs tahini (sesame paste)

olive oil

salt & pepper

I make my hummus in a food processor. First, chop up the garlic finely. Drain and rinse the chickpeas. You don't have to drain them all that well--a little water will help. put the chickpeas in the food processor with the juice from half the lemon and the tahini, and blend well. Add some olive oil until you get a thick, smooth paste. Add salt and pepper. Taste. At this point, I added the juice from the other half of the lemon and then enough olive oil to get the consistency I like--not too thick, and not too thin. It was awesome.

I think one of the important things for this hummus was that I bought a new brand of tahini at a local Middle Eastern market. It's made in Lebanon, and the s

tore carries several brands, but they recommended this one called Al Nakhil. It was easy to shake up (tahini tends to separate) and really made a delicious hummus. I recommend it!

Cookish: Side Dish!

2011-07-09T10:11:00.002-05:00

Corn.

'Tis the season, folks. Let's not get into how corn is in nearly EVERY SINGLE THING we eat and is kind of evil...fresh corn on the cob is still delish.

My new favorite way to cook it? Courtesy of Tyler Florence.

You just stick the cobs in their husks in the oven and roast away. That's it. No boiling a pot of water. You don't even need a pan, people. It's a beautiful thing.

It comes out so delicious. You can make yourself a fancy compound butter, or use some lime and chile, or just slap some butter on there and eat it. Use the husk as the holder once you peel it back.

That, my friends, is the taste of summer.

UnCookish: Eating Out

2011-07-04T17:02:00.003-05:00

Welcome to a new feature of Bookish & Cookish: Restaurant Reviews!

First up: Patois, a restaurant in uptown New Orleans. Someone was kind enough to give me a gift certificate as a show of appreciation (a habit I'd like to encourage). So I decided to have a girls' night with my good friend J. We managed to snag a 9 pm reservation on a Saturday (I felt very European). I do encourage you to get a reservation; the restaurant is small--a converted house, which is not uncommon uptown--and it is popular.

We started with the gnocchi and the moules frites. Both were delish, but I have a weakness for mussels, so I give them the edge. The fries were insanely tasty. Oh, I should also mention the bread they serve is buttery brioche, which is tasty, but if you are getting either of the apps I mentioned, I recommend saving it until your appetizers arrive because both have very tasty sauces and you might like the bread for soppage. I ate mine as soon as it arrived, unfortunately. Buttery as it is, I would have spread some butter on it, given the opportunity, which I was not because they don't bring you any butter. Probably a good thing for my arteries!

Next, I had the almond crusted Gulf fish, which was not your typical trout amandine, but was insanely good. They go heavy on the black pepper, which I found delicious, but not everyone is as fond of pepper, so be aware. J had the seared scallops, which is slightly different on the menu now than is described on the website. It's served with cold glass noodles, and the sauce on them was a little odd, but overall the dish was delicious. The scallops were huge and perfectly cooked.

Finally, we had dessert. J ordered the Almond bread pudding (the dessert menu on the website does not match what they were serving when we were there), which was like a cupcake on a pool of creme anglaise and a scoop of ice cream on top. Tasty, but no match for what I ordered.

I had the "Snickers." O.M.G.

I would come to Patois just for this. It's a layer of cake, topped by chocolate mousse, a triangle of toffee, and a scoop of dark chocolate ice cream. On the plate is chocolate sauce, salted caramel, and peanuts. Insane.

J had a cappuccino, which came with a tiny biscotti, and I had a cup of coffee. The perfect end to a truly excellent meal.

Book Review: Will Grayson, Will Grayson

2011-07-03T20:37:00.000-05:00

Will Grayson, Will Grayson is a collaborative book by John Green and David Levithan. The authors write alternating chapters, each narrated by a different Will Grayson. I am a big John Green fan (Google Vlog Brothers if you want to know why), so I was excited about reading this book.

I enjoyed it from the beginning, but it definitely gets stronger as the book goes on, particularly after the two Wills meet. The chapters have distinct voices (surprise, surprise, given they are written by different authors), and I laughed out loud a few times. My favorite part wasn't the humor, or even the vocabulary (though weltschmerz is my new favorite word)--my favorite part was the truth, the angst, the authentic voices, and the fact that I think this book could have a positive impact on the life of every teen, everyone who has been a teen, and especially every gay teen, or friend or family member of a gay teen. It's such a positive look at gay life--the characters definitely have issues and problems and depression--but it's not because they are gay or their friends are gay, and that was a wonderful thing. I liked this better that John's Paper Towns, though I liked that, too. I highly recommend it--it fully deserves the kudos it has received.

DFTBA

Bookish Review: Dominance

2011-07-01T20:20:00.003-05:00

Dominance is a literary mystery. A class of college students uncovers a murderer by discovering the true identity of a reclusive writer, but years later, the murders start happening again. Is it a copycat, or did they get the wrong man the first time around?

I enjoyed this book--I had a inkling about the ending, but I didn't completely figure it out. Nice twist at the end, too. The book also goes into literary criticism to an extent and what happens when you really tear apart a book and what happens when you lose yourself in it too completely. The class gets involved in the Procedure--a "game" that involves reenacting the book. Interesting concept, but I felt like it wasn't explained quite fully enough. Interesting book, though. Bibliophiles should enjoy

Disclaimer: I received an advance electronic copy of this book from the publisher for the purposes of review. Free access to the book did not affect my opinion. For more information on Simon & Schuster's eGalley program, please visit www.galleygrab.com.

Bookish Review: Cold Sassy Tree

2011-06-24T22:06:00.002-05:00

Cold Sassy Tree was recommended to me by several of my Southern belle friends. The book is about growing up in a small Georgia town in the early 1900s. I really enjoyed this book. Some of the plot points seem a little abrupt and odd, but overall, I found it a nice portrait of small-town Southern life, with all of its nosiness, pettiness, class struggles, and family strife. When cars come to Cold Sassy for the first time, it creates quite a stir. But not as much of a stir as when the owner of the town's general store marries his milliner--who is young enough to be his daughter--just days after his beloved wife dies.

Recommended wholeheartedly for Southerners.

Cookish: What's for dessert?

2011-06-15T19:37:00.003-05:00

This recipe is slightly adapted from SmittenKitchen. If you do not currently read that blog, please do. Deb is fantastic, and I completely trust her recipes.

Deb's recipe is for a 9-in tart pan. I adapted it for my 11-in tart. I did not increase the filling, so mine is not as full as hers, but I liked the filling-crust ratio.

Crust:

42 gingersnap cookies, coarsely broken
1/3 cup salted butter, melted

Filling:
1 10-oz bag, plus 1/4 cup, Nestle dark chocolate chips
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 large egg yolks
1 large egg
1/4 cup sugar
1 tbs all purpose flour
1/8 tsp ground black pepper

1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
Pinch of salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon

For crust:Preheat oven to 325°F. Finely grind gingersnap cookies in processor. Add melted butter and process until moistened. Press crumb mixture firmly onto bottom and up sides of 11-inch-diameter tart pan with removable bottom.Use a measuring cup or glass to help press in the crust. Place pan on rimmed baking sheet.

For filling:
Combine chocolate and heavy whipping cream in heavy medium saucepan. Whisk over low heat until chocolate is melted and smooth. Remove saucepan from heat. Whisk egg yolks, egg, sugar, flour,and spices in medium bowl to blend. Very gradually whisk chocolate mixture into egg mixture until smooth and blended. Pour chocolate filling into crust.

Bake chocolate tart until filling puffs slightly at edges and center is softly set, about 20 minutes. Transfer to rack. Cool tart in pan 20 minutes. Gently remove tart pan sides and cool tart completely.

Cut tart into thin wedges and serve. Delish!

Bookish Review: The Paradise Prophecy

2011-06-12T19:37:00.000-05:00

Dutton was kind enough to send me an ARC of this book. It is about a world where God has ceased to care about humanity and fallen angels (now demons) are plotting for the rise of Lucifer and the enslavement of the human race. There's lots of Paradise Lost involved, as well as a government agent and a religious scholar (who is also a psychic) from Louisiana. The archangel Michael (who is also a fallen angel) is working against the demons, trying to help the humans redeem themselves so God will give them another chance.

This was not the worst book I've ever read, but I didn't really enjoy it, either. I can't recommend it.

Cookish: What's for dinner/party?

2011-06-11T19:15:00.005-05:00

The following is adapted from This Recipe on CookingandMe.com.

Chickpea Patties

(I am reluctant to call these falafel because they didn't really have the texture I associate with Falafel. I think that is because falafel is made with chickpea flour, but I am not sure.)

Makes 16-20 small-ish patties

Ingredients:
1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 tsp cumin powder
1/2 tsp coriander powder1/2 tsp chilli powder
4-5 cloves minced or crushed garlic
small bunch parsley, chopped
1/2 medium onion, chopped
juice from 1/2 lemon
3 tbsp plain flour + more for dredging
Salt to taste

Oil for pan-frying

Transfer the drained chickpeas with rest of the ingredients to a food processor and blend until smooth and dry. You should be able to shape them easily into small discs. If the mixture is too moist or sticky at this stage, add more flour. Mine stayed kind of loose and I was not sure how they would fry up, so I scooped small balls with my cookie scoop and rolled in flour before flattening into patties, but next time I think I might just add more flour when blending.

Preheat your oil. Deep-frying frightens me a bit, so I just pan-fried, adding a good bit of oil to the pan and frying one side, then flipping and frying on the other. Drain on paper towels and serve with Tzatziki sauce (see below)

These were pretty good, but I would have liked them a bit firmer and with a bit more zip. I think I will add some cayenne or more chili powder next time. I am also curious if I could bake them instead of frying.

Tzatziki sauce (adapted from this recipe on allrecipes.com)

32 ounces plain yogurt
1 large cucumber, peeled, deseeded, and shredded
5 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
salt to taste

Place a strainer lined with a paper towel over a small bowl. Place yogurt in the strainer and drain at least two hours (up to overnight). Peel the cucumber, cut in half, and use a spoon to scrape out seeds. Grate on the medium holes on a box grater. squeeze out the liquid before adding to the yogurt with the other ingredients. Enjoy!

Bookish Review: Sweetly

2011-06-07T19:28:00.000-05:00

Sweetly by Jackson Pearce is a follow-up to her lovely YA novel Sisters Red. It;s not really a sequel, because it is not the same characters, but it is another twisted fairytale. Pearce's website is calling it a "companion novel," so let's go with that. When they are children, brother and sister Gretchen and Ansel venture into the woods with Gretchen's twin...but only Gretchen and Ansel make it out of the woods. Gretchen saw the eyes of the "witch" that snatched her twin and grows up wondering why she wasn't taken, too. Gretchen and Ansel are scarred by the loss and watch their parents completely fall apart as a result. Once Gretchen turns 18, their step-mother kicks them out of the house, and they drive cross-country in search of a new start. When their car breaks down in a small South Carolina town, they are taken in by the lovely young Sophia Kelly, who runs a chocolaterie in the woods. But something is not quite right, and Gretchen fears the witch may lurk here, too.

It's another fun fairytale twist, and very enjoyable. Fans of Sisters Red will enjoy this one, for sure.

I received an ARC of this book at a conference this spring. The book is available in HC this month.

Bookish Review: The Devil's Punchbowl

2011-06-05T19:17:00.003-05:00

The Devil's Punchbowl is a hometown thriller by Greg Iles, set, as many of his books are, in Natchez, MS. The book stars Iles's recurring protagonist Penn Cage, who has gone from being a lawyer to an author and now mayor of Natchez. Iles's books often contain disturbing sexual violence, and this one is no exception, featuring rape and prostitution in addition to torture, gambling, and dog fighting. Iles writes finely-crafted suspense novels, but I will confess that some of his in the past have made me feel almost physically ill as well as just plain dirty after reading them. They are so well-written, though, that I keep reading them despite their disturbing nature. In this one, Penn gets himself wrapped up in some international intrigue thanks to a childhood friend who is murdered by those he is trying to investigate. Soon Penn's daughter and whole family are in danger and he must weigh their safety versus doing what he thinks is write--namely stopping a bunch of criminals who are engaging in all kinds of reprehensible activities in Natchez as well as cheating the city out of thousands of dollars of tax revenue.

Iles is a Southern boy, so his Southern thrillers give a remarkably accurate view of life in Dixie. The crimes and situations are often outlandish, but the motivations and reactions and settings ring true. Another well-written volume in the Cage saga (and good to see Caitlin back!), but be prepared to read about very disturbing things.

Cookish: What's for dinner?

2011-05-29T17:16:00.014-05:00

Spinach and mushroom quiche

1 pkg frozen chopped spinach, thawed and liquid squeezed out

1/2 pkg (4 oz) mushrooms, chopped

2 cloves garlic

oil

salt

pepper

5 eggs

1 cup milk (I used 1/3 heavy cream and 2/3 skim milk, because I needed to use up the heavy cream, but use what you have)

1/2 cup-1 cup mozzarella cheese (or shredded cheese of your choice)

parmesean cheese, for sprinkling on top

1 pie crust.

You'll need these

And this.

Blind bake your pie crust at 375 for about 20 minutes.

This picture should be rotated the other way. It is a pie crust filled with pie weights for blind baking. (I use dried black beans as pie weights--just don't try to cook them after!)

While this is baking, saute the mushrooms and garlic, adding the defrosted spinach when the mushrooms are nearly done. Season with salt and pepper.

Saute it up!

Mix up 5 eggs and milk.

Can't make quiche without breaking eggs.

Add cheese to egg and milk mixture.

Remove crust from oven. Add mushrooms and spinach.

Pour eggs on top. Sprinkle with parm.

Turn oven down to 350 and return quiche to oven.

Bake about 30 minutes or until center is set; Eat up!

Bookish Review: The Wise Man's Fear

2011-05-28T16:08:00.002-05:00

The Wise Man's Fear is the sequel to the awesome The Name of the Wind and picks up the story exactly where the last one left off. Kvothe continues to tell his life story to the Chronicler and Bast continues to worry that his master has forgotten who he truly is. If anything, this one is even more of a page-turner than the first. We get more of Kvothe's adventures at the University, but even more exciting is when he leaves the University for a while after being brought up on charges of violating the Iron Law (he is acquitted, but he needs some time for the memory to fade if he is going to be assigned a tuition he can actually pay). He leaves town in the hopes of gaining the patronage of the Maer, a very powerful and rich man. He performs many important services for the Maer, gaining some important knowledge along the way, and even enters the Fae and learns of fairies and learns the secrets of Ademic mercenaries. He does return to the University, where everyone thought him dead, newly equipped to pay his tuition, but not with everything he'd hoped to gain. We see again the weakness of the present-day Kvothe in comparison to who he used to be, but the story is not yet over, so how it all came to pass is still a mystery. I was fortunate enough to read the two stories back-to-back, which was wonderful, but also terrible. Because now I have to wait a year for the end of the story. Which isn't that long to wait for a new book from a beloved author, all things considered, and it would be longer, except that it is already written. Still...grrr.

Read these books!

Cookish: What's for dinner?

2011-05-24T21:40:00.000-05:00

Kraft was kind enough to send me a coupon for a free container of their new Philly Cooking Creme, made with Philadelphia cream cheese. I purchased the garlic version and modified one of the suggested recipes that came with it.

Philly Cooking Creme Pot Pie

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces

1/2 cup frozen peas

1/2 cup frozen corn

1/2 cup chopped carrots (about 2 small carrots)

1/2 pkg (4 oz) mushrooms, chopped

oil

black pepper

red pepper flakes

1 pkg Philly garlic cooking creme

1 refrigerated pie crust

Pre-heat oven to 400. Saute the carrots and mushrooms in oil in a medium skillet until mushrooms are cooked and carrots are softened. Season with pepper and red pepper flakes. Set aside. Saute the chicken until nearly cooked through add the peas, corn, carrots, and mushrooms and cook until warmed through. Add Philly cooking creme. Pour into a pie pan and cover with pie crust, fluting the edges and cutting a few vents in the middle. Bake for about 25 minutes.

Verdict: The flavor was actually really good--garlicky and well-seasoned. Do Not add salt--it doesn't need it, honestly. The cooking creme has enough. My problem is that it thickens up a lot, and the cream cheese really coats your tongue--so it tastes great, but I would like the sauce to be a little looser and creamier--not as thick. I think next time I might try to thin it with a little water or milk. It is easy and tasty, though!

Bookish Review: The Name of the wind

2011-05-23T11:10:00.000-05:00

I picked up The Name of the Wind at a conference where the author was signing after someone recommended the book to me. Patrick Rothfuss weaves an elaborate fantasy world complete with fictional languages, magical creatures, mythology, and demons. In this world, some learned men know the true names of things, and can call them to do their bidding (hence the title). The book focuses on an innkeeper, who is no ordinary innkeeper, but a fabled hero in hiding. When the Chronicler arrives looking for the true story of the hero's exploits, he agrees to tell the tale. The person who recommended the book to me warned that it takes a while to really get into it, and I think she was correct, but once Kvothe, the main character, gets to the University, things really start to pick up, and the story is pretty compelling. Of course it is a nod to the power of words, which I always find enjoyable, and there's some magic thrown in as well (though it is a science-y magic). The second book in the series (I'm not sure if this is meant to be a trilogy or a series) is available, and I will be reading it next because I really want to know what happens! A good read for fantasy fans.

UnCookish: Snacktime

2011-05-22T10:59:00.002-05:00

Jell-O sent me a coupon for a free package of the new Temptations by Jell-O, which is the new Jell-O they are marketing as being just for adults. (Have you seen the commercials where parents terrorize their children so the kids won't eat their Jell-O?) I went for the Double Chocolate flavor, of course! Three pudding cups come in a package, and the flavor I tried consists of about 2/3 dark chocolate pudding topped by 1/3 of a lighter chocolate "mousse" on top. The pudding cups do make a tasty snack, but I think I'd rather have a regular pudding cup--I'm not the hugest fan of the texture of the "mousse" on top. There are other flavors as well, which I think consist of pudding on the bottom and gelatin on top. That didn't appeal to me, but I can give the chocolate flavor a thumbs up, if you're looking for a little twist to your usual pudding cup.

Cookish: What's for lunch?

2011-05-19T21:32:00.000-05:00

How do you feel about eggs?

I love eggs. I didn't always, but now I do. They are so cheap, easy to cook, and versatile--what's not to love? Oh, and they're delicious. And good for you. Eat some eggs.

I always have eggs on hand, so when I am at a loss for lunch, I make egg salad. Simple. Tasty. Maybe not the healthiest lunch, but at least you're getting some protein. Pack some fruit, too--you'll be fine.

Do you know how to boil an egg? You've got to master that to make egg salad. Here's what you do:
Take as many eggs as you want to boil. Even if you're only making egg salad for yourself, you want at least two. Put in a pot that will just accommodate as many eggs as you have to boil in one layer. The smaller the better, so they don't have to bump around too much. Cover the eggs with cold water. Put the eggs on the stove and cover. Turn to high. When the pot comes to a boil, turn off the burner, and leave the eggs, covered, for 10 minutes. When the time is up, pour off the hot water and run cold water over the eggs until they cool. This will make them easier to peel. Bam! You've got boiled eggs, with no gray-green ring.

Now that you've got boiled eggs, it's time to make egg salad. You need:
Boiled eggs
mayonnaise
mustard (sometimes I use Dijon, sometimes I use Creole, sometimes I use Durkee's)
garlic powder
pepper

I use an egg slicer when I'm making egg salad--slice one way, then the other. You can also chop by hand. All the other ingredients are to taste. You want to make sure you add enough mayo to completely moisten the eggs and get a nice consistency. How to serve? I like to eat it just with crackers (Triscuits), but it's also mighty tasty on a sandwich of toasted whole wheat bread, with some lettuce.

Bookish Review: Sunshine

2011-05-17T22:01:00.000-05:00

This book was recommended by my friend S. It reminded me a bit of the series upon which True Blood is based, but I enjoyed it more. It's set in a world where vampires, witches, were-animals, and other mystical creatures are real, and humans are fighting for survival against the dark creatures, particularly vampires. Rae (aka Sunshine) is abducted by vampires, and manages to escape alive--which never happens. In the process, she makes a tentative friendship with a vampire--which also never happens. The vampires aren't likely to let her go easily, and the ppolice in charge of keeping the vampires in check aren't either--since no one escapes vampires and Sunshine did, they want her help. Rae just wants to make cinnamon rolls.

The book is enjoyable and funny. There's not much sex in it, but a few sexual situations (parennts of vampire-loving teens, just wanted you to be aware). The book is clearly a set=up for a series. Vampire fiction fans should enjoy this one.

Cookish: What's for dinner?

2011-05-16T21:46:00.002-05:00

Several years ago, my dear friend the Free Market Mommy made portobello sandwiches for dinner one night when I was visiting--so delish! And very easy. So, I'm going to give a general outline of how to create your own.

Ingredients
portobello mushrooms (1 per person)
cheese slices (1 per mushroom. I recommend provolone)
olive or veg oil
bread or buns (I used multigrain toast, but they're also tasty on hamburger buns)
lettuce
mayo
mustard (I used creole, but you can use your favorite)
salt and pepper

What to do.

Use a spoon to remove the stems and gills from the portobellos. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat, with enough oil to coat the bottom. (Or use a grill pan, ora real grill, or a George Foreman grill--you get the idea.) Cook the mushrooms for a few minutes per side, seasoning with salt and pepper once they are cooked (the salt will draw out a lot of juices, so they will cook faster if you salt them after cooking instead of before). Once they're about ready, top each with a slice of cheese (the provolone works well because the slices are round, like the mushrooms) and heat until melted. (You can cover the pan to speed the melting.) If you're using sandwich bread, toast it. spread one slice with mayo & mustard, top with a lettuce leaf, and your cheesy 'shroom. Top with the other slice of bread, cut it in half, and enjoy your sammie!

Bookish Review: The Memory Keeper's Daughter

2011-05-15T21:20:00.002-05:00

I had heard a lot about The Memory Keeper's Daughter (maybe you have, too?) before reading it, but it was again a situation where I had beard a lot of positive buzz, but I didn't really know what the book was about.

The book is well-written, but it is a tough read--it focuses on how a lie and a secret can poison a marriage and destroy lives. Not exactly a light read, but it does have a hopeful ending, so hang in there.

Dr. David Henry tells his young wife that their son is born healthy (true), but that his twin sister died shortly after birth ( a lie). When the baby girl was born, he recognizes that she had Down's Syndrome and orders his nurse to take her to an institution. The nurse absconds with the baby instead, unable to leave the baby at the institution. His wife drops into a depression, and he lies to her for the rest of their lives together, eventually poisoning the marriage so completely that they get a divorce.

The book is an interesting examination of what secrets and lies (under the guise of "protecting" someone) can do to a relationship, as well as a look at how people with Down Syndrome were treated in the 1960s-1980s.

Bookish Review: Chocolat

2011-04-20T19:39:00.000-05:00

I am a big fan of the movie version of Chocolat, so I finally decided to pick up the book. The book has the same magical feel as the movie, and the early chapters seem to follow it pretty closely. There are some differences, including that the kangaroo called Pontouf in the movie is a rabbit named Pantoufle in the book. Also, Roux has a different romantic involvement than in the book and the ending is not quite as concrete or quite as happy. Overall, I enjoyed the book, which tells the story of Vianne Rocher and her daughter and how they use their own brand of magic and chocolate to turn a small French town on its ear. I must say, though, that I like the movie better. I'm a sucker for a tidy, happy ending--what can I say?

Uncookish: Snack Review

2011-04-19T15:41:00.000-05:00

I found the 3 Musketeers Truffle Crisp bars on clearance at Target (which leads me to believe that they may be phasing out this candy bar), so I decided to try it out. As you may know, 3 Musketeers markets itself as having fewer fat/calories than a usual candy bar. This new twist on the classic bar maintains the lightness of the original and consists of a crisp bar at the bottom, which has a texture more like a meringue cookie than the shortbread cookie you'd kind in a Twix, with a chocolate "truffle" topping, which is a bit thicker than the usual 3 Musketeers filling, and the whole thing is dipped in chocolate. I found it to be tasty and light, with a nice texture. I think one bar could be a satisfying treat, as long as you're not too hungry, and if you eat just one bar (there are two in the package), it's less than 100 calories. Not a bad deal.

Bookish Review: Water for Elephants

2011-04-18T15:26:00.000-05:00

I really enjoyed this book. Before I read it, I knew it was critically-acclaimed and was being made into a movie, but I didn't really know anything about the plot. The book is told mainly in flashback, as the protagonist (now living in an assisted-living facility) looks back on his life working as a veterinarian with a travelling circus. Gruen works in interesting details about circus life, including unusual but true stories. The book also weaves a nice love story as our hero falls for the beautiful horseback performer--and she with him, but whoops! she's married. And her husband isn't exactly stable. The book is evocative and interesting. I recommend it highly, and I look forward to seeing what the movie is like, though I am already unsure about the casting.

Cookish: What's for dinner?

2011-04-17T15:01:00.002-05:00

Mom's Pasta Salad

So my momma makes awesome Italian pasta salad, despite being not even a little bit Italian. I am going to include her recipe below, and then list my changes below that.

1 bag/box rainbow rotini (16 oz)

1/4 head broccoli, chopped

1/4 head cauliflower, chopped

Parmesan cheese

1 package pepperoni, sliced

garlic powder

1/2 large onion, thinly sliced

1 can artichoke hearts, drained

1 jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained, marinade reserved

1 bottle Wishbone Italian dressing

Boil the pasta. Two minutes before the pasta is done, add the broccoli and cauliflower to the pot. When pasta is done, drain. Chop the artichoke hearts. Coat the pasta and veggies with cheese while hot. Add garlic powder. When cool, add the rest of the veggies & pepperoni and add the dressing.

My changes: I leave out the onion and the pepperoni. I also use a whole head of broccoli and a whole head of cauliflower to up the veggie quotient. I also add a few chopped carrots and chopped sun-dried tomatoes and sliced black olives. I used the sun-dried tomatoes that come in a package, not the ones in the jar. They're a little salty, so I chop them pretty small. I also add everything together--except the dressing--while it's hot. I add about half the dressing while its hot--mainly because I always want to eat it, even while it's hot. Then I let it cool and add more as needed. I also use reduced-fat, store brand Italian dressing because I am cheap!

I love this pasta salad. It makes a really large amount, so it's great for a picnic or potluck, but I love it so much that I always eat way more than I should. Leaving out the pepperoni, it will make vegetarians happy, and if you've got vegans in the crowd, I guess you can leave out the cheese--but what a shame that would be!

Bookish Review: The Leopard's Prey

2011-03-28T07:39:00.002-05:00

The Leopard's Prey is part of an interesting series featuring protagonist Jade del Cameron. The book is set in British East Africa (Kenya) in the 1920s. Jade is a photographer, writer, and animal wrangler, as well as an amateur detective. When a man is found murdered on her friends' property and her love interest is accused, she must get to the bottom of the murder. The book has an interesting setting (in terms of time and place) and an interesting protagonist--very independent and unusual for the 1920s, to say the least. It's definitely a book I was able to put down, but it was an enjoyable read nonetheless.

Cookish: What's for Lenten dinner?

2011-03-22T22:35:00.003-05:00

Continuing our theme, the next easy Lenten inspiration may be obvious: Tomato sauce! It is easy and cheap to make at home, and can really be delicious. Here are some ideas for what to do with it:

Easiest one: pasta and sauce. Jazz it up by using some different pasta shapes: spaghetti, rotini, penne, cavatappi, farfalle--anything you like! You can also jazz it up with some extra vefggies: sauteed mushrooms, peas, eggplant, or spinach (call it Florentine!). You can add some cream to make a rosa sauce or turn it into vodka cream sauce.
Pizza! Use refrigerated dough or make your own, and top it any way you like. You can also make individual bagel or English muffin pizzas.
You can poach eggs directly in tomato sauce and serve over toast (assuming no one in your family is allergic to eggs!)
Use it making rice (you need a little for the Mexican rice I posted the other day)
Eggplant Parmesan.
Lasagna!
Shrimp fra Diavolo--shrimp cooked in a spicy tomato sauce

Usually, I sauté some onion and garlic and add canned crushed tomatoes and/or whole canned tomatoes, basil, oregano, crushed red pepper, a little sugar, and let it cook down, but I recently tried a new recipe from Smitten Kitchen (one of my favorite blogs, as you know). Here's the original recipe: http://smittenkitchen.com/2010/01/tomato-sauce-with-butter-and-onions/

It could not be easier and is so delicious! No chopping! Here's what I did:

Tomato Sauce with Butter and Onions

28 ounces whole peeled tomatoes from a can (I used generic San Marzano-style tomatoes with basil from my local grocery)

5 tablespoons butter

1 medium-sized yellow onion, peeled and halved

2 medium garlic cloves, peeled

red pepper flakes, to taste

Salt to taste

Put the tomatoes (do not drain), onion, garlic, red pepper, and butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Bring the sauce to a simmer then lower the heat to keep the sauce at a slow, steady simmer for about 45 minutes, or until droplets of fat float free of the tomatoes. Stir occasionally, crushing the tomatoes against the side of the pot with a wooden spoon. Remove from heat, discard the onion, add salt to taste.

Serve with pasta, with or without grated parmesan cheese to pass.

*When cooking your pasta, PLEASE add more salt than you think you should. The pasta water should be salty like sea water--it is the only way to add flavor to the pasta itself and it does make a difference.

** if making this for pizza, add some oregano

***I simmered with the lid on and the sauce was pretty thin. Next time I will simmer with the lid off to let the sauce thicken.

Cookish: What's for Lenten dinner?

2011-03-20T21:44:00.004-05:00

My friend, the Free Market Mommy, asked me for some Lenten meal ideas. My first thought was all of the possibilities of eggs for dinner, until she reminded me that such meals would be a recipe for death for her husband, who is allergic. Oops--I knew that.

So I am going to cover some more no-meat, no-eggs ideas for Lenten meals. You can check out the recipes tagged "Vegetarian" to see the ones already on the site.

The first meal I came up with is the one I made for myself tonight: fish tacos. This is less a recipe and more a method with suggestions, because the possibilities are really limitless. It occurs to me now that the FMM's husband may also be allergic to fish now (he wasn't always), so this may not be good either! But, you could certainly make bean tacos or cheese and veggie quesadillas instead. Mexican food can be made vegetarian in many ways.

To serve with the tacos: Mexican Rice and Easy "Refried" Beans--both vegetarian! (You could make a meal out of just those sides, if so inclined)

For the tacos (mix and match any of the below):

Flour or corn tortillas (Feeling ambitious? Make your own! It's not hard, just a little time-consuming. But, they are delicious!)

Talapia*

Cabbage or lettuce (Cabbage is pretty traditional on fish tacos--you can even buy the pre-shredded coleslaw mix at the store--it works great)

Shredded Carrots (already in your coleslaw mix!)

Chili-Lime Sour Cream or Mayo (just mix some lime juice and chili powder into your sour cream or mayo to give it a kick. Let it sit for at least a few minutes to let the chili powder really come to life. Or you can just use plain mayo or plain yogurt)

Salsa (make your own, or store-bought. I like Salsa verde or fruit salsas on fish tacos)

Taco sauce

diced mango or pineapple

diced avocado

Fresh chopped cilantro or parsley

Or anything else you want! Use your imagination.

To cook the fish:

sprinkle fish with cumin, chile powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper. squeeze lemon or lime. juice over the top. Put in a skillet with a thin layer of oil. Cook for a few minutes on one side, then flip. At this point, I like to squeeze a little honey on the fish, because I like the lemon/lime and honey balance. Cook for a few more minutes, until the fish flakes easily and is opaque throughout. That is the best thing about this--you don't have to try to keep the fish in one piece because once it is done, you're just going to flake it up for the tacos anyway. Put the fish in a bowl and flake with a fork. Give an extra squeeze of lime/lemon or honey and an extra sprinkle of salt, if necessary.

Build your taco with any of the tasty ingredients above and enjoy! Does that really feel like a sacrifice?

*Talapia is a farm-raised fish, readily available frozen across the US, which is why I give it a shout-out here, but you can use any flaky white fish you like. It's a very mild fish, unlikely to offend even skeptical fish-eaters.

Stay tuned for more Lenten meal ideas!

Cookish: Side Dish

2011-03-20T21:36:00.002-05:00

Easy "refried" beans

Oil

2 tbs trinity*

salt

pepper

cumin

chile powder

1 can black beans or pinto beans

chicken stock

For an easy side dish to a Mexican meal, it is hard to beat these beans. Add a small amount of oil (or bacon grease, in you're feeling indulgent) to a skillet with the trinity and sweat the veggies. When soft, add salt, pepper, cumin, and chili powder to taste. (I usually do just a couple of shakes of the spices). Drain and rinse your beans and add to the skillet with a splash of chicken stock (or water). Smash about half of the beans to create a creamy consistency. Cover and simmer on low for 10-20 minutes to develop the flavors.

*Trinity is a New Orleans cooking staple consisting of green bell pepper, celery, and onion. The French have their version, mire poix, which substitutes carrot for the bell pepper. I make a big batch, chopping all of the veggies together, and then freeze the extra, so I can use it in recipes like this (In our grocery stores, you can also buy it pre-chopped in the refrigerated section or in the frozen section). If you don't have it on hand, you can just use a small amount of chopped onion or onion and celery, or onion and a jalepeno for some spice. It adds a lot of bang for your buck--you'd be surprised the flavor even a small amount can generate

Cookish: Side Dish

2011-03-20T19:41:00.003-05:00

Mexican Rice

I in no way claim this is authentic, but it's pretty yummy and seems somewhat similar to the rice you'd get in a Mexican restaurant.

butter or oil

1 cup long-grain rice

1 packet Goya Sazon con achiote y cilantro

1/4 tsp cumin

1/4 tsp chili powder

1 carrot, peeled and sliced

3/4 cup chicken broth

3 tbs tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes

1 bay leaf

1/2 cup frozen peas

Put enough oil/butter into a saucepan to coat the bottom. Add in the rice and seasonings and toast over medium-high heat for a few minutes Add the carrot, chicken broth, tomato, bay leaf and peas. Cover and bring to a boil. Turn down to low and simmer for 20 minutes. If it is still a little liquidy, put a dishtowel between the pot lid and the pot and let sit, covered, off the heat for 5 minutes or until ready to serve. Fluff with a fork.

Cookish: What's for dinner?

2011-03-15T21:07:00.000-05:00

Colcannon

This recipe is adapted from Darina Allen's Ballymaloe Cooking School CookbookIB

3 large baking potatoes

1/2 head of cabbage

2 garlic cloves, slightly crushed

1 cup milk*

salt and pepper

butter

Peel potatoes and cut into quarters. Put in a large pot and cover with water. Add some salt. Cover, and while the water is coming to a boil, remove the core from the cabbage and shred thinly. When shredded, add to a steamer basket suspended over the boiling potatoes. If you do not have a steamer set-up like this, you can steam in the microwave in a covered bowl with a very small amount of water. In the meantime, put the milk in a small saucepan with the garlic and warm over medium-low heat. Keep an eye on the cabbage--it will likely be tender before the potatoes are done. When the cabbage is tender, toss with salt, pepper, and butter. When the potatoes are done, drain and mash with the warm milk. Add salt and pepper. Stir in the cabbage and add a little more butter. Yum!

*I only keep skim milk in the house, but I had a small amount of whipping cream, so I mixed the two. Use whatever milk you usually use for mashed potatoes.

Bookish Review: The Kitchen Daughter

2011-03-13T16:39:00.000-05:00

The Kitchen Daughter is the story of Ginny, who deals with the death of her parents and the pressure her sister puts on her by escaping through her cooking. Ginny has Asperger's Syndrome, so she has trouble dealing with other people, but in the kitchen, she finds peace--or at least, she used to, before her dead loved ones start appearing to her when she cooks their recipes. The book is a fairly quick read, enjoyable to those of us who like to escape in the kitchen. The book does include recipes (I've got the "Midnight Cry Brownies" in the oven right now--we'll see how they turn out) and Jael does a reasonably good job of getting inside the head of someone who has Asperger's (at the beginning of the book, Ginny doesn't realize she has Asperger's, though she knows she is different). The relationship between Ginny and her protective sister also rings true. Yes, there are ghosts, but their appearance is mostly Ginny trying to make sense of her life and who her parents really were. An enjoyable read, overall.

PS- How fun is the cover? Props to their production team--a very clever idea.

Cookish: Something Sweet

2011-03-13T12:46:00.003-05:00

Yum Yum Yum. This is a delightful St. Patrick's Day cupcake. Recipe courtesy of Smitten Kitchen. Find it here. A few notes on the recipe:

I added some green food dye to the frosting--festive! It's a pale green, which I am not sure shows up so well in the picture, but you can dye it as much as you want, and for any occasion.
As Deb warns, the frosting recipe does not make that much frosting, but it does make enough (barely). If you are a frosting fan, you'll want to double it, or at least make 1.5 x's as much
Do not taste the batter before the cupcakes are cooked--it tastes very strongly of Guinness, but once they bake, that is no longer the case--they are simply delicious.
I used 60% cacao bittersweet chocolate and 1 tsp of Jack Daniels for the ganache, which makes for a very powerful filling. Everyone enjoyed it, but I might try semisweet chocolate and maybe a little more whiskey next time.
Everyone raved about these, so make sure you make enough for your crowd!

Bookish Review: Sing You Home

2011-03-12T16:46:00.000-06:00

Jodi Picoult likes to handle difficult and controversial topics in her fiction, and this one is no exception. She covers infertility, miscarriages, the dissolution of a marriage, in vitro fertilization, homosexuality, gay marriage, etc. A lot of controversy packed in one book! The book is a pretty quick read. She tells the story from varying perspectives: our protagonist, her husband (and then ex-husband), and her friend (and then wife). I doubt this book will change the mind of anyone who is against gay marriage or adoption by homosexual couples, but it does present both viewpoints on the topic. It also has a surprisingly happy ending. A nice read.

Bookish Review: Ten Miles Past Normal

2011-03-11T16:34:00.001-06:00

Ten Miles Past Normal is a fun read for tweens about a girl who (somewhat accidentally) convinces her family to move to a farm and then comes to regret her own persuasiveness as she starts high school and is quickly labelled "Farm Girl." It's a book about trying to fit in or stand out, dealing with friends (old and new), and discovering who you are and how to be comfortable in your own skin. It's a quick and enjoyable read, clean, with no overwhelming romance--a good one for young girls.

Bookish Review: Zeitoun

2011-03-09T16:12:00.000-06:00

Zeitoun was a hard read for me. I lived through Katrina and I remember what it was like returning to the city nearly a month after--it was like coming to a third world country. I know what a nightmare it was and how horrific the devastation was, but even so, I was shocked at the story recounted in the book. Abdulrahman Zeitoun stayed behind in New Orleans during and after Hurricane Katrina, though his family left. He was arrested--in a house that HE OWNED--and wrongfully imprisoned and was not even allowed to call his wife. She assumed he had been killed. If you were not living in New Orleans before, during, and/or after the storm, you really can't imagine what it was like, but this story gives good insight. You will be horrified and shocked that such a thing happened on American soil. The book was not as enjoyable or hopeful read as Finn McCool's Football Club, another Katrina memoir, but it is an important and interesting one. It is always difficult for me to read about Katrina, and I think this story would be difficult to read for anyone to read this story, as we would like to believe that something like this could not happen here, but it did, and that is important for everyone to know.

Cookish: What's for dinner?

2011-03-08T09:39:00.002-06:00

This recipe is adapted from Food Network Magazine.

Cantonese Chicken and Mushrooms

2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips

1/2 cup oyster sauce

2 tablespoons cornstarch

2 tablespoons veg oil

1/2 inch ginger, grated

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped or microplaned

8 oz mushrooms, sliced

1/2 head of cabbage, chopped into approx. 1-in squares

1 1/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

2 teaspoons sesame oil

1 cup shelled edamame

cooked white, basmati, or jasmine rice.

Toss the chicken with the oyster sauce in a bowl. Mix the cornstarch with 3 tbs cold water in a separate bowl. Place both bowls near the stove with the other ingredients.

Heat a wok over high heat until hot. Add the oil, ginger, and garlic, and stir-fry about 20 seconds. Add the chicken and stir-fry until opaque, 2-3 mins. Stir in the mushrooms and bok choy.

Add the broth and sesame oil and bring to a boil. Add the cornstarch, return to a boil, and cook, tossing, until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is thick and glossy, 2-3 minutes. Add edamame and toss until warmed through. Serve over rice.

Bookish Review: Alice I Have Been

2011-03-07T15:58:00.002-06:00

Alice I Have Been is a very interesting read. The book is a fictionalized biography of the real woman who inspired Alice in Wonderland. Melanie Benjamin did a good bit of research into the life and times of Alice, but there are some holes in the truth that seem impossible to fill with certainty due to the destruction of documents by Alice's family. So, Melanie has filled in the blanks with what might have happened. The result is captivating, but also disturbing as she explores what the true nature of the relationship between the little girl and the author really was.

Cookish: Something Sweet

2011-02-14T12:15:00.000-06:00

Chocolate Pudding
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 60% Cacao Ghiradelli chocolate baking bar (4 oz), chopped into small pieces
½ teaspoon espresso powder
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 tablespoons Hershey's Special Dark cocoa
½ cup sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
¼ teaspoon salt
3 large egg yolks
½ cup half-and-half

1 1/4 cups half-and half, mixed with 1 1/4 cups skim milk

Microwave butter and chocolate in bowl on 50-percent power, stirring occasionally, until melted, about 4 minutes. Stir together espresso powder and vanilla extract in small ramekin. In a large saucepan, whisk cocoa, sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Whisk in yolks and 1/2 cup half-and-half until fully incorporated, making sure to scrape corners of saucepan. Whisk in milk and half-and-half mixture.

Place saucepan over medium heat and whisk constantly until mixture starts to thicken, about 4 minutes. Whisk in melted chocolate mixture and continue to cook, whisking constantly, until bubbles appear over entire surface, 2 to 4 minutes longer. It will be considerably thicker at this point. Remove from heat, and whisk in vanilla mixture.

Pour pudding through fine-mesh strainer into bowl. Place plastic wrap against surface of pudding, and place in refrigerator to cool, at least 4 hours.

If you've never made homemade pudding, I urge you to try this. ALso, I recommend eating a serving before chilling--it is insanely good warm.

Bookish Review: The Elegance of the Hedgehog

2011-02-13T12:22:00.002-06:00

The Elegance of the Hedgehog is a lovely novel. The translation seems masterful--I haven't read the original French, but with most translations, I find myself noticing that it is a translation and wondering what the original was really like--this did not feel like that. The flap description is a little misleading, as you expect the new Japanese neighbor who is supposed to bring the two narrators (one a concierge in a French condo building and one a precocious little girl who lives there) together, but he does not appear until well into the novel. The book gives lovely insight into how difficult it is to truly see someone for who they really are.

The only thing that I didn't love about the novel is the ending--it seemed appropriately French, but the protagonist had just conquered an irrational fear she had been harboring for most of her life, and then the ending seemed to confirm that her fear was actually justified. Otherwise, a nice read.

Bookish Review: Sorcery and Cecilia

2011-01-25T12:43:00.000-06:00

Sorcery and Cecilia, or, The Enchanted Chocolate Pot is a Regency romance with a touch of magical realism. It is also an epistolary novel (what is it with me and those lately?). The story is written in letters between two cousins, set in Regency England, except wizards are real and recognized and magic is not a fantasy. The cousins get swept up in a battle between wizards--luckily, one of them shows an aptitude for magic and with a little scheming, they manage to save the day and both find love--surprise!

Enjoyable romp--fans of the Pink Carnation series should enjoy.

Bookish Review: Save as Draft

2011-01-23T12:32:00.003-06:00

Save as Draft is a novel of online dating, written in the epistolary style. It opens with a glossary of online shorthand, which I couldn't tell if was an attempt at tongue-in-cheek humor (in which case, it failed) or a serious reference for readers (in which case, seemingly unnecessary, because anyone who is not fairly web-savvy is probably not going to read this)--and, I object to the assertion that "oops" is onomatopoeia. But, I digress. My first thought was, "Cecilia Ahern, she is not."

I will say this--I though I had the book figured out in the first few pages, but it did not end as I expected, so points for that. The book is also clearly written from experience, and anyone who has ventured into online dating will recognize some of the vignettes included. The book is fairly well-written, but the lack of real resolution bothered me. I like my chick lit with a happy ending and all details tied up neatly with a bow--of course, the lack of happy ending makes the story more realistic, but really just made me cringe for the author (see "written from experience," above). Not a bad read, and it is quick.

Bookish Review: Darkness Becomes Her

2011-01-19T22:09:00.002-06:00

Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton is a YA fantasy set primarily in a future New Orleans. I am a sucker for Nola tales, as I love seeing my favorite city play a role in any story, and it does have a big role in this one. The book is clearly written by someone who loves the city, but is not a native. Some details are just ff, but it's still fun.

This New Orleans is rebuilding after being destroyed by hurricanes (a popular theme, though not very comforting). Ari is drawn to New2, the city rebuilt by 9 powerful families who own/run it after it is abandoned by the US after the disaster, in search of her father and the real reason her mother killed herself--a curse to which she is also a victim.

New Orleans is known for being a haven for the different, the "other," outcasts, voodoo, darkness, and revelry. In this version, it's definitely home to outcasts, and maybe vampires, witches, and other creatures of the night--maybe even gods and goddesses.

The story is fun and entertaining, though not mind-blowing. There's plenty of violence and foul language, so be aware. The "bad girl" goddess is an unusual choice--not one usually depicted as a villain. I wasn't sure how I felt about that, but it was an interesting approach.

Of course, the story is not complete, because can we have a YA these days without starting at least a trilogy? Of course not. An enjoyable romp, overall.

Bookish Review: The Betrayal of the Blood Lily

2011-01-14T22:01:00.000-06:00

Lauren Willig has again created a fun romp in her Pink Carnation series. The twist in this one is that our heroine is already married (she was forced into marriage at the end of the last book) and after relocating to India with her husband (yet another twist--it's not in England or in France!) she meets her true love. But she's already married! The horror! Will she come to love her husband? Will she run off with her new swain? Oh, the twists and turns!

I pretty much figured it out, but it was fun.

There is the usual spy snatching and fun interludes of Colin and Eloise to be had. If you've read the others in the series, you know what to expect. Fun and fluffy.

Bookish Review: Middlesex

2011-01-12T21:49:00.002-06:00

Middlesex is the story of a (fictional) man who was born with a chromosomal defect that caused his genitalia to appear feminine. He was raised as a girl until he was a teenager and began hitting puberty. He traces his family history, noting the sordid past that lead to his being born a hermaphrodite. He tells his story, of how it was discovered that he was really a boy and how he was almost forced into surgery to make him physically a girl, to match his upbringing. He runs away from home when he understands who he really is, and the book also chronicles his struggles with relationships--after all, who can understand?

The book is very well-written, absorbing, and compelling and shows a very interesting view of an unusual life.

Bookish Review: The Story of Edgar Sawtelle

2011-01-10T21:39:00.002-06:00

I had read a lot of good things about The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, so when I found it on clearance at a Borders Express that was going out of business, I snatched it up, and I am glad I did. At first, the book is about dogs, and how wonderful and intelligent they are and how they can can positively impact people's lives. Then it is the story of a boy and his dogs--and how one dog, Almondine, helps him communicate, despite the fact that he was born mute.

It's a beautiful story.

Then as you get deeper into it, it takes a decidedly Shakespearean twist. I won't tell you which play, because it follows it pretty closely (though if you've read any reviews of the book, you probably already know). It's really well-written, and although the ending was not what I wanted, it didn't spoil the enjoyment of the book for me. Highly recommended.

Bookish Review: Boy Meets Girl

2010-12-06T21:30:00.000-06:00

Meg Cabot novels are the literary equivalent of a chick flick or a Krispy Kreme doughnut. Quic, fluffy reads--they don't stay with you long, but they'll leave you smiling for a little while. This is an epistolary novel, told primarily in emails, instant messages, and journal entries. Kate, the main character, works with her best friend in the HR dept of a newspaper in NY. She has a horrible boss, is living on her friend's couch, and recently broke up with her boyfriend of 10 years--though he's not accepting the break-up. Things start to go wrong at work and she is thrown into a meeting with a lawyer--whose brother is involved with her horrid boss. But the lawyer doesn't seem to be horrid at all...

Very cute. Recommended beach read.

Bookish Review: Shades of Grey

2010-12-03T21:23:00.000-06:00

Shades of Grey starts as most Jasper Fforde books do--by jumping in media res so you have no idea what is going on at first. The book takes place in a world where people are segregated into classes by how much of each color they are able to see. Purples--who can see blue, red, and purple--are at the top, and Greys, who have very little if any color perception are at the bottom. The book focuses on class differences and questioning the status quo. There is also a love story, of course. The book ends in a rather open-ended way, so I'd expect a sequel. Another interesting and inventive novel from Fforde, though not quite as enjoyable (and not as many literary "wink, wink"s as the Thursday Next books).

Cookish: Party Time

2010-12-01T20:12:00.002-06:00

I've been preparing for our annual Christmas Party. Here is a new recipe adapted from Allrecipes.com.

Tiny Chicken Turnovers

Ingredients

2 chopped shallots
1 minced garlic clove
3 tablespoons butter
shredded, cooked chicken meat (I used 2 legs and 2 thighs from a rotisserie chicken)
3 tablespoons chicken stock
1/4 teaspoon curry powder
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, diced
1 pkg refrigerated pie crust (2 crusts)

Directions

In a large skillet saute the shallot and garlic in the butter until tender. Stir in the chicken, chicken broth, seasonings, and cream cheese. Remove from heat and set aside.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
On a floured surface roll out the pie dough to 1/16 inch thick. Cut with a 2 1/2 inch round cookie or biscuit cutter. (I used a pint glass.) Reroll scraps and cut more circles until the pastry is used up.
Mound a heaping teaspoon of filling on half of each circle. Moisten edges with water and fold pastry over filling to make a half moon shape. Press edges with a fork to seal. Prick tops with a fork for steam vents.
Place turnovers on a baking sheet and bake at for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.

These were very tasty! I've been told that you can bake them, freeze them, and reheat at 375 for 5-7 minutes. I'll try that for the party! Makes about 30 turnovers.

Bookish Review: The Spellmans Strike Again

2010-11-07T20:41:00.000-06:00

If you read this blog, you know I am a fan of Lisa Lutz and her Spellman series. This is book 4, and it does not disappoint.

Izzy is still dating her bartender boyfriend, but her mother does not approve, and blackmails her into going on dates with lawyers every few weeks. Rae has gotten herself a boyfriend, refuses to take the bus or buy a car, and decides to take up a crusade to free someone who was wrongly convicted. Rae is also still best friends with Henry, who starts pestering Izzy to be his friend again, too. David is dating Henry's old fiancée, and the Spellman parental units kick everyone out of the house once a week. Shortly after this, things like doorknobs start disappearing from all over the house.

The book is once again filled with family drama and little mysteries on top of the projects the family is investigating. Two thumbs up!

Bookish Review: I Live in the Future, and Here's How it Works

2010-11-05T20:30:00.000-05:00

The Children's Book Council sent me a copy of Nick Bilton's new work when I missed the annual meeting. I found it to be an interesting read. Nick focuses on the fact that technological change has always been met with skepticism, fear, and even panic--and nothing has changed about that.

Nick is an advocate of embracing this change and utilizing new technologies to create richer experiences. After all, we're certainly not going back--no one's making 8-tracks or VHS tapes anymore and it's not as if everyone's going to suddenly stop using the internet.

I thought Nick had some interesting points, though his repetition of the phrase "bytes, snacks, and meals" was extremely annoying to me. Also, Nick emphasizes that people will pay for experiences, which is not untrue, but he seemed to completely discount the fact that people will also pay for content--his point seemed to be that good content is not enough, but he almost took it too far, as if good content was meaningless. I'm not willing to go that far; I believe people will pay for content and expertise as much as experience, but the book did make some good points.

Cookish: Something Sweet

2010-11-03T20:00:00.001-05:00

My new favorite brownies are Katharine Hepburn's brownies from the Al Dente blog: http://www.aldenteblog.com/2009/07/brownie-bakeoff-katherine-hepburn-brownies.html.

I leave out the nuts, though, and tend to underbake. Yum!

Kate's Famous Brownies

Ingredients:
2 squares (1 ounce each) unsweetened chocolate
1/4 pound butter
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

2. Melt unsweetened chocolate and butter over very low heat in a heavy saucepan.

3. Remove from heat and stir in sugar.

4. Beat in eggs and vanilla.

5. Quickly stir in walnuts, flour and salt.

6. Spread the batter in a well-greased 8 x 8-inch baking pan. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes. Remove the pan to a rack to cool.

Yield: 12 brownies

Bookish Review: Mockingjay

2010-09-27T20:12:00.003-05:00

The final book in the Hunger Games trilogy did not disappoint! Katniss is finally going to have to choose between Peeta and Gale--if they all survive the war, that is. District 13 wants to use Katniss to help rally the rebel effort, but she's not sure she wants to let them use her like the Capitol did. When she realizes it may be her only option to save Peeta, she acquiesces, but not before naming her price.

There has been a lot of backlash over the violence in this book, and the series as a whole. I think this is ridiculous. It's not that the books aren't violent. because they absolutely are. However, the books are about war, about what is worth dying for--and what is worth killing for--and how far is too far, even in war. Guess what? Wars are violent. Men, women, and children die, often in horrible ways. That is reality, and if these books can bring that reality home to a few people, maybe we'll have fewer wars and less violence, not more of it. It's a beautifully done series. Highly recommended.

Cookish: Something Sweet

2010-09-25T20:04:00.003-05:00

So, I usually bake from scratch, but I have found one mix which even you mix-haters will appreciate:http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/brownie-mix/?pkey=cfodbakdst

Is this mix kind of ridiculously expensive? Yes, yes, it is. However, it is also ridiculously delicious. The brownies are incredible and they stay great-tasting for quite a while. Add it to your wishlist and maybe some overly generous person will buy it for you.

Bookish Review: The DUFF

2010-09-20T21:21:00.002-05:00

I'm not actually sure this is the final cover of this book, as the publisher sent me an advanced reading copy for review purposes.

I wasn't thrilled with this book. Although it tries to drive home the messages that labeling each other "whores" or "duffs" or whatever else only serves to harm us all and that maybe the consequences of sex should be kept in mind at all time, these conclusions kind of feel like afterthoughts as the main character repeatedly engages in sex with a boy she finds repugnant in an effort to take her mind off her problems. That seems to be the real message that comes through--that such behavior is okay and that you'll end up with a caring, sensitive boyfriend who no longer desires to be a man-whore because he has seen just how wonderful you are. Dangerous territory. Not recommended, especially not for easily-influenced teens.

Bookish Review: Catching Fire

2010-09-18T21:14:00.002-05:00

This is the second book in the Hunger Games trilogy, and it's probably even better than the first. Katniss and Peeta survived the Hunger Games, but their defiance of the Capitol has not been forgotten, and it seems that uprisings are inevitable and Katniss will be held responsible. How will Katniss keep her family, Gale, Haymitch, and Peeta safe? Will she have to pretend she loves Peeta forever? When she and Peeta are sent back to the Hunger Games, will either of them be able to survive again? (Well, it is a trilogy, so it seems likely Katniss isn't going to die, right?) Will Katniss be able to figure out how she feels about Gale and Peeta? The action and tension are high, just as in the first book, and when Katniss and Peeta have to travel to the other districts, I actually shed a few tears. Can't wait for the third one

Cookish: Snacktime

2010-09-12T18:51:00.002-05:00

Easy Salsa

Adapted from Cook's Country

1/2	small red onion
1/2	cup fresh parsley leaves
1/4	cup drained jarred pickled jalapeños
1/2	lime, juiced
2	garlic cloves , peeled
1/2	teaspoon salt
1	(28-ounce) can diced tomatoes , drained

1. Quarter the onion and add to the bowl of your food processor. Add parsley, jalapeños, lime juice, garlic, and salt. I prefer my salsa smooth, not chunky, so I puree this pretty much all the way, but do it to your taste

2. Add drained tomatoes and pulse until combined. Again, puree more if you like it smooth, less if you want it chunky.

It's super easy and really delicious. You can easily add more jalapeños if you like it hot, or more lime juice if you want more tang. I think this would also make a very tasty bruschetta topping. The original recipe calls for draining the finished salsa a bit, but I like mine thin, so I left as-is.

Bookish Review: The Chosen

2010-09-11T21:21:00.000-05:00

The Chosen by Chaim Potok is the story of two boys growing up in Brooklyn during WWII. Both boys are Jewish but they come from two different sects. They begin the book as enemies, but when one nearly blinds the other in a baseball game, they become fast friends. Both boys have well-respected fathers who have very different methods of raising their sons, but both fathers support the friendship, knowing especially that Danny, the Hasidic (more devout & Orthodox) Jew will need Reuven's support.

Danny's future has been laid out since birth: he will inherit his father's position as Rabbi and will have an arranged marriage. The problem is that Danny is a genius with a love for psychology. He does not want to take his father's place, but his father never speaks to him about anything but the Torah, so he doesn't know how to tell him.

The book is a wonderful picture of what Jewish life was like in America following the Holocaust, as well as a great depiction of a friendship (it follows the boys from childhood through their college graduation). You don't have to be Jewish or know that much about Judaism to understand and enjoy the book--virtually everything is explained. It really is just a great story.

Bookish Review: The Hunger Games

2010-09-09T20:46:00.000-05:00

I had heard a lot about The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins before reading it. (As I'm sure you have, unless you've been living under a rock.) The trilogy is a sensation, and most of the coverage is wholly positive. Having read the book in one sitting, I can't say I disagree!

The book is set in a dismal future on what used to be the North American continent. A failed uprising has lead to 12 "districts" (the 13th was bombed into oblivion) toiling in service of the Capitol. Every year, the reaping occurs. One boy and one girl from each district are entered in the Hunger Games, where they will all battle each other to the death. Every year, only one can survive. When Katniss Everdeen's sister is chosen, she volunteers to take her place. Katniss has been taking care of her sister and mother ever since her father's death. When the boy from District 12 is chosen, it is the one person who showed Katniss kindness and helped keep her family alive soon after her father's death. How can she repay his kindness by killing him?

The book is fast-paced, well-written, and interesting. A definite page-turner, teens (and adults) should love this one.

Cookish: What's for dinner?

2010-09-06T20:21:00.002-05:00

Shrimp over Coconut Rice

Recipe adapted from Rachael Ray Magazine

one 13.5-oz can of Lite Coconut Milk

salt and pepper

1 1/2 cups basmati or jasmine rice

1 tbs green curry paste

6-8 oz fresh or frozen sugar snap peas

10 oz frozen peas

3/4 lbs of shrimp, peeled, deveined, and cut into bite-size pieces

1 tsp rice wine vinegar or the juice of 1/2 lime

1 tsp fish sauce (optional)

Cook the rice per package directions, substituting 2/3 cup of coconut milk for an equivalent amount of water and salting the liquid (but not too much--maybe 1 tsp salt) before cooking. Once the liquid has come to a boil and you've added the rice, you can prep your other ingredients.

While the rice is cooking, put the remaining coconut milk in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Whisk in the curry paste. Add the peas and sugar snap peas. When the mixture is hot, add the shrimp and cook until pink and firm, about 3 minutes. Add the vinegar and fish sauce. Serve over the coconut rice.

Cookish: What's for dinner?

2010-08-29T21:25:00.002-05:00

Eggplant Parm Ravioli

This recipe is adapted from Rachael Ray Magazine.

1 large eggplant (1 1/2 lbs), peeled and coarsely chopped

EVOO

3 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled

salt and pepper

1 1/2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese

1/3 cup grated or shredded Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping

4 small vine-ripened tomatoes, chopped

fresh or dried basil

12 egg roll wrappers

Put on a large pot of salted water to boil. Put the eggplant in the food process and process until finely chopped. (You may have to do this in batches.) In a large skillet, heat enough olive oil to coat the bottom (1-1 1/2 tbs) over medium high heat. Add one smashed clove of garlic and cook until golden, 1-2 minutes. Remove the clove. Add the eggplant, salt and pepper, and cook, stirring, until browned (about 10 minutes). Remove the eggplant to a bowl to cool for 5 minutes, then add the cheeses to the bowl and mix well. In the skillet add another 1-1 1/2 tbs of olive oil, the tomatoes, salt and pepper. If using dried basil, add it now, and cook about 4 minutes, until tomatoes are softened. (If using fresh basil, add at the end).

Fill each eggroll wrapper with about 2 tbs of the eggplant filling. Wet two sides of the wrapper and fold in half diagonally to make large triangular ravioli. Press out all of the air and seal tightly. Once the water boils, drop in the ravioli in batches. Depending upon the size of the pot, you can probably cook 4-5 at a time. Cook for 3-4 minutes per batch. Fill four bowls with 3 ravioli each and top with tomato sauce and a sprinkle of parm. (You can add a little of the cooking water to the sauce, if you wish, but my tomatoes were juicy enough).

These were really delish! Please give them a try.

Bookish Review: The Daughters

2010-08-27T21:11:00.000-05:00

The Daughters tells the story of Lizzie Summers and her friends Carina and Hudson. All three girls are daughters of the rich and/or famous, and they have rules about being such a daughter. The book is about what happens when they break some of their rules. Lizzie is the daughter of a supermodel, but she unfortunately got the looks of her journalist father. She is mortified every time she has to pose with her mother for a paparazzi photo until she falls into "ugly modeling" and gets labeled the new face of beauty. In the midst of all this, the girls are starting high school and Carina is fighting with her business mogul father while Hudson struggles under her pop-star mother's creative control over Hudson's first album. Throw in a very attractive boy from Lizzie's past, who wants to be a friend...or more than a friend...or not even a friend, and it's quite an interesting story!

The friendships and angst feel real. Tweens will love these girls and be very eager for the next installment after the cliffhanger ending.

Book Review: If You Could See Me Now

2010-08-25T08:41:00.000-05:00

If You Could See Me Now by Cecilia Ahern takes the premise "What if imaginary friends are not imaginary, just invisible to most people?" When Elizabeth's nephew begins seeing an invisible friend, she attempts to convince him the friend is not real. But soon, she begins to see and hear the friend as well, not realizing he is invisible to everything else. Ivan begins to shake up Elizabeth's perfectly controlled world, bringing out her childlike side--a side that wasn't even really present when she was a child, due to her difficult home situation.

The book was mostly a fun read, though it reinforces again why PS I Love You is Ahern's best-known work--it's simply her best. If you're only going to read one, go with that one.

Cookish: What's for dinner?

2010-08-24T12:38:00.000-05:00

Quinoa and Tofu Salad

1 1/2 cups quinoa

2 cups chicken broth

1 cup water

8 oz extra-firm tofu

8-10 oz frozen, chopped spinach

2 medium shallots

2 cloves of garlic

2-3 shakes red pepper flakes

chopped parsley (optional)

salt

pepper

olive or vegetable oil

zest of one orange

1 handful almonds, chopped and toasted

1 handful dried cranberries

balsamic vinegar, for drizzling

Rinse quinoa under cool water. Put the chicken (or vegetable) stock and water in a pot and bring to a boil (you can use all chicken stock, if you want). When boiling, add quinoa and turn down to a simmer. Cook 20 minutes, covered, or until all liquid is absorbed.

In the meantime, cut the tofu into cubes; mince your shallots, and grate the garlic. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté shallots and garlic until soft. add red pepper flakes, tofu, orange zest, frozen spinach, salt, and pepper. When spinach defrosts and everything warms up, add cranberries, almonds, and parsley.

When Quinoa is cooked, toss with spinach and tofu mixture. Drizzle each bowl with a little balsamic. Serve hot or cold.

Bookish Review: Sisters Red

2010-08-23T09:04:00.000-05:00

Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce is an updated Little Red Riding Hood for teens. Scarlett's family is attacked by a Fenris when she is just a little girl. Her grandmother is killed, but she manages to protect her little sister Rosie and kill the Fenris, though she loses an eye and gains some scars in the process. Fenris are, of course, werewolves. In the mythology of this story, they are soulless creatures that change form when overly enraged or aroused. They are all men, and prey primarily on young women. Fenris don't age, but they can be killed with a hatchet or sharp knife, which Scarlett, Rosie, and their friend Silas employ to destroy the creatures. Scarlett is a single-minded hunter, but Rosie is not so sure she doesn't want more from life, and when Silas returns from a year away and realizes Rosie is not a little girl anymore, it awakens feelings in both of them that they are unsure how to handle. In the meantime, the three of them must uncover what makes a Potential, which is the only person who can become a Fenris, and only during a certain time.

The book was a good read, scary and entertaining. I did have a slight problem with the age difference between Silas and Rosie (he's 21 and she's 16--yikes!), but their affection feels real and overall the book is good.

Full Disclosure: The publisher sent me a free pre-pub copy of this book for review. It did not affect my opinion.

Bookish Review:Summer Sisters

2010-08-20T19:05:00.003-05:00

Summer Sisters is a novel for adults by Judy Blume. As a child, I loved Judy Blume, so this, with its more adult themes, gave me mixed feelings. It tells the stories of two girls who spend summers together on the East Coast. One, Caitlin, is rich and the other, Vix, is not, but their friendship provides opportunities Vix would not otherwise have. She gets to summer on the island, leaving her dysfunctional family behind in New Mexico; she gets to go to private school; she gets a scholarship to Harvard. Both girls envy each other, for different reasons, and they love each other, in their own dysfunctional way. Caitlin gets wilder and wilder as she grows up, eventually even marrying Vix's first love. Many people question why Vix remains friends with Caitlin, but how do you turn your back on the person who changed your life?

I can't say I enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed Judy Blume's books as a kid, but it was interesting to read something on this level from her.

Bookish Review: Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict

2010-08-09T16:06:00.003-05:00

This book is a quick read. It opens in media res--a huge Jane Austen fan finds her transported in time and it is as if she is living in a Jane Austen novel. The book is narrated by the protagonist and you are basically stuck in her head the whole time, which can be a bit taxing. She also behaves rather thoughtlessly at times, going off on rants about women's rights and nearly getting herself compromised several times. She's a bit tiresome in this regard, but the book is a quick read, fluffy and light. It's not bad if you can pick it up on the cheap, but I wouldn't recommend shelling out full price.

Bookish Review: The Monsters of Templeton

2010-07-22T13:15:00.000-05:00

This book is a bit of a love letter to Cooperstown, NY, and a fictionalized version the Cooper family (Think James Fenimore Cooper). I have only been to Cooperstown once, but it was fun to read a book that was so tied into the fabric of the town. The book features the creature that is supposed to live in the lake. Willie returns to her hometown in disgrace and extreme crisis. SHe has gotten herself into a situation where she thinks she will not be able to finish her graduate degree and her mother's dreams for her will be dashed. She comes home to find that her hippie mother has found religion--and a pastor to date, to boot. Her best friend is dying from lupus, and and her mother reveals that the story of her paternity is completely false. As she searches for the truth of her parentage and digs deeper into her family tree, the story of the town and the family unfolds through different viewpoints. Groff has a very interesting writing style, and the way the story is told adds interest.

Bookish Review: Dead Until Dark

2010-07-20T13:03:00.000-05:00

Dead Until Dark is the 1st book in the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris. These are the books on which the TV show True Blood is based. Sookie is a telepathic barmaid in a small town in N. Louisiana. Two years prior to this book, synthetic blood was developed and vampires brought themselves into the light (metaphorically) and are trying to "mainstream." When a vampire walks into Sookie's bar, she is immediately attracted to him and the silence of his mind (she can't read his thoughts).

Soon, women who have been with vampires start showing up dead, and Sookie must help solve the mystery when her brother becomes a prime suspect.

I have friends who are big fans of this series, and they are fun and fluffy, to an extent. but, Sookie is a little annoying (she cries a lot, and is an odd mix of well-read and semi-stupid, with a lot of naive mixed in). Also , she and Bill (vampire) fall in love immediately, and she has sex with him almost immediately, despite the fact that she is a virgin and one who was sexually assaulted in the past. These are not unusual romance conventions, but it is a little hard to take.

Overall, not bad, but nothing you should rush out to pick up, either. The 2nd in the series is a little better.

Bookish Review: The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest

2010-07-18T12:46:00.003-05:00

The 3rd book in Steig Larsson's Millennium trilogy wraps up the story quite nicely. The book picks up exactly where the last one left off. Lisbeth has been shot, multiple times, and requires brain surgery. Micke is being questioned by incompetent police, and since Sapo is involved, the investigation is difficult, to say the least. Zala is still alive and Lisbeth's brother is on the run, and the police have no leads. The staff of Millennium are trying to wrap up Dag's story and prove Lisbeth's innocence (with Armansky's & Palmgren's help). With Erika leaving the staff, this is not easy, and Erika is having trouble of her own in her new job, including picking up an apparent stalker.

Micke gets yet another love interest in this one, and she is very quickly under his spell, as usual. The truth of Lisbeth's past comes out, and she actually gets some closure by the end.

Another exciting romp from Larsson--too bad it's the last one!

Book Review: Infinity

2010-07-10T22:22:00.000-05:00

This book is the first in a new series called the Chronicles of Nick. The book is set in New Orleans, which I found to be the most interesting part. Nick is a poor teen on a scholarship at a ritzy school. His mother is a stripper and his father is in prison for murdering several people. Strange things begin happening (not unusual in New Orleans) and when zombies (but not dead zombies) begin taking over the school and trying to eat their classmates, Nick discovers that his "crazy" friends who believe in zombies and demons are not so crazy after all. Little does Nick know, he is the latest generation in a demon family, and he can choose to save the world, or destroy it.

There's also a love interest, of course, who is really watching Nick to make sure he doesn't become the embodiment of evil, but may have feelings for him, too.

The plot is a little odd, and some of the writing is hokey or laughable (in an unintended way), but it's rather entertaining, too. (How do they become zombies? a video game, if you can believe it. How to change them back? A cattle prod!)

Full Disclosure: I received a free ARC of this book at a conference, courtesy of the publisher.