Tag Archives: Cookbooks

Books I Read in May 2024

Books & Reading, , , , , , , , ,
A wonderful selection I found at the library!

I had no idea I was so far behind on publishing my reading lists! I can only attribute it to how busy we have been. Or maybe poor memory. We have been building a 12 x 16 ft. storage shed! Who knew I could lift my half of a 12 foot framed wall onto the prepared floor base? Certainly not me. My husband designed the shed and is the brains of the operation. I help lift things, run for tools and more boards, etc. Several days during construction have reached 90 degrees and I am NOT a fan of heat. I tried to keep my whining to a minimum and we are now under roof. The worst is over. Famous last words. I have learned a lot and surprised myself with some of the things I was able to do. All those hours watching my dad when I was a kid and handing him tools have paid off. I’ll share a photo of the shed some other time. Maybe when it’s all done. For now, here is my list of books read way back in May.

  1. Good Housekeeping, Organize Your Life (Non-fiction)

Usually, I’m disappointed by organization books, but not this one. It has some realistic ideas for regular people. I love a good idea on how to make my things look organized and less like junk.

2. Noon-Meike Peters (Cookbook)

These are recipes so simple; you can easily make them for lunch hence the name of the book. Each recipe is beautiful in the accompanying photo and indeed easy to prepare. There are food combinations that I never thought to put together, and they do sound delicious. I will be trying some new meals soon!

3. Mrs. Pargeter’s Patio-Simon Brett

A British mystery written in classic style. Mrs. Pargeter finds a skeleton with a bullet hole in the head when a stone in her patio cracks in half. This leads to her trying to find out why it is there and how it happened. She uses her deceased husband’s little black book of helpful people to handle the task. Mrs. Pargeter never catches on to the fact that all of these men are criminals with different specialties as was her husband. A comic murder mystery.

4. One Summer, America, 1927-Bill Bryson (Non-fiction)

This book took me the better part of two months to read. I did read other books at the same time. There was a lot of information to digest. Everything from the various flights of Lindbergh and other pilots of the day to baseball greats Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. Prohibition, various gangsters, nazis, and anarchists are presented, and we’re given a look into their personal lives. Bryson puts a personal spin on the characters to keep things interesting while we learn about history. I learned a lot so it’s definitely worth reading. 660 pages not including the 90 pages of index and references.

5. The Ikaria Way-Diane Kochilas (Cookbook)

A nice book with some good recipes. Lots of dishes similar to what I throw together in my kitchen. The photos of the area are beautiful and it’s worth checking out this book simply for them. I enjoy reading about the longevity of the Ikarians who are in one of the Blue Zones where many people live longer than average.

6. You Are My Sunshine-Sean Dietrich (Non-fiction)

The author’s wife cajoles him into undertaking a long bike ride across The Great Allegheny Passage and the C & O Canal Towpath. One major obstacle-Sean is afraid of bicycles, so his ride is an adult sized trike. Just one of many hilarious obstacles that the couple overcame on their journey. The author also has a blog and podcast-Sean of the South.

Magazines:   Cuisine at Home (2), Country Cottage, Cottages and Bungalows, Cottage Journal

Books I Read in April 2024

Books & Reading, , , ,
Still reading!

I started with the photo of this Bill Bryson book because I have been reading it for about a month. I am just past the halfway point. It is taking me quite a while as I usually have a non-fiction and a fiction book going at the same time. Not to mention the fact that the book is 661 pages long! Some parts are a little slow, but overall I am really enjoying it. I am certainly learning a lot. And so, on to the rest of my list.

  1. The Watchmaker’s Hand-Jeffrey Deaver

A Lincoln Rhyme novel with his wife Amelia Sachs. Books in this series are hard to put down because I want to know what happens next! Rhyme is a one-time police investigator, now a quadriplegic, with a razor-sharp mind. His police officer wife walks the crime scenes and others on the force do more of the legwork. They are once again up against an old adversary, The Watchmaker. One giant construction crane has fallen, and more are promised to come down, endangering residents of the city. Solving the crime quickly is of utmost importance.

2. The Alchemist-Paulo Coelho

This story reminds me of a fable or a fairy tale. A young shepherd boy sets out on a journey to find his Personal Legend and make his fortune. He encounters all sorts of people, both good and bad, plus a lovely young maiden. He learns much along the way before completing his quest.

3. Kamala Harris:  History-Making US Vice President-James Roland (Non-fiction)

A timeline and summary of Harris’ career and political accomplishments to date. An informative little book, 60 pages. She overcame many obstacles to get where she is. She is a determined woman.

4. The Bright Spot-Jill Shalvis

Luna Wright has just inherited half of the farm she’s been managing. She’s also just learned that the owner was her biological grandfather. The other fifty percent was inherited by a suit-wearing, hottie named Jameson. While taking care of the rescue animals and day to day disasters, Luna must come to terms with the relationships in her life, both old and new. I don’t think Shalvis has ever written a bad book and this one does not disappoint.

5. Joyfull-Radhi Devlukia-Shetty (Cookbook)

I enjoyed this book. The recipes have ingredients that I don’t have and would be difficult to find. If I made any of the recipes, it would be with adjustments. They do sound delicious. The book also discusses and gives examples of an Ayurvedic lifestyle. I wouldn’t switch to it but I could see implementing a few things. The concept is certainly interesting. The book is worth checking out for this alone.

6. Fatal First Edition-Jenn McKinlay

This cozy mystery series is one of my favorites. Lindsey Norris, along with her husband, is returning by train from an out of state library convention when murder occurs. Don’t worry, they make it back to Briar Creek so her friends can get in on the case. The train passengers are stranded by a huge snowstorm and then Lindsey’s husband Sully goes missing. There’s lots of excitement for all before the case is solved.

Magazines:  Food and Wine, Yankee

Books I Read in March 2024 (with Solar Eclipse photo!)

Books & Reading, Country Life, , , , , , , , , ,
Solar Eclipse, Ravenna, Ohio
Solar Eclipse, Ravenna, Ohio, April 8, 2024, at 3:00 pm.

Hello, friends! Just wanted to share this photo from the solar eclipse we experienced on Monday. We went over to my mother-in-law’s house to share the experience and make it more festive. Some people who live one street over made it into a party. When the eclipse reached totality, everyone yelled and cheered. It was a momentous thing to see.

And now, on to my book list for the month of March, short though it is.

  1. Njuta:  The Swedish Art of Savoring the Moment- Niki Brantmark (Non-fiction)

This refers to savoring the moment from the Swedish perspective. There are chapters suggesting how to do this at home, at work, outdoor, for special occasions, etc. Basically, learn how to “take time to smell the roses”.

2. Come Rain or Come Shine-Jan Karon

This is the first book I have read from the Mitford series. The series has been around for years and seems to maintain popularity, so I thought I should give it a try. The story centers around two high school sweethearts tying the knot. The husband just graduated from veterinary school and is taking over the local practice as the old vet retires. The two also get word that the boy they applied to adopt from a poor situation is on his way. He arrives in time to take part in the wedding. They are surrounded by family, friends, and community as they prepare for the big day. A tale about family and community, sometimes one and the same. I found the book to be a little too “goody two shoes” for my taste, but if you are looking for an uplifting story, this may be it.

3. Oodles and Oodles of Vegan Noodles-Cheynese Khachame (Cookbook)

The first half of this book has recipes for cold noodle soups and cold noodle salads which aren’t really my thing. Although, the recipes in the second half look delicious, they require several items per recipe that I don’t have, and I consider myself to have a fairly well stocked kitchen.

4. The Twelve Months of Christmas-Sheila Roberts

Molly, Sunny, and Arianna all have lousy Christmas’. The three become friends and decide Christmas needs to be celebrated each month of the year to spread joy and make up for their rotten holidays. Family and friends become involved in the celebrations and the friendships grow after some rocky times. Almost makes me want to try it myself even though I enjoyed my Christmas. More socializing and celebrating is a good thing.

5. Landlines-Raynor Winn (Non-fiction)

Winn and her husband walk across England and Scotland and back again. Over 1,000 miles. Impressive in itself, but even more so because Winn’s husband suffers from a degenerative brain disease. They undertake this journey in the hopes that he will improve as happened last time they undertook a long distance hike. This is the author’s third book about her hiking adventures. I feel her pain and see the beauty as she and husband Moth take to the trails. The tale is inspiring as they persevere.

Magazines:  The Nature Conservancy, AARP, Country Living, Midwest Living, Food & Wine

Books I Read in July 2022

Books & Reading, Cooking, , , , ,
Patio view
I often read here!

You may notice lots of ice cream “cookbooks” this month and next month too. I bought an electric ice cream maker and am trying to perfect the art of dairy free ice cream. I can eat dairy products with no problem and the regular ice cream recipes I have tried turned out pretty well. Not everyone in my family is so lucky, so I am seeing if I can conquer the lactose or dairy free versions. I tried making the regular versions just substituting almond milk and coconut milk. It just didn’t work. The product had good flavor but was so hard, it was basically a block of ice milk. Back to the drawing board.

I did make time to read some other books in July too. Some days it was hot enough that I refused to go outside in the afternoons. Reading is always a better option when it’s more than 90 degrees outside!

  1. From Strength to Strength-Arthur C. Brooks (Non-Fiction)

I picked this book up because on the cover it says, “Finding success, happiness, and deep purpose in the second half of life”. Sounds perfect for someone (me) who retired a couple years ago, right? I am sorry I spent my time reading this book. The book spent a major portion of it telling me how people suffer a professional decline and lessening abilities as they age. Then it cited numerous examples of such. By the end, I was feeling pretty incompetent. The last couple of chapters do offer some good advice, but I did not find it to be worth the effort.

2. One Italian Summer-Rebecca Serle

I enjoyed this book. After the death of Katy’s mother, she takes the trip to Italy that they had planned to take together. Katy’s mother was her best friend, and she is lost without her. While she is there Katy becomes friends with…her mother who is 30 years younger. Katy gains insights into her mother’s life and actions that she never expected. She also learns a lot about herself. Normally, I don’t like books that bring fantasy into real life experiences, but I did enjoy this one. I do like books in the fantasy genre that occur in different worlds. Just my quirk.

3. The Heron’s Cry-Ann Cleeves

British Inspector Matthew Venn and his detectives have their hands full trying to solve this case before there are more murders. The book requires close attention to detail to keep up with the plot but is well worth it. Artist Eve keeps discovering bodies that have been killed with broken pieces of her glasswork. The first body is that of her father. They are also a few suicides that make us wonder just what is going on here. I couldn’t figure out who did it until very near the end.

4. Icebox Pies-Lauren Chatman (Cookbook)

Many delicious looking recipes but I am unlikely to make any of them. Most involve heavy cream or other sources of dairy and we have multiple lactose intolerant people in our family as noted above.

5. Vice Cream-Jeff Rogers (Cookbook)

This is a book of vegan ice cream recipes. I am not likely to make these. Nearly all use maple syrup or honey dates as a sweetener and I think they overpower the other flavors. Also, the fruit based recipes call for a juicer which I do not have.

6. The Year of Magical Thinking-Joan Didion (Non-Fiction)

Joan Didion and her husband John Dunne were successful writers. They were married for 40 years before John’s sudden death from a heart attack. Both worked from home so they were near constant features of each other’s lives. Their only child went into a 2 month coma 5 days before John’s death and then suffered from ongoing health problems.

7. The Heirloom Garden-Viola Shipman

Iris Maynard has been alone since her husband died in World War II and her daughter died from illness a few years later. After another traumatic event Iris walled in her yard hasn’t left for years. A troubled family rents the house that Iris owns next door to her own. The stipulation is they are to have no contact with Iris. Children have minds of their own, so this ends up being impossible. Iris is a retired botanist and the family loves flowers and gardening. A story of how we are better together than alone. A moving and enjoyable book with a bit of science thrown in.

8. The Southern Vegetarian-Burks & Lawrence (Cookbook)

Many of these recipes look delicious but they are more work than I am willing to put in and I am not a lazy cook. I did get some ideas for meals that I will put my own spin on to make them easier.

9. Melt, Ice Cream Sensations to Make at Home-Claire Kelsey (Cookbook)

The recipes in this book are complex and most use unusual ingredients. I am never likely to make them. That being said, check this book out! It is fun and the pictures are beautiful. I also enjoyed reading about how the author’s food truck that sells ice cream came into being.

10. The Friendship Pact-Jill Shalvis

Tae Holmes and her mother tell each other everything except for one very big secret her mother has kept hidden. The secret has the potential to change everything. Tae is also distracted by the sudden appearance of Riggs, her first fling way back in high school. Riggs turns out to have her back. Always.

Sorry for some less than positive reviews this time, but hey, you can’t like them all.

My recommendation from this list is The Friendship Pact if you want a good beach read type of book. You can never go wrong with Jill Shalvis. If I see her name on a book, I will pick it up. If you are looking for a book to make you think, go for The Heron’s Cry.