This Week in Reading - April 19

It's Sunday Post time!  This is hosted by the awesome Caffeinated Book Reviewer and gives us all a chance to recap our week.

What I Got:

The Other Daughter by Lauren Willig - This one sounds really intriguing.  It's set in England in the 1920s and the main character's dear departed father isn't quite so departed. (NetGalley)

A Match Made on Main Street by Olivia Miles - I love a 2nd chance romance and one involving food is just too much for me to pass up! (NetGalley)

Death of a Mad Hatter by Jenn McKinlay - McKinlay is one of my favorite cozy authors and I have (but haven't read) the first in the series.  I love the title on this one!  (Paperbackswap)

That's Not English by Erin Moore - I won this in a giveaway hosted by the awesome Trish over at Love, Laughter and a Touch of Insanity.  (Giveaway)

Currently:

Reading:  Lowcountry Boneyard by Susan M. Boyer, Heroes Are My Weakness by Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Great Expectations by Charles Dickens (still!)

Listening:  I just finished the first Flavia de Luce on Friday and will probably re-download the David Sedaris I was listening to on Monday.  I'm on the waiting list for The Girl on the Train but it will be awhile!

Watching: I haven't actually watched it yet but I recorded A Bone to Pick: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery a few days ago and I'm really excited.  It's a Hallmark movie so I'm not expecting stunning quality but this the Aurora Teagarden series was my favorite of Charlaine Harris' books.  As well I'm watching my usual shows and I'm kind of ridiculously excited that Deadliest Catch is back on.  

Off the Blog:

Despite having the best intentions I still haven't gotten my garden in the ground.  I'm hoping to go on a bit of a plant buying spree today if the rain holds off.  I'm planning on trying lettuce this year which I'm kind of excited about.  Also, I can't wait for garden fresh tomatoes!  They're so much better than the grocery store version!

I have realized that school is going to be out in just over a month.  The older ones are pretty low maintenance but I'm trying to get some ideas for the Tornado.  He definitely needs some scheduled activities but finding that balance can be challenging.  I did find these:

which I think will be great.  They have a bunch of different ones and he's had a good time doing "excavations" before.  There's an added bonus that he's obsessed with dionosaurs.

I discovered this recipe for Balsamic Honey Pulled Pork Sliders from Your Home Based Mom buried deep on my Sandwiches, Burgers, Pizza, and Tacos Board and they are freakishly good.  I could seriously just drink the sauce.  It makes a pretty good bit but it is easily re-heatable.  I made if for dinner the other night and have been eating the leftovers for lunch since then.  So good!

On the Blog:

What Happened:

Monday: Slayed on the Slopes - Blog Tour Review, Giveaway and Excerpt
Tuesday: My Top Ten Favorite Book Quotes
Wednesday: Gummi Bears Should Not Be Organic - Review
Thursday: Eight Cousins - Review
Friday: Friday Linkups featuring Heroes are My Weakness
Saturday: 52Food: Genius Recipes - Cookbook Review

What's Coming Up:

Monday: The Residence - Blog Tour Review (and one of my favorite books of the year)

Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday - Top Ten All Time Favorite Authors

Wednesday: Lowcountry Boneyard - Cozy Mystery Blog Tour Review

Thursday: TBD

Friday: Linkups featuring current book

Saturday: Lighten Up Ya'll - Cookbook Review

Have a great week and happy reading!

Food52 Genius Recipes - Cookbook Review

Food52 Genius Recipes: 100 Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook by Kristin Miglore, Amanda Hesser, and Merrill Stubbs

Food52 Genius Recipes seeks to be more than just another cookbook but a book of recipes from culinary giants that will change the way we cook.  There are recipes from Nigella Lawson, Julia Child, Marcella Hazan, James Beard and a whole host of other famous names.

I have mixed feelings about this one.  On one hand I loved the format.  For each recipe there's a detailed explanation for why the recipe is deemed genius and a little information about the chef and what was going on in the culinary world when the recipe was developed.   There are a number of recipes that I'm interested in trying including - Marcella Hazan's Tomato Sauce with Butter and Onion, Nigella Lawson's Dense Chocolate Loaf Cake, Marie-Helene's Apple Cake from Dorie Greenspan and several others .  I gave Penelope Casas' Garlic Green Bean recipe a try a few nights ago and it was kind of life changing.  Instead of the very regimented method of cooking green beans that I have used in the past this was a little more hands off with a good 10 minutes cooking covered on the stove with only the occasional stirring.  The result?  Pretty amazing.  They didn't have the almost waxy squeak that green beans can have nor were they cooked to mush.  They were soft but still had texture and the flavor was green beans and garlic but nicely mellowed to an almost caramelized flavor.  This will most definitely be my new way to cook green beans since the results are tastier and the method is easier!

 On the other hand, this doesn't feel like a cookbook I would use regularly.  While there is are 100 recipes I wouldn't deem most of them particularly family friendly or conducive to weeknight cooking. I do think this would be an invaluable book to vegetarians who like to cook and want some new recipes as the vegetarian options seemed to outweigh the other categories.

Verdict?  Interesting cookbook with some intriguing recipes but probably not a must buy for me.

I'm linking up with Weekend Cooking hosted by Beth Fish Reads

Friday Linkups: Heroes are My Weakness

It's Friday linkup time!  I'm linking up with the Book Blogger Hop hosted by Coffee Addicted Writer, Book Beginnings of Fridays hosted by Rose City Reader, and the Friday 56 hosted by Freda's Voice.

This Week's Book Blogger Hop Question:
Ending a book I loved is sad and beginning a new one is apprehensive for me.  What about you?

My Answer:
Yes and no.  I don't really mind ending a book I loved but I'm always a littler nervous starting a new book in a series or by an author I really love.  I'm always a bit afraid that the latest book just won't live up to my expectations.  I have found that I generally need a few days to a week before starting a new audio book after I finish the one I was listening to. I'm not quite sure why it takes so much longer to reset between audios than it does with books but it definitely seems to be the case.

This week's book is Heroes Are My Weakness by Susan Elizabeth Phillips.  I've really enjoy Phillips' books though I haven't read them all.  I figured I would get to this one eventually but last week at the library I picked this up and read the blurb which happened to contain magic phrases like "He's a reclusive writer" and "the mysterious mansion that hovers above the cottage" and next thing I know the book is jumping into my library bag before I could stop it.

The Beginning:
"Annie didn't usually talk to her suitcase, but she wasn't exactly herself these days."

My thoughts:
I think Annie and I are going to get along just fine.  I have a habit of talking to myself or to inanimate objects when on my own though I can't remember talking to a suitcase unless I can't find it or I manage to stub my toe on it.

The 56: 
"She had every reason to tell Jaycie she couldn't do this anymore.  Every reason except an absolute certainty that she couldn't live with herself if she let her fear of Theo Harp force her into abandoning the girl who'd once saved her life."

My thoughts: 
I'm not quite to this point here so I have no real idea why Theo is so scary though he does seem seriously strange.  I also don't know what Jaycie did to save Annie's life but I'm seriously curious.

So what do you think?  Keep reading?  To books sometimes sneak into your library bag or shopping cart or what have you?  Or is that just me?

Eight Cousins - Review

Rating: 4 Stars
Source: Library

Description: Rose Campbell is the only girl in a family full of boys.  Recently orphaned she arrives at "Aunt Hill" to wait for her new guardian, the mysterious Uncle Alec who she has never met.  When he arrives, he turns her whole life on it's head by insisting that she run about and even play with those horrid boys.  But Rose quickly discovers boys aren't quite so bad.  Friendships develop, adventures occur and much fun is had by all.

Genre: Children's/YA

Why I Picked This Book: This one of my absolute favorite books as a child so I was curious to reread it as an adult.

My Impression: I don't remember where or when I got my copy of Eight Cousins though I remember what it looked like.  It was a regular paperback size though the paper was really thin for some reason and the binding only held up for the first 100 reads or so.  And read it I did!  While I had never really connected with Little Women (the whole Laurie/Amy/Jo thing never sat well with me but that's another review) I instantly was caught up in Rose's adventures.  I loved the idea of the old houses full of nooks and crannies and brimming with treasures brought home by generations of sea captains.  Rose with golden curls and leanings towards vanity and impatience was a girl who was easy to like and how could I not enjoy the mischief caused by the hoard of cousins.
When I was thinking of books for my Classics Club list Eight Cousins came up as one I really wanted to reread especially since I had reread and very much enjoyed The Secret Garden, another childhood favorite, a few months before.
I'm not sure Eight Cousins holds up quite as well as The Secret Garden.  As is typical for the time the story is incredibly virtuous.  In this case it's a bit on the side of tooth-achingly wholesome and the "Clan" is a little on the overly perfect side.  There's not a huge amount of character development though I did love what there was.  Seeing Rose come out of her shell and watching her friendship with Phebe was really lovely and I liked seeing her interact with the boys - especially with Mac.  The imagery of the warehouses and the trunks full of treasures is wonderful and I would dearly love to see a fireworks show like the one described early in the book.
While I didn't enjoy this as much in adulthood as I did as a child I can see what drew me to the book.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?: I will.  I want to reread it's sequel Rose in Bloom as I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as a child but I think I would like it better now.  I'm also looking forward to rereading Little Women.

Would I Recommend this Book?:  I'm not sure anyone who didn't already have a connection to this one would be blown away.

Challenges Met? The Reading Assignment Challenge (April), Library Challenge

Gummi Bears Should Not Be Organic - Review

Gummi Bears Should Not Be Organic: And Other Opinions I Can't Back Up With Facts by Stefanie Wilder-Taylor

Rating: 3.5 Stars
Source: NetGalley

Description:  Really the title says it all here!  This is Stefanie Wilder-Taylor's take on all the trends, studies and opinions that surround parenting today.

Genre: Nonfiction

Why I Picked This Book: I've really enjoyed her previous books and the title made me giggle.

My Impression:  Having teenagers and a preschooler there's not many sections of parenting that I haven't been involved in.  Well except maybe dance because as a family we're not particularly graceful but I had friends in dance so I heard their stories.  We did our share plus more of sports and other organized activities and I've spent plenty of time on PTA boards, as chair of something or other for various schools and sitting in parks listening to mothers like the ones Stefanie rants about. Needless to say I could relate to a lot of these stories!  She explains the struggle to find a balance between protecting your kids and letting them make their own mistakes and learn how to do things on their own very well and with a good dash of humor.  There are also some pretty funny chapters on yoga pants, "gifted" kids, parks and other places she hates, and making friends.  While she's definitely on the snarky side I do love that it feels like she genuinely loves her kids and enjoys spending time with them.  I always get a little squeamish when humor comes across as mean - especially involving children.

There are a few flaws. At times it the writing feels a little forced and there's a feeling of repetitiveness throughout some of the chapters.  Since this is such a quick read that didn't keep me from enjoying this book especially since that's a fairly common issue I have with most humor books.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?:  While this wasn't my favorite book of hers I did enjoy it and I really liked her previous books so I'll definitely be on the lookout for more of hers.  Plus I already have her previous book, I'm Kind of a Big Deal, sitting on my shelf.

Would I Recommend this Book?:  I'd definitely recommend this author especially to parents of younger kids though I'd probably recommend Sippy Cups are Not for Chardonnay or It's Not Me, It's You over this one.

Challenges Met?  Alphabet Soup (G)

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Inspiring Book Quotes

Today's Top Tuesday topic hosted by The Broke and the Bookish is Top Ten Inspiring Book Quotes.  Of all the topics I've come across in the time I've been doing this meme this is by far the most challenging.  I'm not a huge quote person when I'm reading and tend to not remember actual lines from the book.  So after some thinking and pulling out favorite books this is what I came up with:

1.  "Good for her, not for me" Yes Please by Amy Poehler - I love this quote!  I love the way of thinking that while something is good for one person doesn't mean it will work for someone else and that's okay!

2.  "The impossible could not have happened therefore the impossible but be possible in spite appearances." Hercule Poirot from Murrder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie - In one sentence this sums up the beauty of Agatha's books!

3.  "Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to believe.  It's splendid to think there are so many of them in the world" Anne from Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

4. "Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it" Sara Stanley in The Story Girl by L.M. Montgomery - this is one of my favorite Montgomery books and one of my absolute favorite quotes.

5. "My name is Inigo Montoya.  You killed my father.  Prepare to Die" Princess Bride by William Goldman - okay so I'm really getting this from the movie but I can't think of anything I've ever quoted more!

6.  "My imagination will get me a passport to hell one day" East of Eden by John Steinbeck - Yep - so true.

7. "Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents." Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.  I've said this for various reason for years and really didn't actually know this came from Little Women!

8.  "There are few people who I love and still fewer of whom I think well." Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

9.  "Some things in life you can't control. You can make it a party or a tragedy." Vision in White by Nora Roberts

10.  "I can think of no greater bliss than to lie about, reading novels all day." Ten Things I Love About You by Julia Quinn - Neither can I, neither can I!

What are your favorite quotes?  Do you look for quotes while reading?

Slayed on the Slopes - Blog Tour Review, Giveaway + Excerpt

Welcome to my tour stop for Slayed on the Slopes by Kate Dyer-Seeley! This is the second book in the Pacific Northwest Mystery series. Slayed on the Slopes released March 31st by Kensington Publishing. The tour runs April 6- 17 with reviews, interviews, guest posts and excerpts. Check out the tour page for more information. 

About the Book:
After talking her way into a job writing for Portland’s Northwest Extreme magazine, Meg Reed may now really be in over her head. Actually, about 8,000 feet over her head. . .

She’s at Mount Hood’s remote Silcox Hut, covering the seriously hardcore Ridge Rangers—Oregon’s elite high-altitude rescue team–during their four-day winter training. Sure, Meg beefed up her outdoor skills over the summer . . . but she’s still hoping to cover the event with some hot chocolate by the cheery fireplace. Then, during a sudden blizzard, she swears she hears gunshots. No one stranded in the hut believes her . . . until self-absorbed Ridge Ranger Ben Rogers is found outside in a pool of frozen blood. Meg’s now got to find this killer quickly . . . before cabin fever does them all in!

Praise For Scene Of The Climb

“A splendid overview of the greater Portland and Columbia River Gorge region, perfect for travel buffs. Her protagonist shows promise with her determined attitude and moxie.” –Library Journal

Includes Adventure Guides!

My Review:

I read the first book in the series (My Scene of the Climb Review) back in August so I was excited to see what trouble Meg had gotten up to in the 2nd book.  I wasn't disappointed!  Meg is a little bit older and a little wiser but she is still not an experienced outdoors man.  This time she's at a ski resort staying with a group of elite skiers who are trying to start a business to help even novice skiers reach the summit.  Of course things are not going smoothly as there's lots of inside fighting and competing agendas and everyone seems to have more than their share of secrets.  One of my complaints in the first book was that Meg didn't do any actual reporter so I was pleased to see her taking notes and talking about how she went about turning an idea into a story.  I also like that her job as a journalist allows her to poke around an investigation.  The mystery kept me reading and I was kept guessing about the motive and the killer until the end.  I also picked up a lot about skiing and snowboarding which was fun.  While I don't plan on going skiing anytime soon if I ever do I will not be going up on a mountain without an avalanche pack!  

Meg is a little more angsty than I generally prefer and there was some clutter with issues in Meg's personal life, her friend Jill's personal life, her grandmother's Reiki massages, as well as the murder and all the inside drama.  Also, while this does work as a stand alone I think it's much more enjoyable if you've read the first in the series.

Despite the few flaws I really enjoyed this book.  I won't be heading to any ski resorts soon but it was definitely fun to visit one from the hammock in my back yard!  I'm looking forward to the 3rd book and seeing what Meg's up to next.

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N

Don't miss out on the first book, Scene of the Climb, available now!

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N 

About the Author:

Kate Dyer-Seeley writes the Pacific Northwest Mystery Series for Kensington Publishing. The first
book in the series, Scene of the Climb, features the rugged landscapes of the Columbia River Gorge and a young journalist who bills herself as an intrepid adventurer in order to land a gig writing for Northwest Extreme.

Her work has appeared in a variety of regional and international publications including: The Columbian, The Vancouver Voice, Seattle Backpacker, Portland Family Magazine, and Climbing Magazine.

Kate lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and son, where you can find her hitting the trail, at an artisan coffee shop, or at her favorite pub. Better yet—at all three.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Giveaway:
Winter warmer package- signed copy of Slayed on the Slopes, Signed copy of Scene of the Climb, Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Hot Chocolate Mix, Oregon Chai Tea, 1 Pound of Coffee and Collectable Mt. Hood art coaster (US)
Ends April 27, 2015

a Rafflecopter giveaway
This event was organized by CBB Book Promotions.

Excerpt:

Chapter One

Silcox Hut Timberline, Oregon

Elevation 7,000 feet

You’re an idiot, Meg.

Yep, that’s pretty much the first thing that came to mind as I frantically scanned the frozen sky.

Why don’t I trust my intuition? If I ever bothered to stop and to listen to Gam’s oh-so-wise advice I’d never get myself into these situations. But what do I do? Forge ahead, ignoring that nagging voice in my head.

What I couldn’t ignore now, was the howl of the wind and the pounding in my forehead.

At 7,000 feet above sea level where the air begins to thin, I couldn’t seem to fill my chest. My breath came in shallow, wheezing spurts and felt as thick as the snow beneath my feet. My head throbbed from the lack of oxygen, and my fingers burned with cold. Seventeen inches of new snow had fallen since the blizzard hit yesterday, and it didn’t look like Mother Nature intended to let up anytime soon.

For some strange reason I thought I could hear the faint sounds of Frank Sinatra’s crooning voice. The lyrics “Kiss the good life goodbye” hummed on the wind. Message received. If I didn’t find my way back to the Silcox Hut—fast—I’d be kissing my life goodbye. I couldn’t be hearing music up at this elevation, could I? Was I losing it? How long does hypothermia take to set in?

Pausing in the knee-deep snow, I searched the sky for any clue that might lead me in the direction of the Silcox Hut and safety. Nothing but blinding white greeted me. I couldn’t tell how much snow was actually falling and how much was being hurled back up into the air by the deafening wind.

Yet there it was again. The swell of big band music teased my ears.

Guide me back, Frank, I said as I used all the energy I could muster to free my tingling feet from the snow and trudge toward the sound of the music.

Thank God I’d worn my fur-lined Keen snow boots because even with two pair of thick wool socks I was losing feeling in my toes. My fingers were another story. The super cute cashmere fingerless gloves seemed like an excellent fashion statement a couple days ago, but in terms of function, not so much.

I kicked my foot free from the powder and took a step forward. It was getting hard to stay upright. Icy flakes pelted my face. I sunk deeper in the snow.

At this rate you’re going to end up a popsicle, Meg, I said just as I heard a bang.

At first I thought it must be a drum—the bang of the big band reaching its crescendo. A moment later I realized I was horribly mistaken.

Lurching forward through the heavy snow, I heard another bang. This time there was no mistaking the sound—it had to be a gunshot.