tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918229844431279302013-05-20T01:03:17.076-04:00Beth Fish ReadsBeth Fish ReadsBeth Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08627666337961326265noreply@blogger.comBlogger1877125
http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/weekend-cooking-tequila-lime-chicken.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3291822984443127930.post-34229064475333465812013-05-18T06:01:00.000-04:002013-05-18T06:01:00.639-04:002013-05-18T06:01:00.639-04:00Weekend Cooking: Tequila Lime Chicken<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398520130419748434" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KfXm6QzlOl4/SutldL527lI/AAAAAAAACes/klxgTZCP4is/s200/Presentation2.jpg" style="float: right; height: 108px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 143px;" title="Weekend Cooking hosted by www. BethFishReads.com" /><span style="color: #330000; font-weight: bold;">Weekend Cooking</span> is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book (novel, nonfiction) reviews, cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, quotations, photographs. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. <span style="font-weight: bold;">You do not have to post on the weekend. </span>Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page. For more information, see the <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~bfishreads.blogspot.com/2009/10/introducing-weekend-cooking.html" target="_blank">welcome post.</a>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #330000; font-weight: bold;">_______</span></div>
<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~1.bp.blogspot.com/-7K4RRDnZL90/UZaOqBUP4PI/AAAAAAAAOSM/gDbC-OUA4LM/s1600/BCFamilyStyle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7K4RRDnZL90/UZaOqBUP4PI/AAAAAAAAOSM/gDbC-OUA4LM/s200/BCFamilyStyle.jpg" title="Barefoot Contessa Family Style by Ia Garten" width="150" /></a>When I'm looking for a sure-fire success with the minimum of fuss, one of the first cooks I turn to is Ina Garten. I own most of her cookbooks, and they are all well used. <i>Family Style: Easy Ideas and Recipes That Make Everyone Feel Like Family</i> is one of my favorites.
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<br>
Now that the weather here in central Pennsylvania has finally broken, we've officially begun our season of eating outdoors. To celebrate the first truly nice weekend, Mr. BFR suggested that we grill Tequila Lime Chicken, an easy, tasty centerpiece to any summer dinner. We served it with asparagus, a salad, and homemade dinner rolls.
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<br>
The recipe calls for gold tequila, but I've had just as much luck with white (clear). Garten also suggests that you can add a tablespoon of minced cilantro to the marinade; I add a bit more than that. And I always squeeze my own lime juice, though I sometimes cheat on the orange juice. Leftovers make great sandwiches the next day.
<br>
<br>
<span style="color: #330000;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Tequila Lime Chicken</span></b></span>
<br>
Serves 4-6
<br>
<ul><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~2.bp.blogspot.com/-kT5XbVq9fWI/UZaSQkr8yCI/AAAAAAAAOSc/bsn3GvC8CrY/s1600/tequila-lime-chicken_s4x3_lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="163" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kT5XbVq9fWI/UZaSQkr8yCI/AAAAAAAAOSc/bsn3GvC8CrY/s200/tequila-lime-chicken_s4x3_lg.jpg" title="Food Network" width="220" /></a>
<li>1/2 cup gold tequila</li>
<li>1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (5-6 limes)</li>
<li>1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (2 oranges)</li>
<li>1 tablespoon chili powder</li>
<li>1 tablespoon minced fresh jalapeno pepper (1 pepper seeded)</li>
<li>1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic (3 cloves)</li>
<li>2 teaspoons kosher salt</li>
<li>1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper</li>
<li>3 whole (6 split) boneless chicken breasts, skin on</li>
</ul>
Combine the tequila, lime juice, orange juice, chili powder, jalapeno pepper, garlic, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Add the chicken breasts. Refrigerate overnight.
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<br>
Heat a grill with coals and brush the rack with oil to prevent the chicken from sticking. Remove the chicken breasts from the marinade, sprinkle well with salt and pepper, and grill them skin-side down for about 5 minutes, until nicely browned. Turn the chicken and cook for another 10 minutes, until just cooked through. Remove from the grill to a plate. Cover tightly and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Serve hot or at room temperature.
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<br>
You can find the recipe online at the<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/tequila-lime-chicken-recipe/index.html" target="_blank"> Food Network website</a>. <b>Photo credit:</b> Food Network website.
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<div style="clear:left;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=3422906447533346581&isPopup=true"><h3>Comments</h3></a><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/weekend-cooking-tequila-lime-chicken.html?showComment=1369026197082#c4248596699368222496">This sounds good. I think I have 101 chicken recip...</a> <i>by Leslie (Under My Apple Tree) <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/17822229389189435951">http://www.blogger.com/profile/17822229389189435951</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/weekend-cooking-tequila-lime-chicken.html?showComment=1368982143800#c8977348080132166975">My post this week features Ina's Tarragon Pota...</a> <i>by (Diane) bookchickdi <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/16640913682123489734">http://www.blogger.com/profile/16640913682123489734</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/weekend-cooking-tequila-lime-chicken.html?showComment=1368932417087#c641949576562229195">sounds very tasty. Will try it next time son is ho...</a> <i>by Heather <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/04501259287565067209">http://www.blogger.com/profile/04501259287565067209</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/weekend-cooking-tequila-lime-chicken.html?showComment=1368927205081#c1339551592745731553">OMG I'm making this!</a> <i>by Chris Howard <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/05793512698366676453">http://www.blogger.com/profile/05793512698366676453</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/weekend-cooking-tequila-lime-chicken.html?showComment=1368924102684#c929152244320023891">Sounds like something I would love. I always like ...</a> <i>by fanficfan44 <a href="http://angrygreycatreads.com/2013/05/18/weekend-cooking/">http://angrygreycatreads.com/2013/05/18/weekend-cooking/</a></i><li><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=3422906447533346581&isPopup=true">Plus 11 more...</a></li></ul></div><h3 style="clear:left;padding-top:10px">Related Stories</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/weekend-cooking-campfire-cuisine-by.html">Weekend Cooking: Campfire Cuisine by Robin Donovan</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/weekend-cooking-adventures-with-bon.html">Weekend Cooking: Adventures with Bon Appetit</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/weekend-cooking-four-season-farm.html">Weekend Cooking: The Four Season Farm Gardener's Cookbook by Barbara Damrosch and Eliot Coleman</a></li></ul> </div>Beth Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08627666337961326265noreply@blogger.com16
http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/imprint-friday-sweet-dead-life-by-joy.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3291822984443127930.post-1027646340488681442013-05-17T06:01:00.000-04:002013-05-17T06:01:00.197-04:002013-05-17T06:01:00.197-04:00Imprint Friday: The Sweet Dead Life by Joy Preble<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~3.bp.blogspot.com/-3ffryd9jQI0/UZVH6rzmSII/AAAAAAAAOR8/4xB9V4LsiJc/s1600/SweetDeadLife.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3ffryd9jQI0/UZVH6rzmSII/AAAAAAAAOR8/4xB9V4LsiJc/s200/SweetDeadLife.jpg" title="The Sweet Dead Life by Joy Preble" width="138" /></a>Welcome to <span style="font-weight: bold;">Imprint Friday</span> and today's featured imprint: <span style="color: #330000; font-weight: bold;">Soho Teen</span>.
Stop by each week to be introduced to a must-read
title from one of my favorite imprints. I know you'll
be adding many of these books to your wish list.
<br>
<br>
To round out my celebration of <b>Children's Book Week,</b> I'm featuring a book from the relatively new Soho Teen imprint. When I read the premise of Joy Preble's new novel, <i>The Sweet Dead Life</i>,
I knew it was a young adult novel for me. I liked that it had a
contemporary setting and I was curious about how it was going to address
the business of angels.
<br>
<br>
Here's the publisher's summary:
<br>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"I found out two things today: One, I think I'm dying. And two, my brother is a perv."
<br>
<br>
So
begins the diary of Jenna Samuels, who is having a very bad year. Her
mother spends all day in bed. Dad vanished when she was eight. Her
older brother, Casey, tries to hold together what’s left of the family
by working two after-school jobs—difficult, as he’s stoned all the time.
To make matters worse, Jenna is sick. Really sick. When she collapses
one day, Casey tries to race her to the hospital in their beat-up Prius
and crashes instead.
<br>
<br>
Jenna wakes up in the ER to find
Casey beside her, looking pretty good. Better than ever, in fact.
Downright . . . angelic. The flab and zits? Gone. Before long, Jenna
figures out that her brother didn’t survive the accident at all, and she
isn’t just sick; she’s being poisoned. Casey has been sent back to help
Jenna find out who’s got it out for her, a mystery that leads to more
questions about their mother’s depression and their father’s
disappearance.</blockquote>
Right off the bat I want to note that although <i>The Sweet Dead Life</i>
does indeed have angels, Preble has taken a fresh approach. Yes, Casey
is looking pretty good, but he's living at home, and he himself isn't
quite sure what to make of those strange feathery nubs that are
beginning to form on his back. Death may have made him clean up his act,
but he's still a teenager and has the attitude to match.
<br>
<br>
It's
fourteen-year-old Jenna, however, who steals the show. The novel is
told through her journal entries, which allows us to see her unguarded
thoughts. She may swear a bit more than the average young teen, but
she's full of spunk and has a resilient spirit.
<br>
<br>
Two other aspects of <i>The Sweet Dead Life</i>
are worth noting. First, the mystery of what happened to Mr. Samuels
and why Jenna was poisoned is very well set up. There are several
possibilities and a few red herrings to throw us off track, but the plot
is not so twisty that we can't have fun trying to figure it out all on
our own.
<br>
<br>
Second, I liked the fact that this young adult paranormal novel does <b>not</b>
involve an all-consuming love story. In fact, the book focuses on
family, especially bothers and sisters. Preble must have an older
brother because Jenna and Casey's relationship is incredibly realistic.
The Samuels household is absolutely not <i>The Waltons</i>, which makes it easy to care about Jenna's future.
<br>
<br>
If
you're looking for a contemporary young adult novel with believable
characters (never mind the angels) and an engaging plot, then be sure to
pick up <i>The Sweet Dead Life</i> by Joy Preble. The balanced mix of
mystery and light paranormal elements give the book a broad appeal, and
the deeper issues of family, depression, drugs, and abandonment give the
story some meat.
<br>
<br>
Soho Teen, an imprint of Soho Press,
released its first book in January 2013. Its debut catalog offers a
strong lineup covering a variety of genres. To learn more about the
imprint, visit the <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.sohopress.com/soho-teen/" target="_blank">website</a>, like the <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~https://www.facebook.com/SohoTeen" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>, and follow them on <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~https://twitter.com/soho_teen" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.
<br>
<br>
<span style="color: #6c82b5; font-size: x-small;">Buy <b><i>The Sweet Dead Life</i></b> at an indie or other bookstore near you.
<br>
Published by Soho Press / Soho Teen</span><span style="color: #6c82b5; font-size: x-small;">, May 2013
<br>
ISBN-13: 9781616951504</span>
<br>
<span style="color: #6c82b5; font-size: x-small;">Copyright © cbl for <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.bethfishreads.com/" target="_blank">Beth Fish Reads</a>, all rights reserved (see <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~bfishreads.blogspot.com/2008/08/review-policy.html" target="_blank">review policy</a>).</span><Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/41255477/0/bethfishreads">
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<div style="clear:left;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=102764634048868144&isPopup=true"><h3>Comments</h3></a><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/imprint-friday-sweet-dead-life-by-joy.html?showComment=1368912890381#c8047933259806089356">Sounds like a refreshing break from tradition!</a> <i>by Laurie C <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/00177559207735782406">http://www.blogger.com/profile/00177559207735782406</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/imprint-friday-sweet-dead-life-by-joy.html?showComment=1368827699022#c4690252289422346966">Now I have to know who is poisoning her! I'm a...</a> <i>by Vicki <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/16974471357928655315">http://www.blogger.com/profile/16974471357928655315</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/imprint-friday-sweet-dead-life-by-joy.html?showComment=1368821820562#c8081447115370487830">I read a book by this author awhile back and enjoy...</a> <i>by Julie P. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/16008101127541997459">http://www.blogger.com/profile/16008101127541997459</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/imprint-friday-sweet-dead-life-by-joy.html?showComment=1368788716584#c5841777981065914067">How refreshing!!! No love triangle? No rapid hea...</a> <i>by Sandy Nawrot <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/00564390728106776030">http://www.blogger.com/profile/00564390728106776030</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/imprint-friday-sweet-dead-life-by-joy.html?showComment=1368788553240#c9087555347397052034">Wait, something is not computing here: a young a...</a> <i>by rhapsodyinbooks <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/07041412748239010264">http://www.blogger.com/profile/07041412748239010264</a></i></ul></div><h3 style="clear:left;padding-top:10px">Related Stories</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/02/review-who-done-it-compiled-by-jon.html">Review: Who Done It? Compiled by Jon Scieszka</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/review-not-exactly-love-story-by-audrey.html">Review: Not Exactly a Love Story by Audrey Couloumbis</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/imprint-friday-other-typist-by-suzanne.html">Imprint Friday: The Other Typist by Suzanne Rindell</a></li></ul> </div>Beth Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08627666337961326265noreply@blogger.com5
http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/review-big-nate-game-on-by-lincoln.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3291822984443127930.post-82200510356188678802013-05-16T07:07:00.000-04:002013-05-16T07:21:53.231-04:002013-05-16T07:21:53.231-04:00Review: Big Nate Game On! by Lincoln Peirce<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~1.bp.blogspot.com/-lyQhTVyk2Lk/UZP8MNrex8I/AAAAAAAAORc/gJ15o5KgXYk/s1600/BigNateGameOn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lyQhTVyk2Lk/UZP8MNrex8I/AAAAAAAAORc/gJ15o5KgXYk/s200/BigNateGameOn.jpg" title="Big Nate: Game On! by Lincoln Pierce" width="134" /></a>Are you familiar with Nate Wright? Although I've read reviews of other Big Nate graphic novels by Lincoln Peirce, <i>Big Nate Game On!</i> is the the first one I've read and it's a perfect choice for <b>Children's Book Week.</b>
<br>
<br>
The first thing I learned about Nate is that he definitely doesn't have a self-esteem problem. He's convinced he's the best at whatever he does. Now far it be it for me to discourage such a positive attitude, but, um, Nate doesn't exactly live up to his self-made reputation. Fortunately, his friends put up with him and he has just enough luck to see him through. His long-suffering coach is a little less tolerant, but coaching sixth-graders is no walk in the park.
<br>
<br>
The collection of comics in <i>Big Nate Game On!</i> lets us tag along as Nate makes a name for himself (not necessarily in a good way) in athletics. Each of the three sports he plays brings out a different aspect of his personality. On the BB court, Nate practices trash talking more than he does his dribble. During the summer, he tries to come up with a cooler baseball team name than the Chez Lindas, named after their beauty parlor sponsor. And when playing soccer, he has to overcome a bit of jealousy while convincing himself that he's the star of the team.
<br>
<br>
<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~2.bp.blogspot.com/-8kZSD6xknFI/UZS_2dEYb7I/AAAAAAAAORs/Ni3FpB0Zey4/s1600/BigNateScan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8kZSD6xknFI/UZS_2dEYb7I/AAAAAAAAORs/Ni3FpB0Zey4/s200/BigNateScan.jpg" width="116" /></a>Nate, his friends, his coach, his cranky gym teacher, and even cats all add to the fun of this laugh-out-loud look at middle grade sports. You and your kids will get a kick out of Nate's antics. Take a look at the scan (click to enlarge it) to get an idea of just how much trouble Nate can get into.
<br>
<br>
Although you can certainly read <i>Big Nate Game On!</i> purely for fun, teachers and parents will find plenty to talk about, such as friendship, sportsmanship, coaching, jealousy, and playing fair. Although it might sound odd to suggest a collection of comics for a book club, I think this book would be perfect. Boys, especially, will laugh over Nate's efforts to outwit the coach, outplay the bigger boys, and outrun cats (he's scared of them!). Whether they read the book on their own or with others, young readers will love <i>Big Nate Game On!</i>
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<br>
Here is a short video of Lincoln Peirce explaining how he comes up with ideas for Big Nate and demonstrating how he draws the gym teacher.
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7TOTYCrLKSM?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></div>
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<span style="color: #6c82b5; font-size: x-small;">Buy <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Big Nate Game On!</span> at an Indie or other bookstore near you.
<br>
Andrews McMeel, 2013
<br>
ISBN-13: 9781449427771
<br>
Rating: B+</span>
<br>
<span style="color: #6c82b5; font-size: x-small;">Source: Review (see <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~bfishreads.blogspot.com/2008/08/review-policy.html" target="_blank">review policy</a>)
<br>
Copyright © cbl for <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.bethfishreads.com/" target="_blank">Beth Fish Reads</a>, all rights reserved (see <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~bfishreads.blogspot.com/2008/08/review-policy.html" target="_blank">review policy</a>).</span><Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/41213489/0/bethfishreads">
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<div style="clear:left;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=8220051035618867880&isPopup=true"><h3>Comments</h3></a><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/review-big-nate-game-on-by-lincoln.html?showComment=1368877661919#c6191432615352127512">My son loves Big Nate. He's quite a character!...</a> <i>by Laura Fabiani <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/15252118683176350398">http://www.blogger.com/profile/15252118683176350398</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/review-big-nate-game-on-by-lincoln.html?showComment=1368754326484#c3066114666517325158">My nephew loves this series! It is good to know ...</a> <i>by Booksnyc <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/11197753056299399065">http://www.blogger.com/profile/11197753056299399065</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/review-big-nate-game-on-by-lincoln.html?showComment=1368736632300#c7683571092018818448">Booking Son and I both enjoy this series. Will hav...</a> <i>by Julie P. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/16008101127541997459">http://www.blogger.com/profile/16008101127541997459</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/review-big-nate-game-on-by-lincoln.html?showComment=1368722068124#c1049566246474919451">What's great about this one is that it's t...</a> <i>by Jenn's Bookshelves <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/00053675949434770878">http://www.blogger.com/profile/00053675949434770878</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/review-big-nate-game-on-by-lincoln.html?showComment=1368721787572#c2704594787380768404">I know Kathy sure loves these books, but I have no...</a> <i>by rhapsodyinbooks <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/07041412748239010264">http://www.blogger.com/profile/07041412748239010264</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/review-big-nate-game-on-by-lincoln.html?showComment=1368715637512#c2564338235358279207">Lincoln is so talented! I thoroughly enjoyed watch...</a> <i>by Beth Hoffman <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/16770840174293503835">http://www.blogger.com/profile/16770840174293503835</a></i></ul></div><h3 style="clear:left;padding-top:10px">Related Stories</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/03/review-amulet-book-two-stonekeepers.html">Review: Amulet Book Two: The Stonekeeper's Curse by Kazu Kibuishi</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/review-mays-selections-for-scholastic.html">Review: May's Selections for the Scholastic Mother-Daughter Book Club</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/review-april-selections-for-scholastic.html">Review: April Selections for the Scholastic Mother-Daughter Book Club</a></li></ul> </div>Beth Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08627666337961326265noreply@blogger.com6
http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/wordless-wednesday-237.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3291822984443127930.post-38709334083323455242013-05-14T21:51:00.000-04:002013-05-14T21:52:27.413-04:002013-05-14T21:52:27.413-04:00Wordless Wednesday 237<div style="text-align: center;">
Historic Granary, 2013</div>
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<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~1.bp.blogspot.com/-CF5rkjI4WqA/UZKXI3O8X7I/AAAAAAAAORM/Q0qJRqZtKS4/s1600/granary.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CF5rkjI4WqA/UZKXI3O8X7I/AAAAAAAAORM/Q0qJRqZtKS4/s400/granary.jpg" title="copyright cbl for www.BethFishReads.com" width="400" /></a></div>
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Click image to enlarge. For more Wordless Wednesday, click <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~wordlesswednesday.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.<Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/41166185/0/bethfishreads">
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<div style="clear:left;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=3870933408332345524&isPopup=true"><h3>Comments</h3></a><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/wordless-wednesday-237.html?showComment=1368670974028#c3588792279601531773">I love the black and white contrast.
http://joyce...</a> <i>by Joyce Lansky <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/06338761214938263819">http://www.blogger.com/profile/06338761214938263819</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/wordless-wednesday-237.html?showComment=1368655467805#c7175987540693236184">A classic. I love the line and the simplicity of t...</a> <i>by colleen <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/16669375650785054059">http://www.blogger.com/profile/16669375650785054059</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/wordless-wednesday-237.html?showComment=1368649305171#c7630492621780659768">Great shot. I love taking photos of old buildings....</a> <i>by anotherjennifer <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/02697826890724579041">http://www.blogger.com/profile/02697826890724579041</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/wordless-wednesday-237.html?showComment=1368635629851#c8547300932350548732">Beautiful!</a> <i>by Jackie/Jake <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/15946085131678256211">http://www.blogger.com/profile/15946085131678256211</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/wordless-wednesday-237.html?showComment=1368635405143#c7456737589928295326">Stunning!
</a> <i>by Stephanie <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/17218519474695662328">http://www.blogger.com/profile/17218519474695662328</a></i><li><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=3870933408332345524&isPopup=true">Plus 14 more...</a></li></ul></div><h3 style="clear:left;padding-top:10px">Related Stories</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/wordless-wednesday-236.html">Wordless Wednesday 236</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/wordless-wednesday-235.html">Wordless Wednesday 235</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/wordless-wednesday-234.html">Wordless Wednesday 234</a></li></ul> </div>Beth Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08627666337961326265noreply@blogger.com19
http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/review-not-exactly-love-story-by-audrey.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3291822984443127930.post-23650475552311719992013-05-14T06:01:00.000-04:002013-05-14T06:01:00.259-04:002013-05-14T06:01:00.259-04:00Review: Not Exactly a Love Story by Audrey Couloumbis<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~3.bp.blogspot.com/-L9HlmxJ6RTg/UZE0tu1KysI/AAAAAAAAOQ8/ELbHiiIQjUw/s1600/NotExactlyALoveStory.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L9HlmxJ6RTg/UZE0tu1KysI/AAAAAAAAOQ8/ELbHiiIQjUw/s200/NotExactlyALoveStory.jpg" title="Not Exactly a Love Story by Audrey Couloumbis" width="129" /></a>Did you know that this is <b>Children's Book Week</b>?
I'm celebrating by talking about young adult and middle grade books
I've read this month. Yesterday, I reviewed two selections for a
mother-daughter book club; today's novel is nod to the late twentieth
century and is told from a boy's perspective.
<br>
<br>
In 1977,
Vinnie Gold wonders what more could go wrong in his life: His parents
divorced, his mom remarried, he was mugged, his dog died, he got a bad
case of acne, and now he has to move from the city to Long Island. He
grumbles about learning to adjust to a new house, new school, and new
friends, but--whoa!--check out the cute girl who lives next door.
<br>
<br>
Despite
all the other things going on in his life, Vinnie's main problem is
that he's sure he isn't cool enough for Patsy, who hangs out with the
football star. When Vinnie accidentally gets the number for her private
phone line, he gets up his nerve to call her, but when Patsy answers, he
can't speak. Later, he calls back to apologize for scaring her,
disguising his voice.
<br>
<br>
And thus begins Vinnie's dual
life. By day, he is the nerdy neighbor boy Vinnie, but by night he is
the confident, witty Italian teen (whom Vinnie thinks of as Vincenzo).
But, of course, Patsy doesn't know the identity of her midnight caller.
Forced finally to agree to a face-to-face meeting at the school dance,
Vinnie/Vincenzo comes up with a desperate scheme, hoping that Patsy will
learn to accept him as he really is.
<br>
<br>
Audrey Couloumbis's <i>Not Exactly a Love Story</i>
takes a realistic and sometimes funny look young teen troubles during a
time when kids could still have secrets and life's dramas were not
quite so public and rarely escalated. Because the young adult novel is
told from Vinnie's perspective, it should have appeal to both boys and
girls.
<br>
<br>
I found Vinnie to be a likable guy who tries
hard to adjust to his changing family situation. This is not the story
of an evil stepfather or arguing parents. And, in fact, Vinnie still has
a good relationship with his father and comes to accept his mom's new
husband. That doesn't mean he's wildly happy or is a sap, but he's a
good kid who makes the best of things he can't change.
<br>
<br>
At
the core of the novel is Vinnie's efforts to gain self-confidence and
discover his true self while trying to win the heart of pretty and
popular Patsy. In his everyday personality, he's a good student, he
helps out at home, and enjoys caring for tropical fish. With his
stepfather's encouragement, he rather awkwardly decides to take up a
sport and become a bit more well-rounded. By night on the phone, though,
Vincenzo is (so he thinks) suave and assertive, which sometimes works
but also backfires. All this adds up to both fun times and a few
cringe-worthy moments.
<br>
<br>
Vinnie's story is a universal
tale of the trials and tribulations--and joys--of the awkward teen
years, set in a time when high schoolers had more more freedom and
privacy than they have today. In <i>Not Exactly a Love Story</i>, Audrey
Couloumbis doesn't idealize the 1970s, but you can't help but wonder
what today's kids are missing thanks to their full schedules, instant
communication, and constant supervision. Lots for kids and their parents
to ponder.
<br>
<br>
I listened to the audiobook edition
(Listening Library; 6 hr, 13 min), read by Maxwell Glick. Glick did a
great job channeling his teenage self. His reading is expressive and
engaging and increased my connection to the novel and sympathy for
Vinnie.
<br>
<br>
<span style="color: #6c82b5; font-size: x-small;">Buy <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Not Exactly a Love Story</span> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.indiebound.org/aff/BethFishReads09?product=9780375867835" target="_blank">at an Indie</a> or at bookstore near you. This link leads to an affiliate program.
<br>
Random House / Random House Books for Young Readers, 2012
<br>
ISBN-13: 9780375867835
<br>
Rating: B</span>
<br>
<span style="color: #6c82b5; font-size: x-small;">Source: Review - audio (see <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~bfishreads.blogspot.com/2008/08/review-policy.html" target="_blank">review policy</a>)
<br>
Copyright © cbl for <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.bethfishreads.com/" target="_blank">Beth Fish Reads</a>, all rights reserved (see <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~bfishreads.blogspot.com/2008/08/review-policy.html" target="_blank">review policy</a>).</span><Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/41135704/0/bethfishreads">
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<div style="clear:left;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=2365047555231171999&isPopup=true"><h3>Comments</h3></a><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/review-not-exactly-love-story-by-audrey.html?showComment=1368564255938#c195277681042176091">I bet I'd love this one. I even think I have i...</a> <i>by Julie P. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/16008101127541997459">http://www.blogger.com/profile/16008101127541997459</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/review-not-exactly-love-story-by-audrey.html?showComment=1368544840485#c2989277184098764862">I do indeed wonder exactly that....I worry that we...</a> <i>by Michele <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/04873109350235219509">http://www.blogger.com/profile/04873109350235219509</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/review-not-exactly-love-story-by-audrey.html?showComment=1368533415134#c1347444887791440690">I love YA Cyrano take offs! Such a great plot arc...</a> <i>by rhapsodyinbooks <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/07041412748239010264">http://www.blogger.com/profile/07041412748239010264</a></i></ul></div><h3 style="clear:left;padding-top:10px">Related Stories</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/review-lowcountry-summer-by-dorothea.html">Review: Lowcountry Summer by Dorothea Benton Frank</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/review-fuse-by-julianna-baggott.html">Review: Fuse by Julianna Baggott</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/review-mays-selections-for-scholastic.html">Review: May's Selections for the Scholastic Mother-Daughter Book Club</a></li></ul> </div>Beth Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08627666337961326265noreply@blogger.com3
http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/review-mays-selections-for-scholastic.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3291822984443127930.post-45837910714087936322013-05-13T06:01:00.000-04:002013-05-13T06:01:00.797-04:002013-05-13T06:01:00.797-04:00Review: May's Selections for the Scholastic Mother-Daughter Book Club<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~3.bp.blogspot.com/-4qFDMSVBBv8/UB0dUxEYmRI/AAAAAAAAIPk/lvqNDtWCSMo/s1600/MDBCLogo.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5772802539965159698" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4qFDMSVBBv8/UB0dUxEYmRI/AAAAAAAAIPk/lvqNDtWCSMo/s200/MDBCLogo.JPG" style="float: left; height: 118px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; width: 200px;" title="Scholastic Mother Daughter Book Club" /></a>Remember when I <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.bethfishreads.com/2012/06/new-middle-reader-book-club-plus.html" target="_blank">introduced you to the Scholastic Mother Daughter Book Club</a>
for middle readers? I'm committed to featuring or reviewing all
the books selected for this club because I think Scholastic has
picked winning titles that have broad appeal.
<br>
<br>
Don't forget that the <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.scholastic.com/motherdaughterbookclub/" target="_blank">Scholastic book club site</a>
includes more information about the books, recipes, reading
guides, and contests. The resources are perfect for book clubs,
teachers, homeschoolers, and any one who wants to get more out of
reading books with middle grade readers.
<br>
<br>
Did you know that this is <b>Children's Book Week</b>?
I'll be celebrating all week, starting with this month's Scholastic
selections, featuring two novels that deal with family issues.
<br>
<br>
<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~4.bp.blogspot.com/-d-iRV5oI8ag/UZAPKQtJZnI/AAAAAAAAOQg/-Vaa6oCj5Jw/s1600/Flyaway.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d-iRV5oI8ag/UZAPKQtJZnI/AAAAAAAAOQg/-Vaa6oCj5Jw/s200/Flyaway.jpg" title="Flyaway by Lucy Christoper" width="137" /></a>Isla's
favorite day of the year isn't Christmas or her birthday, but the day
she and her dad get up before dawn and drive to a nearby lake and watch
the whopping swans return from Iceland. The year she turns thirteen,
however, everything seems to go wrong.
<br>
<br>
First, her best
friend moves to Glasgow. Then on the day the swans return, there is an
accident that injures some birds and separates the flock. Finally, a few
days later, Isla's father collapses while running across a field.
Thanks to her quick phone call to emergency services, her father is
taken to the hospital, where doctors work to stabilize his heart.
<br>
<br>
Lucy Christopher's <i>Flyaway</i>
is a contemporary novel about wildlife, hope, first love, and coping
with illness and family crisis. Offsetting Isla's worries about her
father is her growing fondness for a young cancer patient, Henry, she
meets at the hospital and her unwavering concern for the wild swans.
<br>
<br>
<i>Flyaway</i>
may deal with serious issues, but young readers will love Isla's strong
spirit, her passion for wild birds, and her devotion to her father. I
like that her budding relationship with Henry is age-appropriate and
builds slowly. In fact, it's not really clear if the teens will end up
as just friends or something more, which is how it should be for
youngsters who are still getting to know each other.
<br>
<br>
One great thing about <i>Flyaway</i>
is that there are so many topics for conversation. Book clubs that
would like to avoid more mature subjects can concentrate on conservation
issues, brother-sister relationships, and the different ways the three
generations in the novel react to hospitals and modern medical care.
Other groups might compare their reactions to Henry's illness and Isla's
father's heart problems or explore family dynamics, hope, facing
reality, and mortality.
<br>
<br>
The discussion questions at the <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.scholastic.com/motherdaughterbookclub/" target="_blank">Scholastic book club site</a>
cover these issues and more. The suggested recipe is for the cutest
bird's nest cookies, which are a perfect match for Lucy Christopher's
thought-provoking novel.
<br>
<br>
<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~4.bp.blogspot.com/-l3ZZ2hJ1rxU/UZAYzHW6IRI/AAAAAAAAOQs/O1Y1nPW3E1s/s1600/BetterToWish.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l3ZZ2hJ1rxU/UZAYzHW6IRI/AAAAAAAAOQs/O1Y1nPW3E1s/s200/BetterToWish.jpg" title="Better to Wish by Ann M. Martin" width="131" /></a>Ann M. Martin's first installment of a new Family Tree series is <i>Better to Wish</i>, in which 100-year-old Abby looks back on the significant moments of her life during the 1930s in Maine.
<br>
<br>
Abby's
father is a strict man who works hard as a carpenter to support his
family during difficult economic times. He is not always the most
sensitive person and has trouble accepting people who are different from
him. He is also ambitious and wants to rise in social status. Abby does
her best to be a good girl and obey her father, but she often has a
hard time understanding his rules. Although her mother is loving and
supportive, she cannot always intervene.
<br>
<br>
<i>Better to Wish</i>
covers quite a few of Abby's memories from the time she was eight up
until she is in her early twenties. Although the novel moves quickly
through time, Martin is careful to develop each character, and young
readers will have no trouble connecting to Abby and her sisters. Besides
describing the big events in Abby's life, the novel also examines some
of the overarching issues of the time, such as the economy, social
customs, marriage, and opportunities for girls and women.
<br>
<br>
Some
of things that Abby remembers are cutting out paper dolls with her best
friend, the year Thanksgiving was almost stopped because of a big snow
storm, the day her family moved from their ocean-side cottage to a big
house in town, and the boys she had crushes on. But, as for most of us,
Abby's childhood was not a fairy tale. She also also recalls her
mother's sadness over two miscarriages, the fate of her disabled younger
brother, and her father's bad temper.
<br>
<br>
Book clubs will
likely want to talk about the differences between Abby's life during the
Great Depression and their own in the twenty-first century, such as
what Abby did for entertainment, how she helped out at home, and the
types of gifts she could expect. Other topics are Abby's relationship
with her father, prejudices, the importance of social status, the nature
of friendship, and the bond between sisters.
<br>
<br>
For more ideas, see the discussion questions at the <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.scholastic.com/motherdaughterbookclub/" target="_blank">Scholastic book club site</a>. The suggested recipe for <i>Better to Wish </i>is a strawberry ice cream cake. Your young readers will immediately recognize the significance of the ice cream for Abby.
<br>
<br>
This post will be linked to <span style="font-weight: bold;">Kid Konnection</span>, hosted by Julie at <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.bookingmama.net/" target="_blank">Booking </a><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~3.bp.blogspot.com/-mFfWi-Q-_mk/ThbcFIyaCdI/AAAAAAAAFpE/l61Bd78mxLg/s1600/kidkonnection.jpg.png"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626926765262375378" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mFfWi-Q-_mk/ThbcFIyaCdI/AAAAAAAAFpE/l61Bd78mxLg/s200/kidkonnection.jpg.png" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 79px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 104px;" /></a><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.bookingmama.net/">Mama</a>.
<br>
<br>
<span style="color: #6c82b5;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Buy <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Flyaway</span> at <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.indiebound.org/aff/BethFishReads09?product=9780545342148" target="_blank">an Indie</a> or at a bookstore near you (link leads to an affiliate program).</span></span>
<br>
<span style="color: #6c82b5;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Scholastic Press, 2011; ISBN-13: 9780545342148</span></span>
<br>
<span style="color: #6c82b5;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Buy <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Better to Wish</span> at <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.indiebound.org/aff/BethFishReads09?product=9780545359429" target="_blank">an Indie</a> or at a bookstore near you (link leads to an affiliate program).</span></span>
<br>
<span style="color: #6c82b5;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Scholastic Press, 2013; ISBN-13: 9780545359429</span></span>
<br>
<span style="color: #6c82b5;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Source: Review (see <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~bfishreads.blogspot.com/2008/08/review-policy.html" target="_blank">review policy</a>)</span></span>
<br>
<span style="color: #6c82b5;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Copyright © cbl for <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.bethfishreads.com/" target="_blank">Beth Fish Reads</a>, all rights reserved (see <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~bfishreads.blogspot.com/2008/08/review-policy.html" target="_blank">review policy</a>).</span></span><Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/41099293/0/bethfishreads">
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<div style="clear:left;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=4583791071408793632&isPopup=true"><h3>Comments</h3></a><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/review-mays-selections-for-scholastic.html?showComment=1368498012116#c7090893623058765425">I just received a copy of Family Tree too!</a> <i>by Julie P. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/16008101127541997459">http://www.blogger.com/profile/16008101127541997459</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/review-mays-selections-for-scholastic.html?showComment=1368463437272#c6936687126585683032">I'm going to read Family Tree with my daughter...</a> <i>by Laura Fabiani <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/15252118683176350398">http://www.blogger.com/profile/15252118683176350398</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/review-mays-selections-for-scholastic.html?showComment=1368446378052#c4418910603169888304">I would love to read Flyaway. I like the swans, th...</a> <i>by Tea norman <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/04246834295123351186">http://www.blogger.com/profile/04246834295123351186</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/review-mays-selections-for-scholastic.html?showComment=1368444859099#c1363228794894469956">I absolutely loved Flyaway, and I love the author!...</a> <i>by rhapsodyinbooks <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/07041412748239010264">http://www.blogger.com/profile/07041412748239010264</a></i></ul></div><h3 style="clear:left;padding-top:10px">Related Stories</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/03/review-march-selections-for-scholastics.html">Review: March Selections for Scholastic's Mother-Daughter Book Club</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/imprint-friday-other-typist-by-suzanne.html">Imprint Friday: The Other Typist by Suzanne Rindell</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/todays-read-spear-of-summer-grass-by.html">Today's Read: A Spear of Summer Grass by Deanna Raybourn</a></li></ul> </div>Beth Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08627666337961326265noreply@blogger.com4
http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/weekend-cooking-campfire-cuisine-by.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3291822984443127930.post-83551243189580822882013-05-11T06:01:00.000-04:002013-05-11T07:16:38.281-04:002013-05-11T07:16:38.281-04:00Weekend Cooking: Campfire Cuisine by Robin Donovan<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398520130419748434" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KfXm6QzlOl4/SutldL527lI/AAAAAAAACes/klxgTZCP4is/s200/Presentation2.jpg" style="float: right; height: 108px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 143px;" title="Weekend Cooking hosted by www. BethFishReads.com" /><span style="color: #330000; font-weight: bold;">Weekend Cooking</span> is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book (novel, nonfiction) reviews, cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, quotations, photographs. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. <span style="font-weight: bold;">You do not have to post on the weekend. </span>Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page. For more information, see the <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~bfishreads.blogspot.com/2009/10/introducing-weekend-cooking.html" target="_blank">welcome post.</a>
<br>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #330000; font-weight: bold;">_______</span></div>
<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~3.bp.blogspot.com/-OnHqFcnX-TM/UY0gdx7rRqI/AAAAAAAAOPI/rbzlNlFCP80/s1600/CampfireCuisine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OnHqFcnX-TM/UY0gdx7rRqI/AAAAAAAAOPI/rbzlNlFCP80/s200/CampfireCuisine.jpg" title="Campfire Cuisine by Robin Donovan" width="156" /></a>Wait a minute! Get your finger off that mouse. I know what you're thinking: you don't camp, so why do you need to read about Robin Donovan's <i>Campfire Cuisine.</i> Because I said so? No. Because if you ever go on a picnic, have a cookout, grill out on the deck, or spend the day at the park and long for something besides hotdogs and chips, then you need the recipes, advice, and tips Donovan provides in this terrific little cookbook.
<br>
<br>
Everyone knows that food tastes better when cooked and eaten in the great outdoors, especially after a day of hiking, swimming, or playing ball. But for some reason, even the most avid at-home foodies seem to fall apart when it comes to cooking outside. After an eye-opening (or should I say tummy-satisfying) camping trip with friends, Donovan began developing classic recipes "that are not only easy enough for camping but delicious enough that you would be proud to serve them at home."
<br>
<br>
Granted, the type of camping Donovan is talking about is what I call car camping, meaning you are not too far from your vehicle so you can pack coolers, a camp stove, and other kitchen supplies that would be impracticable for the backpacker. Her recipes work for any kind of outdoor cooking, from wood fires to charcoal and gas. And the majority of them also include instructions for making the dishes at home in your air-conditioned and mosquito-free kitchen.
<br>
<br>
I love the size of <i>Campfire Cuisine</i> (about 7 inches by 5½ inches), which makes it easy to slip this gem of a cookbook into a tote bag or kitchen-supply box.The clean green and brown color scheme with easy-to-read fonts and pencil drawings make the book a joy to use, and the tips and variations have their own special design, so you won't miss any of Donovan's good advice. The paper is heavy enough to withstand outdoor reading but not so heavy to make the book unwieldy.
<br>
<br>
So what will you find in <i>Campfire Cuisine</i>? Both useful information about cooking outdoors and delicious recipes you'll use even when at home. Part one is devoted to introducing us to the notion of camp cooking. Donovan talks about equipment, food safety, cooking techniques, do-ahead tricks, menu planning, and shopping. She even gives us instructions for building a fire, whether we're using wood or charcoal briquettes.
<br>
<br>
I particularly love the charts and lists. The two most useful are the food storage chart, so you can see at a glance how long eggs and meat will last in a cooler, and the cooking times chart, so you can feel confident about how long to cook that chicken.
<br>
<br>
One very clever thing that campers will appreciate: Donovan's recipes require only two types of pans: a 2-quart lidded pot and a 10-inch lidded skillet. How's that for keeping your packing simple? Of course, you'll likely want to bring along some of the suggested extras, such as a grilling basket, but you can make do if you're a minimalist.
<br>
<br>
On to the recipes, which are what you've all been waiting for. As I mentioned, the recipes are designed to provide maximum flavor with minimum fuss, which is what you want when camping or cooking at the park. Do-ahead ideas, such as mixes, and quick and tasty sauces and marinades are just some of Donovan's tricks. Here is the breakdown of the chapters:
<br>
<ul>
<li><b>Salad Dressings, Sauces, Marinades, and More:</b> Besides what's listed in the chapter title, you'll find spice rubs and condiments; the Greek marinade and chipotle aioli both look good.</li>
<li><b>Breakfast:</b> Eggs and French toast are nice, but fresh-baked scones, breakfast wraps, and polenta with sausage are nicer.</li>
<li><b>Sandwiches, Salads, and Such:</b> The curried chicken sandwich, couscous salad, and gourmet grilled cheese variations are my top picks from this chapter.</li>
<li><b>Snacks and Appetizers:</b> Here you'll find salsas, crostini and bruschetta, dips, and even savory s'mores.</li>
<li><b>Entrées:</b> Donovan supplies recipes for fancy burgers but also includes recipes for stews, jambalaya, barbecued duck wraps, shrimp, vegetarian quesadillas, and meats of all kinds.</li>
<li><b>Cooked Vegetables, Grains, and Other Sides:</b> From simple grilled veggies and baked potatoes to cheesy biscuits and roasted beets, this chapter provides easy sides to round out your dinner.</li>
<li><b>Desserts:</b> There are only a few desserts here, but the cooked fruit, hot chocolate, and magic pie all sound yummy.</li>
</ul>
I don't know about you, but we practically live on our deck from the first warm days of spring until the cool temperatures of late fall finally drive us back inside. Summer is going to be a lot tastier this year with <i>Campfire Cuisine</i> at my side. In fact, I'm wondering if I should buy an extra copy to keep with the camping gear.
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<br>
<span style="color: #330000;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Bourbon-Glazed Chicken</span></b></span>
<br>
<i>This is the perfect excuse to bring along a bottle of bourbon for a late-night warm-up. You can substitute red wine, port, sherry, or balsamic vinegar for the bourbon. Or use flank steak instead of chicken.</i>
<br>
Serves 4
<br>
<ul>
<li>4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves</li>
<li>⅓ cup bourbon</li>
<li>3 tablespoons packed brown sugar </li>
<li>3 tablespoons soy sauce</li>
<li>1 tablespoon sesame oil</li>
<li>1 garlic clove, chopped</li>
<li>Juice of ½ lemon</li>
<li>½ teaspoon salt</li>
<li>½ teaspoon pepper</li>
</ul>
Place the chicken breasts in a ziplock bag and pound to flatten to a thickness of 1 inch. Mix the remaining ingredients in a small bowl until well combined. Pour into the bag with the chicken. Seal the bag and place in a cooler to marinate for at least 1 hour and up to 8 hours. When ready to cook, place the chicken on a grill over high heat, reserving the marinade, and grill for 5 to 7 minutes per side, until the chicken is cooked through.
<br>
<br>
While the chicken is cooking, pour the leftover marinade into a pot and bring to a boil on a camp stove. Boil the marinade for at least 5 minutes (for food safety). Continue to boil until the sauce reduces and thickens. Spoon a little of the glaze over each chicken breast. Serve immediately.
<br>
<br>
<span style="color: #6c82b5; font-size: x-small;">Buy <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Campfire Cuisine</b></i></span> at <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.indiebound.org/aff/BethFishReads09?product=9781594746284" target="_blank">an Indie</a> or a bookstore near you. This link leads to an affiliate program.
<br>
Quirk Books, 2006
<br>
ISBN-13: 9781594746284
<br>
Rating: B+
<br>
Source: Review (see <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.bethfishreads.com/2008/08/review-policy.html" target="_blank">review policy</a>)
<br>
Copyright 2013 cbl for www.BethFishReads.com</span>
<br>
<br>
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<div style="clear:left;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=8355124318958082288&isPopup=true"><h3>Comments</h3></a><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/weekend-cooking-campfire-cuisine-by.html?showComment=1368498053929#c4813648225165482534">Camping is a dirty word for me but I do like the s...</a> <i>by Julie P. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/16008101127541997459">http://www.blogger.com/profile/16008101127541997459</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/weekend-cooking-campfire-cuisine-by.html?showComment=1368410968396#c2267871571188631352">I haven't gone camping in a long time, but we ...</a> <i>by Becky <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/13615570638950821876">http://www.blogger.com/profile/13615570638950821876</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/weekend-cooking-campfire-cuisine-by.html?showComment=1368382701561#c2543162909090883612">I like to think I'd enjoy camping as an adult,...</a> <i>by Gilion Dumas <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/18080293172467000794">http://www.blogger.com/profile/18080293172467000794</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/weekend-cooking-campfire-cuisine-by.html?showComment=1368372680473#c1079575626111742419">Although I can remember camping trips where I wish...</a> <i>by Fay <a href="http://profile.typepad.com/6p014e8985672c970d">http://profile.typepad.com/6p014e8985672c970d</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/weekend-cooking-campfire-cuisine-by.html?showComment=1368300931098#c921710395284407075">Bourbon glaze - yum!</a> <i>by Carole <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/16985978221627051493">http://www.blogger.com/profile/16985978221627051493</a></i><li><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=8355124318958082288&isPopup=true">Plus 16 more...</a></li></ul></div><h3 style="clear:left;padding-top:10px">Related Stories</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/weekend-cooking-four-season-farm.html">Weekend Cooking: The Four Season Farm Gardener's Cookbook by Barbara Damrosch and Eliot Coleman</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/weekend-cooking-tequila-lime-chicken.html">Weekend Cooking: Tequila Lime Chicken</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/weekend-cooking-adventures-with-bon.html">Weekend Cooking: Adventures with Bon Appetit</a></li></ul> </div>Beth Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08627666337961326265noreply@blogger.com21
http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/imprint-friday-other-typist-by-suzanne.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3291822984443127930.post-22566981159061686702013-05-10T06:01:00.000-04:002013-05-10T09:17:53.165-04:002013-05-10T09:17:53.165-04:00Imprint Friday: The Other Typist by Suzanne Rindell<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZH2ADjItCs8/UYwO3VRxOaI/AAAAAAAAOO4/T9K7R-Iw2bU/s1600/TheOtherTypist.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZH2ADjItCs8/UYwO3VRxOaI/AAAAAAAAOO4/T9K7R-Iw2bU/s200/TheOtherTypist.jpg" title="The Other Typist by Suzanne Rindell" width="131" /></a>Welcome to <span style="font-weight: bold;">Imprint Friday</span> and today's featured imprint: <span style="color: #330000; font-weight: bold;">Amy Einhorn Books</span>. Stop by each week to be introduced to a must-read title from one of my favorite imprints. I know you'll be adding many of these books to your wish list.
<br>
<br>
Before I turned the first page, I knew nothing about Suzanne Rindell's debut novel, <i>The Other Typist</i>, except that it took place in the 1920s and it was an Amy Einhorn book. Because I started the book with no preconceived notions whatsoever, I was totally unprepared to be so completely knocked over the head by its impact.
<br>
<br>
First, the publisher's summary:
<br>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Rose Baker seals men’s fates. With a few strokes of the keys that sit before her, she can send a person away for life in prison. A typist in a New York City Police Department precinct, Rose is like a high priestess. Confessions are her job. It is 1923, and while she may hear every detail about shootings, knifings, and murders, as soon as she leaves the interrogation room she is once again the weaker sex, best suited for filing and making coffee.
<br>
<br>
This is a new era for women, and New York is a confusing place for Rose. Gone are the Victorian standards of what is acceptable. All around her women bob their hair, they smoke, they go to speakeasies. Yet prudish Rose is stuck in the fading light of yesteryear, searching for the nurturing companionship that eluded her childhood. When glamorous Odalie, a new girl, joins the typing pool, despite her best intentions Rose falls under Odalie’s spell. As the two women navigate between the sparkling underworld of speakeasies by night and their work at the station by day, Rose is drawn fully into Odalie’s high-stakes world. And soon her fascination with Odalie turns into an obsession from which she may never recover.</blockquote>
Deep breath. Gather thoughts. How to talk about <i>The Other Typist</i> without spoiling things for you. Let me address about the structure of the plot and the time period and hope my infatuation with this book comes shining through.
<br>
<br>
Rindell sets up the plot of <i>The Other Typist</i> very carefully, pulling us in by subtle increments until we're hooked before we realize it. Soon after we're introduced to Rose and then to Odalie, we are told that something happened that involved one or the other or both of them. We don't know the particulars, but we begin to form some opinions. Then, as we read, the story shifts beneath us, like sand, and we begin to second-guess Rose, Odalie, and even our own thoughts.
<br>
<br>
We have questions, and we can't stop reading until we find the answers. We recognize turning points in the plot and Rose specifically spells out others, but we can't quite grasp the significance of these events. We need to learn more. And so it is that we--like Rose--are dragged deeper and deeper into the world of Odalie. We are never completely comfortable there, but we can't help but want to stick around.
<br>
<br>
Have I confused you? Have I caught your attention? I hesitate to tell you more than what you get from the publisher's summary because I think this is a book that is best experienced blind. I'm even reluctant to give it a genre label; tags such as psychological thriller, historical fiction, and character study simplify <i>The Other Typist</i> and don't covey the almost creepy emotional depth and compelling story arcs that keep the reader so fully invested in Rose and Odalie's relationship.
<br>
<br>
To say that <i>The Other Typist</i> is historical fiction is only part right. Yes, it takes place over the course of almost a year, starting in 1924. And, yes, flappers, speakeasies, bobbed hair, and rum runners all solidly place the novel in its time period. But Rindell didn't write what I would call traditional historical fiction. The time and place are utterly important and necessary for the story to work, yet the real focus is on the dynamics between Odalie and Rose and how they react to the somethings that happened.
<br>
<br>
Suzanne Rindell's <i>The Other Typist</i> is a hard-hitting novel that you'll mull over for days and weeks. You'll leaf back through the book, searching for the hints and clues you missed, dissecting conversations, and reassessing your thoughts about the characters. Oh and that epilogue . . . yeah, <i>that's</i> a section that requires a reread or three. Book club members should start planning their next meeting right now. <i>The Other Typist</i> will keep you talking long after the meeting should have ended.
<br>
<br>
<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~3.bp.blogspot.com/_KfXm6QzlOl4/TDCRB0EVRhI/AAAAAAAAD4E/x1vDWZWv1JA/s1600/AEChallengeGood.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490047406107346450" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KfXm6QzlOl4/TDCRB0EVRhI/AAAAAAAAD4E/x1vDWZWv1JA/s200/AEChallengeGood.jpg" style="float: right; height: 190px; margin: 0pt 0pt 0px 10px; width: 127px;" title="Amy Einhorn Books at www. BethFishReads.com" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Amy Einhorn Books</span> is a featured imprint on Beth Fish Reads. For more information about the imprint, please read <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~bfishreads.blogspot.com/2010/01/guest-post-letter-from-amy-einhorn.html" target="_blank">Amy Einhorn's open letter</a> posted here on January 25, 2010, or click the Amy Einhorn tab below my banner photo. To join the <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~bfishreads.blogspot.com/2010/01/amy-einhorn-books-perpetual-challenge.html" target="_blank">Amy Einhorn Books Reading </a><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~bfishreads.blogspot.com/2010/01/amy-einhorn-books-perpetual-challenge.html">Challenge</a>, click the link.
<br>
<br>
<span style="color: #6c82b5; font-size: x-small;">Buy <b><i>The Other Typist</i></b> at <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.indiebound.org/aff/BethFishReads09?product=9780399161469" target="_blank">an Indie</a> or at a bookstore near you. (Link leads to an affiliate program.)
<br>
Published by Putnam</span><span style="color: #6c82b5; font-size: x-small;"> / Amy Einhorn Books, May 7, 2013
<br>
ISBN-13: 9780399161469</span>
<br>
<span style="color: #6c82b5; font-size: x-small;">Copyright © cbl for <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.bethfishreads.com/" target="_blank">Beth Fish Reads</a>, all rights reserved (see <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~bfishreads.blogspot.com/2008/08/review-policy.html" target="_blank">review policy</a>).</span><Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/40999365/0/bethfishreads">
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<div style="clear:left;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=2256698115906168670&isPopup=true"><h3>Comments</h3></a><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/imprint-friday-other-typist-by-suzanne.html?showComment=1368596214644#c4968918640998523919">I have this in audio CD. I tossed it in the car an...</a> <i>by Leslie (Under My Apple Tree) <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/17822229389189435951">http://www.blogger.com/profile/17822229389189435951</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/imprint-friday-other-typist-by-suzanne.html?showComment=1368287539520#c1012008378906349226">I am so much looking forward to squeezing this nov...</a> <i>by Michele <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/04873109350235219509">http://www.blogger.com/profile/04873109350235219509</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/imprint-friday-other-typist-by-suzanne.html?showComment=1368274284955#c3788918374916594307">I just finished this book and wow, I do not know w...</a> <i>by (Diane) bookchickdi <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/16640913682123489734">http://www.blogger.com/profile/16640913682123489734</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/imprint-friday-other-typist-by-suzanne.html?showComment=1368262895011#c945400532517024645">hooked when you start reading it? I am hooked alre...</a> <i>by caite <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/05824538078958999767">http://www.blogger.com/profile/05824538078958999767</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/imprint-friday-other-typist-by-suzanne.html?showComment=1368229232764#c5012344275329199573">Sounds like an interesting walk through history.
...</a> <i>by Joyce Lansky <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/06338761214938263819">http://www.blogger.com/profile/06338761214938263819</a></i><li><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=2256698115906168670&isPopup=true">Plus 8 more...</a></li></ul></div><h3 style="clear:left;padding-top:10px">Related Stories</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/imprint-friday-fever-tree-by-jennifer.html">Imprint Friday: The Fever Tree by Jennifer McVeigh</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/imprint-friday-third-son-by-julie-wu.html">Imprint Friday: The Third Son by Julie Wu</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/imprint-friday-sweet-dead-life-by-joy.html">Imprint Friday: The Sweet Dead Life by Joy Preble</a></li></ul> </div>Beth Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08627666337961326265noreply@blogger.com13
http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/review-lowcountry-summer-by-dorothea.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3291822984443127930.post-46358401431556076082013-05-09T06:01:00.000-04:002013-05-09T06:29:20.139-04:002013-05-09T06:29:20.139-04:00Review: Lowcountry Summer by Dorothea Benton Frank<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~4.bp.blogspot.com/-4x_k69lKNqg/UYqa--eKOII/AAAAAAAAOOk/twWLwwyk3Qs/s1600/LowcountrySummer.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4x_k69lKNqg/UYqa--eKOII/AAAAAAAAOOk/twWLwwyk3Qs/s200/LowcountrySummer.jpg" title="Lowcountry Summer by Dorothea Benton Frank" width="132" /></a>When
Caroline Wimbley Levine reached the far side of her forties, she found
herself living in her childhood home of Tall Pines, a plantation in the
Lowcountry of South Carolina, trying to fill her late-mother's shoes. At
first it didn't seem so difficult; she had at least two beaux, her son
was off at college, her brother was happily living with his girlfriend,
and her crazy almost-ex-sister-in-law was minding her own business.
Summer was just around the corner and life seemed good.
<br>
<br>
In
retrospect, Caroline should have probably asked Millie to read the
signs so she could have been more prepared. The heat brought all kinds
of trouble, and Caroline wasn't sure she was up to the task of taking
charge the way her mother could have. By midsummer, there wasn't a soul in
the Wimbley family who wasn't grieving, dealing with personal issues, or
having problems with love. Caroline, with help from her loved ones, was
determined to put everyone back together again before autumn.
<br>
<br>
In a word, Dorothea Benton Frank's <i>Lowcountry Summer</i>
is a delight. The book is funny and sexy, but Frank includes enough
serious issues to make the novel a smart read that's perfect both for
vacation and for book clubs.
<br>
<br>
Caroline has her hands
full and tries to do the best she can for her family. Although she makes
a few mistakes along the way and gets herself into some uncomfortable
situations, her heart is always in the right place. I loved her loyal
streak and genuine kindness and absolutely appreciated her fondness for
gossip and willingness to sling a sarcastic comment or two when needed.
She is a very genuine character.
<br>
<br>
As I mentioned, <i>Lowcountry Summer</i>
would make a terrific book club selection. Topics for discussion
include alcoholism, parenting, middle age, relationships, societal
expectations, forgiveness, second chances, and Southern living. I
suggest that you whip up a batch of Millie's famous biscuits and get out
the sweet tea because your reading group will want to settle in for a
good long talk about Caroline and her clan.
<br>
<br>
I listened
to the unabridged audiobook edition (Harper Audio, 12 hr, 12 min), read
by Robin Mills. What can I say? Mills was the absolute perfect narrator
for <i>Lowcountry Summer.</i> Her accent and perfect timing brought
Caroline and the entire Tall Pines gang to life. Mills's narration had a
touch of true performance to it but never crossed the line to too
dramatic. She delivered the humor and the sadness with equal skill and
kept me so engrossed, I finished the audiobook in record time.
<br>
<br>
To get a taste of <i>Lowcountry Summer,</i> either read the <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/todays-read-lowcountry-summer-by.html" target="_blank">opening paragraph and watch a short video</a>, which I posted last week, or listen to the beginning of the audiobook by clicking on the <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.harpercollins.com/books/Lowcountry-Summer/?isbn=9780062102829" target="_blank">"Preview audio" link at the HarperCollins website</a>.
<br>
<br>
<span style="color: #6c82b5; font-size: x-small;">Buy <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Lowcountry Summer</span> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.indiebound.org/aff/BethFishReads09?product=9780061961175" target="_blank">at an Indie</a> or at bookstore near you. This link leads to an affiliate program.
<br>
HarperCollins / William Morrow, 2010
<br>
ISBN-13: 9780061961175
<br>
Rating: B+</span>
<br>
<span style="color: #6c82b5; font-size: x-small;">Source: Review - audio (see <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~bfishreads.blogspot.com/2008/08/review-policy.html" target="_blank">review policy</a>)
<br>
Copyright © cbl for <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.bethfishreads.com/" target="_blank">Beth Fish Reads</a>, all rights reserved (see <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~bfishreads.blogspot.com/2008/08/review-policy.html" target="_blank">review policy</a>).</span><Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/40957676/0/bethfishreads">
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<div style="clear:left;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=4635840143155607608&isPopup=true"><h3>Comments</h3></a><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/review-lowcountry-summer-by-dorothea.html?showComment=1368202574014#c315583633340189529">sounds good .. i recently opted for a free trial o...</a> <i>by Daryl <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/08241795455748298624">http://www.blogger.com/profile/08241795455748298624</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/review-lowcountry-summer-by-dorothea.html?showComment=1368188879420#c709502305505999906">How cute to do a themed book club! We've only ...</a> <i>by Julie P. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/16008101127541997459">http://www.blogger.com/profile/16008101127541997459</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/review-lowcountry-summer-by-dorothea.html?showComment=1368186298399#c5271258613367894661">I just read one of Benton Frank's books, Retur...</a> <i>by (Diane) bookchickdi <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/16640913682123489734">http://www.blogger.com/profile/16640913682123489734</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/review-lowcountry-summer-by-dorothea.html?showComment=1368148005197#c2226347114823156784">I'm convinced too! Especially since I lived in...</a> <i>by Peggy Ann <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/00426356514707257708">http://www.blogger.com/profile/00426356514707257708</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/review-lowcountry-summer-by-dorothea.html?showComment=1368141626756#c8137763821548343751">"perfect for both vacation and book clubs&quo...</a> <i>by trish <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/10688001590373132381">http://www.blogger.com/profile/10688001590373132381</a></i><li><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=4635840143155607608&isPopup=true">Plus 6 more...</a></li></ul></div><h3 style="clear:left;padding-top:10px">Related Stories</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/todays-read-lowcountry-summer-by.html">Today's Read: Lowcountry Summer by Dorothea Benton Frank</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/review-reconstructing-amelia-by.html">Review: Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/review-not-exactly-love-story-by-audrey.html">Review: Not Exactly a Love Story by Audrey Couloumbis</a></li></ul> </div>Beth Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08627666337961326265noreply@blogger.com11
http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/wordless-wednesday-236.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3291822984443127930.post-81568604659514267162013-05-07T21:23:00.000-04:002013-05-07T21:23:00.250-04:002013-05-07T21:23:00.250-04:00Wordless Wednesday 236<div style="text-align: center;">
Porch Swing and Flower, 2013</div>
<br>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Click image to enlarge. For more Wordless Wednesday, click <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~wordlesswednesday.blogspot.com/">here</a>.<Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/40908068/0/bethfishreads">
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<div style="clear:left;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=8156860465951426716&isPopup=true"><h3>Comments</h3></a><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/wordless-wednesday-236.html?showComment=1368231834239#c6570811901489475502">So glad you joined me for Wordless Wednesday Blogg...</a> <i>by Jennifer Hughes <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/15524551175393068870">http://www.blogger.com/profile/15524551175393068870</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/wordless-wednesday-236.html?showComment=1368119415681#c751613010154692434">Oh, I LOVE that. Great picture!!</a> <i>by Heather <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/01991818614911652918">http://www.blogger.com/profile/01991818614911652918</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/wordless-wednesday-236.html?showComment=1368114780475#c7520343891234478997">Lovely picture and I notice the old push mower beh...</a> <i>by Barbara <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/04179027379034179865">http://www.blogger.com/profile/04179027379034179865</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/wordless-wednesday-236.html?showComment=1368106080485#c1744009326028314887">Super like!</a> <i>by Alice Teh <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/12623394887320093229">http://www.blogger.com/profile/12623394887320093229</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/wordless-wednesday-236.html?showComment=1368104975698#c3730066064149351094">Oh I really love this one! Gorgeous!</a> <i>by Jenn's Bookshelves <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/00053675949434770878">http://www.blogger.com/profile/00053675949434770878</a></i><li><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=8156860465951426716&isPopup=true">Plus 20 more...</a></li></ul></div><h3 style="clear:left;padding-top:10px">Related Stories</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/wordless-wednesday-237.html">Wordless Wednesday 237</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/wordless-wednesday-235.html">Wordless Wednesday 235</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/wordless-wednesday-234.html">Wordless Wednesday 234</a></li></ul> </div>Beth Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08627666337961326265noreply@blogger.com30
http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/todays-read-spear-of-summer-grass-by.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3291822984443127930.post-25743333261070453882013-05-07T05:33:00.000-04:002013-05-07T05:46:27.739-04:002013-05-07T05:46:27.739-04:00Today's Read & Giveaway: A Spear of Summer Grass by Deanna Raybourn<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~2.bp.blogspot.com/-USHazvAX4oQ/UYgbyv7CrPI/AAAAAAAAONs/vzELBDIYscE/s1600/aspearofsummergrass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="210" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-USHazvAX4oQ/UYgbyv7CrPI/AAAAAAAAONs/vzELBDIYscE/s200/aspearofsummergrass.jpg" title="A Spear of Summer Grass by Deanna Raybourn" width="138" /></a>What would you do if your semi-scandolous life caught up with you and you had to leave Europe before things got out of hand? It's the early 1920s, and fun-loving Delilah Drummond has no intention of going to America, where she couldn't get a legal drink. Instead, she agrees to Kenya—to her ex-stepfather's lakeside property—just until things blow over, of course.
<br>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Don't believe the stories you have heard about me. I have never killed anyone, and I have never stolen another woman's husband. Oh, if I find one lying around unattended, I might climb on, but I never took one that didn't want taking. And I never meant to go to Africa. I blame it on the weather. It was a wretched day in Paris, grey and gloomy and spitting with rain, when I was summoned to my mother's suite at the Hotel de Crillon. I had dressed carefully for the occasion, not because Mossy would care—my mother is curiously unfussy about such things. But I knew wearing something chic would make me feel a little better about the ordeal to come. So I put on a divine little Molyneux dress in scarlet silk with a matching cloche, topped it with a clever chinchilla stole and left my suite, boarded the lift and rode up two floors to her room.</blockquote>
—<i>A Spear of Summer Grass </i>by Deanna Raybourn (Harlequin / Mira, 2013, first paragraph)
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<br>
<span style="color: #330000;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Quick Facts</span></b></span>
<br>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-style: italic;">Setting:</span> Kenya, at Fairlight outside of Nairobi, 1923</li>
<li><span style="font-style: italic;">Circumstances:</span> there are questions about Delilah's inheritance after the death of her most recent husband; to avoid scandal and lawsuits she relocates to Africa</li>
<li><span style="font-style: italic;">Characters:</span> Delilah; her cousin Dora; safari guide J. Ryder White; various ex-pats</li>
<li><span style="font-style: italic;">Genre:</span> historical fiction with a love story</li>
<li><i>Themes</i>: love; staying true to oneself; conservation; prejudice; colonization</li>
<li><i>Personal:</i> I love this time period in Africa; a hundred pages in, the characters and setting fit with what I know of the place of the time; I'm sure I already know the ending but I'm hooked anyway</li>
</ul>
<span style="color: #330000;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Author</span></b></span>
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<br>
<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~4.bp.blogspot.com/-EF5tMCmilZA/UYgkPstUtmI/AAAAAAAAOOA/cPUMu_BPoQo/s1600/DeannaRaybourn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EF5tMCmilZA/UYgkPstUtmI/AAAAAAAAOOA/cPUMu_BPoQo/s200/DeannaRaybourn.jpg" width="135" /></a>A sixth-generation native Texan, New York Times bestselling author Deanna Raybourn grew up in San Antonio, where she met her college sweetheart. She married him on her graduation day and went on to teach high school English and history. During summer vacation at the age of twenty-three, she wrote her first novel. After three years as a teacher, Deanna left education to have a baby and pursue writing full-time. Fourteen years and many, many rejections after her first novel, she signed two three-book deals with MIRA Books.
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<br>
Deanna’s novel Silent in the Grave won the 2008 RITA® Award for Novel with Strong Romantic Elements and the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best First Mystery. The Lady Julia Grey series has been nominated for several other awards, including an Agatha, three Daphne du Mauriers, a Last Laugh, four additional RITAs, and two Dilys Winns. Dark Road to Darjeeling was also a finalist for the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Historical Mystery as well as a Romantic Reviews’ finalist for Best Book of 2010.
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Be sure to visit Deanna Raybourn's <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.deannaraybourn.com/">website</a> and follow her on <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~https://twitter.com/deannaraybourn">Twitter</a>.
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<span style="color: #330000;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Giveaway</span></b></span>
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<br>
Thanks to Big Honcho Media and Harlequin, I am pleased to offer <b>two of my readers</b> a copy of Deanna Raybourn's <i>A Spear of Summer Grass.</i> The only restriction is that you must have a U.S. or Canada mailing address. Fill out the form, and I'll use a random number generator to pick a winner on May 15. Once the winners have been confirmed, I'll delete all personal information. Good luck!
<br>
<br>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="220" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1xEntk1BYlK3n159vegiNCsdfiwNZg7Of-yocbahqfnA/viewform?embedded=true" width="550">Loading...</iframe>
<br>
<br>
<span style="color: #6c82b5; font-size: 85%;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Buy <b><i>A Sp<span style="font-size: x-small;">ear of Summer Grass</span></i></b> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.indiebound.org/aff/BethFishReads09?product=9780778314394" target="_blank">at an indie</a> or at a bookstore near you. (Link leads to an affiliate program.)
<br>
ISBN-13: 9780778314394</span></span>
<br>
<span style="color: #6c82b5; font-size: x-small;">Copyright © cbl for <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.bethfishreads.com/" target="_blank">Beth Fish Reads</a>, all rights reserved (see <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~bfishreads.blogspot.com/2008/08/review-policy.html" target="_blank">review policy</a>).</span><Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/40882633/0/bethfishreads">
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<div style="clear:left;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=2574333326107045388&isPopup=true"><h3>Comments</h3></a><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/todays-read-spear-of-summer-grass-by.html?showComment=1368188990380#c5958058703204166885">I loved the setting!</a> <i>by Julie P. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/16008101127541997459">http://www.blogger.com/profile/16008101127541997459</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/todays-read-spear-of-summer-grass-by.html?showComment=1368118328951#c8788496178754679625">This looks awesome! I've never read a story se...</a> <i>by Ninja Girl <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/00901215698632029838">http://www.blogger.com/profile/00901215698632029838</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/todays-read-spear-of-summer-grass-by.html?showComment=1368032937895#c8695388555245548465">I've always wanted to read her Lady Julia seri...</a> <i>by Christine <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/00420773211895134710">http://www.blogger.com/profile/00420773211895134710</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/todays-read-spear-of-summer-grass-by.html?showComment=1368000856212#c6491687708259542096">I love her Lady Julia series. I have this one alre...</a> <i>by Shelley Munro <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/03090469550227550713">http://www.blogger.com/profile/03090469550227550713</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/todays-read-spear-of-summer-grass-by.html?showComment=1367998057529#c8374368389280025884">This book sounds super interesting!
Thanks for s...</a> <i>by The Readdicts <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/05097650583426983309">http://www.blogger.com/profile/05097650583426983309</a></i><li><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=2574333326107045388&isPopup=true">Plus 20 more...</a></li></ul></div><h3 style="clear:left;padding-top:10px">Related Stories</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/todays-read-plus-guest-post-evidence-of.html">Today's Read Plus Guest Post: Evidence of Life by Barbara Taylor SIssel</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/todays-read-and-giveaway-z-novel-of.html">Today's Read and Giveaway: Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/todays-read-giveaway-dark-secrets-by.html">Today's Read (& Giveaway): Dark Secrets by Michael Hjorth and Hans Rosenfeldt</a></li></ul> </div>Beth Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08627666337961326265noreply@blogger.com27
http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/giveaway-party-idea-safe-haven-buray.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3291822984443127930.post-12858538173564254652013-05-06T06:01:00.000-04:002013-05-06T06:04:32.781-04:002013-05-06T06:04:32.781-04:00Giveaway & Party Idea: Safe Haven (BuRay)<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~2.bp.blogspot.com/-q1o-Or4Sdmw/UYasHEQ8CHI/AAAAAAAAONc/zL8hmGdPrVA/s1600/SafeHaven_BD_Oring_Spine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q1o-Or4Sdmw/UYasHEQ8CHI/AAAAAAAAONc/zL8hmGdPrVA/s200/SafeHaven_BD_Oring_Spine.jpg" title="Safe Haven DVD / BluRay" width="164" /></a>You might remember that last summer I was fortunate enough to be invited to visit the <i>Safe Haven</i> movie set. In February, I wrote about <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.bethfishreads.com/2013/01/safe-haven-movie-set-visit-part-1.html">my day on the set</a> and also included a <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.bethfishreads.com/2013/02/safe-haven-movie-set-visit-part-2-and.html">writeup of what author Nicholas Sparks had to say</a> about the process of turning a novel into a film.
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Although I went to see the film the first week appeared in the theaters, I have been anxiously awaiting the DVD / BluRay release so I can watch the parade scene very carefully to see if I might have made the cut. I couldn't tell on the big screen. Fortunately, my wait is over because the BluRay edition will be released for sale tomorrow!
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Here's the synopsis of the film, just in case you don't know yet:
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Josh Duhamel and Julianne Hough star in this spellbinding romantic drama based on the novel by best-selling author Nicholas Sparks (<i>The Notebook</i>). When a mysterious, beautiful woman named Katie (Hough), moves to Southport, North Carolina, she sparks the interest of the locals, especially Alex (Duhamel), a handsome widower. Although she is attracted to Alex, Katie is reluctant to trust him–that is, until a new friend (Cobie Smulders) convinces her to give Alex a chance. But before long, a dark secret from Katie’s past threatens her happiness in this thrilling romance directed by Lasse Hallström (<i>Dear John</i>).</blockquote>
Once you get your copy, why not invite some friends over to watch it with you. Thanks to Think Jam, you can turn your movie night into a <b>fun-filled "Women's Night In"</b> by taking advantage of the following food and drink suggestions. Although Southport, North Carolina, is known for its seafood, you can serve some of the "land food" if that suits you better.
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #330000;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Appetizers and Finger Foods</span></b></span>
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<ul>
<li>Crab cakes</li>
<li>Seafood chowder</li>
<li>Fried Shrimp with cayenne aioli </li>
<li>Crab dip</li>
<li>Sugarcane skewered scallops</li>
</ul>
<span style="color: #330000;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Non-Seafood Ideas</span></b></span>
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<ul>
<li>Pimento cheese</li>
<li>Deviled eggs</li>
<li>Fried chicken</li>
<li>Cheese straws</li>
<li>Vidalia onion tart</li>
<li>Tomato pie</li>
</ul>
<span style="color: #330000;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Drinks</span></b></span>
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<ul>
<li>Bourbon punch</li>
<li>Mint julep</li>
<li>The Ramos gin fizz</li>
<li>Lavendar and peach bellini</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
I'm not quite sure what I'd serve, but I think crab dip, deviled eggs, cheese straws, and mint juleps might make for a nice and easy southern-themed evening.
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<span style="color: #330000;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Giveaway:</span></b></span> Thanks to Think Jam and Twentieth Century Home Entertainment, I can offer one of my readers his or her very own copy of the BluRay edition of <i>Safe Haven</i>. But no promises that you'll see me in it! All you need to do to enter for a chance to win is to have a U.S. mailing address and to fill out the form. I'll pick a winner on May 15 using a random number generator. Once the winner has been confirmed, I'll delete all personal information. Good luck!
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<div style="clear:left;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=1285853817356425465&isPopup=true"><h3>Comments</h3></a><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/giveaway-party-idea-safe-haven-buray.html?showComment=1368189033330#c2242077002577651429">Great giveaway!</a> <i>by Julie P. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/16008101127541997459">http://www.blogger.com/profile/16008101127541997459</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/giveaway-party-idea-safe-haven-buray.html?showComment=1367968485762#c2845826471577685013">How fantastic! Thanks so much for the chance to wi...</a> <i>by mummytotwoboys <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/12135420304647199239">http://www.blogger.com/profile/12135420304647199239</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/giveaway-party-idea-safe-haven-buray.html?showComment=1367919983082#c6175163696380393340">Thank you for the giveaway!</a> <i>by Amy Orvin <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/09669547340896640183">http://www.blogger.com/profile/09669547340896640183</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/giveaway-party-idea-safe-haven-buray.html?showComment=1367855271688#c5167100779198106956">What an incredible time you must've had being ...</a> <i>by Howard Sherman <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/13757175306576727848">http://www.blogger.com/profile/13757175306576727848</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/giveaway-party-idea-safe-haven-buray.html?showComment=1367852425944#c1208760604420349587">Thanks for offering this terrific giveaway!</a> <i>by Beth Hoffman <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/16770840174293503835">http://www.blogger.com/profile/16770840174293503835</a></i><li><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=1285853817356425465&isPopup=true">Plus 4 more...</a></li></ul></div><h3 style="clear:left;padding-top:10px">Related Stories</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/todays-read-spear-of-summer-grass-by.html">Today's Read: A Spear of Summer Grass by Deanna Raybourn</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/giveaway-someday-someday-maybe-by.html">Giveaway Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/weekend-cooking-todays-special-film.html">Weekend Cooking: Today's Special (Film)</a></li></ul> </div>Beth Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08627666337961326265noreply@blogger.com9
http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/weekend-cooking-adventures-with-bon.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3291822984443127930.post-83530808775285110172013-05-04T06:18:00.000-04:002013-05-04T07:23:07.611-04:002013-05-04T07:23:07.611-04:00Weekend Cooking: Adventures with Bon Appetit<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398520130419748434" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KfXm6QzlOl4/SutldL527lI/AAAAAAAACes/klxgTZCP4is/s200/Presentation2.jpg" style="float: right; height: 108px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 143px;" title="Weekend Cooking hosted by www. BethFishReads.com" /><span style="color: #330000; font-weight: bold;">Weekend Cooking</span> is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book (novel, nonfiction) reviews, cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, quotations, photographs. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. <span style="font-weight: bold;">You do not have to post on the weekend. </span>Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page. For more information, see the <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~bfishreads.blogspot.com/2009/10/introducing-weekend-cooking.html" target="_blank">welcome post.</a>
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<span style="color: #330000; font-weight: bold;">_______</span></div>
<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~4.bp.blogspot.com/-cYn0_eTKYO8/UYTT2D0OcUI/AAAAAAAAOMc/LGnJKymkhAU/s1600/BonAppetit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cYn0_eTKYO8/UYTT2D0OcUI/AAAAAAAAOMc/LGnJKymkhAU/s200/BonAppetit.jpg" width="176" /></a>Although I love my cookbooks and the Internet, I still get a few magazines. My all-time favorite was <i>Gourmet</i> (moment of silence for its passing), which I subscribed to from about 1978 until it ceased publication. I've gotten <i>Bon Appetit</i> for the same number of years, and I look forward to each issue.
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I know it's going to sound corny, but I have a routine when I get a new issue of a cooking magazine in the mail. I like to sit down with a cup of coffee or tea and a pack of sticky flags and mark all the recipes that look good to me. (See the markers sticking out of the top of the magazines in the photo?). Then I try to make one or two of those dishes.
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I thought I'd share some of my adventures with <i>Bon Appetit</i> over the last three months. I am not a very good food photographer (yes, I need to work on that), so I've used the photos found on the magazine's website. All the dishes I tried are found there; follow the links for the recipes.
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<span style="color: #330000;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">March</span></b></span>
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<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~1.bp.blogspot.com/-jAafVpV9dwo/UYTYWYTkKDI/AAAAAAAAOMs/xuZNNEzhcaw/s1600/beer-marinated-pork-tenderloin-with-red-cabbage-646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jAafVpV9dwo/UYTYWYTkKDI/AAAAAAAAOMs/xuZNNEzhcaw/s320/beer-marinated-pork-tenderloin-with-red-cabbage-646.jpg" width="268" /></a>The cover of the March issue is soups, and I'm one of those people who could eat soup almost every single day. I had marked a few to try, like <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2013/03/chicken-and-biscuits" target="_blank"><b>Chicken and Biscuits</b></a>, but for some reason I never made any of them. Well, I know the reason: I'm insanely busy in March and don't do much cooking. What I did make was a wonderful <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2013/03/beer-marinated-pork-tenderloin-with-red-cabbage" target="_blank"><b>Beer-Marinated Pork Tenderloin with Red Cabbage</b></a>. I made this with boneless pork chops (because that's what was in the freezer) and instead of baking it in the oven, I grilled it. The cabbage is a side dish and was yummy.
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<span style="color: #330000;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">April</span></b></span>
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<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~1.bp.blogspot.com/-n-HKtjO79gE/UYTaIFZ-_2I/AAAAAAAAOM4/vLVSe21Tj9A/s1600/white-bean-and-radish-salad-646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n-HKtjO79gE/UYTaIFZ-_2I/AAAAAAAAOM4/vLVSe21Tj9A/s200/white-bean-and-radish-salad-646.jpg" width="185" /></a>The April cover is the one you see in the photo above. Doesn't that stack of pancakes look awesome? I didn't make them, but boy were they tempting. Instead I celebrated spring with a flavorful <b><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.bonappetit.com/recipes/quick-recipes/2013/05/white-bean-and-radish-salad" target="_blank">White Bean and Radish Salad</a></b>. We had it as a side dish with grilled cheese sandwiches and then ate it for lunch during the week. This is a definite keeper and would be terrific at a summer cookout or on a buffet.
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For my husband's birthday, I made the <b><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2013/05/strip-steaks-with-onion-marmalade" target="_blank">Strip Steak with Onion Marmalade</a></b>. This was good, but I didn't use their suggested seasoning, which I thought was going to be way too salty. The butter baste (hey, it was a birthday!) didn't really add anything to the flavor, so wouldn't do that again. We liked the onion marmalade, though, and put it in the grilled cheese sandwiches I mentioned earlier. Now that was an wonderful discovery.
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<span style="color: #330000;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">May</span></b></span>
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<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~3.bp.blogspot.com/-h39PP8twl6I/UYTcXHFbZEI/AAAAAAAAONI/Tb8PQiVRxOM/s1600/parmesan-bread-pudding-with-broccoli-rabe-and-pancetta-646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h39PP8twl6I/UYTcXHFbZEI/AAAAAAAAONI/Tb8PQiVRxOM/s200/parmesan-bread-pudding-with-broccoli-rabe-and-pancetta-646.jpg" width="164" /></a>May's cover featured a gigantic fried-chicken sandwich. I'm not that interested in fried food, but I did find a few fabulous recipes. Have you ever made a savory bread pudding? If not, you should give them a try. They are the ultimate comfort food. We loved the <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.bonappetit.com/recipes/quick-recipes/2013/04/parmesan-bread-pudding-with-broccoli-rabe-and-pancetta" target="_blank"><b>Parmesan Bread Pudding with Broccoli Rabe and Pancetta</b></a> so much, we were tempted to eat the whole pan in one sitting. Really, it was that good. I used regular bacon because I had it in the house, but other than that, I pretty much followed the directions.
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We also really liked the <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.bonappetit.com/recipes/quick-recipes/2013/04/steak-and-soba-stir-fry" target="_blank"><b>Steak and Soba Stir-Fry</b></a>, although I'm not sure if I really needed a recipe for such a simple dish. Another winner was the <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.bonappetit.com/recipes/quick-recipes/2013/04/brown-rice-and-beans-with-ginger-chile-salsa" target="_blank"><b>Brown Rice and Beans with Ginger Chile Salsa</b></a>, served with avocado and Cotija cheese. This stood on its own for dinner but would go well with tacos or enchiladas if you wanted to add meat to your meal.
<br>
<br>
I still have a lot more recipes to try from these issues of <i>Bon Appetit</i>. Sometime this summer, I'll reassess the likelihood that I'm really going to make any of the others, and cut out and file the ones that still look good.
<br>
<br>
<b>Photo credits:</b> the three food photos are from <i>Bon Appetit.</i>
<br>
<br>
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<div style="clear:left;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=8353080877528511017&isPopup=true"><h3>Comments</h3></a><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/weekend-cooking-adventures-with-bon.html?showComment=1368189068541#c3335564042396367255">LOL! I need a recipe for every dish.</a> <i>by Julie P. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/16008101127541997459">http://www.blogger.com/profile/16008101127541997459</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/weekend-cooking-adventures-with-bon.html?showComment=1368028045494#c3763920284860545035">Thanks for hosting Beth - have a wonderful week! :...</a> <i>by Create With Joy <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/12954209323850040276">http://www.blogger.com/profile/12954209323850040276</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/weekend-cooking-adventures-with-bon.html?showComment=1367846522012#c1481618824990179794">shuttering Gourmet was a sad moment for everyone ....</a> <i>by Daryl <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/08241795455748298624">http://www.blogger.com/profile/08241795455748298624</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/weekend-cooking-adventures-with-bon.html?showComment=1367775364604#c2967682670756879599">I have to admit we've always thought of Bon Ap...</a> <i>by Karen White <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/17128459011035225190">http://www.blogger.com/profile/17128459011035225190</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/weekend-cooking-adventures-with-bon.html?showComment=1367772256417#c2665201344866436936">I'll have to give the bread pudding recipe a s...</a> <i>by Heather Webb <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/16998406608932437532">http://www.blogger.com/profile/16998406608932437532</a></i><li><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=8353080877528511017&isPopup=true">Plus 14 more...</a></li></ul></div><h3 style="clear:left;padding-top:10px">Related Stories</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/weekend-cooking-tequila-lime-chicken.html">Weekend Cooking: Tequila Lime Chicken</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/weekend-cooking-campfire-cuisine-by.html">Weekend Cooking: Campfire Cuisine by Robin Donovan</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/weekend-cooking-four-season-farm.html">Weekend Cooking: The Four Season Farm Gardener's Cookbook by Barbara Damrosch and Eliot Coleman</a></li></ul> </div>Beth Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08627666337961326265noreply@blogger.com19
http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/imprint-friday-is-this-tomorrow-by.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3291822984443127930.post-59187337618862297282013-05-03T06:01:00.000-04:002013-05-03T06:01:00.724-04:002013-05-03T06:01:00.724-04:00Imprint Friday: Is This Tomorrow by Caroline Leavitt<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~1.bp.blogspot.com/-sizm3z7euYs/UYLtkBkpwWI/AAAAAAAAOMM/EnZx3P52u4w/s1600/IsThisTomorrow.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sizm3z7euYs/UYLtkBkpwWI/AAAAAAAAOMM/EnZx3P52u4w/s200/IsThisTomorrow.jpg" title="Is This Tomorrow by Caroline Leavitt" width="135" /></a>Welcome to <span style="font-weight: bold;">Imprint Friday</span> and today's featured imprint: <span style="color: #330000; font-weight: bold;">Algonquin Books</span>.
Stop by each week to be introduced to a must-read
title from one of my favorite imprints.
I know you'll be adding many of these
books to your wish list.
<br>
<br>
Two years ago I couldn't stop talking about Caroline Leavitt's novel <i><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.bethfishreads.com/2011/02/review-pictures-of-you-by-caroline.html" target="_blank">Pictures of You</a>. </i>When
I received a copy of her newest book (released on Tuesday), I was both
excited to read it and hesitant. What if my expectations were too high?
I've just finished reading <i>Is This Tomorrow,</i> and it is everything and more that I hoped for.
<br>
<br>
Here is the publisher's summary:
<br>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
In
1956, Ava Lark rents a house with her twelve-year-old son, Lewis, in a
desirable Boston suburb. Ava is beautiful, divorced, Jewish, and a
working mom. She finds her neighbors less than welcoming. Lewis yearns
for his absent father, befriending the only other fatherless kids: Jimmy
and Rose. One afternoon, Jimmy goes missing. The neighborhood—in the
throes of Cold War paranoia—seizes the opportunity to further ostracize
Ava and her son.
<br>
<br>
Years later, when Lewis and Rose
reunite to untangle the final pieces of the tragic puzzle, they must
decide: Should you tell the truth even if it hurts those you love, or
should some secrets remain buried?</blockquote>
I'm not sure this blurb does justice to Leavitt's strong and moving novel because it leaves you with the impression that <i>Is This Tomorrow</i>
focuses on a mystery. It doesn't. It's really an examination of life on
the edges of society and how it affects one's ability to love and
trust. Although both Ava and Lewis are marginalized, they do not share
the same problems.
<br>
<br>
Ava is everything threatening to her
all-American neighborhood: she's smart, pretty, Jewish, and divorced.
The women wonder what she did to drive her man away, and the men wonder
if the stories about gay divorcees are true. To make matters worse, she
works and leaves her son alone in the afternoons.
<br>
<br>
Lewis
is a bookish and smart boy who, according to his teachers, asks too
many questions. He is disliked by everyone for knowing too much, for not
having a father, for not being particularly athletic, and for being a
Jew.
<br>
<br>
Through the years, at work and at home and in
relationships, mother and son never truly fit in. They long for love and
for someone who will accept them for who they are, but they've been
hurt and abandoned one too many times to fully give themselves to a
lover. The questions Leavitt explores are if and how Ava and Lewis can
find happiness and a comfortable place in a world that doesn't fully
accept them.
<br>
<br>
One of the things I love about <i>Is This Tomorrow</i>
is that the more I think about it, the more I find to talk about.
Leavitt wrote a multilayered story that is complex yet tightly plotted. I
could write paragraphs about how the book approaches women's issues in
the postwar decades. Other themes are living with unanswered questions,
accepting that you can't always protect the people you love, keeping
secrets, self-discovery, relationships, parenting, and family. With all
these great discussion topics, I'm sure <i>Is This Tomorrow</i> will be a popular choice for smart book clubs this summer.
<br>
<br>
I
am forever impressed by Leavitt's ability to create realistic
characters. Although Ava, Lewis, and the other characters are changed by
their experiences, they behave consistently and believably throughout
the book. They are multidimensional and are motivated by the same things
that would motivate any of us. For example, Ava thinks of her son first
and foremost but tries not to lose herself in the process. That she
sometimes misses the mark is only human.
<br>
<br>
Lewis, often
caught in the middle of everything, matures into a self-reliant young
man. His choices, however, are clearly influenced by the experiences of
his youth. We ache for him and hope he finds everything he deserves.
<br>
<br>
Caroline Leavitt's <i>Is This Tomorrow</i>
will leave an indelible mark on you. Long after you finish the novel,
you'll be thinking about Ava and Lewis and what life offered them. What,
if anything, would you have done differently?
<br>
<br>
<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~2.bp.blogspot.com/_KfXm6QzlOl4/TS-N57gRqPI/AAAAAAAAE2c/KZfELKUSS-M/s1600/AlgonquinButton1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561820091190978802" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KfXm6QzlOl4/TS-N57gRqPI/AAAAAAAAE2c/KZfELKUSS-M/s200/AlgonquinButton1.jpg" style="float: right; height: 190px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 146px;" title="Algonquin Books featured imprint on www.BethFishReads.com" /></a><span style="color: #330000; font-weight: bold;"> Algonquin Books</span> is a featured imprint on Beth Fish Reads. For more information about the imprint, please read Executive Editor <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~bfishreads.blogspot.com/2011/01/imprint-friday-get-to-know-algonquin.html" target="_blank">Chuck Adams's introductory letter</a>, posted here on January 7, 2011. Don't forget to follow Algonquin on <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~https://twitter.com/AlgonquinBooks" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.facebook.com/AlgonquinBooks" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and read <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.algonquinbooksblog.com/" target="_blank">their blog</a> (where you can sign up for the Algonquin newsletter).
<br>
<span style="color: #6c82b5; font-size: 85%;">
<br>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Buy <b><i>Is This Tomorrow</i></b> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.indiebound.org/aff/BethFishReads09?product=9781616200541" target="_blank">at an indie</a> or at a bookstore near you. (Link leads to an affiliate program.)
<br>
Published by Workman / Algonquin Books 2013
<br>
ISBN-13: 9781616200541</span></span>
<br>
<span style="color: #6c82b5; font-size: x-small;">Copyright © cbl for <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.bethfishreads.com/" target="_blank">Beth Fish Reads</a>, all rights reserved (see <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~bfishreads.blogspot.com/2008/08/review-policy.html" target="_blank">review policy</a>).</span><Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/40746941/0/bethfishreads">
<div style="clear:both;padding-top:0.2em;"><a title="Add to Delicious" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/3/40746941/bethfishreads"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/delicious20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a> <a title="Like on Facebook" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/28/40746941/bethfishreads"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/fblike20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a> <a title="Share on Google+" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/30/40746941/bethfishreads"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/googleplus20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a> <a title="Pin it!" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/29/40746941/bethfishreads,http%3a%2f%2f1.bp.blogspot.com%2f-sizm3z7euYs%2fUYLtkBkpwWI%2fAAAAAAAAOMM%2fEnZx3P52u4w%2fs200%2fIsThisTomorrow.jpg"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/pinterest20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a> <a title="Stumble This" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/12/40746941/bethfishreads"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/stumble20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a> <a title="Tweet This" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/24/40746941/bethfishreads"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/twitter20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a> <a title="Subscribe by email" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/19/40746941/bethfishreads"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/email20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a> <a title="Subscribe by RSS" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/20/40746941/bethfishreads"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/rss20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a> <a title="View Comments" href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=5918733761886229728&isPopup=true"><img height="20" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/comments20.png"></a> <a title="Follow Comments via RSS" href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/feeds/5918733761886229728/comments/default"><img height="20" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/commentsrss20.png"></a>
<div style="clear:left;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=5918733761886229728&isPopup=true"><h3>Comments</h3></a><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/imprint-friday-is-this-tomorrow-by.html?showComment=1368189095162#c4299508701257967052">I loved PICTURE OF YOU and can't wait to read ...</a> <i>by Julie P. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/16008101127541997459">http://www.blogger.com/profile/16008101127541997459</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/imprint-friday-is-this-tomorrow-by.html?showComment=1367980385630#c3258873473404583926">Love the idea of this novel, although I'm thin...</a> <i>by Michele <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/04873109350235219509">http://www.blogger.com/profile/04873109350235219509</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/imprint-friday-is-this-tomorrow-by.html?showComment=1367776750649#c8118429442476695640">There is always a bit of concern with reading the ...</a> <i>by caite <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/05824538078958999767">http://www.blogger.com/profile/05824538078958999767</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/imprint-friday-is-this-tomorrow-by.html?showComment=1367676151681#c7371657631634371363">I stayed up late last night finishing this incredi...</a> <i>by (Diane) bookchickdi <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/16640913682123489734">http://www.blogger.com/profile/16640913682123489734</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/imprint-friday-is-this-tomorrow-by.html?showComment=1367653108680#c1774873885681584679">Yep…another one going on the wishlist that you'...</a> <i>by Chris Howard <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/05793512698366676453">http://www.blogger.com/profile/05793512698366676453</a></i><li><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=5918733761886229728&isPopup=true">Plus 8 more...</a></li></ul></div><h3 style="clear:left;padding-top:10px">Related Stories</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/imprint-friday-other-typist-by-suzanne.html">Imprint Friday: The Other Typist by Suzanne Rindell</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/imprint-friday-third-son-by-julie-wu.html">Imprint Friday: The Third Son by Julie Wu</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/imprint-friday-sweet-dead-life-by-joy.html">Imprint Friday: The Sweet Dead Life by Joy Preble</a></li></ul> </div>Beth Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08627666337961326265noreply@blogger.com13
http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/giveaway-someday-someday-maybe-by.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3291822984443127930.post-17219303880688645672013-05-02T06:01:00.000-04:002013-05-02T06:01:00.080-04:002013-05-02T06:01:00.080-04:00Giveaway Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~2.bp.blogspot.com/-u8qmkcE4jfo/UYFp9l9dNXI/AAAAAAAAOLs/tqkteaLqfVk/s1600/somedaycover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u8qmkcE4jfo/UYFp9l9dNXI/AAAAAAAAOLs/tqkteaLqfVk/s200/somedaycover.jpg" title="Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham" width="135" /></a><span style="color: #330000;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Book:</span></b></span> At the beginning of 1995, Franny Banks has lived in New York for two and a half years and is working on her acting career. Well, okay, so she really lives in a cold apartment in Brooklyn with two roommates and is a waitress in a comedy club. But honestly, she's sure she will be a success by summer. She simply needs to buckle down, get into a routine, and practice for a scheduled acting showcase. Never mind the little problems of the overdue rent and an absent agent.
<br>
<br>
You likely know Lauren Graham as the actor who starred in the popular TV series <i>Gilmore Girls</i> and in the movies (<i>Evan Almighty</i>). Thus no one could blame you for wondering about her skills as an author. Although I've only just started reading her debut novel, <i>Someday, Someday, Maybe</i>, I can reassure you that Graham has a talent for writing. After just a chapter or so, I'm already rooting for Franny, and I'm curious about her roommates and even her dad.
<br>
<br>
<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~1.bp.blogspot.com/-1e9ptfTiJP4/UYFyNhC9ZZI/AAAAAAAAOL8/dYpVKkj3fv4/s1600/laurengraham.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1e9ptfTiJP4/UYFyNhC9ZZI/AAAAAAAAOL8/dYpVKkj3fv4/s200/laurengraham.jpg" title="copyright Antoine Verglas" width="150" /></a>I just love that the book includes pages from Franny's personal date book, which contains shopping lists, reminders, and even sketches. It's so easy to get a sense of Franny from her calendar. Graham also wrote parts of the novel in the form of answering machine messages and scripts. Nice touches.
<br>
<br>
Here's what I think so far about <i>Someday, Someday, Maybe:</i> Lauren Graham has a storyteller's skill. Her characters act and think like real people, and the dialogue is smart and funny. Franny's life isn't all boys and auditions and the fast track to fame (but there is at least one cute guy in her acting class); instead, it's a down-to-earth mix of struggle and progress as she tries to find her way into adulthood. Fanny has good friends, an unglamorous job, and lots of optimism.
<br>
<br>
If you're anything like me, once you start reading, you'll be in the Fanny fan club. I can't wait to find out what happens. Look for my review later in the month.
<br>
<br>
For more about Lauren Graham and <i>Someday, Someday, Maybe</i>, visit the author's <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~lauren-online.net/tag/someday-someday-maybe/" target="_blank">website</a> and follow her on <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~https://twitter.com/laurennews" target="_blank">twitter</a>.
<br>
<br>
<span style="color: #330000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Giveaway:</b></span></span> Thanks to Big Honcho Media and Random House, I can offer <b>two of my readers</b> a copy of <i>Someday, Someday, Maybe</i> by Lauren Graham. Because the publishing house is sponsoring this giveaway, it's restricted to those of you with a U.S. mailing address. Just fill out the form, and I'll pick the winners using a random number generator on May 10. After the winners have been confirmed, I'll delete all personal information. Good luck!
<br>
<br>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="220" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/11KS87JpfFeu_pG_7AZPYMlJOZygWZzg4zpOjex133wA/viewform?embedded=true" width="550">Loading...</iframe>
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<br>
<span style="color: #6c82b5; font-size: 85%;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Buy <b><i>Someday, Someday, Maybe</i></b> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.indiebound.org/aff/BethFishReads09?product=9780345532749" target="_blank">at an indie</a> or at a bookstore near you. (Link leads to an affiliate program.)
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ISBN-13: 9780345532749</span></span>
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<span style="color: #6c82b5; font-size: x-small;">Copyright © cbl for <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.bethfishreads.com/" target="_blank">Beth Fish Reads</a>, all rights reserved (see <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~bfishreads.blogspot.com/2008/08/review-policy.html" target="_blank">review policy</a>).</span><Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/40704039/0/bethfishreads">
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<div style="clear:left;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=1721930388068864567&isPopup=true"><h3>Comments</h3></a><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/giveaway-someday-someday-maybe-by.html?showComment=1367581111079#c6466416403081953749">I'm looking forward to meeting Lauren today at...</a> <i>by (Diane) bookchickdi <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/16640913682123489734">http://www.blogger.com/profile/16640913682123489734</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/giveaway-someday-someday-maybe-by.html?showComment=1367545846742#c5949763725321406136">Thank you for the giveaway! I love Gilmore Girls, ...</a> <i>by Melissa (Avid Reader) <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/02119628715475021774">http://www.blogger.com/profile/02119628715475021774</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/giveaway-someday-someday-maybe-by.html?showComment=1367543389002#c5703454964756401922">I've been SO looking forward to reading this b...</a> <i>by Amy <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/14652631069138068976">http://www.blogger.com/profile/14652631069138068976</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/giveaway-someday-someday-maybe-by.html?showComment=1367518480414#c2911609952634027015">I am delighted to hear this! I'll definitely r...</a> <i>by Nan <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/15547916206007733970">http://www.blogger.com/profile/15547916206007733970</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/giveaway-someday-someday-maybe-by.html?showComment=1367511058042#c8522953461091313345">Initially I didn't think this book would inter...</a> <i>by Beth Hoffman <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/16770840174293503835">http://www.blogger.com/profile/16770840174293503835</a></i><li><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=1721930388068864567&isPopup=true">Plus 7 more...</a></li></ul></div><h3 style="clear:left;padding-top:10px">Related Stories</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/review-not-exactly-love-story-by-audrey.html">Review: Not Exactly a Love Story by Audrey Couloumbis</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/todays-read-spear-of-summer-grass-by.html">Today's Read: A Spear of Summer Grass by Deanna Raybourn</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/review-black-irish-by-stephan-talty.html">Review: Black Irish by Stephan Talty</a></li></ul> </div>Beth Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08627666337961326265noreply@blogger.com12
http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/wordless-wednesday-235.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3291822984443127930.post-86205018476988882332013-04-30T22:04:00.000-04:002013-05-01T05:34:56.331-04:002013-05-01T05:34:56.331-04:00Wordless Wednesday 235<div style="text-align: center;">
Fading Magnolia, 2013</div>
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<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~3.bp.blogspot.com/-uNEgtoxf2Zw/UYAuC2pqaZI/AAAAAAAAOLY/QGXMgXp5UQs/s1600/macromagnolia.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uNEgtoxf2Zw/UYAuC2pqaZI/AAAAAAAAOLY/QGXMgXp5UQs/s400/macromagnolia.jpg" title="copyright cbl for www.BethFishReads.com" width="400" /></a></div>
Click image to enlarge. For more Wordless Wednesday, click <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~wordlesswednesday.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.<Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/40651642/0/bethfishreads">
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<div style="clear:left;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=8620501847698888233&isPopup=true"><h3>Comments</h3></a><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/wordless-wednesday-235.html?showComment=1367577468532#c2322809401045647274">Gotta love magnolias... That's a beautiful sho...</a> <i>by Alice Teh <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/12623394887320093229">http://www.blogger.com/profile/12623394887320093229</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/wordless-wednesday-235.html?showComment=1367493704744#c4697028726731992154">beautiful!</a> <i>by Hilary <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/00938287202761607041">http://www.blogger.com/profile/00938287202761607041</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/wordless-wednesday-235.html?showComment=1367470898522#c5732845036078056593">Love your blog! Would love for you to link up on A...</a> <i>by Cathy <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/02141853270687555964">http://www.blogger.com/profile/02141853270687555964</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/wordless-wednesday-235.html?showComment=1367464069811#c3732462675831343908">That's a cool picture. I hope you didn't g...</a> <i>by Joyce Lansky <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/06338761214938263819">http://www.blogger.com/profile/06338761214938263819</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/wordless-wednesday-235.html?showComment=1367463175250#c4636374190124565888">what is that beautiful flower?</a> <i>by Nan <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/15547916206007733970">http://www.blogger.com/profile/15547916206007733970</a></i><li><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=8620501847698888233&isPopup=true">Plus 18 more...</a></li></ul></div><h3 style="clear:left;padding-top:10px">Related Stories</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/wordless-wednesday-237.html">Wordless Wednesday 237</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/wordless-wednesday-236.html">Wordless Wednesday 236</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/wordless-wednesday-234.html">Wordless Wednesday 234</a></li></ul> </div>Beth Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08627666337961326265noreply@blogger.com23
http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/todays-read-lowcountry-summer-by.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3291822984443127930.post-86058405335015525892013-04-30T05:31:00.000-04:002013-04-30T05:31:20.537-04:002013-04-30T05:31:20.537-04:00Today's Read: Lowcountry Summer by Dorothea Benton Frank<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~3.bp.blogspot.com/-MSu8vG0yw4o/UX7tiigV6QI/AAAAAAAAOLI/zrz9fmDaXk8/s1600/LowcountrySummer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="210" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MSu8vG0yw4o/UX7tiigV6QI/AAAAAAAAOLI/zrz9fmDaXk8/s200/LowcountrySummer.jpg" title="Lowcountry Summer by Dorothea Benton Frank" width="137" /></a>Can you imagine how difficult it would be to realize that your family may be looking at you to guide them now that the family matriarch has died? Caroline Wimbley Levine finds herself in just such a position. And everything is complicated by that strange combination of jealousy, competition, and fierce love that can be found only among relatives:
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
It is a generally accepted fact that at some point during your birthday, you'll reassess your life. When you are young, and by "young" I mean the sum of your years is under twenty, your whole life is still in front of you. Your un-juandiced eyes are sunlit and wide. Your lungs rise and fall with breathless optimism. Whom will you marry? Who will you become? Will you be blessed with good children? Live in China? Climb Everest? Visit the Casbah? Sail the Amazon? Will the riches of the world find their way to your door? The details of your future life are still shrouded in the opaque mists of time's crystal ball and you, the anxious and impetuous young you, hopping from one foot to the other, cannot wait to get there.
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But, darlin', when your years creep north of thirty, your assessing eye blinks, drifts to the past to scan your scorecard because your future is pretty much a foregone conclusion. Or is it? </blockquote>
—<i>Lowcountry Summer </i>by Dorothea Benton Frank (HarperCollins, William Morrow, 2010, p. 1-2)
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<span style="color: #330000;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Quick Facts</span></b></span>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-style: italic;">Setting:</span> Tall Pines Plantation, South Carolina</li>
<li><span style="font-style: italic;">Circumstances:</span> family problems come to the surface just as summer blooms; Caroline wonders what her mother would have done</li>
<li><span style="font-style: italic;">Characters:</span> brothers and sisters; family friends; lovers new and old; children, neighbors</li>
<li><span style="font-style: italic;">Genre:</span> women's fiction, Southern fiction</li>
<li><i>Themes</i>: family, love, finding oneself, coming to terms with the past; facing the future</li>
<li><i>Miscellaneous:</i> features the same characters as the novel <i>Plantation</i></li>
<li><i>Personal:</i> I love the way Dorothea's personality shines in this short video about the novel</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/69McpI7aGIE?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></div>
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<span style="color: #6c82b5; font-size: 85%;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Buy <b><i>Lowcountry Summer</i></b> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.indiebound.org/aff/BethFishReads09?product=9780061961175" target="_blank">at an indie</a> or at a bookstore near you. (Link leads to an affiliate program.)
<br>
ISBN-13: 9780061961175</span></span>
<br>
<span style="color: #6c82b5; font-size: x-small;">Copyright © cbl for <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.bethfishreads.com/" target="_blank">Beth Fish Reads</a>, all rights reserved (see <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~bfishreads.blogspot.com/2008/08/review-policy.html" target="_blank">review policy</a>).</span><Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/40621517/0/bethfishreads">
<div style="clear:both;padding-top:0.2em;"><a title="Add to Delicious" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/3/40621517/bethfishreads"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/delicious20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a> <a title="Like on Facebook" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/28/40621517/bethfishreads"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/fblike20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a> <a title="Share on Google+" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/30/40621517/bethfishreads"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/googleplus20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a> <a title="Pin it!" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/29/40621517/bethfishreads,http%3a%2f%2f3.bp.blogspot.com%2f-MSu8vG0yw4o%2fUX7tiigV6QI%2fAAAAAAAAOLI%2fzrz9fmDaXk8%2fs200%2fLowcountrySummer.jpg"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/pinterest20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a> <a title="Stumble This" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/12/40621517/bethfishreads"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/stumble20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a> <a title="Tweet This" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/24/40621517/bethfishreads"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/twitter20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a> <a title="Subscribe by email" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/19/40621517/bethfishreads"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/email20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a> <a title="Subscribe by RSS" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/20/40621517/bethfishreads"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/rss20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a> <a title="View Comments" href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=8605840533501552589&isPopup=true"><img height="20" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/comments20.png"></a> <a title="Follow Comments via RSS" href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/feeds/8605840533501552589/comments/default"><img height="20" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/commentsrss20.png"></a>
<div style="clear:left;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=8605840533501552589&isPopup=true"><h3>Comments</h3></a><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/todays-read-lowcountry-summer-by.html?showComment=1367504184152#c778335826128553081">I recently read this and really enjoyed it - Carol...</a> <i>by Booksnyc <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/11197753056299399065">http://www.blogger.com/profile/11197753056299399065</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/todays-read-lowcountry-summer-by.html?showComment=1367371433461#c5511713201440226114">I like this type of book - one that is a fun summe...</a> <i>by Margot <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/07422981969760935118">http://www.blogger.com/profile/07422981969760935118</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/todays-read-lowcountry-summer-by.html?showComment=1367369832593#c5752071593564501018">Enjoyed this excerpt and am drawn to the author...</a> <i>by Pooch <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/02574939007869525677">http://www.blogger.com/profile/02574939007869525677</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/todays-read-lowcountry-summer-by.html?showComment=1367365460540#c7981256729193411612">love that cover...</a> <i>by caite <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/05824538078958999767">http://www.blogger.com/profile/05824538078958999767</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/todays-read-lowcountry-summer-by.html?showComment=1367347867126#c8150858703104203829">Sounds interesting! Thanks for stopping by :)</a> <i>by Elena <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/07962605315289313591">http://www.blogger.com/profile/07962605315289313591</a></i><li><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=8605840533501552589&isPopup=true">Plus 15 more...</a></li></ul></div><h3 style="clear:left;padding-top:10px">Related Stories</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/review-lowcountry-summer-by-dorothea.html">Review: Lowcountry Summer by Dorothea Benton Frank</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/todays-read-spear-of-summer-grass-by.html">Today's Read: A Spear of Summer Grass by Deanna Raybourn</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/todays-read-giveaway-dark-secrets-by.html">Today's Read (& Giveaway): Dark Secrets by Michael Hjorth and Hans Rosenfeldt</a></li></ul> </div>Beth Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08627666337961326265noreply@blogger.com20
http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/review-bitten-by-kelley-armstrong.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3291822984443127930.post-76786656008630210392013-04-29T07:08:00.001-04:002013-04-29T07:41:46.944-04:002013-04-29T07:41:46.944-04:00Review: Bitten by Kelley Armstrong<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~3.bp.blogspot.com/-9a7gQ1C9LK8/UX5JJqb662I/AAAAAAAAOK4/R9hg9bnaCAk/s1600/Bitten.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="210" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9a7gQ1C9LK8/UX5JJqb662I/AAAAAAAAOK4/R9hg9bnaCAk/s200/Bitten.jpg" title="Kelley Armstrong Bitten" width="118" /></a>Elena
Michael's idyllic life was shattered when her parents were killed in a
car accident when she was a young child. Years of dysfunctional foster
care in multiple homes left her distrustful and tough. Once she met
Clayton, though, she saw a chance at real happiness and love. There was
only one problem: Clayton bit her. And it was no ordinary love nip; it
was the bite of a werewolf, and against all odds, Elena became the only
female to have ever survived the change.
<br>
<br>
Although the
pack offered her a family she had always craved, Elena had no desire to
give up her humanity and doesn't always relish her status as the only
woman werewolf. Thus several years after her change, she gets
permission from the alpha male to leave their upstate New York home to
try to live among humans in Toronto.
<br>
<br>
When the pack's
safety is threatened by enemy wolves, Elena is forced to return home,
where she not only must help protect her friends but must assess her
loyalties and obligations.
<br>
<br>
Kelley Armstrong's <i>Bitten</i>
is the first entry in the Women of the Otherworld series, featuring
Elena Michaels and the werewolf pack that took her in. Sometimes it
seems as if were animals were becoming the new vampires, and there couldn't possibly be anything new in the genre. But Armstrong builds a unique were culture
that is more in line with contemporary urban fantasies than with the old
tales of full moons and silver bullets.
<br>
<br>
Elena is a
strong woman learning to deal with a life that she would have never
picked for herself. She is understandably distrustful. And although she
still has feelings for Clayton, she can't really forgive him for turning
her into a creature. At the same time, she has always been a bit
outside of mainstream society and has had to rely on her own strengths
and resourcefulness. Thus being a werewolf fits her personality in many
ways.
<br>
<br>
Besides Elena's personal growth, <i>Bitten</i>
involves a struggle for power between two were factions. Armstrong
nicely sets up the tension and action, balancing the characters' dual
natures of wolf and human. The wolves are not domesticated, and the
fights can be bloody whether the characters are in human or wolf form.
<br>
<br>
One of the particularly interesting aspects of <i>Bitten</i>
is how Kelley Armstrong plays out the two cultures (human and wolf)
against each other. For example, the made werewolves have different
attitudes toward human society than do the weres by birth. In addition,
the made weres cannot fully shed their human personalities when they are
in their wolf forms, which makes them better able to understand or read
each other than can the genetic wolves, who were never fully human.
These factors play into the plot, giving Elena's world a feeling of
reality.
<br>
<br>
If you like action-packed plots, urban fantasy, strong female characters, and little hot sex, you'll like Kelley Armstrong's <i>Bitten,</i> which is a solid start to a promising series.
<br>
<br>
I
listened to the unabridged audio edition (Brilliance Audio; 12 hr, 59
min) read by Aasne Vigesaa. Vigessa does an excellent job with the
variety of accents (Canadian, Southern, New England) and with both the
male and the female voices. Her pacing amped up the tension, and her ability
to project the emotional state of the characters without becoming
overly dramatic is impressive.
<br>
<br>
<span style="color: #6c82b5; font-size: x-small;">Buy <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Bitten</span> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.indiebound.org/aff/BethFishReads09?product=9780452296640" target="_blank">at an Indie</a> or at bookstore near you. This link leads to an affiliate program.
<br>
Penguin USA / Plume, 2010 (reprint edition)
<br>
ISBN-13: 9780452296640
<br>
Rating: B+</span>
<br>
<span style="color: #6c82b5; font-size: x-small;">Source: Review - audio (see <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~bfishreads.blogspot.com/2008/08/review-policy.html" target="_blank">review policy</a>)
<br>
Copyright © cbl for <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.bethfishreads.com/" target="_blank">Beth Fish Reads</a>, all rights reserved (see <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~bfishreads.blogspot.com/2008/08/review-policy.html" target="_blank">review policy</a>).</span><Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/40586949/0/bethfishreads">
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<div style="clear:left;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=7678665600863021039&isPopup=true"><h3>Comments</h3></a><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/review-bitten-by-kelley-armstrong.html?showComment=1367429790284#c6763674868838798566">I picked this up in audio last week after we talke...</a> <i>by Belle Wong <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/12112894169429729531">http://www.blogger.com/profile/12112894169429729531</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/review-bitten-by-kelley-armstrong.html?showComment=1367345941118#c8582228799984853520">I love this series and really need to get back to ...</a> <i>by Literary Feline <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/13079276242303738719">http://www.blogger.com/profile/13079276242303738719</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/review-bitten-by-kelley-armstrong.html?showComment=1367283680426#c1842170056939149831">I've wanted to read this author but did not kn...</a> <i>by Nise' <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/15586400022454009379">http://www.blogger.com/profile/15586400022454009379</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/review-bitten-by-kelley-armstrong.html?showComment=1367261021089#c2451411996615207050">Not so sure this one is for me, but I do feel that...</a> <i>by Julie P. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/16008101127541997459">http://www.blogger.com/profile/16008101127541997459</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/review-bitten-by-kelley-armstrong.html?showComment=1367256241227#c2767232172591352566">I really have wanted to dip my toes into the urban...</a> <i>by Zibilee <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/07443338685890187334">http://www.blogger.com/profile/07443338685890187334</a></i><li><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=7678665600863021039&isPopup=true">Plus 3 more...</a></li></ul></div><h3 style="clear:left;padding-top:10px">Related Stories</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/03/review-lifesaving-lessons-by-linda.html">Review: Lifesaving Lessons by Linda Greenlaw</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/review-lowcountry-summer-by-dorothea.html">Review: Lowcountry Summer by Dorothea Benton Frank</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/review-black-irish-by-stephan-talty.html">Review: Black Irish by Stephan Talty</a></li></ul> </div>Beth Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08627666337961326265noreply@blogger.com8
http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/weekend-cooking-todays-special-film.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3291822984443127930.post-9522296211112498572013-04-27T06:01:00.000-04:002013-04-27T06:01:00.172-04:002013-04-27T06:01:00.172-04:00Weekend Cooking: Today's Special (Film)<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398520130419748434" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KfXm6QzlOl4/SutldL527lI/AAAAAAAACes/klxgTZCP4is/s200/Presentation2.jpg" style="float: right; height: 108px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 143px;" title="Weekend Cooking hosted by www. BethFishReads.com" /><span style="color: #330000; font-weight: bold;">Weekend Cooking</span> is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book (novel, nonfiction) reviews, cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, quotations, photographs. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. <span style="font-weight: bold;">You do not have to post on the weekend. </span>Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page. For more information, see the <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~bfishreads.blogspot.com/2009/10/introducing-weekend-cooking.html" target="_blank">welcome post.</a>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #330000; font-weight: bold;">_______</span></div>
<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~4.bp.blogspot.com/-sGmaficc8OI/UXlanEzVo9I/AAAAAAAAOKo/xnIRMbngTa4/s1600/TodaysSpecial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sGmaficc8OI/UXlanEzVo9I/AAAAAAAAOKo/xnIRMbngTa4/s200/TodaysSpecial.jpg" title="Today's Special movie" width="135" /></a>I love haunting the streaming services for good movies that focus on food. I'm not quite sure what I expected when I picked <i>Today's Special</i>, but it turned out to be a good film that both Mr. BFR and I enjoyed.
<br>
<br>
Samir (Aasif Mandvi) has big dreams of becoming the head chef at a major New York restaurant. Although he's a respected sous chef, he isn't moving up the ladder fast enough, so he decides to go to Paris and study under the direction of a master. When his father, the owner of the Tandoori Palace restaurant, falls ill, Samir is obligated to keep the business afloat, although he has never cooked Indian food. Will Samir succeed in rescuing the failing family restaurant?
<br>
<br>
Although the plot may be a little predictable, Samir's journey to self-discovery and success is fun to watch. The cast, including cookbook author Madhur Jaffrey, do a wonderful job avoiding the worst of the Indian America stereotypes while maintaining enough of the universal immigrant themes to keep us laughing. I especially loved the character of Akbar (Naseeruddin Shah) and the way he helped Samir. Oh, and his philosophy of cooking is the best; okay, I might think that because it matches my own.
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<br>
Besides Samir's story, there are lots of kitchen scenes, and I guarantee you'll be craving a good curry before the movie is over. Take a look at the trailer:
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<br>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MC9iRsoHS04?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></div>
<br>
Directed by David Kaplin and produced by Inimitable Pictures, Sweet180.
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<div style="clear:left;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=952229621111249857&isPopup=true"><h3>Comments</h3></a><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/weekend-cooking-todays-special-film.html?showComment=1367261071101#c2788513425036820582">Looks pretty good! I just had a fantastic curry la...</a> <i>by Julie P. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/16008101127541997459">http://www.blogger.com/profile/16008101127541997459</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/weekend-cooking-todays-special-film.html?showComment=1367245728431#c3511525815442901115">i love Aasif Mandvi ... </a> <i>by Daryl <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/08241795455748298624">http://www.blogger.com/profile/08241795455748298624</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/weekend-cooking-todays-special-film.html?showComment=1367200528559#c5943223601122865358">I need a day of watching movies just to myself! T...</a> <i>by Peaceful Reader <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/10265198438524420667">http://www.blogger.com/profile/10265198438524420667</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/weekend-cooking-todays-special-film.html?showComment=1367179048583#c7829362584710765162">Sound like a fun movie. I'll go add it to my q...</a> <i>by Gilion Dumas <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/18080293172467000794">http://www.blogger.com/profile/18080293172467000794</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/weekend-cooking-todays-special-film.html?showComment=1367153838706#c4734795559754695033">MMMMM Indian food! I think I would enjoy this mov...</a> <i>by Sheila (Bookjourney) <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/05354184020340930630">http://www.blogger.com/profile/05354184020340930630</a></i><li><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=952229621111249857&isPopup=true">Plus 15 more...</a></li></ul></div><h3 style="clear:left;padding-top:10px">Related Stories</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/weekend-cooking-tequila-lime-chicken.html">Weekend Cooking: Tequila Lime Chicken</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/weekend-cooking-campfire-cuisine-by.html">Weekend Cooking: Campfire Cuisine by Robin Donovan</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/giveaway-party-idea-safe-haven-buray.html">Giveaway & Party Idea: Safe Haven (BuRay)</a></li></ul> </div>Beth Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08627666337961326265noreply@blogger.com20
http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/imprint-friday-third-son-by-julie-wu.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3291822984443127930.post-31346984176181753802013-04-26T06:01:00.000-04:002013-04-26T06:31:18.281-04:002013-04-26T06:31:18.281-04:00Imprint Friday: The Third Son by Julie Wu<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~1.bp.blogspot.com/-ihQVVDWkqvE/UXkW0GltICI/AAAAAAAAOKY/KjJgofTl2jw/s1600/TheThirdSon.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ihQVVDWkqvE/UXkW0GltICI/AAAAAAAAOKY/KjJgofTl2jw/s200/TheThirdSon.jpg" title="The Third Son by Julie Wu" width="132" /></a>Welcome to <span style="font-weight: bold;">Imprint Friday</span> and today's featured imprint: <span style="color: #330000; font-weight: bold;">Algonquin Books</span>. Stop by each week to be introduced to a must-read title from one of my favorite imprints. I know you'll be adding many of these books to your wish list.
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If you're like most Americans, you don't know much about Taiwanese history, the 228 Massacre, the White Terror, or what it might have been like to grow up in an island country whose ruling powers and party seemed to change with the seasons. Even Julie Wu, first-generation American, didn't know much about her parents' childhoods, until, in her thirties, she finally sat down with her father and a recorder and learned the details of his life.
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Her debut novel, <i>The Third Son</i>, was inspired by her father's stories and is founded on solid research. Here's the publisher's summary:
<br>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
In the middle of a terrifying air raid in Japanese-occupied Taiwan, Saburo, the least-favored son of a Taiwanese politician, runs through a peach forest for cover. It s there that he stumbles upon Yoshiko, whose descriptions of her loving family are to Saburo like a glimpse of paradise. Meeting her is a moment he will remember forever, and for years he will try to find her again. When he finally does, she is by the side of his oldest brother and greatest rival. Set in a tumultuous and violent period of Taiwanese history as the Chinese Nationalist Army lays claim to the island and one autocracy replaces another and the fast-changing American West of the late 1950s and early 1960s, <i>The Third Son</i> is a richly textured story of lives governed by the inheritance of family and the legacy of culture, and of a young man determined to free himself from both. In Saburo, debut author Julie Wu has created an extraordinary character who is determined to fight for everything he needs and wants, from food to education to his first love. A sparkling and moving story, it will have readers cheering for a young boy with his head in the clouds who, against all odds, finds himself on the frontier of America's space program.</blockquote>
Like many of you, I've been a fan of Asian American stories starting with Maxine Hong Kingston's <i>The Woman Warrior,</i> which I read way back in the late 1970s. Since then, I've read Amy Tan, Lisa See, and many other authors who talk about the difficulties of immigration and assimilation to American culture as well as the horrors of war and rebellion.
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So what's different about <i>The Third Son</i>? Lots. First, this is a story about how an unloved boy grows into a successful man, despite the odds. It's about the strength of cultural bonds and how difficult it is to break them, especially if you have no support. It's about the basic need we all have for love and tenderness. And it's about the incredible power that stems from having just one person believe in you.
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Although the details are historically correct and the characters are the product of a constantly changing Taiwan, <i>The Third Son</i> is not as much about politics and war as it is about Saburo's journey to freedom, in all its many guises. In fictionalizing her father's story, Wu was careful not to idealize Saburo: he is sometimes weak and too naive, he tries to be a good son long after his parents fail to deserve his filial piety, and he is sometimes timid. Yet, just when most people would give up, he calls on his stubborn streak, forcing himself to do the seemingly impossible.
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I'm not sure any book has had the power to distract me from my workday as much as <i>The Third Son</i> did. I started it one evening and sometime the next morning, I put aside everything else to finish the novel in one go.
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Saburo is such an incredible character that I couldn't stop thinking about him. His family life broke my heart, and his early experiences in America were fascinating. Although Tiawan was hardly in the backwaters of the world, they were years behind in everyday modern technology. That even poor students could have an electric refrigerator/freezer in their apartment was a thing of wonder.
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In addition, although Saburo could speak English, he was not well versed in American culture and social behavior. I particularly loved his reactions to the many firsts--from tasting sugary soda to wearing shoes in the house to seeing American wildlife. I won't soon forget his slow awakening to what America and personal freedom could give him.
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You may have read other Asian American historical novels, but you've never read anything like Julie Wu's affecting and emotional <i>The Third Son.</i> It's one of the don't-miss books of the year.
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<br>
For more about Julie Wu and <i>The Third Son</i>, read this in-depth interview at <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~taiwaneseamerican.org/ta/2013/04/23/julie-wu-the-third-son/" target="_blank">Taiwanese American</a> and request a copy the <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.algonquinbooksblog.com/spring2013reader/" target="_blank"><i>Algonquin Reader</i></a> and read her amazing essay "Listening to Dad" (NB: I'm not sure if the reader is still available). Don't forget to visit Wu's <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~juliewuauthor.com/" target="_blank">website</a>, which includes her tour schedule and blog. You can also like her <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~https://www.facebook.com/pages/Julie-Wus-author-website/167044350021759" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and follow her on <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~https://twitter.com/JulieWuAuthor" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.
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<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~2.bp.blogspot.com/_KfXm6QzlOl4/TS-N57gRqPI/AAAAAAAAE2c/KZfELKUSS-M/s1600/AlgonquinButton1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561820091190978802" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KfXm6QzlOl4/TS-N57gRqPI/AAAAAAAAE2c/KZfELKUSS-M/s200/AlgonquinButton1.jpg" style="float: right; height: 190px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 146px;" title="Algonquin Books featured imprint on www.BethFishReads.com" /></a><span style="color: #330000; font-weight: bold;"> Algonquin Books</span> is a featured imprint on Beth Fish Reads. For more information about the imprint, please read Executive Editor <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~bfishreads.blogspot.com/2011/01/imprint-friday-get-to-know-algonquin.html" target="_blank">Chuck Adams's introductory letter</a>, posted here on January 7, 2011. Don't forget to follow Algonquin on <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~https://twitter.com/AlgonquinBooks" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.facebook.com/AlgonquinBooks" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and read <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.algonquinbooksblog.com/" target="_blank">their blog</a> (where you can sign up for the Algonquin newsletter).
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Buy <b><i>The Third Son</i></b> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.indiebound.org/aff/BethFishReads09?product=9781616200794" target="_blank">at an indie</a> or at a bookstore near you. (Link leads to an affiliate program.)
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Published by Workman / Algonquin Books 2013
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ISBN-13: 9781616200794</span></span>
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<span style="color: #6c82b5; font-size: x-small;">Copyright © cbl for <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.bethfishreads.com/" target="_blank">Beth Fish Reads</a>, all rights reserved (see <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~bfishreads.blogspot.com/2008/08/review-policy.html" target="_blank">review policy</a>).</span><Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/40500286/0/bethfishreads">
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<div style="clear:left;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=3134698417618175380&isPopup=true"><h3>Comments</h3></a><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/imprint-friday-third-son-by-julie-wu.html?showComment=1367509818154#c921411990027683860">This book sounds absolutely amazing....I'm hoo...</a> <i>by Michele <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/04873109350235219509">http://www.blogger.com/profile/04873109350235219509</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/imprint-friday-third-son-by-julie-wu.html?showComment=1367261106468#c499439586263337004">I NEED to get my hands on this one soon!</a> <i>by Julie P. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/16008101127541997459">http://www.blogger.com/profile/16008101127541997459</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/imprint-friday-third-son-by-julie-wu.html?showComment=1367154589636#c1703041622665134575">Amy Tan, Lisa See, enjoy their books. This one s...</a> <i>by Sheila (Bookjourney) <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/05354184020340930630">http://www.blogger.com/profile/05354184020340930630</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/imprint-friday-third-son-by-julie-wu.html?showComment=1367000208583#c1178993042499432846">Great review. I don't think I would have been...</a> <i>by Barbara <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/04179027379034179865">http://www.blogger.com/profile/04179027379034179865</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/imprint-friday-third-son-by-julie-wu.html?showComment=1366991452325#c447775119578729030">This sounds like something I would absolutely love...</a> <i>by Jennifer @ The Relentless Reader <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/07059240496186812005">http://www.blogger.com/profile/07059240496186812005</a></i><li><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=3134698417618175380&isPopup=true">Plus 7 more...</a></li></ul></div><h3 style="clear:left;padding-top:10px">Related Stories</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/imprint-friday-other-typist-by-suzanne.html">Imprint Friday: The Other Typist by Suzanne Rindell</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/imprint-friday-is-this-tomorrow-by.html">Imprint Friday: Is This Tomorrow by Caroline Leavitt</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/imprint-friday-fever-tree-by-jennifer.html">Imprint Friday: The Fever Tree by Jennifer McVeigh</a></li></ul> </div>Beth Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08627666337961326265noreply@blogger.com12
http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/review-black-irish-by-stephan-talty.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3291822984443127930.post-29731830581761293312013-04-25T06:01:00.000-04:002013-04-25T06:01:00.344-04:002013-04-25T06:01:00.344-04:00Review: Black Irish by Stephan Talty<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~4.bp.blogspot.com/-o3qRebKhFXg/UXbDZECBKKI/AAAAAAAAOKE/z-84-TeM2W0/s1600/BlackIrish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="210" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o3qRebKhFXg/UXbDZECBKKI/AAAAAAAAOKE/z-84-TeM2W0/s200/BlackIrish.jpg" title="Black Irish by Stephan Talty" width="138" /></a>Absalom Kearney was adopted by a Buffalo, New York, police detective when she was just six years old. Growing up in the Irish Catholic section of the city, known as "the county," wasn't easy for the Gypsy-looking Abby, who was always treated as an outsider. Back in the city after a Harvard education and a stint in a Florida police department, Abby is not just taking care of her senile father but is following in his footsteps as a local detective.
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When a killer begins targeting members of a semi<span style="font-size: x-small;">-</span>secret Irish society, Abby is put in charge. Her usual rational cool begins to crumble when the murders hit close to home and evidence begins to point directly at her. The deeper she looks, the more she is pulled into the killer's deranged world.
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Stephan Talty's <i>Black Irish</i> is a psychological thriller-cum-murder mystery built over a police procedural core.The setting, the plotting, and the characters work together to create a strong and chilling debut novel. In fact, the three elements are so closely intertwined, it's almost impossible to discuss them them separately.
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The bleakness of Buffalo, a city in decline, is underscored by the unrelenting winter cold and the seemingly unemotional deliberateness of the murderer. Although other American cities are known for their Irish American heritage (Boston, for example), this is Buffalo's story, and the cops, victims, and citizens are decidedly from the Lakes, not the coast. Furthermore, Talty emphasizes the unique Buffalo-Ireland connection, creating characters that have been deeply colored by that history.
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You'll note that I said very little about the actual crimes and the ending of the book. As with most mysteries, the less you know beforehand, the better. I'll simply say that the clues are there. If you are cleverer than I am, you might figure it all out, but it won't matter because the characters and the story will hold your attention just as much as the specific crimes.
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If you like complex psychological tangles with easy-to-visualize characters, you'll like Stephan Talty's <i>Black Irish.</i> I've read reviews that compared him to Jo Nesbo and Tanya French, but I think Denis Lehane comes to mind for me.
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I listened to the unabridged audio edition (Random House Audio; 10 hr, 4 min), read by David H. Lawrence XVII. Although the protagonist is a woman, Lawrence seemed to be the right reader for <i>Black Irish.</i> His slightly gravely voice and expressive reading fit the mood of the novel and of the city. He added to my enjoyment of the story by creating tension and boosting the feelings of terror, confusion, or relief, as needed. Although I'm no voice expert, I felt his careful use of an Irish accent was believable, strengthening the listener's connection to the story. Thanks to Random House Audio, I'm able to share a sample of the audiobook with you:
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="200" scrolling="no" src="http://www.randomhouse.com/audio/catalog/display-embed-single.php?isbn=9780385360760&filename=Black%20Irish%20by%20Stephan%20Talty%20%20-%20%20Random%20House%20Audio&file=http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/mm/audio/4s_9780385360760.mp3" width="250"></iframe></div>
<span style="color: #6c82b5; font-size: x-small;">Buy <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Black Irish</span> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.indiebound.org/aff/BethFishReads09?product=9780345538062" target="_blank">at an Indie</a> or at bookstore near you. This link leads to an affiliate program.
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Random House / Ballantine Books, 2013
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ISBN-13: 9780345538062
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Rating: B+</span>
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<span style="color: #6c82b5; font-size: x-small;">Source: Review - audio (see <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~bfishreads.blogspot.com/2008/08/review-policy.html" target="_blank">review policy</a>)
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Copyright © cbl for <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.bethfishreads.com/" target="_blank">Beth Fish Reads</a>, all rights reserved (see <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~bfishreads.blogspot.com/2008/08/review-policy.html" target="_blank">review policy</a>).</span><Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/40463591/0/bethfishreads">
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<div style="clear:left;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=2973183058176129331&isPopup=true"><h3>Comments</h3></a><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/review-black-irish-by-stephan-talty.html?showComment=1367062684382#c5358915336663783645">This has gone on my must read list. I love Tana F...</a> <i>by Pierce <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/11261086731187286052">http://www.blogger.com/profile/11261086731187286052</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/review-black-irish-by-stephan-talty.html?showComment=1367001366506#c6852132187111436448">I'm not an audio book reader but I'll keep...</a> <i>by Barbara <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/04179027379034179865">http://www.blogger.com/profile/04179027379034179865</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/review-black-irish-by-stephan-talty.html?showComment=1366984358095#c7378884188397914241">I read this a couple of weeks ago and loved it. I&...</a> <i>by Jackie/Jake <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/15946085131678256211">http://www.blogger.com/profile/15946085131678256211</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/review-black-irish-by-stephan-talty.html?showComment=1366976821373#c2370004454907500515">I've not heard of this book, but being Irish a...</a> <i>by (Diane) bookchickdi <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/16640913682123489734">http://www.blogger.com/profile/16640913682123489734</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/review-black-irish-by-stephan-talty.html?showComment=1366938316843#c8132585551175353870">Oh! I bet I'd enjoy this one!!!</a> <i>by Julie P. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/16008101127541997459">http://www.blogger.com/profile/16008101127541997459</a></i><li><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=2973183058176129331&isPopup=true">Plus 10 more...</a></li></ul></div><h3 style="clear:left;padding-top:10px">Related Stories</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/review-not-exactly-love-story-by-audrey.html">Review: Not Exactly a Love Story by Audrey Couloumbis</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/giveaway-someday-someday-maybe-by.html">Giveaway Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/review-reconstructing-amelia-by.html">Review: Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight</a></li></ul> </div>Beth Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08627666337961326265noreply@blogger.com15
http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/wordless-wednesday-234.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3291822984443127930.post-61044793044703122732013-04-23T21:51:00.000-04:002013-04-23T21:53:29.124-04:002013-04-23T21:53:29.124-04:00Wordless Wednesday 234<div style="text-align: center;">
Red Maple Buds, 2013</div>
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<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~1.bp.blogspot.com/-vuf3Bi49Puw/UXbB10h4PqI/AAAAAAAAOJ4/5k0SGfFLcRI/s1600/maplebud.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="336" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vuf3Bi49Puw/UXbB10h4PqI/AAAAAAAAOJ4/5k0SGfFLcRI/s400/maplebud.jpg" title="copyright cbl for www.BethFishReads.com" width="400" /></a></div>
Click image to enlarge. For more Wordless Wednesday, click <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~wordlesswednesday.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.<Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/40418381/0/bethfishreads">
<div style="clear:both;padding-top:0.2em;"><a title="Add to Delicious" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/3/40418381/bethfishreads"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/delicious20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a> <a title="Like on Facebook" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/28/40418381/bethfishreads"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/fblike20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a> <a title="Share on Google+" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/30/40418381/bethfishreads"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/googleplus20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a> <a title="Pin it!" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/29/40418381/bethfishreads,http%3a%2f%2f1.bp.blogspot.com%2f-vuf3Bi49Puw%2fUXbB10h4PqI%2fAAAAAAAAOJ4%2f5k0SGfFLcRI%2fs400%2fmaplebud.jpg"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/pinterest20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a> <a title="Stumble This" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/12/40418381/bethfishreads"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/stumble20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a> <a title="Tweet This" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/24/40418381/bethfishreads"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/twitter20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a> <a title="Subscribe by email" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/19/40418381/bethfishreads"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/email20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a> <a title="Subscribe by RSS" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/20/40418381/bethfishreads"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/rss20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a> <a title="View Comments" href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=6104479304470312273&isPopup=true"><img height="20" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/comments20.png"></a> <a title="Follow Comments via RSS" href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/feeds/6104479304470312273/comments/default"><img height="20" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/commentsrss20.png"></a>
<div style="clear:left;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=6104479304470312273&isPopup=true"><h3>Comments</h3></a><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/wordless-wednesday-234.html?showComment=1367200084863#c1186865543681170009">Thanks for joining me in the Wordless Wednesday Bl...</a> <i>by Jennifer Hughes <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/15524551175393068870">http://www.blogger.com/profile/15524551175393068870</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/wordless-wednesday-234.html?showComment=1366873915045#c1247074700842636251">That's a beautiful macro. Interesting looking ...</a> <i>by kamekroten <a href="http://kamekroten.wordpress.com/">http://kamekroten.wordpress.com/</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/wordless-wednesday-234.html?showComment=1366857445089#c3700299721532924786">Wow, now that is RED. Nice shot.</a> <i>by Stan at NewToReno.com <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/13948014085084045094">http://www.blogger.com/profile/13948014085084045094</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/wordless-wednesday-234.html?showComment=1366852998260#c833844169106754563">Yaaay! Finally some color on the trees. The textur...</a> <i>by Leslie (Under My Apple Tree) <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/17822229389189435951">http://www.blogger.com/profile/17822229389189435951</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/wordless-wednesday-234.html?showComment=1366838989459#c4167344605566347531">Beautiful buds.
http://joycelansky.blogspot.com/2...</a> <i>by Joyce Lansky <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/06338761214938263819">http://www.blogger.com/profile/06338761214938263819</a></i><li><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=6104479304470312273&isPopup=true">Plus 17 more...</a></li></ul></div><h3 style="clear:left;padding-top:10px">Related Stories</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/wordless-wednesday-237.html">Wordless Wednesday 237</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/wordless-wednesday-236.html">Wordless Wednesday 236</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/wordless-wednesday-235.html">Wordless Wednesday 235</a></li></ul> </div>Beth Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08627666337961326265noreply@blogger.com22
http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/todays-read-giveaway-dark-secrets-by.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3291822984443127930.post-30630575908296700442013-04-23T05:17:00.000-04:002013-04-23T05:18:29.784-04:002013-04-23T05:18:29.784-04:00Today's Read (& Giveaway): Dark Secrets by Michael Hjorth and Hans Rosenfeldt<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~1.bp.blogspot.com/-uGELD4AQbDQ/UXWZQFACurI/AAAAAAAAOJo/ZcotSTfhl7o/s1600/DarkSecrets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="190" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uGELD4AQbDQ/UXWZQFACurI/AAAAAAAAOJo/ZcotSTfhl7o/s200/DarkSecrets.jpg" title="Dark Secrets by Michael Hjorth and Hans Rosenfeldt" width="124" /></a>What if the police decided a missing person's report is nothing to worry about, figuring it is just a sixteen-year-old boy up to normal teenage antics? But what if the boy is still missing days later? The local police finally send out a search team to comb the woods and waters. The report is sent to one of Sweden's most senior police chiefs:
<br>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Torkel knew that this was exactly the kind of case the tabloids loved to get a hold of. It didn't help that the preliminary cause of death—established where the body was found—indicated an extremely violent assault, with countless stab wounds to the heart and lungs. But that wasn't what bothered Torkel the most. It was the short final sentence in the report, a statement made by the pathologist at the scene.
<br>
<br>
<i>A preliminary examination indicates that most of the heart is missing.</i></blockquote>
—<i>Dark Secrets </i>by Michael Hjorth and Hans Rosenfeldt (Hachette Book Group / Grand Central Publishing, 2013, pp. 27-28)
<br>
<br>
<span style="color: #330000;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Quick Facts</span></b></span>
<br>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-style: italic;">Setting:</span> Vasteras, Sweden, and surrounding areas</li>
<li><span style="font-style: italic;">Circumstances:</span> a young boy is brutally murdered; the police and criminal profiler must catch the killer before he strikes again</li>
<li><span style="font-style: italic;">Characters:</span> Roger Eriksson (the victim) and his mother and girlfriend; Torkel Hoglund (police chief); Sebastian Bergman (psychologist and profiler); various townsfolk and police officers; the killer </li>
<li><span style="font-style: italic;">Genre:</span> thriller; mystery</li>
<li><i>Themes</i>: besides the twisted mind of the killer, Bergman is going through some personal issues concerning his family</li>
<li><i>Miscellaneous:</i> originally published in Swedish; has been made into a TV series in Europe</li>
</ul>
<span style="color: #330000;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Giveaway</span></b></span>
<br>
<br>
To celebrate today's release of <i>Dark Secrets</i>, Grand Central Publishing has offered to send a copy of the novel to <b>two of my readers</b>. To enter for a chance to win, just fill out the following form. Because the publishing company will be mailing the books, only people with U.S. or Canadian mailing addresses are eligible for this giveaway. I'll pick the winners via a random number generator on April 30. Once the winners have been confirmed, I'll delete all personal information from my computer. Good luck!
<br>
<br>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="220" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1l2DXek-5Xab7tQEEkhWXxz7zHIgNFV2EJHJPxOKmsmE/viewform?embedded=true" width="550">Loading...</iframe>
<br>
<br>
<span style="color: #6c82b5; font-size: 85%;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Buy <b><i>Dark Secrets</i></b> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.indiebound.org/aff/BethFishReads09?product=9781455520756" target="_blank">at an indie</a> or at a bookstore near you. (Link leads to an affiliate program.)
<br>
ISBN-13: 9781455520756</span></span>
<br>
<span style="color: #6c82b5; font-size: x-small;">Copyright © cbl for <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.bethfishreads.com/" target="_blank">Beth Fish Reads</a>, all rights reserved (see <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~bfishreads.blogspot.com/2008/08/review-policy.html" target="_blank">review policy</a>).</span><Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/40391322/0/bethfishreads">
<div style="clear:both;padding-top:0.2em;"><a title="Add to Delicious" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/3/40391322/bethfishreads"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/delicious20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a> <a title="Like on Facebook" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/28/40391322/bethfishreads"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/fblike20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a> <a title="Share on Google+" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/30/40391322/bethfishreads"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/googleplus20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a> <a title="Pin it!" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/29/40391322/bethfishreads,http%3a%2f%2f1.bp.blogspot.com%2f-uGELD4AQbDQ%2fUXWZQFACurI%2fAAAAAAAAOJo%2fZcotSTfhl7o%2fs200%2fDarkSecrets.jpg"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/pinterest20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a> <a title="Stumble This" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/12/40391322/bethfishreads"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/stumble20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a> <a title="Tweet This" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/24/40391322/bethfishreads"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/twitter20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a> <a title="Subscribe by email" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/19/40391322/bethfishreads"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/email20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a> <a title="Subscribe by RSS" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/20/40391322/bethfishreads"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/rss20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a> <a title="View Comments" href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=3063057590829670044&isPopup=true"><img height="20" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/comments20.png"></a> <a title="Follow Comments via RSS" href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/feeds/3063057590829670044/comments/default"><img height="20" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/commentsrss20.png"></a>
<div style="clear:left;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=3063057590829670044&isPopup=true"><h3>Comments</h3></a><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/todays-read-giveaway-dark-secrets-by.html?showComment=1366766487671#c4765165348301191024">Oooh, this one sounds really good! Thanks for stop...</a> <i>by Melissa Owens <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/13068354108178290445">http://www.blogger.com/profile/13068354108178290445</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/todays-read-giveaway-dark-secrets-by.html?showComment=1366735779217#c4053902208776815712">This does sound like a very disturbing but intrigu...</a> <i>by Zibilee <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/07443338685890187334">http://www.blogger.com/profile/07443338685890187334</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/todays-read-giveaway-dark-secrets-by.html?showComment=1366734122209#c113476404933244207">Only part of the heart? *blinking* That's cree...</a> <i>by Heather <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/17700809709293636333">http://www.blogger.com/profile/17700809709293636333</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/todays-read-giveaway-dark-secrets-by.html?showComment=1366730660508#c1690147177399844138">The poor kid. Killed so brutally, and not even lo...</a> <i>by Alice Audrey <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/00493000223984649409">http://www.blogger.com/profile/00493000223984649409</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/todays-read-giveaway-dark-secrets-by.html?showComment=1366729627729#c2650004308668764342">Will keep my eye for this one! Thanks for the giv...</a> <i>by Nise' <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/15586400022454009379">http://www.blogger.com/profile/15586400022454009379</a></i><li><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=3063057590829670044&isPopup=true">Plus 10 more...</a></li></ul></div><h3 style="clear:left;padding-top:10px">Related Stories</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/todays-read-spear-of-summer-grass-by.html">Today's Read: A Spear of Summer Grass by Deanna Raybourn</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/todays-read-plus-guest-post-evidence-of.html">Today's Read Plus Guest Post: Evidence of Life by Barbara Taylor SIssel</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/todays-read-and-giveaway-z-novel-of.html">Today's Read and Giveaway: Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler</a></li></ul> </div>Beth Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08627666337961326265noreply@blogger.com15
http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/review-april-selections-for-scholastic.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3291822984443127930.post-1255094510571109282013-04-22T06:22:00.000-04:002013-04-22T06:22:04.863-04:002013-04-22T06:22:04.863-04:00Review: April Selections for the Scholastic Mother-Daughter Book Club<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~3.bp.blogspot.com/-4qFDMSVBBv8/UB0dUxEYmRI/AAAAAAAAIPk/lvqNDtWCSMo/s1600/MDBCLogo.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5772802539965159698" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4qFDMSVBBv8/UB0dUxEYmRI/AAAAAAAAIPk/lvqNDtWCSMo/s200/MDBCLogo.JPG" style="float: left; height: 118px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; width: 200px;" title="Scholastic Mother Daughter Book Club" /></a>Remember when I <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.bethfishreads.com/2012/06/new-middle-reader-book-club-plus.html" target="_blank">introduced you to the Scholastic Mother Daughter Book Club</a>
for middle readers? I'm committed to featuring or reviewing all
the books selected for this club because I think Scholastic has
picked winning titles that have broad appeal.
<br>
<br>
Don't forget that the <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.scholastic.com/motherdaughterbookclub/" target="_blank">Scholastic book club site</a>
includes more information about the books, recipes, reading
guides, and contests. The resources are perfect for book clubs,
teachers, homeschoolers, and any one who wants to get more out of
reading books with middle grade readers.
<br>
<br>
Although
this month's selections share some elements, they will appeal to
different types of young readers. The first is a fun mystery and the
second is a thriller/spy novel turned on its head. But each one stars an
appealing young teen who is observant and likes to solve puzzles. Both
books are also the first installment of a series.
<br>
<br>
<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~4.bp.blogspot.com/-PyGYn2aS8wM/UXRq24GwXOI/AAAAAAAAOJI/Yw5TPnldhUc/s1600/PlayDead.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PyGYn2aS8wM/UXRq24GwXOI/AAAAAAAAOJI/Yw5TPnldhUc/s200/PlayDead.jpg" title="Play Dead by Jane B. Mason and Sarah Hines Stephens" width="137" /></a><b>Jane B. Mason and Sara Hines Stephens's <i>Play Dead</i>
</b>introduces us to Cassie Sullivan, twelve-year-old daughter of the
town's police chief. Cassie definitely takes after her mother because
she just can't help trying to solve whatever case her mom talks about at
the dinner table.
<br>
<br>
Cassie isn't alone, though, she has
her trusty ex-K-9 dog, Dodge, who also loves to sniff out clues. The
pair is inseparable, and Dodge's police training comes in handy when
Cassie begins to figure out what happened to the man who went missing,
leaving behind his mansion and estate.
<br>
<br>
The story is
told both from Cassie's point of view and from Dodge's. The dog's
chapters are especially fun because he is sometimes distracted by food
smells and has an ongoing dislike of the family cat. There is plenty of
action, and kids will easily fall for the mystery-solving duo.
<br>
<br>
Besides
solving crimes, Cassie is a normal young teen. She has friends, goes to
school, and has chores at home. She also helps out at the local animal
rescue shelter, and we learn a little bit about how to care for
abandoned pets. We also get to know the Cassie's sister, brother, and
dad.
<br>
<br>
Young readers will find a lot to talk about after reading <i>Play Dead.</i>
The main topics will likely revolve around dogs and pets, friendships,
and family as well as how Cassie and Dodge solve the mystery. The recipe
at the <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.scholastic.com/motherdaughterbookclub/" target="_blank">Scholastic book club site</a> is particularly appropriate because one of Cassie's friends loves to bake treats, especially ones with pecans.
<br>
<br>
<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~4.bp.blogspot.com/-segT94BK1a8/UXULsQ-ik3I/AAAAAAAAOJY/B7NaTcUTUXc/s1600/Lawless.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-segT94BK1a8/UXULsQ-ik3I/AAAAAAAAOJY/B7NaTcUTUXc/s200/Lawless.jpg" title="Lawless by Jeffrey Salane" width="132" /></a>The second selection is <b>Jeffrey Salane's <i>Lawless</i></b>,
featuring twelve-year-old M Freeman. Although M (not a nickname) has
been home-schooled by tutors all of her life, her mother suggests that
it's time for the girl to go to school with other kids, and the school she
has picked is the one M's late-father attended.
<br>
<br>
Within
twenty-four hours after her interview, M realizes that Lawless is no
ordinary school. It's really a training institution for learning to spy
and pull off heists and thefts! Not only does M discover that her
exceptional observational skills are perfect for her new life path but
she learns that her parents are also involved in the criminal world.
<br>
<br>
This
is an action-packed story that will capture teens' attention. Besides
trying to pull off her initiation mission, M must adjust to being in
school with other kids and making new friends. She also discovers that the school has enemies
and that her dad's death may not have been accidental.
<br>
<br>
Book
clubs will want to explore a variety of topics after reading <i>Lawless</i>, such as right from
wrong, paying attention to minute details, different types of private
schools, family, friendships, and adventure. The recipe at the <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.scholastic.com/motherdaughterbookclub/" target="_blank">Scholastic book club site</a> is great way to get a boost of energy after a long day of spying or before doing homework.
<br>
<br>
This post will be linked to <span style="font-weight: bold;">Kid Konnection</span>, hosted by Julie at <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.bookingmama.net/" target="_blank">Booking </a><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~3.bp.blogspot.com/-mFfWi-Q-_mk/ThbcFIyaCdI/AAAAAAAAFpE/l61Bd78mxLg/s1600/kidkonnection.jpg.png"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626926765262375378" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mFfWi-Q-_mk/ThbcFIyaCdI/AAAAAAAAFpE/l61Bd78mxLg/s200/kidkonnection.jpg.png" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 79px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 104px;" /></a><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.bookingmama.net/">Mama</a>.
<br>
<br>
<span style="color: #6c82b5;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Buy <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Play Dead</span> at <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.indiebound.org/aff/BethFishReads09?product=9780545436243" target="_blank">an Indie</a> or at a bookstore near you (link leads to an affiliate program).</span></span>
<br>
<span style="color: #6c82b5;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Scholastic Press, 2013; ISBN-13: 9780545436243</span></span>
<br>
<span style="color: #6c82b5;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Buy <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Lawless</span> at <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.indiebound.org/aff/BethFishReads09?product=9780545450294" target="_blank">an Indie</a> or at a bookstore near you (link leads to an affiliate program).</span></span>
<br>
<span style="color: #6c82b5;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Scholastic Press, 2013; ISBN-13: 9780545450294</span></span>
<br>
<span style="color: #6c82b5;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Source: Review (see <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~bfishreads.blogspot.com/2008/08/review-policy.html" target="_blank">review policy</a>)</span></span>
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<span style="color: #6c82b5;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Copyright © cbl for <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.bethfishreads.com/" target="_blank">Beth Fish Reads</a>, all rights reserved (see <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~bfishreads.blogspot.com/2008/08/review-policy.html" target="_blank">review policy</a>).</span></span><Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/40361216/0/bethfishreads">
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<div style="clear:left;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=125509451057110928&isPopup=true"><h3>Comments</h3></a><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/review-april-selections-for-scholastic.html?showComment=1366938212530#c7616797111725797483">These look really cute and I can certainly see our...</a> <i>by Julie P. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/16008101127541997459">http://www.blogger.com/profile/16008101127541997459</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/review-april-selections-for-scholastic.html?showComment=1366649970498#c4528825724498624688">Both of these look really good, but I am partial t...</a> <i>by Zibilee <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/07443338685890187334">http://www.blogger.com/profile/07443338685890187334</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/review-april-selections-for-scholastic.html?showComment=1366647763474#c8954951948992087495">Both these sound great to me. My library doesn'...</a> <i>by Belle Wong <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/12112894169429729531">http://www.blogger.com/profile/12112894169429729531</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/review-april-selections-for-scholastic.html?showComment=1366632600249#c3660255658451364208">The first one sounds great to me but as for the se...</a> <i>by rhapsodyinbooks <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/07041412748239010264">http://www.blogger.com/profile/07041412748239010264</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/review-april-selections-for-scholastic.html?showComment=1366631519167#c8712726550761425494">both of these sound like good reads .. and i know ...</a> <i>by Daryl <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/08241795455748298624">http://www.blogger.com/profile/08241795455748298624</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/review-april-selections-for-scholastic.html?showComment=1366631092415#c6253593973793037894">They both look good to me - I love books with stro...</a> <i>by bermudaonion <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/10726401178972099557">http://www.blogger.com/profile/10726401178972099557</a></i></ul></div><h3 style="clear:left;padding-top:10px">Related Stories</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/review-mays-selections-for-scholastic.html">Review: May's Selections for the Scholastic Mother-Daughter Book Club</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/03/review-march-selections-for-scholastics.html">Review: March Selections for Scholastic's Mother-Daughter Book Club</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/review-black-irish-by-stephan-talty.html">Review: Black Irish by Stephan Talty</a></li></ul> </div>Beth Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08627666337961326265noreply@blogger.com6
http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/weekend-cooking-four-season-farm.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3291822984443127930.post-66280091007396284872013-04-20T06:01:00.000-04:002013-04-20T07:45:06.623-04:002013-04-20T07:45:06.623-04:00Weekend Cooking: The Four Season Farm Gardener's Cookbook by Barbara Damrosch and Eliot Coleman<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398520130419748434" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KfXm6QzlOl4/SutldL527lI/AAAAAAAACes/klxgTZCP4is/s200/Presentation2.jpg" style="float: right; height: 108px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 143px;" title="Weekend Cooking hosted by www. BethFishReads.com" /><span style="color: #330000; font-weight: bold;">Weekend Cooking</span> is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book (novel, nonfiction) reviews, cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, quotations, photographs. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. <span style="font-weight: bold;">You do not have to post on the weekend. </span>Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page. For more information, see the <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~bfishreads.blogspot.com/2009/10/introducing-weekend-cooking.html" target="_blank">welcome post.</a>
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<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~3.bp.blogspot.com/-vWShxYkkWjc/UXGaVMWAXjI/AAAAAAAAOI4/-Y9457I-X3w/s1600/FourSeasons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vWShxYkkWjc/UXGaVMWAXjI/AAAAAAAAOI4/-Y9457I-X3w/s200/FourSeasons.jpg" title="The Four Season Farm Gardener's Cookbook by Barbara Damrosch & Eliot Coleman" width="172" /></a>There is nothing I love more than a hardworking cookbook. Barbara Damrosch and Eliot Coleman are well-known for their books on organic gardening and for their own Maine property, The Four Season Farm. In addition, Damrosch has quite a following for her popular "A Cook's Garden" column for the <i>Washington Post</i>.
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Their new book, <i>The Four Season Farm Gardener's Cookbook,</i> takes us from seed catalog to the garden and into the kitchen. The first half of the book is devoted to growing your own fruits, vegetables, and herbs, and the second half focuses on how to turn your crops into delicious meals.
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I know I sound like a broken record, but I love the designers at Workman Publishing, and the visual appeal of the <i>Gardener's Cookbook</i> meets my expectations. The earthy colors and fun (but clear) fonts make the book a joy to read, and the scrumptious photographs of gardens, vegetables, and completed recipes are so inviting that you'll be inspired to either get weeding or get cooking or both! You'll also find useful and pretty garden drawings, fun lists, and practical charts.
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I want to say very quickly that you do <i>not</i> have to be a gardener to love this book. Although Damrosch and Coleman make a good case for all the reasons you might want to grow your own food, you can take their ideas and recipes to the farmer's market, local farm stand, and even the grocery store. They stress the emotional connection we make to the food we grow and harvest, not to mention the startling full flavors of just picked produce.
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As I mentioned, the first half of the book concentrates on gardening. Damrosch and Coleman talk about soil, help us with garden planning and figuring out what to grow, and tell us how to make our gardens flourish. They even share their tips and hints and favorite tools to make the job easier. Newbies will appreciate their casual style and sane advice, and veteran gardeners are sure to learn some new ticks. I love their reassuring attitude:
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
It isn't about having a green thumb. In fact, it isn't even about you. It's about the generosity of the natural world. Given a few basic skills, there is very little you can't accomplish in the garden if you trust the systems that are already in place. Plants want to grow, and despite what you might have heard, there are not armies of pests, plagues, and other misfortunes lying wait, poised to thwart your efforts. (p. 5)</blockquote>
The second half the book is all about making delicious fresh meals for your loved ones. Although many of the recipes are meat free, this is not a vegetarian cookbook. The principal philosophy behind the <i>Gardener's Cookbook</i> is to eat seasonally fresh foods. This is just the type of cookbook a gardener or member of a CSA needs. The key is first to harvest (or buy) produce that is at its peak and only then plan your meals. This can be a difficult mental switch for those of you who are used to planning meals and then going shopping.
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Yet no matter how you go about putting meals on the table, you'll love the recipes Damrosch provides. From appetizers to desserts, the flavors are varied but not extreme. There are a couple of dishes geared for the home gardener (like stuffed squash blossoms), but all the rest will work for those of us who rely on others to grow our food.
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Here's a recipe from each chapter that calls to me or that has already inspired me in the kitchen:
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<ul>
<li>Roasted Pepper and Tomato Dip</li>
<li>Fish Soup with Tomatoes and Fennel*</li>
<li>Chicken Salad with Spiced Peaches</li>
<li>Broccoli Bread Pudding</li>
<li>Couscous with Pine Nuts and Raisins*</li>
<li>Summer Tart with Roasted Tomatoes</li>
<li>Cabbage with Caraway Butter</li>
<li>Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Onions and Bacon</li>
<li>Sesame Chicken Breasts with Vegetables*</li>
<li>Plum Custard</li>
</ul>
The asterisks mean I either made the recipe as given or used it to create my own kitchen creation.
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The directions are all straightforward, the ingredients are readily available, and the tips and recommended substitutions help you find success. Furthermore, you'll be able to use this book all year round, because there are plenty of cold-weather dishes and the gardening section gives you advice on how best to store summer's bounty.
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At the back of the book you'll find helpful charts and resources for both gardeners and cooks. Plus the index is excellent, meaning you'll quickly be able to find whatever it is your looking for.
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Whether you harvest your own veggies, shop for locally grown produce, or hit the supermarket, Barbara Damrosch and Eliot Coleman's <i>The Four Seasons Farm Gardener's Cookbook</i> will inspire you throughout the year.
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We love cooking greens, and I make them at least twice a week. Here's a dish from <i>Gardener's Cookbook</i> that we both loved, although I'd cut the maple syrup in half the next time. The recipe calls for beet greens, but a tip tells us we can use any strong-flavored green. We used mustard greens.
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<span style="color: #330000;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Beet Greens and Scallions</span></b></span>
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Serves 4 as a side dish
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<ul>
<li>2 ounces slab bacon or salt pork, cut into ¼-inch cubes (¼ cup)</li>
<li>1 pound beet greens, leaves sliced into ribbons and stems cut into 2-inch pieces</li>
<li>1 bunch scallions (about 6 ounces), both white and green parts, cut into 2-inch pieces</li>
<li>1½ tablespoons maple syrup</li>
<li>Salt and pepper to taste</li>
</ul>
Saute the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring, until the pieces crisp uniformly and cook to a tan color, about 7 minutes. Remove the bacon pieces to a plate with a slotted spoon and set them aside, leaving the bacon fat in the skillet.
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Add the beet greens, beet stems, and scallions to the skillet, cover and cook over low heat, stirring from time to time, until the beet stems are tender and the scallions have turned slightly golden, 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the size and age of the greens.
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Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the maple syrup and the reserved bacon. Season with salt (if needed—the bacon might be salty enough) and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
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<span style="color: #6c82b5; font-size: x-small;">Buy <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>The Four Season Gardener's Cookbo<span style="font-size: x-small;">ok</span></b></i></span> at <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.indiebound.org/aff/BethFishReads09?product=9780761156697" target="_blank">an Indie</a> or a bookstore near you. This link leads to an affiliate program.
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Workman, 2013
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ISBN-13: 9780761156697
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Rating: A-
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Source: Review (see <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/bethfishreads/~www.bethfishreads.com/2008/08/review-policy.html" target="_blank">review policy</a>)</span>
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<div style="clear:left;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=6628009100739628487&isPopup=true"><h3>Comments</h3></a><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/weekend-cooking-four-season-farm.html?showComment=1366938268817#c1078317261951025661">This one looked right up your alley.</a> <i>by Julie P. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/16008101127541997459">http://www.blogger.com/profile/16008101127541997459</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/weekend-cooking-four-season-farm.html?showComment=1366631673022#c330956311365551876">sounds yummy ... now all i need is someone to do t...</a> <i>by Daryl <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/08241795455748298624">http://www.blogger.com/profile/08241795455748298624</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/weekend-cooking-four-season-farm.html?showComment=1366562890768#c8870046836051140038">Sounds like a great book! The farmers markets are ...</a> <i>by Gilion Dumas <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/18080293172467000794">http://www.blogger.com/profile/18080293172467000794</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/weekend-cooking-four-season-farm.html?showComment=1366518882211#c8585324536099863892">Books like this make me wish I had a garden beside...</a> <i>by lawstudentscookbook <a href="http://lawstudentscookbook.wordpress.com/">http://lawstudentscookbook.wordpress.com/</a></i><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/04/weekend-cooking-four-season-farm.html?showComment=1366510398490#c8783220673743909901">What an awesome idea for a cookbook! will have to ...</a> <i>by Chris Howard <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/05793512698366676453">http://www.blogger.com/profile/05793512698366676453</a></i><li><a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3291822984443127930&postID=6628009100739628487&isPopup=true">Plus 18 more...</a></li></ul></div><h3 style="clear:left;padding-top:10px">Related Stories</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/weekend-cooking-campfire-cuisine-by.html">Weekend Cooking: Campfire Cuisine by Robin Donovan</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/weekend-cooking-tequila-lime-chicken.html">Weekend Cooking: Tequila Lime Chicken</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/2013/05/weekend-cooking-adventures-with-bon.html">Weekend Cooking: Adventures with Bon Appetit</a></li></ul> </div>Beth Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08627666337961326265noreply@blogger.com23