Someone We Know

Synopsis: No one does neighborhood drama like Shari Lapena and this book is no exception. The book starts with a teenager breaking into various homes in his neighborhood to hack into their computers and learn their deepest and darkest secrets. Later, we learn that a woman down the street is murdered and the entire neighborhood is turned upside down.

Corey’s Review: A few of my girlfriends and I read this book during quarantine and it was such a good way to disconnect from reality. It’s is a classic page turner and I think one of my friends even stayed up all night to finish. I don’t usually lean towards this genre, but I can see why it is enjoyed by so many people. I think if you can take this book for what it is you will really enjoy it. If you are looking for an easy read that is suspenseful with neighborhood drama then this would be a great pick! Rating: 4/5

Nicholette’s Review:  I missed out on this one, but it almost sounds like a description of Desperate Housewives!  I get the impression that was a pretty spicy neighborhood.  Maybe a good beach read?

Menu: Ironically the women in the neighborhood all belong to a book club so we thought it would be fun to do a pot luck book club. I decided to make “the dip” from Alison Roman and it was a crowd pleaser!

Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup olive oil

• 4 scallions (or green garlic), white and light green parts, thinly sliced

• 1 teaspoon red-pepper flakes

• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro (leaves and tender stems) or chives, plus more for garnish

• Flaky sea salt

• Freshly ground black pepper

• 2 cups labneh, full-fat Greek yogurt or sour cream

• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Method:

1. Heat the olive oil, scallions, red-pepper flakes and cilantro in a small pot over medium-low heat. Cook, swirling occasionally, until the scallions and red-pepper flakes start to visually and audibly sizzle and frizzle and turn the oil a bright, fiery orange. Remove from the heat, and let cool enough to taste without burning your mouth, then season with salt and pepper.

2. Combine the labneh and lemon juice in a medium bowl, and season with salt and pepper. Spoon into a bowl and swirl in the sizzled scallion mixture. Top with extra cilantro, if you like.

The World That We Knew

Synopsis: In Berlin, 1941, Hanni Kohn knows that to keep her daughter Lea safe, she must send her away from Germany. She finds her way to a local rabbi, but it is the rabbi’s teenage daughter Ettie who acts decisively to save them both. The myth of the golem is utilized to create Ava, born of clay, and sworn to protect Lea. The paths of these three are destined to remain intertwined, as they struggle to stay alive during the dark hours of World War II.

Nicholette’s Review: Corey and I find ourselves back in familiar territory with World War II, and all I can say is Alice Hoffman is a master! I did not know anything of Jewish folklore, and this very much has a fairy tale quality. Whether you think you would like that or not, I can assure you, you WILL, and it is an amazing novel. I almost want to describe it like a painting, as the words create such a such visual image. The theme that resonated deeply for me was the remarkable love between mother and daughter. It’s hard to imagine a world where to save your child, you have to cast them out into the world, far too young, without protection. I loved being able to learn new pieces of history—the Huguenot residents of Le Chambon who provided a haven for Jews fleeing the Nazis, or the sad tale of a Jewish orphanage (that didn’t end well as you might have guessed). I have read several other books by Alice Hoffman, and this might be my favorite. All the stars!! Rating 5/5.

Corey’s Review: It’s no secret that historical fiction seems to be our favorite genre and this book did not disappoint. I absolutely loved the fairytale aspect of this story. It really makes this book unique and not just another WW2 novel. Which was refreshing, because we have read our fair share of WW2 books. Like my mom, I had never heard of Jewish mythology and now I have to admit I am a bit obsessed with it. It is so fascinating and the way Alice Hoffman weaves it so effortlessly into this book makes this one of my favorite books about world war 2. Rating:5/5

Menu: In the book, Lea and Ava find refuge in different situations, and Ava usually finds employment as a cook. Given the hardships of Nazi occupied France, she frequently makes a dish she calls “hardship soup,” based on cabbage and whatever else she can scrounge together. It made me think of a cabbage and kielbasa soup that I love (credit to Rachel Ray) though it is no hardship.

Kielbasa, Potato and Cabbage Soup

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 1/4 pound kielbasa, 1 inch dice

1 pound potato, peeled and chopped

1 tablespoon paprika

1/2 tablespoon coriander

1/2 teaspoon allspice

2 carrots, chopped

2 ribs celery, chopped

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 onion, chopped

1/2 head Savoy cabbage, chopped

a few grates of nutmeg

1 cup lager beer at room temperature

4 cups chicken stock

2 cups tomato sauce

1/2 cup sour cream

3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

Handful of fresh parsley, chopped

1/2 lemon, juiced.

1) Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven and brown kielbasa. Remove to paper towel lined plate.

2) Add the potatoes, paprika, coriander, allspice, carrots, celery, garlic, onions and some salt and pepper. Cook, partially covered for 5-6 minutes.

3) Wilt in the cabbage and add a little nutmeg.

4) Deglaze the pan with the beer, then add the stock and tomato sauce.

5) Put kielbasa back in the pot and simmer for another 15-20 minutes.

5) Finish with a dollop of sour cream, herbs and lemon juice.

Killers of the Flower Moon

Synopsis: An account of the “Reign of Terror” in Osage County Oklahoma in the 1920’s. What might seem just another chapter in the shameful history of exploitation of American natives is revealed to be a more sinister story of serial killings. The Osage Indians were given the worst reservation land possible in Oklahoma until, oops, tremendous oil reserves are discovered underneath the land. The Osage became extremely wealthy and the local white settlers couldn’t just sit by and let THAT happen! Next thing you know, there is a mysterious string of unexplained deaths: poisoning, shootings, explosions and even people being thrown off a train.. Ultimately the newly formed FBI is called in to investigate.

Nicholette’s Review: It’s a toss-up to try and decide which was a more shocking discovery: the horrible serial killing of the Osage, or the fact that I’d never heard about this chapter of history. I’ve read plenty of stories about unscrupulous men who murder for money, but this particularly sordid tale seems to have been purposely erased from history. The author skillfully evokes the era of gumshoe detectives, FBI lawmen and the remnants of the Wild West. The description of early 20th century attitudes to the Native Americans was appalling and a bit difficult to read. A society so corrupt that judges, bankers, doctors, and lawyers could be bought so easily gives one pause, and makes you wonder what kind of things are still going on today. The author does a good job of exploring the long term impact this has had on the Osage nation even to this day. Rating: 4/5

Corey’s Review: Wow, this book really shocked me. There were many points during the story where I became angry. Angry that I had no idea this happened. It’s scary how as a society we can literally just omit a piece of history by not talking about it. That is one of the reasons I love reading and reading non-fiction in particular. We have the power to educate ourselves and seek out alternate views. Stories are our lasting legacy and I am so thankful that this story was told. I have also heard that this is being made into a mini series- yay! Do yourself a favor and read this book and learn about a piece of our history that is rarely talked about. Rating: 5/5

Menu: Keeping with the oil theme we decided to make infused Olive Oil. Yes, this might be a stretch, but who doesn’t love Olive Oil?! Almost every recipe calls for some, and this lemon infused Olive Oil is extra special and summery! This recipe is courtesy of Ina Garten (duh!)

Ingredients:

12 whole garlic cloves, peeled

2 cups extra virgin olive oil

2 lemons

2 pinches of red pepper flakes

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Method:

1. Place the garlic in a small saucepan with the olive oil and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

2. With a vegetable peeler, cut large strips of zest from each lemon and add it to the garlic oil.

3. Add the red pepper flakes and salt and allow the oil to sit at room temperature until the flavors are infused. Store the oil in the refrigerator.

The Water Dancer

Synopsis: Hiram Walker is born a slave on a Virginia plantation. His mother Rose was sold into the Deep South when he was a young boy, and his father? Well that would be the master of the plantation, Howell Walker. Hiram ends up being raised by Thena, an old woman who also has suffered from the horrible practice of separating slave families. Hiram is gifted with intelligence, a keen memory, and other powers to be discovered. He is tasked with caring for his half brother Maynard, the heir to the plantation. His journey to escape from the world of bondage requires confronting his lost memories of childhood, and self discovery.

Nicholette’s Review: There’s so much to like about this novel, and I want to give it a rave review, but it’s more of a mixed review from me. Ta-Nehisi Coates as a superb writer, and his extraordinary gift with words is pleasure enough. I know I will be more than ready to read more of his work in the future.  The first part of the book was for me the most interesting and enjoyable, detailing Hiram’s transition from young child, through his growing awareness of his legacy and the unspeakable injustice of his world. As the story progresses, he becomes aware of a special gift of “conduction” that will lead him to the Underground Railroad, freedom, but ultimately a return to Lockless, the Virginia plantation of his birth. The “magical realism” of the story was not necessarily an issue for me, but it felt half way done.   I felt like it didn’t quite embrace the fairy tale quality of the story, so that element never seemed to fit well.  I would have preferred for Coates to either fully lean in to the magical part of it, or leave it out altogether.  I thought the characters were nuanced and complex and I appreciated that.  The abolitionists were almost as extreme as the slaveholders, hating the institution of slavery, but not always caring that much about the actual slaves.  In the end, for all the things I really admired about this debut novel, it came up a little short for me.   Rating: 3/5

Corey’s Review: This is a really hard review for me to write and I know probably goes against the popular opinion, but I could not get into this book. I have to agree with my mom, the first part of the book was the best for me. As soon as the book started dabbling with “magic” I got lost. The book covers such important and tragic events in our history I thought the magic portion was off putting. The author certainly has a way with words. Sometimes I felt like I was reading poetry rather than a novel and maybe that’s the point. This was my first book by this author and had such high expectations. Unfortunately, it was a miss for me. Rating: 3/5

Menu: A classic Virginia dish is peanut pie, very similar to pecan pie but with peanuts of course!

Ingredients:

1 pie crust

1 1/2 cup roughly chopped salted peanuts

3 large eggs

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup all purpose flour

1 1/3 cup light corn syrup

1 tablespoon melted butter

Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2) Lightly beat eggs, whisk in sugar and flour

3) Add corn syrup and peanuts, then add butter

4). Pour into pie crust

5) Bake for 50-60 minutes, until the edges of the pie are a rich golden brown and the filling is still a little loose in the center

6). cool, serve with whipped cream

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine

“Although it’s good to try new things and to keep an open mind, it’s also extremely important to stay true to who you really are.”

Synopsis: According to Eleanor Oliphant, her life is completely 100% fine. She works 5 days a week in the office where she has worked since university graduation, and on the weekends treats herself to a frozen pizza and a bottle of vodka. Eleanor has had a scarred childhood and she is a little…. odd. She develops an unlikely friendship with Raymond, a kind if somewhat slovenly IT guy at her office, and begins to evaluate whether life really is fine after all.

Nicholette's Review: I absolutely LOVED this book! For some reason, I resisted reading it, but once I started, I got totally sucked into getting to know Eleanor. She is lonely but content, has perfect grammar, is blunt and socially awkward. On the surface, this is a very funny novel about a socially inept 29 year old woman. Her attempts to become more “normal” and blend into society by getting a fashion makeover and waxing are sources of hilarity. This somehow blends seamlessly with the sadness of her life, and her aloneness. Her friendship with Raymond turns out to be more life changing than the imaginary romance she is seeking. Thank goodness this is not a romance and second chance kind of story. It is more of a story of self discovery, learning to trust people, how to have a friend, and how to be a friend. And did I mention that it is completely smart and funny? Highly recommend! Rating: 5/5.

Corey’s Review: I adored this book! Eleanor is such an endearing character that I grew to love. She has no filter and says anything and everything that is on her mind. One moment I am crying from laughing so hard and the next I am crying because I feel for her. I found myself wanting great things to happen for her, but throughout the story she insists she is completely fine the way she is. Eleanor is lot of things, but she is not the victim. I love that the center of the story was about her and how she lives her life according to her own rules. She loves her vodka, pizza and her weekly chats with her mummy. The character development was amazing and overall it was an enjoyable read. Rating: 5/5

Menu:

We know this isn’t a frozen pizza, but we took our spin on Eleanor’s favorite dish. We decided to do our own homemade pizza and we think she would approve (we hope).

Ingredients:

Fresh pizza dough

Toppings (anything your heart desires). We chose Italian sausage, potato, rosemary, fresh mozzarella cheese

Method:

1. Preheat grill with pizza stone on it

2. Flour your hands and surface

3. Roll the dough out

4. Add toppings

5. Transfer pizza to pizza stone on grill

6. Cook 10-15 min depending on dough thickness

Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk

“I thought at times that poetry might be an elegant way of screaming.”

Synopsis: It’s the last day of 1984, and 85 year old Lillian Boxfish decides to take a stroll around Manhattan. As she does, the story alternates between Liliian recalling a long and eventful life, and the events that occur during her walk. Lillian had an early career in advertising at Macy’s department store, cut short by marriage, motherhood, and divorce.

Nicholette’s Review: This novel is set exclusively in the head of Lillian, and what a delightful place to be! Lillian tells her life story as outlined on the streets of New York. Her life included lot of triumphs and joys (successful career, love and marriage, motherhood), as well as regrets and set backs. It’s also a bit of a love letter to the New York City itself, as she reflects on many of the well known landmarks of the city that she adores. Among the things I loved about Lillian: she was funny, smart and brave, she loved to walk everywhere that she goes, she could admit her failings, and, even at the age of 85, could still be open to the world and the people that she met. Rating: 4/5

Corey’s Review: I’ll start off by saying that this book is slower paced, not that there is anything wrong with that, but be forewarned. There were times when I dazed off for a bit. The entire book is narrated by our main character, Lillian Boxfish as she looks back on her life and her time living in NYC. Lillian is a spunky old lady that has had her shares of triumphs and failures. My favorite parts of the book were her reminiscing about old New York and the way life was back in the day. While I enjoyed the book, I don’t think I would recommend to someone that is looking for a page turner. Rating: 3/5

Menu: During Lillian’s New Year’s Eve stroll around New York, she decides to stop and have dinner at Delmonico’s. Delmonico’s is a well known restaurant of New York, perhaps one of the first in the modern style of a la carte dining. The restaurant claims to be the originator of several notable dishes including Eggs Benedict, Delmonico steak, Lobster Newburg and Baked Alaska. Lillian dines here with her ex-husband Max as they hash out the details of their divorce. She has the steak and “Delmonico potatoes.” The restaurant was known for the potatoes, but the interesting thing is the Internet has quite a few different recipes which all claim to be the original version. The general idea however, is diced potatoes in a cream sauce with cheese, topped with breadcrumbs. It’s quite similar to a familiar dish Southerners call “funeral potatoes,” and I promise that if you decide to use frozen hash browns, I won’t give up your secret.

Ingredients:

8 medium Yukon gold or red potatoes, diced to 1/2 inch size

6 tablespoons butter

4 tablespoons flour

2 cups milk, half and half or light cream

1 cup shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese, mild cheddar or whatever you have

1 cup soft bread crumbs

1) Heat the oven to 425 degrees

2) Butter a shallow baking pan

3) Simmer diced potatoes in salted water for 12-15 minuets, or until just ten cook and stir for 2-3 minutes, but don’t brown

4) Gradually add the milk and continue cooking over low heat until thickened. Season with salt and pepper

5) Combine the drained potatoes with the sauce, transfer to baking dish.

6) Cover with grated cheese

7) Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and toss with the breadcrumbs.

8) Sprinkle breadcrumbs over the potatoes

9) Bake for about 20 minutes until the top is browned and casserole is bubbling around the edges.

The Silent Patient

Synopsis: Alicia Berenson is a famous artist, married to a successful fashion photographer in London. Alicia murders her husband by shooting him ruthlessly in the face, then never speaks another word. She is sequestered at the Grove, a forensic psychiatric hospital in London. Theo Faber is a criminal psychotherapist who becomes somewhat obsessed with trying to get Alicia to talk and understand the crime. No question here about the “who” in the whodunit, more trying to unravel the “why.”

Nicholette’s Review: I would consider this a well crafted suspenseful beach read. Unfortunately, too early for the beach in Maine right now, but feel free to save it for your own summer reading! As I was reading this book, I thought more than once, “this would make a great movie!” I was therefore not too surprised to learn later that the author is an established screenwriter, though this was his first novel. You can tell he has the expertise in structure, pacing, sense of time etc… The plot treads some familiar ground, and even if you think it’s missing the familiar “blackout drunk female unreliable narrator,” don’t worry, there is a heavily medicated silent female narrator to fill that void. If you enjoy mysteries and psychological thrillers, this would be a great choice. Rating: 4/5

Corey’s Review: Ok, this actually sounds right up my alley. Seems a bit reminiscent of Gone Girl. Although we don’t have a beach in Arizona, it is certainly pool weather. This is not a typical book that my mom would read and a 4/5 is a great rating. So for that reason this is officially on my list.

Menu: Alicia and Gabriel liked to frequent their neighborhood Italian restaurant, Augusto’s, every Friday night to enjoy the food and chilled white wine. I will reserve judgement on drinking white wine with Italian food, but attempted to accommodate this by selecting chicken piccata to accompany their Pinot Grigio. Rating: 5/5

Ingredients:

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts

Kosher salt and ground pepper

1/2 cup all purpose flour

1 extra large egg

3/4 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs

Butter

Olive oil

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

1/4 cup capers, rinsed

1/3 cup fresh parsley

1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees

2) Pound chicken breast between 2 sheets of parchment to 1/4” thickness. Srinkle both side with salt and pepper.

3) Mix the flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a shallow plate. In a second plate, beat the off and 1/2 tablespoon of water together. Place the bread crumbs on a third plate. Dip each chicken breast first in the flour, shake of excess, then dip in the egg and bread crumb mixtures.

4) Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large sauce pan over medium heat, and cook the chicken breast for 2 minutes on each side until browned.

5) Transfer to the sheet pain and bake for 5-10 minutes while you make the sauce.

6) Melt 2 tablespoons butter in the pan, with a little more oil if needed.

7) Add lemon juice, stock and capers, bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer for about 5 minutes until slightly reduced.

8) Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to sauce and whisk vigorously.

9) Pour sauce over chicken breasts and garnish with parsley.

A Little Life

“Wasn’t friendship its own miracle, the finding of another person who made the entire lonely world seem somehow less lonely?”

Synopsis: The story of four suite mates from a small college in Cambridge (wink wink) who move to New York after graduation. Their stories intertwine through adulthood, as friendships do. The bulk of the novel centers on Jude as he attempts to move past a childhood of abuse.

Nicholette’s Review: I don’t relish giving bad reviews, but this novel made me about as angry at a book as I’ve ever been. This book was brutal, misery porn. Every horrible thing you can imagine—sexual abuse, child abuse, rape, addiction, suicide, violence, abduction, devastating trust violations and more. It is purportedly a novel about friendship, but actually a novel about enablers with no hope or redemption in sight. The characters are all complete cliches. Each of the four roommates somehow miraculously becomes “the best” at whatever they do (actor, architect, artist and attorney). And the names!!! Willem (that is correct, Willem, not William), Jude, Phaedra…. apparently no one named Bob or Sue lives in NYC. And the never-ending supply of pedophiles and child abusers strained belief. OK, maybe the world truly is like that, but from Catholic clergy, Dickensian orphanage counselors, homicidal psychiatrist, long haul truckers, culminating in a sadistic violent psychopath, it seemed there was no end. I could go on, and this book certainly did, for more than 720 pages. It won many awards and was highly acclaimed, but for me, I just didn’t get it. Rating 1/5

Corey’s Review: Wow….well this will be a definite pass for me based on a few things. Most importantly, the fact that it was 700+pages of pure misery. I think we have enough of that right now. Maybe I will revisit in a year. I try and read highly rated books that win awards, just not sure this is the time.

Menu: I needed to balance this miserable book with something to provide some comfort. So what else could it be other than grilled cheese and tomato soup? Homemade tomato soup beats anything out of a can, and its not hard at all!

Rating 5/5.

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 1/2 cup chopped red onions

2 carrots, unpeeled and chopped

1 tablespoon minced garlic

2 28 oz cans tomatoes, coarsely chopped, or 4 pounds fresh if they are good tomatoes!

1 1/2 teaspoons sugar

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1/4 cup packed chopped fresh basil

3 cups chicken stock

1 tablespoon kosher salt

2 teaspoons black pepper

3/4-1 cup heavy cream

Directions:

1) Heat the olive oil over medium low heat. Sauce the onion and carrots about 10 minutes until tender. Add the garlic and cook for one minute. Add the tomatoes, sugar, tomato paste, basil, chicken stock, salt and pepper and stir well.

2) Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer uncovered for 30-40 minutes.

3) Blend until smooth—another great use for the immersion blender! Or use a blender if that’s what you have, but be careful as hot liquids can be tricky in the blender.

4) Add cream, and serve.

5) Garnish with julienned basil leaves or croutons if desired.

Beartown

“Everyone has a thousand wishes before a tragedy, but just one afterward.”

Synopsis: Beartown is a novel set in the eponymous town. It focuses on the local junior hockey team, preparing to compete in the national semi-finals. Set in a depressed town that is obsessed with the sport, it examines themes of parenting, the cost of keeping secrets, loyalty, family and regret.

Nicholette’s Review: The synopsis might suggest that this is a sports book, maybe a Swedish version of The Mighty Ducks. I hate to disappoint sports fans, but this is not a sports book. It is a book with a robust cast of characters, and rich relationships. It tackles some difficult content, and deftly displays how events in a small town have ripple effects that can affect the entire community. It is a book about parental love, the angst of retirement, the difficulties of balancing work and family, friendship, teenage turmoil, and yes, a little bit about hockey. Fredrik Backman is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors (have you read A Man Called Ove?). He can do it all, humor, anger, tenderness, despair. He so accurately depicts the bond of teenage girls, it’s hard to believe he is not a teenage girl himself. His characters ALL seem so real and whole. I would recommend this book to anyone. Rating: 5/5

Corey’s Review: I had so many emotions while reading this book. I kept thinking how relate-able the characters and town were. I grew up in a small hockey town very similar to Beartown and could vividly picture each character. My mom is right, this book’s theme is centered around a sport, but as a reader you are taken on a dramatic, life altering journey that is so much more than just hockey. It’s about the decisions people make and the lengths that parents and friends go to keep secrets and protect the ones they love. This was my first book by this author, but I know I will read more. Rating 5/5

Menu: Since our author is from Sweden and our book seems to be set in a town somewhere in Sweden, we thought it would be fitting to pair Swedish meatballs. We took this recipe from Tyler Florence, and we think it was the perfect match. Rating 5/5

Method:

4 tablespoons butter

1 small onion, minced

1 pound each ground beef, pork, and veal (or all beef if you prefer)

2 egg yolks

1/2 cup heavy cream

2 tablespoons salt

Few grinds black pepper

2 teaspoons ground allspice

3 pieces white bread, crust removed, torn and soaked in whole milk

Sauce:

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

3 cups chicken stock

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 to 2 tablespoons black currant jam

1/4 cup chopped parsley leaves

Lingonberry jam, for serving

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

2. Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent. Remove the onion to a plate and cool. Wipe out the pan with a paper towel.

3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meats, egg yolks, heavy cream and onion. Add salt, pepper and allspice. Squeeze excess milk from the bread and add it to the bowl. Mix gently with your hands or wooden spoon.

4. With a bowl of cold water standing by, form meatballs about 1-inch across. Dip your fingers in cold water, from time to time, to keep the meat from sticking to your hands.

5. Melt the remaining butter in the saute pan and once the foam has subsided add a layer of meatballs. Do not overcrowd the pan. Shake the pan once in awhile, to keep the meatballs round. Brown all of the meatballs, in batches, removing them to a large oven safe dish when cooked. Put the dish in the oven for about 20 minutes, being careful not to overcook them.

6. To make the sauce: Pour off most of the fat from the skillet and return it to the heat. Add 2 tablespoons of butter and swirl it around to coat the pan. Sprinkle in the flour, and stir with a wooden spoon or whisk to dissolve the flour into the fat. Pour in the chicken stock, and stir to loosen the bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer, stirring, until the liquid is reduced and the mixture starts to thicken to a sauce. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Lower the heat and stir in the cream and the black currant jam. Add the meatballs to the sauce. Simmer until the sauce thickens slightly and the meatballs are heated through, 15 to 20 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped parsley.

Priestdaddy

Synopsis: A memoir of growing up in the midwest in the 1980’s and beyond. Patricia Lockwood grew up with a gun-toting, guitar-riffing, frequently semi-naked father who underwent a religious conversion on a submarine. His conversion first led him to the Lutheran Church, and finally to Roman Catholicism. He discovered a loophole which saw him approved for the Catholic priesthood by the future Pope Benedict XVI, despite already having a wife and five children. At age 30, due to a medical setback, Patricia and her husband move back in with her parents. This memoir is a reckoning of this distinctly unusual experience of having a Catholic priest for a father/Father.

Nicholette’s Review I’m a devoted listener to the New York Times Book Review podcast. One of the editors raved about this book so often, I finally had to read it myself. This book was on many “Ten Best” lists for 2017, so I had high expectations. On the surface, it is just a very funny account of a peculiar childhood, but of course it is more than that. I was not familiar with Lockwood before this memoir, but she is a known poet and essayist, and she does have a way with words! She creates such vivid unexpected images in your brain. In spite of the humorous approach, there are also some serious topics that are grappled with. One of the main characters is the Catholic Church, after all, so its not all just absurd comedy. If I have a criticism, it’s that the descriptions of people and events are so uniformly absurd and cartoonish, it reads more like fiction than memoir. Maybe that’s a true depiction of her life. but it detracted from an authentic feeling. I think that people probably would either love this book, or hate it. If you are a devout Catholic who believes that the church and priests can do no wrong, this is probably not the book for you. Rating: 4/5

Corey’s Review: I’ve been looking forward to my mom’s review on this book ever since she got it during our Christmas Eve book swap! This book sounds so ridiculous, I need to check it out for myself. Who knew you could be married with children and still become a priest?! I can only imagine the stories- this will be added to my list!

Menu: What would be more fitting to accompany a memoir of growing up with a priest for a father than a spaghetti dinner? The spaghetti dinner is a staple in most Catholic Church communities and I participated in more than a few at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in my youth! We didn’t serve meatballs, to my recollection, but I love meatballs. Rating: 5/5

Ingredients:

2 pounds meatloaf mix (equal parts ground beef, veal and pork)

1 cup fresh white breadcrumbs

1/4 cup seasoned dry breadcrumbs

2 tablespoons chopped parsley

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 teaspoons salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1 large egg, lightly beaten

For the sauce:

1 chopped yellow onion

1 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

1/2 cup red wine

1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes

1 tablespoon chopped parsley

1 1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

Directions:

1) Place the ground meats, both breadcrumbs, parsley, salt, pepper, nutmeg, egg and 3/4 cup water or milk in a bowl. Combine, and form 2 inch meatballs (makes 14-16).

2) Put equal parts vegetable oil and olive oil in a large deep skillet to a depth of about 1/4 inch and brown the meatballs. Remove to a paper towel lined plate. Discard the oil.

3) Heat a little fresh olive oil in the pan and sauce onion over medium heat until soft, 5-10 minutes. Add garlic for 1 minute. Add the wine and cook on high heat for about 3 minutes to deglaze the pan.

4) Stir in tomatoes, parsley, salt and pepper.

5) Return the meatballs to the sauce. cover and simmer on low heat for 25-30 minutes until meatballs are cooked through.

6) Serve on hot cooked spaghetti, amen.

A Woman of No Importance

I’ve had the pleasure of being part of a book club since 2009. We don’t have a catchy name for the club, and we don’t have a theme for what we read, but for over a decade, we’ve been meeting monthly to catch up on friendships, have a beverage and to discuss our books. We recently read A Woman of No Importance by Sonia Purcell. This week my friends and fellow book lovers Tracey and Patti share their reviews as well.

“Valor rarely reaps the benefits it should.”

Synopsis: In 1942, the Gestapo sent out an urgent transmission: “She is the most dangerous of all Allied spies. We must find and destroy her.” The target in their sights was Virginia Hall, a Baltimore socialite who talked her way into Special Operations Executive, a British spy agency. She became the first Allied woman deployed behind enemy lines and established vast spy networks throughout France. After her cover was blown, she finally escaped France by hiking over the snow covered Pyrenees into Spain, but later returned to France to continue the Resistance and help liberate swaths of France after D-Day.

Nicholette’s Review: Just in case you haven’t yet read enough about World War II, please consider A Woman of No Importance. The story of Virginia Hall reads like a Hollywood script: ingenue from a privileged background, seeking adventure, finds too much adventure and has a leg amputated, and in spite of misogyny and a limp manages to become an effective spy! It’s quite a remarkable story. I loved reading about this formidable, but not well known woman. She was so unconventional in her life and choices, and remarkably heroic. She was underestimated at every turn, and certainly discriminated against because of her gender. Most galling is that at war’s end, in spite of all she had achieved and accomplished, she received little to no recognition! However, Virginia would not have wanted the recognition anyway. She lived her life on her own terms, to the extent that society would let her, and that’s an inspiration.

Patti’s Review: It is hard to believe it took this long for Virginia Hall’s story to finally be told. She overcame so much adversity to help the Allies in the French Resistance yet never received the recognition she deserved. Even after the war, Virginia was underutilized and discriminated against because she was such a strong woman. I like the book and its tenacious main character. We have read a lot of books about World War II, but I particularly like A Woman of No Importance because it was written from the unique perspective of a female spy. I also enjoyed learning more about America’s role in the French Resistance. I’d highly recommend reading it.

Tracey’s Review: A Woman of No Importance is non-fiction? It reads like more a riveting spy novel with a made-up strong female lead whose trials and tribulations seem unrealistic at times. But they aren’t. Granted, a few parts are a bit slow as the author set the groundwork and included more mundane biographical details—tidbits that wouldn’t necessarily be included in a fictional story. I found the book captivating because it was true—even incredulous at times. As a woman, Virginia Hall faced barriers at every turn, and the very people she worked for placed hurdles for her to overcome. Our heroine remained steadfast in her selfless convictions. Her guile and intuition leave us with a tale worthy of our time.

Corey’s Review: Another book that I am adding to my TBR! I love all books related to WW2 and this sounds like the true story of the Alice Network which I really enjoyed. I actually think I will like the true story more. Also, I think we need a moment for the meal my mom paired with this. Wow…. if I wasn’t in quarantine I would rush to the store to cook this ASAP.

Nicholette’s book club! These ladies have been going strong since 2009! Over a decade of great books and get togethers.

Menu: After Virginia took up residence in Lyon France, she frequented a local restaurant which is where the other spies, downed pilots and allied supporters knew where to find her. According to the author, the owner frequently made her a plate of her favorite macaroni and cheese. She paired this with her favorite drink, a martini! That sounds quite American, but I think if the French were going to make Mac and cheese, it would likely have a little more flair. This recipe has all the flavors of France with Gruyere cheese, caramelized onions and some wine. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 lb gemelli or other short cut pasta

1 Tablespoon olive oil

1/2 pound bacon

2 onions, quartered and thinly slice

1/2 cup dry white wine

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons all purpose flour

1 cup chicken stock

1 cup whole milk

freshly ground black pepper

2 cups shredded Gruyere

pinch of nutmeg

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Directions:

1) Heat water for pasta and cook to al dente

2) While pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a deep skillet. When oil is hot, add bacon and cook until crisp, 5-6 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Add onions and cook 10 minutes until soft and beginning to caramelize. Add wine and cook out, about 1 minuet.

3) While onions cook, heat a sauce pain over medium heat. Melt butter, then whisk in flour. Cook 1 minute, then whisk in stock and milk and bring to a bubble. Thicken a few minutes, then season with salt and pepper. Melt in cheese stirring until smooth. Add nutmeg and mustard and adjust salt and pepper.

4). Drain pasta, toss with onions, and stir in cheese sauce to coat. Top with crispy bacon and serve.

The Great Alone

“A thing can be true and not the truth,”

Synopsis: Ernt Allbright, former POW, comes home from the Vietnam War a changed man. Volatile, angry, he is apparently unable to maintain a job. His wife Cora and 13 year old daughter Leni learn to walk on eggshells to avoid his anger. After losing yet another job, he impulsively decides to move the family to the Alaskan wilderness to be “free.” They are not prepared, yet the help of locals does sustain them. Unfortunately, there is no escape from Ernt’s mental health issues, and life becomes dangerous in many ways in the Alaskan frontier.

Corey’s Review: I agree with my mom’s review on this one. It was such a page tuner I was hooked until the very end. It’s not necessarily going to win a Pulitzer Prize, but it is entertaining! I Kristin Hannah is one of my favorite authors. I have loved so many of her books. She has such a beautiful way of telling a story. I tend to agree with my mom, the ending was little lackluster which was disappointing considering the majority of the book was so deep and well thought out. I love reading books set in Alaska or rural towns- don’t ask why, it’s a weird thing! I have recommended this book to many friends and they have loved it. If you are looking for a book that has great character development and a story-line that has you hooked from the start then this is it! Rating 4/5

Nicholette’s Review I’m not sure how to review a book that I would say was not GREAT, but I couldn’t put it down. The story is told from the perspective of Leni, part coming of age story, part wilderness drama, part scary like the The Shining. A self imposed quarantine with your family! You can run away, but your demons come with you. I really enjoyed the book when it was focusing on what it takes to survive in the wilderness. I wouldn’t say there was much difference in the Allbright’s daily life and the life of pioneers of the American West. Lots of hard work involved. However, I thought the book romanticized the idea of the rugged individualist. It’s interesting that most of the rugged individualists (men) spent most of their time trying to tell the ladies what to do. “No one is the boss of me, but I most definitely want to be the boss of you.” This books deals with some serious issues like PTSD and domestic abuse in a thoughtful and largely understanding way. My biggest criticism is that the ending felt very rushed and a bit melodramatic. In spite of some of these criticisms, I’ll admit I couldn’t wait to see what happened. Rating: 4/5

Menu: Of course we had to do a salmon dish. Salmon and Alaska go hand in hand! There are many times throughout the book where they go fishing to stock up on enough food to last them through winter. I used and tried and true recipe for this salmon. It is so easy and so delicious! This Asian inspired salmon comes courtesy of Ina Garten….have we said we love her?!

Ingredients

1 side fresh salmon, boned but skin on (about 3 pounds)

Marinade:

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

3 tablespoons good soy sauce

6 tablespoons good olive oil

1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

Method:

1. Turn on grill. Spray with non stick spray

2. While the grill is heating, lay the salmon skin side down on a cutting board and cut it crosswise into 4 equal pieces. Whisk together the mustard, soy sauce, olive oil, and garlic in a small bowl. Drizzle half of the marinade onto the salmon and allow it to sit for 10 minutes.

3. Place the salmon skin side down on the hot grill. Grill for 4 to 5 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish. Turn carefully with a wide spatula and grill for another 4 to 5 minutes. I usually cook closer to 5 minutes

4. Transfer the fish to a flat plate, skin side down, and spoon the reserved marinade on top (not the marinade the fish was sitting in) . Allow the fish to rest for 10 minutes. Remove the skin and serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled.

Say Nothing

For the majority of the human species and for tens of thousands of years the idea that humanity included every human being on the face of the earth does not exist at all. The designation stops at the the border of each tribe.

Synopsis: In December 1972, Jean McConville, a thirty-eight year old mother of ten, was dragged from her Belfast home by a gang of masked intruders. Her children never saw her again, and her abduction and murder was one of the most notorious crimes of the vicious conflict known as The Troubles. Everyone knew that the IRA was responsible, but no one would speak of it. Patrick Radden Keefe uses the McConville case as a starting point for a fascinating report on this time in history, as well as more contemporary efforts to uncover and record the truth of the crimes committed in this war.

Nicholette’s Review : This book is a fantastic mash-up of murder mystery and modern history telling. The events of the time—not that long ago!!—are truly horrific. First the crime. It’s not a spoiler to say that Jean McConville was abducted by people who were her neighbors, and knew that her death would leave 10 children orphaned (the father having died of cancer several years prior). After her abduction and murder, not one person stepped in to help those children for months. Even the local parish priest was unsympathetic! It took several months for the children to ultimately be taken to foster care or orphanages, and that was a horror of a different sort. However, the murder is not actually the focal point of the book, though it is highlighted as an example of the times. Equally astonishing are the stories of young IRA members such as Dolours Price and her sister Marian, only teenagers when they began a campaign of bombings and resistance against the occupying British forces. While the number of deaths in The Troubles was relatively low compared to most wars, the viciousness of neighbor fighing neighbor is shocking and disturbing. This book was well researched and captivating. I was very impressed with how the author was able to bring such a sensitive and emotional topic to life.

Rating: 5/5

Corey’s Review: Wow!! Definitely adding this to my list of TBR. A few years ago I set a goal to read more non fiction books to help educate myself on important historic events and I know nothing about this! My mom always has great recommendations for non fiction books and this sounds like it was an amazing read.

Menu: It’s hard to think of a food more closely associated with Ireland than potatoes. The great Irish potato famine in the 1840’s led to the starvation of a million people, and the emigration of a million more. While precipitated by fungal disease, it was greatly exacerbated by the British policies in place and control of Irish agriculture. This recipe for potato soup is simple and satisfying. Rating: 5/5

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

4 slices thick cut bacon

1 onion finely chopped

3 tablespoons all purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon celery seeds

1 1/4 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and diced to 1/2 inch pieces

1 cup half and half

2 ounces cream cheese

1 tablespoon grated parmesan

1/2 teaspoon hot sauce

shredded cheddar cheese and chopped chives for garnish

Method:

1) Melt the butter in a large pot, add the bacon and cook until crisp. Remove and transfer to paper towel lined plate.

2) Reduce the heat to medium and add the onion and a big pinch of salt to the pot. Cook until the onion is soft but not browned, about 8 minutes. Add the flour, celery seeds and stir until combined.

3) Add the potatoes, 3 1/2 cups water and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes.

4) Puree some of the soup in a blender, or use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup. I like to leave some texture, but make it as smooth as you like.

5) Add the half and half, cream cheese, hot sauce and half of the bacon.

6) Divide among bowls and top with remaining bacon, cheddar and chives if desired.

The Nightingale

“If I have learned anything in this long life of mine, it is this: in love we find out who we want to be; in war we find out who we are.”

Synopsis: This book follows two sisters as they resist the Nazi occupancy in France during WW2. The two sisters help fight the Nazi regime by hiding Jewish children and helping allied pilots escape France after their planes had been shot down.

Corey’s Review: This book will always hold a special place in my heart. I often say it is one of my favorite books of all time. The story, characters, writing… everything is perfect. I love historical fiction books, especially books set during WW2. It is a heart wrenching story that keeps you hooked until the end. I recommend this book to everyone. I think there is a reason there are over 40,000 5 star reviews on Amazon. I actually read this book on my kindle and had no idea how long it was until I saw it in the bookstore. I savored every chapter and every page and didn’t want it to end. I don’t think I have met a single a person that didn’t love this book.

Nicholette’s Review: Corey, I agree that this book has the required elements: strong female characters, drama, tension, and of course, Nazis and WWII. The two sisters, Vivianne and Isabelle, are so very different, and make so many different choices. This book shines a light on war by looking at the experience of these two women and their struggles, and the different ways that they each tried to resist and fight back. At the beginning of the book, the sisters seemed to be in conflict, but grew in love and understanding I think. I frequently found myself wondering how I would have handled each of their situations, had I the misfortune to experience it! Occasionally the situations seemed a little melodramatic, but hey, its war. Rating: 4/5.

Menu: French Onion Soup seems like the perfect French comfort food: taking just a few simple ingredients and making something delicious with it! This is very simple, though does require a little bit of time, so plan accordingly. Rating: 5/5.

Ingredients:

6 tablespoons unsalted butter

6 medium yellow onions, coarsely chopped

4 cups low sodium beef broth

3 tablespoons cognac

2 bay leaves

3 cups cubed crusty or stale bread

8 ounces shredded Gruyere, Emmenthaler or other Swiss cheese

1). In a large pot, melt 4 T. of the butter over medium heat. Add the onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 45-60 minutes or until deep golden brown. If the onions become dry or begin to stick to the pot, add water a little at a time to prevent burning.

2) Preheat the oven to 400* F.

3) Add the broth, Cognac, bay leaves and pinch of pepper to the pot. Add 1-2 C of water to make sure the onions are covered in liquid. simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes.

4). Meanwhile, melt the remaining butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the bread cubes, stir to combine, and toast, stirring as needed, until crisp and lightly browned, about 10 minutes.

5). Remove the bay leaves from the soup and divide the soup among 4 ovenproof bowls. Float the croutons on top and then sprinkle shredded cheese over the croutons. Place the bowls on a baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and beginning to brown. Serve immediately.

The Alice Network

“What did it matter if something scared you, when it simply had to be done?”

Synopsis: The Alice Network is told from the perspective of two main characters, Charlie and Eve and spans two different time periods between WW1 and WW2. We follow Charlie as she tries to find her missing cousin when she solicits the help of an ex spy, Eve. Part Suspense, part historical fiction.

Corey’s Review: Historian fiction set in WW2 is one of my favorite genres to read so I had high expectations for this book. Overall, it was just OK. If I was recommending a book that is set during this time period, this would not be my first choice. Charlie’s character was difficult for me to connect to and I didn’t love her story-line. However, Eve’s story-line was very entertaining and I was always disappointing when her chapters ended. It is hard for me to rate this because I don’t think it deserves 4 stars, but better than 3. Too bad we don’t give half star ratings. Rating: 3/5

Nicholette’s Review: Lately we seem to be on a roll with books about WW2 or the French Resistance…. I enjoyed this because I do love strong female characters, and Eve the WW1 spy fit the bill there. Like a lot of historical fiction novels, this uses the dual narrator approach and it works pretty well here. Eve’s story of espionage in France during World War I is engrossing, and while you get hints where it’s going, you’re not sure how you’re getting there, so it definitely kept my interest. I found Charlie’s story less believable, so didn’t buy into it as much. I would consider this something like a beach read, interesting, a little fluffy, perfectly nice but not a top read. Rating: 3/5

Menu: We knew we had to do a classic French dish to pair with this book and we settled for non other than Coq-Au-Vin. A true classic. For inspiration we channeled our inner Ina Garten and whipped up this delicious one pan chicken dish. Rating 5/5

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons good olive oil

4 ounces good bacon or pancetta, diced

1 (3 to 4-pound) chicken, cut in 8ths

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/2 pound carrots, cut diagonally in 1-inch pieces

1 yellow onion, sliced

1 teaspoon chopped garlic

1/4 cup Cognac or good brandy

1/2 bottle (375 ml) good dry red wine such as Burgundy

1 cup good chicken stock, preferably homemade

10 fresh thyme sprigs

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature, divided

1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/2 pound frozen small whole onions

1/2 pound cremini mushrooms, stems removed and thickly sliced

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.

2. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven. Add the bacon and cook over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove the bacon to a plate with a slotted spoon.

3. Meanwhile, lay the chicken out on paper towels and pat dry. Liberally sprinkle the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. When the bacon is removed, brown the chicken pieces in batches in a single layer for about 5 minutes, turning to brown evenly. Remove the chicken to the plate with the bacon and continue to brown until all the chicken is done. Set aside.

4. Add the carrots, onions, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper to the pan and cook over medium heat for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are lightly browned. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add the Cognac and put the bacon, chicken, and any juices that collected on the plate into the pot. Add the wine, chicken stock, and thyme and bring to a simmer. Cover the pot with a tight fitting lid and place in the oven for 30 to 40 minutes, until the chicken is just not pink. Remove from the oven and place on top of the stove.

5. Mash 1 tablespoon of butter and the flour together and stir into the stew. Add the frozen onions. In a medium saute pan, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and cook the mushrooms over medium-low heat for 5 to 10 minutes, until browned. Add to the stew. Bring the stew to a simmer and cook for another 10 minutes. Season to taste. Serve hot.

Before We Were Yours

“

A woman’s past need not predict her future. She can dance to new music if she chooses.”

Synopsis: This book takes places in Tennessee in 1930 and uncovers the shocking truths about the real life Tennessee Children's Home Society that was active from the 1920's thru 1950. They sentimentally helped organize kidnappings of “poor” children and brokered them off to rich families who paid big bucks. This story follows Rill Foss and her four younger siblings as they navigate their way through the Tennessee Children’s Home Society.

Corey’s Review: I had no idea this book was loosely based on real life events. I love historical fiction so naturally I was drawn to the story line. Overall, this is an entertaining book that kept me interested and invested in the characters. If you enjoyed the Orphan Train then I would highly recommend you read this. The story is split between two time periods which can be distracting to me, but I think the author did a good job keeping you invested during both periods. I really can’t imagine that this actually took place. Rating: 4/5

Nicholette’s Review: I enjoyed this story, but I would hesitate to give it my highest review. My first instinct was to go for the true story! Not the historical fiction….. What I liked was bringing this awful true story to a bigger audience, and bringing it to life. I enjoyed the story of Rill and her siblings more than the contemporary story of Avery which was tiresome and cliche’d. It made me give serious thought to how children have been historically slotted into accessories, or property. It was both sobering and sad to think about how society was so willing to relegate children into situations of abuse and neglect. If I had one specific criticism, it is the cartoonish, one dimensional nature of the villains. Georgia Tann, and those who assisted her efforts, come across as very one dimensional, evil characters. While I wouldn’t dispute the final assessment, I think that what is most frightening in these situations is the number of people who aren’t OBVIOUSLY EVIL. There were likely many people who thought they had the best interest of children in mind, who looked the other way when they shouldn’t. That’s the way bad stuff happens, people who really think they have “good” motives at heart, who allow things to go on that shouldn’t.

Review: 4/5

Menu: Ribs! When we think Memphis, we think BBQ. Nothing like fall off the bone ribs to pair with your favorite BBQ sauce. This recipe is fool proof because the majority of the cooking takes place in your oven.

Method:

Spice Rub Recipe

1/2 cup ancho Chile powder

1/4 cup white sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup kosher salt

2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper

1 tablespoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon dry mustard

1 teaspoon cayenne powder

1/2 teaspoon ground dried chipotle pepper

Oven Baked ribs

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Place ribs meat side down on aluminum foil. Prick back of rib rack several times with a knife. Generously apply coating of spice rub to all sides of rib rack. With ribs meat side down, fold foil around to create a tight seal. Transfer to a sheet pan. Bake for about 2 hours. Remove and cool for 15 minutes. Increase oven temp to 350 degrees. Open foil, drain and discard accumulated juices and fat. Brush BBQ sauce on all sides of rack. Place rack meat side up and return to oven leaving foil open. Bake for 10 minutes, then brush another layer of BBQ sauce on meat side only. Repeat baking and brushing with sauce 4 more times. Cut rack into individual segments and serve.

Nicholette’s Review: I’ve made this many times. I love ribs, and this allows me to make them even in the midst of winter. Love them!

Corey’a Review: I have not actually made these ribs but I know my mom makes them frequently and everyone loves them. I think the best part is that you can bake them in the oven!

Rating: 5/5

Portrait of a Lady

There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea

Synopsis: Isabel Archer is a beautiful, spirited young American women. She is brought to Europe by her wealthy aunt with the unspoken idea that she will find a suitable match for marriage. Isabel likes to view herself as independent and unconventional, and does not hesitate to turn down two potential suitors. She then proceeds to make an ill fated choice for marriage with sad consequences.

Nicholette’s Review: Sometimes people ask how I choose the books I wish to read. One of my sources of inspiration is the New York Times Book Review Podcast, which I think should be required listening for book lovers! One component of the podcast involves the “What We Are Reading” segment by NYT book critics and editors. One of the editors was recently reading (and speaking of) this book which prompted my interest. I’ve read other books by Henry James, and this has been my favorite. I was completely engaged by the story, but Isabel is a completely maddening character! Henry James doesn’t like to get to the point too quickly, though I enjoyed the puzzle of his complicated run-on sentences. But Isabel. She started out so unconventional, but ended up SO conventional. She makes some bad choices, then doesn’t have the courage to fix it. I wanted better for her. Rating: 4/5

Corey’s Review: Never read this book- but based on my mom’s review I think I’ll add this to my list. Sounds like Isabel picked a dud of a boyfriend and was too scared to leave him.

Menu: Blueberry Scones. English tea. What could be wrong about the idea of getting a yummy treat in late afternoon with your friends while gossiping about the events of the day? I think Americans have made a grave error in eliminating this from our customs. Rating:5/5

2 cups all purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons sugar

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold, cut in chunks

1 cup fresh blueberries

1 cup heavy cream

Lemon glaze:

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

2 cups confectioners sugar

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

1 lemon, zested

Sift together the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, salt and sugar). Cut in the butter, mixture should look like coarse crumbs. Fold in the blueberries. Make a well in the center and pour in the heavy cream. Fold everything together to incorporate, do not overwork. Press dough into a rectangle about 12 x 3 inches. Cut the rectangle in half, then cut the prices in half again, then cut the squares on the diagonal. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and brush the tops with a little heavy cream. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes until beautiful and brown. Let the scones cool a bit before you apply the glaze.

Little Fires Everywhere

Synopsis: Mia Warren moves to suburbia Ohio with her teenage daughter and rents a house next door to Elena Richardson. The Richardson’s are the picture perfect family and Mia’s daughter quickly becomes friends with the Richardson’s kids. All seems to be going smoothly until a custody battle divids the town.

Corey’s Review: I started reading this book without actually knowing much about it. I enjoyed Celeste Ng’s other book so I picked this one up too. My favorite books are those with good character development and I felt this book was average. It took me a while to get into it because it was slow going at first. Once the Pleasantville family drama started to unfold, I really became interested in it. This book hits serious topics and would be a great pick for a book club. I actually think my book club, (RIP we could never agree on a date/time) read this. If you enjoy family drama, then I would grab this one. Rating 4/5

Nicholette’s Review: I want to give this a good review, and largely, I will. One thing about this book that hit home was the way people, society, and especially mothers, judge other mothers. It seems we have this irresistible urge to pass judgement on other people’s parenting decisions. The primary story presents in juxtaposition Mia Warren (the bohemian artist) and Elena Richardson, portrayed as a repressed suburban cliche. Neither one felt quite real, but sadly, the judging is all too real! C’mon folks, we’re all just doing the best we can….. The subplot involves a custody dispute between a hopeful adoptive family, and the single mother of the Chinese baby in question. A lot of questions were raised about the ethics involved in this situation, and again, judging. I did enjoy this book and found it thought provoking. Some of the plot twists were a little far fetched, but probably no more so than real life.

Rating: 4/5

Menu: When we started thinking about dishes that Ohio is famous for we both agreed, Cincinnati Chili. Technially this book isn’t set in Cincinnati, but it’s February and Chili is always a good idea. Cincinnati Chili combines spaghetti, chili and cheese- what’s not to love? Rating 5/5

Method:

My mom uses an instant pot for this recipe to help speed up the process and get that bowl of goodness on the table ASAP.

1 pound ground beef

1 cup finely chopped onion

3 cloves minced garlic

2 cans (14.5 oz) Mexican style stewed tomatoes

8 oz can tomato sauce

2 tablespoons chili owder

1 tablespoon cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon allspice

8 ounces cooked and drained spaghetti

Chopped white onions, shredded Cheddar cheese, kidney beans for topping

1) Place the beef, onion and garlic in a large skillet, and brown, 4-5 minutes.

2) Drain and place in slow cooker with tomatoes, tomato sauce, chili powder, cocoa, cinnamon and allspice, stir to combine.

3) Cover and cook 8-10 hours on low heat, or use a pressure cooker, 18 minutes on high pressure for speedy delivery!

4) Serve the chili on top of spaghetti, and add toppings as desired.

Nicholette’s Review: I really like the warm spices and unusual flavors of this chili. Not quite chili, not quite spaghetti, it’s an Ohio classic! Not that I’m from Ohio, but I can still appreciate it. Is it still Cincinnati chili if you use Vermont cheddar?

Rating: 5/5

Anna Karenina

Respect was invented to cover the empty space where love should be

Synopsis: 800+ pages and dozens of major characters. Synopsis? That’s harder than actually reading it! Anna Arkadyevna married Alexei Alexandrovich Karenin, a man two decades older than she, and dutifully produced a son. She settled into a comfortable life with no financial worries, enjoying beautiful clothes and a busy social life. Things could have gone on nicely, but she had the misfortune of falling in love with someone who wasn’t her husband. A messy mid life crisis to say the least. Count Vronsky creates the drama! The second major narrative thread involves Levin, the prosperous farmer who marries a distant relative of Anna’s and is struggling to figure out the purpose of life. Impossible to truly summarize as human lives are expansive.

Corey’s Review: This book is not for the faint of heart. I think it took me 6 months to finish it. It is said to be one of the greatest literary works of all time. I think it’s because there are so many emotions; love, loss and death, that people can relate to. I remember calling my mom when I was in college and told her that this novel was basically like One Tree Hill, except it is set in imperial Russia. I enjoyed the overall story line, but I will admit It was not an easy read. It is one of those books you have to read because One thing I vividly remember thinking was how upsetting it was that Anna let two men essentially ruin her life. There were multiple points throughout the story I felt sorry for her. This is a book you should read once in your lifetime, but I do not think I will re-read this. I have a feeling my mom will disagree with me. She is extra smart and wise like that.

Rating: 4/5

Nicholette’s Review: Corey, did you set me up? Because I have actually read this twice! I had a period in my twenties of voraciously consuming Russian literature from War and Peace, to Anna Karenina, The Brothers Karamozov, and others. I then read this again much later in life. I liked it even better the second time around. It’s everything you would think, part soap opera, drama, incredible character development, and an interesting commentary on the modernization of Russia. However, at its heart, it is the story of Anna, who left her comfortable life as wife and mother to take up an extramarital affair and has a baby out of wedlock. She needed to have some passion in her life, not just comfort, but sadly, it didn’t work out so well for her. It’s quite exasperating to see the double standard that governs how the story plays out. One thousand percent worthy of its acclaim, it’s an amazing novel.

Rating: 5/5

Menu: Naturally, we would want to pick something classically Russian to accompany this masterpiece of Russian literature. I thought of Russian Tea Cakes, which are also sometimes called Mexican wedding cookies, snowballs, or other names. Anything that can be called both Russian or Mexican seems to have a dubious ethnic heritage. Are Russian Tea Cakes actually Russian? I took to Google to try and find out. I didn’t get an answer but ultimately decided, who cares? They are delicious! Who wouldn’t want wonderful cookies?

Review: One of my favorite cookies ever, 5/5.

Method:

1 cup butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon almond extract

1 cup chopped walnuts

1/3 cup confectioner’s sugar

In a medium bowl, cream butter, vanilla, almond extract until smooth. Combine 6 tablespoons confectioners sugar and flour, stir into the butter until blended. Mix in chopped walnuts. Roll dough into 1 inch balls and place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 12 minutes in a 350 degree oven. When cool, roll in remaining confectioners sugar.

Nine Perfect Strangers

“Relax and enjoy the journey. The stream will carry you this way and that, but will carry you forward to where you need to go”

Synopsis: Nine perfect strangers is about a group of people that attend a health and wellness retreat. They are complete strangers and their reasons for attending the retreat vary from weight loss to spiritual awakening. Things start to seem off and the guests begin to question if the center’s methods are actually safe.

Corey’s review: I was really excited about this book because every year my mom and I go on a retreat together. The book started off promising and then took a weird turn. I love Liane Moriarty as an author so I was disappointed that this fell short for me. The storyline was just odd and seemed to jump from one weird situation to another. Sadly I would pass on this one.
Rating: 2/5

Nicholette’s review: I’ve also been a fan of Liane Moriarty! My first exposure to her was What Alice Forgot, and I enjoyed it so much! I’ve read several others as well, and since they are about the issues of middle aged women (and I AM a middle aged woman) I guess I can relate. I didn’t read this one with Corey and sadly, based on the review, I probably won’t put it on my bedside table

Menu:

Throughout the book the guests are given a smoothie for breakfast. I thought it would be fitting to create my own healthy smoothie. I actually do drink one of these 3-4 days a week and it keeps me full for majority of the day because of the fat and fiber. One addition that I did not add below is protein powder (because I ran out!) I usually add one scoop of protein to my smoothie mixture.

Method:

In your blender layer the ingredients the following

1) 1 cup of almond milk/regular milk/ coconut water- basically any liquid base.

2) 1/3 cup oats (optional) depending on the day ahead I’ll add these or omit

3) 1tbs maca powder

4) 1tbs peanut butter or almond butter. You could also use an avocado. I would just switch up other ingredients to match the taste

5) handful power greens

6) 1/4 cup frozen fruit- any mixture will do.

7) blend together