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
