Books and Cooks

Booking Through Thursday: It's All About Me

lisamos64@gmail.com (Lisa) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:47:00 +0000

This week's BTT question is . . .

Which do you prefer - Biographies written about someone? Or autobiographies written by the actual person (and/or ghost-writer)?

This is an easy one for me. Autobiographies. Here's why: When I read about a real person's life, I want accuracy, not speculation. Although I'm not discrediting them, biographies are not first-hand accounts. In fact, some biographers don't even have the subjects permission to write their story. That is a big deciding factor for me when considering to read a biography. This may sound a bit harsh, but some biographies, especially the celebrity or even political type are a step above tabloid gossip in my opinion.

That said, historical biographies are a different matter. Obviously, if the person is deceased and the book is written after their death, it is impossible to have an autobiography. In that case, I simply keep in mind that not everything written may be factual.

As a rule, if I choose to read about a person's life, I always opt for the autobiography. If one is not available, I look to see if the person gave permission or contributed in some way to the biography.

Visit Booking Through Thursday for more responses on this subject or to participate.

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Recent Reviews:

The Time of My Life by Patrick Swayze & Lisa Niemi (Audiobook)

lisamos64@gmail.com (Lisa) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:20:00 +0000

In 1984 I watched a movie called Red Dawn starring Patrick Swayze and I developed an instant crush. Three years later came Dirty Dancing and my crush turned to full on LUST! Patrick Swayze was the sexiest man alive as far as I was concerned. I've lost count as to how many times I've seen that movie, not to mention how many times I wished I could be Jennifer Grey for five minutes! When I heard about his pancreatic cancer diagnosis, I was heartbroken. Having lost a friend to this brutal form of cancer very quickly, I understood immediately how bad this was.

I knew he and wife, Lisa Niemi were in the process of writing a book about his life and I decided when I discovered Patrick himself would be narrating the audio version, that's what I wanted. I'm not a big audiobook user, but in this case, for me, it was the only way to experience this book. And I'm so glad I did. Having Patrick narrate this book makes it a more intimate and personal experience because you feel like he's talking directly to you. Obviously, you lose the benefit of any photos in the book, but that isn't a big deal for me. Even during some really bad days while recording this book, his voice is even, strong and sexy as ever.

The start of The Time of My Life is Patrick explaining how he came to realize something was not right with his health and how it changed his life. Then, it's Lisa's turn to explain how that realization effected her. I believe, in the printed version, that is the prologue.

Patrick then starts telling his story from 1970 when he was a high school athlete, dancer and gymnast. He chronicles his career and personal accomplishments he and Lisa shared along with some really tough times in his personal life. It becomes obvious pretty early on how fierce his competitive nature was and how much he loved striving to be the best at whatever he put his mind to. But it was also clear that dancing was his first love. With a mother like Patsy Swayze, a very respected dancer, choreographer and teacher, it was inevitable he become an accomplished dancer in his own rite.

Although I've read a few reviews that felt the book is more of a rundown of his movie career than the story of his life, I feel differently. It's quite clear that for Patrick and Lisa, their movies and dancing were their life. They worked hard as a team on every endeavor they attempted and they gave each project 110 percent. This book shows that Patrick lived an extremely full life doing exactly the things he loved to do. He did have passions other than acting and dancing as well. He also loved horses and flying airplanes and therefore became an accomplished rider and pilot.

If there is one message that I will take away from this book, it is to live life to the fullest each and every day. That's what Patrick did. He wasn't afraid to tackle anything. He had incredible drive and it's that drive that enabled him to fight pancreatic cancer as hard as he did.

This book was very inspirational and interesting and I recommend it for fans of Patrick Swayze. In fact, if you get the chance to listen to the audio book, it will be even better, hearing Patrick in his own words and voice.

THE TIME OF MY LIFE (Audiobook)

Author: Patrick Swayze and Lisa Niemi

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Published: September 29, 2009

Discs: 5

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Musing Mondays: Take Note

lisamos64@gmail.com (Lisa) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:34:00 +0000

Today's Musing Mondays post is about note taking.

Do you take notes while reading - either for reviews or for yourself? Howe/wehre do you make these notes (on the page, post-its, scrap paper, notebooks, etc.)?

Although I don't take notes with every single book I read, I do when there is a subject that I want to learn more about. For instance, I am a huge coffee and tea fan, so when reading NO ONE YOU KNOW by Michelle Richmond, (the protagonist was a coffee buyer), I jotted down terms and bean types mentioned in the book so that I could learn more about them.

Other times I take notes for reviews if the book has a complicated plot or storyline, if it's a long book and I don't want to forget certain points when writing my review or if there's something that jumps out at me and makes a big impression. I usually always make notes when reading audiobooks. This may be partly because I'm still new to that format and I don't entirely trust my memory. Paper formats allow you to flip around and re-read, while audios rely on your memory.

I keep a notebook that originally started as a reading journal and that is where I keep my notes for books I read. I would never write on the page! If there are certain passages I want to remember, I'll fold the tip of the page down - but I feel weird doing that! I think Post-It's area a great idea too.

Do you keep notes while reading? For more musings or to participate in this weekly meme, visit Just One More Page.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

lisamos64@gmail.com (Lisa) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:29:00 +0000

The past few weeks have not provided me much reading time, but this week is going to be different! Here are my plans for the week . . .

I plan to finish LOOT THE MOON by Mark Arsenault in the next day or two with a review following shortly thereafter. This book has really captured my attention and I am enjoying it very much. The plot is interesting as well as the characters. I love a good crime novel with twists and turns and this definitely fits the bill!

I'm also looking forward to starting an audiobook this week. It is THE TIME OF MY LIFE by Patrick Swayze. I've always been a fan of his and was so saddened by his passing. This book is also narrated by Patrick, which will make it even better, I presume. I'm thinking I may need the Kleenex box close by for that one.

So, that is what I have planned for the week. Not a whole lot, but an enjoyable one for sure. To see what other bloggers are reading this week or to participate, visit J. Kaye's Book Blog.

Teaser Tuesday: Loot The Moon

lisamos64@gmail.com (Lisa) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:12:00 +0000

Today is one of my favorite days of the week because it's time for Teaser Tuesday! This is where we. . .

Grab our current read
Let it fall open to a random page
Choose two sentences to share, without including any spoilers
Be sure to include the name of the book and the page number your teasers are taken from.

This is such a great way to get a taste of all the different books out there - as if my TBR pile wasn't bad enough! Oh well, I can think of much worse things!

My teasers this week are from a book that I just started reading today, so I have little insight as to what is going on really. The book is LOOT THE MOON, a new mystery by Mark Arsenault and I'd like to thank St. Martin's Press for sending it to me for review. This book will be released October 13. Here goes . . .

He took measure of his situation. After binding his feet with rope, taping his wrists together with duct tape - and choking what little fight had remained in Billy - they had bandaged the scrape on his palm with tape and an old T-shirt. That was probably so he wouldn't bleed in the car, Billy figured. ~ page 131

This is Mark Arsenault's second novel featuring the character of Billy Povich, a former journalist and 'beaten down gambler', who is trying to find the truth about a case involving a murdered superior court judge and the dead car-jacker who has been labeled the killer. As a favor to a friend, Billy noses around and he finds that things just don't add up. The closer Billy gets to the truth, the more his own life is in danger.

As I mentioned, I've just started reading this book today, but it feels like a book I'm going to enjoy. Just in glancing at the writing, I believe it's going to be a smart, swiftly paced mystery.

For more teasers and to participate in this weekly meme, visit MizB at Should Be Reading.

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Recent Reviews:

THE SUMMER KITCHEN by Karen Weinreb
DIRTY LITTLE ANGELS by Chris Tusa

The Summer Kitchen by Karen Weinreb

lisamos64@gmail.com (Lisa) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 05:08:00 +0000

The Banks family has a very comfortable life with few worries. They live in the ultra affluent neighborhood of Bedford, New York, one hamlet over from where Martha Stewart lives. Nora and Evan Banks have three young children that attend private school, a nanny, fancy cars, and a large, beautiful estate with all of the luxuries that entails. It's very easy to get caught up in the lifestyle her husband's Wall Street job provides. Nora never questions Evan about finances and such, she simply allows him to have total control over that aspect of their life.

Nora seems to have the perfect life until one November morning when the Feds show up at their door before dawn to arrest Evan for various white collar crimes. Nora is caught completely off guard, having put all of her trust in Evan without question. Now, with Evan facing serious jail time and their finances frozen, Nora is left to not only come to terms with having a husband who broke the law, but she also has to find a way to provide for her boys and try to keep them in the lifestyle they are accustomed to. She decides to fall back on her love of baking and with the help of Beatriz, her nanny, and a few friends, she is soon baking her way out of her problems. But Nora soon learns what it's like to be on 'the outside' of Bedford society. She begins a journey that will teach her what is truly important in life and she learns some things about herself along the way.

My thoughts:

When I started reading THE SUMMER KITCHEN, Karen Weinreb's debut novel, I immediately felt I was going to like Nora. She seemed different than the other Bedford wives in that she didn't seem to be as . . . snobby, for lack of a better word. And though I kept that feeling for her throughout the book, I can't say that I related to her at all. Obviously, I don't live in that kind of lifestyle and I don't know any women who do, for that matter, so it was hard to put myself in her shoes. I liked the premise of the story about a woman trying to put her life back together after her husband's arrest, and the inner strength she discovers, however, I was expecting something with a little more depth. The story just didn't move me like I thought it would. I don't want to say too much for those who have yet to read it, but for me, the plot fell a little flat. I found parts of the story just weren't realistic for me. For instance, after her husband is arrested, Nora suffers another devastating loss and I was disappointed that this event was hardly addressed at all. I felt such an incident should've had more of an impact on Nora, which might have given me a more emotional connection to her. However, there was more focus on her sexual fantasies with one of the other husbands, than of the losses she endured. I also felt the story was forced at times -like the author was trying to make certain points before the end of the book. Speaking of the ending, although it was satisfying for the most part, it all just seemed a bit unbelievable to me.

THE SUMMER KITCHEN is light women's fiction, that unfortunately, didn't leave any lasting impression on me. I'd like to thank Nicole at Authors On The Web for sending me this book to review. If you've read this book please post a link in the comment section and I'll add it to this review. I'd be very interested in hearing your thoughts.

Visit Karen Weinreb's website here.

THE SUMMER KITCHEN

Author: Karen Weinreb

Publisher: St. Martins Press

Published: July 2009

Pages: 336

Rating: 3 Stars out of 5 (It was just OK)

Booking Through Thursday: Liar, Liar!

lisamos64@gmail.com (Lisa) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:52:00 +0000

Suggested by Monibo -

Saw this article (from March) and thought it would make a good BTT confessional question:

Two-thirds of Brits have lied about reading books they haven't. Have you? Why? What book(s)?

In a word, NO. Although I have started some books that I never finished, I don't count those as books I've read. The main reason is that I'm a terrible liar and what if someone asks you something specific about a book that you've lied about reading? I'd rather focus on books I've actually read. I enjoy discussions with people who've read the same book as I have and lying about it wouldn't serve any purpose and in the end, it would become obvious that I hadn't actually read the book. There are many 'popular' books that the masses are reading that I do not, but I wouldn't lie just to fit in. Besides, the conversation could take a more interesting turn if asked why I'm not reading such a popular book (i.e. Harry Potter series or the Twilight series).

I find it interesting that the article lists George Orwell's 1984 as the most lied about book! I've never read that book and now I'm curious as to why so many have lied about it!

Have you ever lied about what books you've read? For more answers to this BTT question or to participate click here.

Mailbox Monday

lisamos64@gmail.com (Lisa) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:51:00 +0000

Mailbox Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page where we share what books we received (or bought) the previous week.

Here's what I found in my mailbox last week . . .

STAINED GLASS (Father Dowling Mystery) byRalph McInerny. Sent to me from St. Martins Press. This is the latest in this very well established series. Although I haven't read any of the previous books, they sound very good and I will probablyback track and read some of the others as well. This book will be released on October 13th.

LOOT T HE MOON by Mark Arsenault. This was also sent from St. Martins Press. Here's what Amazon says about this very promising thriller.

In this next electifying thriller from up-and-coming author Mark Arsenault, former journalist and beaten-down gambler Billy Povich returns to aid Martin Smothers, the Patron Lawyer of Hopeless Causes. Martin’s old law partner, the well-respected superior court judge Gilbert Harmony, has been shot by a thief who dies in a car crash. The cops close the case, but Martin doesn’t believe a two-bit shoplifter would suddenly kill a judge---somebody must have paid him to do it. The suspects range from a vengeful mobster to a jealous brother to the judge's widow, and---oops---his mistress and her son. And as Billy comes closer to the truth, it isn't long before the killer takes aim at him.

That sounds to me like a great story! This book will also be released October 13th.

JULIE AND JULIA by Julie Powell. I won this book in a giveaway hosted by Bonnie at Redlady's Reading Room! Thanks again Bonnie! I've read mixed reviews on this one so I'm anxious to see where it falls with me. I also want to read it before I see the movie.

What great books did you find in your mailbox last week?

BTT: Recent Sad

lisamos64@gmail.com (Lisa) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:19:00 +0000

Continuing on with the 'most recent' theme, this week's Booking Through Thursday question is . . .

What's the saddest book you've read recently?

Well, a few come to mind, but the most sad book was TOMATO GIRL by Jayne Pupek that I read last year. I was literally in tears by the end. Even though it was a sad story about a little girl being forced to grow up way too fast because her parents were not able to take proper care of her for differing reasons, it is one of my all-time favorite books. It sounds strange that such a sad book could be a 'favorite', but this book really moved me, mainly because of Jayne Pupek's extraordinary writing. [Review here]

More recently I read THE LAST BRIDGE by Teri Coyne, another debut novel that blew my socks off! That book grabbed a hold of me and didn't let go. [Review here]

Lastly, DIRTY LITTLE ANGELS by Chris Tusa is a book I just read a few weeks ago. The circumstances of this story about a teenager living in the slums of New Orleans was very sad and shocking at times. This is a great example of contemporary fiction that doesn't hold back. [Review here]

For more BTT responses or to participate in this weekly meme, click here.

Teaser Tuesday: The Summer Kitchen

lisamos64@gmail.com (Lisa) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:32:00 +0000

It's time for another teaser! Here are the rules...

Grab your current read
Let it fall open to a random page
Share two sentences without any spoilers
Name the title and page of the book your teasers are from

Today my teasers are from Karen Weinreb's novel THE SUMMER KITCHEN . . .

As she pushed past him to take her pocketbook from the leather chair and leave, he grabbed her hand roughly and spun her to face him. She tried pulling her hand free. "Let me go or I'll scream." ~ page 224

To read more fun teasers or to participate in this weekly meme, visit Should Be Reading.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

lisamos64@gmail.com (Lisa) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 09:00:00 +0000

This week I'm planning to finish THE SUMMER KITCHEN by Karen Weinreb, a book I'm beginning to really get in to. It's the perfect book for end of summer. The author and protagonist both love baking and cooking which comes out in the story and as the summer winds into fall, the seasonal baking begins. I also love that time of year, so I'm thoroughly enjoying the backdrop of this novel. I plan to be finished by week's end, with my review coming thereafter.

The other book I've just started and hope to make a good dent in is Charlaine Harris' DEAD UNTIL DARK. As so many of you know, it's the first book in the Sookie Stackhouse Mystery Series. There was a two month wait at my local library for this book, so I'm more than anxious to finally be able to get started. Vampires aren't typically something I read about, but I'm willing to try something new!

Last week I finished and reviewed Chris Tusa's DIRTY LITTLE ANGELS. This was an incredible story and one that I won't soon forget. You can read my review here. Definitely a book to read should you have the opportunity.

To see what other bloggers are reading this week or to participate in this weekly meme, visit J. Kaye's Blog.

Favorite Food Find of the Week: Say Queso!!

lisamos64@gmail.com (Lisa) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 13:41:00 +0000

Have you ever ordered a dish from a Mexican restaurant and wondered about that smooth, creamy cheese on top? It's almost white and it's so creamy - much creamier than the store-bought shredded cheese you buy in the bag. I love to eat Mexican food so I tend to incorporate a lot of Mexican flavors into many of the dishes I make. This week I found two great cheeses that add great finishing touches to any meal.

Campesino cheese is a Mexican artisan cheese, meaning it is made by hand the old fashioned way and has a more complex taste than other mass produced cheese. It is a cows milk cheese often used in quesedillas. It's a softer cheese than cheddar, which helps it to melt nicely. Because of its

soft texture, it's important to keep it in the refrigerator until you're ready to grate it.

Another cheese I discovered this week is Tetilla cheese. This Spanish cheese is also made from cows milk and is considered to be a semi-hard cheese. It's almost white, very creamy and has a hint of sweetness to it. Tetilla cheese is also perfect

for grading.

I used the Campesino cheese this week when making my own version of grilled, stuffed burritos. The cheese melted nicely on top of the hot filling and gave it a nice mild flavor in contrast to the spiciness of the other ingrediants. Keep in mind this cheese is not limited to Mexican food, I even use it when making breakfast skillets.

Along with these great cheeses, there's a condiment that I always look for when ordering a dinner at a Mexican restaurant and that is pico de gallo. If it has pico de gallo in it, I'm all over it! This salsa-like condiment goes with just about anything and some people even use it instead of a regular salsa. I thought I'd share my recipe for a simple pico de gallo.

Pico de Gallo

4 plum or Roma tomatoes (seeded and diced)

3 Jalapeno peppers (seeded and finely chopped)

1 small red onion (finely chopped)

1/4 cup fresh cilantro (chopped)

3 Tbsp lime juice

Salt

Simply mix all of the ingrediant together and serve! Be sure to add the salt last because the lime juice and salt work off of one anoher and you don't want to end up with salty pico de gallo.

Now that I know how easy it is to make great pico de gallo at home, I will never have tacos or burritos without it! I always make it first to give the ingrediants time to meld. Using the Campesino cheese and my homemade pico de gallo, my Mexican dinner was restaurant quality and so yummy!

I hope these tips are helpful to you the next time you have a Mexican dinner night!

BTT: Recent Enjoyable

lisamos64@gmail.com (Lisa) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:00:00 +0000

This week's Booking Through Thursday question is . . .

What's the most enjoyable, most fun, just darn entertaining book you've read recently? (Doesn't necessarily mean funny, just GOOD)

A few months back I read THE FIXER UPPER by Mary Kay Andrews [Review here] and that, for me, was just pure entertainment. I have been an MK Andrews fan since I first read SAVANNAH BLUES years ago. The thing that always draws me to her books is her ability to come up with the most interesting and fun characters - not only the main characters but the supporting characters as well. They are always original and give the story depth. They're not just created to help fill up pages, they play an intricate part of the story. With the stand-alone THE FIXER UPPER, Andrews introduced us to a new set of characters living in a small Georgia town. The protagonist, Dempsey Killibrew, a Washington D.C. lobbyist, finds herself in trouble with the FBI, thanks to her boss, and high-tails it to Georgia to escape the press and humiliation and to figure out what her next move should be. She picked this hole-in-the-wall town because her father inherited the old family home there and he convinces Dempsey to 'just go down there, clean up the place and we'll flip it and make a bundle'. The problem is, her father hasn't seen the place in decades so Dempsey has a rude awakening when she gets there.

This was a completely entertaining novel that was pure fun.

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Recently Reviewed -

DIRTY LITTLE ANGELS by Chris Tusa

Library Loot: Sept 16

lisamos64@gmail.com (Lisa) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 11:36:00 +0000

Library Loot is hosted weekly by Eva (A Striped Armchair) and Marg (Reading Adventures). It's a place for us to share the books we've borrowed from the libarary each week. I haven't borrowed any books lately so this is my first Library Loot post in a few months. However, I did take a trip yesterday and picked up a book that I'd been waiting on since early July.

With all of the wildly popular vampire-themed books out there, I thought it was time for me to jump in and get my fangs...er, I mean my feet wet. This isn't typically the genre that I read, but Staci at Life in the Thumb helped to persuade me to try the Charlaine Harris Sookie Stackhouse Mystery Series. So I brought home from the library the first book, DEAD UNTIL DARK. I like the idea of this being a Southern Vampire Series, mainly because I love Southern Fiction! And I've read so many other bloggers saying how they adore Sookie! Now it's my turn to get introducedto her!

I am so excited to get started on this book. It sounds like pure fun! What great books did you bring home from the library this week?

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Recently reviewed:

DIRTY LITTLE ANGELS by Chris Tusa

Dirty Little Angels by Chris Tusa (ebook)

lisamos64@gmail.com (Lisa) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Let me first start by saying that this book is not for everyone. This is not light reading and it's not necessarily what you'd want to take on your family vacation, in my opinion. That said, you'll notice that I gave this poweful novel by Chris Tusa a high rating and there are several reasons. But first, let me tell you a little about the book.

DIRTY LITTLE ANGELS is the edgy, haunting story of Hailey Trosclair, a 16 year old girl living with her parents and older brother, Cyrus, in the slums of New Orleans. The story is told through Hailey's eyes and with her voice. Hailey's family has had nothing but bad luck recently and she is scared that her family is falling apart. All her parents do is fight, so Hailey slips in and out with no one really keeping an eye on her. It's not that her parents don't love her, they're just so caught up in their own problems that they just don't notice Hailey half of the time. She lives in fear that her parents are going to get a divorce. And to make matters worse, the home they are living in is about to be in forceclosure. Hailey is desperate for God to answer her prayers and save her family.

Things only get worse when Cyrus starts hanging out with Moses, a self-proclaimed follower of Christ who has his own ideas of how to interpret the Scriptures. Hailey, having asked God through her prayers over and over to help her family, is vulnerable and easily influenced by this dangerous man.

At 16, Hailey is a bright girl who is trying her best to find answers to some of life's biggest questions, all while trying to survive the day to day in the slums she lives in. There's no doubt the most important thing to her is her family, but Hailey is, after all, still just a kid.

This is one of the grittiest novels I've read in awhile. While reading, I was at times uncomfortable, angry and even horrified. You get thrown into the story on page one and it moves quickly thereafter. I have to say that even though this is fiction, things like what happen in the pages of this bold book are happening right now in real life in our cities. it's not candy coated and filled with fluffy dialogue. It's real, honest contemporary fiction that packs a punch.

Even though my childhood was the polar opposite of Hailey's and I can't relate at all with what she went through, I still felt a connection to her. I didn't want her to give up on her faith and I cringed at so many of the things she did.. Hailey is an incredible character and Chris Tusa did an amazing job of telling her story with dialect that was spot on.

Again, this book isn't for everyone, but I promise it is worth the time in reading it. I'd like to thank Chris Tusa for graciously sending me an ebook of this gem of a novel. Born and raised in New Orleans, he is a writer and poet as well as an English Professor at LSU. This is an author I will most definitely be looking out for in the future.

Chris Tusa website

Read the first chapter here

DIRTY LITTLE ANGELS

Author: Chris Tusa

Publisher: Livingston Press (AL)

Published: March 2009

Pages: 170

Rating: 4.5 Stars out of 5 (Highly Recommend!)

[TSS] Rainy Reading Day

lisamos64@gmail.com (Lisa) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 13:10:00 +0000

After a pretty sluggish and hot summer, I'm looking forward to the cooler temperatures that this time of year brings, although here in Florida it takes a bit longer to actually arrive. I awoke this morning to the sound of pounding rain on my rooftop and it was a beautiful sound. We don't get many early morning showers this time of year so it was a welcome surprise. Not only has the weather been sluggish here where I live, but my reading has been as well. But with fall's arrival, my appetite for reading has returned full force!

Since I spent pretty much the whole day yesterday watching college football, today will be spent reading. I'm in the middle of THE SUMMER KITCHEN by Karen Weinreb and enjoying it a lot. But today I will be finishing Chris Tusa's debut novel DIRTY LITTLE ANGELS. This story is based in New Orleans in present time. It centers around 16 year old Hailey, a girl trying to figure out the answers to some of life's toughest questions while also trying to keep her parents from getting a divorce. Chris was kind enough to send me an ebook copy the other day and I am planning to have my review up tomorrow or the next day.

After that, it's back to the SUMMER KITCHEN and the story of Nora Banks. Her family lives in the ultra rich area of Bedford, New York where every family has a nanny and 100,000 dollar vacation homes in faraway locales. But Nora's life is turned upside down when her husband is arrested for white collar crimes. Nora learns quickly who her friends are and how strong a woman she really is. Like I said, I'm only halfway through this one, but it is keeping my attention and I'm enjoying it very much.

Well, the rain has stopped and the sun is heating up quickly. I'm off to grab a bagel and another cup of coffee and dive in to my book! Happy Reading!

For Readers Who Love To Cook...And Eat

lisamos64@gmail.com (Lisa) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 12:39:00 +0000

This is the time of year that I start spending more time in the kitchen and I know many of you enjoy cooking (and eating) just as much as I do. So today I wanted to tell you about two great blogs I've discovered recently while looking for something different to cook. Not only do these sites share great recipes but they also have fabulous giveways!! And who doesn't love winning stuff, right?

The first blog is Real Mom Kitchen hosted by Laura. She is a mom of 3 who has loved cooking and baking her whole life. She shares so many yummy recipes that aren't complicated. She is also always on the lookout for good deals and shares them with her readers. Speaking of which, she has over 300 loyal followers. You can also find coupons and links to other great sites on her blog. Everytime I visit, I come away with some great food ideas!

Another great gem of a site I've discovered is Our Best Bites, hosted by Sara, who lives in Idaho and Kate, living in Louisiana. As their site says...they offer 'tips, tricks and tastes from two real-life kitchens'. There is so much information here including a recipe index that makes it easy if you're looking for something specific. There's also coupons and giveaways, not to mention these two women have such great personalities! I really enjoy their site. Apparently, the word is out because they have over 900 followers to their kitchens!!

So the next time you're looking for something new to make, take a few minutes and check out these two great sites. I've tried their recipes and I haven't been disappointed yet!

Teaser Tuesday: The Summer Kitchen

lisamos64@gmail.com (Lisa) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 12:53:00 +0000

It's Tuesday and that means it's time for a Teaser! Here's how it works...

Grab the book you're currently reading
Let it fall open to a random page
Choose two teaser sentences to share
Be careful NOT to include any spoilers
Name the book you took your teasers from

Today, my teasers are from THE SUMMER KITCHEN by Karen Weinreb...

It had been easier to believe things would somehow right themselves. But now just knowing how different things would look when she raised her eyes was wnough to bring home the full horror of her situation. ~ page 108

For more teasers visit MizB at Should Be Reading.

Want To Win A New Bookcase? Here's How...

lisamos64@gmail.com (Lisa) — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 14:28:00 +0000

BOOKIN' WITH BINGO is having an EXTRAVEGANT BINGO BOOKCASE GIVEAWAY sponsored by CSN STORES who sell everything from fireplaces to office furniture. Stop by and enter by 6 PM, EST on September 26th.

All the details are there along with pictures of the bookcase! Don't be left out of this great giveaway!

Good Luck!

Booking Through Thursday: Recent Fluff

lisamos64@gmail.com (Lisa) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:57:00 +0000

This week's BTT question is . . .

What's the lightest, most 'fluff' book you've read recently?

Although I prefer to read books with more serious content, I have read some lighter fiction recently. A few months ago, I read BEACH TRIP by Cathy Holton and THE FIXER UPPER by Mary Kay Andrews. Although I enjoyed both books and they did have very good storylines, I still consider than lighter fiction, although I hesitate to call them 'fluff'. Actually, one of the books I'm reading now, DIAL EMMY FOR MURDER by Eileen Davidson is definitely a 'fluff' mystery. Ms. Davidson, as some of you may know, is a long time actress on the daytime soap, The Young and the Restless, which I've watched for years. Since I'm a fan of the show, I was happy to accept her book for review when asked by AuthorsOnTheWeb. That said, it isn't what I typically read and maybe that's why I'm kind of slow getting through it.

Have you read any 'fluff fiction' lately? For more BTT responses or to participate, click here.

Booking Through Thursday: Recent Best

lisamos64@gmail.com (Lisa) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:42:00 +0000

Today's BTT question . . .

What's the best book you've read recently?

We should've all seen this one coming considering last week's question of recent worst! To answer, I'm considering books I've read so far this year. One immediately pops into my mind and that is THE THIRTEENTH TALE by Diane Setterfield. To say I loved this book is an understatement. Not only did the story completely suck me in but the writing was beautiful! I loved the Gothic tone of the book and I love books about books! Add to that the unforgettable characters and you have a thoroughly entertaining read. if you'd like to read my complete review click here.

Another 'best' for me so far this year is THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett. I love southern fiction and this book is a perfect example of why. This story about one privedged white woman in 1960's Jackson, Mississippi working together in secret with these black women to tell the true stories of what it is really like to work as maids and nannies for white families is gutsy, eye opening and even heartbreaking. They were putting their lives in their hands by telling these stories and the fear was real. I was glued to this book, a wonderful debut nove!. My review is here if you'd like to read it.

So those are two of the best books I've read recently. What's your recent best? For more BTT answers or to play along, click here!

Musing Mondays: Movies

lisamos64@gmail.com (Lisa) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 03:14:00 +0000

Today's musing is about movies . . .

How do you react to movies made of your favorite books (or even not-so-favorite books)? Do you look forward to seeing them or avoid them? Do you like to have read the book before seeing the movie?

My response:

Generally, when I hear that a movie is being made of a book I've already read and loved, I'm interested and excited about it. It's the idea of the characters I know from the book being brought to life that excites me. However, I've been disappointed more times than not. I want it to be just like the book - but it seldom is. One example is John Grisham's THE FIRM. I absolutely devoured that book when it came out and when I heard it was going to be movie I was thrilled. Unfortunately, the movie was just OK for me. I felt there was so much left out that it just didn't work for me. I know it's impossible to put everything from a book on the big screen, but sometimes screen adaptations just don't work. It was a huge hit at the box office, so I realize I'm probably in the minority of people who didn't like it. That said, there is an exception to this - LONESOME DOVE by Larry McMurtry. Back in 1990,when I heard the movie version was going to be on TV at the end of the week, I hadn't read the book yet. I was working at a nail salon at the time and had a full appointment book for the whole week, but I ran to the grocery store down the sidewalk on my break, grabbed a paperback copy (900+ pages) and read it in four days! I've never read so hard in my life! To my delight, the movie did the book justice. It didn't hurt that two of my favorite actors (Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones) starred in it. More recently, THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES movie was a pleasant surprise for me. I loved that movie, too. Beyond that, not many others come to mind. For some reason, the movies come across as corny to me if I've already read the book. I don't understand why, but they just do. There is one movie-from-a-book that I will never watch and that is THE KITE RUNNER. I loved that book so much and I don't want a mediocre movie version to ruin the images and memories I have etched in my mind from that amazing book.

If I haven't yet read the book, I'm not as excited about it and if I'm planning to read the book, I will put off seeing the film version until afterwards. I'm not a big movie watcher like I used to be, so this isn't really a problem for me.

I'm sure there are other good movies made from books, but this is just my opinion and I realize I may be too critical. How do you feel about books made into movies? Do you avoid ar attend? Visit Rebecca at Just One More Page for more Mondays Musings.

The Sunday Salon: Book Brunch

lisamos64@gmail.com (Lisa) — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 04:05:00 +0000

I thought I'd do something a little different today. I want to share a recipe that I made the other day that is perfect for a brunch and since Sundays are great brunch days, this seemed to me the right time to introduce y'all to it. It also fits in well with the book I'm reading this week by Karen Weinreb called THE SUMMER KITCHEN.

This is the story of Nora Banks, a mother of three living in the exclusive neighborhood of Bedford, New York. When her husband is convicted of white collar crimes, Nora and her kids not only face losing everything they have, but also learn that life can be turned upside down in an instant and you learn who your friends are very quickly, especially in Bedford. Nora has always had a passion for baking and after her husband's arrest, she must do whatever it takes to support her family. So she decides to do what she knows and starts her own baking business. Along the way, Nora learns a lot about herself and what is really important in life.

I'm just starting this book, but I can already tell I'm going to like Nora. She isn't like the other Bedford wives. Another reason I like her is that she loves books! You have to appreciate that, right? I look forward to diving into this book later today. After the lull I've had in my reading, I'm happy to report this book is helping me out of it! Yay!

Now on to that recipe I promised you. I actually saw this dish being made on Ellie Krieger's show on The Food Network, but I've changed it up a bit to suit me. That's what I love about cooking - there is no right or wrong way to do it. If you like it, then you did it right! OK, here goes . . .

Cheddar Broccoli Frittata

2 Tsp olive oil
Chopped red onion (I used half of a small onion)
3 or 4 eggs depending on the size
Splash of milk
Salt and pepper
1 cup steamed broccoli
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

I use an 8" stainless skillet but you can adjust this recipe for larger servings too. (I spray my skillet with Olive Oil cooking spray to prevent sticking). Add onions to hot olive oil and saute on medium heat for about 5 minutes. While the onions are cooking, crack the eggs into a bowl, season well with salt and pepper and add a splash of milk for fluffy eggs. Whisk well. Add the steamed broccoli to the skillet and stir. Pour the eggs over the onions and broccoli. The eggs should almost cover the veggies. Let it cook until the eggs are firm around the edge but still a bit liquidy in the center. While that is cooking, turn your broiler on so it can heat up. Once the eggs have almost cooked through, sprinkle the cheese over the top and broil until the center is done and the cheese is completely melted.

I love using my smaller skillet for this recipe because it's perfect for one or two servings AND it fits perfectly in my toaster oven to broil. (Some of you may remember my house was struck by lightening twice last summer and I'm still without a full size oven!) My toaster oven saves the day all the time!

I found this to be such a simple and tasty recipe. I had my own little brunch when I made this and I even splurged and had a glass of chilled Moscato wine with a few peach slices with it! Yum! Like I said, you can adjust the ingredients for more servings. If you'd like to see the original recipe that Ellie Krieger made, click here. The thing about frittatas is that you can make them with so many different ingredients. And it can even be eaten at room temperature! It's the perfect brunch food!

Thanks for stopping by today and for letting me share some food ideas with you. If you try this recipe let me know how you liked it! Now I'm off to read more of THE SUMMER KITCHEN. Enjoy your Sunday!

Fifteen Books That Have Stayed With Me

lisamos64@gmail.com (Lisa) — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 18:55:00 +0000

You may have seen this fun book meme floating around the blogs, facebook and other social networking sites. It's my understanding that you're not supposed to take a long time to come up with your list. Off the top of my head, here's the fifteen books that, for one reason or another made an impression on me and stuck with me. it doesn't mean they all are my favorites, just that they are memorable to me. Here they are, obviously, in no particular order.

Start time - 2:59 PM

The Lord of the Flies by William Golding
Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
The Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Engalls Wilder
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
The Bible
Where Is Joe Merchant? by Jimmy Buffet (?? Don't know why, but this book was a great escape!!)
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali (Non-Fiction)
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Tomato Girl by Jayne Pupek
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
While Europe Slept: How Radical Islam Is Destroying The West From Within by Bruce Bawer (Non-Fiction)
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

Finish Time - 3:09 PM

If you'd like to participate, or have participated in this meme, leave a comment with the link and I'll include it in mine. It's interesting to see the different answers eveyone has. What books have stayed with you?

Booking Through Thursday: Recent Worst

lisamos64@gmail.com (Lisa) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 12:13:00 +0000

Today's BTT - What's the worst book you've read recently?

Although I wouldn't necessarily say this book is 'the worst', I would say that it is a book I enjoyed the least. The book is OUT STEALING HORSES by Per Petterson. Many other readers have enjoyed this book very much, however, I just never felt a connection and I thought the story itself was sluggish. Honestly, I had to push myself to finish it. I'm not sure if it was the translation from Norwegian to English or if it was simply the story for me.

Typically, if I'm not enjoying a book, I'll stop reading it, so there aren't many books that I would say were the worst. For more answers to this BTT question, click here.