Fresh from the...

Favorite New Shows of 2025

2025-12-22T08:00:00.000-08:00

Oh hey, look, it's December. That means it's time to look back at my favorite new shows of 2025. As always, it's not huge because time is, you know, limited, and there are just too many shows to watch.

The Paper

Do sequels or reboots to TV shows work? Well, it depends, doesn't it? Some don't, some do, and in this case, obviously because I've included it here, I think The Paper does. And one of the main reasons for that is that it's really only sequel/reboot-adjacent. It's not really, it just has one character that carries over from The Office, Oscar, and a completely new cast of characters otherwise. The standout is definitely Sabrina Impacciatore as Esmeralda, she is absolutely hilarious, and while she is supposed to be annoying (and is, sometimes), she so embodies the role that you can't help but laugh.

Outlander: Blood of My Blood

Oh look, this isn't a sequel/reboot, but a prequel, and honestly, I usually hate prequels, because you already kind of know where things are going to end up. But, in this case, we don't know a lot of the details, and since the OG Outlander left Scotland, it just hasn't felt quite like the same show. So, getting to go back and be in the Scottish Highlands again with some star-crossed love? That helps. But it's also, actually, pretty good, which I was not expecting.

Stick

If you're looking for a feel good show with a lot of heart, then Stick is something you should check out. I'm not a golf person, and I still enjoyed the show, so if that is a deterrent for you, don't let it be. It's honestly way more about the relationships than the golf, but sports, as always, give a nice structure and something to root for throughout, so it doesn't hurt that it's got that going too. A standout in this one is Mariana Treviño - another funny, feisty woman.

The Chair Company

Okay, what do you even say about this show? It's kinda thrilling, kinda funny, and kinda weird. Tim Robinson is always kinda funny and kinda weird, but adding in the thriller element actually really works for his brand of humor. There's something that puts you on edge with each episode, yet you're laughing at the same time. It's an engaging combo!

Honorable Mentions: The Studio (only seen the pilot episode, but seems like something I will like all the way through), Pluribus (am caught up on, but not sure where it's going long term)

Any new shows you loved that I should check out? Let me know in the comments!

Past Years:

2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011

Favorite Books of 2025

2025-12-17T08:00:00.000-08:00

Well, another year, another list of my favorite books. This year it looks like I only read SciFi

Wayfarers Series (#2, #3, #4) by Becky Chambers

Synopsis: A hopeful, character-driven sci-fi saga about found family, cultural clashes, and finding your place in a diverse galactic community, following different crews and individuals after humanity left a dying Earth for the stars, focusing on everyday life, identity, and connection rather than epic battles, with each book exploring new perspectives within the same universe.

Why it made the list: Last year, I included the first book in this series on my favorite books of 2024 list, so I guess it shouldn't be too much of a surprise that the rest of the series has made my list for 2025. Each book follows different characters in different parts of the universe, with minimal crossover with any of the other books. All of the books are very fun and cozy, and honestly I wish she kept going with more within this universe as I would just keep reading them. My favorites out of the four are the first one from last year, The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet and the last one, The Galaxy, and the Ground Within. Highly recommend this series.

Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

Synopsis: The apocalypse will be televised!

A man. His ex-girlfriend's cat. A sadistic game show unlike anything in the universe: a dungeon crawl where survival depends on killing your prey in the most entertaining way possible.

In a flash, every human-erected construction on Earth—from Buckingham Palace to the tiniest of sheds—collapses in a heap, sinking into the ground.

The buildings and all the people inside have all been atomized and transformed into the dungeon: an 18-level labyrinth filled with traps, monsters, and loot. A dungeon so enormous, it circles the entire globe.

Only a few dare venture inside. But once you're in, you can't get out. And what's worse, each level has a time limit. You have but days to find a staircase to the next level down, or it's game over. In this game, it's not about your strength or your dexterity. It's about your followers, your views. Your clout. It's about building an audience and killing those goblins with style.

You can't just survive here. You gotta survive big.

You gotta fight with vigor, with excitement. You gotta make them stand up and cheer. And if you do have that "it" factor, you may just find yourself with a following. That's the only way to truly survive in this game—with the help of the loot boxes dropped upon you by the generous benefactors watching from across the galaxy.

They call it Dungeon Crawler World. But for Carl, it's anything but a game.

Why it made the list: A fun, quick read that will really appeal to those who know and love video games. It's full of humor and goes at a steady pace, while upping the ante on the tension and overall drama of the larger story. I do wonder if the series will continue to be entertaining if it feels like more and more of the same stretched out over multiple books, but I enjoyed the first one quite a bit.

The Mercy of Gods (The Captive's War #1) by James S.A. Corey

Synopsis: How humanity came to the planet called Anjiin is lost in the fog of history, but that history is about to end. The Carryx – part empire, part hive – have waged wars of conquest for centuries, destroying or enslaving species across the galaxy. Now, they are facing a great and deathless enemy. The key to their survival may rest with the humans of Anjiin.

Caught up in academic intrigue and affairs of the heart, Dafyd Alkhor is pleased just to be an assistant to a brilliant scientist and his celebrated research team. Then the Carryx ships descend, decimating the human population and taking the best and brightest of Anjiin society away to serve on the Carryx homeworld, and Dafyd is swept along with them. They are dropped in the middle of a struggle they barely understand, set in a competition against the other captive species with extinction as the price of failure.

Only Dafyd and a handful of his companions see past the Darwinian contest to the deeper game that they must play to learning to understand – and manipulate – the Carryx themselves. With a noble but suicidal human rebellion on one hand and strange and murderous enemies on the other, the team pays a terrible price to become the trusted servants of their new rulers. Dafyd Alkhor is a simple man swept up in events that are beyond his control and more vast than his imagination. He will become the champion of humanity and its betrayer, the most hated man in history and the guardian of his people. This is where his story begins.

Why they made the list: Though I haven't read The Expanse series of books, I did watch the TV series and highly enjoyed it. I've often thought about reading the first book in that series to see if I wanted to read the whole thing, but when I saw the writers had a new series coming out, thought I'd give that a try first. A very compelling story that I'm interested in seeing unfold.

Other books I enjoyed this year, but wouldn't necessarily call my absolute favorites: The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley, Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry

You can check out all of the books I've read on my Goodreads page, but let me know if you've had any favorites from this year that I should check out!

Past Years:
2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012

Favorite New Shows of 2024

2024-12-23T14:57:00.000-08:00

There have been quite a few new shows that debuted in 2024 that I've wanted to watch, but I haven't had a chance to watch all of them quite yet. In the meantime, here are my favorites that I have had a chance to watch so far.

Shogun

I honestly wasn't expecting to like this as much as I have. It's very well done, with great acting along with all of the amazing visuals and storytelling. Yes, you have to read subtitles, but if that's the only thing holding you back, don't let it.

Star Wars: Skeleton Crew

Skeleton Crew is, in a word, fun. Most of the recent Star Wars TV shows have been very serious, which makes this one a breath of fresh air. The kids are really the stars here, even though this image clearly focuses on Jude Law. Although it still has a number of episodes left to go, it's safe to say it should stay enjoyable throughout.

Ted

I fully did not expect to like Ted AT ALL. I am not a fan of the original Ted movies, and expected the humor to be overly juvenile. However, after watching The Orville (also a Seth MacFarlane show) I thought, well, maybe.... and honestly, it's pretty funny. I enjoy the parents more than anything - Alanna Ubach in particular is hilarious.

Shows I want to watch but haven't had a chance to yet: Nobody Wants This, A Man on the Inside, The Penguin, Agatha All Along

Any new shows you loved that I should check out? Let me know in the comments!

Past Years:

2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011

Favorite Books of 2024

2024-12-13T06:00:00.000-08:00

To be perfectly honest, this year has sucked. Suffice to say, I will not be sad to see 2024 go. Yet, there were still some small bright spots along the way in the books I truly enjoyed. So, let's look at those bright spots.

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers

Synopsis: Follow a motley crew on an exciting journey through space-and one adventurous young explorer who discovers the meaning of family in the far reaches of the universe-in this light-hearted debut space opera from a rising sci-fi star. Rosemary Harper doesn’t expect much when she joins the crew of the aging Wayfarer. While the patched-up ship has seen better days, it offers her a bed, a chance to explore the far-off corners of the galaxy, and most importantly, some distance from her past. An introspective young woman who learned early to keep to herself, she’s never met anyone remotely like the ship’s diverse crew, including Sissix, the exotic reptilian pilot, chatty engineers Kizzy and Jenks who keep the ship running, and Ashby, their noble captain.

Why it made the list: For some reason, whenever I saw this book on Goodreads, the cover kind of turned me off because it looked kind of goofy. Well this just goes to show the saying is true that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, because I loved this book. It's a lot of fun, with many twists and turns to keep you wanting to turn the pages while also feeling sort of cozy at the same time. All while set in space. That, as you might call it, is my jam. It seems people love the other books in the series as well, so even though they don't appear to be straight sequels, I have them all on my to-read list.

Murtagh by Christopher Paolini

Synopsis: Master storyteller and internationally bestselling author Christopher Paolini returns to the World of Eragon in this stunning epic fantasy set a year after the events of the Inheritance Cycle. Join Dragon Rider—and fan favorite—Murtagh and his dragon as they confront a perilous new enemy! The world is no longer safe for the Dragon Rider Murtagh and his dragon, Thorn. An evil king has been toppled, and they are left to face the consequences of the reluctant role they played in his reign of terror. Now they are hated and alone, exiled to the outskirts of society. Throughout the land, hushed voices whisper of brittle ground and a faint scent of brimstone in the air—and Murtagh senses that something wicked lurks in the shadows of Alagaësia. So begins an epic journey into lands both familiar and untraveled, where Murtagh and Thorn must use every weapon in their arsenal, from brains to brawn, to find and outwit a mysterious witch. A witch who is much more than she seems.

Why it made the list: It's been some time since I read the Eragon series, excuse me, the Inheritance Cycle, but when I saw this book had come out I knew I had to read it. Murtagh was always my favorite character, so a whole book dedicated to him and from his perspective? Yes, please. And it did not disappoint. You've got a broody hero dealing with some real feelings of guilt who gets in over his head and... man just thinking about it I almost want to read it again. Call me a Murtagh stan, I guess.

Funny Story by Emily Henry

Synopsis: Daphne always loved the way her fiancé, Peter, told their story. How they met (on a blustery day), fell in love (over an errant hat), and moved back to his lakeside hometown to begin their life together. He really was good at telling it... right up until the moment he realized he was actually in love with his childhood best friend Petra. Which is how Daphne begins her new story: stranded in beautiful Waning Bay, Michigan, without friends or family but with a dream job as a children’s librarian (that barely pays the bills), and proposing to be roommates with the only person who could possibly understand her predicament: Petra’s ex, Miles Nowak. Scruffy and chaotic—with a penchant for taking solace in the sounds of heart break love ballads—Miles is exactly the opposite of practical, buttoned-up Daphne, whose coworkers know so little about her they have a running bet that she’s either FBI or in witness protection. The roommates mainly avoid one another, until one day, while drowning their sorrows, they form a tenuous friendship and a plan. If said plan also involves posting deliberately misleading photos of their summer adventures together, well, who could blame them? But it’s all just for show, of course, because there’s no way Daphne would actually start her new chapter by falling in love with her ex-fiancé’s new fiancée’s ex... right?

Why they made the list: It's no secret that I am a fan of these romcom style books. Seriously, each one of Emily Henry's books could be a romantic comedy movie, and I bet we'll see them in movie form soon enough. I wasn't as big of a fan of Happy Place, but Funny Story took me right back into my, um, happy place. There's just something comforting in knowing it's going to end happily but still wanting to see the twists and turns along the way.

The Stardust Grail by Yume Kitasei

Synopsis: From the acclaimed author of The Deep Sky comes a thrilling anti-colonial space heist to save an alien civilization. Maya Hoshimoto was once the best art thief in the galaxy. For ten years, she returned stolen artifacts to alien civilizations—until a disastrous job forced her into hiding. Now she just wants to enjoy a quiet life as a graduate student of anthropology, but she’s haunted by persistent and disturbing visions of the future. Then an old friend comes to her with a job she can’t refuse: find a powerful object that could save an alien species from extinction. Except no one has seen it in living memory, and they aren’t the only ones hunting for it. Maya sets out on a breakneck quest through a universe teeming with strange life and ancient ruins. But the farther she goes, the more her visions cast a dark shadow over her team of friends new and old. Someone will betray her along the way. Worse yet, in choosing to save one species, she may condemn humanity and Earth itself.

Why it made the list: I read Kitasei's previous book, The Deep Sky, and didn't love it (didn't hate it either), but this one? Great. Yes. More. Kitasei has a great way of making her science fiction feel very realistic even when dealing with alien civilizations and visions of the future. You've got a complex heroine and a fun heist story amidst it all with some Indiana Jones vibes mixed in. If any of that sounds intriguing, then definitely give it a go.

Other books I enjoyed this year, but wouldn't necessarily call my absolute favorites: Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree, The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson

You can check out all of the books I've read on my Goodreads page, but let me know if you've had any favorites from this year that I should check out!

Past Years:
2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012

Favorite New Shows of 2023

2023-12-29T11:47:00.000-08:00

Well, I already wrote about my favorite new books read in 2023, so now it's time for my other annual list - my favorite new TV shows of 2023! Unlike the books list, which is all about what books I've read, this list only includes those shows that debuted in 2023. Sometimes I'll make a little addendum at the end of those shows I would've included on previous years' lists if I didn't get around to them until later, but that's few and far between it seems.

Anyway! Enough blathering on about nothing, let's get on with it. My favorite new TV shows this year are...

Jury Duty

Jury Duty was a complete surprise this year! I had not heard of it at all, really, until someone mentioned it. Once I started watching it, I didn't want to stop. It's hilarious and super engaging, and if you haven't watched it yet, you really should.

The Diplomat

Keri Russell is back in The Diplomat, a series that normally I wouldn't think would be my cup of tea. But this one is really well done from both a character perspective and a plot perspective. A bit fish out of water mixed with political intrigue, the show has a great cast and will definitely leave you wanting season two.

Ahsoka

While there have been a number of Star Wars themed live action TV series on Disney+ in the past few years, Ahsoka is the only one I have actually enjoyed and looked forward to each episode. It felt the most Star Wars-y of all of the shows so far, if that makes sense. Plus, actual light saber battles and stuff, which, let's be honest, we all want more of. It was meant to be a limited series, but the ending really left things open, so who knows where things will go now.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians

Although only three episodes are available so far of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, this TV version of the book series is already superior to the film series that came out some years ago. The only thing that is holding this back thus far, for me, is that I don't feel a ton of chemistry between the trio. Otherwise, though, it's well shot and the story moves along at a brisk and engaging pace. If you liked the books or are looking for something with Harry Potter-ish vibes, give this one a go.

That '90s Show

Now I'm sure some people didn't like this update to That '70s Show, but honestly I really enjoyed it. It's light-hearted and fun, and has all of the '90s nostalgia. Would it work without Kitty and Red? Probably not, but the kids are coming into their own and the end of the season did set up some interesting drama to come.

A Murder at the End of the World

Who doesn't love a murder mystery set in a remote location? This series comes from creators

Zal Batmanglij and Brit Marling, who also created the show The OA. Their stuff is usually a little out there in some way, though I would say this is probably their most mainstream creation to date. Did I figure out most of the mystery's answers? Maybe. But with it being a complete story in seven episodes, that was okay. It was created as a standalone miniseries, but there has been speculation there could be a season two. Would it be as effective since this mystery was so personal for the lead character? That's the question.

Shows I want to watch but haven't had a chance to yet: Lessons in Chemistry, Gen V

Any new shows you loved that I should check out? Let me know in the comments!

Past Years:

2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011

Favorite Books of 2023

2023-12-09T11:16:00.000-08:00

I guess I've sort of abandoned this blog in favor of Retropond, but I figured I would still post my favorites at the end of the year. I find I myself come back to these lists to see what I said were my favorites each year, so let's not stop now. The list below is of my favorite books of the year. Now, these are my faves of the books I've read, not necessarily what was released this year, though some of them were.

On to the list!

Light Bringer (Red Rising #6) by Pierce Brown

Synopsis: The Reaper is a legend, more myth than man: the savior of worlds, the leader of the Rising, the breaker of chains. But the Reaper is also Darrow, born of the red soil of Mars: a husband, a father, a friend. The worlds once needed the Reaper. But now they need Darrow. Because after the dark age will come a new age: of light, of victory, of hope.

Why it made the list: Okay, well, it's no secret that I'm a big fan of this series. Once I started reading these, I couldn't put them down, and now I look forward to every release date in anticipation to find out what happens next. While a couple in the middle I didn't enjoy quite as much, these last two have been really epic and awesome, and I really can't wait until the final one comes out. I've said it before and I'll say it again, if you're a fan of scifi and you haven't read these books, you really should.

Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree

Synopsis: After a lifetime of bounties and bloodshed, Viv is hanging up her sword for the last time. The battle-weary orc aims to start fresh, opening the first ever coffee shop in the city of Thune. But old and new rivals stand in the way of success—not to mention the fact that no one has the faintest idea what coffee actually is. If Viv wants to put the blade behind her and make her plans a reality, she won't be able to go it alone. But the true rewards of the uncharted path are the travelers you meet along the way. And whether drawn together by ancient magic, flaky pastry, or a freshly brewed cup, they may become partners, family, and something deeper than she ever could have dreamed.

Why it made the list: If you're looking for a cozy fantasy novel that isn't all about big wars and epic magical stuff, I wager this one might hit the spot. And don't let the "cozy" moniker fool you into thinking that nothing happens, because there most certainly is a plot with twists and turns. I was surprised how much I enjoyed this one, so you might be too.

Book Lovers & People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

Synopsis of Book Lovers: Nora Stephens’ life is books—she’s read them all—and she is not that type of heroine. Not the plucky one, not the laidback dream girl, and especially not the sweetheart. In fact, the only people Nora is a heroine for are her clients, for whom she lands enormous deals as a cutthroat literary agent, and her beloved little sister Libby. Which is why she agrees to go to Sunshine Falls, North Carolina for the month of August when Libby begs her for a sisters’ trip away—with visions of a small-town transformation for Nora, who she’s convinced needs to become the heroine in her own story. But instead of picnics in meadows, or run-ins with a handsome country doctor or bulging-forearmed bartender, Nora keeps bumping into Charlie Lastra, a bookish brooding editor from back in the city. It would be a meet-cute if not for the fact that they’ve met many times and it’s never been cute. If Nora knows she’s not an ideal heroine, Charlie knows he’s nobody’s hero, but as they are thrown together again and again—in a series of coincidences no editor worth their salt would allow—what they discover might just unravel the carefully crafted stories they’ve written about themselves.

Synopsis of People We Meet on Vacation: Poppy and Alex. Alex and Poppy. They have nothing in common. She’s a wild child; he wears khakis. She has insatiable wanderlust; he prefers to stay home with a book. And somehow, ever since a fateful car share home from college many years ago, they are the very best of friends. For most of the year they live far apart—she’s in New York City, and he’s in their small hometown—but every summer, for a decade, they have taken one glorious week of vacation together. Until two years ago, when they ruined everything. They haven’t spoken since. Poppy has everything she should want, but she’s stuck in a rut. When someone asks when she was last truly happy, she knows, without a doubt, it was on that ill-fated, final trip with Alex. And so, she decides to convince her best friend to take one more vacation together—lay everything on the table, make it all right. Miraculously, he agrees. Now she has a week to fix everything. If only she can get around the one big truth that has always stood quietly in the middle of their seemingly perfect relationship. What could possibly go wrong?

Why they made the list: Look, from here on out, I'll probably read every Emily Henry book, even if her latest one (Happy Place) I didn't love quite as much as all the others. I mainlined three of her books this year, and these two were my favorites, with Book Lovers getting the slight edge. There's something about the way she writes romance that isn't too over the top; it feels like you're watching a romantic comedy in written form. Seriously, if you like romance at all and you haven't read Emily Henry's books, what are you doing?

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Synopsis: Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing as an average woman. But it’s the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute takes a very unscientific view of equality. Except for one: Calvin Evans; the lonely, brilliant, Nobel–prize nominated grudge-holder who falls in love with—of all things—her mind. True chemistry results. But like science, life is unpredictable. Which is why a few years later Elizabeth Zott finds herself not only a single mother, but the reluctant star of America’s most beloved cooking show Supper at Six. Elizabeth’s unusual approach to cooking (“combine one tablespoon acetic acid with a pinch of sodium chloride”) proves revolutionary. But as her following grows, not everyone is happy. Because as it turns out, Elizabeth Zott isn’t just teaching women to cook. She’s daring them to change the status quo.

Why it made the list: To be honest, the synopsis of this book did not really make me want to read it. It sounded a little too, I don't know, trying hard? But like most books with a historical bent, once I started reading it, I really enjoyed it. I haven't had a chance to watch the show yet to see how it compares, but I did hear they changed some things, so we'll see. This book also does something that I don't really like, but I had to look past that because the rest of it was so good.

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Synopsis: Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general—also known as her tough-as-talons mother—has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders. But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away...because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans. They incinerate them. With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter—like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant. She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise. Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom's protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret. Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda—because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die

Why it made the list: Now here's the thing, this book is what you might call a sensation in that it's extremely popular, but also extremely divisive. And while I have some issues with it, I couldn't put it down. Is it full of tropes and some questionable dialogue? Sure. But am I going to read the next one? Yep.

Other books I enjoyed this year, but wouldn't necessarily call my absolute favorites: Stars and Smoke by Marie Lu, Happy Place by Emily Henry

You can check out all of the books I’ve read on my Goodreads page, but let me know if you’ve had any favorites from this year that I should check out!

Past Years:
2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012

Favorite New Shows of 2022

2022-12-12T08:00:00.002-08:00

Boy, there are a lot of shows that exist in the world these days. Lots of shows that debut and then don't get renewed, or you only find out about them after they've been on for a couple of seasons. But there have been quite a few this year that I watched and highly enjoyed, with a number of them being a complete surprise as I had no idea what they were beforehand.

So let's get on with it, my list of my favorite new TV shows watched this year...

Severance

By far the best show of the year, Severance is both funny and dramatic, and features a very interesting concept at its core. It's full of tension, and the finale will leave you wanting more. Hopefully the next season can keep up the quality.

Wolf Like Me

I didn't know much about this show going into it, but figured it was worth checking out with the lead cast at its core. It draws you in pretty quickly, and while the concept might seem weird or goofy, it's done in a way that resonates well. What is strange, though, is why Isla Fisher is made to be American when the show takes place in Australia and she could just use her native accent. But, whatever!

I Love That For You

This show really has it all, from an awesome cast, to a compelling story, to a great sense of humor, and more. Vanessa Bayer is great as the lead character - and what's even more interesting is that it is partially based on her own life. If you're looking for a new comedy to watch, give this one a go.

House of the Dragon

I wanted to feel excited about House of the Dragon, but definitely felt a bit trepidatious based on how Game of Thrones ended. That said, the show has been delivering so far. It was a bit jarring to have some of the main actors change partway through the first season, but the story itself has continued to be compelling throughout, even if the characters themselves aren't very likable. Can they keep up the momentum? Let's hope.

The Rehearsal

If you've never seen Nathan Fielder's Nathan For You, then you would probably go into The Rehearsal with a very different mindset. Nathan has a certain quality about him where you can't tell what's real and what's fake, and a sense of humor that likely not everyone would understand. While you may think the show is going to be a certain thing based on the first episode, it really changes and develops over the first few episodes into something else entirely. How much is scripted and how much isn't? That's part of the fun of watching.

Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend

What's this? A reality competition series on this list? Why not! This is an all-new version of Iron Chef, pitting "wannabe" chefs against Iron Chefs in different culinary battles. Some of the food is really amazing, and it's cool to see how different people take on different challenges. Definitely an easy show to binge.

Reboot

I hadn't really heard much about this show when we decided to watch the pilot. While the pilot itself is good, the show gets better as it goes, with some true laugh out loud moments along the way. The cast is awesome, with one of my unexpected favorites being Calum Worthy as Zack Jackson, a perky former child star. But the rest of the cast is great as well - Keegan Michael Key, Paul Reiser, Rachel Bloom, Judy Greer, Johnny Knoxville... Another great comedy to check out if you haven't seen it!

Love on the Spectrum US

If you were worried that the US version of the original Love on the Spectrum wouldn't be as heartwarming or engaging, worry no more. The docuseries follows autistic adults looking for love, and will have you tearing up when they do or do not find it. It's been renewed for a second season, so let's hope we get to catch up with everyone while also meeting some new people.

Any new shows you loved that I should check out? Let me know in the comments!

Past Years:
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011

Favorite Books of 2022

2022-12-05T13:14:00.001-08:00

Life really gets in the way of reading some good books, you know? This year, I had time to actually finish a couple books which was super nice, and also renewed my love for reading, which had felt like it was dwindling somewhat in the last couple years. I've gotten a little lackadaisical in keeping up with writing book reviews for every book I've been reading this year. I only have so much energy, you know?

Anyway, on to the list...

Beach Read by Emily Henry

Synopsis: A romance writer who no longer believes in love and a literary writer stuck in a rut engage in a summer-long challenge that may just upend everything they believe about happily ever afters. Augustus Everett is an acclaimed author of literary fiction. January Andrews writes bestselling romance. When she pens a happily ever after, he kills off his entire cast. They’re polar opposites. In fact, the only thing they have in common is that for the next three months, they're living in neighboring beach houses, broke, and bogged down with writer's block. Until, one hazy evening, one thing leads to another and they strike a deal designed to force them out of their creative ruts: Augustus will spend the summer writing something happy, and January will pen the next Great American Novel. She’ll take him on field trips worthy of any rom-com montage, and he’ll take her to interview surviving members of a backwoods death cult (obviously). Everyone will finish a book and no one will fall in love. Really.

Why it made the list: I was skeptical about whether I would like this book or not, but I could not keep it down. I was drawn into this book from the start, and even though I knew that the two would eventually get together, I still wanted to see just how they would. It's definitely a romance, so if you're not in to that, you might not like it. But I definitely did!

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Synopsis: Ryland Grace is the sole survivor on a desperate, last-chance mission—and if he fails, humanity and the earth itself will perish. Except that right now, he doesn’t know that. He can’t even remember his own name, let alone the nature of his assignment or how to complete it. All he knows is that he’s been asleep for a very, very long time. And he’s just been awakened to find himself millions of miles from home, with nothing but two corpses for company. His crewmates dead, his memories fuzzily returning, Ryland realizes that an impossible task now confronts him. Hurtling through space on this tiny ship, it’s up to him to puzzle out an impossible scientific mystery—and conquer an extinction-level threat to our species. And with the clock ticking down and the nearest human being light-years away, he’s got to do it all alone. Or does he?

Why it made the list: While I didn't always love Weir's writing style and some of the ways he decided to tell the story, the story itself was super compelling. I could not wait to see what would happen next, just waiting for the next moment I could go back to reading it. I've heard this is being adapted into a movie as well, which I can totally see. You can read my longer review here.

Nothing More to Tell by Karen M. McManus

Synopsis: True crime can leave a false trail. Four years ago, Brynn left Saint Ambrose School following the shocking murder of her favourite teacher. The case was never solved, but she's sure that the three kids who found Mr. Larkin's body know more than they're telling, especially her ex-best friend Tripp Talbot. He's definitely hiding something. When Brynn gets an internship working on a popular true-crime show, she decides to investigate what really happened that day in the woods. But the further she dives into the past, the more secrets she finds. Four years ago someone got away with murder. Now it's time to uncover the truth...

Why it made the list: I've liked most of McManus' mysteries, and this one was no exception. Not only is there a mystery (and mysteries are always compelling unless they are boring), there is also a developing romance that you know is coming, but can't help but root for regardless. The answer to the mystery is unexpected, even though I now can't remember what it is!

Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister

Synopsis: Can you stop a murder after it’s already happened? Late October. After midnight. You’re waiting up for your seventeen-year-old son. He’s late. As you watch from the window, he emerges, and you realize he isn’t alone: he’s walking toward a man, and he’s armed. You can’t believe it when you see him do it: your funny, happy teenage son, he kills a stranger, right there on the street outside your house. You don’t know who. You don’t know why. You only know your son is now in custody. His future shattered. That night you fall asleep in despair. All is lost. Until you wake... and it is yesterday. And then you wake again... and it is the day before yesterday. Every morning you wake up a day earlier, another day before the murder. With another chance to stop it. Somewhere in the past lies an answer. The trigger for this crime—and you don’t have a choice but to find it...

Why it made the list: I love a good time travel story, and this one is definitely unique in that the lead character is continually going back in time to try to figure out what happened when the book first starts. There are mysteries upon mysteries, and it all wraps up in a very satisfying way.

Other books I enjoyed this year, but wouldn't call my favorites: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson

You can check out all of the books I’ve read on my Goodreads page, but let me know if you’ve had any favorites from this year that I should check out!

Past Years:
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012

Book Review: Good Girl, Bad Blood (A Good Girl's Guide to Murder #2) by Holly Jackson

2022-04-26T23:04:00.002-07:00

Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson

Published: April 30, 2020

Genre: Mystery, Young Adult

Pages: 417

Synopsis: Pip is not a detective anymore.

With the help of Ravi Singh, she released a true-crime podcast about the murder case they solved together last year. The podcast has gone viral, yet Pip insists her investigating days are behind her.

But she will have to break that promise when someone she knows goes missing. Jamie Reynolds has disappeared, on the very same night the town hosted a memorial for the sixth-year anniversary of the deaths of Andie Bell and Sal Singh.

The police won't do anything about it. And if they won't look for Jamie then Pip will, uncovering more of her town's dark secrets along the way... and this time everyone is listening. But will she find him before it's too late?

Thoughts: In this sequel to A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, one of my favorite books read in 2021, the story picks up a bit after the events that took place in the first book, with Pip having started a podcast about her investigation. It takes a little while for the story to really get going as Pip has decided she doesn't want to be a "detective" anymore, but once a new mystery takes hold, she of course gets pulled back in.

Though it's a slow start at first, once things get going, the story picks up quickly, and before I knew it, I was already nearing the end. The mystery itself takes some unexpected twists and turns, and to be honest I had no idea it was going to end in the way it did. While sometimes that would be annoying because there's something to be said for anticipation, I do enjoy when a mystery isn't cut and dry and goes in an unexpected direction.

While the first book focused on what you'd call a "cold case" and digging up information about something that had happened in the past, this book's mystery is very much in the present and focuses on actively trying to find a person who has gone missing. That mystery, combined with Pip evolving and changing into someone a bit darker than she was in the previous book, gives this one a bit of a different feel. Though I enjoyed it, I would definitely say that I prefer the first book over this one.

Still, I enjoyed it enough to round out the trilogy. Here's hoping it sticks the landing!

Rating: 4/5

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What I'm Reading Next: You'll Be the Death of Me by Karen M. McManus

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Book Review: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

2022-03-26T18:48:00.001-07:00

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Published: May 4, 2021

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 476

Synopsis: Ryland Grace is the sole survivor on a desperate, last-chance mission—and if he fails, humanity and Earth itself will perish.

Except that right now, he doesn't know that. He can't even remember his own name, let alone the nature of his assignment or how to complete it.

All he knows is that he's been asleep for a very, very long time. And he's just been awakened to find himself millions of miles from home, with nothing but two corpses for company.

His crewmates dead, his memories fuzzily returning, he realizes that an impossible task now confronts him. Hurtling through space on this tiny ship, it's up to him to puzzle out an impossible scientific mystery—and conquer an extinction-level threat to our species.

And with the clock ticking down and the nearest human being light-years away, he's got to do it all alone.

Or does he?

An irresistible interstellar adventure as only Andy Weir could imagine it, Project Hail Mary is a tale of discovery, speculation, and survival to rival The Martian—while taking us to places it never dreamed of going.

Thoughts: Some years ago, I tried to read The Martian and fairly quickly gave up because of the author's writing style and the abundance of science mumbo jumbo from the get go. Now, if you know me, you might be like, hmm, that's weird, you like science (especially space science), why would the science turn you off? Maybe I just wasn't in the right head space for it, because I loved the movie version. Now, flash forward to this year, when I thought I would give the same author's most recent book a try. Would I feel the same?

To a very small extent - yes. I don't particularly like how he writes character dialogue. I feel like it comes off a little bit hokey, but I pushed through that initial hokey feeling in Project Hail Mary to truly give the story a chance, and I am very glad I did. I will say, though I got used to the writing style of the dialogue, I still don't particularly love it, but I did end up loving the story itself. My only other qualm with the book is in how it was formatted, going back and forth between the present day and the past, with those past moments explaining how the main character, Ryland Grace, ended up on this mission in the first place. While those flashbacks were intriguing at first because Ryland had amnesia, once the story really got moving, I found them annoying and just wanted to get back to the present story as soon as possible.

Now, I get the point of those flashbacks - they show us that Ryland has grown and yada yada yada - but I feel like that could've been presented in a different way. Still, I zipped through this book, wanting to see what was going to happen next and how each new obstacle would be overcome. I rooted for and grew attached to Ryland and another character, and may have even got a little teary eyed toward the end. And the science in this did not bother me as I found it pretty fascinating and was also impressed with how accurate it all felt. Weir clearly did a lot of research for this book, and it shows.

While I would like to give this the full 5 out of 5 rating, because of those two issues I had with the dialogue and the flashbacks, I had to knock it down a little. Despite that, though, I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is a space scifi fan, and especially if you read and liked The Martian.

Rating: 4.5/5

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What I'm Reading Next: Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson

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Book Review: Troubled Blood (Cormoran Strike #5) by Robert Galbraith

2022-03-10T12:36:00.002-08:00

Troubled Blood by Robert Galbraith

Published: September 15, 2020

Genre: Mystery, Fiction

Pages: 944

Synopsis: Private Detective Cormoran Strike is visiting his family in Cornwall when he is approached by a woman asking for help finding her mother, Margot Bamborough — who went missing in mysterious circumstances in 1974.

Strike has never tackled a cold case before, let alone one forty years old. But despite the slim chance of success, he is intrigued and takes it on; adding to the long list of cases that he and his partner in the agency, Robin Ellacott, are currently working on. And Robin herself is also juggling a messy divorce and unwanted male attention, as well as battling her own feelings about Strike.

As Strike and Robin investigate Margot's disappearance, they come up against a fiendishly complex case with leads that include tarot cards, a psychopathic serial killer and witnesses who cannot all be trusted. And they learn that even cases decades old can prove to be deadly...

Thoughts: First off, this book is long. Like, really, overly long. For comparison, the previous book in this series was about 775 pages, whereas this one was about 950. Since I use a Kindle to read these days, I generally have no idea how long a book may be when choosing to read it. Compare that to being able to see how thick an actual physically published book is, I probably would make some different choices in the books I decide to read.

That's not to say there's anything wrong with a long book, if it indeed deserves that length. This book does not, in my opinion. It really starts to drag on in the middle, and honestly made me wonder if the same author had even written it given the repetitive nature of some scenes. The main mystery here, while at times intriguing, was oftentimes convoluted, with many different characters to try to keep track of, which I did not always succeed in doing. Who's Steve Douthwaite compared to Paul Satchwell? I'm still not 100% sure.

Still, the reveal of the mystery was unexpected and one I did not see coming. And, I enjoyed all of the more personal scenes with Strike and Robin -- in particular those featuring Robin. Indeed, the satisfaction those scenes gave really kept me going despite the slog-ish nature of the rest of the book. Seriously, what was the point in making it so much longer than the rest of the books in this series?

I did consider not reading this book because of all of the stuff the author has said about certain things, but it creates this conundrum -- are you not allowed to enjoy things you once did because the person who created them isn't as decent of a person as you had previously thought? It's a tough question, and one that I'm sure many others also struggle with as well. Like, I don't condone that stuff, but I also still want to see what happens next in the story... Sigh. Anyway. There's that.

Rating: 3/5

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What I'm Reading Next: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

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Book Review: Steelstriker (Skyhunter #2) by Marie Lu

2021-12-20T15:53:00.003-08:00

Steelstriker by Marie Lu

Published: September 28, 2021

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction

Pages: 384

Synopsis: As a Striker, Talin was taught loyalty is life. Loyalty to the Shield who watches your back, to the Strikers who risk their lives on the battlefield, and most of all, to Mara, which was once the last nation free from the Karensa Federation’s tyranny.

But Mara has fallen. And its destruction has unleashed Talin’s worst nightmare.

With her friends scattered by combat and her mother held captive by the Premier, Talin is forced to betray her fellow Strikers and her adopted homeland. She has no choice but to become the Federation’s most deadly war machine as their newest Skyhunter.

Red is no stranger to the cruelty of the Federation or the torture within its Skyhunter labs, but he knows this isn’t the end for Mara – or Talin. The link between them may be weak, but it could be Talin and Red's only hope to salvage their past and safeguard their future.

While the fate of a broken world hangs in the balance, Talin and Red must reunite the Strikers and find their way back to each other in this smoldering sequel to Marie Lu’s Skyhunter.

Thoughts: While I may have forgotten to write an official review for Skyhunter here back when I read it earlier this year, I quite enjoyed it, and was looking forward to this sequel to wrap up the duology. If you've followed my blog for long, you'll have noticed that I've been a fan of author Marie Lu for awhile, and though I haven't loooooved every one of her books, I have liked all of them.

So, how does Steelstriker rank? I'd say it's middle of the pack for me. Though I appreciate the reasons why the story had to play out the way it did, it felt like it took a really long time for it to to start going places. I just wanted things to start coming together faster, particularly since it seemed pretty clear where everything was eventually headed.

What I always find a little tough about these types of series, where the focus is on a group of oppressed people who want to rise up against their oppressors, is that you always know where things are headed. And it always seems to end in some sort of battle. And I just... find battles boring. Like oh here we go, more fighting, woo hoo. That's not to say this book is full of fighting, because it really isn't, I just wished it had a few more unexpected twists.

Nonetheless, it was a satisfying conclusion to Talin and Red's stories, so if you read the first one and enjoyed it, you probably won't be disappointed, you just might wish it all went a bit quicker, like me.

Rating: 3/5

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What I'm Reading Next: Troubled Blood by Robert Galbraith

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Favorite New Shows of 2021

2021-12-15T06:00:00.004-08:00

It's becoming harder and harder to stay up to date on the new TV shows that exist in the world, what with alllll of the different streaming services available. Top that off with feeling exhausted half the time and often I find I'd like to watch an old favorite rather than dive into something completely new. But, that doesn't mean I haven't watched some of the new shows that debuted this year.

So let's get on with it, my list of my favorite new TV shows watched this year...

Loki

You're going to notice quite a few different Disney+ Marvel TV shows on this list. Yes, I'm a Marvel fan. However, you will also notice one show missing, and it's true that I did not really like that one compared to the rest. The one I enjoyed the most was definitely Loki, with its twisty turny narrative and great cast. The fact that these shows also have implications for the larger MCU is also cool as that's never really been done before, at least that I'm aware of. Can't wait for the next season, whenever that may be.

Hawkeye

Apparently some people aren't big fans of Hailee Steinfeld, which was news to me as I have always enjoyed her. Here, she joins the MCU as Kate Bishop, who it looks like will be taking over the mantel as the new Hawkeye. I was never a big fan of Hawkeye in the Avengers movies, but this show has made me like him, so there you go. While it's not over yet, the show is only six episodes long, and I think it's safe to assume it won't suddenly lose my interest.

WandaVision

WandaVision is very creative, and while it was slow going at first to actually get to the story, it was definitely going somewhere and not just meandering for no reason. Though I'm not sure it really stuck the landing as well as it could have, I was nonetheless enthralled throughout and couldn't wait for each new episode. It was nice to see these characters explored more fully than in the films, and now I am looking forward to see where they go next.

Hacks

I almost didn't include this show in here because while I think it's well done, I'm not sure I really loved it, if that makes sense. I found one of the main characters a bit hard to like, and though that was part of the character's supposed "charm," it was difficult to get past sometimes. Still, Jean Smart is awesome, and if you watch it just for her alone, you will probably be mostly satisfied.

Any new shows you loved that I should check out? Let me know in the comments!

Past Years:
2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011

Favorite Books of 2021

2021-12-13T09:43:00.002-08:00

Wow, if I thought 2020 was pitiful when it comes to how many books I read, then 2021 is even worse! It's been a trying year, to say the very least, which has made it hard to keep up with reading consistently. And though I have enjoyed many of the books that I have read, very few of them have really knocked my socks off and pulled me in to the point where I just have to keep reading. Has anyone else struggled to keep up with reading this past year, or is it just me?

Nonetheless, I do have some favorites of the year, so let's go ahead and get to them...

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

Synopsis: For readers of Kara Thomas and Karen McManus, an addictive, twisty crime thriller with shades of Serial and Making a Murderer about a closed local murder case that doesn't add up, and a girl who's determined to find the real killer--but not everyone wants her meddling in the past. Everyone in Fairview knows the story. Pretty and popular high school senior Andie Bell was murdered by her boyfriend, Sal Singh, who then killed himself. It was all anyone could talk about. And five years later, Pip sees how the tragedy still haunts her town. But she can't shake the feeling that there was more to what happened that day. She knew Sal when she was a child, and he was always so kind to her. How could he possibly have been a killer? Now a senior herself, Pip decides to reexamine the closed case for her final project, at first just to cast doubt on the original investigation. But soon she discovers a trail of dark secrets that might actually prove Sal innocent . . . and the line between past and present begins to blur. Someone in Fairview doesn't want Pip digging around for answers, and now her own life might be in danger. This is the story of an investigation turned obsession, full of twists and turns and with an ending you'll never expect.

Why it made the list: I've been very into mysteries of late, probably because they actually keep me invested and tend to be page-turners compared to other genres. This year, this mystery in particular was my favorite. It's definitely very pertinent to today in how people are so interested in true crime, in particular women, for some reason. And if you've ever considered yourself an amateur sleuth, then you will certainly relate to the main character, Pip, in this story.

Skyhunter by Marie Lu

Synopsis: In a world broken by war, a team of young warriors is willing to sacrifice everything to save what they love. The Karensa Federation has conquered a dozen countries, leaving Mara as one of the last free nations in the world. Refugees flee to its borders to escape a fate worse than death—transformation into mutant war beasts known as Ghosts, creatures the Federation then sends to attack Mara. The legendary Strikers, Mara's elite fighting force, are trained to stop them. But as the number of Ghosts grows and Karensa closes in, defeat seems inevitable. Still, one Striker refuses to give up hope. Robbed of her voice and home, Talin Kanami knows firsthand the brutality of the Federation. Their cruelty forced her and her mother to seek asylum in a country that considers their people repugnant. She finds comfort only with a handful of fellow Strikers who have pledged their lives to one another and who are determined to push Karensa back at all costs. When a mysterious prisoner is brought from the front, Talin senses there’s more to him than meets the eye. Is he a spy from the Federation? Or could he be the weapon that will save them all?

Why it made the list: I have read nearly all of Marie Lu's books, and while I have enjoyed some more than others, they are all almost always interesting stories about different worlds where marginalized people must overcome some sort of oppressor. Interestingly, at this moment I am reading the sequel to Skyhunter, Steelstriker, and it's not grabbing me nearly as much as this first book did, which is a shame as I really enjoyed Skyhunter and was looking forward to the sequel. Action, mystery, hints of romance, and of course, lots of personal trauma and drama, if you love a good scifi fantasy, then I would give Skyhunter a try.

The Searcher by Tana French

Synopsis: Retired detective Cal Hooper moves to a remote village in rural Ireland. His plans are to fix up the dilapidated cottage he's bought, to walk the mountains, to put his old police instincts to bed forever. Then a local boy appeals to him for help. His brother is missing, and no one in the village, least of all the police, seems to care. And once again, Cal feels that restless itch. Something is wrong in this community, and he must find out what, even if it brings trouble to his door.

Why it made the list: Another mystery? Yes, this time by one of my favorite mystery writers, Tana French. Though this isn't in her Dublin Murder Squad series, it does still take place in Ireland and does still feature a mystery. If you've ever read any of her other books, this one will not disappoint. And if you haven't read any of her books, why not? They're all well-done, and The Searcher is no exception.

Other books I enjoyed this year, but wouldn't call my favorites: To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini, The Cousins by Karen McManus, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by VE Schwab.

You can check out all of the books I’ve read on my Goodreads page, but let me know if you’ve had any favorites from this year that I should check out!

Past Years:
2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012

Mud Pie

2021-10-18T06:00:00.004-07:00

Looking to satisfy the chocolate lover in your life? Look no further than this decadant, super rich mud pie. We're talking a cookie crust, brownie layer, chocolate mousse layer, whipped cream, cookie topping situation. Is this pie quick to make? No sirree Bob. But is it worth the effort? If you're into chocolate, then definitely. Might we even suggest trying out a salted caramel drizzle on top? Would that be over the top? Never.

This pie isn't for those who want something done lickety split. There are quite a few steps, and a lot of chilling involved, which means it will probably take around six hours total from when you start to when you can actually eat it. Now if you really wanted to cut down the time, you could just buy one of those pre-made chocolate crusts at the grocery, and you could make this without the whipped cream layer as the original recipe does. But I definitely suggest you take the extra step to make that whipped cream layer as it cuts through the super rich chocolate. And honestly, whipped cream is always a good idea, right?

Now, you might be wondering, if you've glanced down at the recipe, what exactly are the chocolate wafer cookies that should be crushed. The recommended cookies are Nabisco's Famous Chocolate Wafers, which you can of course get online at that link, or I found them in person at a Gelson's. If worse came to worst, you could also probably use some Oreos and scrape off the cream layer (making sure to weigh the cookies as they probably differ a bit). But that's just another bit of work for you, isn't it, and who wants that?

Mud Pie
Author: Jen @ Fresh From The…
Servings: 8
Prep time: 01:45
Cook time: 00:25
Total time: 06:00

Rich and chocolate-full mud pie that will satisfy any chocolate lover.

Ingredients:

Crust

25 crushed chocolate wafer cookies (5 1/2 ounces), broken into coarse pieces
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Brownie Layer

4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped fine
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 1/2 tablespoons Dutch-processed cocoa powder
2/3 cup packed (4 2/3 ounces) dark brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Topping

10 chocolate wafer cookies (2 ounces)
2 tablespoons confectioner's (powdered) sugar
1 tablespoon Dutch-processed cocoa powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Mousse

6 ounces milk chocolate, chopped fine
1 cup heavy cream, chilled
2 tablespoons Dutch-processed cocoa powder
2 tablespoons confectioners' (powdered) sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt

Whipped Cream

1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons confectioners' (powdered) sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

FOR THE CRUST: Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees. Process cookie pieces in food processor until finely ground, about 30 seconds. Add melted butter and pulse until combined, about 6 pulses. Using bottom of dry measuring cup, press crumbs firmly into bottom and up sides of 9-inch pie plate. Bake until fragrant and set, about 15 minutes. Transfer to wire rack.
FOR THE BROWNIE LAYER: Combine chocolate, butter, oil, and cocoa in bowl and microwave at 50 percent power, stirring often, until melted, about 1½ minutes. In separate bowl, whisk sugar, eggs, vanilla, and salt until smooth. Whisk in chocolate mixture until incorporated. Whisk in flour until just combined.
Pour brownie batter into crust (crust needn’t be cool at this point). Bake pie until edges begin to set and toothpick inserted in center comes out with thin coating of batter attached, about 15 minutes. Transfer to wire rack and let cool for 1 hour, then refrigerate until fully chilled, about 1 hour longer.
FOR THE TOPPING: Meanwhile, line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Place cookies in zipper-lock bag, press out air, and seal bag. Using rolling pin, crush cookies into ½- to ¾-inch pieces. Combine sugar, cocoa, salt, and crushed cookies in bowl. Stir in melted butter until mixture is moistened and clumps begin to form. Spread crumbs in even layer on prepared sheet and bake until fragrant, about 10 minutes, shaking sheet to break up crumbs halfway through baking. Transfer sheet to wire rack and let cool completely.
FOR THE MOUSSE: Once brownie layer has fully chilled, microwave chocolate in large bowl at 50 percent power, stirring often, until melted, 1½ to 2 minutes. Let cool until just barely warm and registers between 90 and 100 degrees, about 10 minutes.
Microwave 3 tablespoons cream in small bowl until it registers 105 to 110 degrees, about 15 seconds. Whisk in cocoa until homogeneous. Combine cocoa-cream mixture, sugar, salt, and remaining cream in bowl of stand mixer. Fit mixer with whisk and whip cream mixture on medium speed until beginning to thicken, about 30 seconds, scraping down bowl as needed. Increase speed to high and whip until soft peaks form, 30 to 60 seconds.
Using whisk, fold one-third of whipped cream mixture into melted chocolate to lighten. Using rubber spatula, fold in remaining whipped cream mixture until no dark streaks remain. Spoon mousse into chilled pie and spread evenly from edge to edge.
FOR THE WHIPPED CREAM: Using stand mixer fitted with whisk, whip cream, confectioners’ sugar, and ½ teaspoon vanilla on medium-low speed until foamy, about 1 minute. Increase speed to high and whip until stiff peaks form, 1 to 3 minutes. Spread whipped cream evenly over top of pie. Sprinkle with cooled topping and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight. Serve.

Cook's Country

Book Review: The Cousins by Karen M. McManus

2021-09-24T08:17:00.002-07:00

The Cousins by Karen M. McManus

Published: December 1, 2020

Genre: Young Adult, Mystery

Pages: 337

Synopsis: Milly, Aubrey, and Jonah Story are cousins, but they barely know each other, and they've never even met their grandmother. Rich and reclusive, she disinherited their parents before they were born. So when they each receive a letter inviting them to work at her island resort for the summer, they're surprised... and curious.

Their parents are all clear on one point—not going is not an option. This could be the opportunity to get back into Grandmother's good graces. But when the cousins arrive on the island, it's immediately clear that she has different plans for them. And the longer they stay, the more they realize how mysterious—and dark—their family's past is.

The entire Story family has secrets. Whatever pulled them apart years ago isn't over—and this summer, the cousins will learn everything.

Thoughts: Mysteries have been my jam lately, and The Cousins was no exception. There are a couple different mysteries afoot in this book, including what happened to make the main characters' grandmother disinherit her children (the main characters' parents), and why she has suddenly decided to invite all of the grandkids to work at her island resort for the summer. It's mainly told from the three grandkids' POVs, with some chapters from one of the parents' POVs back when she was a teenager around when the disinheritance happened.

In general, the story has some good twists and turns, with some of the reveals actually being pretty surprising. However, one of the big reveals toward the end wasn't super satisfactory for me, and felt like it was too similar to some of the previous plot points in the book. I will say, though, that unlike other books where the different POV chapters always leave me wanting to get back to one particular POV versus the one I might be currently reading, in this book I enjoyed each different one equally -- and that's definitely saying something!

If you enjoy a mystery, particularly one with some family drama and some unexpected romance thrown in, then you'll probably enjoy this one. Would I say it's McManus' best book? Probably not, but I still enjoyed it and read it pretty quickly, which is always a good barometer for me to see if I'm enjoying what I'm reading.

Rating: 4/5

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What I'm Reading Next: The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

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Book Review: King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo

2021-05-30T10:55:00.000-07:00

King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo

Published: January 29, 2019

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Pages: 528

Synopsis: Face your demons... or feed them.

The dashing young king, Nikolai Lantsov, has always had a gift for the impossible. No one knows what he endured in his country's bloody civil war--and he intends to keep it that way. Now, as enemies gather at his weakened borders, Nikolai must find a way to refill Ravka's coffers, forge new alliances, and stop a rising threat to the once-great Grisha Army.

Yet with every day a dark magic within him grows stronger, threatening to destroy all he has built. With the help of a young monk and a legendary Grisha general, Nikolai will journey to the places in Ravka where the deepest magic survives to vanquish the terrible legacy inside him. He will risk everything to save his country and himself. But some secrets aren't meant to stay buried--and some wounds aren't meant to heal.

Thoughts: I was a big fan of both the Shadow and Bone and the Six of Crows series (though I think I would give Six of Crows a higher ranking), so I was going into this new duology with high hopes. Like some of the previous books, King of Scars is told from multiple different third-person perspectives, with each chapter coming from a different character, namely Nikolai, Zoya, Nina, who we've all met in previous books, and a new character, Isaak.

Books from multiple points of view usually always leave me wanting to hear more from a particular person rather than swapping around, and this was again the case here. I really just wanted to hear the whole thing from Nikolai's perspective, but things happen in such separate places, it wasn't really possible. You'd think I would have a greater affection for Nina given her involvement in past books, but I just didn't find her story quite as interesting.

It took me quite a while to get into this book, I even stopped reading it for a time and considered stopping completely, to be honest. But, after reading some other opinions online about how it gets better as it goes, I decided to stick it out. And, yes, it does get better, but I still wouldn't say it lives up to the other books in the Grishaverse world. That said, I've heard the second book is more gripping, so let's hope that's true.

Rating: 3.5/5

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What I'm Reading Next: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by VE Schwab

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Book Review: Recursion by Blake Crouch

2021-04-12T08:00:00.001-07:00

Recursion by Blake Crouch

Published: June 11, 2019

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 336

Synopsis: Memory makes reality.

That's what NYC cop Barry Sutton is learning, as he investigates the devastating phenomenon the media has dubbed False Memory Syndrome—a mysterious affliction that drives its victims mad with memories of a life they never lived.

That's what neuroscientist Helena Smith believes. It's why she's dedicated her life to creating a technology that will let us preserve our most precious memories. If she succeeds, anyone will be able to re-experience a first kiss, the birth of a child, the final moment with a dying parent.

As Barry searches for the truth, he comes face to face with an opponent more terrifying than any disease—a force that attacks not just our minds, but the very fabric of the past. And as its effects begin to unmake the world as we know it, only he and Helena, working together, will stand a chance at defeating it.

But how can they make a stand when reality itself is shifting and crumbling all around them?

At once a relentless pageturner and an intricate science-fiction puzzlebox about time, identity, and memory, Recursion is a thriller as only Blake Crouch could imagine it—and his most ambitious, mind-boggling, irresistible work to date.

Thoughts: One thing you can always say about Blake Crouch's books (well, the two I have read anyway) -- they don't sit around and move at a languid pace. The plot kicks into gear quickly, in this case drawing you into a mystery of memory and time. The action jumps between two main characters -- Barry and Helena -- who are involved in the story in different ways at first, but eventually come together.

Like many science fiction novels, someone creates something they shouldn't have, it ends up wrecking havoc upon the world, and our heroes must work to try to stop it. It's actually kind of hard to write a review of this book because I don't want to give anything away about the plot. I knew very little about it going into reading it, and I think that really let me become engrossed in the story in a different way. I didn't have preconceived ideas about where it might be going, but, as with any good story, was able to anticipate where it might be heading while still being surprised by some twists and turns along the way.

When I was a kid, I was really into Michael Crichton's novels, and in some ways Crouch's books remind me of Crichton's -- thrillers set around a scifi core. So, if you like Crichton or Crouch, but haven't read the other, I'd certainly recommend giving it a try. And if you are a fan of the scifi thriller in general, Crouch is certainly a modern author to pay attention to. His books will keep you turning the pages while also making you think.

Rating: 4/5

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What I'm Reading Next: Skyhunter by Marie Lu

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Alabama Orange Rolls

2021-03-29T08:00:00.002-07:00

When you want a delicious, ooey gooey sweet roll for breakfast, the first type of roll you probably think of is the classic cinnamon roll. And while cinnamon rolls are definitely amazing, might I suggest you try something a little different and go with these orange rolls instead? They're still ooey and gooey and sweet, but also offer a little extra tang and don't veer into the too sweet territory.

Now, like any yeasted dough, you're gonna have to plan ahead for when you want to eat these. These aren't a roll you can just bust out in a half hour, there are multiple rises and waiting for them to cool before glazing... all of that good stuff. If you want to start making them in the morning, they're more of a brunch situation than breakfast, if we're being honest with ourselves.

The original recipe for these rolls calls for using a dark 9-inch cake pan, and you can see I most certainly did not do that here. A dark pan will cook them faster than a light pan, and will also give you crisper edges. Now, personally, I prefer the roll to be soft all around rather than hard on the outside and gooey on the middle, so I was perfectly happy with the light pan results. But if you enjoy the hard outside and soft middle type of thing, you might want to try a dark pan. Either way, they'll turn out delicious, though. So if you love rolls and you love orange, get to it!

Alabama Orange Rolls
Author: Jen @ Fresh From The…
Servings: 8
Prep time: 03:00
Cook time: 00:45
Total time: 03:45

Amazing brunch rolls that have just the right amount of sweet and tangy orange flavor.

Ingredients:

Dough:

3 cups (15 ounces) all-purpose flour
1/4 cup (1.75 ounces) granulated sugar
2 1/4 teaspoons instant or rapid-rise yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup orange juice, warm (110 degrees F)
1/4 cup heavy cream
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 6 pieces and softened
1 large egg plus 1 large yolk

Filling:

1/2 cup (3.5 ounces) granulated sugar
2 teaspoons grated orange zest
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

Glaze:

1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup (1.75 ounces) granulated sugar
2 tablespoons orange juice
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/8 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

For the Dough: In a stand mixer bowl, whisk flour, sugar, yeast, and salt together. Add orange juice, cream, butter, and egg and yolk. Using the dough hook, knead on medium speed until dough comes together, about 2 minutes. Increase speed to medium-high and continue to knead dough until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes longer. Dough will be nice and soft.
Transfer dough to lightly floured counter and knead until smooth ball forms, about 30 seconds. Place dough in a greased large bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
For the Filling: Combine sugar and zest in a small bowl. Transfer dough to lightly floured counter. Roll dough into 16 by 8-inch rectangle with long side parallel to counter’s edge. Spread butter over surface of dough using small offset spatula, then sprinkle evenly with sugar mixture. Roll dough away from you into tight, even log and pinch seam to seal.
Grease 9-inch cake pan, line bottom with parchment paper, then grease parchment. Roll log seam side down and cut into eight 2-inch-thick slices using a serrated knife. Place 1 roll in center of prepared pan and others around perimeter of pan, seam sides facing center. Cover with plastic and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees.
Discard plastic and bake rolls until golden brown on top and interior of center roll registers 195 degrees, 40 to 50 minutes. Let rolls cool in the pan on a wire rack for 30 minutes.
For the Glaze: Once rolls have cooled for 30 minutes, combine all ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until large, slow bubbles appear and mixture is syrupy, about 4 minutes.
Using spatula, loosen rolls from sides of pan and slide onto platter; discard parchment. Brush glaze over tops of rolls and serve warm.

Recipe from Cook's Country

Book Review: To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini

2021-03-23T09:00:00.002-07:00

To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini

Published: September 15, 2020

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 878

Synopsis: Kira Navárez dreamed of life on new worlds. Now she's awakened a nightmare. During a routine survey mission on an uncolonized planet, Kira finds an alien relic. At first she's delighted, but elation turns to terror when the ancient dust around her begins to move.

As war erupts among the stars, Kira is launched into a galaxy-spanning odyssey of discovery and transformation. First contact isn't at all what she imagined, and events push her to the very limits of what it means to be human.

While Kira faces her own horrors, Earth and its colonies stand upon the brink of annihilation. Now, Kira might be humanity's greatest and final hope...

Thoughts: Wow. So, it's been some time since I've read such an epically long book. Many years, in fact. It's a commitment to read such a long book, you know? And this book took me awhile to read -- almost two and a half months. That's not to say that I didn't enjoy it, because I did, just that my reading has mostly been limited to before bed, which inherently leads me to fall asleep.

Anyway, enough of that. Let's get on to the book! Paolini is known for having previously written the Eragon book series, which I thought was good for a time, and then kind of ended not as great as I had been hoping. His writing, to me, just wasn't that amazing and was amateurish at times. But that is definitely not the case here! It's very clear that Paolini has matured as a writer. If you asked me whether I thought this book was written by the same person, I'd probably say no. I went into it wondering if his writing style would have changed, and I was pleasantly surprised.

Now, as I said, this book is long. But it's a complete story! This isn't the first book in a planned series (at least not for now), so you're not committing yourself to multiple huge tomes. In reading the afterword, he wrote it with the intention that each part of the book (three) were meant to sort of represent a trilogy, which totally makes sense.

So I've been pretty effusive so far, so why does this book get a 4/5 and not a 5/5? I think for me, personally, I just have a hard time caring about a lot of straight action. While I understand that battles are often necessary to stories, that's where I get super bored and just wish those battles would be over. There are a few different battle-type sequences in this book, and those just lost my interest a bit. It also felt like a very technical book at times. It was very much embedded in the science part of science fiction. It definitely showed that he did a lot of homework to make this book feel realistic. But, at the same time, I felt like it could've used a little more emotion. While I liked Kira as a character, I also felt a little removed from her at times, if that makes sense.

In any event, if you're a science fiction fan, you'll likely enjoy this. If you aren't, you might not, as again it is very much science fiction and not fantasy.

Rating: 4/5

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What I'm Reading Next: Recursion by Blake Crouch

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Toffee Oat Cookie Dough Ice Cream

2021-02-15T08:00:00.007-08:00

I don't know about you, but my favorite ice cream since childhood has been cookie dough. While normally a cookie dough ice cream will be your basic sweet cream or vanilla ice cream with chocolate chip cookie dough as the dough, who says that chocolate chip cookie dough has to be the cookie dough of choice? No one! That's just what's expected. So, after making some delicious Oat and Pecan Brittle Cookies recently, I was like wait a minute. This dough is awesome, why not use it as the cookie dough in a homemade ice cream?!

So, here's the truth about this particular cookie dough -- it's very time consuming to make. You've got to make a pecan brittle, and then blitz part of it in with some of the flour, and then also brown some butter. But the result is so good! If you're ever planning on making the cookies, definitely save some of the dough to mix in to a homemade ice cream. You won't regret it. That being said, you can totally swap in any cookie dough here. The ice cream is just a sweet cream base without any special specific flavorings, so it's extremely versatile.

I just used Salt and Straw's Ice Cream Base in this particular combination, mostly because I didn't want to use up a bunch of egg yolks, and their recipe uses xanthan gum to thicken the ice cream and hold it all together instead of said egg yolks. But say you have some cookie dough and you'd rather use a custard-based ice cream as the base. That's totally fine! As I said, this recipe is very versatile, you can swap the ice cream or the dough and you'll probably still end up with a result that you love.

What's nice about this ice cream is that it is a bit lighter, almost like what you'd find in an ice cream sandwich, and it works quite well with the toffee oat cookie dough. Honestly, I could probably eat the whole container in one go, but let's not get crazy here.

Toffee Oat Cookie Dough Ice Cream
Author: Jen @ Fresh From The…
Prep time: 05:00
Cook time: 2525:00
Total time: 30:00

A take on homemade cookie dough ice cream, highly customizable to your own cookie dough preferences.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons dry milk powder
1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1 1/3 cups whole milk
1 1/3 cups heavy cream
1 cup Oat and Pecan Brittle cookie dough

Instructions:

Combine the sugar, dry milk, and xanthan gum in a small bowl and stir well.
Pour the corn syrup into a medium pot and stir in the whole milk. Add the sugar mixture and immediately whisk vigorously until smooth. Set the pot over medium heat and cook, stirring often and adjusting the heat if necessary to prevent a simmer, until the sugar has fully dissolved, about 3 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat.
Add the cream and whisk until fully combined. Transfer the mixture to an airtight container and refrigerate until well chilled, at least 6 hours, or for even better texture and flavor, 24 hours. Stir the base back together if it separates during the resting time. The base can be further stored in the fridge for up to 1 week or in the freeze for up to 3 months. (Just be sure to fully thaw the frozen base before using it.)
Once chilled, churn according to your ice cream maker's specifications. Place your storage container in the freezer while the base churns. Break up your cup of cookie dough into pieces about 1/2 inch big. Once the ice cream is ready, transfer the it to your storage container, and gently fold in your prepared cookie dough with a rubber spatula.

Ice Cream recipe from Salt and Straw Ice Cream Cookbook by Tyler Malek and JJ Goode
Cookie Dough recipe from Dessert Person by Claire Saffitz

Oat and Pecan Brittle Cookies

2021-02-09T08:30:00.002-08:00

Are you a Dessert Person? If so, then you've come to the right place, because today's recipe is straight out of Claire Saffitz's cookbook called, fittingly, Dessert Person. If you're like wait, that name sounds familiar, where do I know that from -- Claire used to work for Bon Appetit, and hosted several YouTube series for them. Now, she's got her own series, where she makes recipes from her cookbook. One of the first episodes she did was actually for these cookies. And I can report that, after having made them twice now -- these cookies are legit.

These cookies are chewy, sweet, with a bit of crunch from the pecan brittle that's not only in the flour mixture, but also in bits throughout the cookies as well. They are definitely a labor of love -- these aren't cookies you can just decide you want to make and be eating in 30 minutes. Indeed, if you want to make these cookies the best they can be, then you're going to have to let the dough rest in the fridge for at least 12 hours. Again, labor of love, but honestly? Worth it.

Also? They have brown butter, and if you know me, you know I love brown butter. What's not to love? Any time I brown some butter, and that lovely, nutty aroma starts wafting up, it's amazing. Claire has said she struggles not to put brown butter in every recipe and, girl, I totally get it. It almost always makes things better.

One thing I do want to mention is that you should not overcook these. If the very center of your cookies look a little underdone, but the edges are nice and brown after the first amount of baking time, take 'em out. The centers will continue cooking on the pan for the five more minutes you leave them on there, and if you overcooked them at all, they will turn out much crunchier in the end. Of course, if you prefer a crunchier cookie, then more power to you, go ahead, but I personally love it when you get a nice, soft center.

Another tip -- if you don't want to bake all of these cookies are once, then you can totally freeze the portioned dough to bake up some fresh cookies on another night when you're having a craving. Same oven temperature, close to the same amount of time. Frozen portioned cookie dough is something your future self with be grateful for, and I highly recommend it.

Oat and Pecan Brittle Cookies
Author: Jen @ Fresh From The…
Servings: 18 cookies
Prep time: 01:45
Cook time: 20:00
Total time: 02:30

Amazing sweet, salty, chewy, crunchy, delicious toffee-y oat and pecan cookies worth the effort.

Ingredients:

For the Brittle

1 1/4 cups coarsely chopped pecans (5 oz / 142g)
3/4 cup granulated sugar (5.3 oz / 150g)
4 tablespoons unsalted butter (2 oz / 57g)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (Diamond Crystal brand)

For the Cookies

2 sticks unsalted butter (8 oz / 227g), cut into tablespoons
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour (6.1 oz / 173g)
2 teaspoons kosher salt (0.22 oz / 6g)
1 teaspoon baking soda (0.21 oz / 6g)
2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (7 oz / 200g)
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar (5.3 oz / 150g)
1/2 cup granulated sugar (3.5 oz / 100g)
2 large eggs (3.5 oz / 100g), cold from the fridge
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

For the Brittle:

Arrange an oven rack in the center position and preheat the oven to 350F. Scatter the pecans on a small rimmed baking sheet and toast, tossing halfway through, until they're golden and nutty smelling, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and set aside to allow the pecans to cool.
Meanwhile, line a small rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside (I only have one small baking sheet, so I just put the pecans from above into a bowl and then used the same one). In a small saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, butter, and 2 tablespoons of water (1 oz / 28g) and cook over medium-low heat, stirring gently with a heatproof spatula to dissolve the sugar. Increase the heat to medium and bring the syrup to a rapid simmer. Cook without stirring, swirling the pan often, until the syrup turns a deep amber color, 8 to 10 minutes. Immediately remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the pecans. Once the pecans are well coated, add the baking soda and salt and stir quickly to incorporate -- the mixture will rapidly foam and sputter as the baking soda aerates the caramel. Quickly scrape the brittle out onto the prepared baking sheet, and spread into a thin layer, os possible, before it starts to harden (which happens very quickly). Set the baking sheet aside until the brittle is completely cooked, 5 to 10 minutes. Chop the brittle into pea-sized bits and set aside.

For the Cookies:

Measure out 4 ounces (113g) of the butter, place in the bowl of a stand mixer, and set aside. Place the other 4 ounces (113g) butter in a small saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently until the butter comes to a boil. Continue to cook, scraping the bottom and sides of the pan constantly with a heatproof spatula, until the butter sputters, foams, and eventually you see browned bits floating about, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the browned butter to the stand mixer bowl, making sure you scrape in all the browned bits. Set the bowl aside to cool until the butter begins to resolidify, about 30 minutes.
In a food processor, combine the flour, salt, and baking soda, then add half of the pecan brittle bits, and 1 cup (3.5 oz, 100g) of the oats. Blitz the mixture in long pulses until the oats and brittle are broken down and finely ground. Set side.
Set the bowl of cooled butter on the mixer and attach the paddle. Add the dark brown and granulated sugars and beat on medium speed until the mixture is light and smooth but not fluffy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, add the eggs and vanilla, and continue to beat until you have a very light and satiny mixture, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add the flour/oat/brittle mixture and beat on low until no dry spots remain and you have a soft, evenly mixed dough. Add the remaining pecan brittle bits and 1 cup (3.5 oz / 100g) oats and mix on low again just until dispersed. Fold the batter several times with a flexible spatula to ensure everything is evenly mixed.
Using a 2-ounce scoop or 1/4 cup measure, scoop level portions of dough and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet as close together as possible (you'll space them out before baking). Cover the dough tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 12 hours and up to 48. (If you're pressed for time, a couple of hours in the fridge will do. Just note the baked cookies won't be as chewy).
When you're ready to bake, arrange two oven racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 350F. Line two large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper, or silicon sheets.
Place 6 pieces of chilled cookie dough on each of the prepared baking sheets, spacing so they're at least 3 inches apart. Bake the cookies on the upper and lower racks until they are dark golden brown around the edges, 16 to 20 minutes, switching racks and rotating the sheets front to back after 12 minutes. Allow the cookies to rest for 5 minutes on the baking sheets, then use a metal spatula to transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool.
Carefully move one of the oven racks to the center position, place the remaining dough on one of the baking sheets (it's okay if it's still warm), and bake on the center rack (this last sheet might bake a bit faster than the first two).

Recipe from Dessert Person by Claire Saffitz

Book Review: The Searcher by Tana French

2021-01-13T08:40:00.001-08:00

The Searcher by Tana French

Published: October 6, 2020

Genre: Mystery

Pages: 451

Synopsis: Retired detective Cal Hooper moves to a remote village in rural Ireland. His plans are to fix up the dilapidated cottage he's bought, to walk the mountains, to put his old police instincts to bed forever.

Then a local boy appeals to him for help. His brother is missing, and no one in the village, least of all the police, seems to care. And once again, Cal feels that restless itch.

Something is wrong in this community, and he must find out what, even if it brings trouble to his door.

Thoughts: I have read quite a few of Tana French's books, and in the past they have usually been based around the Dublin Murder Squad, though for her last two she has branched out to other areas. In this book, the main character, rather than being Irish, is actually an American retired policeman who has moved to a remote part of Ireland to start a new life following his divorce from his long-time wife. In the beginning, I was wondering if the book was actually meant to be a mystery at all, as I had just assumed it was based on reading French's previous novels.

It is. It just takes a while to get to the actual mystery part of the story. As is often the case with French's mysteries, things are not so cut and dry once reveals start coming together about what really happened. As is often the case with quiet towns, things are not always what they seem. I didn't guess exactly what happened, but I started having certain suspicions, and those, at least, were confirmed by the ending.

Cal is an engaging main character who is no-nonsense and would rather stick to his own business, thankyouverymuch. It's sort of your fairly typical, I'm retired, I'm not doing that again, except for this one last thing sort of story. And that's in large part to a young local kid named Trey whose family has always been cast aside as the "bad folk" of town not worth investing your time in. Once Trey comes into the picture, which is pretty quickly, I became much more invested in the story. It's not just about the mystery that Trey asks for help with, but also the relationship that develops between Cal and Trey.

Overall, if you like more of a slow burn mystery, then this book is certainly worth picking up. If you need something fast-paced to grab you immediately, then you might want to stick to French's Dublin Murder Squad books.

Rating: 3.5/5

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What I'm Reading Next: To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini

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Chewy Chocolate Cookies

2021-01-05T08:00:00.001-08:00

From the pictures alone, you may not think these cookies look like much. Just a generic chocolate cookie with some chocolate chunks, what's to write home about here? Well, quite frankly, a lot! These cookies were an unexpected amazement when I was baking up some holiday cookie packages to send to my grandparents. I'm not always the hugest chocolate fan, particularly when it's chocolate on top of chocolate (I mean, give me a chocolate chip cookie any day, but I'd always choose that over a chocolate chocolate chip cookie, if you know what I mean).

So what makes these so good? They are so soft! They don't appear soft from the outside or when you're just giving them a gander in these pictures. In fact, you might think they look dry or something. But they are NOT. They stayed delightfully chewy and soft on the inside for over a week in an airtight container! That's some lasting power, especially when a lot of cookies will start to be dry and blegh after just a couple days.

Now, in the original recipe they're going to tell you that you need a lot of fancy chocolate to make these cookies shine. I'm here to tell you that they're good even without going super fancy. Dutch processed cocoa powder? I used Trader Joe's. Callebaut Intense Dark L-60-40NV baking chocolate? Try some Guittard bittersweet chocolate picked up at your local grocery. I also did not want to buy dark corn syrup just for this recipe, so I used light corn syrup instead and - still delicious! The point is, while those extra fancy ingredients may make them taste better, they're still awesome without them.

Chewy Chocolate Cookies
Author: Jen @ Fresh From The…
Servings: 16
Prep time: 00:45/
Cook time: 00:22
Total time: 01:30

Soft and oh-so-chocolatey cookies that last for days.

Ingredients:

1/3 cup granulated sugar (about 2.5 ounces), plus 1/2 cup for coating
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (7.5 ounces)
3/4 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup dark corn syrup
1 large egg white
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
12 tablespoons (1.5 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar (2.5 ounces)
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped into 1/2 inch pieces

Instructions:

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 375F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicon baking mat. Place 1/2 cup granulated sugar in a shallow baking dish or pie plate. Whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt together in medium bowl. Whisk corn syrup, egg white, and vanilla together in a small bowl.
In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter, brown sugar, and remaining 1/3 cup granulated sugar at medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Reduce speed to medium-low, add corn syrup mixture, and beat until fully incorporated, about 20 seconds, scraping bowl once with a rubber spatula. With mixer running at low speed, add flour mixture and chopped chocolate; mix until just incorporated, about 30 seconds, scraping bowl once. Give the dough a final stir with rubber spatula to ensure that no pockets of flour remain at the bottom. Chill dough 30 minutes to firm slightly (do not chill longer than 30 minutes).
Divide dough into 16 equal portions; roll between hands into balls about 1½ inches in diameter. Working in batches, drop 8 dough balls into baking dish with sugar and toss to coat. Set dough balls on prepared baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart.
Bake, rotating the baking sheet halfway through baking, until cookies are puffed and cracked and edges have begun to set but centers are still soft (cookies will look raw between cracks and seem underdone), 10 to 11 minutes. Do not over-bake.
Cool cookies on baking sheet 5 minutes, then use wide metal spatula to transfer cookies to wire rack; cool cookies to room temperature. Repeat with second batch of cookies.

Recipe from Cook's Illustrated

Sea Salt with Caramel Ribbons Ice Cream

2020-12-29T09:59:00.002-08:00

Did you know that I love ice cream? So why haven't I made any homemade ice cream on here since, oh, 2013? I'll tell you exactly why - using the Kitchenaid Ice Cream Maker Attachment is super annoying when you have what seems to be an extremely tiny freezer. Honestly, the fridge in my apartment is nice and all, but it is constantly running out of space, and that freezer is no exception. And the Kitchenaid attachment is, shall we just say, LARGE. Like, huge. So not only finding the space, but also remembering to put it in there at least 24 hours ahead of time is nigh impossible.

Enter: this Christmas and the gift of a fancy ice cream maker that requires no pre-freezing of a bowl. What's this magic? An ice cream maker made in Italy that has a built-in compressor that allows you to make ice cream pretty much on the fly: the Lello 4080 Musso Lussino. She's a hefty beast that certainly takes up space either on a counter or in a cupboard (lift with those LEGS!), but after making one batch of ice cream so far I can report that it makes the smoothest ice cream I've ever had in a homemade ice cream, and that's even after freezing it fully in the freezer.

Indeed, while in the past the ice creams I have made have tasted better when they first come out of the maker and are more of a soft serve situation, this ice cream was actually better after fully freezing. Part of that has to do with the consistency of the caramel when you put it together, because it gets hard while the ice cream is quickly melting directly out of the maker, so it's an odd combo. But once fully frozen? So much better! This recipe is from the Salt and Straw Ice Cream Cookbook - Salt & Straw holds a place in my heart because it started in my hometown of Portland, Oregon. I also have one of their ice cream scoops, so I had to give it the inaugural whirl in the new machine.

Salt & Straw takes a different approach than your typical ice cream. Rather than using eggs and making something of a custard, they use xanthan gum as the binder. It's not as rich as an ice cream with eggs in it (and maybe slightly healthier?), but it's still very creamy. My next recipe will be something a little more typical in its ice cream construction, so it will be interesting to taste the difference. Until then, if you want a little sweet cream/caramel ice cream situation in your life, check out the recipe below...

Sea Salt with Caramel Ribbons Ice Cream
Author: Jen @ Fresh From The…
Servings: 2 Pints

A slightly salty, sweet cream ice cream with a swirl of deeply flavored caramel ribbons.

Ingredients:

Ice Cream

1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons dry milk powder
1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1 1/3 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 teaspoons fleur de sel

Caramel

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1 1/4 cups heavy cream
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into several pieces
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions:

Combine the sugar, dry milk, and xanthan gum in a small bowl and stir well.
Pour the corn syrup into a medium pot and stir in the whole milk. Add the sugar mixture and immediately whisk vigorously until smooth. Set the pot over medium heat and cook, stirring often and adjusting the heat if necessary to prevent a simmer, until the sugar has fully dissolved, about 3 minutes. Remove the pot from heat.
Add the cream and whisk until fully combined. Transfer the mixture to an airtight container and refrigerate until well chilled, at least 6 hours, or up to 24 hours for deeper flavor. Stir the base back together if it separates during the resting time.
Meanwhile, make the caramel. Combine the sugar, corn syrup, and 1/4 cup water in a medium saucepan, and stir until all of the sugar looks wet. Cover, set the pan over medium-high heat, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has completely melted, about 3 minutes.
Continue to cook, covered but this time without stirring, until the mixture has thickened slightly, about 3 minutes. Remove the lid and continue cooking, without stirring but paying close attention, until the mixture turns the color of dark maple syrup, about 5 minutes more.
Take the pan off the heat and immediately and gradually pour in the heavy cream, going slowly at first and then speeding up to a nice steady stream, whisking as you pour.
Put the pan over medium-high heat again. Let the mixture simmer away, stirring occasionally, until it register 230F on an instant read or candy thermometer, about 3 minutes. Take the pan off the heat and add the butter and salt, stirring slowly but constantly until the butter has completely melted.
Let the caramel cool to room temperature, then use it right away or transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to two weeks. If it separates, just give it a stir before use. You're only using 1/2 cup in the ice cream, so you'll definitely have some left over.
Once your base has cooled and you're about ready, combine 1/4 cup water and the fleur de sel salt in a small saucepan, set it over medium heat, and cook, stirring, just until the salt has completely dissolved, less than 1 minute. Let it cool to room temperature.
Put the ice cream base and the salt mixture into a bowl and whisk to combine. Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker, and turn on the machine. Churn until the mixture has the texture of soft-serve. Time will vary depending on the machine, anywhere from 20-30 minutes.
Put the caramel in a warm place or warm it in a small saucepan over very low heat just until it's drizzleable, but not so warm that it'll melt the ice cream.
Quickly alternate spooning layers of the ice cream and drizzling on a generous spiral of caramel in freezer-friendly containers.
Cover with parchment paper, pressing it into the surface of the ice cream so it adheres, then cover with a lid (you should make your final layer ice cream as the caramel will stick to the parchment paper). Your parchment can hang over the rim, that's fine. Store it in the coldest part of your freezer until firm, at least 6 hours. It will keep for up to 3 months.

Recipe from Salt & Straw Ice Cream Cookbook