read & dish

The Boy the Mole, the Fox and the Horse - a book for all ages

2019-12-14T19:24:00.002-08:00

What started out as a collection of illustrations on Instagram quickly became a beautifully written and illustrated book by cartoonist and illustrator Charlie Mackesy.

Shortlisted for Waterstones book of the year in 2019, the book is about four characters who “represent different parts of the same person,”- “the inquisitive boy, the mole who’s enthusiastic but a bit greedy, the fox who’s been hurt so is withdrawn from life, slow to trust but wants to be part of things, and the horse who’s the wisest bit, the deepest part of you, the soul.”

(Source: article from The Guardian)

To hear the Barnes & Noble podcast interview with Charlie, click here.

I Just Can't Get Enough

2017-10-01T20:26:00.001-07:00

Our book club read Louise Penny's mystery novel - Bury Your Dead - earlier this year. Little did I know, when the book was suggested to me a couple years ago by an older gentleman in a second hand book store, that it was the sixth book in a series!!

While there was enough introduction to the characters in the book to make it work as a stand alone, there was so much that left me, and others in our book club, longing for more. More of Three Pines and its locals and definitely more of Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and his team.

Now, having gone back to read the books in chronological order, I can't wait to get back to book #6 and scan through to see if / what I missed. I'm currently reading The Brutal Telling - book #5. And the characters don't disappoint.

Apparently, there was also a TV film series created several year ago. I'll have to check it out. I'll keep you posted....

For those of you who can't get enough, there's a website/blog dedicated to Louise Penny's series. It's called www.gamacheseries.com

I may have found the blog I've been looking for ;)

Z

Eye Candy for Book Nerds

2017-08-02T22:02:00.001-07:00

There are some very cute book stores around the world. And then there's Carturesti Carusel in Bucharest, Romania. I came across this gorgeous image posted by @belletrist on Instagram. In the heart of Bucharest, this book store is housed in a restored 19th century building.

Belletrist offers up a new book suggestion every month in addition to posts on all things books and libraries. So, for those of you who are constantly looking for book suggestions, hop on over.

Happy Reading!
Z
p.s. this is not a sponsored post ;)

Spring is Upon Us

2017-03-15T13:01:00.002-07:00

(photo: @zinamin)

This photo was taken in December, 2016...when all of us (ok, almost all) were excited to see snow in Vancouver.

While Eastern Canada and US seem to be getting hit by one final winter storm, Vancouver is finally starting to show signs of Spring...and I couldn't be happier!

Happy Spring everyone!

Happy New Year!

2017-01-01T21:13:00.001-08:00

As a book club, we 'officially' read 10 books in 2016. Some of the members probably read double that amount over the course of the year. I'm not one of them. I'm not even sure that I read all the 'required' books.

But, this is a new year and a new beginning! This year, my goal is to read all required books and hopefully a few others (I just need to make time stand still or add more hours to the week).

Wishing you all a happy, healthy and prosperous 2017!

Happy reading!

The Enchanted April

2016-08-15T17:38:00.000-07:00

Photo by @zinamin

If you're still looking for a great summer read - look no further. The Enchanted April is such an enchanting read. I think the consensus around the group was two thumbs up (...and possibly some travel to Italy in the near future)!

2016-06-21T22:21:00.003-07:00

Welcome Summer 2016

Spanish Banks, Vancouver ~ June 2016

Spring Break - A Good Time to Read

2016-03-01T18:03:00.001-08:00

JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge, AZ.

(Photo credit: @zinamin)

While our book pick for March is "Ordinary Grace" by William Kent Krueger, there are a few more options for those of you who are voracious readers or have time to read during Spring Break:
"The Art of Hearing Heartbeats" by Jan Philipp Sendker
"A Well Tempered Heart" (sequel to The Art of Hearing Heartbeats) by Jan Philipp Sendker
"Mr Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore" by Robin Sloan
"A God in Ruins" by Kate Atkinson

Happy reading & bring on Spring!!

Christmas 2015

2015-12-23T15:37:00.005-08:00

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and all the best in 2016!

Lemon Posset

2015-07-18T13:49:00.001-07:00

(Photo credit: @zinamin)

In this heat there's nothing better than serving up cool and refreshing desserts. At book club, we've now had this delicious Lemon Posset a couple times. It has become a favourite of mine. I can't wait to make it...it looks so easy and tastes amazing!

Here are a couple of recipes I found online:

Gordon Ramsey's Lemon Posset on www.Food.com

Lemon Posset on www.AllRecipes.com

No Bake Desserts - What's not to like

2015-03-10T21:15:00.000-07:00

One of the easiest desserts to make, this Tropical Lime Pie is so delicious! And, it only took about 20 minutes to prepare....

Tropical Lime Pie

My version of this dessert had some slight variations:

- I did not add the food colouring as I prefer the creamy colour of the dessert (however, I'd definitely add the green colouring if I ever make it for St Patrick's Day!).

- I whipped up 1 cup of whipping cream instead of using a frozen topping.

- I only used 2 cups of flaked coconut, toasted

- Instead of juice from real limes, I used ReaLime. Next time, I think I'll use real lime juice.

Make it - it's worth it.

Indian Spices

2015-02-09T20:01:00.000-08:00

It's my turn to host book club and I'm feeling inspired by the book that we're currently reading - A Passage to India by E M Forster.

As you can see, my counter space is overtaken with all the spices that I'll need to make some Indian dishes. I'm sure you can also see that I'll be using sauces to make a couple of these dishes. If I wasn't working full time, I'd be making all the dishes from scratch. I'd love to learn how to cook with some of these spices that I've never heard of before - fenugreek seeds anyone? (I wasn't able to find any in the grocery store...so I'm going to wing it :) )

And, I still have to finish the book! Three more days to get it all done!!

More Sherlock Holmes

2015-01-13T23:12:00.002-08:00

Click on this link for a list of the original Sherlock Holmes stories by Arthur Conan Doyle

Celebrating 10 Years of Reading & Dishing

2015-01-04T17:30:00.002-08:00

(Photo credit: Zina)

Happy New Year!!

Sparks seem to fly every time we get together (in a good way!). When we decided to start a book club, I don't think any of us really thought that we would still be together 10 years later. It has been a blast! We've lost a few members and gained a few along the way. And through it all we've laughed, cried, talked, talked, talked, drank good wine, and eaten some amazing dishes!! And, yes, we really do discuss the books.

Discussing the books is probably the biggest reason why we're still together (that, and because we're a bunch of fabulous women who like to hang out together!). We all love to read and we all love to voice our opinions! And there's no better place to do that than at book club. And, because we discuss each book, it's best to have read the book before each meeting otherwise you're doomed (you find out what the ending is and you often can't contribute to the discussion!).

The other biggest reason is the food! We love to dish up new recipes (not that you'd guess it by how few recipes we have on this blog!). Book club inspires each of us to try a new dish. Sometimes we even have our significant others helping in this area...they love to contribute to book club and this is one way they can ;)

I'm thankful for the fun times we've had over the last 10 years!! I hope to have many more fun filled years reading & dishing it up with my lades!

Wishing you happiness, health and success in 2015!

Zina

Book Club Chefs

2014-12-01T21:11:00.001-08:00

I feel like we haven't highlighted many dishes that have been served at book club on this blog. It's my fault. I usually forget to take photos until it's too late. I'm either having too much fun or the food has been served up (and eaten). But, you have to believe me, we eat well!

Take this dessert for instance. I can't include the recipe because it was 'made up'. Yep, this delicious dessert is an original! We are so fortunate to have some of our ladies who can make up recipes (which turn out well). I'm not one of them. What I can tell you is that this dessert has dark chocolate and (strawberry?) jam in between layers of meringue served with cream and white chocolate covered strawberry. Delicious. I'm soooo looking forward to our next get together....

How to Live Passionately

2014-09-07T21:03:00.001-07:00

Here's an inspiring #TED talk on how to live your life passionately by author Isabel Allende. I thought it appropriate since we're reading her book "Island Beneath the Sea".

Enjoy

Book Clubs - we are not all made equally

2014-08-29T17:03:00.002-07:00

I came across this blog post, from "23 Thorns", about the various types of book clubs there are in this small world of ours. It cracked me up!
(Based in South Africa, the blogger has a great sense of humour and insight. I feel like I'm also being educated about a country that I know very little about. If you have a chance, read through some of his other posts.)

As a book club, we'll be celebrating 10 years in 2015. Will we still be together in another 20 years? I sure hope so.

Some of my favourite things about our book club:
- we read our books (well most of us read every book...I'm not so good and have been known to be pretty quiet during discussion time!)
- we discuss the books we read
- we also discuss current events, gossip & issues
- we come from different backgrounds
- we are multi-ethnic
- we are somewhat multi-generational
- we make great appetizers / dinners for book club
- we drink wine
- we laugh
- we have no restrictions on the books we can choose
- you can show up as often or as infrequently as you like...and won't get kicked out!
- we give gifts to each other...just because
- and, I can't forget the men of our members - they are pretty amazing too! Thanks for all you do when we crash your place for the evening!!

xo

The Start of a Crime Novel Series

2014-06-16T17:49:00.001-07:00

Having just finished reading "The Cuckoo's Calling" for our book club, I'm looking forward to reading the second novel in the series by Robert Galbraith (aka J. K. Rowling). Here's a New York Times book review of "The Silkworm" that I found.

Happy reading!

Cookbook Book Club

2014-05-25T16:00:00.000-07:00

As readers, we're always looking for, or giving, great book suggestions.

Personally, I struggle with reading much more than my book club book throughout the week. However, I know there are others of us who seem to be able to read read a book a day (or so it seems to me :)!)

For those of you who are looking to join another club, I came across a very fun option, "The Goop Cookbook Book Club". Imagine looking at all the gorgeous food photos and recipes. Then, as a group, each person choosing to pick one dish from the same cook book to bring to a potluck. I know, right! It's a picture book for grown ups! Makes me want to go home and browse through some cook books right now.

Bon Appetit!

Dishing it up Mexican Style

2014-05-22T15:45:00.001-07:00

I don't think I've said it recently... I LOVE book club! Every time we meet, we have such a great time. We also seem to end up having amazing food themes.

This month's book club was a Mexican Fiesta courtesy of our own "Gloria" of Modern Family fame. Our "Gloria" also hails from Columbia and is married to a North American. Other similarities include gorgeousness, strong accent (which becomes stronger the more we all laugh), outgoing and the warmth of a Latin woman. She kept us in stitches by her & her family's antics as we nibbled on delicious shrimp ceviche, tortilla soup, DIY tacos (soft and/or hard) as well as Mexican dessert.

At some point, I promise to add recipes to some of the dishes that we've been eating.

"The Book Thief", a movie

2013-11-08T14:58:00.000-08:00

I just learnt that Markus Zusak's "The Book Thief" is now a movie! Starring Geoffrey Rush, the movie will not be in theatres until 2014.

You can click on this IMDB link to see the official trailer. I'm looking forward to seeing it!!

Italian Feast

2013-11-03T22:06:00.002-08:00

We enjoy good food as much as we enjoy good books!

At our last book club we were treated to an Italian feast. Some favourites included polenta, risotto and the parmesan crisps.

2013 City of Vancouver Book Award Nominations

2013-10-03T12:25:00.000-07:00

For those of you who are interested in reading some local authors, nominations for the 25th annual City of Vancouver Book Award have been released.
Click on this Inside Vancouver link to get the list.

Critters Big & Small

2013-09-23T16:10:00.002-07:00

After reading Bill Bryson's "In a Sunburned Country", I shouldn't be surprised by headlines like "Snake on a Plane...", especially when it's a Qantas flight leaving Sydney! To read more, click on this article link. Looking forward to discussing Bryson's book. (BTW, I loved it.)

E-Readers Are Not a Concern for The Paper Hound Bookshop

2013-08-13T13:09:00.000-07:00

When my favourite used book store closed several months ago it was with sadness that I had to find alternate resources to get my book club books and other reading material.

While my Kobo App on my iPad was finally being used on a regular basis, I did miss browsing through second hand books and stumbling upon an interesting book cover, a magazines and even a book that I had always wanted to read.

I'm now happy to say that there is a new second hand book store - The Paper Hound Bookshop that has opened not too far from my home in downtown Vancouver. I'll have to stop by and peruse the selection. For more on the book store, click on this article from BC Business.