I’m really HATING blogging right now because of all the problems I am having with Word Press. I’ve finally had time to make a video and am trying to discover where to send it so someone can SEE the problems. I’m sorry that, again this week, there are no links to my reviews or to Amazon for the books (I do not make any money off this blog–the links to Amazon are for your convenience only)
There’s an obvious copy-cat cover in the top selection. The last two selections–I tried, I REALLY tried to use some different books! Dick Francis wrote in the current day, while Derby Day is set in the late 19th century. In fact, it could be a pair with the next “second” book–Goodnight, Sweet Prince which is set a little later than Anne Perry’s Monk books.
Why not join in with us next week. Top Ten Tuesday is a lot of fun!
I love to cook at least as much as I love to read/listen to books. A surprise hit post in 2021 was a a post about 3 favorite new recipes–all of which I’m still loving! So, for my freebie this week I thought I’d post about some cookbooks that interest me.
New to me–late Christmas Gifts
I got an Instant Pot as a Christmas gift last year? Year before? Who knows. I use it more than I thought I would. Dry beans are cheap–Dollar Tree usually has 2lbs of dry black beans for $1.25. I can’t buy truly in bulk because I have absolutely no where to store such things, so this is a good price. Williams Sonoma’s take on Instant Pot cooking is pretty nice and fancy. I should love this one! Instant Pot by Williams Sonoma.
Sheet Pan Dinners–these are what I make most nights. Since I’m alone except when my adult son is home on the weekends, that’s just fine. This book features meatless sheet pan dinners and that is just fine with me.Sheet Pan Suppers Meatless by Raquel Pelzel
Cookbooks I’ve Seen Only Online, Have Had Home From the Library or Want to Request From the Library
Twice in one week I’ve got caught not recording where I found a book! One of you bloggers posted about this cookbook–especially a salad with beets. I want to try THAT salad and more from this book. It looks as though I will have to purchase it though. That may take a while. Community: Salad Recipes From Arthur Street Kitchen by Hetty McKinnon. If you are the one who mentioned it–please leave you name so I can link to your post.
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While I may never get to have my longed-for wood fired pizza oven in the backyard, I’m doing pretty well with just my old oven in the stove. I now have Chicago and Detroit pizza pans and have successfully made both. Time to tweak! This one I may even order tonight, I’m not a huge fan of cookbooks on Kindle, but for the price? Maybe. Perfect Pan Pizza by Peter Reinhart.
I did have this one from the library for two weeks only. The founds sounds as delicious as the cover looks. I’d love to have this one, if only to look at. Half-Baked Harvest Every Day by Tieghan Gerard.
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Having just finished listening to Nuclear Family by Joseph Han, I want to try the foods of Korea, Hawaii and Guam–the SPAM capital of the world. The SPAM “biography” is a bonus! Kimchi–I want to eat it, but have no desire to make it! There are kimchi cookbooks out there if you are interested. See the end of this post for a fun kimchi video. Korean American Aloha Kitchenand Hawai’i Cooks With SPAM
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I forgot this one! It’s languishing on my Kindle. It’ll come to light very soon when I finish listening to My Family and Other Animals this week. I loved the TV series and had to read the book(s)– by various Durrells. Dining With the Durrellsby David Shimwell.
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Later this year, this book and a few others will make sense to you. No! I’m not traveling! Tune in during the summer….. Living the Good Life in the Eternal City by Elizabeth Minchiluli
Since I’d already published the three posts linked above, I’m tweaking today’s topic of Favorite Books of 2022, to be favorites that didn’t make it big in any of those posts. Still excellent books–all with 4 stars (I rarely give a 5 star rating).
Sugar & Slate by Charlotte Williams. Thank you to The Book Jotter for suggesting it. (Won’t you be kind and go visit her blog and leave a comment? Come on! It’s New Year’s Eve! Leave a comment. Comments make a blogger’s day).
Favorite Dean Street Press/Furrowed Middle Brow Book
It was such a relief to have the great Lisette Lecat back voicing this series. No one else can do it. A Song of Comfortable Chairs by Alexander McCall Smith.
Kindle First Reads pick for December. I can’t remember the last one of these I actually read….Maybe this one will get read? Five Winters: A Novelby Kitty Johnson
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I ran out of steam on Christmas books, but this one is in the running for next year. Snowfall Over Halesmere Houseby Suzanne Snow.
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Another now on the list for 2023. I grabbed this on sale since I loved her 25 Days Till Christmas.
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I hated the cover on the audio version I bought, so here is the much nicer cover from the Kindle edition. Miss Buncle’s Book.
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One of the reasons I got an Audible subscription (and kept it after my drastic drop in income) was to listen to the newest Chief Inspector Gamache book each year when it appears. Also, to listen to the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency’s newest installment. Mari Kondo said keep things that “spark job”–these spark joy. I don’t usually review series books, but I enjoyed this one so much! A World of Curiosities.
Another probably doomed free Kindle book! The cover is wonderful and her books all sound wonderful. Maybe? The Vibrant Years: A Novel by Sonali Dev.
Me who has loved every Dean Street Press/Furrowed Middlebrow book I’ve read or listened to, dropped the ball pretty badly on the inaugural #DeanStreetDecember. This one I’m sure will get read eventually. Wine of Honorby Barbara Beauchamp.
A Song of Comfortable Chairsby Alexander McCall Smith is the newest in the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency Series. And, thankfully, Lisette LeCat is back as the narrator! Wonderful! Like with Chief Inspector Gamache, I always listen to these books. I made an exception and reviewed this book–my review is linked.
The topic is supposed to be: Books I Hope Santa Brings This Year, but my family has a woefully bad record of giving me the books I’ve asked for. So, I’m giving a list of the books I’ve gifted! Nobody who is getting one of these books reads my blog, so it’s safe.
For My Grandson-to-be due in March
For My Nephew’s School Aged Kids (4th and 7th grade)
All but the Tolkien were on their individual Christmas lists. My nephew is a big-time Tolkein lover–he and his son just finished reading aloud the first LOTR book. He didn’t know about the Letters to Father Christmas book though. It’s a family read aloud.
I was amazed by the historical fiction series Conspiracy: The Plot to Kill Hitler. have read this in about 6th grade and would likely have devoured the series. I’m so happy that someone else in the family loves history.
InMarch by Geraldine Brooks, we got the story of the absent (in the Civil War) father in Little Women. Marmee, obviously, tells the mother’s story (obviously, because the girls called their mother, what else, “Marmee”). (My review of Marchwas lost on my old blog–I really liked the book). Marmee:A Novel of Little Women by Sarah Miller.
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I wasn’t as taken with the 70 page Booker Prize-nominated novella as others were. It was good, but I didn’t find it award winning or innovative. I found it….a short story. No matter! I want to read Fosterby Claire Keegan in 2023.
This one isn’t out until March but that’s still winter in my book. I love Old Blue Eyes! I listen to him all the time. And, I like Heather Webb’s writing. Strangers in the Nightby Heather Webb. I hope she’ll continue on to write about Frank and Mia Farrow, too.
England’s famous aristocratic Mitford sisters. From Unity who, in today’s terms, stalked Hitler and became one of his circle, to Diana who left her husband for the head of the British Fascists, to Decca who ran off with Churchill’s nephew to the Spanish Civil War and became a communist. This will either be good or awful. The Mitford Affairby Marie Benedict. (I’m two for two in DNF-ing her books, albeit one was for the audio reader. I threw back Lady Clementine because I’ve read way too much on the Churchills).
Judy Leigh has been a very fun discovery. I’ve enjoyed her books so much that she’s now a “must read” for me. I’m also working on her back list. The Golden Oldies’ Book Club by Judy Leigh
Nonfiction
I don’t always review the royal books I read. But here are the ones I most want to read. Courtiers is late coming out in the USA, sadly.
Hopewell's Public Library of Life 