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Archives for December 2017

December 30, 2017

Literary Linking: December 25 – 29

This week’s link topics include: hot chocolate recipes based on fictional characters, sensitivity readers, your personal Dewey Decimal number, and more!

The best bookish links the week of December 25 -29

What’s Your Dewey Decimal Number?
Dust off your Dewey Decimal knowledge and have fun taking this librarian’s dream of a quiz. It’s fun AND accurate. My number is 641, which is Food & Drink. Spot on!

Hot Chocolate Recipes Based on Fictional Characters
Not only do these recipes look delicious, but they’re pretty darn funny too. Make sure to check out the Mr. Darcy recipe. If you’re a Pride & Prejudice fan, it’ll definitely make you giggle.

In an Era of Online Outrage, Do Sensitivity Readers Result in Better Books or Censorship?
This is a divisive issue for sure — it’s interesting to hear both sides.

What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Books of the Year
I’ve always had mixed feelings about “Best Books of the Year” lists. Part of me just love lists and finding awesome books to add to my TBR. However, the fact that ALL the same books end up on the lists does make one wonder if there’s some favoritism going on.

10 New Year’s Resolutions You Should Make in 2018 Based on Your Favorite Literary Character
I didn’t think my favorite literary character would be listed, but she’s there! I hope you find your favorite too.

Filed Under: Literary Linking Kristen Leave a Comment

December 26, 2017

Top 10 Books I’m Looking Forward To in 2018

Top Ten Tuesday is an original blog meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish and this week’s topic is the Top 10 Books I’m Looking Forward To in 2018.

I read some great books in 2017 (check out my favorites in My Top 10 Favorite Books of 2017 post), but there are a lot of books to get excited about in 2018. One of my goals for the new year is to read more backlist, but I still can’t resist making a list of the books I can’t wait to read once they’re released. All the books on my list come out before June, and I’ll include the release date for each.

Since I haven’t read any of these, all descriptions are from the publisher, but I am including my reasons why I want to read each of them. I hope you’ll be able to add a few to your TBR. Here’s to a spectacular year of reading!

The Top 10 Books I’m Looking Forward To in 2018:

The Immortalists, by Chloe Benjamin (Jan. 9)
It’s 1969 in New York City’s Lower East Side, and word has spread of the arrival of a mystical woman, a traveling psychic who claims to be able to tell anyone the day they will die. The Gold children—four adolescents on the cusp of self-awareness—sneak out to hear their fortunes.
The prophecies inform their next five decades. Golden-boy Simon escapes to the West Coast, searching for love in ’80s San Francisco; dreamy Klara becomes a Las Vegas magician, obsessed with blurring reality and fantasy; eldest son Daniel seeks security as an army doctor post-9/11; and bookish Varya throws herself into longevity research, where she tests the boundary between science and immortality.

Why I Want To Read It: With the tagline, “If you knew the date of your death, how would you live your life?” I simply cannot resist giving this book a try. It’s also got a ton of press, and I maybe I’ve fallen prey to good marketing, but I’m still hopeful.

 

When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing, by Daniel H. Pink (Jan 9)
Timing, it’s often assumed, is an art. In When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing, Pink shows that timing is really a science.
Drawing on a rich trove of research from psychology, biology, and economics, Pink reveals how best to live, work, and succeed. How can we use the hidden patterns of the day to build the ideal schedule? Why do certain breaks dramatically improve student test scores? How can we turn a stumbling beginning into a fresh start? Why should we avoid going to the hospital in the afternoon? Why is singing in time with other people as good for you as exercise? And what is the ideal time to quit a job, switch careers, or get married?

Why I Want To Read It: The majority of this list is fiction, but I do like a good non-fiction audiobook and this one seems like the perfect combination of psychology (my favorite non-fiction topic) and science, as well as self-help.

 

Thunder Head, by Neal Shusterman (Jan. 9)
Rowan and Citra take opposite stances on the morality of the Scythedom, putting them at odds, in the chilling sequel to the Printz Honor Book Scythe from New York Times bestseller Neal Shusterman, author of the Unwind dystology.
The Thunderhead cannot interfere in the affairs of the Scythedom. All it can do is observe—it does not like what it sees.
A year has passed since Rowan had gone off grid. Since then, he has become an urban legend, a vigilante snuffing out corrupt scythes in a trial by fire. His story is told in whispers across the continent.
As Scythe Anastasia, Citra gleans with compassion and openly challenges the ideals of the “new order.” But when her life is threatened and her methods questioned, it becomes clear that not everyone is open to the change.
Will the Thunderhead intervene? Or will it simply watch as this perfect world begins to unravel?

Why I Want To Read It: I read the first book in this series last winter and gave it five stars (that doesn’t happen very often!). The premise is SO interesting. In Scythe, we learn that the world is now a utopia, but to maintain this utopia, certain people are assigned to control the population by learning the “art of killing. Creepy, huh? I’m very eager to see what the second book brings.

 

Ms. Ice Sandwich, by Mieko Kawakami (Jan. 23)
A boy is obsessed with a woman who sells sandwiches. He goes to the supermarket almost every day, just so he can look at her face. She is beautiful to him, and he calls her “Ms Ice Sandwich”, and endlessly draws her portrait.
But the boy’s friend hears about this hesitant adoration, and suddenly everything changes. His visits to Ms Ice Sandwich stop, and with them the last hopes of his childhood.

Why I Want To Read It: Haruki Murakmi, one of my favorite authors, strongly recommends this book. If Murakami likes it, then I have to give it a try, no questions asked!

 

American Panda, by Gloria Chao (Feb. 6)
At seventeen, Mei should be in high school, but skipping fourth grade was part of her parents’ master plan. Now a freshman at MIT, she is on track to fulfill the rest of this predetermined future: become a doctor, marry a preapproved Taiwanese Ivy Leaguer, produce a litter of babies.
With everything her parents have sacrificed to make her cushy life a reality, Mei can’t bring herself to tell them the truth—that she (1) hates germs, (2) falls asleep in biology lectures, and (3) has a crush on her classmate Darren Takahashi, who is decidedly not Taiwanese.
But when Mei reconnects with her brother, Xing, who is estranged from the family for dating the wrong woman, Mei starts to wonder if all the secrets are truly worth it. Can she find a way to be herself, whoever that is, before her web of lies unravels?

Why I Want To Read It: Seeing as I’m half-Taiwanese, I feel it’s my cultural duty to read any new books that feature Taiwanese characters (plus, I just like connecting with my roots). Since Mei is Taiwanese, it follows that I have to read this book.

 

Force of Nature, by Jane Harper (Feb. 6)
When five colleagues are forced to go on a corporate retreat in the wilderness, they reluctantly pick up their backpacks and start walking down the muddy path.
But one of the women doesn’t come out of the woods. And each of her companions tells a slightly different story about what happened.
Federal Police Agent Aaron Falk has a keen interest in the whereabouts of the missing hiker. In an investigation that takes him deep into isolated forest, Falk discovers secrets lurking in the mountains, and a tangled web of personal and professional friendship, suspicion, and betrayal among the hikers. But did that lead to murder?

Why I Want To Read It: Jane Harper’s debut, The Dry, which also featured Federal Police Agent Aaron Falk, was intense and unputdownable. I want to support Harper as a new author and I can always use a good mystery/thriller in my hot little hands.

 

The Great Alone, by Kristin Hannah (Feb. 6)
Ernt Allbright, a former POW, comes home from the Vietnam war a changed and volatile man. When he loses yet another job, he makes an impulsive decision: he will move his family north, to Alaska, where they will live off the grid in America’s last true frontier.
Thirteen-year-old Leni, a girl coming of age in a tumultuous time, caught in the riptide of her parents’ passionate, stormy relationship, dares to hope that a new land will lead to a better future for her family. She is desperate for a place to belong. Her mother, Cora, will do anything and go anywhere for the man she loves, even if means following him into the unknown.
At first, Alaska seems to be the answer to their prayers. In a wild, remote corner of the state, they find a fiercely independent community of strong men and even stronger women. The long, sunlit days and the generosity of the locals make up for the Allbrights’ lack of preparation and dwindling resources.
But as winter approaches and darkness descends on Alaska, Ernt’s fragile mental state deteriorates and the family begins to fracture. Soon the perils outside pale in comparison to threats from within. In their small cabin, covered in snow, blanketed in eighteen hours of night, Leni and her mother learn the terrible truth: they are on their own. In the wild, there is no one to save them but themselves.

Why I Want To Read It: Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale was one of my most satisfying reads in 2017. If The Great Alone is even close to as good, then I’m sure I’ll enjoy it. Also, I have a digital Advanced Reader Copy and I let a trusted fellow reader borrow my Kindle to read it. She thought it was great, so I’m confident I’ll feel the same.

 

The Female Persuasion, by Meg Wolitzer (April 3)
Greer Kadetsky is a shy college freshman when she meets the woman she hopes will change her life. Faith Frank, dazzlingly persuasive and elegant at sixty-three, has been a central pillar of the women’s movement for decades, a figure who inspires others to influence the world. Upon hearing Faith speak for the first time, Greer- madly in love with her boyfriend, Cory, but still full of longing for an ambition that she can’t quite place- feels her inner world light up. And then, astonishingly, Faith invites Greer to make something out of that sense of purpose, leading Greer down the most exciting path of her life as it winds toward and away from her meant-to-be love story with Cory and the future she’d always imagined.

Why I Want To Read It: I thoroughly enjoyed Meg Wolitzer’s The Interestings a few years back, so I’m excited to see what else she has up her sleeve. Also, the fact that this book seems to have a rather feminist agenda appeals to me 🙂

 

Macbeth, by Jo Nesbo (April 10)
Set in the 1970s in a run-down, rainy industrial town, Jo Nesbo’s Macbeth centers around a police force struggling to shed an incessant drug problem. Duncan, chief of police, is idealistic and visionary, a dream to the townspeople but a nightmare for criminals. The drug trade is ruled by two drug lords, one of whom—a master of manipulation named Hecate—has connections with the highest in power, and plans to use them to get his way.
Hecate’s plot hinges on steadily, insidiously manipulating Inspector Macbeth: the head of SWAT and a man already susceptible to violent and paranoid tendencies. What follows is an unputdownable story of love and guilt, political ambition, and greed for more, exploring the darkest corners of human nature, and the aspirations of the criminal mind.

Why I Want To Read It: It’s the English major in me that really wants to read this one. I’m game for trying almost all Shakespeare retellings, and the fact that this one is a thriller by none other than the great Jo Nesbo, rings all my bells.

 

From Twinkle with Love, by Sandhya Menon (May 22)
Aspiring filmmaker and wallflower Twinkle Mehra has stories she wants to tell and universes she wants to explore, if only the world would listen. So when fellow film geek Sahil Roy approaches her to direct a movie for the upcoming Summer Festival, Twinkle is all over it. The chance to publicly showcase her voice as a director? Dream come true. The fact that it gets her closer to her longtime crush, Neil Roy—a.k.a. Sahil’s twin brother? Dream come true x 2.
When mystery man “N” begins emailing her, Twinkle is sure it’s Neil, finally ready to begin their happily-ever-after. The only slightly inconvenient problem is that, in the course of movie-making, she’s fallen madly in love with the irresistibly adorkable Sahil.
Twinkle soon realizes that resistance is futile: The romance she’s got is not the one she’s scripted. But will it be enough?

Why I Want To Read It: Sandhya Menon’s When Dimple Met Rishi was a highly-rated read for me last year, and it’s pretty impressive that she’s churned a second book out so quickly. Smart YA romances are hard to come by, so when I find an author that does them well, I’m a loyal customer.

 

What books are you looking forward to in 2018? Please share in the comments below!

 

Filed Under: Reviews and Recommendations Kristen 10 Comments

December 23, 2017

Literary Linking: December 18 – 22

This week’s link topics include: getting rid of library fines, bookshop dogs, books turning 10 in 2018, and more!

The best bookish links the week of December 18 – 22

The Case Against Library Fines According To the Head of the New York Public Library
As long as people don’t abuse it, I think getting rid of library fines is a great way to help promote access to all users, poor and rich alike.

Who Needs Christmas Elves?
This adorable short video features the cutest bookshop dogs loving their jobs and singing a rendition of Jingle Bells about it.

The Ultimate Best Books List of 2017
LitHub put together this super-handy list that lets you see how many times this year’s top titles made it on a best-of list.

The Perilous Process of Rating Books on Goodreads
The author brings up a lot of the same questions I’ve had when rating books on Goodreads! My main gripe with rating is that you can’t assign a book half-stars. I wish they would add that as an option.

Book Lovers, Prepare To Feel Old, Because These Books All Turn 10 in 2018
Hunger Games??? Really?!?! I do feel old!

Filed Under: Literary Linking Kristen Leave a Comment

December 21, 2017

2017 End-of-Year Reading Survey


I came across this survey on the wonderful blog,
Never Enough Novels, and thought back to those years in high school when online surveys were THE thing. I loved filling them out, so I thought a reading survey would be right up my alley. Some of the answers will be familiar if you read My Top 10 Favorite Books of 2017 post, but there’s some new stuff in here, I promise.

This excellent survey is the creation of Jamie at The Perpetual Page Turner, so I’ve linked this post to her site. I completed the first two portions, which focus on this year’s reading. I’m not sure if I’ll get to the final two parts, but check back in a week or two to see if I’ve updated the post. For now, please enjoy my year in books!

2017 Reading Stats

Number Of Books You Read:
As of today (12/21) I’ve read 152 but I’m still hoping to my 160-book goal by 11:59 p.m. on 12/31/17. Wish me luck!

Number of Re-Reads:
A big fat zero on this one! But I do plan on re-reading a bunch of my old favorites in 2018 to see if they’re still favorites

Genre You Read The Most From:
I read A LOT of children’s literature, but a good deal of that is for work, so I’m going to answer this question with grown-up books in mind. The answer is…I have no clue! In looking at everything I read, I was pleased to see how varied my grown-up reading is. Check out my Goodreads Year in Reading to see all the titles I got through in 2017.

 

Best in Books

Best Book You Read In 2017?
(If you have to cheat — you can break it down by genre if you want or 2017 release vs. backlist)

My cheat will be to choose one fiction and one non-fiction title. The best fiction book I read was The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows and the best non-fiction was You’ll Grow Out of It, by Jessi Klein.

Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?
Sip, by Brian Allen Carr
It was way more violent than I expected. I’m usually fine with violence, but I didn’t think there’d be any, so the fact there was quite a bit was alarming.

Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read?
The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah (in a good way)
I usually shy away from thing that are popular or that tons of people are gushing over. The Nightingale definitely fell in this category, but when I read it, I absolutely loved it and was surprised at how well written it was. So, yay!

Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did)?
Modern Romance, by Aziz Ansari
I recommended the audiobook in particular because Aziz reads it. His narration gives so much character and life to the text.

Best series you started in 2017?
Crazy Rich Asians, by Kevin Kwan
I have the rest of the books sitting on my shelf and I can’t wait to dig in.

Favorite new author you discovered in 2017?
Fredrik Backman
He’s not a new author, per se, but he’s new to me. I read A Man Called Ove earlyish in the year, Beartown mid-year, and I just finished his Christmas book, The Deal of Lifetime, a week or two ago. I’m excited to get through his whole body of work!

Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?
Mistborn, by Brandon Sanderson
I don’t dislike fantasy, I just don’t read much of it. I was very glad I took a friend’s recommendation on this one.

Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?
Final Girls, by Riley Sager
This one was fantastically twisty and addictive.

Book You Read In 2017 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?
I’m not much of a re-reader, but if I had to choose one, it would be my favorite chapters of You’ll Grow Out of It, by Jessi Klein. If I were feeling down, I know they would make me laugh and buoy my spirits.

Favorite cover of a book you read in 2017?
Goodbye, Vitamin, by Rachel Khong
What can I say? I’m a sucker for bright colors.

Most memorable character of 2017?
Don Tillman from The Rosie Project, by Graeme Simsion
Such a funny dude without meaning to be and infuriating but loveable…Don Tillman was a great character to get to know.

Most beautifully written book read in 2017?
Crossing To Safety, by Wallace Stegner
I have so many lines highlighted simply because the writing was so lovely.

Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2017?
The Four Tendencies: The Indispensable Personality Profiles That Reveal How Make Your Life Better (and Other People’s Lives Better, Too), by Gretchen Rubin
This book has changed the way I approach new people as well as people I’ve known forever. It’s amazing how well everyone fits into one of these four categories of personalities. Read this book if you want to understand yourself and others WAAAAAY better.

Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2017 to finally read?
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
I think it had been on my TBR for quite a while when I finally found it at a used book sale this spring. I guess not owning it was the only thing holding me back.

Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2017?
I am terrible at keeping track of quotes, and the one book (Crossing To Safety) that I actually highlighted quotes from was a library e-loan, so I lost them. Sad face!

16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2017?
Shortest: The Princess Cora and the Crocodile, by Laura Amy Schlitz (80 pages)

Longest: Dragonfly in Amber (Outlander, Book 2), by Diana Gabaldon (754 pages)

Book That Shocked You The Most
(Because of a plot twist, character death, left you hanging with your mouth wide open, etc.)
Behind Her Eyes, by Sarah Pinborough
I went into this book knowing that it was going to have a major twist, but it was still a complete and utter surprise. Sarah Pinborough has quite the imagination!

OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)
(OTP = one true pairing if you aren’t familiar)
Jamie and Claire from the Outlander series, by Diana Gabaldon!
I think I’m a little swayed by the beautiful actors of the show, but I still stand by it.

Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year
Alex Petroski and his dog, Carl Sagan, from the wonderful book See You in the Cosmos, by Jack Cheng.
Jack Cheng truly shows how important relationships with our animal friends can be!

Favorite Book You Read in 2017 From An Author You’ve Read Previously
It’s a tie between two of my favorite authors, David Sedaris and John Green. So, the two books are: Theft by Finding: Diaries 1977 – 2002, by David Sedaris (which I reviewed for my Worth the Read? series in July)  and Turtles All the Way Way Down, by John Green.
Neither are my all-time favorite from either author, but they’re both super solid reads.

Best Book You Read In 2017 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else:
Mistborn, by Brandon Sanderson
Thank you to the art teacher (also someone I consider a great person and friend) at my school for recommending this. I’m not huge on series, but I think I’ll go for it with this one.

Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2017?
And it’s another mention of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society. I couldn’t get enough of Dawsey Adams! So siked to see Michiel Huisman (of Game of Thrones fame) play him in the upcoming film next year.

Best 2017 debut you read?
Goodbye, Vitamin, by Rachel Khong
Short, sweet, and a perfect blend of laughs and tears; I can’t believe this book was a debut.

Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?
Mistborn, by Brandon Sanderson
The man is a genius at world-building!

Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read?
Crazy Rich Asians, by Kevin Kwan
Crazy Rich Asians makes another appearance! The fact I’m half Asian made the book extra funny and enjoyable. I really related to a lot of the cultural aspects of the story and the playful ways Kevin Kwan poked fun at them.

Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2017?
I guess I’m a cold, unfeeling person because nothing got me even close to crying this year!

Hidden Gem Of The Year?
The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit, by Michael Finkel
I don’t think this book truly qualifies as hidden, but I don’t read very much non-fiction, so it was a unique read for me.

Book That Crushed Your Soul?
Kindred, by Octavia Butler
I wouldn’t say the whole book “crushed my soul,” but the scenes of violence towards slaves were absolutely heart wrenching.

Most Unique Book You Read In 2017?
Long Way Down, by Jason Reynolds
I am a ginormous Jason Reynolds fan and Long Way Down is so well done. It’s uniqueness comes partly from the fact it’s told in verse. However, what’s really different and special about the book is that each chapter is a stop on the main character’s trip  down his apartment elevator. He is on a mission to avenge his brother’s death, and on each floor, he encounters someone connected with his brother.

Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?
Our Souls at Night, by Kent Haruf
I loved this book and what made me mad was how horrible one of the characters was treating his mom. Be kind and understanding to your moms, y’all!

 

What were some of the highlights of your 2017 reading year? Please share in the comments below!

Filed Under: Bookish Musings, Reviews and Recommendations Kristen 6 Comments

December 16, 2017

Literary Linking: December 11 – 15

This week’s link topics include: literary celebrity lookalikes, bike desks in the library, best sentences of 2017, and more!

The best bookish links the week of December 11 – 15

Tell Us Your Favorite Books and We’ll Tell You Your Hogwarts House
I usually find online quiz results to be inaccurate, but this one is pretty darn good. Give it a whirl! (Btw, based on this quiz, I’m a Ravenclaw – yay!)

13 Literary Celebrity Lookalikes
Bet you won’t guess the literary great that Ellen DeGeneres looks like…

Texas A&M Libraries Install Bike Desks To Keep with Changing Times
This idea is genius. Say good-bye to the freshman 15!

Third Graders Help Save Daytona Beach Bookstore
In a letter asking the CEO not to close their local Barnes and Noble, these students offered to teach him how to surf.  Kids are the best!

The Very Best Things about Reading Aloud with Kids, According To Parents
So many adorable quotes in this article. Enjoy reading-time with your kids, my friends!

The 19 Best Sentences of 2017
From funny (there’s a sentence from Twitter) to the profound, there were some good sentences out there this year. My personal favorite: “I don’t believe in not believing in guilty pleasures.” —Elisa Gabbert,

Filed Under: Literary Linking Kristen Leave a Comment

December 12, 2017

My Top 10 Favorite Books of 2017

Top Ten Tuesday is an original blog meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish and this week’s topic is Top 10 Favorite Books of 2017.

Overall, it’s been a pretty good year of reading. Many of my favorite books of 2017 have been mentioned in earlier posts, so I will refrain from sounding like a broken record and gushing over them again here. For most of these titles, I’ll do one of three things:

  1. Give the publisher summary and a short justification for my great love of the book.
  2. Provide my summary and critique from an earlier post.
  3. Link to the post where I mentioned the book.
And here they are…my 10 favorite books of 2017!

The Four Tendencies: The Indispensable Personality Profiles That Reveal How To Make Your Life Better (and Other People’s Lives Better, Too), by Gretchen Rubin
Books about personality types are my jam and the Four Tendencies was such an enlightening read. Gretchen Rubin divides people into four categories according to how they respond to expectation (both inner and outer) then provides ample information on how to improve your own life knowing your tendency, and also how to work with and communicate with others based on their tendencies. You can take her online quiz without purchasing the book, but once you find out your tendency, I bet you’ll want to read the book and learn more!
From What I’ve Been Reading: November Edition

Wishtree, by Katherine Applegate
From the publisher: Trees can’t tell jokes, but they can certainly tell stories…Red is an oak tree who is many rings old. Red is the neighborhood “wishtree”—people write their wishes on pieces of cloth and tie them to Red’s branches. Along with a crow named Bongo and other animals who seek refuge in Red’s hollows, this wishtree watches over the neighborhood. You might say Red has seen it all. Until a new family moves in. Not everyone is welcoming, and Red’s experience as a wishtree is more important than ever.
Why I loved it: Red has a fantastic sense of humor and the story is very timely.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, by Mary Ann Shaffer
Guernsey was a delight from beginning to end! The main storyline is about a writer looking for inspiration for a new book and she finds it in a motley, humorous and incredibly endearing group of readers from the island of Guernsey. Told during the post-WWII time period through letters, Shafer and Barrows do an excellent job keeping the story cohesive and developing these lovely characters. I have plans to cook a literary feast inspired by this book once the holidays are over. Potato Peel Pie, here I come!
From What I’ve Been Reading: November Edition

A Man Called Ove, by Fredrik Backman
I wrote about A Man Called Ove in my Worth the Read? series back in July. Click here to read it!

 

 

 

Sourdough, by Robin Sloan
The descriptions of Sourdough sound pretty hokey: a young coder is gifted with a magical sourdough starter that opens the door to an underground tech-focused farmers market scene that changes her life. What?!? Magic bread? I was skeptical, but I am keen to read anything about food, so I gave it a shot and I absolutely devoured it (haha). Sourdough was a blend of twenty-something angst, friendly teasing of futuristic tech, and the healing (and sometimes destructive!) power of food. Be warned, though, you will have major cravings for soup and sourdough bread while you’re reading this book. I don’t even really like sourdough and I was dying for some.
From What I’ve Been Reading: October Edition

The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit, by Michael Finkel
From the publisher: Many people dream of escaping modern life, but most will never act on it. This is the remarkable true story of a man who lived alone in the woods of Maine for 27 years, making this dream a reality–not out of anger at the world, but simply because he preferred to live on his own.
Why I loved it: As an introvert, the idea of getting away from everything and everyone is incredibly appealing. To read about someone who actually did it was enlightening and thought-provoking. I couldn’t stop thinking about this book after I read it.

Crazy Rich Asians, by Kevin Kwan
I read this in August and declared it my favorite read of the summer season. I’m not sure I can say it ended up being my favorite book of the year, but it’s definitely in the top 3. Click here then scroll ALL the way down to read my review!

 

 

You’ll Grow Out of It, by Jessi Klein
From the publisher: As both a tomboy and a late bloomer, comedian Jessi Klein grew up feeling more like an outsider than a participant in the rites of modern femininity.
In You’ll Grow Out of It, Klein offers-through an incisive collection of real-life stories-a relentlessly funny yet poignant take on a variety of topics she has experienced along her strange journey to womanhood and beyond. These include her “transformation from Pippi Longstocking-esque tomboy to are-you-a-lesbian-or-what tom man,” attempting to find watchable porn, and identifying the difference between being called “ma’am” and “miss” (“Miss sounds like you weigh ninety-nine pounds”).

Why I loved it: I listened to the audiobook for this one (it’s narrated by the author) and I don’t think I’ve laughed out loud in the car more than with this book. Any book that can make me laugh uncontrollably is probably going to make it on my top 10 list for the year.

Theft by Finding: Diaries 1977 – 2002, by David Sedaris
Here’s another Worth the Read? book…what did I think of it? Click here to read an find out!

 

 

 

The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah
From the publisher: The Nightingale tells the stories of two sisters, separated by years and experience, by ideals, passion and circumstance, each embarking on her own dangerous path toward survival, love, and freedom in German-occupied, war-torn France—a heartbreakingly beautiful novel that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the durability of women.
Why I loved it: I’m a sucker for WWII stories anyway, but Kristin Hannah’s ability to make me fall in love with the book’s amazing characters made the reading experience so incredibly emotionally-wrought and meaningful.

What were your favorite books of 2017? Please share in the comments below!

Filed Under: Reviews and Recommendations Kristen 10 Comments

December 9, 2017

Literary Linking: December 4 – 8

This week’s link topics include: the NPR book concierge, baking like Emily Dickinson, full-cast audiobooks, and more!

The best bookish links the week of December 4 – 8:

Meet Max, the Cat Who Lost the Library but Won the Internet
This article is from last week, but it’s so adorable, I just had to include it in this week’s links. I hope Max can get trained as an official therapy kitty!

NPR’s Book Concierge
Even though I have a bajillion books in my TBR list already, I alway look forward to the NPR Book Concierge. The filtering function is so much fun. Now I know that if I want a book that is an “eye-opening read” about “funny stuff,” then I should pick up Sin Bravely: A Memoir of Spiritual Disobedience, by Maggie Rowe.

32 Short Books To Help You Win Your Reading Challenge
I am woefully behind on my Goodreads reading challenge, so this list is very much appreciated. First up for me will be Annihilation, by Jeff VanderMeer. The movie comes out next year, plus I have a penchant for dystopia… it should be perfect!

Now You Too Can Bake Like Emily Dickinson This Holiday Season
I love Emily Dickinson from the bottom of my heart. I will definitely be baking her coconut cake as soon as I’m back on my feet and in the kitchen.

A Year in Reading: Emily St. John Mandel
Station Eleven is one of my favorite books of all time, so I want to read anything and everything about the book’s author, Emily St. John Mandel.

The 10 Best Full-Cast Audiobooks To Fuel Your Holiday Road Trips
A great narrator for a whole book is a wonderful thing, but a full-cast recording takes the audiobook experience to the next level. I wholeheartedly agree with The Golden Compass, by Philip Pullman as a fantastic full-cast recording. I can’t wait to try some of the others.

12 Tips From a Rare Books Expert on How To Keep Your Books Looking Great
Great advice here! Actually, this is pretty much the spiel I give my early childhood students. Use a bookmark…DUH!

Filed Under: Literary Linking Kristen Leave a Comment

December 6, 2017

New Series: Lit Burger – Lit Burger #1 is The Sound and the Curry Burger

The Sound and Curry Burger served with sweet potato fries. Photo by Evan Kwisnek.

I am very late to the game when it comes to loving the stuffing out of the animated show Bob’s Burgers. To make up for taking so long to become a fan, I am creating a new series that ties Bob’s Burgers to the literary world. It is called: Lit Burger!

For each episode, there is at least one burger special written on the chalkboard on the wall of Bob’s restaurant. Some of the specials have a bookish spin to them, so my goal is to create all those burgers and give you the recipe

The first burger is from Season 1, Episode 10 and is called the Sound and the Curry burger. I can’t say I was a huge fan of William Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury, but this burger is pretty darn tasty. I hope you enjoy!

 

Burger

5 oz grated zucchini (when squeezed 4.25 oz)
1 lb ground turkey
1/4 cup seasoned whole wheat breadcrumbs
1 clove garlic, grated
1 tbsp grated red onion
2 tbsp Thai Green Curry Paste (I used Thai Kitchen brand)
1 tsp kosher salt and fresh pepper
oil spray
4 burger buns (I used Trader Joe’s Classic Hamburger Buns)

Toppings

Lettuce (either romaine or iceberg)
Tomato
Mae Ploy sweet chili sauce
Kewpie mayonnaise
Pickled carrots and radishes (recipe below)

Pickled Carrots and Radishes

1 cup carrots cut into thin matchsticks
¼ cup radishes cut into thin matchsticks (or as close to a matchstick shape as possible)
3 tablespoons rice vinegar (I like Marukan unseasoned)
2 tablespoons Thai fish sauce
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons granulated white sugar

For the carrots & radishes:

In a medium-sized bowl, mix together all the ingredients besides the carrots and the radishes. Mix until the sugar and salt dissolve in the liquid.

Add the carrots and radishes to the liquid, coating completely. Allow carrots and radishes to sit for at least 20 minutes (overnight at a maximum). Drain the liquid before serving

 

DIRECTIONS
For the burger:

Using paper towels, squeeze as much of the moisture from the zucchini as possible.

In a large bowl, mix ground turkey, zucchini, breadcrumbs, garlic, onion, curry paste, salt and pepper, then divide into 4 equal patties.

Heat a large nonstick skillet over high heat. When hot, spray a small amount of oil to cover the surface of the skillet. Place the burgers in the pan and reduce the heat to low. Cook on one side until browned, then flip. Flip the burgers a few times to prevent burning and to make sure they are cooked all the way through (at least 165° F internal temperature).

To assemble the burger:

Toast the buns, then add a swirl of Kewpie mayonnaise to the top half of each bun.

Place burgers on the bottom halves and cover the burgers with Mae Ploy chili sauce. Next top all burgers with lettuce, tomato and pickled carrots and radishes. Place the top half of bun over your creation and take a bite!

Adapted from the Skinnytaste Turkey Burgers with Zucchini recipe.

 

If you try the recipe, let me know what you think in the comments below!

Filed Under: Recipes Kristen 3 Comments

December 4, 2017

What’s Making Me Happy: Vol. 6

 

This post is a bit late, but I think I have a pretty good excuse. Earlier this month, I had a brain aneurysm and it’s thrown my regular schedule off quite a bit. In any case, I have SO much to be thankful for and I am just happy to be alive. That said, I also have some additional happiness highlights I’d like to share.

Here’s what’s been making me happy recently:

 

The Medical Staff at George Washington University Hospital
I just want to give a major shout out to the wonderful medical staff at George Washington University Hospital. My neurosurgeon was a complete genius (and only 37!) and all my nurses (I had quite a few over the course of my 2-week stay) were attentive, kind, and incredibly hardworking. I am recovering at home now, which is great, but I had the best hospital stay I could have hoped for.

Tea Dragon Society
The Tea Dragon Society is a webcomic that recently was published as a book. The dragons in the story grow leaves on their horns that make incredible tea. A strange premise, yes, but the art is so stinking cute. You’re going to want a tea dragon of your own.

Acorn TV
I love the United States, but British TV has a very special place in my heart. The big-name streaming services offer quite a few BBC shows, but Acorn TV offers WAY more. I’ve already blown through the Agatha Raisin show and I am totally in love with A Place To Call Home. I’ve put a subscription to Acorn TV on my Christmas wishlist, so my fingers are crossed that someone feeds my British TV obsession.

Food Wars
I’m a self-confessed foodie, so I am absolutely loving Food Wars. It is both a manga and a TV show (Hulu just added to its line-up). The story follows Soma, a teen who attends an elite cooking school with the hopes of conquering his father’s prowess in the kitchen, so he can take over the family restaurant.. Most times he cooks a dish, it causes a rather sensual reaction from the eater (to put it delicately). Tons of fun – give it a whirl!

Halo Top Ice Cream
Halo Top’s tagline is, “Finally, healthy ice cream that actually tastes like ice cream,” and as resistant as I was to believe it, once I tried the stuff, I had to agree. One pint is between 240 – 360 calories, so you can eat the whole pint without feeling like a piggish failure. Some flavors are better than others (steer away from oatmeal cookie and chocolate almond crunch), but I wholeheartedly support the consumption of chocolate, cookies and cream, chocolate chip cookie dough, and peanut butter cup. I’ve determined that my favorite is mint chip, but I can’t wait to try more!

What’s been making you happy recently? Please share in the comments section below.

Filed Under: What's Making Me Happy Kristen 4 Comments

December 2, 2017

Literary Linking: November 27 – December 1

This week’s link topics include: free books in Baltimore, Christmas read-alouds, the success of indie bookstores, and more!

The best bookish links the week of November 27 – December 1:

How Giving Away Free Books Became a Baltimore Institution
The day I tried to go to Book Thing for the first time, they’d just had their fire. I can’t wait to check it out now that it’s been rebuilt!

So, You’d Like To Buy Your Loved One a Book?
A fun “Choose Your Own Adventure” way to choose a book for the loved ones in your life.

5 Fantastic Christmas Read-Aloud Books
I haven’t read most of these, but I definitely second The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, by Barbara Robinson.

Anne of Green Gables: Patron Saint of Girls Who Ask Too Many Questions
What’s the point of life if you’re not asking questions and learning about the world around you? Thank you, Anne, for being an excellent role model.

How Independent Bookstores Thrived In Spite of Amazon
Thank goodness, there is good news out there!

Filed Under: Literary Linking Kristen 2 Comments

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