One Monday night a month, a group of students gather in a quiet restaurant kitchen to attend The School of Essential Ingredients. Owner Lillian tells them from the beginning that she does not have a list of these “essential ingredients,” nor does she offer them recipes. “All I can say is that you will learn Continue Reading…
The Resurrectionist by E. B. Hudspeth: Book Review
Dr. Spencer Black was a brilliant doctor whose career was derailed by an obsession with mythological creatures. He believed that anatomical deformities were not so much mutations as throwbacks to earlier days in the evolutionary timeline. He believed he could prove this by recreating creatures from fable and myth. If he could make them viable, Continue Reading…
Weekly Update for May 27, 2013
Welcome to my weekly update for May 27, 2013! It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. In a little personal update, I’m excited to announce that I bought a new-to-me car on Friday! A Subaru Impreza. I was driving a 1997 Subaru Legacy and it was faithful and loyal but starting to show its age in […]
The Princes of Ireland by Edward Rutherfurd: Book Review
The Princes of Ireland follows the story of several Irish families, from the year 430 to 1538. Their stories are set against the larger backdrop of important battles and events in the history of Ireland. This really felt like three novels in one. The transitions between generations were very abrupt. I liked the first story, Continue Reading…
Die, Snow White! Die, Damn You! by Yuri Rasovsky: Book Review
Synopsis from GoodReads: With the premiere of two new film versions of the Snow White tale, Blackstone enters the fray with its own adult, edgy, and not altogether serious full-cast exposé of fairy-taledom. At last it can be told! Was Snow White really as pure as the driven snow? Did her allegedly wicked stepmother get Continue Reading…
Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck: Book Review
John Steinbeck and his poodle Charley take off in a modified RV for a trip around the country. Will the real Jennifer G please stand up? I seem to have lost myself somewhere along the way. When did I become a fan of Steinbeck? Because I now have to admit that I am. I held Continue Reading…
The Weed that Strings the Hangman’s Bag by Alan Bradley: Book Review
3.5 Stars. This didn’t quite have the charm and originality of the first book, but it was still good. I think this one felt a bit too dark for me. I typically steer clear of books that involve children’s deaths. I know it happens, but I prefer to read in a world where it doesn’t. I guess I like to keep my head in the sand. The […]
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. Posted: The Novel in the Viola (aka The House at Tyneford) by Natasha Solomons: Review–3.5 Stars The Little Giant of Aberdeen County by Tiffany Baker, read by Carrington MacDuffie: Review–2.5 Stars The Curse of the Pharaohs by Elizabeth Peters: Review–3.5 Stars The Continue Reading…
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald: Book Review
Nick Carraway moves from the Midwest to Long Island to try to make a living after World War I. He is curious about his neighbor and the extravagant parties he throws every weekend. Eventually the two meet and become something like friends. The neighbor, Jay Gatsby, is shrouded in myth and legend and no one Continue Reading…
The Curse of the Pharaohs by Elizabeth Peters: Book Review
*Possible spoilers for Crocodile on the Sandbank* Amelia Peabody and Emerson have married and had a son, Ramses. They’ve decided to stay home in England with him and live a quiet life, at least until he’s older. They’re both going slowly crazy. Emerson has been reduced to practically begging the neighbor to let him dig Continue Reading…
The Little Giant of Aberdeen County by Tiffany Baker: Book Review
Truly Plaice has been larger than life since her conception. The town men wagered on how big she would be when she was born. They all guessed too low. In contrast to her petite, doll-like older sister, Truly looks even bigger. Needless to say, the small town is not kind to Truly as she grows Continue Reading…