REVIEW: In The Dark, Soft Earth by Frank Watson

In The Dark, Soft Earth by Frank Watson

I was thrilled to get a review copy of In The Dark, Soft Earth by Frank Watson from LibraryThing.

This collection bills itself as poetry of love, nature, spirituality, and dreams, and that’s exactly what you get. Frank Watson collection of mostly short poems transport you to another world, and the paintings that he paired with most poems are your ticket.

“on earth
we sometimes fly

in wind
we borrow wings

on sea
we sail or drown

and fire fuels it all

but in the pollution
of the elements

we burn”

— forture by Frank Watson

This stunning book is available on July 7th

Reading For Empathy

I haven’t written this week because I haven’t known what to say, but then it started to feel like by not saying anything I was also saying something. But really, I don’t know what to say. I only know that my friends, co-workers, and neighbors are in pain. That said I can always recommend a book.

Here are several books that I’ve read that have led to empathy and understanding for the situation happening in our country right now.

Note: Links here are affiliate links to amazon.com, but there are several lists going around right now of excellent black owned indie bookstores if you’d like to purchase any.

Walking Wednesday

Between the long weekend and a day of migraines that left me flat on my back I got almost no walking done let alone posting about it.

Here’s what I’ve been listening to and seeing this week.

I listened to:

And I saw:

Note: Links to amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support.

REVIEW: Easy Chinese Cookbook by Chris Toy

My latest cooking experiment was from the Easy Chinese Cookbook by Chris Toy. We’ve been hungry for Chinese food, and looking for something to help take the place of our favorite local shop (closed due to COVID-19.)

I had a good time flipping through this book. It has a nice variety of approachable recipes. We decided to start with the homemade dumpling wrappers, and had so much fun! I didn’t think we could manage these, but between the three of us we got it done!

I recommend this book if you’re looking to try some of your take out favorites at home.

Note: This book was provided in exchange for a honest review by the publisher. Links are affiliate links with bookshop.org. Thanks for your support!

Walking Wednesday

Another week of walking. It’s getting old to tell you the truth.

Here’s what I’ve been listening to and seeing this week.

I listened to:

And I saw:

Note: Links to amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support.

REVIEW: Good and Cheap by Leanne Brown

Talk about finding the right book at the right time. I jumped right into this book as soon as I downloaded it from the library. I am in desperate need of simple recipes that I can make with the limited groceries available to me, and this cookbook didn’t disappoint.

I marked dozens of recipes to try, but started out with barley risotto since that’s what I had ingredients on hand for. It was really, really good! I can’t wait to try more from this book.

You can buy this book from the usual places, or get it from the library. However it’s also available as a free PDF download on Brown’s website!

Walking Wednesday

Now that the weather is getting better, and the hateful wind has stopped I’m really enjoying my walks.

Here’s what I’ve been listening to and seeing this week.

I listened to:

And I saw:

Note: Links to amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support.

May Show Us Your Books

April shower + May flowers

Where the heck did this month go? Hard to believe time could go by so fast when I haven’t really been outside my house. I did read a whopping 19 books last month, so I guess my concentration issues are officially over. Here are some of my favorites from the month.

My Favorites

Gourmet Rhapsody by Muriel Barbery - This book didn’t get great reviews, but the stuck alone dreaming of all the food I couldn’t have vibe was quite relatable. Sometimes you just find the right book at the right time, you know?

Garvey's Choice by Nikki Grimes - Another right book at the right time. This short verse YA book reminded me to take interest in what my kids are interested in, not just what I want them to be interested in. This was a super important lesson for this first time homeschooler.

Comfort Reads

Anne of Avonlea by Lucy Maude Montgomery - Another Anne book, and I loved it just as much as the first. It’s been hard to keep myself to just one of these a month so I can stay on schedule with my buddy read!

Ramona's World by Beverly Cleary - I love, love, love listening to the Ramona books read by Stockard Channing. These were the first chapter books I read as a kid, and listening to one I hadn’t read before was like crawling under a warm blanket.

Devotions by Mary Oliver - Another right book at the right time- when there aren’t that many places to go beyond my backyard Mary Oliver’s poetry about the birds and other creatures in her yard were very soothing.

“And who will care, who will chide you if you wander away from wherever you are, to look for your soul?
Quickly, then, get up, put on your coat, leave your desk!”

— Have You Ever Tried to Enter the Long Black Branches by Mary Oliver

And Other Ways To Pass The Time

Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner - This novel covered everything from the 1950’s to just before the 2016 election. At times it felt a bit like Weiner was trying too hard to fit everything in, but overall a good story.

The Lost Boys of London by Mary Lawrence - This was a good sit on the couch with tea mystery. See my full review here.

The Time Between by Karen White - I originally thought I would be reading this book on my vacation to Edisto Island, but since it was April 2020 I ended up reading it in my basement huddled under a blanket. Still, it would have made a good beach book- love story, cute kid, misunderstood family dynamics, etc. My only issue was that the male love interest who happened to be the main character’s boss thought nothing of giving her the day off to baby-sit his kid. There’s no way he could do that and not have full on office wide revolt.

I can’t wait to see what everyone else has been reading to pass the time!

Note: Links to amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

Books and Breakfast

Like a lot of people I’ve been baking a lot. I love to get up on Sunday morning and enjoy a treat, a mug of tea, and a book while it’s still quiet. I thought it might be fun to share some of the goodies I’ve been making.

In all of these I had to make a few substitutions, leave something out, or added a bit of something I had a lot of because I can’t exactly just run to the store.

Sourdough pumpkin muffins

Ham & Cheese Overnight Breakfast Casserole

Rhubarb is going nuts in my garden, so I’ve been using that a lot in my treats. Some favorites are:

Rhubarb Snack Cake

Rhubarb Scones

I’ve also been enjoying just plain toast. It’s so good with butter and cinnamon isn’t it?

What have you been cooking lately?

Walking Wednesday

Audiowalking is one of my favorite things to do. In a fun twist this week my son and I took part in the #DoAGoodTurn 5k through the Boy Scouts. We just started walking around our neighborhood and stopped when we hit 5k. Everything I love about a 5k without all of the crowds, difficult parking, and loud DJs.

Here’s what I’ve been listening to and seeing this week.

I listened to:

And I saw:

Note: Links to amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support.

Summer Reading Lists Are Complicated

Usually this is my favorite part of the reading year. I absolutely love summer reading lists, and have been known to cancel plans when my favorites come out. But this year they’re barely on my radar. I just can’t bring myself to care about new books knowing that I’ll have a hard time getting my hands on any of them in the near future. I know my reading lists are small potatoes in the wider scheme of things, but this is just another example of how life has changed so much.

Walking Wednesday

Audiowalking is one of my favorite things to do. Now more than ever I need my walks to stay sane. Weather has been icky this week. Our walks have been the forced kind, but we always feel better when we get back. Here’s what I’ve been listening to and seeing this week.

I listened to:

And I saw:

Note: Links to amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support.

REVIEW: The Complete Italian Cookbook by Manuela Anelli Mazzocco

The Complete Italian Cookbook by Manuela Anelli Mazzocco hit all of my quarantine food longing buttons just right. This is a great book for browsing, with enough every day recipes that you probably have ingredients for even during Covid-19 lock downs.

The soup section in particular kept me dreaming of big bows of deliciousness served with bread. I can’t wait to cook my way through the chapter. I also appreciated the dessert and drinks chapter. I always feel cheated when I get a cookbook and the author says they didn’t include a dessert chapter because they feel just as satisfied with a piece of fruit after dinner. That is definitely not me.

I made the Hunter’s Chicken Stew with just a few adjustments to make it a pantry meal. It was so good! Even my picky eater ate two plates. I’ll be returning to this feel good cookbook often.

Note: The publisher sent me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Walking Wednesday Wildlife Edition

Audiowalking is one of my favorite things to do. Now more than ever I need my walks to stay sane. We’ve been noticing more and more wildlife on our walks. In the absence of people it seems the turtles and squirrels are taking over. Luckily we have a neighborhood cat to chase the squirrels away before they destroy my garden. Here’s what I’ve been listening to and seeing this week.

I listened to:

And I saw:

Note: Links to amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support.

The Things I Do To Entertain Myself

I guess I’ve been looking at too many Covid-19 trackers because last week I got it in my head that I should track my books read in the same way. Now instead of saying I finished a book I say I flattened that book’s curve.

Walking Wednesday "Spring Break" Edition

Audiowalking is one of my favorite things to do. Now more than ever I need my walks to stay sane. Last week was “Spring Break” for us, but obviously all walks were local. Here’s what I’ve been listening to and seeing this week.

I listened to:

And I saw:

Note: Links to amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support.

Show Us Your Books April 2020

Channeling my inner Pete The Cat

Just another average reading month for me. Nothing exciting happening. How about you?

Most of my March reading took place before social distancing took place. You would think that staying at home most of the time would lead to an increase in reading, but my brain is scribble scrabble. Obviously 2020 isn’t turning out to be the year to care about reading goals or challenges. In the mean time I’m doing puzzles, making bread, and working in the yard.

Here are a few things I did manage to finish:

My favorites

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery - This is the one book I did manage to finish in the first few weeks of staying at home. The world of Anne is so comforting, and I can’t wait to read the rest of this series. I feel lucky to just be discovering this series now.

The Day The World Came To Town by Jim Defede - It was inspiring to me to read about how people came together during another time of crisis.

Good Stories To Pass The Time

Finding Mrs. Ford by Deborah Goodrich Royce - Mrs. Ford is living the good life until the FBI shows up. If you like the twists of Ruth Ware books I think you’ll like this one too.

Disappearing Earth by Julia Phillips - This one is getting a lot of good reviews, and I think they’re deserved. It starts with an abduction of two sisters in Russia, but the book itself is only slightly related to the abductions. Instead we get a story each month about others in the community which of course includes mention of the missing sisters. It’s very interesting how it all comes together. I had to return it to the library, but if I hadn’t I would have read it again right away once I knew how it all fit together.

The Grace Year by Kim Liggett - Good, old-fashioned girl power YA dystopia. Give it a try of you like that kind of thing.

Note: links to amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support.

Four Books You Should Read For National Poetry Month If You've Never Read Poetry Before

April is National Poetry Month!

Among other things April is National Poetry Month, and this year we need it more than ever. When my head is spinning from the news, and I feel like I can’t think after a long day of working, teaching, foraging for food that no one likes anyway, and generally acting as my family’s Corona Cruise Director I may not be able to curl up with a book, but I can always manage a poem. Poems have been my balm and my escape this month.

I’m not a natural born poetry reader. I only started a year or two ago when a book of poems was on some book challenge list I was trying to complete. Thank goodness for book challenges!

If you’d like to start reading poetry, but aren’t sure where to start try these five:

(Just a note- I usually don’t concern myself with how you get your books. I provide amazon links for information, knowing that very few people will ever buy on that site. (But I am very grateful when you do. Those little payments go towards paying fr my domain each year.) Because of the circumstances I did provide a little more information than usual about where you can get these books.)

The Sun and Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur - These are poems about heartbreak and love. They’re lovely and relatable. (This is available for free on Kindle Unlimited)

The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost - Most people have read poems by Robert Frost, but his genius goes way beyond The Road Not Taken. My favorite is Gathering Leaves, a celebration of a bountiful but mostly useless crop. The version I linked to is an old book from a relative’s college class, but there are many other versions available.

the princess saves herself in this one by Amanda Lovelace - Poems about fairy tales meets real life. So, so relatable and emotional. This one is only $.99 on Kindle right now.

Devotions by Mary Oliver - I’ve been reading a few of these poems each night before bed, and I think they’re perfect for this time of shrinking worlds. No, you can’t go on vacation, but there’s a whole world in the birds and trees right in your backyard. Devotions is a anthology of her best works, and a great introduction if you’ve never read Oliver before. I got this one from Libby trough my library.

Hang in there my friends!

Note: Links to amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

Walking Wednesday

Audiowalking is one of my favorite things to do. Now more than ever I need my walks to stay sane. Here’s what I’ve been listening to and seeing this week.

I listened to:

And I saw:

Note: Links to amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support.

REVIEW: The Lost Boys of London by Mary Lawrence

In the last days of the reign of King Henry VIII Bianca Goddard makes medicines across the River Thames while her husband is in Scotland fighting for the King’s army. When the body of a young boy is found hanging from a church Bianca must put her medicines aside to help Constable Patch find the killer. Time grows short when another body is found, and her young friend Fitch goes missing. Bianca has two clues, a cloth with a mysterious odor and the rosary beads found wrapped around the necks of the victims. As the expected date of the next murder approaches Bianca must rely on her detective skills and her superb memory to find the killer before it’s too late.

The Lost Boys of London was a satisfying escape to another time when medicine was considered the same as witchcraft, and religion was ruled by the king. The mystery was a good one, and the ending was pleasing. Bianca Goddard is my kind of lady- independent but cares about the people around her.

These days we all need some extra comfort, and this is the kind of book that delivers it. It’s perfect for reading on a cozy afternoon with a bowl of soup and a beer. This is the fifth book in a series, and I’m excited to go back and read some others featuring Bianca Goddard.

The Lost Boys of London will be published on April 28, 2020 and is available for pre-order now.

Note: Links to amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support! A copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.