On My Nightstand December 24, 2023

It’s here! I hope everyone who is celebrating Christmas is able to relax a bit.

Sit down and read a book!

Quote of the week:

“There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor.”

— A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

On My Nightstand:

Audiobook: Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry - I’m about halfway through but not into this one yet. So many people rave about it, but I’m just blah. Maybe I will change my mind.

Kindle: The Bear And The Nightingale by Katherine Arden - Still working on this one. I love it, but just haven’t been making the time.

Physical Book: Prey by Michael Crichton - I thought I had read all of his books, but then I found this!

This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

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On My Nightstand December 16, 2023

I am just wrapping up my annual cookie baking extravaganza. I didn’t make as many this year as I usually do because of an intervention from certain family members, but I did get to spend a late night in the kitchen listening to audiobooks. Now I’m sampling my wares and washing them down with some mulled wine. Life is good.

Next week I’m hoping to get some time to finalize my 2024 goals. I have so many ideas! First and foremost though I need to read some of the books I already own. (Are you even a bookworm if you don’t make this vow every year?)

Have a great week everyone!

Quote of the week:

“The world was hers for the reading.”

— A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

On My Nightstand:

Audiobook: An Unfortunate Christmas Murder by Hannah Hendy - The British lunch ladies who solve crimes in these books crack me up. They’re fun to listen to as I go about my December madness.

Kindle: The Bear And The Nightingale by Katherine Arden - I read this when it first came out and have wanted to read the rest of the trilogy since. I needed to re-read this one before I got started though as I don’t remember much.

Physical Book: The Winter Garden by Alexandra Bell - Magical realism isn’t always my thing, but this book is working for me.

This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

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On My Nighstand December 18, 2022

Friday was my annual work holiday party (out at a restaurant!) That traditionally means the end of my busy season. I’m still working for the rest of the year, but pretty much everyone gives up on deadlines, and things are much slower. I thought I would have a relaxing weekend, but yesterday the long ago paid guys showed up to replace our roof at 8 am. Grateful to have a paid for new roof that is actually getting installed, not so grateful to have to get dressed at 8 am on a Saturday on my first non-work day off since August. My son had a job about 45 minutes away that he needed a ride to so my daughter and I decided to pivot and spend the day at the very fancy Target near there.Target is fun when you don’t really need anything. We also tried a new to us dumpling place for lunch, toured an outdoor Christmas market, and watched a bit of the World Cup on the huge outdoor TV. We went in a bookstore and I didn’t buy anything! I am evolving. It was a great day, and we came home to a mostly done roof.

Today I got up with plans to start baking only to find a clogged sink full of dishes. OH WELL. Here I sit with my tea while I wait for the Draino to kick in. Why do I always forget that this is what December is like?

Assuming my roof and plumbing are in order this week, and my kids don’t take any more jobs on (what might as well be) the moon I hope to catch up on my blog reading, and post my reading wrap up for this year as well as my goals for next.

Last week I posted about my best fiction reads from November.

Why did it take me three tries to spell November even with spell check? I need a nap!

Have a great (and restful) week!

This week I’m reading:

Taste by Stanley Tucci - This has been fun to listen to while I run Christmas errands (and sink willing cook.) It’s pretty much a love story to food.

A World of Curiosities by Louise Penny - My favorite series. I’ve been taking my time with this one, but I should finish this week.

Tru & Nelle A Christmas Tale by G. Neri - I have been wanting to read this one forever. Looking forward to it!

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

This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

On My Nighstand December 4, 2022

As I write this post I’m in between batches of cookies in the oven. I’m just starting with a few favorites this weekend so we have proper fuel for decorating. Next weekend the baking starts for real.

This is my best time of year for reading, although once again I had to abandon a print book for an audiobook because the print was too small. I am getting old! Oh well, there’s plenty of other books to curl up with by the tree, and plenty of audiobooks to listen to while making cookies. (If your curious the book is Search by Michelle Huneven - really good so far! I’ll hopefully get to the audiobook next week.)

Have a great week!

This week I’m reading:

The Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley - I’m abut 70% through this audiobook now, and wow is it good. Seriously, I did extra laundry just to keep listening. I got the audiobook from the library, but just saw it’s included with Kindle Unlimited if you’re a subscriber.

A World of Curiosities by Louise Penny - I made myself hold off a few days on this one since it will be such a long wait for the next. I think I’ve waited long enough though, and will start this week. This is my favorite series, and I read the books over and over.

Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian - I heard rave reviews about this book, but it might just be too grim for me right now. I’ll read about an hour more, but if I’m still struggling I’m going to save it for another time.

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This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

Food And Lit: Guatemala

September was Guatemala month for Food And Lit. If you’re looking to read a book about recent Guatemalan history you must read Caminar. Heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time, it’s a middle grade novel told in verse. I read it and then began a campaign to get my son to read it.

Guatemala is known for its coffee and chocolate so of course I had to treat myself. I also made Kak’ik for dinner one night. Really good!

Next month we’re in Zambia!

[Cookbook Review] Weeknight Baking: Recipes to Fit Your Schedule by Michelle Lopez

I don’t know if it’s the weather or that I can reliably get flour again, but I’ve been having a great time getting back into my 20 cookbooks in 2020 project.

Weeknight Baking is billed as a book of recipes for the end of the day when you want a little treat. I suggest that it also be modernized to include the 30 minuted between Zoom calls when you really can’t possibly concentrate on anything but cookies. Ahem.

This book has a nice selection of recipes with tons of variations so it’s likely you’ll find something to make that doesn’t involve a trip to the store. I made the chocolate chip oatmeal cookies to rave reviews, and I’m looking forward to mixing up a batch of seriously spicy pumpkin spice for fall gift giving.

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REVIEW: Holiday Cookies by Elisabet der Nederlanden

Holiday Cookies by Elisabet der Nederlanden

I am a complete Christmas cookie freak every year pretty much from Halloween until December 25th. Any spare second that I have I am either baking or looking up new recipes. Holiday Cookies by Elisabet der Nederlanden is the new source of cookie recipes that I have been waiting for.

The recipes are both fancy and approachable - the book is full of lovely cookies and packaging ideas that I know I will be using this year. I like that the cookie recipes are mostly familiar presented in a prettier than usual way. (People appreciate familiar at the holidays I think.)

NOTE: A free copy of this book was provided by Blogging For Books in exchange for a honest review.

September 2017 Quick Lit

From a road trip to Indiana -- seems like a nice place, but I was obsessed with finishing Glass Houses, so...

Each month I link with Modern Mrs. Darcy's Quick Lit as a way to talk about the books I liked, but didn't review. Well, I've been in such a back to school slump that my list is a whopping two book long this month. But really there's only one that matters:

Glass Houses by Louise Penny -- I never buy print books any more (out of room in my house), but I made an exception for this one. It didn't disappoint. These books leave me so emotionally drained, but in a good way. This one had a little different format that previous books in the series - it switched between a trial in the present day, and a murder in the past. I don't always love it when authors tell a story that way, but it worked here.

Also, I love Ruth.

Summer At Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan -- Simple and predictable, just what I needed for reading in the car while my husband drove us along the PA turnpike.

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