American Spy and Pizza

I finished American Spy by Lauren Wilkinson a couple of weeks ago and really struggled with how to review it.   

It is a story of an African American Woman, Marie,  who is a spy for the FBI.  The book flips around the time period between her childhood in NY in the 60's to her work with the FBI and then CIA in the 80's to the 90's where she is writing this letter/journal to her children to tell them what happened.    The book starts with this big action scene and then it settles into this story telling.  I wouldn't call it a spy thriller as much as a political thriller.   

So, here's what I liked: 

    the main character Marie was great.  

    Loved the backstory on her sister and their relationship .  I also like her mom and dad. 

    I had NO idea about any of the West Africa stuff and I had to look it up to see if this was based on reality.  It is!  I learned who Thomas Sankara was and learned a bit about a part of the world that i am blind to.  I need to educate myself on this. 

    I really liked the struggles and talk about how the FBI treated her due to race and gender.  It was and probably still is an old white boys club.  

    I listened to this book on Audio and I really liked the narrator.  She was fantastic 

What I didn't like so much; 

    This book is a bit slow.  I think if I  had been actually reading it, I would have stopped.  There is a LOT of details.  It felt like too much detail on every single thing. 

    I wanted a bit more to happen.  I just kept waiting for it.  

Overall i'm giving it 4 stars mainly because the topic was so interesting and it was the first spy novel I read where the main character is a black woman.  We need more of that.   If you decide to read, I'd encourage you to listen instead .  

I had no idea what food to make.  Once again I am terribly uneducated on African food.  And lately I have been so busy and a bit overwhelmed with work that i decided this book called for a PIZZA.  Not a pizza I made but a good old take out pizza like you might get in NYC.  Of course it taste nothing like the NYC pizza but I can pretend.  Enjoy and keep reading   

 

The House in the Cerulean Sea and a lobster roll!

 I'm having a great reading month, again! I am also a bit overwhelmed with reading because I have 4 books going at once.   My book group is reading The Life She Was Given, I have a work book group reading Atomic Habits, another book group reading How To Be An Antiracist and finally I'm listening to Convenience Store Woman on Audibles.   That is a lot going on! 

Today I'm reviewing my first read of February, The House in the Cerulean Sea.   There has been so much buzz on this book and the Bookstagram community has already reviewed the heck out of it.  So, i'm late to the game but that never stops me.   This is a delightful book!  It is all the good feels you want in a story.  

Linus Baker works at the Department in Charge of Magical Youth.  He checks in on orphanages to make sure the children are well cared for and he's been doing this for years!  One day he is given a secret assignment by the Extremely Upper Management group to visit an island and check on an a group of children and their caretaker.   He is given very little information and is told to report back every detail.   He arrives and is stunned by the children but also quickly enamored by them.   Their caregiver is a strange man named Arthur Parnassus who is very protective of the children.   It is really a wonderful story about the magic of love, overcoming bias, and learning to standup for what you believe it.   It is the second book I've read recently where you see clear discrimination and hate for someone so different then themself.   

Now, that doesn't mean there aren't a few problems.  For my friends who want a little more realism or grit in their stories, this isn't for you.   It is maybe too happy for those folks and I could see how some say it didn't go deep enough.  But, it was just what I needed.  Beautiful and full of such love.   PLUS it was such an easy read.  Once i picked it up, I finished it in 3 days.   Didn't want to put it down! 

SO what to eat with it?  I was struck by the Sea and when Linus sees it for the first time.  We are in the middle of winter and rain and snow and I long for a hot day at the sea.  That made me think of Lobster roll in the summer and sitting outside with the sun on your back, a cold beverage in your hand .  OHHH, I am so ready for that.   So, this is paired with a yummy lobster roll. 

This is pretty simple because I really believe Lobster roll should be with butter and not mayonnaise.  I melted butter and brushed it over the bun and then put the bun the the oven to toast it up.  From there i let the butter get a bit brown and added a touch of salt and pepper.  I also added a few scallions just to see how it would taste!  I dropped my chopped up lobster in the pan for a few minutes and it was ready to go.  So delicous.   Of course i paired it with chips and a couple of pickles.  And for folks who have read the book, you know i had to scatter a few buttons around.  (One of my favorite little things from the book <3 )   Enjoy and I hope you love this! 

A Jane Austen Valentines Day! with a side of Chocolate pudding

 This weekend is all about SNOW in Seattle and a little bit of love tossed in for Valentines day.  I spent the weekend doing a lot on zoom.  I had tickets for a Animated French Film festival,  A Jane Austen Tea Party and a play ticket i bought last month that was going to expire shortly.   But let's talk Jane Austen.  

Since I've been pushing my book stagram account, I've gotten sucked into the book world on social media.  Lot's of cool stuff happening.  It is fun to see all of the recommendations, contest and super creative post on Instagram.   I joined a book club called "the Enchanted Book Club" and on Saturday there was a tea Party with the Authors and illustrator for Jane Was Here.    They discussed their trip and what inspired them and it was lovely.  Totally fun book and i am going to take a trip whenever we get to travel again!   

I also discovered a great new Podcast called Nhttp://enchantedbookclub.com/ovel Pairings .  I listened to the first episode from last year on Emma and the following episode on the movie.  Such a fun discussion.   That had me going back and watching the movie again.  I saw it 4 or 5 months ago and it was fun to rewatch it.  I have a secret...  I haven't read Emma.  The only Austen i've read is P&P.   I have seen every movie version of Emma and this is probably my favorite.  I watched it while working a puzzle.  Perfect snowy day activity.    Love the costumes, the set and the actors.   Emma always bugs me a bit because she is very selfish but I also enjoy the story.  I LOVED Bill Nighy as Mr Woodhouse.   He is perfect in the role.  I wasn't familiar with the Anya Taylor-Joy before this but then i saw her in Queens Gambit.   Big Fan!   

And, finally with the snow and valentines day and all the JA, i made a big pot of homemade chocolate pudding.  Because it just felt like the right thing to do!     With all of this watching and listening, i didn't do any reading!   I have read 3 books this month and took a couple of days off.  I'll post those reviews shortly.  

Sending lot's of love to each of you. 

Chocolate pudding 

1 cup of sugar 

1/2 cup of cocoa powder 

1/4 cup of cornstarch 

1/2 tsp salt 

4 cups of milk. 

Whisk together susar, cocoa, cornstarch, salt.  whisk in milk.  I used 2%.  Heat to boiling stirring constantly.  Once it starts to boil heat for another 1-2 minutes  and then remove from heat. 

Stir in 2 tsp of vanilla and 2 tbsp butter.  Transfer serving bowls and chill.  ( I actually like to eat one bowl still warm :) 

January wrap up, Girl with Seven Names and Bibimbap

 January has been a good reading month for me.   I finished 6 books!  I say finished because to be fair, I started Saving Ruby King in Dec and finished it the first week of January.  Also, one of the books was only 90 pages so more like an Essay.  (Wolfpack by Abby Wambach which i'll review later).   The final book for January was with my Book Group, the Beehive.   We read The Girl with Seven Names: A North Korean Defector's Story.   Now, I don't read a ton of Non-Fiction and when i do, it is almost always with my book group.  We usually get in 1-2 Non Fiction titles a year.    I also must say that I struggle with some biographies.   This reminded me of Educated.  The stories have nothing really in common but they both deal with women who have to overcome hardships over and over and come out the other side much stronger.   I find it hard to deal with the hardships and struggles and life choices through the entire book.   In both cases i almost stopped listening.  (Yes, I did both of these titles on Audibles)  

The story is about Hyeonseo Lee who grew up in North Korea.   She decides to cross the border, really thinking it was just for a few days and ends up never coming back.   She realizes she has been brainwashed by the Dictatorship of North Korea.  But in China she is forced to hide who she is and realizes she can never go back because the rumors of her escape are everywhere.   The story takes us on her journey in China and eventually South Korea.  She ends up helping her mother and brother also escape.    The story is really about her desire for family and her perseverance to survive and to have a free life.   

So, it is an amazing story but i just felt worn down.   I know this is my privilege speaking but i'm not sure this is where I want to spend my reading time and I feel badly about that.   

So, at the end of the day I would say, if you love a story about strength and courage, this is for you.  I give it 3.5 stars.  ⭐⭐⭐½

When I thought about food for this story , i had NO idea what to make.  I really am not sure i have had any Korean food.   I could have gone with Chinese, which I love , but really thought this was my chance to try something different.  Of course i went to my favorite recipe source-- Pinterest.  I found a recipe that looked perfect called Bibimbap.  Essentially the basics are mixed rice with meat and assorted vegetables.    The secret is really in the sauce!   Since I'm trying not to eat meat these days, I made a vegetarian version.   It turned out so good!!  I used a recipe from  Love & Lemons  blog.  I changed it up just a bit but here is the basic.   (i had a bit of a challenge finding Gochujang sauce but finally found it at a local grocery store) 

https://www.loveandlemons.com/bibimbap-recipe/?epik=dj0yJnU9SFVqbEJiUWlSYnhJMTMtendFTHBIMDVZUGZDaEdPTVQmcD0wJm49WVhGSGM4TEN1bWdSdWFleURqTXB6ZyZ0PUFBQUFBR0FNeUdz

BIBIMBAP

Ingredients

Bowls

• ½ English cucumber, thinly sliced
• ½ teaspoon rice vinegar
• 1¼ teaspoons sesame oil, divided
• 1 cup fresh mung bean sprouts
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 4 cups baby spinach
• ½ teaspoon tamari
• 2 cups cooked short-grain white rice
• 2 fried eggs, or 1 cup cubed baked tofu
• 4 ounces sautéed shiitake mushrooms, optional
• 1 recipe Gochujang sauce
• Sesame seeds
• Sea salt
• Kimchi, optional, for serving
• Chopped scallions, optional, for serving

(okay,  i don't like shiitake mushrooms so i used your basic button mushrooms.  I used egg and not tofu and  I also used a regular cucumber .  And I did NOT use Kimchi because i can't stand it) 

• In a small bowl, toss the cucumber slices with ½ teaspoon rice vinegar, ¼ teaspoon sesame oil and a pinch of salt. Set aside.
• Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Drop in the bean sprouts and cook for 1 minute. Drain and set aside.
• Heat ½ teaspoon sesame oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the carrots and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring for 1 to 2 minutes until a little bit soft, and then remove from the pan and set aside. Heat ½ teaspoon more sesame oil in the skillet and add the spinach and tamari. Cook, tossing, for 30 seconds or until just wilted. Remove from the skillet and gently squeeze out any excess water from the spinach.
• Assemble the bowls with the rice, cucumber slices, bean sprouts, carrots, and spinach. Top with a fried egg or baked tofu. Add the mushrooms, if using. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and drizzle generously with the gochujang sauce. Serve with kimchi and scallions, if desired, and the remaining gochujang sauce on the side.

With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo and Spanish Rice

 I'm starting 2021 off with a bang.  4 books read and it is only halfway through January!  I actually started this book back in November.  But, twice I put it down and read other books.  I really liked the story but there isn't a lot that happens.  It is very character driven.   Emoni Santiago is a senior in high school and has a baby to take care of and a grandmother to support.   It is a story of her life, her senior year of high school, tough decisions she has to make, a new boy in her life and her passion in life-  Cooking!  

I liked the writing style and how each chapter was like a little view of her world.  I think I heard about this book in an article about books that focus on food.  She made me super hungry for good mexican food which i haven't had in a while.   I also really liked the cultural piece of learning about her background and the joy she had with her daughter .   

But, it didn't hold my interest in the beginning.  I read maybe the first 50 pages and then put it down for a month.  Came back to it and read maybe another 50 pages.  Finally, in January I came back again and finished it up.  The 2nd half moved much quicker. 

So, ⭐⭐⭐⭐ but probably closer to 3.5.  Great character, full of wonderful flavors, loved the writing but just a little slow in the first half.     Pick it up if you love a good food book or love a character driven story with really rich characters.  

Because she did make me hungry, I made Spanish Rice. Super easy to make and a great side dish!  

I ate it with grilled Chicken but i'm sure you can come up with something more delicious!  

Enjoy

Spanish Rice 

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 ½ cups long grain white rice
• ½ cup finely chopped onion
• 1 bell pepper finely diced
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 14.5 ounce fire roasted diced tomatoes, not drained
• 8 ounce can tomato sauce
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon cumin 
• 
  
• In a large pan that has a lid or skillet that has a lid, melt the butter with the olive oil.Add the rice, onion and bell pepper and cook over medium to medium-high heat until the rice is golden brown and vegetables are tender. Stir frequently. It takes about 15-20 minutes.
• Add the garlic and stir and cook for about 1 minute.Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth, salt, pepper, chili powder, paprika and cumin. Stir well.Bring to a boil and then cover. 
• Reduce the heat to a simmer and simmer for 30-40 minutes or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.Let the rice sit covered for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Saving Ruby King - By Catherine Adel West

 My first book of 2021 was Saving Ruby King.  Really liked this one.  I saw this book posted on a few Bookstagram Best of 2020 list.   So many folks were saying it was a top book for the year  and yet I hadn't heard of it.   I checked it out and read it in 3 days.   Ruby Kings mother is found dead in their home in Chicago's south side (this happens at the very beginning so i'm not spoiling anything, I promise!)  The story then flips from person to person- Ruby and her sadness and reality of living with a violent father.  Layla, her best friend who has been trying to save her  friend for years.  Lebanon, the abusive father/husband.  Layla's father and pastor of the church and even the church itself has a narrative.   

At first I thought the Church narrative was a bit weird but it ended up providing a lot of the back story we needed to understand this story.   By the end I liked having the Church as a character.   

Not only did I find it a page turner but I liked the exploration of the black church, the racial tensions,  and the theme of loyalty.   I also think the family violence passing from generation to generation is a tough and emotional subject but she handled it well.   

This is the authors debut novel and I am excited to see her future!  

I give this 4 solid stars!   Great way to start the new year. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Because there is a reference to a Pineapple Upside Down Cake in the novel, i thought...   That sounds delicious!  I haven't made a pineapple upside down cake in ages.  

I found a simple recipe and altered it just a bit and ...  here you go. 

• 
  
• Pineapple Upside Down Cake  (slightly altered from Trisha Yearwoods recipe) 
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 9 slices canned pineapple in juice, drained
• 5 maraschino cherries
• 1 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup solid vegetable shortening
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup milk
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place the butter in an 8-by-8-by-2-inch square baking pan and set it over low heat to melt.  ( I actually used a round copper pan and put it in the oven for about 5 minutes to melt the butter)  When melted, sprinkle the brown sugar over the butter. Arrange the pineapple rings in a single layer on top of the sugar, making 3 rows.( the round pan only took 7 pineapple rings so do what you can)   Cut the maraschino cherries in half, and place one half, cut-side up, in the center of each pineapple ring. Set the pan aside.
• Sift the flour, baking powder and salt.   Set aside. Using an electric mixer, mix together the shortening, granulated sugar, egg and vanilla. Blend in the flour mixture alternately with the milk, beginning and ending with flour. Stir only enough after each addition to combine.
• Pour the batter carefully into the pineapple-lined baking pan and bake for 40 minutes. Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center or pressing the cake lightly with a fingertip; if the impression springs back, the cake is done. Run a knife around the edges of the pan and place a serving dish on top. Invert the cake onto the serving dish. Leave the pan inverted over the cake for several moments to allow the syrup to soak into the cake.
• 
  
  
  
  

Reading goals. - goodbye 2020 - hello 2021!

 Today is the last day of 2020.   I have to say that I’m not sorry to see it leave.  Yuck.  It was a mixed reading year.   I discovered Audibles which I talked about earlier but I also struggled in the middle of the year to focus on reading anything more than a magazine article . I did have some pretty incredible reads!  ( not counting the Harry Potter books) I had 5 , 5 star reads!  

The World that We Knew-  Alice Hoffman.  She never lets me down.   This book is so good.   Probably my favorite of the year. 

The Dutch House- Ann Patchett-  so beautifully written.   I loved the characters 

Nothing to See Here-  totally wacky premise but you will not forget this book! 

Circe- Madeline Miller -  I loved this story!  I will say that i got super confused with all the characters but luckily the book has a list if each with the backstory.   That was necessary for me. 

Once Upon a River- Diane Setterfield -  listened to it with my sister in VA and it was good timing for a mystery/fairytale.

I did read several forgettable books.  Probably my biggest disappointed was The Starless Sea.  I know a lot of people LOVE this book but i just struggled with it.  Maybe it was the wrong time for me to read a book like this.   I'm going to blame it on 2020.  Still gave it 3 stars because it is beautiful but i really struggled with the story.  and I loved Night Circus so much that i really wanted to love this book.    

So many great books came out this year and i am so behind.  I missed my reading goal of 30 books.  I came in at 28 which isn't bad and I have 2 on my kindle right now that i'm almost done with.  Plus, like so many things in 2020, i'm giving grace to myself!!   I'm going to keep the goal of 30 books for 2021 .   I know I can hit it this time!!     
I'm doing some baking for New Years so I'll post some photos tomorrow!!  

I hope each of you (the 2 people who actually read occasionally) have a safe and healthy 2021 and that you read some amazing books surrounded by amazing friends and family- both physically and virtually!! 

Charlotte Holmes and Jamie Watson - Parmesan Shortbread

 I wrapped up the Charlotte Holmes series this year.  I read the first and second book last Christmas.  The last two this year.   I've always loved the Sherlock Holmes character and especially love the Benedict Cumberbatch Sherlock!   In this series they are the descendants of the real life Holmes and Watson .  

Charlotte Holmes has a complicated past and a crazy family.  Jamie Watson a little less and of course he falls hard for Charlotte.  The books take a through some adventures and mysteries.   Jamie is charming and sweet.  Charlotte a little more intense and tougher to love.   But overall it works.  

Really enjoyed all 4 of the books.  Probably liked book 1 & 3 the best.   Easy reads and totally fun.  A few times it was pretty unbelievable but here again, wasn't most of Sherlock Holmes unbelievable.   Of course Jamie loves Charlotte the entire time.  Charlotte loves him too but it takes her longer to admit it to herself and to him.  In book 4 they are officially a couple and no longer fighting it.   

I would recommend if you enjoy Sherlock stories and are okay with suspending belief for bit.  Good characters and page turning adventure.   ⭐⭐⭐⭐ across the board.  

Also, just because shortbread feels very English, I'm attaching my Parmesan shortbread recipe.  It is so good!  It will have you acting like Sherlock to find the recipe!! 

1 Cup + 1 Tbs of butter 

2 cups all purpose flour 

1/2 tsp of salt 

2.5 cups of grated Parmesan 

1/2 tsp cayenne 

1 egg for egg wash 

Cut the butter into cubes.  Mix the flour, butter and salt in a large bowl using either your hands or a pastry cutter/dough blender.  Mix until a crumbly consistency.  add the Parmesan and mix again.  Add the Cayenne (I use a little less then a 1/2 tsp.  that cuts the heat a bit)   If the dough is too dry and won't stick together, add 2-4 tsp of water.   Knead the dough on the surface and roll into a square logn about 12 inches long.  I usually do 2 shorter logs.  Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for min of 1 hour.  

remove.  Cut into 3/4 inch pieces.  arrange on nonstick or on parchment paper.   Brush with egg wash and bake at 350 for 15-18 minutes or till golden brown.  Try not to eat them all in one sitting!  

Reading in 2020

 Not going to start off apologizing for not posting.  I do that all the time  The truth is that this year is tough!  I've had trouble focusing and getting stuff accomplished.  The pandemic has shifted everything and I have decided to give myself some grace.     So, Happy to see you!! 

This year I discovered the joy of listening to books.  Now, I've had Audibles for a couple of years , but, I typically used it for car time .  In  2020 I have no car time!  I'm not going anywhere so I was about to cancel my account when i decided to start listening to books when I walk.   THis work from home thing is tough because you sit in the same place everyday for 8+hours and never walk anywhere.   When i moved in May, I started walking every evening after work to try to get a little bit of exercise and to explore the new neighborhood.  It's been fun.   Then I decided to download some "Comfort Books".  I choose Harry Potter.   I read HP years ago when they came out.  Since then I've seen all of the movies multiple times.  But I thought it might be fun to listen to them.  After the first one, I was hooked all over again.   I had forgotten so much of the details that are left out of the movies.  And...  Jim Dale is a treasure!   He is so good.   Not sure what awards they give to folks who read books but he should win all of them!   They are not short books.   We are talking 15-22 hours of listening each.  But all summer i was doing about an hour a day.  And most of the time I'd get home and not want to stop listening and keep my ear buds in while making dinner.  I was completely captured by the stories again and Mr Dale just brings it all alive.   I made it through the first 5 over the summer May-August.  The last 2 took a bit longer.  I had a 5 week trip to VA and then the rain started.  But, I am happy to tell you that over the past 2 months I have wrapped up the last 2 books.   If you haven't listened to them, I highly recommend it.  Not going to recap the stories because I doubt there are many folks left who don't know the what happens.  This is comfort reading at it's best.  And it has now introduced me to the real joy of listening to books.   I have since listened to 3 others.  As long as I work from home, this might be the thing!  

Enjoy some photos of my new neighborhood.    

the Starless Sea

I really wanted to love this book.   The Night Circus was so great!   I read it years ago and it has stuck with me all these years.   It took me a while to read this book.   While it is beautifully written, I found it confusing.  I had no idea what was going on half of the time.   Here is what i figured out; 

    Zachary Rawlins  saw a door as a kid and has been searching for it since. This story spins into a mystery.  He finds a book which appears to be about his life.  He is tracking a  woman and a man and they fall into this mysteries world.   There are pirates and princesses and love and death.   

I really couldn't tell you what happens .  I kept reading because there are some nice side stories and the language is really like poetry.   So, I gave it 3 stars.   Confusing as heck but beautiful. 

Not sure what else to say on this.   I'd say read it but I wish you luck!!