The Week in Review: 05.19.2017
Between the Covers
Finished last week:
50 STATES: OUR AMERICA by the Editors of TIME for Kids magazine with John Maher III gives a brief overview of the history of the United States before giving the history of each state. I really liked the way the book showed the way Native Americans have been treated but, for the most part, I found the book rather dry. Each state’s page includes a map, a colorful photo, and key facts about the state. Also included are Washington, D. C. and a brief overview of U. S. Territories and Commonwealths as well as regions of the country. This middle grade book should appeal to young history buffs. (Review copy provided by Blue Slip Media.)
I was lucky enough to sample some food from THE BEACH HOUSE COOKBOOK by Mary Kay Andrews when I attended a party at her home on Tybee Island during last year’s SIBA trade show so I was very excited when the cookbook showed up in my mailbox. This cookbook is unique in that recipes are arranged by events rather than courses. Most of the recipes are fairly simple and feature food your family will eat. Andrews begins each “course” with a personal story and sprinkles some family photos throughout the book so it feels like an old friend is sharing her beloved recipes. I flipped through the cookbook as soon as it came and saw lots of recipes I want to try. I’ve made the Cheesy Beer Bread, substituting a good brown ale for light beer and was very pleased with the results – the bread was eaten so quickly, I didn’t get a photo of it. THE BEACH HOUSE COOKBOOK is printed on high quality, glossy paper and includes a photo with each recipe. Be sure to pick up a copy of this delightful cookbook! (Review copy provided by Tandem Literary.)
Mary Alice Monroe takes readers back to Isle of Palms and Lovie’s beloved beach house in BEACH HOUSE FOR RENT. It’s the story of two very different women trying to fight their way through adversity. Heather suffers from anxiety and rents the beach house for the summer to work on her paintings when tragedy strikes Cara and she finds herself floundering. Together, the two women discover they have more strength than they imagined. As usual, Monroe weaves environmental issues into the story and writes with much heart. I thought this book was terrific and was drawn to it right from the start. This is the fourth book in the Beach House series but it’s not necessary to read the others to enjoy it. I hope the series continues with more of Heather’s story! This is the perfect beach/summer read and you won’t want to miss it. (Review copy provided by Simon & Schuster.)
Currently reading:
- KISS CARLO by Adriana Trigiani
- THIS BOOK STINKS!: GROSS GARBAGE, ROTTEN RUBBISH, AND THE SCIENCE OF TRASH by Sarah Wassner Flynn
- THE HATE U GIVE by Angie Thomas
On the Screen
Wow, has this been a crazy season on Dancing with the Stars! Who could have seen Simon and Sasha going home before the finals? Except for that unexpected elimination, I enjoyed this week’s show. I think Normani is the best dancer of the three finalists but, this season, I’m wondering if talent really matters.
Off the blog
- Carl and I were married 38 years ago today!
- I’m at the beach with my mom and my sister to celebrate Mother’s Day. Our trip was delayed almost a week because Carl’s dad had been in the hospital. He’s home now and recovering nicely.
- Since Carl was at his dad’s, I worked extra and didn’t get much reading in.
- Remember that new Maytag washer we bought in January? It started making a horrible grinding noise this week. Maytag said they’d have a repairman out today but the repairman called and said he couldn’t make it until Tuesday. I guess Maytag repairman aren’t that lonely after all. I find it upsetting that we’re having problems with it already and that their first response was to try to sell us an extended warranty.
- I played trivia with a few friends and we came in first.
- I walked at least three miles every morning and averaged over 18,675 Fitbit steps a day.
What’s going on in your corner of the world?
That beach looks amazing
Happy Anniversary!
Happy Anniversary!!
That’s great that Carl’s dad is recovering at home.
The beach looks fantastic! What a great way to spend Mother’s Day with your mom and sister 🙂
Extended warranties are the worst! We bought one for our washer and dryer that we bought last year. The handle broke on the dryer and we tried using that extended warranty, but it doesn’t cover handles – how crazy is that!! So, I looked online and bought one and put it on myself. Hope the repairman can fix your washer so you don’t have to call anytime soon – that’s not right that you are already having problems with it. I swear that machines and electronics are made not to last that long anymore, so that we are forced to keep buying them.
Congrats on coming in first!!
Happy anniversary to you guys! We’ll have our 37th this year. Glad Carl’s father is doing better. And don’t even get me started about appliances and their lifespan. That refrigerator that went out while we were on our trip – well, it was 6 years old. And we had already had trouble with it because of a ‘design flaw’. I agree that nothing is meant to last for very long any more. Sigh.
Congrats on your 38th. You’re only a few years behind us. We will be 46 in June. Hope you have a great day.
There’s nothing better than the beach, and that one looks lovely! Congrats on your 38 years!
I just got Beach House for Rent from NetGalley (excited!), as I love this author’s books. Enjoy!
Sorry about your Maytag. I thought they were supposed to go on forever (my mother had a couple, which means hers went on for a long time each…the last one is still there, in the house now owned by my brother! LOL).
Good luck!
Happy Anniversary! I loved The Hate U Give, it is such an amazing book, I’ll be curious to hear to your thoughts on it. I’m saving Kiss Carlo for my vacation in Florida. I hope to see you at BEA!
Happy Anniversary!
Glad Carl’s dad is better. I hope you enjoy your time with yourmom. How could you not, mom and sister time, at the beach!
Sorry you’re having trouble getting your washer fixed. Maytag is usually the longest lasting washer and dryer. My mom had a set that lasted her over 30 years with no problems. Mine lasted about 20 and then when we bought the place we’re at now I decided to go with front loaders and gave the old set to my husbands aunt and she’s still using them.
That beach photo looks so relaxing!
Happy Anniversary! It will be 38 for us in October 🙂 Enjoy the time with your mom and sis. Gorgeous beach photo. I loved the MKA cookbook so much I bought one for a good friend. It really is beautiful. The Monroe book is on my wish list. And DWTS – I sure hope Normani wins. She’s an amazing dancer. Hope the washer fix happens soon and that’s all the problems you’ll have with it.
Uh oh about the washer! Happy Anniversary! Have fun at the beach! DWTS? Popularity rules…I want to see Len dance! Bruno, too! I think I covered all of your exciting moments!
Happy Anniversary, and I hope you’re having a lovely time at the beach! 🙂 Sorry the trip was delayed but that’s great you are there now.
The Beach House Cookbook sounds great!
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
Happy Anniversary!!
Happy Anniversary, Kathy. I hope you are enjoying your time at the beach. The Mary Alice Monroe book looks like a good visit with an old friend.
Happy Anniversary! Glad you’re finally getting your beach time with your mom. And I really liked that MKA cookbook too.
I reviewed the 50 States book last week too. It’s really terrific! And I’m also reading KISS CARLO!
Happy Anniversary!! (a few days late).
I’m enjoying the Beach House Cookbook too. So many recipes I want to try. The desserts look exceptionally delicious.
Sorry about the washer, what a pain! But happy belated Anniversary! Such a pretty beach scene there, love it!
I love Mary Kay Andrews’ stories in the cookbook. I can’t wait to use it. Happy belated anniversary…that beach looks lovely.