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?