Books I Read in July

What We Were Promised by Lucy Tan
This was an impressive debut and you can read my full review here.

The Queen of Hearts by Kimmery Martin
The buzz around this book (which was significant) described it as a Grey's Anatomy in novel form, but I never got into that show, so I put it on the back burner for awhile. I'm glad I finally picked it up, as it was a super fast summer read. I got a bit of a Liane Moriarty vibe in the beginning as the story is set up from the lens of mommy culture. The dynamic and contrast between Zaide and Emma as doctors and mothers, as well as the dynamic between their patients, or parents of their young patients, that they interact with at school and the country club is rife with potential conflict - and craziness ensues. The flashbacks to when the pair were in medical school together was also a fascinating glimpse into doctor culture, which was my favorite part of this reading experience. The romantic drama was kind of easy to tease out, but came to a pretty shocking and satisfying conclusion.

The War I Finally Won by Kimberley Brubaker Bradley
I think I might have enjoyed this sequel to The War That Saved My Life more than the original! Bradley writes with such straightforward and powerful prose, and she perfectly captures the viewpoint of a child. 

"Bombs fell from the sky. Boys fell from trees. Anything might happen. Anytime."

Ada will always be an all time favorite book character, with her equally heartbreaking and brave voice. If you are a fan of WWII historical fiction, these two books are must reads, whatever your age.

Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan
I've seen so many of Colgan's books on social media, and especially on my library shelves in either summer or winter, so I figured it was time to give her novels a try. This was a cozy read with great British humor and wit, and a story that is somewhat predictable, but with a few surprises up it's sleeve that I didn't see coming. I for sure will read more of her work when looking for a comfort read.

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
Straight up romance reads are not my usual go-to, but I think I need to make more space for a few in my reading life - especially those with an empowered female lead. This particular romance also shed light on the inner workings of an adult woman with high functioning autism, WRITTEN by an adult woman with high functioning autism. It was compelling, so adorable and, yes, STEAMY. Fair warning if that's not your thing. I found it highly entertaining and, ultimately, I thoroughly enjoyed the dynamic between the characters in this gender reversed Pretty Woman like story.

Linking up with Modern Mrs. Darcy's Quick Lit - check out all the great reading round ups here.

Ten Books for Summer 2018 (five I would recommend, and five I'm looking forward to!)

Another Memorial Day weekend is approaching, and another barrage of summer reading lists have arrived. As per usual, I'm adding my list to the pile: five books I'm hoping to read this summer and five I've read (since last May) that I would recommend. Looking at last year's list, I realized that each book on my 'looking forward to' list had a publication date past Memorial Day. This year, in addition to the list of books I'd recommend, all the books are available RIGHT MEOW for loading up the Kindle or library tote - with the exception of the new Elin Hilderbrand. However, if you haven't read her novels, there is plenty of backlist to choose from while we wait just a couple of weeks for the June release. (There are lots of reviews for her books in my 'reviews by author' list.) 

Books I'm looking forward to:

 The Queen of Hearts by Kimmery Martin got a lot of social media buzz this winter, especially with such a gorgeous, Instagram-worthy cover. Apparently the inside is worthy of the outside, as some of my most trusted sources gave this novel the thumbs up (Megan's review, Tara's review and Anne Bogel's Summer Reading Guide). A Grey's Anatomy-esque drama sounds perfect for summer.

It wouldn't be summer without a trip to Nantucket! I didn't go for Hilderbrand's new book last summer, as I was catching up on some backlist that helped prep me for the final Winter Street book. This summer's The Perfect Couple is her first Kirkus starred review (after 21 books!) so I am definitely adding it to the beach bag.

 The Ones We Choose by Julie Clark is my pick for a debut author read. This story about the emotional bonds versus the DNA that bonds family sounds intriguing and hopefully a family drama with a little heft.

I have yet to read a Jenny Colgan novel, but from what I gather, they are perfectly cozy and sweet reads. I'm hoping  Little Beach Street Bakery will be the perfect summer treat that the title evokes.

 Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan is hitting the big screen this summer and looks like so much fun! I don't know how I missed the boat on this one years ago, but I hope to make up for it in time to watch the movie.

Books I would recommend:
Castle of Water by Dane Hucklebridge is a fast paced, tearjerker love story of two complete opposites stranded on an island. It's melodramatic and a little hard to suspend disbelief in parts, but it's a quick and romantic read. (my review)

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen is an adorable, magical romance set in the south. Definitely recommend for those who loved Practical Magic. (my review) 

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid is a must read, full of fabulous old Hollywood glam and drama. I think every summer should include a novel by Reid. (my review)

I just read The Perfect Mother by Aimee Molloy and if you are a fan of domestic thrillers poolside, this is definitely the summer book for you. (my review)

Rabbit Cake by Annie Hartnett is my off the beaten path book for summer. A story about a girl navigating life after her mother's death does not scream SUMMER. But, there is so much warmth and hilarity in this quirky story about a girl named Elvis trying to bake a world record number of rabbit shaped cakes. (my review)

Everyday Life and Menu Plan 4.3.17

Yay, back to meal planning! After San Diego, we did some pantry clearing and easy meals, making day of decisions for dinner. Definitely helpful on swim lesson night and the school music performance night. (Ah, the dulcet tones of the entire fourth grade class playing a recorder... It was super cute, though.) As much as that affords us the freedom to choose what we want each night, I find it more of a pain to make a decision and inevitably have to go to the store for something. 

This hold from the library came in last week and I'm having fun looking through it, and we'll try a recipe this week. One problem with making dinner five or six nights a week is that most cookbooks are filled with recipes that seem like one variation or another on what we make already. But the Curried Chicken with Coconut Lime Rice and Yogurt Sauce sounded a little different and tasty - we shall see...

We're heading into spring break today and are doing the usual 'mom as cruise director' week. Perhaps we'll plan a trip next year, but this year's big trip will be to Chicago for a family wedding in May. So staycation it is! Thankfully the unusually elusive sun came out to kick things off and I have a few ideas up my sleeve for entertainment, including the kid's first Cirque du Soleil show.

• Monday - Pizza
• Tuesday - Burgers on the Grill and Alexa Fries 
• Wednesday - Curried Chicken with Coconut Lime Rice and Yogurt Sauce  (via One-Pan Wonders from Cooks Country)
• Thursday - Fish Tacos with Cilantro Lime Crema (a favorite from Cooking Light)
• Friday - dinner out after the circus!
• Saturday - Spinach Lasagna (easy and tasty recipe from Chowhound)
• Sunday - Turkey Taco Chili Soup (from Skinnytaste)

As always, I'm linking up with Org Junkie, and now Beth Fish Reads weekend cooking - be sure to check out all the great weekly food inspiration!

Pat Prager's Peanut Butter Bars Recipe (from Kitchen's of the Great Midwest)

It's no secret that I thoroughly enjoyed Kitchens of the Great Midwest (review here), and it has stuck with me for weeks.  There are so many reasons I keep thinking about this book, not the least of which are the recipes within.  Of all the magical sounding dishes, I think we all can agree (those that have read it) that Pat Prager's bars are the most approachable and universally appealing.  A recipe pulled from the cookbook of J. Ryan Stradal's (the author's) great grandmother, I just HAD to give them a go.

Just as it seems in the novel, they were really rather easy to put together.  I thought that the addition of graham cracker crumbs within the bar, rather than as a crust, was rather genius - and TASTY.  They are super rich, and I cut my servings into wee one inch squares.  Even a serving that small might make your teeth ache, but in the best, most nostalgic, 70s childhood way possible.

Mine also got a little crumbly, and I was a little worried when I poured the peanut butter mixture into the pan.

But I pressed the heck out of it before adding the melted chocolate layer.

I'm thinking I might have put a bit too much of those tasty graham crackers in the mixture.  I would also add more chocolate chips to melt on top, the next time around.  This, however, has not stopped my children from trying to eat them by the fist full!

This was a fun undertaking and now I'm sort of curious to try one of the other bar recipes from the book: Barb Ramstad's Kraft caramel bars...  For the time being, here's the blue ribbon winning recipe:

Pat Prager's Peanut Butter Bars

• 2½ cups crushed graham cracker crumbs
• 1 cup melted Grade A butter
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 2½ cups powdered sugar
• 1 cup milk chocolate chips with 1 teaspoon Grade A butter


Mix together the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, peanut butter and sugar. Pat into a greased 9-by-13-inch pan. Melt the chips and butter and spread them on top of the bars. Set in the refrigerator until firm. Cut into bars.