Wednesday, November 30, 2011

WWW Wednesday November 30


Winter has decided to arrive here which puts me in a reading mood. It is too cold to putter outside so now I have more time to read. I finished 4 books over the long weekend. Before you get too impressed, two of them were quick reads. It does feel good to be able to check four books off my tbr list!


WWW Wednesday is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.

To play along, just answer the following three questions…
• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

What are you currently reading?

The Winters Bloom by Lisa Tucker
(excuse the small book cover)

What did you recently finish reading?

South of Superior by Ellen Airgood click for my review


How To Save a Life by Sara Zarr
- not yet reviewed

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznik
- not yet reviewed
The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt by Caroline Preston- not yet reviewed

Be sure to keep an eye out for my upcoming reviews!

What do you think you’ll read next?



Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

This has to get back to the library and so many readers have recommended this title to me.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

South of Superior by Ellen Airgood




South of Superior by Ellen Airgood

Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Riverhead Hardcover (June 9, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1594487936
ISBN-13: 978-1594487934

Summary

A debut novel full of heart, in which love, friendship, and charity teach a young woman to live a bigger life.

When Madeline Stone walks away from Chicago and moves five hundred miles north to the coast of Lake Superior, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, she isn't prepared for how much her life will change.

Charged with caring for an aging family friend, Madeline finds herself in the middle of beautiful nowhere with Gladys and Arbutus, two octogenarian sisters-one sharp and stubborn, the other sweeter than sunshine. As Madeline begins to experience the ways of the small, tight-knit town, she is drawn into the lives and dramas of its residents. It's a place where times are tough and debts run deep, but friendship, community, and compassion run deeper. As the story hurtles along-featuring a lost child, a dashed love, a car accident, a wedding, a fire, and a romantic reunion-Gladys, Arbutus, and the rest of the town teach Madeline more about life, love, and goodwill than she's learned in a lifetime.

A heartwarming novel, South of Superior explores the deep reward in caring for others, and shows how one who is poor in pocket can be rich in so many other ways, and how little it often takes to make someone happy.


About the Author
Ellen Airgood runs a diner in Grand Marais, Michigan. This is her first novel.

My Thoughts

As Madeline Stone is grieving the loss of Emmy, the woman who has raised her from a young girl, she tries to figure out where her life should go next. She is set to marry her well to do boyfriend and live in a nice suburb of Chicago. Madeline is approached by Gladys, old girlfriend of her grandfather's to move to McAllaster, Michigan in the Upper Peninsula to help care for Arbutus, her ailing sister. Madeline who is unsure about anything in life, breaks her engagement and treks off to McAllaster. I was sure she was crazy!

When Madeline arrives in McAllaster, she finds herself in a place much different from Chicago. Time seems to have stood still. People live much simpler and are often struggling. The characters seem very real and are very well developed. I could appreciate their struggles and strengths. Mary was one of my very favorite characters. She lives in a house made from two old tool cribs. She is a proud woman who sells syrup and fish that she catches to survive. There are many more interesting people in the tight knit town that you meet within the pages of the book. You really get the feeling of the community in the book.

As Madeline settles in to life in McAllaster, she discovers the sisters own a defunct hotel. The hotel is in need on renovations but the property on which it sits is very valuable. Someone wishes to buy it and tear the old victorian hotel. Madeline uses the hotel as her refuge when she wants to be alone. She has learn quite a bit about her mother, who abandoned her as a child and her grandfather, who refused to take her in. It is a lot for Madeline to take in and she appreciates the solitude she finds in the old hotel. It takes some time, but as Madeline's love for the hotel grows so does her love for the people of McAllaster. There is a love interest in the story but it is not an overpowering storyline. It is very complimentary and fits in the story nicely.

I enjoyed my visit to McAllaster. When I turned the last page, I felt a little sad, kind of how you feel when you leave your favorite vacation spot. The story moved at a slow pace at times but my interest in the characters and town kept me motivated to read on. I highly recommend this debut novel. Ellen Airgood has created characters that stay with you long after the last page. I look forward to seeing what characters Ellen Airgood comes up with next!


I received this book from Riverhead Books/Penguin books through Librarything Early Reviewers Group for my honest opinion, which in no way influenced this review.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Mailbox Monday November 28


It's Monday and we all know what that means! Mailbox Monday! This month Mailbox Monday is back home at Mailbox Monday hosted by Marcia. Thank you Marcia for creating MM! My wish lists wouldn't be the same without you!

Monday is tough after a nice long weekend! I sure wanted to keep on lounging around this morning. It was nice to just hang out with the kids this weekend. I read and they played video games, shopped, watched tv, and slept. We ate the weekend away! Itw as a great weekend. I hope your weekend was great too!

I received two books last week. One I purchased used from a used book seller on Amazon. I'm not sure but I think the pony express may have been involved in the delivery. It took ten days to get here. Kind of a long time for an Amazon seller. It did get here though, so I am grateful. The other book I received for review.


My purchased book

Love Finds You in Victory Heights, Washington by Tricia Goyer and Ocieanna Fleiss

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Summerside Press (July 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1609360001
ISBN-13: 978-1609360009

Summary

The Second World War has stolen Rosalie's fiance from her. But rather than wallow, Rosalie throws herself into her work at the Boeing plant in Victory Heights, shooting rivets into the B-17 bombers that will destroy the enemy. A local reporter dubs her Seattle's Own Rosie the Riveter, and her story lends inspiration to women across the country. While Rosalie's strong arms can bear the weight of this new responsibility, her heart cannot handle the intense feelings that begin to surface for Kenny, the handsome reporter. Fear of a second heartbreak is a powerful opponent - but will it claim victory over love?


For review courtesy of Viking/Penguin

Drifting House by Krys Lee

Hardcover: 224 pages
Publisher: Viking Adult (February 2, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0670023256
ISBN-13: 978-0670023257

Summary

An unflinching portrayal of the Korean immigrant experience from an extraordinary new talent in fiction.

Spanning Korea and the United States, from the postwar era to contemporary times, Krys Lee's stunning fiction debut, Drifting House, illuminates a people torn between the traumas of their collective past and the indignities and sorrows of their present.

In the title story, children escaping famine in North Korea are forced to make unthinkable sacrifices to survive. The tales set in America reveal the immigrants' unmoored existence, playing out in cramped apartments and Koreatown strip malls. A makeshift family is fractured when a shaman from the old country moves in next door. An abandoned wife enters into a fake marriage in order to find her kidnapped daughter.

In the tradition of Chang-rae Lee's Native Speaker and Jhumpa Lahiri's Interpreter of Maladies, Drifting House is an unforgettable work by a gifted new writer.



What wonderful reads made their way into your home?

Thankfully Reading Weekend Wrap Up


I managed to finish 4 books! That sounds impressive but two were books that were extremely quick reads. Still I am happy with what I finished. Now I just need to get the reviews written. Thank you Jenn for hosting!

I finished

How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr

South of Superior by Ellen Airgood

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznik

The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt by Caroline Preston


Not a bad book in the bunch!

Thankfully Reading Weekend -What Book Are You Thankful For?


I have been thinking about this question since it was posted. I think I finally narrowed it down to three books that I am truly thankful for. The list was quite extensive before I whittled it down to these three books which probably have had a huge influence on my becoming the reader I am today.

Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder

I fell in love with Ingalls family long before they became a tv show. I still keep a set of the series on my bookshelves.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

I so love this book. I have several different editions. I used to tell people I was named for Beth. I was not but a young girl can always fantasize, right?

Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

I can't even tell you how many times I have read this. Such a strong spirit.

These are the books that I am thankful for. These are the books I read and reread over and over again.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Weekend Cooking- Betty Crocker-The Big Book of Slow Cooker, Casseroles & More



This is one of my go to cookbooks! I have made several recipes out of this cookbook. The ingredients used for the recipes are ones that are readily available, either in my pantry and in a regular grocery store. There are some great full page pictures in the cookbook but not every recipe has a picture. I love that each recipe has nutritional information listed at the bottom. That came in handy when my mom was living with us. She had sodium restrictions so it was nice to know how much sodium was in each serving. Some recipes that we have tried and loved include; New Potatoes and Spring Vegetables, Mixed Vegetable Bake, Apricot Glazed Carrots, Cheesy Potato Soup, Parmesan-Butternut Squash Gratin, and Ultimate Slow Cooker Potatoes. We have many more recipes we want to try in the cookbook. There is a moment's notice menu planner and a metric conversion guide in the book. This is a great cookbook for the everyday cook.

This is one of our very favorite recipes out of the book. My kids request these potatoes quite a bit. You could make these healthier also by using fat free or low fat milk, sour cream and cream cheese. This recipe comes from page 292 of Betty Crocker The Big Book of Slow Cooker, Casseroles & More

Ultimate Slow Cooker Potatoes

prep time: 15 minutes start to finish:1 hour 45 minutes 12 servings(2/3 cup each)

3 cups boiling water
1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup sour cream
1 package(8 oz)cream cheese, cut into cubes
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
4 cups plain mashed potato mix(dry)
Gravy or chopped fresh parsley, if desired.

1. Spray 3- to 4-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. In cooker, mix water, milk, butter, sour cream, and cream cheese with whisk until blended. Add garlic salt, pepper, and mashed potatoes(dry); mix just until blended.

2. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 1 hour 30 minutes, stirring once after 1 hour.

3. Before serving, stir potatoes. Serve immediately, or hold in slow cooker on Low heat setting up to 3 hours, stirring every 30 minutes. If Potatoes become too thick, stir in additional milk, a couple tablespoons at a time. Serve with gravy or sprinkle with chopped parsley.

1 serving: Calories 250; Total Fat 17g(Saturated Fat 11g; Trans Fat 0.5g); Cholesterol 50mg; Sodium 230mg; Total Carbohydrate 20g(Dietary Fiber 1g); Protein 5g EXCHANGES: 1 1/2 Starch, 3 Fat CARBOHYDRATE CHOICES: 1


Weekend Cooking is a weekly meme sponsored by Beth Fish Reads.
Weekend Cooking is a chance to share the food love. Be sure to check out all the yummy cooking posts on Beth's blog.

Friday, November 25, 2011

Thankfully Reading Weekend 2011 Edition! Kick-Off!




How was your Thanksgiving? I hope you all had a wonderful day! I am roasting a turkey today or tomorrow depending on when it thaws. It has been in our little fridge since Sunday! Apparently our little fridge is well insulated! We ate at my sister's yesterday. We like leftover turkey so I make one so we can enjoy turkey sandwiches all weekend. At some point I will be going shopping for our Christmas tree. I figure we will get it now and keep it outside or in the garden shed in some water. The kids have requested we get the tree before the wind chill falls below 0! It sounds like a good plan!

The time has come for the Thankfully Reading Weekend! Yay! I have a stack of books ready and will be starting shortly. I am keeping this readathon relaxed and won't be keeping track of pages or minutes read. Below is my stack of books. I won't get through them all. Two are half read, two are quick reads, and two are books I have been meaning to get to. I have been looking forward to this! Let the reading begin!


South of Superior by Ellen Airgood
How To Save a Life by Sara Zarr
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznik
The Winters in Bloom by Lisa Tucker
The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt: A Novel in Pictures by Caroline Preston
Exposure by Therese Fowler

Check out the kick off post here.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!


Happy Thanksgiving!

I am not cooking today which is nice. We will be eating at my sister's house. I will be cooking a turkey this weekend though. I can't pass up a good deal and I need to have some turkey leftovers to make my holiday complete. I am looking forward to a turkey sandwich on pumpernickel bread! Yum!

I am so thankful for all my family, friends, followers, fellow readers and book bloggers! I wish every one of you a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Check back tomorrow! The Thankfully Reading Weekend begins! I will be getting my stack of books together today!

Monday, November 21, 2011

Mailbox Monday November 21



It's Monday and we all know what that means! Mailbox Monday! This month Mailbox Monday is back home at Mailbox Monday hosted by Marcia. Thank you Marcia for creating MM! My wish lists wouldn't be the same without you!

It's Monday again! I am not sure how but Monday seems to roll around pretty quickly! I am finally feeling like a human being again. The dogs are doing better and life is much more normal here! I went on a cleaning spree this weekend to try and catch up around here. There is a Butterball thawing in our spare fridge. Christmas catalogs are filling my mailbox and we are already talking about where to purchase our Christmas tree. It feels like I just took last years tree down! This year has flown by fast! I can't believe the holidays are upon us!

I received two books last week. One is for review and the other I purchased with a lovely Barnes and Noble coupon. I can't let a good coupon go to waste!

This weekend I will be participating in the Thankfully Reading Weekend! I can hardly wait! I have two books going right now which I rarely do anymore. I can use some severe reading catch up time. Go on over and sign up!

This book I received for review from Pamela Dorman Books/Viking. It looks like a thrilling scandal!


The Darlings by Christina Alger

Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Pamela Dorman Books (February 16, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0670023272
ISBN-13: 978-0670023271

A sophisticated page-turner about a wealthy New York family embroiled in a financial scandal with cataclysmic consequences.

Now that he's married to Merrill Darling, daughter of billionaire financier Carter Darling, attorney Paul Ross has grown accustomed to New York society and all of its luxuries: a Park Avenue apartment, weekends in the Hamptons, bespoke suits. When Paul loses his job, Carter offers him the chance to head the legal team at his hedge fund. Thrilled with his good fortune in the midst of the worst financial downturn since the Great Depression, Paul accepts the position.

But Paul's luck is about to shift: a tragic event catapults the Darling family into the media spotlight, a regulatory investigation, and a red-hot scandal with enormous implications for everyone involved. Suddenly, Paul must decide where his loyalties lie-will he save himself while betraying his wife and in-laws or protect the family business at all costs?

Cristina Alger's glittering debut novel interweaves the narratives of the Darling family, two eager SEC attorneys, and a team of journalists all racing to uncover-or cover up-the truth. With echoes of a fictional Too Big to Fail and the novels of Dominick Dunne, The Darlings offers an irresistible glimpse into the highest echelons of New York society-a world seldom seen by outsiders-and a fast-paced thriller of epic proportions.


This book I purchased after loving Selznik's book, Wonderstruck! Once I saw the movie trailer for Hugo, I knew I had to read it too. Selznik's book are treasures! The artwork is phenomenal! I included a page from the book so you can see just how wonderful the artwork in the book is!


The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznik

Reading level: Ages 9 and up
Hardcover: 533 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Press; First Edition edition (January 30, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0439813786
ISBN-13: 978-0439813785

Orphan Hugo Cabret lives in a wall. His secret home is etched out in the crevices of a busy Paris train station. Part-time clock keeper, part-time thief, he leads a life of quiet routine until he gets involved with an eccentric, bookish young girl and an angry old man who runs a toy booth in the station. The Invention of Hugo Cabret unfolds its cryptic, magical story in a format that blends elements of picture book, novel, graphic novel, and film. Caldecott Honor-winning author-illustrator Brian Selznick has fashioned an intricate puzzle story that binds the reader like a mesmerist's spell.


(The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznik, page 148 & 149)



I love this picture! A girl surrounded by books! It warms my heart!

What wonderful reads made their way into your home?

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Just For Fun Reading Challenge 2012

Photobucket


It's that time of year again! The new reading challenges are starting to post for sign ups. I love a good challenge even though I am not always successful when participating. This one is one I signed up for this year and I highly recommend it! I have loved participating. Lori over at Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book is the wonderful hostess of this challenge. Read one book a month from your tbr pile or list. One book just for fun! Not for review! Just For Fun! That is it! Easy peasy! I have enjoyed reading books that have been waiting for me to read that I never seem to be able to get around to. I have been able to read books from my tbr pile and wish list.

This year Lori is hosting the challenge on Goodreads. Click on the button above or on the button on my sidebar or on Lori's name above to go to Lori's blog and get the particulars! Then go on over to Goodreads and sign up!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Thankfully Reading Weekend 2011 Edition!



I love a good read-a-thon and I can't think of a better thing to participate in while the turkey and goodies settle and while all the shoppers are out and about scoring their bargains! I am not a Black Friday shopper! The Thankfully Reading Weekend runs from from November 25 through November 27! I have tons of reading to catch up on so I will be there! Be sure to go on over to Jenn's Bookshelves and sign up! I participated last year and had fun. I love to spend Thanksgiving weekend being cozy at home, with my nose in a book. If you do too, join in on the fun!

WWW Wednesday on Thursday


Yesterday was a crazy day here so I am a day late with this post. I am still dragging from this wonderful bug. This morning I am feeling a bit better after a night of over medicating and a whole bag of Hall's cough drops, which I do not recommend! My daughter had a band concert and I was determined to go and not cough through the concert. I was glad I went. It was a nice concert.

WWW Wednesday is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.

To play along, just answer the following three questions…
• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

What are you currently reading?

South of Superior by Ellen Airgood

I am enjoying this book. It takes place in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan or as we call it here, the U.P. I have never been there but I know several people who have. It is a very unique place which lends itself to a very good story with interesting characters.

What did you recently finish reading?

The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin

I finished this book last week. I read parts of it and listened to the audio for other parts. I can recommend both. My review is here.

What do you think you’ll read next?


Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

or


Exposure by Therese Fowler

These are both library books that will need to go back. Both books have been spoken of highly and I am looking forward to both of them.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

The American Heiress


The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin

Hardcover: 480 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Press (June 21, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312658656
ISBN-13: 978-0312658656

Audio CD
Publisher: Macmillan Audio; Unabridged edition (June 21, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1427212295
ISBN-13: 978-1427212290

Summary
Be careful what you wish for. Traveling abroad with her mother at the turn of the twentieth century to seek a titled husband, beautiful, vivacious Cora Cash, whose family mansion in Newport dwarfs the Vanderbilts’, suddenly finds herself Duchess of Wareham, married to Ivo, the most eligible bachelor in England. Nothing is quite as it seems, however: Ivo is withdrawn and secretive, and the English social scene is full of traps and betrayals. Money, Cora soon learns, cannot buy everything, as she must decide what is truly worth the price in her life and her marriage.


My Thoughts

Cora Cash has much to offer a groom so she travels abroad with her mother to find a groom who can give her a title in return. An accident puts in her the hands of Ivo, who's family can benefit from Cora's money. They wed and the scandals begin. Will their marriage survive? Will it be a marriage of convenience or one of love?

At first, I was not a fan of Cora Cash. She seemed like a spoiled young girl who really got on my nerves. She felt she could have whatever she wanted. As she readied herself for the wedding, I began to like her. I found she had a soft side that I was missing in the beginning. Cora seems very naive and sometimes I wondered how she could be so naive with so much going on under her nose. It seemed she was the only one who didn't question where her husband's heart lay. I guess that is why they say love is blind.

There is also a side story which involves Cora's maid, Bertha. Bertha stands by Cora through thick and thin, sometimes giving up her own happiness for her employer. It was nice to see the two stories woven together and see the difference between the two social classes.

The ending was not as I expected it would be but I was okay with it. I saw it going another way. I am wondering if possibly there will be more to this story.

This is a wonderfully detailed book. The descriptions are fantastic! It was a nice escape to 1890's England. If you like a good scandalous, historical read, you will enjoy this book.

I read this book and listened to parts of it. The audiobook was read by Katherine Kellgren who captured the essence of the aristocrat's voices beautifully. I enjoyed her voice and her interpretations of the characters.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Mailbox Monday November 14


Happy Monday! Thank you all for your well wishes for our dogs! Our older dog, Cooper is getting around a little better and our other dog, Jake has finally turned the corner. He is doing much better and even eating without me begging him to eat. Hopefully his stitches will come out today. That will make him a happy camper.

We seem to have a flu bug floating around our house. Lots of coughing going on. I haven't been this sick in a long time. I stayed in bed most of the day yesterday and feel somewhat better today.

It's Monday and we all know what that means! Mailbox Monday! This month Mailbox Monday is back home at Mailbox Monday hosted by Marcia. Thank you Marcia for creating MM! My wish lists wouldn't be the same without you!

These four books came over the past two weeks. One was a purchase, one was a win from Dewey's Read-a-thon donated by Crystal at My Reading Room (thank you Crystal!), and two are for review.


The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt by Caroline Preston


I have read so many fantastic reviews for this book and I had to see it for myself and purchased it. The story is told through Frankie Pratt's scrapbook. I love anything nostalgic so this will be right up my alley!

The Baker's Wife by Erin Healy


This was my win from Dewey's Read-a-thon courtesy of Crystal. This was on my wish list so I was happy to win it!


The Magic Room by Jeffrey Zaslow


I received this book for review from Gotham Books through Librarything Early Reviewers

How To Save a Life by Sara Zarr

I received this book for review through Amazon Vine

So that is what came into my home the past two weeks. What wonderful reads made their way into your home?

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

WWW Wednesday November 9

I'm baaack! At least for now. We seem to be over the hump with the dogs. Our younger dog, Jake has a ways to go yet but he is making some progress. He had some digestive troubles which resulted in surgery. We are not 100% sure what cause it but his seizure medicine is a prime suspect. The vet is changing his meds so we hope we are on the right track now. Our older dog is doing better too and we are looking to get some weight off of him to make it easier for his little legs to carry him around. He has perked up a bit which is a relief to see.

Thank you all for your kind words. It has been a rough 7 days. Reading did not happen during that time. I tried reading when I was up all night with Jake. I read words and turned pages but nothing registered. Finally on Sunday I took the book I was reading and since I had an audio copy, I snuck off to listen and follow along in the book. Somehow it felt comforting to be read to.

I have so much to catch up on. I am sure my google reader is overflowing. I will be trying to read everyone's posts and comment as much as I can.


WWW Wednesday is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.

To play along, just answer the following three questions…
• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?


What are you currently reading?

The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin

You can't go wrong with the audio version or the print version on this book!

What did you recently finish reading?


The America's Test Kitchen Menu Cookbook: Your Guide to Hosting Stress-Free Dinner Parties and Holiday Feasts


You can check out my review here.

What do you think you’ll read next?


South of Superior by Ellen Airgood

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Weekend Cooking

I have been missing in action again this week. This week has been a bad week for our dogs. Our older dog has a nasty bladder infection and is also having trouble getting around. 24 hours later our other dog was in surgery as we suspected he may have had something in his intestines. He did not but his gall bladder was found to be full and not working. He has been up and down here at home the past few days and we are not too sure what is causing his issues although we suspect his seizure medication may be the cause. He is a very sick pooch! Not much reading has been done here this week. I tried but nothing is sticking with me right now as I am worried. I did however, try a menu out of this cookbook since I am stuck at home with sick dogs. It was a nice distraction.



The America's Test Kitchen Menu Cookbook: Your Guide to Hosting Stress-Free Dinner Parties and Holiday Feasts

Hardcover: 344 pages
Publisher: Boston Common Press (October 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1933615907
ISBN-13: 978-1933615905

When you're entertaining, there's no room for failure--you want your food to deliver on taste and presentation--yet you want the recipes to be approachable enough so that you can enjoy the party, too. Menu planning is hard even for very experienced cooks, but with The America's Test Kitchen Menu Cookbook, we have taken the guesswork out of entertaining. The recipes are built and tested so that they complement each other, and all the logistics have been sorted out. You don't need to worry about oven space or temperature issues--we've done all that for you. And to keep the process stress-free, make-ahead instructions are built into individual recipes as well as each menu's game plan. Want to host a fall dinner party but don't want to get up at the crack of dawn? Try our Rustic Fall Pork Dinner. Simple ham and cheese palmiers made with puff pastry are a sure-to-impress starter, while the main course is an easy but elegant entree and side combo you can make on a sheet pan: roast pork loin with sweet potatoes and cilantro sauce. Tired of stressing out over Thanksgiving? Follow our timelines from start to finish and you'll be sipping a glass of wine along with your guests while the bird roasts. Want to bring the party outdoors? Try our Beat-the-Heat Grilled Shrimp Dinner or Dinner from the Garden. And themed menus like our Tapas Party, Pizza Night, Mexican Fiesta, and more are both fun and manageable. Stumped by appetizers but tired of serving crackers and cheese? You'll find plenty of options here, like our Simple Caramelized Onion Tart with Fig Jam, Blue Cheese, and Prosciutto (store bought pizza dough makes this a snap). Or our contemporary take on smoked salmon canapes that features an easy creme fraiche dip, potato chips, and sliced smoked salmon. Organized around the seasons with menus that serve eight, plus a special holiday and for-a-crowd chapter, The America's Test Kitchen Menu Cookbook takes all the guesswork out of putting together flavorful and practical menus. Packed with tips that will help you shop and budget your time, this book is a must-have for anyone who likes to entertain.

My Thoughts

This is a beautiful book as well as helpful by America's Test Kitchen. The beginning of the book lists items you may need for a well stocked kitchen. They explain how the kitchen items are used. They have a section on quick tips that make your food preparation easier. Also there is an emergency substitution list which is wonderful for the items you may have forgotten to pick up at the store. The rest of the book is full of menus divided up by the season. Each menu includes at least one picture which I find extremely helpful in a cookbook. Each recipe includes a small paragraph on why the recipe works. I love the little explanations. They are both helpful and informative.

My daughter and I chose a Fall menu, Farmhouse Chicken Dinner. We chose this one as we thought it was one of the easier menus in the book. Our menu consisted of Rustic Breaded Chicken with Brussels Sprouts, Honeyed Goat Cheese with Spice Walnuts and Figs, Herbed Barley Pilaf, and Autumn Pear Crumble. We found the chicken, the goat cheese and the pear crumble to be delicious and fairly easy to prepare. We had to substitute apples for the figs in the goat cheese recipe which was a suggestion made by the cookbook if figs were not available. We thought the pilaf could have been more flavorful if chicken stock had been used in the cooking process instead of water. The chicken was soaked in a brine which I had never done before and was very tender and juicy! I will be using that recipe again! The recipes in the menu were a nice compliment to each other.

I am not a beginner cook. I would say I am a everyday household cook. The menu took us all afternoon to prepare, a good 5 hours. The recipes all have several steps. There are some things that could be done a day ahead of time which they have been kind enough to point out in the book. I do wish there had been a timeline in the book telling me what I should be working on and in what order. The recipes are just listed and not necessarily in the order of how you should prepare them. At one point I had two things in the oven and needed to put a third item in there at a different temperature. The recipes were lovely but if I had been making this for a dinner party, I would have missed all the fun. These are recipes that will keep you in the kitchen. They are very involved. There are many other recipes I wish to try out of this cookbook but I don't think I would tackle a full menu again. I was exhausted after making a full menu.

I enjoyed many of the recipes in this book and all the helpful tips. If you love being in the kitchen for hours on end, you may like this cookbook. I think this is a cookbook for the serious entertainer or advanced home chef.

I received this book for review which in no way influenced this review




Weekend Cooking is a weekly meme sponsored by Beth Fish Reads.
Weekend Cooking is a chance to share the food love. Be sure to check out all the yummy cooking posts on Beth's blog.