Review and Giveaway of The Little Mermaid (Movie) 30th Anniversary Edition

It's hard to believe, but Walt Disney Studio's double Academy Award-winning The Little Mermaid is celebrating its 30th anniversary. To commemorate this milestone, the studio has recently released an updated anniversary edition, complete with all new bonus features and now available digitally as well as on Blu-ray.

Thanks to Walt Disney Studios, I was able to revisit this now-classic movie, which is based on the Hans Christian Andersen tale about a young mermaid who dreams of becoming a human. I loved the digital edition of The Little Mermaid just as much as I loved the feature film when it was first released. I had forgotten how great the songs are (especially "Under the Sea" and "Part of Your World") and that plot is more than just a love story, thanks to the evil Ursula's treachery.

The fantastic cast includes Jodi Benson as Ariel, Pat Carrol as Ursula, Samuel E. Wright as Sebastian, Christopher Daniel Barnes as Eric, and Jason Marin as Flounder. There wasn't a weak link among the actors, though you have to love Sebastian and Flounder, don't you? The colors are super, and the movie doesn't disappoint in terms of action, humor, and drama (hello, sharks, shipwrecks, and storms).

I loved seeing the behind-the-scenes features of The Little Mermaid, in which the actors talk about their experiences making the animated movie and how closely they worked with the artists. I also enjoyed seeing the deleted and alternative scenes. Besides the classic bonus features, the anniversary edition includes a sing-a-long mode, which would great fun to watch with your kids (or when you're home alone).

The digital edition has some exclusives. First is "Part of Your World--A 30-Year Retrospective," in which songwriter Alan Menken and Jodi Benson sing and talk about the movie's hit song "Part of Your World." There are also a series of music videos, Easter eggs, and other bonus clips. In fact, there are so many extras, I haven't had time to explore them all.

GIVEAWAY: Again thanks to Walt Disney Studios, I'm able to offer one of my readers a copy of the digital Anniversary Edition of The Little Mermaid to help celebrate the movie's 30th anniversary. All you have to do to be entered for a chance to win is to have a USA mailing address and fill out the following form. I'll use a random number generator to pick a winner on March 6. Once the winner has been confirmed, I'll pass his or her mailing address along to the publicists and then delete all data from my computer. The publicists will ship a digital code directly to the winner. Good luck.

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Today's Read: The Last Woman in the Forest by Diane Les Becquets

What would you do if you were essentially widowed when you were still under the spell of a new love and your forever partner? For Marian, the tragedy deepens as she tries to prove her beloved Tate is innocent of a series of gruesome murders. Kind man who loved animals, nature, and Marian or monster who lured vulnerable women to their deaths? And if not Tate, then who? Here's how the book begins (skipping prologue):

It's a terrible thing to have loved someone and not know the extent to which you'd been deceived, and a more terrible thing still to love someone and not know if you'd been loved in return. There is something shameful in that prospect, the kind of shame that can reduce a person to someone she no longer recognizes.

—The Last Woman in the Forest by Diane Les Becquets (Berkley, March 5, 2019., p. 11 [ARC])

Quick Facts

• Setting: wilderness, mostly northern United States and southern Canada
• Circumstances: Marian loves the outdoors and has been part of wildlife research teams in a variety of settings. When she gets a chance to retrain rescue dogs to help with studies on animal behavior and habitat, she knows she found her dream job. But it's more than just working with the dogs, it's getting to know her mentor, a charming young man named Tate. As Marian makes friends in the research group and demonstrates her abilities to survive in the wild and to work with the dogs, she finds herself falling for Tate, who seems loving and supportive. When Tate dies in a terrible accident while doing fieldwork on his own, Marian wants to learn more of the man she loved, discovering that he didn't always tell her the truth. Could he have been the perpetrator of a series of murders, all involving trusting young women? Or is someone else on the team trying to scare Marian for other reasons?
• Genre: psychological thriller
• Themes: outdoor life, friendship, trust, self-discovery . . . and a little murder
• My thoughts about this book: I ate up the information about using dogs to help conduct research on endangered species and was impressed with the author's descriptions of life as a field biologist and of the wilderness settings. Les Becoquets built up a nice creep factor, and I wasn't always sure whom Marian should trust. The details about working with the dogs and coping with wilderness life were really well done. The plot contained a couple of unexpected twists, and I liked the relationship between Marian and an older criminal profiler she turns to for help. All in all a decent thriller.
• A warning: A couple of scenes were very graphic, and if you have trigger issues with violence against women, you should be prepared.
• Audiobook: The bulk of the unabridged auidobook (Penguin Audio; 11 hr, 29 min) is read by Emily Rankin, who performs the chapters told from Marian's point of view. Her pacing and intonations help create a foreboding atmosphere. Robert Fass's delivery of the criminal profiler, who is determined to find the person who murdered several women, captures both his professional and his private sides. Four other narrators have smaller parts. A recommended audiobook.
• Extra: Whether you read this in print or in audio, don't miss the author's note at the end.
• Acknowledgments: thanks to Berkley and Penguin Audio the review copies of Diane Les Becquets's The Last Woman in the Forest.

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Weekend Cooking: Ella Brennan: Commanding the Table (Film)

Have you ever heard of Ella Brennan? I hadn't, but I sure have heard about her restaurants and the chefs she nurtured into fame.I have also heard about (and experienced) the world-renown food scene of New Orleans, for which she deserves much, much credit.

The documentary film Ella Brennan: Commanding the Table (directed by Leslie Iwerks, 2016, streaming on Netflix) introduces to this amazing NOLA native through vintage photos and film, visits to her restaurants, and personal interviews.

When Ella was just 20 years old and with no business experience, her much older brother put her in charge of a newly acquired family restaurant, which was to be called Brennan's and which soon changed the face of the New Orleans restaurant scene. It was at that restaurant that she came up with the dessert Bananas Foster, which is now served the world over.

From there, she bought and revived the Commander's Palace, which eventually became one of the best restaurants in the country. Her vision brought Cajun food to the general public after she hired a young local chef no one had ever heard of by the name of Paul Prudhomme. Later, she took a chance on another unknown, the 24-year-old Emeril Lagasse. Ella not only encouraged her staff and chefs to do their best for her own restaurants but she relished their growth and celebrated their decisions to move out on their own.

The documentary is Ella's story, the story of a family, the story of American local cuisine, and the story of a city's evolution into a major food destination.  Ella Brennan ends with the rebuilding of the restaurant after the devastation of Katrina, highlighting the determination it took to start over again after the loss of absolutely everything.

Ella was an amazingly generous person and an extremely hard worker. Despite several setbacks--some personal, some financial--she never gave up, moving forward to help her family and her staff.

The film focused on Ella's life in the restaurant business and her influence on New Orleans food and American tastes. Still, I wish director Iwerks had featured the city and its diverse population more strongly. Despite that, Ella Brennan: Commanding the Table was a fascinating introduction to a shining star in the American food world.

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International Freebie!

If you'd like a PDF copy of the cookbook that accompanies Crystal King's The Chef's Secret (see my post from Monday), either comment on this post or link up your own foodie post and then fill out this form. Everyone who provides his or her email after commenting or participating will get a copy. Fun fact: I adapted one of my grandmother's recipes for the book!



I'll delete your email from the Google form after I send you your cookbook.
=======================

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Weekend Cooking is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book reviews (novel, nonfiction), cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, quotations, photographs, restaurant reviews, travel information, or fun food facts. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. You do not have to post on the weekend. Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page.

NOTE: Mr. Linky sometimes is mean and will give you an error message. He's usually wrong and your link went through just fine the first time. Grrrr.
_______

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5 Thrillers for Late Winter Nights

February's blue skies can't fool me; I know there are plenty of cold and snowy days ahead. I'm not complaining (too much) though, because indoor living means more time for reading. A blustery late-winter night provides just the right atmosphere for a spine-chilling thriller or mystery. Here are five of this month's thrillers that might have escaped your attention. It's never too late to give them try.

The Winter Sister by Megan Collins (Atria, Feb. 5): When Sylvie moves back home to tend to her sick mother, she is confronted with the past she's tried to forget. About 16 years earlier her sister went out on a forbidden date and was never seen alive again. The killer remains identified, but as Sylvie settles back into her childhood house, she discovers secrets and unearths new information. Among the suspects is the male nurse who is currently working at the cancer center where Sylvie's mother is being treated. Opening line: When they found my sister's body, the flyers we'd hung around town were still crisp against the telephone poles.

In the Dark by Cara Hunter (Penguin Books, Feb. 19): Detective Inspector Adam Fawley is called to an Oxford house where a woman and child are found locked in the basement and near death. The woman is too traumatized to offer any help. Fawley must figure out if the bad-tempered owner of the house, suffering from dementia, is responsible or if there was another way the victims could have been imprisoned. The case reopens an older missing persons investigation, a body is found buried in the back garden, and Fawley is dealing with his own family issues. Opening line: She opens her eyes to a darkness as close as a blindfold.

Blood Orange by Harriet Tyce (Grand Central, Feb. 19): Allison, a lawyer on the rise, is finally given a murder case. She is to defend a woman who is accused of killing her husband. One problem: the woman says she did it. Allison, though, thinks there's more the case than meets the eye. Another problem or two: Allison is drinking too much, is unfaithful to her husband, and is neglecting her young daughter. What's worse, someone is threatening to reveal all her secrets, which would dismantle her family and her career. Which of these women will be saved, and who will do the saving? Opening line: The October sky lies gray above me and my wheelie bag's heavy but I wait for the bus and count my blessings.

The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley (William Morrow, Feb. 19): A group of nine college friends, now in their 30s, continue their tradition of getting together and staying close. This year, they agree to a New Year's Eve trip to a cabin in the Scottish Highlands. After all have arrived, winter descends with a vengeance, snowing them in for the duration. With plenty of food and drink, they're unconcerned, until one of the friends goes missing. This is a classic closed-room mystery in which all the suspects claim to like each other. But, wait! What about the gamekeeper and other locals, who may be very comfortable wandering outside despite the storm? Opening line: I see a man coming through the falling snow.

The Syndicate by Guy Bolton (Oneworld, Feb. 7): Erstwhile Hollywood fixer Jonathan Craine has given up big-city life, living peacefully with his son in rural California until he's given an offer he can't refuse from the LA mafia. In the summer of 1947, mob leader Bugsy Siegel is found murdered in his Beverly Hills home. Craine has five days to identify the killer or both he and his son will be swimming with the fishes. Without access to police records or crime scene data, Craine scrounges to find help, coming up with an elderly hit man and a dubious female reporter. Period details and the Mafia vibe add flavor to this thriller. Opening line: He parked the car half-way down Linden Drive and went the rest of the way on foot.

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Wordless Wednesday 535

February Field

Click image to enlarge. For more Wordless Wednesday, click here.

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Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: A Great Reading Week

I've reached that point where cabin fever is starting to set in. The sleet or ice or cold or snow has kept me cooped up inside and made me miss way too many outdoor walks. It's driving me crazy!

We finally started the new season of True Detective. I like it but need to see a few more episodes before commenting. We finished the Netflix series You, which started out strong, but I was less enamored by the end. We also finally watched the movie Room, which I liked. It's been too long since I read the book to make detailed comparisons, but the young actor who played Jack did an excellent job.

Here's what I read last week.

The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie (Orbit, Feb. 26): I really liked this epic fantasy--told in a mix of first and second person--about gods and humans, sons and fathers, how power travels through the world. As other reviewers have noted, some of the plot lines are similar to Hamlet (a young man returns from war to find his father dead and his uncle on the throne), but much is unique. The god Strength and Patience of the Hill has witnessed eons of the world's history and the rise of humans. Through Strength's narration we learn about the ancient gods, how they gain (and lose) power, where that power lies, what they can (and cannot do), their relationships with each other, and their complex connections with people. At the same time, we are following the political and religious goings on in the kingdom of Iraden. I was intrigued by Leckie's take on the world of the gods, which is different from that of Roman and Greek mythology. In The Raven Tower universe, gods must think carefully before they speak, because their words have the power to change the world and to change their own fate. I was also caught up in the court politics and how the paths of the gods and the humans were intertwined. Don't miss this one. I listened to the unabridged auidobook (Hachette Audio; 12 hr, 2 min) read by Adjoa Andoh, who does a brilliant job conveying the emotional depth of Strength and Patience of the Hill and the god's reactions to all it witnesses throughout the millennia. (audiobook provided by the publisher)

Good Riddance by Elinor Lipman (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Feb. 5): In a fit of Kondo-inspired tidying up, Daphne Maritch throws her late-mother's annotated high school yearbook into the recycling bin. In 1968 in a small New Hampshire town, Daphne's mom, June, was a teacher and the yearbook adviser; from that time on, she never missed a reunion of that class, updating her copy of the yearbook with the juicy tidbits of gossip and facts she learned each year. After Daphne's documentary-filmmaker-wantabe neighbor retrieves the yearbook, Maritch family secrets begin to leak out. This is a light, fun contemporary story of a young woman trying to find her place in the world and in New York. Her widowed father, snobby older sister, and various apartment building neighbors have parts to play as Daphne learns that her mother may not have been perfect and that her parents' loving marriage may have had some cracks. Pop culture, humor, and desperate acts keep the plot moving. Unfortunately one of the principal motivators for the entire novel is based on genetics, and the author got those genetics wrong. If I hadn't been listening to this book for a freelance assignment, I would have quit right there. The non-geneticists among you will enjoy this lighthearted novel. The unabridged audiobook (Dreamscape; 8 hr, 7 min) was very nicely read by Mia Barron, whose expressive performance brought out the humor and tapped into the characters' emotional journeys. (audiobook provided for a freelance assignment).

The River by Peter Heller (Knopf, March 5): I love Peter Heller, and this novel was one of my most anticipated books of the year. I was not disappointed, and The River is now sitting pretty as the best book I've read in a long while. This is the story of Wynn and Jack, both outdoorsy and from rural backgrounds, who meet at college and become best friends. They spend as much time as possible canoeing rivers, fly-fishing, and camping. They have a natural and respectful interpersonal rhythm, and easily travel and work together. While on a canoe trip in Canada, they notice the signs of a not-so-distance forest fire and thus decide to make haste to their take-out point. On that foggy morning they pass two other sets of campers: a pair of drunken older men who mock the boys and a couple camped on an island who can be heard arguing. From that point on the trip takes a dark turn as the boys' safety seems to be jeopardized along more than one front. I love how Heller conveys what it's like to be on a wilderness river--the sights, sounds, work, conditions--and his obvious passion for and knowledge of fly fishing shines. Heller is a master at creating a creeping buildup of danger, holding it just out of sight so you never quite know where and when or if it will manifest. I was completely connected to Wynn and Jack and understood what moved them, what made them who they were. Do not miss this one. (copy provided for a freelance assignment)

Enchantee by Gita Trelease (Flatiron, Feb. 5): I already wrote about this nicely done alternate history look at pre-revolutionary France and the intrigues of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette's court. Camille has inherited the gift of magic from her mother and the printer's trade from her father, but her apprenticeships are cut off when both parents die from smallpox in the late 1780s. Her older brother fails to offer Camille and their younger sister protection, leaving the girls on their own in a Paris that isn't kind to the poor or to girls. Realizing she must use whatever power she has, Camille dons her mother's enchanted dress and infiltrates Versailles, hoping her magic will help her win at cards and rise from poverty. The only trouble is that the magic of the dress lasts only so long, life at court is much more complicated than Camille is prepared for, and she is not the only magician in the palace. In some ways Enchantee is a Cinderella retelling: through magic, a poor girl is transformed, goes to court, and turns heads; but she must leave before her disguise falls apart. I always like a fairy tale retelling and enjoyed those aspects of Enchantee. I also liked the historical facts and period details of Paris: the rumblings of revolution, the storming of the Bastille, the attitudes of the rich, the fashions of court, and the new technology of hot-air ballooning. There were few surprises in Enchantee, but the ending was both exciting and satisfying. I listened to the unabridged audiobook (Macmillian Audio, 12 hr, 56 min) read by Justine Erye, who is one of my go-to narrators. She did an excellent job with the various accents and distinguishing among the characters. (print copy provided by the publisher; audio copy provided for a freelance assignment)

"Mercy" by Mandeliene Smith from Rutting Season (Scribner, Feb. 12). This week's short story comes from a debut collection. "Mercy" is set on a small family farm, where May is coping with sudden widowhood and the stresses of being a single mother solely in charge of keeping everything on track. The farm was her idea; her husband was a lawyer who gamely agreed to keeping animals, especially Pam's beloved horses. The emotional and dramatic aspects of the story were strong but realistic, and I could sense just how hard it was for Pam to move through her new reality while trying to present a strong and upbeat front for her young children. I will be reading more from this collection; the stories are billed as being about women and families on the brink of transformation. (digital copy provided by the publisher)

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Weekend Cooking: The Good Food by Daniel Halpern and Julie Strand

I'm one of those cooks who remembers the pre-internet days of trying to hunt down recipes with global flavors. If you didn't start putting together a massive cookbook collection, you simply wouldn't have access to Persian stews or Asian soups or Mideastern salads.

In the mid-1980s, Daniel Halpern and Julie Strand's The Good Food: A Cookbook of Soups, Stews, and Pastas (reissued by Ecco in January 2019) was a godsend, even if you had to go to a specialty market (or grow your own) to find fresh cilantro. In the 21st century, every imaginable recipe is available with the click of mouse or a tap on a screen, and even small towns like mine carry international ingredients at the general supermarket.

Despite the wonders of Pinterest, I found The Good Food to be full of appealing recipes for the kinds of meals I love--soups, stews, pastas, salads, and spreads. This book celebrates foods from around the world that say, Come into my kitchen. Sit at my table. Stay a while. It's just the kind of cookbook I bought in the 80s, and it's likely I even owned a copy (before my big cookbook purge of several years ago).

The recipes range from basic stocks to the more complex, and I'm truly drawn to many of the comforting dishes. The cookbook includes cold soups (curried zucchini) and hot soups (corn chowder), familiar stews (jambalaya) and new ones (saag gosht), and simple pastas (olive oil, garlic, and parsley) and fancy ones (poached salmon and creamy vinaigrette). Plus there's a chapter on accompaniments (chutneys, salads).

To be honest, if you're all about up-to-the-minute trends and a zillion fashion photos, you might want to look elsewhere. But if you're interested in classic, solid, stood-the-test-of-time recipes for the types of dinners that welcome home family and friends, then The Good Food is your cookbook. Be aware that Halpern and Strand do not shy away from cream and butter and have a heavy bent for meats, fish, and fowl.

None of that bothers me, and I'm glad to have a digital copy (thanks to Ecco) in my collection. The following simple pasta dish is on deck for this coming week.

Baked Fusilli with Cheese Parsley, and Scallions
Serves 8
A variation on the classic American macaroni and cheese, this make a fine Sunday night supper when followed by a green salad. We prefer the texture of the fusilli, and it catches the bits of parsley, scallion, and cheese.

• Salt
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 pound fusilli
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/3 cup minced scallions, with 1 inch of the green
• Pinch cayenne
• 1 1/2 pounds white cheddar cheese, grated
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
• 1/4 cup bread crumbs
• 1 tablespoon butter

In a kettle, bring 5 quarts water to a boil and add 1 tablespoon of salt and the vegetable oil. Add the fusilli, stir, and cook until not quite al dente. Drain thoroughly.

In a large bowl, beat the eggs lightly and then stir in the milk. Add the parsley, scallions, cayenne, and 1 teaspoon salt. Add the fusilli and toss. Fold in the cheddar.

With 1/2 tablespoon of the butter, coat a shallow rectangular baking dish, about 14 x 9 x 2 inches. Spoon the fusilli mixture into the baking dish. Sprinkle the Parmesan and the bread crumbs over the top and dot with the remaining butter.

Bake in a preheated 350F oven until the top is browned and the fusilli is bubbling, about 30 minutes.

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International Freebie!

If you'd like a PDF copy of the cookbook that accompanies Crystal King's The Chef's Secret (see my post from Monday), either comment on this post or link up your own foodie post and then fill out this form. Everyone who provides his or her email after commenting or participating will get a copy. Fun fact: I adapted one of my grandmother's recipes for the book!



I'll delete your email from the Google form after I send you your cookbook.
=======================

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Weekend Cooking is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book reviews (novel, nonfiction), cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, quotations, photographs, restaurant reviews, travel information, or fun food facts. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. You do not have to post on the weekend. Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page.

NOTE: Mr. Linky sometimes is mean and will give you an error message. He's usually wrong and your link went through just fine the first time. Grrrr.
_______

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4 New Books for YA Readers (Not a Fantasy in Sight)

Do you think all young adult fiction is fantasy? Sometimes it can feel that way, but in truth young readers are very much interested in contemporary issues, mystery, and even some romance. Today's round-up offers suggestions to please more down-to-earth readers, of any age. Don't be put off by the audience; you just might find a beloved book or author among the titles originally written for youthful readers. Harry Potter, anyone?

Give Me Thrills and Chills

• A Danger to Herself and Others by Alyssa Sheinmel (Sourcebooks Fire, Feb. 5): Hannah doesn't want to spend her senior year under psychological observation and confinement. She insists she had nothing to do with her BFF's accidental fall from a high window. No one believes Hannah, until she gets a roommate at the mental institution. At first Hannah's circumstances improve, but soon her perception of reality seems to unravel, and she wonders who she can trust. Themes: friendship, mental health.
• Following by Jeffry W. Johnston (Sourcebooks Fire, Feb. 5): Alden wants to be an investigator and often practices by tailing his classmates and making observations. Alden thinks what he's doing is harmless, until he witnesses a boy murder his girlfriend--but then the girl shows up again a few days later. What did Alden really see and who will believe him? Themes: telling the truth, loss, parenting, friendship.

Contemporary Life

• Rayne & Delilah's Midnite Matinee by Jeff Zentner (Crown BYR, Feb. 26): Best friends Josie and Delia make the most of their out-of-school hours by hosting a Friday-night local cable TV show that features horror movies and fright-night fun. As graduation from high schools nears, Josie is hoping to pursue a career in television, while Delia is left with many fewer choices. When they see a chance to take their show to a wider audience, they jump on it, but will the end of their road trip fulfill their dreams? Themes: friendship, family, depression, socioeconomic issues, dreams.
• No One Here Is Lonely by Sarah Everett (Knopf BYR, Feb. 5): Summer after senior year, Eden finds herself at loose ends. Her best friend has drifted onto her own path, the boy she was crushing on died in a car accident a few weeks earlier, and her siblings seem so self-assured. Eden withdraws into herself, pretending life hasn't changed, but as summer progresses will she be able to resist the call of new possibilities? Themes: friendship, grief, finding one's self, maturing

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Today's Read: The Chef's Secret by Crystal King

Imagine you were the apprentice to the Vatican chef and then inherited all of his recipes and other writings as well as his position. You would think your future was secure, but in sixteenth-century Rome, no one was safe from plotting and rivals and everyone had secrets. This is what Giovanni discovers after his uncle and mentor, the great chef Bartolomeo Scappi, dies in Rome on April 14, 1577.

Word traveled fast at the Vaticano, even during the darkness of night. Within an hour of Bartolomeo Scappi's passing, serving women from all over the palazzo had come to the chef's bedside, crying for the man they had loved and respected. They keened and wept, tearing at their hair, their skin and clothing, their wails filling the gilded halls. Franceso Reinoso, the Vaticano scalco, ordered the staff to bring candles, and soon they filled the room with their glow, lighting up the shadows and illuminating the faces of the mourners. As papal steward, Franceso always kept things in order, even when his best friend was before him on the bier.

—The Chef's Secret by Crystal King (Atria, February 12, 2019, p. 1 [ARC])

Quick Facts

• Setting: Late 1500s, Italy, especially Rome
• Circumstances: After Bartolomeo Scappi, chef to the popes, dies, his nephew and apprentice, Giovanni, inherits everything, but he is told he must burn Scappi's personal journal and letters, without reading them or revealing their contents. Of course, Giovanni cannot help but look, and once he breaks his uncle's encryption, he learns of Bartolomeo's hidden life. The book is told along two time lines—Bartolomeo's and Giovanni's—and both are filled with family infighting, mystery, secrets, politics, murder, jealousy, and romance. The book is ripe with period details, individuals from history, and lots of social and political intrigue. Throughout the novel, of course, are wonderful descriptions of food and menus and the distinctive flavors of Renaissance Italy.
• Genre: historical fiction, foodie
• Themes: family, secrets, romance, food, Vatican and Roman politics
• Something to know: Bartolomeo Scappi was a real person. He was indeed a famous Renaissance chef who cooked for the popes and who wrote a popular cookbook. Not much is known about him, but I enjoyed King's vision of Bartolomeo's rise to fame.
• Recommendation: Perfect for readers who like Vatican politics, Renaissance Italy, the history of food and cooking, and historical fiction
• Meet the author: Visit King's website to learn more about her, Bartolomeo, and 16th-century food and cooking.
• Exciting Extra: Crystal King put together a PDF cookbook with more than two dozen recipes inspired by The Chef's Secret. Some are adaptations of ancient recipes and some are modern dishes that would easily fit in one of Bartolomeo's menus. I was thrilled when Crystal asked me to contribute a recipe, and I had fun coming up with the perfect dish (hint: it's a dessert). I am giving away a PDF copy of the cookbook to every person who participates in my Weekend Cooking link-up on February 16 or 23 or who leaves a comment on one of those posts (I'll include a form that you can fill out in those posts). Open internationally. I hope to see you there!
• Acknowledgments: Many thanks to Crystal King for the advanced reader copy of The Chef's Secret and for the opportunity to contribute to the accompanying cookbook.

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Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: 7 Short Book Reviews

Happy Monday! I hope that everyone is ready to face the week, whether you're working, vacationing, or somewhere in between. I'm grateful to have a regular workweek ahead of me and am hoping to have the time to catch up on reading, straighten the house, and relax with some pleasure reading (or listening)

Since I last wrote about the books I'm reading, we've gone through the polar vortex, had some crazy warm days, fierce winds, and now we're on the brink of another snow storm. Starting Sunday night and heading on to Tuesday, we could see another foot or so of snow as well as an accumulation of ice. Have I mentioned lately that I'm so, so glad I work from home?

I missed last week's short story, but I read one over the weekend. I've been reading the first story in each collection, but at the end of February, I think I'll take a different tack and start reading the title story instead.

Here's what I read over the last two weeks. Many of them are audiobooks, because that's what I turn to when I busy editing.

At the Wolf's Table by Rosella Postorino, translated from the Italian by Leah Janeczko (Flatiron, January 29). This is a totally different take on the World War II story (at least for me) and was inspired by a true story. In 1943, Hitler was headquartered at the Wolfshanze (the Wolf's Lair), where he had a personal chef prepare his meals. Hitler's fear of poisoning ran deep, so he forced 10 local, German women to eat three meals a day at his country home. After they ate, they remained under SS guard for about an hour, to see if anyone got sick or died. Rosa Sauer, is one of the tasters. She is living with her in-laws, whom she barely knows, while her husband is fighting in the German army. The food tasters don't know each other before their assignment, but they soon develop uneasy friendships: some are proud to be Nazis, others (like Rosa) are not, but try to do what they must to survive. Some of the SS men are strict, others begin to ease up. No one is really safe. Because Rosa tells the story, we know she lives, but what we don't know is how or why. I was really interested what becoming tasters did to the women: they all lived with a constant fear of dying, and for the women like Rosa there was the further dilemma of being forced to protect Hitler while not believing in anything he was doing. Can Rosa ever have peace with herself; does she in fact really survive to have a full life? Even if you think you've read everything about World War II, you should give Postorino's novel a try. This would make a great book club pick because there is so much to think about. I don't want to give away what happens to Rosa, but I think about her choices, her interactions with the other people involved in the cooking and tasting, her relationship with her husband and his family, how we should think about her, and what her postwar life is like. This novel is all the stronger because it is based on the confessions of one of the real-life food tasters. (copy provided by the publisher)

Daughter of a Daughter of a Queen by Sarah Bird (St. Martin's Press, September 4, 2018). In one of those odd quirks, I ended up reading another book based on a true story of a woman in wartime, this time the American Civil War. Cathy Williams was born into slavery in the Deep South and "freed" by Union General Philip Sheridan, who needed an assistant for his camp cook. Cathy worked for Sheridan, learning to survive in a world of white men, all the while missing her mother who told her stories of Africa and the gods and her own mother, who was a queen. After the war, there were few opportunities for a black woman who wanted to escape the hate and violence of the defeated South, so Cathy disguised herself as a man and enlisted into the army under the name William Cathay. She thus became the first woman to ever serve in the peacetime U.S. Army. As a member of the cavalry, she and her fellow buffalo soldiers went west to fight the Indians and open the land up to (mostly white) settlers. Cathy's story is not a fairy tale: she misses her family, she is terrified of being found out and raped, she almost dies in the southwest desert, and she mourns the death of those she loved. I had never heard of Cathy Williams nor had I read much about the buffalo soldiers. Don't pass this by because you think you're not all that interested in the Civil War and the settling of the American West. This is the true story of a brave woman who tried to find a way to survive in a changing world. I listened to the unabridged audiobook (Macmillan Audio; 16 hr, 31 min) brilliantly read by Bahni Turpin. Turpin's expressive performance brings Cathy Williams's story alive. The audiobook also includes an interview with the author. (copy provided for a freelance assignment)

From Twinkle, With Love by Sandhya Menon (Simon Pulse, May 22, 2018). This is a fun story about Twinkle Mehr, an Indian American, who dreams of becoming a filmmaker but thinks she has a million strikes against her. She lives in Colorado Springs, her parents can't afford to buy her good equipment and won't be able to pay for an expensive out-of-state college, and she's not a member of the popular group at school. To make things worse, her best friend is suddenly social climbing and the guy she's crushing on is not returning the feelings. When Sahil Roy--the twin brother of Twinkle's crush--offers her a chance to make a film for a local festival, Twinkle thinks all her dreams will come true. Not only will she be able to make a real movie but she'll have a chance to catch the eye of the cool kids. The novel is told through Twinkle's diary entries, with a few sections from Sahil's perspective, and is somewhat more than a cute contemporary teen rom-com. Twinkle's home life is difficult (for example, her mother suffers from depression) and she has many life lessons to learn about love and friendship and the dream of fame. I always enjoy Menon's take on Desi teen life. I listened to the unabridged audiobook (Simon & Schuster Audio; 9 hr, 32 min) read by Soneela Nankani and Vikas Adam. Both Nankani and Adam did a fine job tapping into their inner teen, though Nankani occasionally went over the top with her emotions. Still, a decent audiobook. (digital and audio copies provided by the publisher)

The Chessmen by Peter May (Quercus, February 3, 2015): I finally finished up the Lewis trilogy by May. I don't have a lot new to say about this entry, but I love May's writing and I love how the island of Lewis (in the Outer Hebrides) is as much a part of the story as what happens to the characters. In this final Fin Macleod story, the ex-detective discovers a dead body in a private plane, which was exposed after a bog break drains a loch. His involvement with the cold case has links to his teenage years and one of his best lifelong friends. Meanwhile, Fin's personal life is not going as smoothly as it could, and he's feeling directionless since he returned to the island to restore his family's croft. The ending of this book was satisfying, though I was happy to see that the door has been left ajar, so maybe May will write more about Fin in the future (or maybe he's already done so; I need to check that out). If you want to try May but don't want to commit to a trilogy, check out his standalone novels. I listened to the unabridged audiobook (Hachette Audio; 10 hr, 1 min) read by Peter Forbes. I love his skill with the several needed accents and much appreciate hearing the proper pronunciation of the Gaelic. (print and audio copies provided by the publisher)

The Overnight Kidnapper by Andrea Camilleri, translated from the Italian by Stephen Sartarelli (Penguin Books, February 5): This is the latest installment  in the wonderful Montalbano mystery series set in Sicily. Detective Montalbano doesn't like paperwork, loves to eat, and is the man you want on the case. In this outing, Montalbano is tasked with figuring out why two woman, both of whom work for banks, were kidnapped but then let go several hours later unharmed and untouched. Before the detective can get far with this case, another women is kidnapped, but she is found naked and injured. Meanwhile, there's an arson, a possible Mafia hit, and a missing person. As Montalbano works through all these strange occurrences, he wonders if any of them are linked. I love Montalbano's personality, the dynamics between the police detective and his staff, the wisecracking dialogue, and the undercurrent of the Sicilian Mafia. Although this series is long (I think this is the 23rd installment), you can probably jump in anywhere and not feel lost. Each book is a single case; though, as with all series, there are recurring characters who develop through time. I listened to the unabridged audiobook (Blackstone Audio; 6 hr, 15 min) read by the wonderful Grover Gardner. I love Gardner's characterizations and how easily he handles the humor and quick dialogue. If you're an audiobook fan, this series should be listened to instead of read in print. (audio copy provided for a freelance assignment)

Renegade Women in Film & TV by Elizabeth Weitzman (Clarkson Potter, February 5). As I wrote on Friday, this book contains dozens of short biographies of women involved in making movies and television shows. Each woman was a ground-breaker on some level and on both sides of the camera. This is a book to enjoy over the course of a few days, reading a couple of biographies at a time. I really enjoyed meeting new (to me) women, such as Gertrude Berg, who was one of the early television creators and who paved the way for many of the family sitcoms that have formed the foundation of prime-time television. Each biography is accompanied by either a short interview or a pithy quote: "I want to be identified with the body of filmmakers, not just women. What will really  help women is if they show up everywhere" -- Shirley Clarke (1919-1997), filmmaker. Don't miss the beautiful portraits of each woman by Austen Claire Clements. I love the art! The book ends with a bibliography and with a list of must-see movies and television. (review copy provided by the publisher)

"Heroes of the Revolution" by Brendan Mathews from This Is Not a Love Song (Little, Brown, February 5). This story is about two participants in a three-month fellowship program in the Chicago area for foreign journalists: Edina from Bosnia and Vitas from Lithuania. On an apple-picking group outing organized by an American graduate student, Edina and Vitas (both middle-aged) have a moment to talk and get to know each other while walking through the orchard. At the end of the day, young Kristen, who has a crush on Vitas, tells a story from her carefree teen years, which prompts Edina to tell her own story--not so carefree in the war zone of Sarajevo. Vitas also has a story to tell, and we are left with the striking difference between the innocence of American youth and those who must deal with the horrors that people can inflict on others. I'll definitely be reading more of Mathews's stories. (digital copy provided by the publisher.

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Weekend Cooking: Farro Waldorf Salad

Happy Saturday (or Sunday for my friends on the other side of the world). I don't know how this week got away from me. I had a heavy workload so I mainly cooked tried-and-true, no recipe required meals: pasta with meat sauce, split pea soup, chicken and rice in the slow cooker.

I didn't even have time to go through a new cookbook or read a new foodie-heavy book. But all is not lost when it comes to today's post--I'm sharing a great recipe!

If you've been following along over the years, then you know I'm always looking for good lunch ideas. Yes, we can eat leftovers from dinner, but I'm often looking for non-sandwich lunches that don't need to be heated up. My husband is often away for lunch and almost never has access to a microwave.

This week's hit recipe came as a surprise. I was looking through a digital edition of this month's Food Network Magazine, and came across the following farro salad. I immediately thought, Lunch! I thought it looked good but I wasn't expecting it to be so amazingly delicious. We both loved it.

The good news is that with Trader Joe's 10-minute farro, I was able to put this salad together in a snap. And because I used powdered (and reconstituted) buttermilk for the dressing, I wasn't stuck with a bottle of leftovers. The main thing I did differently was to use regular raisins. I thought I had golden raisins in the house, but I didn't, so just went for black ones.

The recipe says this makes enough for 4 to 6 and I think that's accurate. We each had it for lunch for three days (6 servings) and it held up beautifully. This would be nice for a potluck or a summer cookout too. (photo scanned from the magazine)

Farro Waldorf Salad
Serves 4 to 6

• 1 cup farro
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 scallion sliced [I used 3]
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill [I used 2]
• 2 apples chopped
• 1 cup halved seedless red grapes
• 3 stalks celery, plus 1 cup chopped celery leaves
• 1 cup chopped toasted walnuts
• 1/4 cup golden raisins
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup chopped parsley

Cook farro as the label directs, then spread on a baking sheet and let cool.

Make the dressing: whisk the mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, vinegar, scallion, and dill in a large bowl.

Add the apples, grapes, celery, walnuts, raisins, and farro to the bowl. Season with salt and pepper and stir in the parsley and celery leaves.

NOTE: I'm sharing this recipe with the Souper Sunday round-up at Deb's Kahakai Kitchen -- a great place to share soup and salad and sandwich recipes.

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Weekend Cooking is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book reviews (novel, nonfiction), cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, quotations, photographs, restaurant reviews, travel information, or fun food facts. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. You do not have to post on the weekend. Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page.

NOTE: Mr. Linky sometimes is mean and will give you an error message. He's usually wrong and your link went through just fine the first time. Grrrr.
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7 True Stories to Add to Your Reading Wish List

Each month I look forward to seeing the variety of true stories that come to my attention. While I love nonfiction, I don't read everything. At the top of my list are biography, history, and food and cooking. I also read across a broad range of science books as well as true crime. I'm much pickier when it comes to memoirs and autobiography, though both can be found on my bookshelves.What's your favorite nonfiction?

Here are 7 nonfiction titles that are on my February reading list. They span the genres, so I hope you'll be tempted to add a few to your own wish list. (I've provided audiobook information when I could find it.)

From Cold to Hot

The Polar Bear Expedition: The Heroes of America’s Forgotten Invasion of Russia, 1918-1919 by James Carl Nelson (William Morrow, Feb. 19). Did you know that United States sent troops to northern Russia during World War I? I didn't. This is the the story of the 5,000 soldiers who were sent to the subarctic to fight the Russians in hopes of obtaining an eastern entry into Germany. Many of the soldiers were from Michigan, but the harsh winters of the Great Lakes region didn't prepare them for the ungodly cold and snow. Hundreds of men in the American North Russian Expeditionary Force (the Polar Bear Expedition) died from environmental conditions as well as from war and the Spanish flu. The book ends about a decade after the war, when a contingent returned to recover the bodies of the fallen, bringing them home for a hero's burial. (The audiobook is read by Johnny Heller and comes with a PDF. Harper Audio: 8 hr, 7 min.)

No Beast So Fierce: The Terrifying True Story of the Champawat Tiger, the Deadliest Animal in History by Dane Huckelbridge (William Morrow, Feb. 5). If I had been alive at the turn of the 20th century, I would not have wanted to live in the Indian foothills of the Himalayas. Why? Because the area was terrorized by a man-eating tiger, who killed more than 400 people over the course of about 7 years. Even the Nepalese army failed to bring the big cat down, as locals abandoned their homes in fear. No time was safe, because this tiger hunted day and night. James Corbett, who grew up hunting the Indian forests, was brought in to track the Champawat tiger and bring an end to its reign. Corbett combined his outdoor skills with some detective work to track the cat across its territory, all the while well aware of his own danger. This is a heart-thumping story of how an Indian-born British railroad worker pitted himself against the most fearsome animal of the time. Later, Corbett went on to become a conservationist. The book includes a section of black-and-white photos. (The audiobook is read by Corey Snow. Harper Audio: 8 hr, 8 min.)

Women's Stories

Devices and Desires: Bess of Hardwick and the Building of Elizabethan England by Kate Hubbard (Harper; Feb. 26). I mostly know Bess because she and her then-husband the Earl of Shrewsbury were charged by Elizabeth I to house Mary, Queen of Scots--essentially keeping Mary under house arrest. What I didn't know was that Bess was married four times and was a sharp observer and manipulator of the British gentry and the court. Through marriage and social contacts, she created a dynasty of sorts, building a great fortune and a mixed reputation. Some thought her a hard schemer; others saw her as too emotional. The truth, as you might imagine, is somewhere in between. Bess was in and out of Elizabeth's good graces, had husband troubles, and failed (but not for lack of trying) to place one of her own children on the throne. In the end, though, she died a wealthy and powerful woman. Hubbard's account is based on a variety of firsthand accounts, including more than 200 pieces of Bess's personal correspondence. (The audiobook is read by Heather Wilds and includes a PDF. Harper Audio; 11 hr, 58 min.)

Renegade Women in Film and TV: 50 Trailblazers in Film and TV by Elizabeth Weitzman and illustrated by Austen Claire Clements (Clarkson Potter, Feb. 5). I love books that provide short biographies of pioneering spirits, and this gorgeous collection focuses on (as the title says) women who made a mark on the screen: big and small. While you'll recognize many of these of these women, such as Oprah and Mae West, many others may be new to you (they were to me). We meet the first professional female stuntwoman, award-winning documentary filmmakers, film critics, producers, and others. Gorgeous illustrations accompany each bio (see the cover for a hint), and some of the women were interviewed for this book. Note that Weitzman features women with a diversity of accomplishments and also diversity in terms of ethnic background. This collection is a tribute to some of the women who found footing in an industry that has not been kind to them. (The audiobook is read by Mozhan Marnò. Random House Audio; 3 hr, 12 min. As much as I love audiobooks, I would hate to miss the stunning illustrations.)

True Crime

Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland by Patrick Radden Keefe (Doubleday; Feb. 26). Written by an award-winning journalist, this book recounts the 1972 murder of a middle-age mother of 10 and uses that single event as a springboard for looking into the guerrilla warfare that is known as The Troubles and the eventual uneasy peace that brought the bombings and killings to an end a couple of decades later. Keefe explores the workings of the IRA and wonders whether their acts were justified in the name of war or whether IRA supporters were murderers or terrorists. Even today, more than 15 years after peace, the repercussions are felt on a personal level. From children to the elderly, none of Ireland's citizens--on both sides of the border--came away unscathed. Some are still harboring rebellion and anger. The principal violence of The Troubles may be over (for now?), but many personal stories have yet to be told. Keefe's depiction of a torn people is at the top of my list. (The audiobook is read by Matthew Blaney. Random House Audio; 14 hr, 40 min.)

Entertaining Science

Earth-Shattering: Violent Supernovas, Galactic Explosions, Biological Mayhem, Nuclear Meltdowns, and Other Hazards to Life in Our Universe by Bob Berman (Little, Brown; Feb. 19). The universe was born in violence and continues be a dangerous place. In this entertaining (if a bit scary) book, Berman (a well-known astronomy journalist) details the collisions and explosions, storms and radiation in outer space and the long-reaching effects of such mega-events on the very fabric of our reality. From the birth of stars and solar systems to crashing landings of asteroids, the universe is far from static. Don't think Earth exists in some save-haven bubble: catastrophes have plagued our planet from the beginning: from the formation of the Moon to mass extinctions and wildly fluctuating weather patterns. Earth has survived every imaginable disaster and will probably survive many, many more. Whatever species are around to witness these future upheavals, only time will tell. (The audiobook is read by Peter Ganim and includes a PDF. Hachette Audio; 9 hr, 43 min.)

Liquid Rules: The Delightful and Dangerous Substances That Flow Through Our Lives by Mark Miodownik (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Feb. 19). I'm intrigued by the setup of Miodownik's latest look into the world around us. On a nonstop flight from London to San Francisco, the author (a material scientist and an award-winning writer) contemplates the many liquids surrounding him and his fellow passengers. He starts with the fluids of the plane: the fuel, the drink in his cup, the liquids that make up the human body, and even the liquid crystal display screen. From there, he talks about the ice and ocean and volcanoes he sees out his window and how all those liquids--burning and flowing and frozen--have shaped our planet's physical landscape. A little history plus a little look into the future rounds out the story of the many liquids that are part of our everyday life, whether we're consciously aware of them or not. (The audiobook is read by Michael Page. This is coming out from Recorded Books, but I couldn't find a time, so I don't know how long it is or whether listeners can download a PDF.)

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Wordless Wednesday 534

Snowy Tracks (from my archives)

Click image to enlarge. For more Wordless Wednesday, click here.

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Today's Read: Enchantee by Gita Trelease

Imagine you lived in Paris in in the 1780s, where smallpox is taking its toll, Marie Anoinette and Louis XVI are basking in luxury, and there are rumblings of revolution. Now imagine that you're a peasant teenage orphan trying to keep yourself and your little sister alive. What would you do survive?

Yves Rencourt, the chandler's apprentice, had lost his wig. After the last customer left the shop, he searched through baskets of curling wicks and blocks of beeswax and teetering stacks of bills. Rien. It was nowhere to be found. And he needed the wig for tonight: he alone was to deliver candles for the Comte d'Astignac's party, which would last until the sun came up. This was Yves's chance to be noticed. To rise. And he didn't want to show up wearing his own hair, looking ridiculous. He had to look promising. Like someone who could be Somebody.

—Enchantee by Gita Trelease (Flatiron, February 5, 2019)

Quick Facts

• Setting: Late 1700s, Paris, Versailles
• Circumstances: Camille, 17 years old, must find a way to take care of her younger sister in a city on the brink of revolution. When her street magic fails to pay the rent, she dares to borrow some her late-mother's power, donning an enchanted dress, engaging in the art of disguise, and learning the sociopolitical climate of Louis XVI's court. A little slight-of-hand card playing promises a financial windfall, until Camille meets a mysterious magician and begins to make enemies. Meanwhile, revolution is in the air, the pull of magic is strengthening, and Camille will soon have to choose sides.
• Genre: historical fiction, alternate history, speculative fiction
• Themes: loss, family, rebellion, freedom, LBGTQ, women's issues
• Why I want to read this book: I've always liked alternate history books and love the setting for the novel. Several reviews commented on the period details, including the technology of hot-air ballooning, life at Versailles, and the darker side of Paris. I've also read that this is a kind of Cinderella retelling. Finally, it's a standalone debut, so there should be no cliffhanger ending.
• Extras: Goodreads members give the novel 4.1 stars. The endpapers are maps of Paris, 
• Meet the author: The Winged Press interviewed Trelease last month. Gita Trelease also has a blog.
• Acknowledgments: thanks to Flatiron's for the review copy of Gita Trelease's Enchantee.

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Weekend Cooking: Bake Like a Pro by Falynn Koch

I'm a big fan of First Second comics, and I'm always looking through their catalog for new titles. I nearly whooped out loud when I saw Falynn Koch's Who Can? You Can! Maker Comics: Bake Like a Pro! (out on February 5). I mean, a cookbook and a comic? Yay!

The book starts out like a graphic novel, as a graduating class from the Wizard Academy gets sorted into their apprenticeships. Our young hero, Sage, gets assigned to Alchemist and Baking Wizard Korian (yes, I love the names!).

Sage is upset because she wanted to learn magic. After all, what magic was there in baking, especially when almost everyone knows how to cast an instant cake spell? She, of course, learns that a lot of magic goes on in a kitchen.

After a rocky start and and a change in attitude, Sage learns the five main baking methods and discovers what happens when different ingredients are mixed in different ways.

Boy, Bake Like a Pro was so much more than I thought it would be. Yes, this comic is a learn to bake book, made fun with the addition of talking ingredients and colorful and helpful drawings. However, it is also a book on the science of baking.

Ever wonder what happens when your ingredients are the wrong temperature? Perhaps you noticed that gingerbread cookies don't spread the way chocolate chip cookies do. Why is that? Or maybe you're curious about the difference between a biscuit and scone. Bake Like a Pro has the answers. You don't just learn to make a pizza crust, you learn two different ways to bake your crust and how each affects the outcome.

I've read through the book once, and I guarantee that I'll be reading it again--several times more. I consider myself a fairly experienced baker, and I still learned a lot. There is so much great information, presented in an entertaining way, that new and experienced bakers alike will fall in love. For example, I just adore the butter art (at right; click to enlarge), especially that melty guy on the right.

The scan to the left is the first page of the sponge cake section. Again, you'll have to click to enlarge the image, but it shows you how technical information is presented right along with the practical how-tos and gives you another look at the great artwork.

By the way, recipes are presented in a more traditional way at the back of the book, so you don't have to read through the panels each time you set out to bake from the book.

The target audience is supposed to middle grade readers, but I'm telling you, Falynn Koch's Bake Like a Pro is for all kinds of curious bakers. Young or old, new to the kitchen or an old hand, this book will encourage you to get out ingredients and equipment, read through a recipe, preheat the oven, and commence stirring or kneading, baking and--best of all--eating!

Thanks to First Second for the digital copy of How to Bake Like Pro. The scans are used here in the context of a review, and all rights remain with the original copyright holder.

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Weekend Cooking is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book reviews (novel, nonfiction), cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, quotations, photographs, restaurant reviews, travel information, or fun food facts. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. You do not have to post on the weekend. Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page.

NOTE: Mr. Linky sometimes is mean and will give you an error message. He's usually wrong and your link went through just fine the first time. Grrrr.
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