Weekend Cooking: The Modern Cook's Year by Anna Jones

I'm not a full-time vegetarian, but on average half our dinners and almost all of our breakfast and lunch meals are meat free (though not vegan). I'm not going to get into the whys, but I'm one of those people who actually limits soy intake, so vegetarian cookbooks that rely heavily on tofu, tempeh, and other soy-based products aren't my favorite.

Enter Anna Jones's The Modern Cook's Year (Abrams Books, March 26), which I received as part of the Abrams Dinner Party program. This collection of 250 vegetarian recipes lives up to its title. The dishes are indeed for twenty-first-century cooks.

Before I get into the cookbook, let me say a couple of words about Anna Jones, in case you don't know who she is. This is her third cookbook, but I first learned about her through her association with Jamie Oliver and saw her on a few of his YouTube videos. I now follow her Modern Cook columns for The Guardian. My point is that Jones has a lot of experience writing recipes for the home kitchen, and so I was excited to see what The Modern Cook's Year had to offer.

Several things make Jones's cookbook a standout: Beautiful photos, seasonal organization, how-to spreads, the choice of vegetables, and the notes on flowers and herbs. The cookbook includes a ribbon for marking your place and is printed on heavy matte paper with a fresh color scheme of eggshell and yellows. The Modern Cook's Year is one of those cookbooks that is as nice to look through and read as it is to cook from.

So what makes this book modern? It's in the ingredients and flavor profiles. Yes, there are a few recipes that use tofu and miso, but you'll also find interesting ways to use radishes, recipes for full-flavored hummuses, and ideas for updated oatmeal as well as desserts that combine fruit, spices, flowers, and even tea.

Some of the baked goods feature spelt and almond flour, and Jones also occasionally calls for non-dairy milk and cheeses. You'll also find recipes for less-common vegetables, but you should be able to find them in a good grocery or farmer's market. I live in a small town, but I know I'll have little trouble finding any of the ingredients.

Extras: Jones starts each section of the cookbook with a list of seasonal vegetables, fruits, and flowers. She also provides a number of easy-to-use "flavor maps" and technique guides to spark our culinary imaginations.

Recipes: I'm relieved that The Modern Cook's Year moves beyond endless bowls of beans and rice and grain-based casseroles. Instead I have a ton of fresh, on-trend recipes marked to try.

• Late winter recipes: Quick Carrot Dhal / One-pan Squash, Caper, and Kale Pasta
• Spring recipes: Breakfast Cake / Roasted Radishes with Sorrel, Crispy Lentils, and Buttermilk Dressing. I've already made the Cheddar, Turnip, and Ramps Scones. They were so, so delicious (see my slightly overexposed photo).
• Early summer recipes: Sri Lankan Green Bean and Tomato Curry / Lemon and Fennel Seed Pizzettes. One of the other Abrams Dinner Party participants gave two thumbs up to English Garden Toasts, with spring veggies and soft goat cheese.
• Summer recipes: Cold Zucchini and Cilantro Soup / Smoky Roasted Carrot Burgers
• Fall recipes: Corn Chowder / Chard, Leek, and Walnut Crostata. I've already made the very yummy Mustardy Mushrooms on Toast (see my photo).
• Early winter recipes: Kale and Brussels Sprouts Caesar Slaw / Roast Celeriac, Fennel, Clementine, and Almond Aioli / Apple, Rye, and Walnut Bundt Cake

Here are some of the how-to sections I plan to study: a guide for making tonics and teas, how to make flavored spirits, a guide to juicing, a flavor map for fritters, and tips for grilling fruits and vegetables.

A note for vegans: I think you can already guess that at least some of the recipes in The Modern's Cook's Year use eggs, dairy, and honey. Still, I think you'll find quite a lot of dishes that will fit your needs as is and many that could be easily adapted.

Recommendations: Anna Jones's The Modern Cook's Year is a welcome addition to my cookbook shelf. I'll turn to it often when I plan our vegetarian dinners. I'm also looking forward to taking a closer look at the flavor maps, especially on those nights when I think there's nothing in the house to eat.

If you're looking for fresh ideas for meatless Monday; are curious about how to cook with ramps, elderflowers, celeriac, or sorrel; or want to indulge in some fruit-based baking, then you'll find plenty to love in The Modern Cook's Year. I often suggest you borrow before buying, but if your diet already includes ample vegetarian meals, then don't hesitate to buy.

Here's a dish that will appear on our table this coming week.

Orzo with Spiced Tomato Sauce and Feta
Serves 4

• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon cilantro/coriander seeds
• 1 tablespoon nigella seeds
• olive oil
• 1 onion finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, finely sliced
• pinch chile powder
• 1.75 pounds (800g) fresh tomatoes, roughly chopped or 2 (14.5-oz/400-g) cans chopped tomatoes
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• small bunch of oregano, remove leaves from the stems or good pinch dried oregano
• 7 ounces (200 g) orzo
• 7 ounces (200 g) feta cheese

Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add the cumin, cilantro, and nigella seeds. Toast for a minute or so, until they release their fragrance.

Add a splash of oil to the pan, then add the the onion, garlic, and chile powder and cook on low heat for 10 minutes, until the onions are soft and sweet. Add the tomatoes and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Stir and cook for about 20 minutes until they have broken down and formed a sweet soupy tomato sauce; you can add a little water here to loosen the sauce if necessary. Add the oregano and season well with salt and pepper, remembering that you'll be adding salty feta at the end.

Meanwhile, cook the orzo in boiling salted water for about 10 minutes, or a couple of minutes less than the package instructions--you'll cook the pasta more in the sauce. Once the orzo is ready, drain it, keeping a mugful of the pasta water.

Add the orzo to the tomato sauce and let everything cook for a minute or two, adding a little of the pasta water to loosen everything--you are looking for a gentle, thick, souplike consistency.

Serve the pasta with lots of good olive oil (be generous here) and crumble over the feta. Eat right away.

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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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Review: Mrs Wilson (on PBS Masterpiece)

Mark your calendars for March 31 and April 7, you won't want to miss MRS WILSON on PBS Masterpiece (check your local listings for exact times; likely 9pm). You've heard the expression that truth is stranger than fiction, and this story is the proof.

In Mrs Wilson, actress Ruth Wilson (The Affair, Jane Eyre) plays her real-life grandmother Alison Wilson in this true account of the older woman's relationship with her husband, both before and after his death. Alison met Alexander Wilson (played by Iain Glen) when they were both employed by MI6 during World War II. The two fell in love, despite their age difference (he was much older), and Alec divorced his wife to marry Alison.

They had 20 years of stable marriage, raising two sons in London. While continuing to work for the Secret Intelligence Service, Alec wrote a number of well-received spy novels during his down time. He appeared to be a good family man, even when some of his undercover work took him away from home or forced him to pretend to be arrested for various petty crimes.

After he died suddenly in the early 1960s, Alison quickly realized that Alec had deep secrets, and not all of them were related to his espionage work. Alison tried her best to protect her sons from learning that they'd been deceived by Alec, waiting until the new millennium before revealing part of her story and saving the rest for after her own death.

Ruth Wilson, the actress, knew her grandmother, and grew up having no idea that her late-grandfather led a double (triple? quadruple?) life. Once Alison released her memoir to her sons (saving the most difficult details until after her death), her sons and grandchildren discovered that Alec had multiple wives and fathered at least seven sons. His ongoing relationship with MI6 and British Intelligence is still unclear, and many facts about the man remain unknown. The British secret service will not release Alec's records, claiming that they still contain sensitive material.

The story is fascinating in of its self, but Mrs Wilson stands out in the way it follows Alison's reactions as she discovers her husband's true nature. Her emotional journey and ultimate choices are believably portrayed by the fabulous Ruth Wilson. One can only imagine the horror, shock, and devastation of learning your whole life had been a lie, and Wilson (the actress) helps us feel it all.

The production focuses solidly on Alison, and Ruth Wilson, easily carries off the entire show. The supporting actors (including Keeley Hawes, Patrick Kennedy, Fiona Shaw, Anaupam Kher) who play Alison's sons and her husband's colleagues are also fantastic, projecting authentic emotions to match their different situations and relationship to Alec.

The costumes and set details are excellent, clearly distinguishing between the show's present (the 1960s) and past (World War II). The music, the cars, and even the lighting matched the different moods.

Just when you think Alison has Alexander Wilson all figured out, she is presented with something new. I don't know where she found her strength. Ruth Wilson and Iain Glen shine in Mrs Wilson (Masterpiece; March 31 and April 7), and after it's over, you'll be racing to the internet to find out more. Don't miss this incredible mini-series.

Here are two trailers to pull you in.

Many thanks to WGBH Boston for the advanced review screener of Mrs Wilson.

Mrs. Wilson is a Snowed-In Productions production for the BBC co-produced with MASTERPIECE in association with All3Media International. It is written by Anna Symon (Indian Summers), produced by Jackie Larkin (C.B. Strike), directed by Richard Laxton (Mum, River) and executive produced by Lucy Richer for the BBC, Rebecca Eaton for MASTERPIECE, Ruth Kenley-Letts (The Casual Vacancy, The Strike Series), Neil Blair (The Strike Series, Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them), and Ruth Wilson.

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Wordless Wednesday 537

First flower, 2019

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Today's Read: The DNA of You and Me by Andrea Rothman

Imagine you've just earned your PhD and have landed a place in a prestigious research lab studying something you're passionate about. Now add in a fellow researcher . . . he's nice but he's also both a collaborator and a rival in looking into the neurology of the sense of smell. Here's how the novel opens:

Smell is an illusion, my father used to tell me: invisible molecules in the air converted by my brain into cinnamon, cut grass, burning wood. Heat was a measure of receptors in my skin, and brown was not brown but a combination of light waves captured by cones in my eyes. The world as I knew it, as I felt it to be, was the result of my own personal experience, and so it was up to me to make the best of understanding of it.

—The DNA of You and Me by Andrea Rothman (William Morrow, March 12, p. 3 [ARC])

Quick Facts

• Setting: modern times; New York City
• Circumstances: Fresh out of grad school, Emily is given a place in a New York City research lab, studying the sensory neurons involved in the sense of smell. Her work involves DNA sequencing, as she tries to identify the  specific genes involved. She's in her element, until she starts to feel a draw toward Aeden. Although they must share results, they are also rivals in trying to find answers to similar research questions. Emily is ultimately faced with the age-old dilemma: balancing career, happiness, love, and ambition.
• Genre: contemporary fiction; women's fiction
• Why I want to read it & themes: When I was fresh out of graduate school with a PhD in a biological science, I too had to make choices. I'm interested in seeing how things have and have not changed for women in science.
• Things to know about the author: This is Rothman's debut novel. She once held a postdoc position in a research lab in New York studying the neurobiology of olfaction, so she knows what she's talking about. She also has an MFA in writing.
• Reviews: The novel has won starred reviews from print publications, and most reviewers have noted that the laboratory setting is more than gimmick here. The protagonist faces issues that many women in the lab sciences have had to deal with: introvert personalities, a love of their work, a hope for some kind of social life, and ambitious career goals. Goodreads rating is 3.5; Amazon rating is 4.7.
• Acknowledgments: thanks to William Morrow for a review copy of Andrea Rothman's The DNA of You and Me.

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Weekend Cooking: Recipes, Links, & (Yes) More SkinnyTaste

Help! I've fallen down the SkinnyTaste rabbit hole and I can't get out! Seriously. I have some new cookbooks to review for you, but the bulk of my meals this week have once again come from SkinnyTaste One & Done, which I reviewed last week.

Everything was delicious, but I'm going to recommend two dinners. For my meat-eating friends, try the Garlic Dijon Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Potatoes and Green Beans, which is a sheet pan dinner. If you don't want to make a whole tenderloin, you could (like I did) use pork chops instead (I used center-cut boneless chops). This was so gooood.

For a vegetarian meal, make the Mexican Pinto Beans with Queso in your pressure cooker. The only change I made was to reduce the cooking time by almost half. I cook my soaked beans for 23 minutes, let the pressure release for 10 minutes naturally, and then hit the valve and let the pressure escape. The cookbook has you cook the soaked pintos for 45 minutes. I think that's a little too long.

When I crawled out of the SkinnyTaste vortex, I found the following recipes and articles to bookmark this week. Check them out and get cooking and eating!

• Last year I reviewed the cookbook What's Gaby Cooking, and since then, I've become a big fan. This week, I pinned her recipe for cheesy vegetarian Calabacitas -- oh this looks so good for now and into the summer. We eat salmon quite often and her Greek Salad with Salmon totally says spring! I think I'll have to make this over the weekend.
• I really like Melissa Clark's recipes and have been following her for a long time now. She's currently a food writer for the New York Times, and this week she wrote about polenta, a dish that I have a weakness for. Her Baked Polenta with Crispy Leeks and Gorgonzola is absolutely appearing on my table this spring.
• The Washington Post food section was also a hit this week. First up was an article all about bok choy (a vegetable I make often) including six recipes. A couple of these caught my eye, especially the grilled version. I was also thrilled to see a recipe for Nanaimo bars, no-bake bars popular in Canada. I remember having this dessert when I was growing up (in the USA but not far from the Canada border). I'm so happy to have the chance to try them again.
• Next time I'm in Chicago, I know what I'm going drink. Urban Matter published a list of the best places to get boozy milk shakes in the Windy City. Oh man, I think I need to start planning a trip!
• Who isn't a fan of Deb from The Smitten Kitchen? If you're not, then you will be soon. I'm a pretty good cook and baker, but pie crust is one of my banes. That, my friends, may be about to change: Check out this recipe for Extra-Flaky Pie Crust . . . and then get ready to make your first strawberry pie of the season.
• I wrote about Budget Bytes a couple of years ago when Beth's cookbook came out. I still haunt the website and always find something yummy to try. This week, I found Scallion Herb Chickpea Salad, which can be eaten in bowl or as a sandwich. This looks like a great quick dinner or healthful lunch. It's still plenty cold out, so I was happy to also discover a recipe for Vegan Lentil Stew, which makes enough for a meal now with extras for the freezer. This too is going on a meal plan soon.

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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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8 Good Books for Teens and Tweens

March has been a great month for fiction geared to younger readers. You may shy away from middle grade and young adult books, assuming they lack a certain, shall we say, sophistication. In my experience, many contemporary novels written for teens and tweens deal with real-life issues in a authentic and frank manner and can be every bit as intense as adult fiction. Of course, you’ll also find plenty of books with teen angst, magic, and love gone awry.

Today’s roundup covers just a few of this month’s middle grade and young adult titles that caught my attention. Some are set in real life, but others contain elements of speculative fiction. All are worth looking into for yourself or for the young readers in your life.

Contemporary Stories

• Far Away by Lisa Graff (Philomel, March 5): This middle grade story is about 12-year-old CJ who lives with her itinerant aunt, who makes her living as a psychic. CJ is grateful that her aunt can commune with spirits because that’s the only way she can talk to mother, who died when she was a baby. But when her aunt says that she can no longer receive messages from CJ’s mother, the girl takes off with a teenage friend to try to reforge the connection. Magical realism, family secrets, and a road trip create a moving coming-of-age story. Note: this novel has gotten very mixed reviews. Audiobook: read by Monika Felice Smith Listening Library; 7 hr, 3 min)
• XL by Scott Brown (Knopf BYR, March 26): Set in San Diego, this young adult novel focuses on 16-year-old Will who still hasn’t had his growth spurt. Measuring in at just under 5 feet, he feels invisible and unattractive. But what happens when he starts growing . . . and growing? Is life any better on the other side of the yardstick? Romance, popularity, self-acceptance, friendship, and family round out Will’s story, which (according to reviews) contains a good dose of humor. Audiobook: read by Robbie Daymond (Listening Library 9 hr, 50 min)
• In Another Life by C. C. Hunter (Wednesday Books, March 26): When teenage Chloe and her just-divorced mom move to Texas to start over, Chloe has trouble adjusting. First, she begins to imagine that she remembers her life before her parents adopted her when she was just a toddler. Then when she befriends a cute boy living with foster parents, she begins to question everything her adoptive parents ever told her. This young adult thriller involves family secrets, lies, mental illness, adoption, and cancer. Audiobook: no information

Speculative Fiction

• The Revenge of Magic by James Riley (Aladdin, March 5): Set in a future Earth in which only children can learn magic, this is the first entry in a middle grade fantasy / adventure series. Young Fort Fitzgerald loses his father when Washington, D.C. is destroyed by monsters. Thus he jumps at the chance to attend a government-run school that teaches magic to promising tweens. Perhaps he’ll find a way to recover his dad and stop further creature attacks . . . or maybe he’ll just be haunted by disturbing dreams and barred from learning the truth of who’s really in control of the world. Fort must find allies and his own inner strength. The academy is less wizardy and more military, as the kids are being trained to fight the monsters. Audiobook: read by Kirby Heyborne (Simon & Schuster Audio; 9 hr, 2 min)
• Sky without Stars by Jessica Brody and Joanne Rendell (Simon Pulse; March 26): Centuries after the French colonized the planet Laterre, rebellion is in the air as the one-percenters have all the power and the rest have few resources and little hope. Can three teens of very different backgrounds, personalities, and skills lead a successful uprising? This is the first in an action-packed young adult space opera series that is a futuristic retelling of Les Misérables, complete with the politics, romance, and class divides. Audiobook: read by Vikas Adam, Joy Osmanski, and Emily Woo Zeller (Simon & Schuster Audio; 18 hr, 33 min)

Finish Up a Series

• Winter War Awakening by Rosalyn Eves (Knopf BYR; March 19): Final entry in the Blood Rose Rebellion trilogy. This series is set in eastern Europe (basically Austria and Hungary) and contains elements of alternate history, real history (rebellion against the Hapsburgs) and fantasy. Series themes and issues: overcoming prejudice, self-acceptance, romance, strong female protagonists, learning to trust. Audiobooks: read by Fiona Hardingham & Steve West (Listening Library)
• The Everlasting Rose by Dhonielle Clayton (Freeform; March 5): Second book in the Belles duology. These books are set in an alternate history New Orleans and contain dystopian and steampunk elements. Series themes and issues: corruption of power, LGBTQ, class differences, the worth of beauty. Audiobooks: read by Rosie Jones (Blackstone Audio)
• The Shadowglass by Rin Chupeco (Sourcebook Fire; March 5): Final book in the Bone Witch trilogy. Set in an alternative world with an Asian feel, the trilogy follows Tea and her brother as she struggles to find her place in a world that is hostile and dangerous; high fantasy elements. Series themes and issues: LGBTQ, romance, self-discovery, personal growth, family, leaving the past behind. Audiobooks: first two read by Emily Woo Zeller and Will Damron (Blackstone Audio); no information on book three

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Today's Read: The Man with No Face by Peter May

Imagine that you're a Scottish journalist on assignment to investigate the political climate in Brussels as the UK is on the verge of joining the European Union. What would you do if the journalist you're supposed to meet up with is found dead alongside a high-ranking British government official? You would likely stick around to figure out what happened. That's what protagonist Neil Bannerman does.

Here's how the book starts:

Kale watched the train through the rain-spattered glass and thought, this time will be the last. But even as the thought formed in his mind it clotted and he knew he would kill again.

—The Man with No Face by Peter May (Quercus, March 5, 2019., p. 3)

Quick Facts

• Setting: Brussels, 1979
• Circumstances: Neil Bannerman, a journalist for an Edinburgh newspaper, is sent to Brussels to cover the discussion surrounding the entry of the UK into the European Union. When a fellow journalist and a British Cabinet minister are found dead, presumably having shot each other, Bannerman's plans for a routine article are abandoned, especially when he discovers the journalist's autistic daughter was a witness to the crime. The only clue she can provide is a drawing of a faceless killer. The more Bannerman looks into the crime, the more he suspects deep and dirty politics, but worse, how can he be sure the killer won't strike again. What will happen once he learns about the child witness?
• Genre: murder mystery
• Things to know: May wrote this book early in his career (in 1981) when he himself was still a journalist in Scotland. The novel is, as the author's note reminds us, set in a pre-internet world, where journalists still used typewriters and had to find a library, witnesses, or archives to conduct research. May was involved with this re-issue of the novel.
• Why I want to read it: I've read several of May's books (all set in Scotland) and love how he can set a mood and create characters that evoke an emotional response. I really like Belgium, so the setting is a draw for me.
• What's holding me back: First, I'm kind of hoping this will be available on audio. Second, although May himself still stands behind this early novel, I'm worried that it won't be as polished as more recent books. Regardless, I'm really pretty sure I'll read this in one form or another. Note that the review rating is 4.1 stars on Goodreads and 4.2 on Amazon
• Acknowledgments: thanks to Quercus for a finished review copy of Peter May's The Man with No Face.

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Weekend Cooking: Skinnytaste One & Done

I'm probably the last person in the universe to jump on the Skinnytaste bandwagon. I know, I know, especially because you all have had only wonderful things to say about the cookbooks and about Gina Homolka's website.

When her newest cookbook Skinnytaste One & Done came out last fall (Clarkson Potter, October 2018), I zipped over to my library's site, only to see that I was on a long, long wait list. My turn finally came about 10 days ago.

I was so afraid that the ebook would expire before I had a chance to explore it, I decided that all our dinners this past week would come from that cookbook.

You want the fast answer? Buy, buy, buy! That's what I did, and my very own copy is on its way to me right now.

First off, I really liked the premise of this book: All dinners require exactly one pot, pan, or appliance. Can you say "fast cleanup"? The traditional cooking methods use a skillet, Dutch oven, or sheet pan, and the appliances are the electric pressure cooker, slow cooker, and air fryer. I can already hear you saying, "Wait! What if I don't have one of those machines?" Homolka is a step ahead of you, and offers alternative cooking methods that don't require a gadget.

Second, I so appreciate that each recipe is clearly marked for quick (under 30 minutes), vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free, and freezer friendly. That's such a help when I'm cooking for friends or family with dietary restrictions. And if you happen to be on Weight Watchers, the Skinnytaste website lists up-to-date points for each recipe in the book. Nice.

All the recipes we tried from Skinnytaste One & Done were very good (truly) and full of flavor. So often cookbook recipes are too bland for us, but each meal we tried was perfectly seasoned. I was also impressed that the number of servings seemed fairly accurate, at least for the way we eat.

I made a chicken soup (recipe below) in the pressure cooker, which had just the right level of heat. The curry-flavored roasted vegetables, a sheet pan dinner (shown at the right), was delicious as is but would also be good over rice or couscous. Note that I didn't make the green chutney but used my own homemade fruit chutney instead.

Finally, I made the lamb stew in the pressure cooker. This too was delicious and perfectly seasoned. In full disclosure, I need to say that I made two changes. First, I cut the cooking time from 35 minutes to 25 minutes. Why? Because I've been using a pressure cooker since the 1990s and I've never cooked lamb stew that long. Second, I didn't add the canned beans until after I released the pressure, stirring them in at the end. I was afraid they'd turn to mush.

I ordered my copy of Gina Homolka's Skinnytaste One & Done before the week was over. I can't wait to cook my way through this book. Note: if you have a pressure cooker and are still not sure what to make in it, buy this book. I promise you will find plenty to try.

Scans and recipe come from the cookbook and are used here for review purposes. All rights remain with the original copyright holders. The review copy of the book came from the library, but I've already added the book to my personal collection.

Click image to enlarge recipe. Enjoy!

NOTE: This recipe is a perfect addition to Deb's (from Kahakai Kitchen) Souper Sunday link-up. Follow the link for full information. The short take: it's a place to share soup, sandwich, and salad recipes. Join in or just check out the great 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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6 Books in Translation to Read in March

It's the ides of March, and the only thing I have to beware is letting time get away from me and missing some of this month's books in translation. As you well know, I make an effort to read authors who are outside the English-speaking world. It's a great way to gain a different perspective and to learn about life around the globe.

Here are six books in translation on my March reading list. They cover a range of genres, and I hope at least one catches your eye.

All Happy Families: A Memoir by Hervé Le Tellier, translated from the French by Adriana Hunter (Other Press, March 26). In this moving memoir, Le Tellier recalls his childhood, spent mostly with his grandparents or troubled mother, and the years in which he seemed unable to feel normal human emotions, such as grief and love. Although he wasn't abused, his relationships with the people who were meant to protect him were often beyond dysfunctional. His mother in fact suffered from a disconnection to reality and often lied to him. Other people he was close to died early, including a girlfriend, which is another form of abandonment. In this memoir, Le Tellier comes to terms with these difficult relationships as he views them through the lens of maturity and success as a writer. A testament to the fact that children can indeed survive messed-up families.

Auntie Poldi and the Vineyards of Etna by Mario Giordano, translated from the German by John Brownjohn (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, March 5). I don't know how I missed the first book in this series, but I'm happy to jump on the Auntie Poldi bandwagon with the second book. When Isolde Oberreiter, better known as Poldi, left Germany to spend her retirement in Sicily, she had no idea that there'd be more to life than walks on the beach, copious glasses of wine, occasional sex, and new friends. Poldi can't help but get involved when it's a matter of dead body or two. In this outing, the unstoppable Poldi is determined to figure out who poisoned her neighbor's dog. After a little pillow talk with her current lover (a police inspector), she's onto bigger things--like linking the murder of a man to the demise of the dog. An adult cozy mystery brimming with the flavors and colors of Sicily.

Homeland: A Novel by Fernando Aramburu, translated from the Spanish by Alfred Macadam (Pantheon, March 5). This timely novel is set in Basque country, and although a murder is at its center, this is not crime fiction. Instead, it's an examination of how ordinary people can get caught up in the wider political events of their country and how it isn't always easy to figure out who is hero and who is villain. When a businessman is killed by separatists, the repercussions are felt by more than just the grieving family. Friendships and everyday life in the town are forever changed. Who is brave enough or sure enough to take a stand on the future of Basque? Is it easier just to leave your home and start over? Set after the ETA separatists declare an end to their fight for independence, this story looks at the violent past and uneasy present. The novel has won multiple international honors.

The Little Girl on the Ice Floe by Adélaïde Bon, translated from the French by Tina Kover (Europa, March 19). This is a tough memoir about surviving a childhood rape. When she was just nine years old, Bon was raped by a stranger, and though she was unable to provide many details, her parents reported it to the authorities. As a way to cope, Bon compartmentalized her life--seemingly stable and friendly on the outside, while dealing with guilt, shame, fear, and more on the inside. Despite years of therapy and various self-soothing activities (such as eating and drinking too much), there were parts of her that remained numb and details of her attack that she could not remember. Two decades later, the Paris police inform her that they've caught a serial sexual offender, who is charged with dozens of assaults on minors. Only nineteen now-grown women confront the man in court, Bon among them. The aftermath of the trial brings some unexpected reactions. Can there ever be true healing after rape? Especially in a society that still blames the victim.

The Secret Wisdom of Nature by Peter Wohlleben, translated from the German by Jane Billinghurst (Greystone Books, March 5). I loved Wohlleben's The Hidden Life of Trees (though I can't believe I never wrote about it on my blog), and in his latest, the German forester returns to tell us (as the subtitle says) about "Trees, Animals, and the Extraordinary Balance of All Living Things" through "Stories from Science and Observation." Wohlleben has spent most of his life in the woods, both professionally and privately, observing nature up close and in a way few of us have an opportunity to do. Here he takes a big-picture view of the environment, from the largest forest fires to the smallest insects and discusses in everyday language and using a personable style how the ecosystem works. There are many sides to every problem in a system as complex as Earth's natural world, and Wohlleben takes some surprising stands on conservation and preservation. If you haven't yet read any of his work, you should.

Waiting for Bojangles by Olivier Bourdeaut, translated from the French by Regan Kramer (Simon & Schuster, March 19). This debut novel, which has already won much critical acclaim, tells the story of an unnamed boy and his unconventional parents who live in happy chaos in Paris. Told mostly from the boy's point of view, with sections from his father's diary, the book follows the mother's journey from quirky to the can-no-longer-deny-it mentally unstable. After the pesky business of taxes and the outside world invade their space, the family removes to a vacation home in Spain, where son and husband hope to protect the ailing woman, showering her with love. Mental illness, however, cannot always be cured with the peace of the countryside, fancy cocktails, and dancing to the record player. The ministrations of well-intentioned family are often not the answer. This coming-of-age story is told partly in verse.

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Wordless Wednesday 536

Small Barn, 2019

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

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Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: 4 Good Books and a Story

Good morning. If you're in the United States, I hope you're adjusting to the time change. I actually do better with the spring forward than I do with the fall back. Maybe that's because I love the idea that I can now take an outdoor walk after work. Yay for evening daylight.

I had a decent reading week, but that might be because most of the books I read were short and didn't require a lot of thought. Always a good choice after editing all day.

We haven't watched anything in particular on television. We're not huge basketball fans, so we're escaping March Madness. The most interesting show that comes to mind is the new season of True Detective on HBO. At first I didn't like the multiple time periods, but after I got to know the characters, I really liked the set up and the mystery.

The Tornado Scientist by Mary Kay Carson with photography by Tom Uhlman (HMH Books for Young Readers, March 19). You've heard it from me before, but it's true: I can't say enough good things about HMH's Scientists in the Field series. In this installment (out next week), we meet Robin Tanamachi, who is not only a research meteorologist but a storm chaser who is interested in learning as much as she can about tornadoes in an effort to help protect people who live in areas prone to these destructive winds. I grew up in tornado country in northern Ohio long before we had the sophisticated technology that weather scientists now depend on. It was really interesting to see how Robin's van was set up as a mini research and weather station and to learn how a storm transforms from a bout of heavy rain and winds into a twister. The amazing photographs of funnel clouds and the mind-numbing scenes of the after-storm destruction drives home the power of tornadoes; easy-to-interpret graphics illustrate the physics. Robin's stories of chasing storms and collecting data give young readers (and adults) a clear picture of what it's really like to be a tornado specialist. The book ends with an overview of how the field data are used and a look at the newest weather probes and other equipment. Recommended for readers of all ages. (review copy provided by the publisher)

Death in Provence by Serena Kent (Harper, Feb. 19). I always love it when I can get into a series on the ground floor. This cozy mystery is set in St. Merlot, France, and features a middle-aged woman who is looking for a new start after a divorce and early retirement. Penelope Kite isn't your ordinary British ex-pat who buys a house in Provence and then gets embroiled in a murder mystery, though. She used to work in the forensics lab of the Home Office. Although she doesn't have a professional degree, she has much experience interpreting crime scene data, so when she doubts the local police chief's assessment that the man floating in her swimming pool died of accidental drowning, she knows what she's talking about. The only problem is that she's not sure whom she can trust in her new town. This first in series was a lot of fun. Penny isn't stupid, but she makes classic outsider mistakes, is unaware of long-term family feuds, and is no where near as stylish as her real estate agent cum new BFF. Among the locals are a cute mayor, a cranky neighbor, a wonderful baker, and a charming electrician. It's France, so expect good wine and lots of good food. The mystery itself was well set up and kept me guessing all the way to the end. I may have had an extra glass or two of wine along the way. I listened to the unabridged audiobook (Harper Audio, 10 hr, 17 min) read by Antonia Beamish, whose accents and characterizations were delightful. For more, see AudioFile magazine. (review copy provided by the publisher; audio for assignment)

The Time Museum by Matthew Loux (First Second, Feb. 2017). I picked up this middle grade speculative fiction (science fiction?) graphic novel because I noticed that the second book in the series is coming out in a couple of months. A small group of young teens are given a chance to win a prestigious internship at a natural history museum, but these aren't just any kids and this isn't your ordinary museum. The Time Museum is in fact a portal to all of earth's history, from its earliest habitable days and into the distant future; within its walls are exhibits representing the plants and animals of all these times. The kids are smart and capable, each with unique skills and each from a different time period--Ice Age to the 5000s. Delia (from our time) is given a chance to win the internship because her uncle helps runs the museum, but she must still earn her place by passing three time-traveling tests. This was a fun graphic novel about curious, smart kids who learn to balance friendship and cooperation with competition. The story has plenty of action, including a time-traveling bad guy, mixed with some laugh-out-loud humor and a twist at the end. All the children have white skin, but despite the lack of diversity, I really liked the book and am looking forward to the second installment. The artwork was colorful and the scenery and creatures from the past and future gave me a lot to look at. The action and emotions were well rendered. (copy borrowed from the library)

Tin Heart by Shivaun Plozza (Flatiron, March 12). Marlowe Jensen was born with a congenital heart defect that guaranteed her a short life unless she received a heart transplant. When she's about 16 and on death's door, Marlowe's life is saved: the heart of a teenage boy is suddenly available, and she spends the next year (which would have been her senior year in high school), in and out the hospital in rehabilitation, regaining her strength, building her immunity system, and getting used to the anti-rejection drugs. Her mother, owner of a vegan, organic wellness store, is naturally a little overprotective of Marlowe but supports her daughter's decision to return to high school instead being home schooled. Meanwhile, her mother opens a new store right next to an established family butcher shop and immediately goes into ultra-liberal protesting against meat eaters, and her younger brother dresses up in a new creative (gender-bending and genre-mashing) costume every day. So this is Marlowe's outward reality: zany but lovable family, medical issues, and a return to school where she's not only older than everyone else but is thought of as the Heart Transplant Girl. This book explores a slice of contemporary life that we rarely read about: life after an organ transplant. Marlowe contends with bullying, trying to make friends, and her first true crush all while trying to find the confidence to live outside her mother's careful control and coming to terms with having someone else's heart in her chest. I was quickly caught up in Marlowe's story, cheering her on as she tried to find some sort of normality. She makes blunders and is a little socially awkward, but she's also smart and holds her own when pushed. Keep the tissues handy, Marlowe's journey isn't always easy. (finished copy provided by the publisher)

Other Books and a Story

• Soulkeeper by David Dalglish (Orbit, March 19). I have mixed feelings about this first in a new epic fantasy series. The basic premise is that creatures and magic from the world's earliest days are reawakening and human life is forever altered. While I liked the action and interesting world-building, there was way too much going on in this book (zombies, talking mountains, assassins, soulless beings, fairies, fire spirits, wizards, healers . . .) and the plot lines didn't really coalesce until the end. The unabridged audiobook (Hachette Audio; 19 hr) was read by Nicholas Tecosky. His performance was only okay. I would have liked to have heard a little more drama or emotion in his delivery. (audio review copy provided by the publisher)
• The Size of Truth by Andrew Smith (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, March 26). I was interested in this middle grade book because it featured a boy who wanted to be a chef even though his parents thought he should be a scientist. The story fluctuates between Sam in eighth grade and Sam at four years old when he was trapped in a well for three days before rescuers dug him out. Smith's writing style was a mismatch for me and the well sections were too much like The Girl in the Well Is Me (which I loved). I ended up skimming the eighth grade sections just to see what happened. There are some good lessons, but you could safely skip this. (digital copy provided by the publisher)
• "Crocodile Shoes" by Jo Jo Moyes from Paris for One and Other Stories (Pamela Dorman, Oct. 2016). I really liked this story about a woman who picks up the wrong bag at the gym and is forced to wear someone else's high heels for the day with unexpected consequences. A fun contemporary story. (finished copy provided by the publisher)

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Weekend Cooking: Reading, Eating, Organzing

Is it spring yet? It's still snowing around here, so despite what the calendar says, I'll be wearing sweaters for at least a month. On the other hand, I had my first asparagus of the season this week, and I'll soon break down and buy strawberries. Our local produce is 8-10 weeks away (unless you have a greenhouse).

Today's post is all about some food-related books I've been reading. Although I didn't cook anything new and exciting for dinner this week, we discovered a pretty yummy (and easy) cheese spread from Bon Appetit last month and made it again last weekend. I need to share that recipe with you. Finally, I'm doing some spring cleaning in my kitchen and have a cool resource to tell you about.

A few new cookbooks are winging (trucking?) their way to me as I type, so you can look for some reviews and new recipes coming up soon.

Food for Thought

• Do you know anyone who isn't on some kind of diet? Calorie restricting, vegan, paleo, keto, FODMAP . . . it seems as if no one just eats anymore. This is one of the issues Caroline Dooner addresses in her The Fuck It Diet: Eating Should Be Easy (Harper Wave, March 26). Granted, some people have serious medical reasons for avoiding some kinds of foods, and Dooner fully recognizes this fact. Still, she believes the $60-billion-a-year dieting industry is mostly harming us. Her book is about having a better relationship with food, your weight, and your body image. Citing many peer-reviewed research articles, she questions the idea that skinny is always healthier and encourages people to just eat what they want and when they want. The idea is that once food is only food, you'll find your own set point and many (all?) of your food cravings will disappear. I'm not going to argue one way or another, but it made for an interesting read. Find more information on Dooner's website.
• In a similar vein, Virginia Sole-Smith's The Eating Instinct (Abrams, Nov. 2018) asks why something so vital to life itself--food--has so much judgment associated with it. Why is it that some foods are good and other foods are bad? Her book begins and ends as memoir, particularly focusing on her elder daughter's medical issues that resulted in long bouts with a feeding tube before the girl was even a year old. For the bulk of the book, Sole-Smith, a professional journalist, reports on her investigation into other ways modern humans relate to food, often influenced by economics, food aversions, and body image. The title is a nod to the idea that we've seemed to have lost our natural eating instincts. I liked the personal stories and interviews and was happy to see Sole-Smith question why healthcare and diet experts think there is only one best body type. Find more information on Sole-Smith's website.
• I'm about halfway through Boris Fishman's interesting memoir Savage Feast (Harper, Feb.), which is part food memoir and part modern-day immigration story. From Eastern Europe at the end of World War II to Brooklyn, New York, four decades later, three generations of his family shared food through hardships and bounty in several countries. I've been reading this book slowly because it fits my current mood to do so. If you or anyone in your family was born elsewhere, you'll have a lot to relate to here. Of course, one of the huge draws for me are the many recipes scattered throughout the book, which reflect the family's movements across Europe until the finally made it through immigration inspections to settle in the United States. I may have to try a few of those dishes and see how they compare to my own family's recipes.
• I've been in the hold line for SkinnyTaste's One and Done (Clarkson Potter, Oct. 2018) for what feels like a thousand years. I know many of the recipes are available on the SkinnyTaste website, but I really  wanted to look through the book. My copy became available yesterday, and I plan to (digitally) flip through it over the weekend. I'm curious: do any of you have an air fryer? If so, do you use it? Is it worth the money? Right now, I'll concentrate on the recipes for the pressure cooker, slow cooker, and traditional stove/oven.
• Thanks to the publishers for the first three books, and thanks to the library for the last one.

Yummy Recipe

In the February issue of Bon Appetit, we discovered a tasty and easy Cheddar cheese spread which we first served on Super Bowl Sunday with good success. Last weekend, my husband went to a friend's for a guys' night and made this again. He said everyone really liked it and it was a good for both before dinner and later while they played cards, pool, and darts.

This dip works well with vegetables, pitas, pretzels, crackers, and corn chips (like Bugles or Frito's). You can thank me, and Bon Appetit now.

The recipe can also be found on the magazine's website.

Spicy Cheese Spread
8 ounces cheddar, grated (about 2 cups)
2 ounces cream cheese, softened
½ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup sour cream
1 small garlic clove, finely grated
¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, plus more

Blend cheddar, cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic, paprika, and ¼ teaspoon cayenne in a food processor until smooth, 3–4 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl; season with more cayenne.

Do Ahead: Cheese spread can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and chill.

Free Printables

Don't be jealous, but one of my weekend goals is to clean out and organize my freezers. I have no idea what's lurking in the dark recesses of the shelves! I think it's been about a year since I emptied them and took inventory of what's on hand. Over on the Fun Cheap or Free blog, I found some useful and pretty inventory checklists for the freezer, refrigerator, and pantry. They're free to download, so check it out. While there, you might want to read through some of Jordan's advice for how to get organized.

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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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6 Books to Celebrate Women's History Month

The other day I was in one of those rare states of being in between both print/digital and audiobooks. When I was thinking about what to read next, I remembered March is Women's History Month. This prompted me to sort through my new releases to see which titles would fit the theme. I found books geared to young adult readers and to adults. My mix includes fiction and nonfiction, and one is written in verse.

Although not all the books I feature today are technically women's history, I think they all nicely celebrate the spirit of Women's History Month.

American Princess by Stephanie Marie Thornton (Berkley, March 12): Alice Roosevelt, daughter of President Teddy Roosevelt, was a no-nonsense, you-can't-stop-me kind of woman. She grew up in the public eye and knew how to use that platform to its best advantage, without stifling her wild side. Yes, she smoked cigarettes in public, but she also understood Washington, DC. Even so, she was less savvy when it came to friendships and love, and her flamboyant personality veiled some deep sorrows. This well-researched novelized version of Alice's life begins in 1901 with her father's unexpected presidency (after McKinley was assassinated) and ends in late 1970s, just before her death. Alice witnessed two world wars, women's suffrage, two presidential assassinations and one resignation, and great changes in technology and society. Audiobook: Penguin Audio; 15 hr, 27 min; read by Elizabeth Wiley.

The Real Wallis Simpson: A New History of the American Divorcée Who Became the Duchess of Windsor by Anna Pasternak (Atria; March 5): You know who Wallis Simpson was: the woman who caused a king to give up his throne. Simpson's disruption of the monarchy is often thought of as the least of her sins. She was supposed to have been a Nazi sympathizer and spy and self-promoting schemer. Pasternak's new biography provides an alternate perspective of what lay behind the gossip and public perceptions and paints a different picture of the woman who was shunned by Britain, suggesting that the royal family took advantage of the situation to dethrone Edward, whom they thought unfit to rule. In this account, Simpson is less concerned with becoming a queen than she is with the welfare of her husband, being the only one who knows how to placate his whims and moods. Pasternak also suggests a fairly innocent reason for the Windsors' interest in Hitler. Did Simpson get a raw deal from the royals and the media or did she deserve her bad press? This biography helps round out Simpson's story. Audiobook: Simon & Schuster Audio; 11 hr, 37 min; read by Laura Kirman.

Salt on Your Tongue by Charlotte Runcie (Canongate, March 5): It's a little hard to describe this book of personal essays because Runcie covers so much territory within its covers. As the subtitle--"Women and the Sea"--suggests, the unifying thread of her pieces is the ocean. Some of the essays are clearly nature writing; some are about motherhood; and others take a literary, mythology, or history bent. Women have always had a mixed relationship to the sea. The ocean took their husbands and sons but also provided food, beauty, and recreation. Runcie explores the shoreline and tidal pools, recalls songs and poems celebrating the sea, and turns to the waves when life is overwhelming. Shakespeare, folk tales, Greek mythology, and science all make appearances, but Runcie's Scotland and its rugged coast is the star. This is a book for those who love the beach. Audiobook: Cannongate; 8 hr, 48 min; read by Jessica Hardwick.

Voices: The Final Hours of Joan of Arc by David Elliott (HMH Books for Young Readers, March 26): This novel in verse geared to young adult readers imagines Joan of Arc's last day through multiple perspectives, some living, some not. Elliott uses a variety of poetic forms, which are signaled by typeface, placement of the words on the page, and ornamented initial capital letters. We hear from Joan's mother and Catholic saints; from the king and from her childhood friends. We also hear from inanimate objects, like a church's altar; from animals, including a stag; and from emotions and states of being, such as lust. Elliott bases at least some of his work on the historic records of Joan's two trials. The first trial includes Joan's own words and resulted in her being burned at the stake. The second trial, held years after her death, documents the voices of the people who knew her well. The book includes a map, a guide to pronunciations, and an index of poetry forms used. Forget the "young readers" label; this is for you too. Audiobook: no information.

Women Who Dared to Break All the Rules by Jeremy Scott (Oneworld, March 12): This collection of short biographies focuses on six women who defied their gender stereotypes and/or societal expectations to follow their own advice. Some are well-known women, such as Mary Wollstonecraft whose equal rights document has inspired women for centuries. Others are more obscure, such as Margaret Argyll, who was often the subject of a hostile press as she pursued her passions (and divorces). The other women are Victoria Woodhull (women's suffrage), Aimee Semple McPherson (a preacher), Edwina Mountbatten (last vicereine of India), and Coco Chanel (fashion icon). This collection provides a good introduction to interesting women who were a force to be reckoned with during their lifetimes; some of them are still making waves today. The book is illustrated with black-and-white photos and ends with a bibliography of the sources used. Audiobook: no information.

Yes She Can compiled by Molly Dillion (Schwartz & Wade, March 5): This book collects the stories of 10 young women who served in the White House during the Obama administration. Now a few years older and in a different America, these women give us an inside look at the everyday workings of the White House, share their thoughts on being part of a historic presidency, and inspire women and girls to find their own place in American government. Although these women helped shaped their country and the world, they aren't afraid to share their blunders and mistakes, and it's exactly this personal and down-to-earth viewpoint that makes these essays so accessible. You too, no matter your age, can make a difference: get out the vote, become an activist, volunteer, find a new job--just do what you can to make the world a better place for everyone. The book includes a glossy photo insert and ends with a guide for how young people can become involved in the day-to-day business of running the government. The target audience is young adult, but these smart, capable women are speaking to all American citizens. Audiobook: no information.

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Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: The Giant Edition

Hold on to your hats, this is going to be a long post because it covers two weeks of my reading life. I had a post in good shape for last Monday; all I had to do was give it a final read through and then hit "publish." Well, best-laid plans and all of that.

Around midnight on Sunday night, after the Oscars, I lost electricity in a big wind storm. There was still no power in the morning, and in fact, we were in the dark for about 12 hours. Because I had to work on Monday and there was no telling when I'd get electricity again--the repair crews were dealing with numerous outages--I decided not to waste my laptop battery on my blog. The house was getting pretty dang chilly before the heat finally kicked on again.

Before I get to the reviews, note that I am giving away a digital copy of Disney's The Little Mermaid to one of my USA readers. Check out that post for information on how to enter for a chance to win a copy. (Thanks, Disney Studios!)

The Night Olivia Fell by Christina McDonald (Gallery Books, Feb. 5): This book is billed as a thriller, but I think it's more like a mystery or puzzle. The story is told in retrospect by a single mother and her daughter. When Abi's phone rings in the middle of the night, you know it's not going to be good news: Her only child, Olivia, is in the hospital in a permanent vegetative state after falling from a bridge into a shallow river. The state of Washington cannot turn off life support because Olivia is pregnant, and there's a good chance the baby will survive until term. The chapters alternate between Olivia's and Abi's viewpoints, covering the final months of Olivia's life. Olivia's chapters primarily cover the events that lead up to her accident (or was it murder?), and Abi's chapters focus mostly on her new reality. Both characters reflect on the past and the choices that lead them to their current situation. The underlying thread is what really happened to Abi on the bridge: Murder or accident or suicide? Was she alone? Among the suspects are a new girlfriend, an old boyfriend, a new boyfriend, and a lifelong best girlfriend, and the parents of these kids are not exactly out of the picture either. This was a solid average read: I liked the two viewpoints and I wasn't completely sure what happened to Olivia. I listened to the unabridged audiobook (Simon & Schuster Audio; 10 hr, 45 min) read by Kelly Burke and Laurel Lefkow, whose performances captured the ages and emotions of their characters. There were a couple of minor mispronunciations, but nothing too jarring. (audiobook provided by the publisher)

Pay Attention Carter Jones by Gary D. Schmidt (Clarion Books, Feb. 5): Schmidt is one of my very favorite middle grade authors (Orbiting Jupiter; Lizzy Bright and the Buckminster Boy). Although his novels are indeed geared to young readers, they deal with real-life issues that are important to all of us. His characters are always believable, and he often uses humor at just the right moments to soften the more difficult topics. I loved his latest book and am looking forward to his next. Absolutely nothing goes right on the first day of sixth grade: Carter's mother is feeling blue, the dog gets sick, there's no milk for the cereal, his little sisters are cranky, the car won't start, and a British man wearing a bowler hat is ringing the doorbell. From there, Carter's life gets both worse and better all at the same time. The man, as it turns out, worked for Carter's late-grandfather in England, and he's a genuine butler! Although the solidly middle-class all-American Jones family has no experience with domestic help, the butler is not daunted; he's here to stay and intent on "civilizing" his new employers. Underlying the fun of getting used to a butler (and learning to play cricket!), Carter is also contending with a father who is on active duty in Afghanistan, the loss of a younger brother from illness, and a mother who is loving but having trouble coping with her grief and loneliness. Mixing humor with an exploration of common contemporary issues, Schmidt has written another winning and thoughtful novel. I mean it, you should be reading his books. (finished copy provided by the publisher)

This Much Country by Kristin Knight Pace (Grand Central, March 5): I didn't know who Pace was before I started reading her well-written memoir. I picked it up because it takes place (mostly) in Alaska and because she is one of the few women to have completed both the Yukon Quest and the Iditarod sled dog races. Each race covers more than 1,000 miles of frozen wilderness and tests the physical and mental strengths of both the mushers and the dogs. Pace has always loved the outdoors, spending as much time as possible in the wild areas of the country, even when quite young. She is also a dog lover. At loose ends, she accepted an offer to spend a few months house sitting, hoping that by the end of winter she would have a clearer vision of her future. This wasn't just any house, though, it was a cabin near Denali Park, and it came with eight sled dogs. Pace, no stranger to fending for herself, thrived in the harsh Alaskan winter, learning not just how to care for the dogs but also how to work them. By the end of the season, Pace found her home, new friends, and a new passion. Pace's story isn't a fairy tale; she writes about her troubles as much as her successes. I can't imagine what it would be like to be on the starting line in -40F temperatures looking ahead to 1,050 miles of snow, ice, cold, and unknown environmental dangers, faced mostly all alone in the wilderness. It's just you, your supplies, and your dogs. Of course, there are checkpoints and other racers, but the Yukon Quest and Iditarod are extremely solo races. Pace has a masters in photojournalism and worked as a journalist, and her writing flows well. It's easy to picture the beauty and harshness of Alaska, her incredible relationship with her dogs, and the emotional journey that has given her a life fully led. I listened to the unabridged audiobook (Hachette Audio, 8 hr, 41 min), read by the author. I usually avoid author-read audios, but Pace did a decent job. It's clear that she's not a professional, but her performance was engaging and heartfelt. The audiobook comes with a downloadable PDF which includes some photographs and maps of the races. (audiobook provided by the publisher)

The Waning Age by S. E. Grove (Viking Books for YR, Feb. 5): I really liked Grove's The Glass Sentence series and so I thought I'd give her latest novel a try. In a future world, people lose the ability to feel emotions as they mature. Currently, the age of waning is around 10, which means children feel sadness, happiness, love, and empathy but teens and adults feel only instincts. Thus a mother will care for her children, but true love is missing. If you have enough money, you can buy synthetic emotions; depending on the mix, the drugs allow you feel a full range of emotions from joy to depression. Since their mother's death, Natalia and Cal have been mostly on their own. Nat works as a maid in a Bay Area hotel while her brother attends school. Although Cal is already 10, he is not showing signs of waning and thus draws the attention of a powerful pharmaceutical company, which kidnaps the boy so researchers can figure out why he's retaining emotions. Nat uses her street smarts and meager connections to try to save Nat before he comes to harm. The novel is a mix of action/thriller and alternate history and explores the nature of emotions and how a world can become devoid of empathy. Grove leaves you with a lot to think about in terms of how technology and drugs could change the very nature of humanity. The unabridged audiobook (Listening Library; 9 hr, 51 min) was read by Kyla Garcia, Julio Sanchez, and Arthur Morey, who kept my attention, blended well together, and grasped the pacing of the story. (audiobook provided by the publisher)

Make This!: Building Thinking, and Tinkering Projects for the Amazing Maker in You by Ella Schwartz with photographs by Matthew Rakola (National Geographic Kids, Feb. 5): First, get the idea that this book is only for kids out of your head. Make This! is for anyone who is interested in how things work. The book takes the current artisan maker movement and turns it into an inspiring learning opportunity for those of us who want to know how to create useful and fun gadgets out of everyday materials. I love the maker culture and can't tell you how excited I was to find a book that is full of projects that pretty much everyone can complete. The projects in Make This! are divided into categories based on a STEM idea: machines, systems, optics, energy, acoustics, and so on. Each project is fun and easy and teaches a practical concept. For example, use a rolling pin to make a pulley and test how it makes it easier to lift heavy objects. Make your own Archimedes' screw and see how screws can move water uphill. Make your own musical instruments and learn about sound waves. Besides the projects, the book explains why things work, encourages us to think about how to apply the concepts to real-life problems, and helps us see the world in a new light. As a bonus, the photographs show young makers of different ages, colors, and body types, which is always appreciated. Both Mr. BFR (a real-life adult maker) and I are looking forward to making many of the projects in the book. Highly recommended. (print copy provided by the publisher)

The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See (Scribner, March 5): I have always liked Lisa See's historical fiction set in China, so I jumped at the chance to listen to her latest novel for a freelance assignment. This time See takes us to the Korean island of Jeju, which has a unique history in terms of women. Families count on women to tend both the dry lands (traditional land-based gardens) and the wet lands, the collectively owned areas of the sea where the haenyeo (women divers) harvest seafood for sale and for feeding their families. The men, in turn, cook, watch the children, and "think deep thoughts." The diving collectives are a centuries-old tradition in which the women are strong and are the major breadwinners for the family. These women dive into cold ocean waters using only lung capacity and wearing minimal clothing; as a result they are able to withstand lower body temperatures than any other population on earth, including polar peoples. The novel follows two friends--one from a long line of strong haenyeo and one an orphan from a questionable family--from young childhood through to old age. Their story is also modern Korea's story, which includes invasion by the Japanese, occupation by the Americans, and a war between democracy and communism. This is a fascinating look at a vanishing culture, an emotional and complex tale of women's friendship, and tough look at Korean history of the last 70 years or so. Add this novel to your March reading list; it's an amazing story. The unabridged audiobook (Simon & Schuster Audio; 13 hr, 22 min) was read by Jennifer Lim who did a terrific job capturing the emotional arc of the characters. (For more, see AudioFile magazine; review copy provided for a freelance assignment)

Stories, Other Books, and a DNF

• "The Paper Menagerie" by Ken Lui from The Paper Menagerie (Saga Press, 2016). I read and loved the title story from this speculative fiction collection. The story explored a mother-son relationship, immigration, regret, and empathy. Recommended, so far. (finished copy provided by the publisher)
• The Book of Delights by Ross Gay (Algonquin, Feb. 12). In 102 very short prose pieces, award-winning poet Gay recorded the small acts of kindness, humor, and beauty he noticed over the course of a year. Recommended for dipping into and for gift giving. (finished copy provided by the publisher)
• Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James (Riverhead, Feb. 5). An epic fantasy based on African myth and history that garnered tons of praise. After an hour of listening to the audiobook (Penguin Audio, 24 hr, 2 min) read by Dion Graham I had to put it aside. I just wasn't feeling it. From the little bit I heard, Graham's performance was awesome. (audio edition provided by the publisher)
• "Secrets" by Jessica Keener from Women in Bed (Story Plant, 2013). Keener is one of my go-to authors, and I liked the way this first story in the collection made me think about the relationships we have with the people we run into on a daily basis but never really know; in this case a waitress and a woman who was a regular for lunch service. Recommended. (review copy provided by the author)
• Death of a Dreamer by M. C. Beaton (Grand Central 2007). This is the 22nd book in the Hamish Macbeth series, and it didn't disappoint. Hamish's personal life, the characters in the village, his new cat, and of course the murders kept me entertained. Totally recommended, especially in audio (Blacktone Audio; 5 hr, 25 min; performed by Graeme Malcolm) (I bought the audiobook)

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