Today's Read: A Good Enough Mother by Bev Thomas

Is it possible for a therapist to help her patients when she herself is dealing with unresolved emotional issues? Ruth, head psychotherapist at the NHS Trauma Unit in London, always maintains the line between patient and doctor, until the day she doesn't. The consequences of her singular lapse in judgment are devastating.

Here's how the book opens:

On paper, Dan Griffin was nothing out of the ordinary. He was anxious, he was urgent, he was like any other patient we see at the Trauma Unit. “Unremarkable” was how I described him to the police. When they looked for answers in those early therapy sessions, they read about the bruise on his face, the terror in his voice, and the flashbacks that were so visceral they took his breath away, but there was nothing to hint at his capacity for violence. Nothing at all to suggest what he was capable of. It took awhile to understand that the question to ask wasn’t Why didn’t I see it coming? but Why didn’t I move out of the way?

—A Good Enough Mother by Bev Thomas (Pamela Dorman, April 30,, p. 1 [ARC])

Quick Facts

• Setting: modern times; London
• Circumstances: Ruth's life has been crumbling ever since her 17-year-old son disappeared. Not knowing whether her boy is alive or dead, she cannot properly grieve, though she can worry. Her marriage has suffered, and her relationship with Tom's twin sister has also been broken. Ruth, however, is keeping her personal problems a secret from her colleagues at the NHS; she doesn't want their pity or advice. Although she's always maintained a strong doctor-patient wall, she falters when she meets George, a new patient who bears a strong resemblance to Tom. Ruth's blindness to George's tamped-down anger will have far-reaching effects.
• Genre & themes: thriller, domestic thriller, motherhood, family drama, twins, surviving trauma
• Why I want to read it: Author Thomas was a clinical psychologist for the NHS and uses her personal experiences and expertise to add authenticity to her debut novel. I like thrillers, especially domestic thrillers, and I generally trust Pamela Dorman Books.
• Reviews: Publisher's Weekly gave A Good Enough Mother a starred review, and Kirkus was also very positive. The Goodreads rating is 3.91. Many reviewers thought the descriptions of psychotherapy were very well done, and others found the book to be emotionally powerful. On the other hand, some reader-reviewers had trouble getting into the story, and a few figured out the ending fairly early on.
• Acknowledgments: thanks to Pamela Dorman Books for a digital review copy of Bev Thomas's debut novel, A Good Enough Mother.

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Weekend Cooking: A Year in Champagne (Film)

A few years ago, I reviewed David Kennard's A Year in Burgundy, which introduced us to the region's winemakers and what it takes to grow wine in that part of France.

The second documentary in Kennard's series is A Year in Champagne (2014; currently available via one of your streaming services). As in the first film, Kennard takes us to a variety of vineyards in the Champagne region, where we visit family-owned estates, big-business growers, and wine producers.

The documentary starts in April, when the vines just start budding and ends in late winter, after the winemakers have bottled their wines for the year. Although I didn't find this film as engaging as Kennard's look at Burgundy, I still enjoyed it.

As several people in A Year in Champagne note, what's a celebration without champagne? What's more, it's perfect all day long, from breakfast to past midnight. I'll start with some of the interesting things I learned:

• During the fermentation, champagne bottles need to be rotated an eighth turn every single day.
• Throughout history, the British connection--especially from the royal family--has very important to the development of champagne as a quality wine.
• There are hundreds of miles of cellars in the Champagne region.
• The Champagne growers association has an incredible amount of rules and regulations for everything from pruning the vines to exactly when the grapes can be harvested.

The Champagne region is the northernmost wine-growing region in France, and the climate can be brutal for the grapes. The documentary was filmed in 2012, which was a year of cool temperatures and little sun. Despite that, there was a harvest, and champagne was bottled.

Unlike Kennard's first film, almost all of this movie required subtitles. I don't mind subtitles, but sometimes I find myself doing more reading than looking at the images on the screen. In addition, I didn't connect as strongly with Champagne winemakers as I did with the Burgundy families.

In any case, I'm glad I watched A Year in Champagne, and I hope David Kennard continues the series, so I can learn more about wine making in France. Here is the trailer.

Note that I'll be at a lacemaking workshop all weekend, but will visit your blogs just as soon as I can.

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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 Books Set in Twentieth-Century America

One of the great joys of reading, at least for me, is being transported to other places, other times. I know that many of you say you have no interest in historical fiction, but I enjoy reading about the past. As today’s recommendations prove, not all historical fiction involves Henry VIII or World War II.

By chance, the books that caught my attention this week take us to the U.S. coasts. East or west? You pick. Just a side note: Don't you just love the covers of these books?

What’s Happening in Hollywood?

• City of Flickering Light by Juliette Fay (Gallery Books, April 16). Set in the 1920s, when the movie industry was just getting started, this novel follows three friends who leave the burlesque circuit to find fame and fortune in Hollywood. The silent pictures may offer plenty of opportunity, but for most would-be stars, the journey is fraught with hardship, poverty, and distasteful choices. Are Irene, Millie, and Henry prepared for what awaits them, both in front of and behind the camera? Audiobook: Read by Lisa Flanagan (Blackstone; 11 hr, 32 min)
• The Great Pretenders by Laura Kalpakian (Berkley, April 16). Set in the 1950s, this is the story of a young woman trying to establish herself as a Hollywood producer against the backdrop of the McCarthy-era communist scare and the early days of the civil rights movement. Although Roxanne was raised among the industry elite, she is not protected from conservative politics or gossip and scandal. Audiobook: Read by Alexandra Harris (Penguin; 13 hr, 2 min)

Head on Back to the East

• Cape May by Chip Cheek (Celadon, April 30). Set in the 1950s on the Jersey Shore, this novel explores what happens after an innocent young southern couple's off-season honeymoon turns into a walk on the wild side of Yankee fashionable society. Henry and Effie can't seem to resist the booze-infused seductive days and nights offered by their new cool friends. The beach life is grand, but at what cost? Audiobook: Read by George Newbern (Macmillan; 7 hr, 34 min)
• When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton (Berkley, April 9). Set in the 1960s, mostly in Florida, this story follows a young woman who seeks revenge on none other than Fidel Castro, whom she blames for the death of her twin brother and for her family's exile to the States. Mixing a little romance with politics and cold war intrigue, this is about Beatriz Perez and how she tries to balance the sorrow of the past with the hope of the future in her new country. Audiobook: Read by Kyla Garcia (Blackstone; 11 hr, 7 min)
• Park Avenue Summer by Renée Rosen (Berkley, April 30). Set in the 1960s in New York City, this novel imagines Helen Gurley Brown's first months at the Hearst offices and her fight to transform Cosmopolitan into her vision of the modern woman. Told through the eyes of her new-to-the-city assistant, we get an insider's view of Brown, the old boy's network, and the dawn of women's liberation. Audiobook: Read by Kathe Mazur (Penguin; 10 hr, 42 min)

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Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: A Mixed Reading Week

Happy Earth Day! It's finally spring in Pennsylvania, and I'm staring to see early flowers everywhere. Yay (and sneeze)!

If you're looking for a way celebrate nature and learn more about the importance of conservation, I can't recommend the Netflix documentary series Our Planet more highly. We haven't seen all the episodes yet, but the filming is amazing and the message is important. I've included the trailer in this post, which gives you a hint of this don't-miss series.

Because there was so much to see on the news last week and because I'm working ahead to get ready for a lacemaking workshop coming up in a few days, I didn't get a lot of reading done. Hey, some weeks are slow.

The Last by Hanna Jameson (Atria; April 9). I still love good dystopian fiction, and The Last combines an all-too-probable end-of-the-world story with a murder mystery. I really couldn't resist. The premise is this: Jon, an academic historian from the Bay Area attends a conference in a remote hotel in Switzerland. On the last day, before he can check out, massive nuclear war is launched, wiping out entire cities and even countries. A couple dozen people (made up of guests and staff) remain at the hotel to figure out what to do next. The characters come from different walks of life and from different countries. Some are stuck in the hotel alone; others have family with them. Some are resourceful or have a survivor instinct; others want to give up or take their chances in the surrounding woods; some even commit suicide. Can the people at the hotel work together to forge a future? Are there other people alive on the planet? And who murdered the little girl whose body Jon finds? The book consists of Jon's journal, which is a daily record of what happens at the hotel after the bombs are dropped and includes interviews Jon conducts of the other survivors. In addition, Jon becomes obsessed with trying to identify the killer, and he records his investigation and his suspicions in his journal. This novel was almost too scary to read because the idea didn't seem all that farfetched. I liked the set up, the setting, and the way the characters interacted with each other. The problems and choices the survivors faced seemed realistic, and so were the descriptions of the hotel and the changes to the environment. I would have given this a big thumbs up, right up to the end. I don't need my novels to be tied up with a bow, and I don't mind a few open ends that spark my imagination, but this book ended with way too much unresolved. I couldn't find any indication that a sequel was in the works, yet the ending screams, "you'll get the answers in the next book." Made me mad. The unabridged audiobook (Simon & Schuster Audio; 12 hr, 16 min) was brilliantly read by Anthony Starke, who nailed the characters' personalities and accents and created an atmosphere of dread and uncertainty. I've never listened to Starke before, but he's now on my recommend list! (audio and digital editions provided by the publisher)

Tiny Hot Dogs by Mary Giuliani (Running Press, April 9). Giuliani (no relation to Rudy) grew up in Montauk (Long Island) in an Italian Catholic family, dreaming of becoming a Jewish actress. Her life, however, took a different turn, and she is now known as being a caterer to the stars. This light memoir is told in short essays and is filled with recipes. There are laugh-out-loud moments from Giuliani's life as well as some fun stories about the famous people she's met. She also provides some behind-the-scenes insight to what it's like to be around the rich and famous, though contact is mostly from the kitchen and the sidelines. Giuliani's memoir is also a tribute to family and a strong marriage and includes her struggle to become pregnant and to sustain a pregnancy. Despite some inevitable sorrow, Giuliani's stories are mostly upbeat and positive. Life can be funny, and no matter how often we think we know where we'll end up, the gods usually have something else in mind. To echo the quote from Ina Garten that appears on the cover: "I love this book!" I may even get around to making one of Giuliani recipes. Note that this little memoir would make a great Mother's Day gift if the mother in your life has a good sense of humor and enjoys spending time in the kitchen. The audiobook (Hachette Audio; 4 hr, 25 min) is read by the author, and although I didn't listen to the book, I sampled a little bit of the narration. From the few minutes I heard, I thought Giuliani did a nice job. The audio comes with a PDF of the recipes. Thank you, Hachette for making sure that audiobook lovers won't miss out on the recipes. (audio, digital, and print copies provided by the publisher)

And here is the promised trailer.

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Weekend Cooking: Eat Clean Play Dirty by Danielle Duboise and Whitney Tingle

Have you heard of the food-subscription service Sakara? Founded by Danielle Duboise and Whitney Tingle, the company does more than just promote a particular diet. From what I learned by reading their new cookbook Eat Clean Play Dirty (which I received as part of the Abrams Dinner Party program) and by looking around their website, Duboise and Tingle are all about a balanced, healthful lifestyle, which finds its base in a plant-based, low-sugar meal plan.

The basic premise of Sakara, which you can find both in the cookbook on the website, is fairly straightforward: they don't count calories, they eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, they aren't afraid of fats, they pay attention to their microbiome, and they believe in having a cocktail and eating their dessert.

I really wanted to love Eat Clean Play Dirty. Their recipes look appealing, and I think the authors have a good grasp of nutritional principals and current research. My big problems are (1) I'm not totally committed to a vegan lifestyle, (2) I live in a small town, and (3) I'm too lazy to run from store to store looking for ingredients on the off-chance I could find them here in central Pennsylvania. Ingredients like turmeric root and hijiki seaweed are absent from my grocery store; even lemongrass, microgreens, and mangoes are hit or miss finds.

That said, I found several recipes to try and one I plan to make this summer (it's the recipe I'm sharing today). Everything I made from this cookbook was a success, especially a polenta and vegetable casserole, which I absolutely will make again. The soba noodle bowl (shown to the right), was tasty (I substituted portabella mushrooms for the shiitakes) and easy to make. Duboise and Tingle's recipe for this dish calls for asparagus--perfect for spring.

Note that although I've called Eat Clean Play Dirty a vegan cookbook some recipes do call for honey, which could be problematic for some of you. Other recipes use coconut palm sugar or maple syrup as sweeteners. If you've been vegan for a while, I suspect you'll know how to swap out the honey.

Recommendation: If you're committed to a vegan way of life and you're looking for good recipes and new ideas, you'll be happy with Eat Clean Play Dirty, especially if you live in a city with plenty of well-stocked food stores. If you incorporate vegetarian dishes into your weekly meal plan (like me) but haven't yet made the move to 100 percent vegan, then you'll probably be happier checking this cookbook out of your library before buying.

I've marked the following salad to try once local summer fruits appear at the farmer's market.

Sexiest Salad in New York City
Serves 2
For the Vinaigrette

• 1/4 cup (60 ml) sunflower oil
• 2 tablespoons wildflower honey
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 3 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch of Himalayan salt

For the Salad

• 1/4 cup (25 g) sliced almonds
• 8 cups (240 g) torn kale leaves
• 3/4 cup (125 g) cooked or canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 cup (95 g) blueberries
• 1/2 cup (65 g) raspberries
• 1 peach, thinly sliced
• 4 large strawberries, hulled and thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup (12 g) minced chives
• 2 tablespoons hemp seeds

Make the dressing: In a jar or blender add all the ingredients. Shake or blend until completely smooth.

Make the salad: Scatter the sliced almonds in a large pan over medium-low heat. Toast the nuts, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Set aside to cool.

In 2 medium bowls, make beds with the kale. Top with the chickpeas, blueberries, raspberries, peach, and strawberries. Sprinkle with the chives, hemp seeds, and toasted almonds and drizzle with the dressing.

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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 April Books That Should Be on Your Radar

Today’s round-up comes in two parts: general fiction and books in translation. All the April books featured here deserve some extra buzz in the blogging world, some because of the issues they address and others because they offer insight into worlds that may be very different from our own.

The descriptions of the plots are primarily based on the publishers’ summaries, and I’ve included the first sentence of each book as well. I hope at least one of the featured titles catches your attention and sends you off to your local bookstore or library. I’m currently reading, and really enjoying, two of them (Bakhita and Feast Your Eyes), and hope to get to the others fairly soon.

Literary Fiction

Feast Your Eyes by Myla Goldberg (Scribner, April 16). This novel is told through a variety of media: catalog notes from a photography show, interviews, journal entries, and so forth. It’s the story of photographer Lillian Preston who is arrested on an obscenity charge after exhibiting partially nude photographs of herself and her daughter. The time period is the mid-1900s, and public and legal questions of art vs. pornography affect Lillian’s career and future. The book is told through the eyes of Lillian’s daughter, Samantha. Reviews: a 4.6 rating on Goodreads; star from Kirkus. Themes: women professionals, art, artists, mothers and daughters. First line: “I was ten when I saw it, Pops sitting across the breakfast table with his Daily News and his cigarette.”

The Dream Peddler by Martine Fournier Watson (April 9, Penguin). Robert Owens, a traveling salesman, offers potions that will allow his customers to control their dreams. When he arrives in a small town at the turn of the last century, many folks want to dream about love and their future spouse, but some dream of revenge. When Robert is caught up in town scandals and gossip, secrets are exposed and the bonds of the community begin to crumble. Quirky characters and a rural-America setting add charm. Reviews: a 4.1 rating on Goodreads. Themes: marriage, love, grief, finding one’s way in life. First line: “The dream peddler came to town at the white end of winter, before the thaw.”

Paul Takes the Form of a Mortal Girl by Andrea Lawlor (Vintage, April 23). Set in the 1990s, this is a kind of retelling of Orlando set in the queer world of university towns and pop culture. From Riot Grrrl music to women’s studies classes and gay bars, Paul is able to gender-shift his way through a variety of alternative communities across late-20th-century America. But how does his fluid gender affect his relationships, and can he/she find (or even want) intimacy? Reviews: a 4.2 rating on Goodreads; star from Kirkus. Themes: LGBTQ+, self-realization. First line: “Like a shark, Paul had to keep moving.”

My Coney Island Baby by Billy O’Callaghan (Harper, April 9). A kind of Irish twist on Same Time Next Year. A man and a woman, married to others, have had a 25-year affair, meeting at a run-down hotel on Coney Island on the first Tuesday of every month, savoring a few hours of peace and joy. When their home lives begin to intrude on their intimacy, they are forced to face the realities of their secret relationship and their futures, either together or separate. Reviews: a 3.8 rating on Goodreads; star from Kirkus. Themes: marriage, love, relationships, honesty. First line: “The air out here is mean with cold.”

Books in Translation

Lie with Me by Philippe Besson, translated from the French by Molly Ringwald (yes, the actor) (Scribner, April 30). While in Bordeaux as an adult, a novelist sees a face in the crowd that reminds him of a boy he loved when they were teens. Told as a memoir, this novel explores a secret relationship between two ill-matched boys who held on to each other at time when being gay in France was not part of the accepted social norm. Reviews: a 4.3 on Goodreads; Kirkus praised Ringwald’s translation. Themes: young love, LGBTQ+, self-acceptance. First line: “One day—I can say precisely when, I know the date—I find myself in the lobby bar of a hotel in a provincial city, sitting in an armchair across from a journalist, a low round table between us, being interviewed for my latest novel, which recently came out.”

Acts of Infidelity by Lena Andersson, translated from the Swedish by Saskia Vogel (Other Press, April 23). When Ester fell madly in love with Olof, she knew the actor was married. She heard him speak the words when he said he wasn’t going to leave his wife, but she was sure he’d eventually change his mind. As the years pass, however, Ester finally faces the truth: she is a permanent “other woman”—but what will this revelation lead to? Reviews: a 3.7 rating on Goodreads. Themes: marriage, affairs, self-reflection, relationships. First line: “Ester Nilsson had arrived at that point in her life when each birthday leaves its mark.”

Bakhita by Véronique Olmi, translated from the French by Adriana Hunter (Other Press, April 16). This novel is based on the life of  Mother Josephine Bakhita, a Catholic nun, born in the mid-1800s, who devoted her life to serving the poor. When only 7 years old, she was kidnapped from her Sudanese village to be sold into slavery and a life of abuse, until she was bought by an Italian consul, who took her with him to Italy, where Bakhita’s spiritual transformation began. She survived unimaginable horrors before her salvation and was canonized by the Catholic Church in 2000. Reviews: a 4.2 rating on Goodreads. Themes: family, slavery, religion, redemption. First line: “She does not know her name.”

City of Jasmine by Olga Grjasnowa, translated from the German by Katy Derbyshire (Oneworld, April 9). Set against the backdrop of war-torn Syria, this novel focuses on the fates of an ex-pat surgeon who is detained when he tries to leave after a short visit to renew his passport and an actress and her boyfriend who conspire to escape to the safety of Europe. The surgeon is caught in a web of resistance politics and the young couple finds that life as refugees falls far short of the future they had imagined. Reviews: a 4.2 rating on Goodreads. Themes: politics, war, survival, hope. First line: “The first fields are already visible through the plane window, followed by an ocean of houses that vanishes again; then the wing slews upwards and the window reveals nothing but sky blue.”

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Wordless Wednesday 539

Forsythia, 2019

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

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Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: Recommended Fiction in Print or Audio

Last week was a catch-up week. I've finally gotten a break in my workload, but instead of relaxing, I took care of all the little things I've let go the last couple of months and even got some yard work done. It feels great to work human hours again.

I don't think I need to tell Game of Thrones fans that the new (final) season started last night, but have you been watching Discovery of Witches on AMC? If you're in the UK or get Sundance Now, you've probably already seen it. But I had to wait for it come on AMC, so I'm stuck with once-a-week viewing. I loved the books and couldn't wait to see the series. Based on the first episode, I love the way it's filmed, the actors, and how the show interprets the books.

I started a print book and a digital book last week and finished two audiobooks. I'll have more on Bakhita and Tiny Hot Dogs next week, but here's what I thought of the other two.

The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill Sisters by Balli Kaur Jaswal (HarperAudio; 13 hr, 10 min; April 30). Even though I don't have sisters, I was fairly quickly caught up in this story of three sisters who travel to India to honor their late-mother's last request. Rajni, much older than the other two sisters, is organized and proper and maybe even a little uptight. Jezmeen, in her early 30s, is still hoping to make it big as an actress, though she's currently between jobs. Shirnia, the "good" sister, impulsively married a man she met through an online Indian dating app and moved from her native London to Melbourne, Australia. Each is hiding personal problems from her sisters. They all undertake this trip through India with mixed feelings, but they want to honor their mother's dying request that they scatter her ashes in the sacred waters of her homeland. On the surface, the novel is a light and sometimes funny sibling road trip through a country that none of them know--although when she was just a teenager, Rajini accompanied her mother on a single journey to visit relatives. Deeper layers explore mother-daughter relationships, sisters, life in India for women, Punjabi culture, aspects of Sikh religion, marriage, and other general contemporary issues. I was surprised at how strongly I connected to the sisters and sympathized with their problems. I, of course, can't speak to the authenticity of the British Punjabi experience described by Jaswal, but the story felt true to me. I listened to the audiobook for a freelance assignment. The bulk of the book was nicely performed by Soneela Nankani, who captured the sisters' different personalities and set the tone for both the humor and the more serious scenes. Deepti Gupta read the few short sections voiced by the Shergill sisters' mother.

Side note: No one is more surprised than I am to discover that I'm a science-fiction fan. Seriously, I never really got into the sci-fi television series when I was kid, and though I watched the early Star Wars movies (and even copyedited a few of the novels), I never became immersed in that universe. But in the last few years, and particularly recently, I've found several series and trilogies I love, the Illuminae Files books by Annie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff among them. So when I saw they had written a new series, described as a science-fiction epic, I had to give it a try.

Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff (Listening Library; 11 hr, 30 min; May 7). The book opens as Tyler, the top student in the newly graduated class of cadets from Aurora Academy, rescues the only survivor from a centuries-old space ship. As a result of this act of heroism and the ensuing mandatory quarantine, Tyler misses the chance to pick his own crew for the peacekeeping, humanitarian, and diplomatic missions he's been trained to lead. The good news is that his twin sister and his lifelong best friend hold out to serve under him. The bad news is that he's stuck with three people no one else wanted. Meanwhile, Auri is revived from cryo-sleep, only to discover she's missed more than 200 years of history and is, within hours of awakening, already a person of interest. Before she can sort out friend from enemy in a world she barely recognizes, she's told by academy authorities to stow away in the cargo hold of Tyler's ship. The consequences of these acts, circumstances, and discoveries converge with universe-shattering consequences. I always like a book that is told from multiple viewpoints, and Kaufman and Kristoff do this brilliantly. The characters are fully realized, each carrying his or her own cultural and personal and familial baggage and each with a distinct personality and attitude. I liked the slow build up of trust (or not) among the crew and the way the six main characters interacted with each other. The revelation of the foundational conflict was well set up, presented a few surprises, and points to more adventures and discoveries to come as the series progresses. I'm being vague because you should learn about this universe, Auri, and Tyler's squad on your own. In fact, I recommend that you not read reviews, for fear of totally ruining the story. (Though Kirkus doesn't reveal any secrets.) Put this on your wish list in print or in audio. I'm going to find it really, really hard to wait for the next book. (review copy provided by the publisher)

The audiobook is read primarily by Kim Mai Guest (Auri), Johnathan McClain (Tyler), Erin Spencer (Tyler's twin), and Candice Moll (Tyler's best friend). Lincoln Hoppe, Donnabella Mortel, Jonathan Todd Ross, and Steve West take on the other crew members and one of the handheld computers. There are no weak links here; the eight narrators kept the characters consistent and were equally adept at building tension. Good pacing and expressive performances made it hard for me to take out my earbuds.

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Weekend Cooking: Pescan by Abbie Cornish and Jacqueline King

When best friends Abbie Cornish and Jacqueline King Schiller started cooking together, they weren't thinking about sharing their recipes with the world. After friends began asking them for tips on how to cook more nutritious foods, however, they got the idea of putting together a cookbook.

More than two years later, we can thank Cornish and Schiller for Pescan (Abrams, March 26), a book that fits the diets of many modern-day cooks. Their recipes rely mostly on plants and are completely dairy free. They do, however, incorporate seafood for a delicious protein boost.

The authors' general philosophy for good eating for good health is to load up on plenty of fruits and vegetables (in a rainbow of colors), to avoid processed foods, to use seasonally fresh ingredients, and to eat fish a couple of times a week. They use eggs and gluten sparingly (and these ingredients are always optional in the cookbook).

Although both authors found better overall health and weight loss when they switched to a Pescan way of eating, they do not think of their food choices as a "diet." The foods they talk about in their cookbook are simply part of their way of living. If you're looking for recipes that will help you eat a more plant-based diet and meet your own health goals, then Pescan is a good choice.

Besides the recipes, Cornish and Schiller offer some great tips for helping you relax in the kitchen. They outline a weekly game plan and provide a number of "starter recipes" that are easy to master and will give you confidence. I like the variety of the simple grain and bean dishes, and the recipe I'm sharing today is my new favorite way to eat carrots. I picked up a few fresh smoothie combos and risotto ideas, and the salads (like a bean and shrimp salad) look really flavorful.

If you're into tofu, you'll want to try the Spicy Buffalo Tofu Fingers with Avocado Ranch Dressing; one of the other Abrams Dinner Party members made it and said it was really good.  Someone else made the Watermelon Radish and Smoked Salmon Canapes, which were also a hit. I liked the Fiesta Veggie Rice and the Breakfast Cookies (made with bananas, oats, and dates and no flour; see my photo), among other dishes.

I have to mention all the extras you'll find in Pescan. Each recipe starts with an estimated prep time and cook time and ends with information about that dish's "feel good ingredient." For example, the recipe I share below ends with info about carrots and why they're good for us. When appropriate, Cornish and Schiller also provide notes and variations. Don't miss the menus at the back of the book and as well as the equipment suggestions. Beautiful photographs and stories from the authors round out the book.

Recommendation: If you love vegetables, fruit, and fish, you'll find a lot to like in Abbie Cornish and Jacqueline King Schiller's Pescan. If you're fairly new to dairy-free, plant-based cooking, go ahead and buy a copy of this cookbook, which will guide you through your transition. If you're an experienced cook, you may want to check it out from the library first, just to see if it's a good match for you. I'm pretty impressed with the flavor combos (Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Dried Cherries, and Walnuts? Yes, please) and how easy the recipes are to make.

Note: I received this book as part of my participation in the Abrams Dinner Party. My thoughts are unbiased.

If you haven't jumped on the roasted veggie bandwagon, then you're missing out. I rarely steam or saute fresh vegetables anymore because we prefer roasted or grilled. The photo accompanying the carrot recipe is from Pescan and shows roasted Brussels sprouts and roasted purple cauliflower with the rainbow carrots in the middle. Note that there's no reason not to just use all orange carrots.

Whole Roasted Maple-Ginger Carrots
Prep = 5 min / cook = 35 min / Serves 4 as a side

• 14-16 small to medium carrots (2 bunches)
• 1-inch (2.5-cm) piece ginger, peeled
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1/8 teaspoon kosher sea salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice (from 1/2 orange)
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Preheat the oven to 425F (220C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Trim the carrot tops (if necessary) to 3/4 inch (2 cm). Rinse and scrub the carrots well with a paper towel for a rustic look or peel them if you want a very smooth look. Place the carrots on the baking sheet.

In a small bowl. grate the ginger, then add the oil, maple syrup, water, salt, black pepper, cayenne, and cumin. Whisk with a fork. Pour the mixture over the carrots and turn them a couple of times to ensure they are well coated. Arrange the carrots in a single layer and make sure there is a little space between each one to allow air to circulate.

Roast the carrots in the oven for 20 minutes. Remove and carefully turn them using tongs. Pour the orange juice over them and sprinkle with the cilantro leaves. Roast for 10 to 15 minutes more, until they are soft and wrinkly on the outside and tender-crisp in the middle.

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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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Off the Shelf; or What's New in My Corner of the World 3

Today is the first day in a long time that I don't have a pile of work awaiting my attention. Mid-April always means a lighter workload for me, and the timing couldn't be better. With milder temperatures, spring fever sets in with a vengeance, and I'm itching to get outside and fix up the deck, clean the porch, and tidy up the yard and gardens.

On the schedule for this afternoon: buy potting soil and clean out my planters so I'll be ready to start shopping the local nurseries. Oh and it's only two more weeks until our outdoor farmers' market opens for the season. Good-bye vegetables from California, hello local produce!

Quiet time: A few years ago I edited a parenting book that inspired Mr. BFR and me to implement a change in our (childless) lives, and it's become a welcome habit. Almost every night after dinner we have a no-screen hour. During that time, we don't watch television and stay off our phones and computers. It's our time to do something fun (like play cards or work on a jigsaw puzzle) or listen to music, read (eBook screens are allowed), do crafts, enjoy a hobby, get a chore done, and so on. We don't always engage in a joint activity, and we don't set a timer. We've both been surprised at how often an hour of reading or playing the guitar (Mr. BFR) or lacemaking (me), turns into a whole evening without the television or social media. It's a great way to de-stress.

Still struggling (kind of): On Twitter the other day I joined a conversation about reading digital books. A couple of us agreed that making the switch was less about reading on a screen instead of holding a book and more about getting used to the other aspects: flagging quotes, marking data for use in reviews, not having a clear visual of how much you've read and where the end of the chapter is. The other big issue was remembering what's in your digital library. When I go to pick my next book, I like looking at the covers, maybe reading the first page or so, and seeing all my choices in a row (or stack). I forget to look at my digital library. One friend mentioned that she keeps a spreadsheet so she can see her digital library. My problem is that I'm not usually near my computer when I go to pick out my next book . . . perhaps I need to print out monthly lists. I'm going to give it a try.

Instagram: I used to share a daily photograph, and I loved looking at the world through the eye of a camera lens. I've gotten away from that, mostly because I live in a small town, walk the same four or five routes, and work from home. I thought my photos were becoming repetitive and I was losing my inspiration. I've recently decided that the pressure was all in my head. Instead of making sure every photo was "artsy" why not just share a moment from my life? I'm about a week into my new approach, and I'm happy. I've been photographing my books, what I baked, what I saw in the garden. I'm just going to go for it. If I get a lot of likes--yay me. If I don't--oh well.

Life changer: Huge shout out to SuziQoregon (Whimpulsive blog), for introducing me to ProtoPage, which I'm now using for my blog reader. I'm just setting it up and haven't added everybody yet, but I'm loving it! Here's what I did. First I either deleted or moved everything on the home screen that was already there (suggested by the app). Then I filled the front page with the blogs I read, editing the view to suit my needs. Now I can go to ProtoPage and see if anyone has published a new post and click through to read it. This works beautifully, and I'm so glad to be back to making the blog rounds. I'm slowly adding everyone's feeds to my ProtoPage home screen and love feeling connected again. BTW: it's a pretty cool site, and you can make tabs for different kinds of blogs or for adding Twitter feeds, news feeds, and even your Google calendar. Say thanks to SuziQoregon.

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Wordless Wednesday 538

Windflower, 2019

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

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Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: Reading across the Genres

I'm fully aware that we could still have snow here in central Pennsylvania, and I know my heat will be on for another few weeks, but--dare I say it--I think the weather has finally broken. The forsythia is budded, the bulbs are pushing up greenery, and I've switched to spring coats.

With a little bit of luck from the weather gods, I'll be able to start getting the deck reading for summer this week. A woman can dream, can't she?

We started a new (for us) show on Netflix over the weekend called Hell on Wheels. You probably won't guess what it's about from the title, at least I didn't. It's a period piece about building the transcontinental railroad after the Civil War. We're three or four episodes in and fairly addicted.

Here are some very short takes on what I read last week. (All three were provided by the publisher.)

• Abandoned by W. Michael Gear (DAW, Nov. 2018). This second entry in Gear's Donovan trilogy was every bit as action-packed and interesting as the first book (see my thoughts on Outpost). New characters are introduced and some familiar characters die. Life on the planet is bringing out both the worst and best in the people who are trying to colonize it. The native creatures of the planet may not be as clueless and easy to conquer as the Earthlings first imagine. The third book comes out in May, but I'm hoping for an early copy.
• The Field Guild to Dumb Birds by Matt Kracht (Chronicle, April 2). I wrote about this book last Friday and read it over the weekend. Be warned: you will truly laugh out loud. Although the book contains real and useful information about birding, birds, and maintaining bird feeders, all information is given with an attitude. For example, the section on birds of prey is titled "Murder Birds," and each species is given a new common name, such as the Great Blue Moron, which is "usually standing shin-deep in the water like an idiot." The ink drawings (see the cover) are nicely done. Recommended for bird lovers with a sense of humor.
• My Lovely Wife by Samanth Downing (Berkley, March 26). Truth: I was going skip this thriller because I thought I had it all figured out from the publisher's summary. I decided to give it a go when I had a chance to review the audio version for AudioFile magazine. Another truth: boy was this twisty and I totally did not guess how this book was going to play out. This is a domestic thriller about a happily married couple whose hobby just happens to be killing innocent women. Will they get caught? Will their children ever find out? This is well worth your while. Thoughts on the audio edition will appear in the magazine, but the short take is that narrator David Pittu does a really nice job building the tension and avoiding tipping off the twists.

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Weekend Cooking: Great Recipes from Eating Well

I love it when one of my food magazines is so good I want to cook my way through the issue from cover to cover. April's Eating Well is just such a winner.

So much about this issue says spring, especially in its use of radishes and peas, which are some of the earliest garden veggies (though it's still too cold here for gardening). I made three recipes from the magazine this week and marked a bunch more to try.

All of the recipes I mention here can be found on the Eating Well website (follow the links), but I share one recipe with my adaptations here. (The photos are used here in the context of a review, and all rights remain with Eating Well.)

By the way, Eating Well is about more than just recipes. There are always interesting and informative articles about health and travel. This month readers get to visit Ireland and Texas, learn about protein, discover how to eat well for good mental health, and learn about sous vide cooking, plus much more.

Here are a few of the recipes I flagged to try:

• Maple-mustard pork chops and vegetables baked on a sheet pan
• Poppy seed chicken salad
• Red grapefruit frozen margaritas
• Irish stew
• Steak with cauliflower rice

A few breakfast dishes, a couple of appetizers, and a shrimp recipe also made my cut.

The first recipe I made was Charred Vegetable and Bean Tostadas with Lime Crema (shown to the right). These were a hit and made enough for two dinners and one lunch. I would make these again in a minute. I bet the toppings would also work well as nachos, and I plan to test out my theory next time we have friends over for a casual get-together. I bet I could serve those grapefruit margaritas at the same time!

I also made the Radish and Carrot Slaw with Toasted Sesame Dressing. I served these as one of the sides for a simple grilled chicken dish. This slaw was really good the first night, but wasn't as fresh tasting the next day with lunch. Don't get me wrong, it was still tasty, but just not quite as good as it was the night before.

We had the following grain and broccoli salad for dinner one night and then had the leftovers for lunch. This was excellent as a main course and would be a good addition to a pot luck or buffet. I plan to make this again specifically for lunches. I'm sure you could switch out the broccoli for cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and the like. Follow the link to see the original recipe. Below is my adaptation, but the photo is from the magazine.

Whole-Grain Salad with Charred Broccoli, Spring Onions & Parsley Vinaigrette
Adapted from Eating Well (April 2019)
6 servings

• 4 cups broccoli florets
• 4 small spring onions with 6 inches of greens, cut into ½-inch-thick pieces
• 8 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• ½ teaspoon lemon zest
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
• ¼ cup roughly chopped parsley (leaves & stems)
• 1½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar
• 1 bag Trader Joe's 10-minute barley, cooked per directions & drained
• ½ cup crumbled sheep's-milk feta cheese
• ⅓ cup sliced red radishes

Preheat the oven to 425F. Line a sheet pan with parchment. In the pan, toss the broccoli and spring onions with 2 tablespoons oil, and then roast until softened and charred, 30 to 45 minutes (I forgot to time this step). Transfer to a large bowl and add lemon zest, salt, and pepper; stir to coat.

Place the parsley, mustard, lemon juice, and vinegar in a mini food processor and pulse until combined. Drizzle in the remaining olive oil in a slow stream until fully incorporated.

Add the barley, feta, and radishes to the vegetables. Toss with ¼ cup of the vinaigrette. Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve with the remaining vinaigrette on the side. Refrigerate the leftovers.

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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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10 Books About Ourselves and Our World

I'm an eclectic reader. My shelves contain a healthy mix of literary fiction, fantasy, mystery, and even middle grade novels. Sitting right next to all of that escape reading are a good number of true stories, science, history, essays, and biography. These days, I doubt I could name just one genre or subject as my favorite, but when I was in elementary school, I used to tell people that biography was my go-to.

Today's roundup highlights the nonfiction titles I've added to my April reading list. I know I won't get to all of these, but the following 10 books are the ones that caught my attention. The list contains biography, history, science, personal essays, and memoir, so I hope something here will find its way to your own bookshelves. Note that I'm not including food writing/memoir, which I'll save for my Weekend Cooking posts.

Science

• The Accidental Homo Sapiens: Genetics, Behavior, and Free Will by Ian Tattersall and Robert DeSalle (Pegasus Books; April 2). This book examines human evolution from a contemporary theoretical context, looking at the interplay of genetics and behavior, the way humans solve problems and change their environment, and the biological future of our species. Why I want to read this: Tattersall was youngish paleontologist, already making a name for himself, when I was in graduate school. He and DeSalle are both associated with the American Museum of Natural History and are well respected in the fields of physical anthropology and evolution. This topic is closely related to my own academic interests.
• American Moonshot: John F. Kennedy and the Great Space Race by Douglas Brinkley (Harper, April 2). I can't summarize this better than the following sentence from the publisher: "A vivid and enthralling chronicle of one of the most thrilling, hopeful, and turbulent eras in the nation’s history, [this book] is an homage to scientific ingenuity, human curiosity, and the boundless American spirit." Why I want to read this: First--gawk!--it cannot possibly be 50 years since we first landed on the moon; it was 20 years ago tops, right? I'm particularly interested in this account because it includes new interviews and firsthand accounts of the politics, people, and technology that allowed JFK's challenge to be met ahead of schedule.
• Science Comics: Wild Weather: Storms, Meteorology, and Climate by M. K. Reed and illustrated by Jonathan Hill (First Second, April 16). This book helps us learn to distinguish between weather and climate and tells us all about new weather technology and how major storm systems develop. This fun nonfiction comic answers all our questions about storms throughout the seasons. Why I want to read this: I'm curious about the world around me and love the idea of learning more about weather through a nonfiction comic. This may be geared to middle grade readers, but I'm sure I'll discover something new about meterology.

Essays

• Greek to Me: Adventures of the Comma Queen by Mary Norris (Norton, April 2). Norris is widely known as the chief copyeditor of The New Yorker magazine and in this collection of essays she talks about English, words, and her love affair with all things Greek. Why I want to read this: As an avid reader, full-time copyeditor, and part-time book reviewer how could I say no to this? Norris is not only an impeccable editor but an entertaining and thoughtful writer. This is (as you might have guessed) on my must-read list for this month.
• Here Is Where I Walk: Episodes From a Life in the Forest by Leslie Carol Roberts (University of Nevada Press, April 3). In the essays collected here, Roberts muses about travel, nature, motherhood, and the environment, all linked by the time she has spent in America's only residential national park, the Presidio in San Francisco. Why I want to read this: I'm a big walker and love to spend as much time as possible in my local parks and state forests. I wonder if Roberts and I think about the same kinds of things when we're in the woods.

Humor

• The Field Guide to Dumb Birds of North America by Matt Kracht (Chronicle Books, April 2). Do you think you can you identify the common birds that hop around your yard and build nests in your hanging plants? Kracht bets you don't know their real names: how about the black-capped prickadee and goddamned Canada goose? Why I want to read this: I love watching the birds in my yard and tending to my bird feeders, but I also have a good sense of humor. This guide offers solid information about our feathered friends but it's served with an irreverent attitude. The illustrations (see the cover) are nicely done.
• Fifty Things That Aren't My Fault by Cathy Guisewite (Putnam, April 2). In this collection, Guisewite steps away from her beloved comic strip (Cathy) to talk about life and family in the sandwich years and her complex perspectives on grown children, aging parents, and retirement. Why I want to read this: I've always been a huge Cathy fan and, hey, Guisewite and I are about the same age, so I can relate. I love her viewpoint.
• Southern Lady Code: Essays by Helen Ellis (Doubleday, April 16). In her newest collection of essays, Ellis talks about, as the publisher says, "marriage and manners, thank-you notes and three-ways, ghosts, gunshots, gynecology, and the . . . art of living as a Southern Lady." Why I want to read this: Even though I'm a Yankee through and through, I'm a fan of Ellis's outlook on life. In her new book, she offers a fresh angle on being a displaced southern belle in the modern world. I'm ready to laugh.

History

• The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper by Hallie Rubenhold (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, April 9). Much has been written about Jack the Ripper, a murderer who has never been definitively identified. But who were the women he killed? What were their stories? Why I want to read this: I like true crime and want to know more about the victims whose names and lives have been overshadowed by the man who killed them. A snapshot of the dark side of the Victorian era by a historian.
• The Regency Years: During Which Jane Austen Writes, Napoleon Fights, Byron Makes Love, and Britain Becomes Modern by Robert Morrison (Norton, April 30). The Regency period provides an endless source of interest and is pretty much summed up by the book's subtitle. Ocean battles, global trade, the arts, new technology, and changing politics; it was a vibrant and not always pretty era. Why I want to read this: Some of my favorite authors published during this time and some of my favorite novels were set during this time. Plus I love history and always appreciate an accessible and easy-to-read account of the past.

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Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: 6 Books to Read Right Now

Gawk! How can it be April already??? And it's an April without the signs of spring. Here in Pennsylvania, we're just getting crocus and haven't yet seen daffodils or forsythia. Soon, soon--I know.

If you're wondering where I've been the last couple weeks, here's my sad (not really) story. March is a really busy editing month, which means I'm less inclined to read for pleasure. What's more, I read a long book and listened to a long book, which cuts down on the number of titles finished (though both were well worth the time investment).

One casualty has been my short story a week project. I had to let something slip, and that was it. Oh well, April gives me a fresh start, right? Or am I just fooling myself (ha, couldn't resist).

The Sun Is a Compass: A 4,000-Mile Journey into the Alaskan Wilds by Caroline Van Hemert (Little, Brown Spark, March 19). In this memoir, Van Hemert, a field biologist who studies birds, tells us about the incredible human-powered trek she and her husband made from Washington State to the far north of Alaska. Although they occasionally slept indoors and accepted hospitality, each inch of their journey was taken under their own power, sometimes rowing or kayaking, sometimes skiing, and quite often walking. Neither were new to Alaska or to living in the wilds. They planned their trip carefully, arranging food drops and delivery (and pickup) of various kinds of transport (boats and skis). They carried no guns or rifles but had a satellite phone, just in case. This isn't a dramatic survival story (though they had a couple scary moments); instead it gives us a glimpse of wilderness most of us will never experience: massive migrations, the changing tundra, biting flies, and close encounters with sea mammals. Van Hemert's keen eye and clear writing made me feel as if I were right there with her on this once in a lifetime trip. I listened to the unabridged audiobook (Hachette Audio; 9 hr, 2 min) wonderfully read by Xe Sands. Sands infused her performance with just the right amount of emotion, awe, and drama, matching Van Hemert's intent, without crossing the line into movie-of-the-week theatrical. If you like the outdoors or are curious about Alaska or wild places, try this in print or audio. For photos of this trip and others, visit Van Hemert's website. (audiobook copy provided by the publisher)

Mama's Last Hug: Animal Emotions and What They Tell Us about Ourselves by Frans de Waal (Norton, March 12). In a previous life, I was a physical anthropologist, and my undergraduate thesis was all about nonhuman primate behavior. Thus when I had the chance to review this book for AudioFile Magazine, I said yes without hesitation. De Waal is well known and well respected in the field of primate behavior, and in this book, he talks the monkeys and apes he's known and observed and what (as the subtitle says) his (and others') research can tell us about ourselves and about the other mammals around us. Are we humans the only ones who feel shame? How about empathy? Why is it that people are the only animals who blush? Are we altruistic or competitive? This is a fascinating book and I could barely stop listening. De Waal writes in a casual style that is easy to follow and understand. He makes his points by telling stories and giving us much to ponder. Besides apes and monkeys, we also learn a little bit about other animals, including rats, elephants, dogs, and cats. If you're an animal lover, you might want to give this a try. The unabridged audiobook (Recorded Books; 10 hr, 38 min) was read by L. J. Ganser, whose expressive delivery seemed to capture de Waal's intentions perfectly. De Waal himself reads the afterword. For more, see my review on AudioFile magazine.

Bookshop of the Broken Hearted by Robert Hillman (Putnam, April 9). Sometimes you just need to escape, and Hillman's novel hit the spot. Set in two time periods--eastern Europe during World War II and rural Australia during the Vietnam War era--this is a story of three very different people trying to find stability and love in a wold that seems out to get them. Hannah is a Hungarian Jew who survived the war, a concentration camp, the Russian army, and two husbands. The hows and whys of how she ended up in Hometown, Australia, teaching music and dead-set on opening a bookstore in a community that isn't known for reading are told through flashbacks. Tom owns a spread and does okay for himself, despite his loneliness. His wife abandoned him, returning pregnant by another man. After her son was born she left again, returning only briefly four years later to reclaim the boy. Peter hates living with his mother, who is a member of a Jesus cult, and once he's old enough to figure how to pull it off, he runs away in hopes of being reunited with Tom. Can these three broken people find in each other the hope of healing and trust? The book contains some tough scenes and difficult issues, but I was totally taken in by the three main characters and their personal struggles. I especially rooted for Tom, who is a good man and deserves a good life. I liked the way Hillman ended the book, which seemed realistic and believable. The unabridged audiobook (Penguin Audio; 9 hr, 26 min), was read by Daniel Lapaine, who did a good job with the accents and characterizations. I bet you'll zip through this in either print or audio. (digital and audiobook copies provided by the publisher)

Outpost by W. Michael Gear (Daw; Feb. 5--paperback). This is the first in the Donovan trilogy by anthropologist / novelist Gear, and the good news is that all three books are available now. Watch this space because I can't wait to start book two. If you aren't a science fiction fan, I hope you take the time to read the following paragraph, because you might be swayed to give this a try.

In the future, a colony of Earthlings are attempting to establish an outpost on the planet Donovan, which is rich in minerals and elements that people back home covet and need. Human life is ruled by the Corporation, which is supposed to free people from all worries about health, education, and housing. Donovan, however, seems to have been forgotten, and it's been years since a resupply ship has arrived. As a consequence, the colonists have developed their own rules for keeping order and for staying alive on a very, very dangerous planet. When a Corporate ship finally does arrive, the settlement is disrupted on a number of fronts, and the three people who keep the peace--especially security officer Talina Perez--are faced with dealing with newbies, colonists who hope to return home, and a ship's captain who clearly doesn't understand what she's up against. Although absolutely science fiction in the sense that we are dealing with extraterrestrial life, this novel really finds its foundation in Gear's professional background. The story focuses on how humans behave in a new environment. The feel is a little bit Wild West mixed with early European colonization of "new" worlds on earth. People have different motivations for immigration and different dreams for how they'll be in their new home. The book gives you things to think about and is very anthropological. The characters are well drawn and there's a ton of action. The planet Donovan is filled with unique creatures and poses a number of environmental problems. I don't really consider myself to be much of a sci-fi reader but I loved this book. (finished copy provided by the publisher).

Short Takes and a DNF

• Figuring by Maria Popova (Pantheon, Feb. 5). If you like science, art, music, writing, or women's history you'll love this book as much as I did. Popova finds the sometimes surprising connections among music, science, writing, and art--across time and space--via the lives of women who faced the limits of cultural (men's) expectations. Among women she introduces us to are Maria Mitchell, Margret Fuller, Emily Dickinson, and Rachel Carson. Besides issues with pursuing careers, many of these women also struggled with unconventional sexual lives (including LGBTQ+ identities). This is perfect for fans of Ali Smith. I reviewed this book for AudioFile magazine, where you can find more of my thoughts. The audiobook was brilliantly read by Natascha McElhone (Random House Audio; 21 hr, 27 min)
• All That Remains: A Renowned Forensic Scientist on Death, Mortality, and Solving Crimes by Sue Black (Arcade, March 5). This is another book that I reached for because I was once a physical anthropologist. Black is a forensic anthropologist, and in her book she talks about all kinds of fascinating things, such as our relationship with death (through time and across cultures) and her own journey to her profession. We also learn about the process of identifying human remains for research, solving crimes, during war, and after disasters. She also writes about her thoughts about what she hopes her own death will be like. Black is informative, respectful, easily accessible, and funny. This is perfect for anatomy nerds and CSI fans. (digital copy provided by the publisher).
• Dark Blossom by Neel Mullick (Rupa, Dec. 10, 2018). This was a DNF for me. First let me say that the book has an average rating of 4.05 on GoodReads. Totally my fault for not checking out the publication details before accepting the book. I DNF'd because my copyeditor's brain couldn't handle the style decisions, but clearly I was in the minority, since almost 100 people at GoodReads really liked this thriller.

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