On the Curry Trail by Raghavan Iyer (Weekend Cooking)

If you've ever looked for a curry recipe, then you're sure to have come across the name Raghavan Iyer. He's definitely a member of curry royalty, and I'm grateful to Workman Publishers for sending me a copy of his latest book, On the Curry Trail.

In this cookbook, Iyer introduces us to the many dishes from all around the world that are at heart curries, influenced by the flavors that traveled with Indians through their diaspora and by British colonials and others as they traveled from and, in some cases, permanently left the Indian subcontinent. Indeed, as Iyer tells us, curries are found (or have been found) on every continent of the globe. Yes, even Antarctica. I learned this and so much more from the introduction of On the Curry Trail.

The recipe chapters divide the curry world into geographical areas: Asia, Africa and the Mideast, Europe and Oceania, and the Americas. The dishes range from the very familiar (butter chicken) to the more exotic (sour teff crepes) and from vegan (tofu with red curry paste) to omnivore (lamb stew in bread bowls).

One thing to love about On the Curry Trail is that the vast majority of recipes call for ingredients found in a well-stocked supermarket. Better yet, the dishes are fairly easy to make and the results (at least in my experience) are fantastic. Iyer is well aware that some ingredients and techniques may be new to his readers, so the cookbook is full of tips, variations, definitions, serving ideas, and a bit of background. I especially liked learning how to make my own spice blends and sauces.

One of the recipes in On the Curry Trail made me laugh. It comes from Germany and is, in fact, a dish I ordered when I was there a few years back. That dish is currywurst. When I ordered it at a small pub, I was sure it was going to be some dazzling dish of German bratwust in a warming, yellow curry sauce. I did indeed get bratwurst, but they were served with a curry-spiced ketchup! Delicious, yes, but my friends and I had a good laugh when we realized I had basically ordered hot dogs and ketchup while on vacation in Europe! The recipe Iyer gives looks much tastier than the one I was served.

So far, I've made three dishes from On the Curry Trail. The Pork Meatballs in a Cream Curry Sauce (Boller i karri from Denmark) were delicious and comforting on a late winter evening. The Wok-Seared Curried Fried Rice was probably the best fried rice I've ever made (see photo). I substituted bok choy for the called-for cabbage because I had some to use up. Also, the original recipe is vegan, but I added some leftover grilled chicken breast. I didn't worry about my changes because, as Iyer says, "in a food culture like China's nothing is wasted." My changes were in the right spirit.

The third dish was slow-cooked chickpeas with saffron (Hommos zafaran from the Mideast). This too was delicious and had just the right heat level. I'm so glad I made the suggested scallion-mint relish; as Mr. BFR said, it really made the dish special (see the photo). I have many more recipes marked to try, like the Coronation Curried Chicken Salad with Apricots, Red Lentils with Ginger, and Curry Noodles with Shrimp.

Recommendation: If you like curry in all its many forms, Raghavan Iyer's On the Curry Trail is for you. Note that no matter what your diet--gluten free, vegetarian, vegan, or meat eater--you'll find plenty of recipes to try.

I wasn't sure which recipe to share because each one is accompanied by additional helpful information, like history, tips, and/or variations. Instead, I'm sharing a spread from the book (click to enlarge) that includes a recipe for Berbere, a spice mix from several countries in Africa. The spread also shows you one of the bright, cheery drawings you'll find throughout the cookbook.

Note: The scan is used in the context of a review; all rights remain with the original copyright holders. The photos are my own.

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Two New Cookbooks (Weekend Cooking)

I know summer officially starts on June 21, but here in the States, we consider Memorial Day weekend as the real start of the season. We don't have a lot plans for the holiday, but hamburgers and hotdogs are definitely on the horizon.

Today I want to introduce you to two cookbooks I've been enjoying this spring. Next week, I'll review two new vegan cookbooks.

The first cookbook is perfect for those of us who like to host friends and family for casual dinners but need to figure out how to accommodate a variety of eating styles, allergies, and so on. Anna Stockwell's new cookbook For the Table is full of advice and menus to help you make all your guests feel well fed and cared for, no matter their diet. Thanks to Abrams for providing me with a review copy as part of the Abrams Dinner Party.

Besides recipes, Stockwell offers advice on how to prepare for dinner guests, gives us ideas for conversation starters and games, and provides timeline and prep advice for each menu. Note, too, that every recipe in For the Table is clearly marked as gluten-free, vegan, meat-free, dairy-free, and/or pescatarian. As an added bonus for those of you who are gluten sensitive, every recipe in this book is safe for you to eat because Stockwell herself must avoid gluten.

To be honest, I'm not generally a fan of menu cookbooks, but For the Table is an exception for a couple of reasons. First, her menus are based on two principal dishes, either of which could stand as the main, though one is generally more protein heavy than the other. Stockwell suggests options for sauces and side dishes and provides a quick recipe or two to accommodate what she calls "other dietary restrictions." Of course, you need not follow the menus to a tee, and I swapped dishes to suit our tastes and needs. Finally, Stockwell tells us when a recipe can be halved or quartered to serve fewer people, so the recipes can be adapted for everyday use.

Here are a couple examples of menus: For winter, serve red wine-braised short ribs with Gorgonzola baked polenta. Round out the menu with a salad and a gremolata. Stockwell offers quick pantry and freezer alternatives for vegetarian or pescatarian guests. One of the summer menus stars za'atar grilled eggplant and zucchini served with a blue cheese and tomato salad. Add-ons include sauces for the veggies and chickpea scocca. Serve a different salad if you have dairy-free and vegan guests.

I made Crunchy Winter Salad (see recipe below), Spring Greens with Fried Dates, Grilled Paprika Chicken with Garlic Vinegar (see my photo), and the grilled zucchini and eggplant mentioned above. I have plenty more dishes marked to try, especially for later in the season when the farmer's markets are in full swing.

Recommended for pretty much everyone. I think gluten-free cooks will especially like For the Table by Anna Stockwell, but really it's a cookbook that most of us will find useful. The subtitle says it all: "Easy, adaptable, crowd-pleasing recipes."

The second cookbook is for all you carb lovers. That Noodle Life by Mike Le and Stephanie Le (of the blog I am a Food Blog) is your guide to all things pasta, from Asian-inspired noodle bowls to lasagna, to mac and cheese. Thanks to Workman for providing me with a copy of this cookbook as part of their Workman Ambassador program.

Stepping beyond just noodle recipes, the Les provide a guide to all the different kinds of available noodles, instructions on properly preparing noodles, and how to top and serve your finished dish. I especially like the features, which are riffs on a type of noodle or noodle dish. For example, the authors give us ten ideas for using various kinds of instant noodles in soups, a section all about laksa, and a fun feature on using lasagna noodles.

The recipes themselves are easy to follow and are fairly inventive. That Noodle Life tells us how to make Oven-Roasted Yakiudon Al Pastor (taco-inspired noodles), Philly Cheesesteak Noodles, Spicy Sesame Chili Oil Noodles (really easy, really good), Garlic-Butter Bucatini with Oyster Sauce, Pumpkin Sage Mac and Cheese, and Wonton Noodle Soup Like They Do in Hong Kong.

I've made several noodle dishes from That Noodle Life. I admit I was drawn to the quickest, easiest dishes, but ambitious cooks will find plenty of recipes to keep them occupied. Those who are able to get fresh seafood or have a local well-stocked Asian market will find new ideas for serving their favorite ingredients.

Recommendation: If you like noodles, you should give That Noodle Life by Mike and Stephanie Le a try. Vegetarians will find a number of appropriate recipes; vegans and gluten-free eaters will want to look through the cookbook before buying. Visit I am a Food Blog to learn more about the Les and to try some of their recipes.

The following recipe is from For the Table. As one of my fellow Abrams Dinner Party participants said, "It may be called a winter salad, but it's good all year round." I used both daikon and watermelon radishes because the little bit of pink was pretty.

Crunchy Winter Salad
Serves 6; can be halved

• 1 large or 2 small daikon radishes, peeled and thinly sliced
• 2 fennel bulbs, thinly sliced
• 4 ribs celery, thinly sliced on a bias
• 2 green apples, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons white balsamic or white wine vinegar
• 1 cup (40 g) loosely packed fresh basil leaves

Place the radish, fennel, celery, and apples in a large bowl of ice water and let sit until ready to serve, up to 3 hours. This keeps everything safe from oxygen exposure, which would cause browning, but the ice also makes everything extra-crispy, so don't skip this step even if you're serving in 30 minutes. When ready to serve, drain and spin dry in a salad spinner if you have one, or spread out on a clean dish towel and pat dry. Transfer to a large salad or mixing bowl. Season with salt, and toss to combine. Then drizzle with the vinegar, and toss to combine again. Transfer to a serving platter and top with the basil to serve.

Note: The recipe and scan are used in the context of a review; all rights remain with the original copyright holders. The photo is my own.

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A Kitchen Miscellany (Weekend Cooking)

Happy Saturday! In today's Weekend Cooking post, I talk about two books and a some delicious bread. Let's start with the bread.

Last month, the company Wildgrain reached out to me to see if I wanted a review box of their artisan sourdough breads and pasta. I did a little research, and saw nothing but positive reviews about Wildgrain's products and services. Now that I've worked with the company and baked their breads, I couldn't agree more.

Here's how their delivery subscription works. For $89 a month (which includes shipping), you receive a box of frozen goodies. A typical box includes three loaves of sourdough bread, two packages of hand-cut pasta, a bag of sourdough rolls, and a bag of croissants. Everything arrives frozen, ready for the freezer. The products are non-GMO and vegetarian, use unbleached flour, and contain no artificial colors.

My box contained a plain sourdough loaf, a sourdough sesame seed loaf, a sourdough cranberry pecan loaf, fresh fettuccine, fresh tonnarelli, chocolate croissants, and sourdough rolls. One of the really great things about the Wildgrain products is that you bake directly from the freezer. No thawing required. You simply preheat the oven as directed, place the bread directly on the oven rack (croissants go on sheet pan) and wait about 25 minutes for the magic to happen. The hardest part of baking Wildgrain bread is letting it sit for 10-15 minutes so it can cool a bit and finish baking. The bread smells sooooo good, you want to eat it immediately. Okay, so I confess, we did eat the rolls pretty much right away.

The breads and rolls are everything you want from a sourdough: crusty crust with a tangy soft interior (see my photo). The chocolate croissants (see my photo) were to die for. Seriously good and not overly sweet. Both pastas cooked quickly and were every bit as delicious as any fresh pasta I've had.

When I did a price comparison with local artisan bakeries and vendors at our farmer's markets, I found the cost for Wildgrain to be competitive both for the sourdough bread and fresh pasta. The advantage of a Wildgrain subscription is that you have the breads on hand for spontaneous baking.

I noticed on the Wildgrain website that they're currently running a special (free extra croissants for life) for people who subscribe by the end of May. Note that I get no commission if you subscribe. I did get my box for free, but my thoughts are completely honest. We loved our Wildgrain products and also loved the convenience of home delivery and knowing we could have fresh bread, even when I didn't feel like baking myself.

For more information visit the Wildgrain website and read their FAQ. Thanks again to Wildgrain for the opportunity to try their products.

Next, I want to alert you to Alton Brown's new cookbook: Good Eats: The Final Years. (Thanks to Abrams for sending me the review copy.) I loved Brown's Food Network shows Good Eats and the spin-off shows subtitled "Reloaded" and "The Return." This cookbook is very much an offspring of the television series, with each chapter linked to a specific Reloaded or Return episode.

As you would expect from Alton Brown, the Good Eats cookbook covers practical advice (like how to spatchcock a chicken), food history (all about dates), food science (how milk fat foams), and so much more. The book is amply illustrated with photos from the television set, drawings, step-by-step photos of techniques, and the like.

There is an incredible amount of information in this 400+-page cookbook. I'll turn to Good Eats: The Final Years for answers to my culinary questions and to revisit the special zaniness that Brown brings to his kitchen lessons. I haven't yet cooked from this book, but I want to point out some things of interest. Good Eats includes a recipe for a Gluten-Free Flour Mix (see below), a thorough section on immersion cooking (kind of like, but not really, sous vide), a chapter on sourdough, and a chapter on rediscovered grains (like chia, quinoa, and amaranth).

Alton Brown's Good Eats: The Final Years is recommended for fans of Alton Brown and anyone interested in the nitty-gritty of culinary techniques.

Finally, I've been enjoying Sharon and David Bower's Home Ec for Everyone: Practical Life Skills in 118 Projects, which I received as a member of the Workman Ambassador program. When I was in junior high and high school, girls took home ec and boys took shop. At my school, home ec focused on cooking and sewing and not too much on the other adulting skills. Home Ec for Everyone provides a more well-rounded approach to general life skills.

Each short section of the book explains a specific skill or a useful household bit of knowledge, complete with charming drawings by Sophia Nicolay (see the cover). For example, in the kitchen chapter, you'll find information on equipment and appliances, on basic cooking skills, on how to properly prepare and store food, and even cleaning advice. The laundry chapter includes a chart for deciphering laundry labels in clothing and helps you figure out whether your "dry clean only" shirt can actually be thrown in the washing machine. Besides recipes, activities include simple sewing projects, how to remove stains, how to make a household budget, how to make a household first aid kit, and how to fix a broken zipper.

Whether you're an experienced domestic god or goddess or you're new to taking care of yourself and your living quarters, Home Ec for Everyone deserves a place on your bookshelf. It's a great resource to have on hand next time you have to hem something or need to launder a down comforter or your curtains. I have to note, however, that in the 21st century, much of the information in Sharon and David Bowers's Home Ec for Everyone can be found via a quick internet search. Still, I like the idea of having a basic print resource.

Now for the promised recipe. According to Alton Brown, the following mix is for cookies and "cookie-like baked goods." This is not for bread. This mix will last 6 months in an airtight container. Brown, of course, encourages you to weigh the ingredients instead of using volume measures.

Gluten-Free Flour Mix
Makes about 7 1/2 cups (1000 g)

• 250 grams (1 3/4 cups plus 1 1/2 teaspoons brown rice flour
• 250 grams (1 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons) white rice flour
• 150 grams (1 1/4 cups plus 2 teaspoons) tapioca flour or starch
• 150 grams (1 cup plus 1 tablespoon) cornstarch
• 100 grams (1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon and 1/2 teaspoon) potato starch
• 90 grams (1 cup) nonfat dry milk powder
• 10 grams (1 tablespoon plus 1/2 teaspoon) xanthan gum

Combine all of the ingredients in a large airtight container.

Note: The recipe is used in the context of a review; all rights remain with the original copyright holders. The photos of the breads are my own.

Shared with Weekend Cooking, hosted by Marg at The Intrepid Reader (and Baker)

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Weekend Cooking: Nachos for Dinner by Dan Whalen

Who doesn't like nachos? They're one of my favorite treats, and I love serving them to friends for a snack-like dinner to go with drinks on the deck.

When I saw that I could request a copy of Dan Whalen's Nachos for Dinner (published in January) as part of my membership on the Workman Ambassador Team, I jumped on the chance. Even though I'm an old hand at nachos, I was especially curious about this book because Whalen takes nachos to a whole new level.

As always when I review a Workman cookbook, I have to stop and take a few minutes to rave about the publisher's design department. I love the bright, festive colors used in Nachos for Dinner. They remind me of when I lived in the Southwest or visited Mexico. The colors are used for the recipe titles and information headings and are carried through to the helpful charts and are even seen in the background of the beautiful photographs.

Of course, a cookbook should be more than just a pretty face, and Nachos for Dinner has surprising depth. We get recipes for chips, salsas, sauces, main fillings, and toppings. Besides nachos for dinner, Whelan provides recipes for snack nachos and even dessert nachos. Meat lovers, vegetarians, and vegans will all find recipes to suit their needs. And the chip alternatives will catch the eye of the gluten-free crowd.

The best part about this cookbook is the diversity of ideas for dishes that can be, as Whalen says, "nachofied." Yes, there are beef, bean, and shrimp fillings, but you'll also find riffs on curried chickpeas, tuna poke, caprese salad, French onion soup, scallion pancakes, chicken tikka masala, mushroom tofu, and much, much more. But the incredible variety of nachos and nachofied dishes is only one of the reasons to buy or borrow Nachos for Dinner.

What I love about the cookbook is that recipes can be used for non-nacho meals. Whelan gets us started by providing a chart for combining recipes to build burritos. Of course, almost all the fillings would be happy in taco shells. I, however, wouldn't stop there. For example, the Crispy Cod recipe could be used for fish and chips, and the cumin-roasted cauliflower could be the star of a grain bowl.

I much appreciate Whalen's guidance when it comes to some of the more unusual nachos. When he tells us about how he came up with Cobb Salad Nachos, he's careful to explain why the recipe works; we can use this information to make our own versions of salad nachos. Many of the recipes come with extra inspiration for creating customized nachos by suggesting alternate salsas and toppings.

A fun bonus of Nachos for Dinner are the non-chip nachos. One of these is Chicken Parm Not-Chos (the chicken is cut into triangles). Lasagn'chos use fried pasta instead of tortilla chips, the Lamb Gyro Nachos use pita bread, and the Cheesy Bacon Potato Chipchos use crinkle-cut potato chips. I'm starting to look at all kinds of things as possible chip substitutions.

Nachos for Dinner is an all-in-one nacho resource. Whalen gives us tips for success, recipes for cheese sauces (including vegan variations), lots of salsas, a couple of slaws, quick pickled veggies, cremas, guacs, and other nacho toppings and add-ins. Oh, and don't forget the recipe for homemade chips. Throughout the cookbook, you'll find charts and sidebars that will help you build nachos, make variations on the salsas, and so on. I haven't yet cooked from the dessert chapter, but I think sweet nachos would be an awesome way to end a casual dinner. Raspberry Cheesecake Nachos anyone?

I've just begun to cook from Nachos for Dinner. So far, I tried the Classic Nacho, using Taco-Style Ground Beef (the photo shows the nachos fresh from the broiler & before the toppings) and Southwestern Chicken Nachos. For both those dinners, I made the suggested cremas and salsas from the recipes in the book. Both dinners were hits. I have Fish Taco Nachos on the plan for the coming week (see the scan above).

This is a fun and inspiring cookbook to add to your collection. I highly recommend Nachos for Dinner by Dan Whalen as a buy or library book. As I mentioned, the recipes in the book can be used for a variety of dishes beside nachos, but Mr. BFR and I are happy to explore all the nacho options. For more about Dan Whalen, visit his blog Food in My Beard and/or follow him on Instagram.

The recipe I'm sharing is for Avocado Crema, which I drizzled over the chicken nachos.

Avocado Crema
Makes 1 to 1.5 cups

• 1 cup sour cream (dairy or vegan)
• 1 ripe avocado, pitted and peeled
• Juice of 2 limes
• Pinch of kosher salt

Place all the ingredients in a blender (or in a large bowl if using a hand blender) and pulse until smooth and creamy. Use a funnel to pour the mixture into a squeeze bottle. The crema will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days (it will start to brown over time as the avocado oxidizes).

Note: The scan and the recipe are used in the context of a review; all rights remain with the original copyright holders. The photo is my own. Thanks to Workman Publishing for the review copy; my thoughts are my own & are unbiased.

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What Day Is It? 2022 Calendars for Gifts or for You

There's something about starting a new calendar that warms my heart. It's one of the things I really look forward to every January 1. I'm sure I'm not alone in finding joy in writing in birthdays, adding all the scheduled appointments, and marking off days for planned vacations and events (like weddings and anniversaries). I guess that's why I think calendars make super December gifts. Give them for a major holiday, a hostess gift, a birthday, or a thinking-of-you surprise.

Workman publishes some of my favorite calendars. For a long time now, their Out on the Porch calendar has graced my office wall every year. The photos are so gorgeous (see the cover of the 2022 edition), they inspire me to spruce up my own porch and give me ideas for dream vacation spots. I've also often (though not every year) hung their Rosemary Gladstar's Herbs calendar in my kitchen. Besides the beautiful photograph, each month includes information about the pictured herb along with a culinary or medicinal recipe. I've actually saved my old Herb calendars so I can refer back to the tips.

So why do I turn to Workman calendars so often? I love the quality of the photographs, sure, but I appreciate that their products hold up well throughout the year. The wall calendars don't curl, and the pages of the engagement calendars don't fall off the coil. I like to support Workman because they're

committed to lessening our environmental footprint without compromising our quality and standards; we proudly print 99% of our calendars on Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper using soy-based inks.

These are calendars you can feel good about buying.

I highlight three of my favorite 2022 calendars below, but before I get to them, I want to point out that Workman makes so many different calendars, I know you can find one that's perfect for you. You'll find wall calendars, desk calendars, page-a-day calendars, magnetic calendars, and engagement calendars. Themes include travel, animals, nature, art, gardening, cooking, kids, inspiration, biblical, gratitude, photography, puzzles and games, activities, trivia and much, much more. Some that caught my eye are calendars with stickers for kids, the guitar calendar, and the Sandra Boynton calendars. To see them all, visit Workman's calendars website.

Thanks so much to Workman for sending me copies of following calendars.


First up is the new Now to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse calendar, which offers advice on "escaping the undead one day at a time." With this 2022 page-a-day calendar in hand, you'll be able to survive when the undead walk the earth. Garnering tips and facts from pop culture, this fun guide will prepare you for any situation. Do you have the proper weapons? How do you protect yourself when you need to sleep? Author Scott Kenemore, horror novelist and advisor to the Zombie Research Society, has your back.

The calendar contains 313 pages (Saturday and Sunday are combined) and includes a stand so you can easily see each day's tip. Paper may be scarce during the zombie apocalypse, so when you tear each day's page off the calendar, be sure to turn it over; the back is printed with a grid so you can take notes or even draw a map of safe hiding places. This would make a great gift for the dystopian fans on your list. I've included a scan of January 1 so you can survive the first day of the new year.

One of my favorite books in recent years is soon to be released as a movie. But you don't need to wait to see the beauty of the southern marshlands. New from Workman this year is the Where the Crawdads Sing wall calendar. The monthly photographs are absolutely stunning. I wouldn't be surprised if you considered framing some of them.

The calendar grid shows moon cycles and lists major holidays and celebrations for a number of English-speaking countries. Each page also includes a watercolor detail--shells, plants, butterflies, etc.--and a quote from the novel.

Give this lovely calendar to the readers on your list or to anyone who loves the natural world.

This last calendar is one that I cannot wait to use. Only about 26 more days until I put it on my refrigerator door. This is the magnetic Kitchen Companion 2022 page-a-week calendar. How have missed this gem in years past? I think this going to have to be yearly staple in my house.

Each weekly page of this tear-off calendar features charming drawings by Holly Jolley; a place to write down items to buy at the grocery or market; inclusive holidays; and a recipe, kitchen tip, or culinary fact. While you could, of course, use the daily lined column to note plans or birthdays, I'm going to devote the space to my kitchen and cooking. Here's where I'll remind myself to take something out of the freezer, prep something for an upcoming meal, or set up the slow cooker. It's also a good place to write out lunch ideas for Mr. BFR or to remind him not to eat something I'm saving for later in the week. I also plan to use this calendar as a handy place to write out my count-down for holidays and get-togethers. Can you tell I'm excited?

This would be a super gift for the cooks on your list. Busy households in which everyone is on a different schedule could use this calendar to note what's for dinner along with any heating or prep information.

If you're looking for a specific type of calendar or theme, be sure to visit Workman's calendar site or visit your local (independent, if possible) bookstore to see them in person.

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18 Books; Or What I've Read This Month

Time for another round of my thoughts on the books I've read over last few weeks. I discuss them here in the order in which I read them. See my GoodReads shelf for longer reviews of some of these titles.

• Vesper Flights by Helen Macdonald (Grove Press, Aug. 2020). Macdonald's new collection of essays interweaves everyday issues (allergies, migraines, Brexit) with her experiences with and in nature -- especially birds. You don't have to read these pieces in order, but I urge you to read them all; I didn't find any weak links. For Macdonald's performance of this book, see AFM.
• Death of an Honest Man by M. C. Beaton (Grand Central Publishing; Feb. 2018). Sob! This was the last entry in the Hamish Macbeth cozy mystery series, which ended on Beaton's death. Fortunately, the book concludes on a satisfying note, and I'd like to think Hamish is still solving mysteries in his beloved Highlands countryside. Graeme Malcolm finished out the series in style (Hachette Audio; 5 hr, 23 min).
• Unvarnished by Eric Alperin with Deborah Stoll (Harper Wave; June 2020). I listened to this because it was billed as the Kitchen Confidential of the bar world. While it does give us a peak behind the scenes, it wasn't quite as eye-opening. Still, it kept my interest and I loved the fact that the audiobook came with a PDF of recipes and information. If you're hesitant to listen to an author-read book, don't be in this case (HarperAudio; 6 hr, 29 min). Alperin has a theater background, which served him well here. He has an expressive and engaging delivery. (copied from my GoodReads review)

• Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir (Tor, Aug. 4). This is the second entry in the Locked Tomb trilogy, and doesn't work as a standalone. Although the book started out a little confusing, the dual time-period narrative and Harrow's challenges soon came together and sucked me right in. The books are a kind of mashup of sci-fi, fantasy, and light horror and introduce a unique world, giving God or a god a voice. Moria Quirk's performance of the audiobook (Recorded Books; 19 hr, 51 min) is terrific, especially her pacing. I hope she's on board for the final book in the trilogy.
• The Guest List by Lucy Foley (William Morrow; June 2020). I picked this up because I loved Foley's The Hunting Party. Although I liked this mystery -- set on an island off the coast of Ireland -- it didn't have the fresh feel of her earlier book. The story is told from multiple view points and involves a murder that takes place during a high-profile wedding reception. The plotting was well done, with several possible villains and motives. The audiobook (Harper Audio; 10 hr, 22 min) was read by Jot Davies, Chloe Massey, Olivia Dowd, Aoife McMahon, Sarah Ovens, and Rich Keeble. The cast blended well, with no poor performances.
• Deadly Education by Naomi Novik (Del Rey; Sept. 29). This first in the Scholomance series is set in a school for the magically gifted. Graduation has nothing to do with grades all to do with staying alive, difficult thanks to the deadly monsters that permeate the institution. Our hero is El, a loner who realizes she'll need allies if she's to live to see graduation day. World building, secrets, mysteries, and tentative friendships and romances offset the action and danger. The book ends on a delicious cliff-hanger. Audiobook narrator Anisha Dadia captures El's personality and did a good job with timing (Random House Audio; 10 hr, 59 min). I noticed a few awkward pauses, but nothing that would prevent me from listening to the next book.

• The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (Little, Brown BYR; Sept. 1). This was a fun mystery, thriller, romance mash-up about how high schooler Avery goes from sleeping in her car one day to inheriting billions from a stranger the next. The catch to the inheritance? She must live in the dead man's rambling mansion (along with the shafted relatives) for a solid year, solving puzzles along the way. Good characters and interactions between characters. Action, puzzles, mean girls, paparazzi, and a cliff-hanger ending have me wanting the next book now! Audiobook narrator Christie Moreau tapped into Avery's emotional journey (Hachette Audio; 10 hr, 45 min).
• The Shooting at Chateau Rock by Martin Walker (Knopf; May 2020). I listened to this 13th in a series set in the French countryside and featuring Chief of Police Bruno. The book was a pleasant blend of police procedural and cozy, with its many reference to French culture, food, and wine. I liked this well enough to consider starting the series from the beginning. See AFM for my audiobook thoughts.
• Troubles in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand (Little, Brown; Oct. 6). This book finishes Hilderbrand's fall-release St. John trilogy, which is all about how the Steele family copes with learning that their father/husband led a double life. I loved the twists and surprises in this installment and am happy Hilderbrand left a few plot points open to our imagination. Narrator Erin Bennett is the perfect match to Hilderbrand's style and pacing (Hachette Audio; 11 hr, 29 min).

• The Guards by Ken Bruen (Minotaur; 2004). Since finishing the Hamish Macbeth books, I was looking for another series that consisted of engaging but short audiobooks and thought of Bruen's Jack Taylor series set in Galway. I've read several of the books, but not all and not in order, but liked them all. The books are dark, but not without humor and feature a dismissed cop turned private detective. In his first case, Jack is tasked with determining the truth about a young woman's death by supposed suicide. Along the way, he confronts his own demons. Narrator Gerry O'Brien creates an Irish atmosphere and nails the tone of the series (ISIS Audio; 4 hr, 37 min) Personal collection.
• The Secret French Recipes of Sophie Valroux by Samantha Vérant (Berkley; Sept. 8). A light romance for foodies. I'm not much of a romance reader, but I enjoyed the family themes and Sophie Valroux's journey to trusting her talents. When Sophie is fired from her job in a high-profile New York City restaurant she returns to France to help out her grandmother. Drama in the kitchen she is tasked to run and a reconnection with a childhood sweetheart drive the plot. The book includes Sophie's recipes. (copied from my GoodReads review)
• One by One by Ruth Ware (Gallery; Sept. 8). I'm not sure if it was the book itself or the fact that I've listened to several closed-room-type mysteries lately, but this wasn't Ware at her strongest. The mystery is set in the French Alps at an exclusive chalet rented out by tech company for a staff retreat. The story is told from two viewpoints (the chalet host and one of the guests), and is meant to keep us guessing. Unfortunately, I had the general idea (but not the details) figured out very early on. Narrator Imogen Church's performance, with good pacing and emotional depth, kept me invested in the thriller (Simon & Schuster Audio; 13 hr, 8 min).

• National Geographic Kids U.S. Atlas 2020 (Sept. 8). This colorful atlas presents each U.S. state and territory in map form, accompanied by fabulous photographs, straightforward statistics, and some little-known or eye-opening facts. National Geographic includes several pages of national information as well. Perfect for homeschooling and supplementing distance learning as well for any curious child or adult.
• National Geographic Kids Almanac 2021 (May 2020). Thanks to National Geographic, your curious kids will find hours of enjoyment between the covers of their 2021 almanac. Colorful graphics and National Geographic's signature awesome photographs make this book pop. Besides fun facts and useful information divided into 11 broad categories (space, technology, history, geography, and so on), the almanac includes games, quizzes, and experiments. Perfect for gift-giving and to have on hand for supplementing home and distant learning. (copied from my GoodReads review)
• How to Astronaut by Terry Virts (Workman, Sept. 15). I loved this collection of short pieces of what it's like to become and be an astronaut. Virt covers just about everything from training to spacewalking, including space-time food and entertainment. He also address those topics that you've always wanted to know about but were afraid to ask, like bathroom issues and sex. The essays are entertaining, fun, and informative.

• Smash It! by Francina Simone (Inkyard; Sept. 22). This first in a new series is about Liv, a Black teenager who embarks on a journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance. Liv decides it's time to stop living life in the shadow of her two best friends (both male) and form some new friendships and pursue romance. Liv is a likeable character who has diverse friends and sometimes makes poor choices. Although I didn't think the consequences of all of Liv's actions were realistic, the general theme of the book was solid. See AFM for my audiobook review.
• Skyhunter by Marie Lu (Roaring Brook Press; Sept. 29). Lu's newest series is a mix of fantasy and dystopian and deals with a variety of issues besides just good verus evil, such as genetic engineering, reanimating the dead, loyalty, friendship, and family. Our hero is a refugee who is a soldier fighting to keep her new country free from a hostile invasion. Lots of action and great characters. The unabridged audiobook is read by Natalie Naudus (Macmillian Audiop 11 hr, 58 min), who does a terrific job differentiating among characters, using both vocal variations and emphasizing personality quirks. Her pacing was spot on. Don't miss the author and narrator conversation at the end of the audiobook.
• Children of Ash and Elm by Neil Price (Basic; Aug. 2020). My favorite way to read history is to alternate between print and audio, which is what I did with this well-researched and entirely accessible history of the Vikings. Using the archaeological record, literature, and firsthand accounts, Price tells the story of the rise and fall of the Vikings, who have captured our imaginations for centuries. This book tackles all aspects of Viking life: sexuality, family, religion, food, exploration, politics, raiding, and more. This is an excellent summary of what we know about the Viking world. The print book includes photos and maps. The audiobook was brilliantly read by Samuel Roukin, who is expressive and engaged in the material; I was especially impressed with his pronunciations of Old Norse and other languages.

Note: Thanks to the publishers for the review copies (digital, print, and/or audio). Special thanks to Libro.fm for several of the audio listening copies. "AFM" means you can find my audiobook review over on the AudioFile magazine website or in the print copy of the magazine.

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