Hi everyone,
Our walk yesterday morning was lovely until, as Barb predicted, mosquitoes joined us - definitely made us walk faster!
Book reports for the week:
From Mary:
Janet Evanovich's series of Stephanie Plum mystery novels - she just read the latest in the series, Twelve Sharp - apparently you must start with the beginning of the series, One for the Money
From Jan:
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
Amazon.comIn this first of five volumes of autobiography, poet Maya Angelou recounts a youth filled with disappointment, frustration, tragedy, and finally hard-won independence. Sent at a young age to live with her grandmother in Arkansas, Angelou learned a great deal from this exceptional woman and the tightly knit black community there. These very lessons carried her throughout the hardships she endured later in life, including a tragic occurrence while visiting her mother in St. Louis and her formative years spent in California--where an unwanted pregnancy changed her life forever. Marvelously told, with Angelou's "gift for language and observation," this "remarkable autobiography by an equally remarkable black woman from Arkansas captures, indelibly, a world of which most Americans are shamefully ignorant." --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Barb:
Bats at the Beach by Brian Lies - a children's book that was reviewed this morning on NPR - I just went out to get it for Jacob and its a wonderful story with great illustrations - I'll let you know Jacob's review after we read it next weekend!
From School Library JournalPreSchool-Grade 3–This is the quintessential book about going to the beach complete with overflowing picnic baskets, kite flying, singing around the campfire, and scratchy sand in places where no sand should be. Kids will certainly identify with the exuberant and familiar fun, but what will get them howling is the fact that the characters are bats that are visiting the beach in the moonlight. The rhyming text is grounded in reality with many inventive twists to keep the imagination rolling. There is moon-tan lotion, salted 'skeeters, and bat kites. Where the book truly soars is in the dark yet luminescent art where bat wings glow in the light of the full moon and the sky is a steely blue. The faces on the bats are furry and friendly. These creatures use cocktail umbrellas for beach umbrellas; they hold wing-boat races in red-and-white checked food containers; and when it's time for a late-night snack, they enter the ice-cream shack where a lit light bulb attracts a multitude of succulent bugs. Readers may not be tempted to try marshmallows with bug legs and gossamer wings but that won't keep them from reveling in this grand adventure.–Martha Topol, Traverse Area District Library, Traverse City, MI Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved
From Susan:
Still working on A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (on tape) - I'm just not in the car enough!
Am about to start on a book:
Katerina by Aharon Appelfeld
From Publishers WeeklyWith piercing clarity, Israeli novelist Appelfeld tells the profoundly moving story of Katerina, a Polish housekeeper who works for a succession of Jewish families in the years before WW II. Raised in a culture permeated with virulent anti-Semitism, she must constantly try to overcome the prejudice instilled by her bitter mother, who beat her, and her callous father, who attempted to rape her. One by one, Jewish people who are good to Katerina die: an employer murdered by thugs on Passover; a moody, perfectionistic female pianist. Then her own baby, whom she has raised as a Jew, is snatched from her arms and killed. For knifing her son's murderer, Katerina spends more than 40 years in prison. Other inmates cheer as freight trains take Jews to concentration camps. Released from prison, Katerina lives in a hut on her deceased family's deserted farm and, at age 79, narrates her life story, lamenting that "there are no more victims in the world, only murderers." A theme that might be didactic in the hands of a lesser novelist is here conveyed with moving, unpreachy simplicity. This masterful novel is a powerful study of the poison of prejudice, a poignant meditation on life's horrors, beauty and God's inscrutable ways. Appelfeld imbues every scene with deep humanity in a riveting tale of universal appeal.
Recipe for the week - my oldie but goodie - Noodle Kugel - I made it the other night for Friday night services at Scott Carpenter Park.
8 ounces medium width noodles, cooked
8 ounces fruit cocktail, drained
1 cup sugar
1 large can evaporated milk
8 ounces cottage cheese, small curd
1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 eggs
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon plus additional to sprinkle on top
1/4 cup butter, melted
Mix all of the above ingredients. Put into a 9 x 13 baking pan. Sprinkle with additional cinnamon to taste. Bake for approximately 1 hour at 350 degrees.
Yield: 1 pan
Notes: 12/7/01 I have successfully substituted lite fruit cocktail and non-fat evaporated milk, and liquid egg substitute with no noticeable difference.
Serving Ideas: Works as a side dish or dessert - good warm or at room temperature!
Restaurant find: Dish at 1918 Pearl Street - fabulous gourmet shop with wonderful sandwiches - limited seating.
Here's the review from the Daily Camera:
Stellar sandwiches
Boulder's Dish Gourmet does Dagwood proud
By Catherine Christiansen, Camera Restaurant CriticJune 9, 2006
The pickle summed it up: clean, crisp flavors of cucumber and brine, spices enhancing rather than knocking you over the head. It tasted like Grandma's homemade — if Grandma lived on East Pearl, that is. And had a groovy condo and wore yoga pants. With Grandpa in his feed store cap and some big white sunglasses.
A few friends and I did a little drooling over the wholesome menu at Dish Gourmet deli one Friday afternoon while settling in to watch the action. Aside from a Liberace light fixture, it's a cool, simple space in shades of avocado, tomato and creamy mustard. Sausages line the bright display case filled with salads, prepared foods and good selection of farmstead cheeses.
Showing posts with label memoir. Show all posts
Showing posts with label memoir. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Saturday Morning Walkers - June 21, 2006
Here's what I'm reading this week:
The Scandalous Summer of Sissy LeBlanc by Loraine Despres - actually a recommendation from Linn Green - I'm loving it - a great summer read!
From Library JournalWhile most readers may not immediately recognize the author's name, many will be familiar with her TV work. She's written for Dynasty, The Waltons, Love Boat, and Knots Landing and is probably best known for the "Who Shot J.R.?" episode of Dallas. Her television background serves her well in this debut novel. Her timing is excellent and the plot twists are both delightful and surprising. Sissy LeBlanc lives by a code she calls "The Southern Belle's Handbook." When a pithy idea pops into her head, she instinctively knows how that code applies to her life. Sissy understands her role as granddaughter of a suffragette, daughter of a newspaper editor, wife of PeeWee, and mother of three, but lately she's been feeling restless. When her high school sweetheart comes back to Gentry, LA, after a 14-year absence, Sissy decides that it is time to make some changes in her life if they cause a little scandal, so be it. Readers may be reminded of the movies Fried Green Tomatoes and Something To Talk About. Despres's heroine has spunk, her villains get their comeuppance, and her ending is psychologically satisfying. Recommended for public libraries with large collections of women's fiction. Pam Kingsbury, Florence, AL Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Another strong recommendation from Linn which I haven't read yet:
An Unreasonable Woman by Diane Wilson
From Publishers WeeklyWith the discovery that her "piddlin' little county on the Gulf Coast" led the nation in toxic emissions, shrimper Wilson, a mother of five, found herself embarking on a voyage of discovery and activism that would strain her marriage and stretch her horizons. A David up against big-time chemical Goliaths, Wilson is a gifted storyteller, rendering dialogue and pacing plot turns as a novelist might. Anonymous informants, uncomfortable whistleblowers, unanticipated opposition from civic powers and seductive offers of cash bribes pepper this first-person account of Wilson's attempts to save her hometown. Although there are moments when the trail of meetings, memos and petitions seems drawn out, the tell-everything approach reveals how a woman awed to discover "they can lie on TV news! And it is all right!" can learn to master the media. Wilson's hunger-striking, boat-sinking and pole-climbing—combined with the help of a pro bono lawyer and a Greenpeace activist—ultimately wring a "zero tolerance" agreement out of Formosa Plastics and Dow/Union Carbide. Wilson's book is longer than it needs to be, but her Texas twang is catchy, and often spellbinding, as she goes about her mission, sometimes with a child "by one hand and a handful of documents in the other." (Sept.)
Here's a recipe for Skewered Tortellini - a great easy appetizer - tortellini is best served warm but ok at room temperature - refrigerate dip if not using right away:
Skewered Tortellini with Parmesan Lemon Dip Makes approximately 40 skewers 1 cup Crème Fraiche½ cup grated Parmesan cheeseJuice of 1 lemonGrated zest of 1 lemon3 large cloves Roasted Garlic, peeled and crushed (see directions below)1 ½ pounds tortelliniOlive oilTo Roast Garlic: Wrap #3 large cloves of garlic (unpeeled) in aluminum foil. Roast in 450 degree oven for 15 minutes, until soft. Cool. Peel the garlic and crush.Combine the roasted garlic, Crème Fraiche, Parmesan cheese, and lemon juice and zest in a small mixing bowl. Set aside until ready to use.Boil tortellini according to package instructions until just tender. Drain the pasta and sprinkle with some olive oil to prevent sticking.Put 2-3 tortellini (depending on size) on wooden skewers. Serve with the Parmesan Lemon Dip.
The Scandalous Summer of Sissy LeBlanc by Loraine Despres - actually a recommendation from Linn Green - I'm loving it - a great summer read!
From Library JournalWhile most readers may not immediately recognize the author's name, many will be familiar with her TV work. She's written for Dynasty, The Waltons, Love Boat, and Knots Landing and is probably best known for the "Who Shot J.R.?" episode of Dallas. Her television background serves her well in this debut novel. Her timing is excellent and the plot twists are both delightful and surprising. Sissy LeBlanc lives by a code she calls "The Southern Belle's Handbook." When a pithy idea pops into her head, she instinctively knows how that code applies to her life. Sissy understands her role as granddaughter of a suffragette, daughter of a newspaper editor, wife of PeeWee, and mother of three, but lately she's been feeling restless. When her high school sweetheart comes back to Gentry, LA, after a 14-year absence, Sissy decides that it is time to make some changes in her life if they cause a little scandal, so be it. Readers may be reminded of the movies Fried Green Tomatoes and Something To Talk About. Despres's heroine has spunk, her villains get their comeuppance, and her ending is psychologically satisfying. Recommended for public libraries with large collections of women's fiction. Pam Kingsbury, Florence, AL Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Another strong recommendation from Linn which I haven't read yet:
An Unreasonable Woman by Diane Wilson
From Publishers WeeklyWith the discovery that her "piddlin' little county on the Gulf Coast" led the nation in toxic emissions, shrimper Wilson, a mother of five, found herself embarking on a voyage of discovery and activism that would strain her marriage and stretch her horizons. A David up against big-time chemical Goliaths, Wilson is a gifted storyteller, rendering dialogue and pacing plot turns as a novelist might. Anonymous informants, uncomfortable whistleblowers, unanticipated opposition from civic powers and seductive offers of cash bribes pepper this first-person account of Wilson's attempts to save her hometown. Although there are moments when the trail of meetings, memos and petitions seems drawn out, the tell-everything approach reveals how a woman awed to discover "they can lie on TV news! And it is all right!" can learn to master the media. Wilson's hunger-striking, boat-sinking and pole-climbing—combined with the help of a pro bono lawyer and a Greenpeace activist—ultimately wring a "zero tolerance" agreement out of Formosa Plastics and Dow/Union Carbide. Wilson's book is longer than it needs to be, but her Texas twang is catchy, and often spellbinding, as she goes about her mission, sometimes with a child "by one hand and a handful of documents in the other." (Sept.)
Here's a recipe for Skewered Tortellini - a great easy appetizer - tortellini is best served warm but ok at room temperature - refrigerate dip if not using right away:
Skewered Tortellini with Parmesan Lemon Dip Makes approximately 40 skewers 1 cup Crème Fraiche½ cup grated Parmesan cheeseJuice of 1 lemonGrated zest of 1 lemon3 large cloves Roasted Garlic, peeled and crushed (see directions below)1 ½ pounds tortelliniOlive oilTo Roast Garlic: Wrap #3 large cloves of garlic (unpeeled) in aluminum foil. Roast in 450 degree oven for 15 minutes, until soft. Cool. Peel the garlic and crush.Combine the roasted garlic, Crème Fraiche, Parmesan cheese, and lemon juice and zest in a small mixing bowl. Set aside until ready to use.Boil tortellini according to package instructions until just tender. Drain the pasta and sprinkle with some olive oil to prevent sticking.Put 2-3 tortellini (depending on size) on wooden skewers. Serve with the Parmesan Lemon Dip.
Saturday Morning Walkers - June 11, 2006
We had a lovely walk yesterday at Boulder Valley Ranch - perfect weather and delightful company, although we did miss those of you who couldn't join us.
Jackie's pick this week:
Around the Next Corner by Elizabeth Wrenn - she is a local Boulder writer!
Book DescriptionFor Deena Munger, the transformation to underappreciated housewife was subtle and gradual. Not that she didn't love her family dearly, but Deena was starting to wonder: When did I disappear? And how come I never even noticed? Then one day she stuns her family by volunteering to raise a puppy for K-9 Eyes for the Blind. Suddenly, Deena's once-stable life is turned upside down. And, it turns out, this rambunctious, impulsive ball of fur could actually be the damage control she needs to save her family, her marriage, and her self.
Susan's picks this week: you may note that I've been a bit "hyper" in my reading recently - probably juggling too many at once!
My Fathers' Houses - a memoir by Steve Roberts (husband of Cokie Roberts and NPR commentator) - okay but got a bit boring after a while
From Publishers WeeklyThis memoir tells "a story of a town and a time and a boy who grew up there." The town is the New York suburb of Bayonne, N.J.; the time is the 1940s and '50s; and the boy is Roberts, syndicated columnist and coauthor (with his wife, Cokie Roberts) of From This Day Forward. Growing up, Roberts's Old World ties were strong. His Jewish family had their roots in Eastern Europe, and he proudly relates the story of how they came to America (his maternal grandfather, Abraham Rogowsky, is particularly fascinating: born in Bialystok, he stole money to become a Zionist pioneer in Palestine in 1907). Roberts also recounts how his parents met in the mid-'30s in New Jersey-"two shy and sensitive souls, sophisticated about books and innocent about life"-but the book doesn't really hit its stride until the author begins describing his own experiences. He paints a reflective portrait of his childhood and young adulthood, when he played and fought with his twin brother, Marc, and when he attended Harvard University, where he met Cokie Boggs, his future wife. "All families have their own folklore, stories they tell and axioms they use," Roberts writes. Thankfully, the stories told here have widespread appeal. As the author's family name changes from Rogowsky to Rogow to Roberts, a universal story of the American experience of immigrant conversion emerges from all the carefully limned details. Photos. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
The Circus Fire by Stewart O'Nan - non-fiction book about a tragic fire at Ringling Brothers/Barnum and Bailey Circus in Hartford, CT in 1944 - am in the midst of reading it right now and is very compelling.
From Publishers WeeklyOn July 6, 1944, the big top of the Ringling Bros. circus caught fire during an afternoon performance in Hartford, Conn., and quickly burned to the ground. One hundred and sixty-seven people were killedDmost of them women and childrenDand hundreds more wounded. When acclaimed novelist O'Nan (A Prayer for the Dying, etc.) moved to Hartford 50 years later, he discovered that the town was still haunted by the tragedy. His history of the event is lyrical, gruesome and heartbreaking. At the heart of the narrative is O'Nan's harrowing, minute-by-minute account of the actual burning, during which nearly 9,000 people scrambled to escape through just seven exits. One boy saved himself (and hundreds of others) by cutting a hole in the tent wall with his fishing knife. Another man literally threw children to safety before losing his footing and perishing in the blaze. Above them, the tent canvas, which had been waterproofed with gasoline andn paraffin, "rained down like napalm" on the necks and shoulders of the fleeing crowd. By the end, O'Nan reports, the heat was so intense that people died not from smoke inhalation, as in most fires, but by being cooked alive. O'Nan goes on to describe the bleak days after the disaster, when local families set about the morbid task of identifying loved ones, often possible only by using dental records. He also chronicles the four decades of detective work that led to the identification (in error, O'Nan believes) of a little girl whose body originally went unclaimed. This moving elegy does tribute both to the terrible tragedy and to O'Nan's talent as a writer. B&w photos. (June)
The Surprising Power of Family Meals by Miriam Weinstein - non-fiction, interesting topic to me - am in the midst of reading right now
From Publishers WeeklyHaving regular family meals can eliminate teen eating disorders; improve children's grades; reduce the incidence of drug abuse, teen pregnancy and smoking; and even expand toddlers' vocabulary. So says Weinstein (Yiddish: A Nation of Words), a documentary filmmaker and mother of two. "No one is asking for rocket science here," she writes, "only shared mac-and-cheese and a bunch of chairs pulled up around the table." Her points, drawn from the fields of psychology, anthropology, religion and education, are valid and logical; in fact, it seems obvious that eating together will improve children's manners, provide family intimacy and create a secure environment for teenagers. Occasionally, however, Weinstein's arguments are spotty: "Of course there is no guarantee that if you maintain regular meals, you will eradicate eating disorders. But... the absence of regular meals makes it easier for all sorts of disordered eating to thrive." Weinstein has tried to create a full-length book from what could've sufficed as a compelling magazine article. Still, her case studies are stimulating, and her writing style is persuasive enough to convince readers to make a point of enjoying an evening meal with their families. (On sale Sept. 6) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith - a classic that I'm listening to in the car - may take a while!
Amazon.comFrancie Nolan, avid reader, penny-candy connoisseur, and adroit observer of human nature, has much to ponder in colorful, turn-of-the-century Brooklyn. She grows up with a sweet, tragic father, a severely realistic mother, and an aunt who gives her love too freely--to men, and to a brother who will always be the favored child. Francie learns early the meaning of hunger and the value of a penny. She is her father's child--romantic and hungry for beauty. But she is her mother's child, too--deeply practical and in constant need of truth. Like the Tree of Heaven that grows out of cement or through cellar gratings, resourceful Francie struggles against all odds to survive and thrive. Betty Smith's poignant, honest novel created a big stir when it was first published over 50 years ago. Her frank writing about life's squalor was alarming to some of the more genteel society, but the book's humor and pathos ensured its place in the realm of classics--and in the hearts of readers, young and old. (Ages 10 and older) --Emilie Coulter
Recipe for the week: Creamy Artichoke Soup from Giada De Laurentiis - The Everyday Italian on the Food Network:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_33446,00.html
ENJOY!
Restaurant notes:- a must-have dessert at Turley's - I don't remember what it was called but I'll call it "molten chocolate cake" - I thought I'd died and gone to heaven! Also, the croissant at Spruce Confections North was delectable filled with egg, carmelized onions, cheese and the croissant itself was outstanding - so flaky! I had dinner last week at the Magnolia Restaurant in Lafayette and the
Andouille Sausage and Rock Shrimp Linguine was terrific.
Jackie's pick this week:
Around the Next Corner by Elizabeth Wrenn - she is a local Boulder writer!
Book DescriptionFor Deena Munger, the transformation to underappreciated housewife was subtle and gradual. Not that she didn't love her family dearly, but Deena was starting to wonder: When did I disappear? And how come I never even noticed? Then one day she stuns her family by volunteering to raise a puppy for K-9 Eyes for the Blind. Suddenly, Deena's once-stable life is turned upside down. And, it turns out, this rambunctious, impulsive ball of fur could actually be the damage control she needs to save her family, her marriage, and her self.
Susan's picks this week: you may note that I've been a bit "hyper" in my reading recently - probably juggling too many at once!
My Fathers' Houses - a memoir by Steve Roberts (husband of Cokie Roberts and NPR commentator) - okay but got a bit boring after a while
From Publishers WeeklyThis memoir tells "a story of a town and a time and a boy who grew up there." The town is the New York suburb of Bayonne, N.J.; the time is the 1940s and '50s; and the boy is Roberts, syndicated columnist and coauthor (with his wife, Cokie Roberts) of From This Day Forward. Growing up, Roberts's Old World ties were strong. His Jewish family had their roots in Eastern Europe, and he proudly relates the story of how they came to America (his maternal grandfather, Abraham Rogowsky, is particularly fascinating: born in Bialystok, he stole money to become a Zionist pioneer in Palestine in 1907). Roberts also recounts how his parents met in the mid-'30s in New Jersey-"two shy and sensitive souls, sophisticated about books and innocent about life"-but the book doesn't really hit its stride until the author begins describing his own experiences. He paints a reflective portrait of his childhood and young adulthood, when he played and fought with his twin brother, Marc, and when he attended Harvard University, where he met Cokie Boggs, his future wife. "All families have their own folklore, stories they tell and axioms they use," Roberts writes. Thankfully, the stories told here have widespread appeal. As the author's family name changes from Rogowsky to Rogow to Roberts, a universal story of the American experience of immigrant conversion emerges from all the carefully limned details. Photos. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
The Circus Fire by Stewart O'Nan - non-fiction book about a tragic fire at Ringling Brothers/Barnum and Bailey Circus in Hartford, CT in 1944 - am in the midst of reading it right now and is very compelling.
From Publishers WeeklyOn July 6, 1944, the big top of the Ringling Bros. circus caught fire during an afternoon performance in Hartford, Conn., and quickly burned to the ground. One hundred and sixty-seven people were killedDmost of them women and childrenDand hundreds more wounded. When acclaimed novelist O'Nan (A Prayer for the Dying, etc.) moved to Hartford 50 years later, he discovered that the town was still haunted by the tragedy. His history of the event is lyrical, gruesome and heartbreaking. At the heart of the narrative is O'Nan's harrowing, minute-by-minute account of the actual burning, during which nearly 9,000 people scrambled to escape through just seven exits. One boy saved himself (and hundreds of others) by cutting a hole in the tent wall with his fishing knife. Another man literally threw children to safety before losing his footing and perishing in the blaze. Above them, the tent canvas, which had been waterproofed with gasoline andn paraffin, "rained down like napalm" on the necks and shoulders of the fleeing crowd. By the end, O'Nan reports, the heat was so intense that people died not from smoke inhalation, as in most fires, but by being cooked alive. O'Nan goes on to describe the bleak days after the disaster, when local families set about the morbid task of identifying loved ones, often possible only by using dental records. He also chronicles the four decades of detective work that led to the identification (in error, O'Nan believes) of a little girl whose body originally went unclaimed. This moving elegy does tribute both to the terrible tragedy and to O'Nan's talent as a writer. B&w photos. (June)
The Surprising Power of Family Meals by Miriam Weinstein - non-fiction, interesting topic to me - am in the midst of reading right now
From Publishers WeeklyHaving regular family meals can eliminate teen eating disorders; improve children's grades; reduce the incidence of drug abuse, teen pregnancy and smoking; and even expand toddlers' vocabulary. So says Weinstein (Yiddish: A Nation of Words), a documentary filmmaker and mother of two. "No one is asking for rocket science here," she writes, "only shared mac-and-cheese and a bunch of chairs pulled up around the table." Her points, drawn from the fields of psychology, anthropology, religion and education, are valid and logical; in fact, it seems obvious that eating together will improve children's manners, provide family intimacy and create a secure environment for teenagers. Occasionally, however, Weinstein's arguments are spotty: "Of course there is no guarantee that if you maintain regular meals, you will eradicate eating disorders. But... the absence of regular meals makes it easier for all sorts of disordered eating to thrive." Weinstein has tried to create a full-length book from what could've sufficed as a compelling magazine article. Still, her case studies are stimulating, and her writing style is persuasive enough to convince readers to make a point of enjoying an evening meal with their families. (On sale Sept. 6) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith - a classic that I'm listening to in the car - may take a while!
Amazon.comFrancie Nolan, avid reader, penny-candy connoisseur, and adroit observer of human nature, has much to ponder in colorful, turn-of-the-century Brooklyn. She grows up with a sweet, tragic father, a severely realistic mother, and an aunt who gives her love too freely--to men, and to a brother who will always be the favored child. Francie learns early the meaning of hunger and the value of a penny. She is her father's child--romantic and hungry for beauty. But she is her mother's child, too--deeply practical and in constant need of truth. Like the Tree of Heaven that grows out of cement or through cellar gratings, resourceful Francie struggles against all odds to survive and thrive. Betty Smith's poignant, honest novel created a big stir when it was first published over 50 years ago. Her frank writing about life's squalor was alarming to some of the more genteel society, but the book's humor and pathos ensured its place in the realm of classics--and in the hearts of readers, young and old. (Ages 10 and older) --Emilie Coulter
Recipe for the week: Creamy Artichoke Soup from Giada De Laurentiis - The Everyday Italian on the Food Network:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_33446,00.html
ENJOY!
Restaurant notes:- a must-have dessert at Turley's - I don't remember what it was called but I'll call it "molten chocolate cake" - I thought I'd died and gone to heaven! Also, the croissant at Spruce Confections North was delectable filled with egg, carmelized onions, cheese and the croissant itself was outstanding - so flaky! I had dinner last week at the Magnolia Restaurant in Lafayette and the
Andouille Sausage and Rock Shrimp Linguine was terrific.
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