What's In Your Library Bag Wednesday Reading Friends?! I've been looking for something good to read ever since I finished Jane Eyre. My husband suggested that I try something "out of my box" this time. So, I am actually trying a new author, but I will admit that the book is not really out of my box. Still, it is a new author...
I am reading Bitten by Kelley Armstrong. It's about werewolves. The main character, Elena, is the only female werewolf. She became a werewolf by being bitten, hence the title, and surviving. Most females never survive the bite and the change into a werewolf. Throughout the novel, Elena fights against her nature; the love of her life; her circumstances; what might have been, etc. There are moments where she is so caught up in something else she doesn't worry about what ifs, and then she is truly happy. I haven't finished the novel yet, but I am guessing in the end she comes to terms with it all and settles into the Pack. For now in the story, outsiders are threatening the Pack and their way of life and she must forget about her life in the "human world" and help the Pack overcome and survive.
One interesting difference in this novel as compared to other werewolf novels that I've read is that the author actually describes what it feels like to change into a werewolf and how the werewolf body feels and how its mind thinks. Kind of different. Kind of interesting. I've been able to look past the parts where they kill a rabbit or deer and eat it...as wolves do kill and eat meat.
Bitten is an easy and quick read with a little different take on the idea of werewolves than most of the other authors I've read. It's a new novel worth a try.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Book Trailer Monday...Even though my recipe was late, we still need to talk books...
I personally have never read Ted Dekker, but I have heard so many good things about his writing, I thought I'd share a trailer here today. He is an inspirational author who writes mysteries and other more fantasy type books. Check one out today and see what you think...
From Our Recipe Box to Yours...Sorry I missed this on Friday...Try them on Monday instead.
Indian Fry Bread/ Indian Tacos
3 C. unbleached flour, sifted
1/2 C. dry powdered milk
1 T. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 C. warm water or milk
2 quarts oil for deep frying
Combine the first 5 ingredients in a large mixing bowl and knead until smooth and soft, but not sticky. Depending on the altitude and humidity, you may need to adjust the liquid or the flour, so go slowly and balance accordingly. Be careful not to overwork the dough, or it will become tough and chewy. Brush a tablespoon of oil over the finished dough and allow it to rest 20 minutes to 2 hours in a bowl covered with a damp cloth. After the dough has rested, heat the oil in a broad, deep frying pan or kettle until it reaches a low boil, 375 degrees. Pull off egg-sized balls of dough and quickly roll, pull, and pat them out into large, plate-sized rounds. They should be thin in the middle and about 1/4 inch thick at the edges. Carefully ease each piece of flattened dough into the hot, boiling oil, one at a time. Using a long -handled cooking fork or tongs, turn the dough one time. Allow about 2 minutes cooking time per side. When golden brown, lift from oil, shake gently to remove bulk of oil, and place on layered brown paper or paper towels to finish draining.
Serve with honey, jelly, fine powdered sugar, or various meat toppings.
Hint:
The magic is in frying the bread quickly! The hotter the oil, the less time it takes to cook. The less time it takes to cook, the lighter the texture and the lower the fat content.
We were at the Butler County Fair all this past week and Indian Fry Bread Tacos is a staple that I usually enjoy...Instead of buying one this year, we decided to make them at home. Easier than I thought and yummy yummy!! This is the actual recipe from the vendor I usually eat them at!!
DON'T FORGET THAT WE WILL BE CLOSED NEXT MONDAY, JULY 4TH IN HONOR OF THE HOLIDAY, BUT WILL RESUME REGULAR HOURS ON TUESDAY, JULY 5TH...
3 C. unbleached flour, sifted
1/2 C. dry powdered milk
1 T. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 C. warm water or milk
2 quarts oil for deep frying
Combine the first 5 ingredients in a large mixing bowl and knead until smooth and soft, but not sticky. Depending on the altitude and humidity, you may need to adjust the liquid or the flour, so go slowly and balance accordingly. Be careful not to overwork the dough, or it will become tough and chewy. Brush a tablespoon of oil over the finished dough and allow it to rest 20 minutes to 2 hours in a bowl covered with a damp cloth. After the dough has rested, heat the oil in a broad, deep frying pan or kettle until it reaches a low boil, 375 degrees. Pull off egg-sized balls of dough and quickly roll, pull, and pat them out into large, plate-sized rounds. They should be thin in the middle and about 1/4 inch thick at the edges. Carefully ease each piece of flattened dough into the hot, boiling oil, one at a time. Using a long -handled cooking fork or tongs, turn the dough one time. Allow about 2 minutes cooking time per side. When golden brown, lift from oil, shake gently to remove bulk of oil, and place on layered brown paper or paper towels to finish draining.
Serve with honey, jelly, fine powdered sugar, or various meat toppings.
Hint:
The magic is in frying the bread quickly! The hotter the oil, the less time it takes to cook. The less time it takes to cook, the lighter the texture and the lower the fat content.
We were at the Butler County Fair all this past week and Indian Fry Bread Tacos is a staple that I usually enjoy...Instead of buying one this year, we decided to make them at home. Easier than I thought and yummy yummy!! This is the actual recipe from the vendor I usually eat them at!!
DON'T FORGET THAT WE WILL BE CLOSED NEXT MONDAY, JULY 4TH IN HONOR OF THE HOLIDAY, BUT WILL RESUME REGULAR HOURS ON TUESDAY, JULY 5TH...
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
What's in Your Library Bag Wednesday?...
What's in Your Library Bag Wednesday? What?!! It's Wednesday again already?? Where does the time go? I do not know, but I am finally reading something that I really like again. I am reading Hit List, by Laurell K. Hamilton, part of the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series. I put a book trailer about it up here on Monday and have been reading reviews on Amazon about it. Sadly, it's not getting very good reviews. I was disappointed and not going to buy the novel this time...But, my husband reminded me that just because someone else doesn't like something doesn't mean that I won't. So true. I am a Laurell K. Hamilton fan and I remain a Laurell K. Hamilton fan.
This particular book in the series is maybe a little less graphic and edgy, but the storyline, characters and plot are all still there. For me, reading her novels is like putting on a favorite, ratty, old sweatshirt and cuddling up to a fire, it's so comfortable and familiar.
I visited with a library patron the other day and she went to see Laurell K. Hamilton in person in Cedar Rapids last week. She mentioned how she thought that Anita was modeled after the author; body types the same, etc. And how Laurell Hamilton wasn't really what she had expected. Who ever really is? One part of our conversation that stuck out was how Laurell Hamilton had said that she doesn't have a finale to the series planned yet. She doesn't see an end to Anita and her stories. Wow. She just finished writing book #20 and she doesn't see an end. So, all you Anita fans out there, don't worry, you just have to wait another year or so for your next Jean Claude fix. Personally, I can't wait and will probably start to reread some, just because.
How about you? Do you get so into your books that you feel you really know the characters? Or do you devour them quickly and move on to the next story, the next book, not really getting attached to a particular author or storyline?
This particular book in the series is maybe a little less graphic and edgy, but the storyline, characters and plot are all still there. For me, reading her novels is like putting on a favorite, ratty, old sweatshirt and cuddling up to a fire, it's so comfortable and familiar.
I visited with a library patron the other day and she went to see Laurell K. Hamilton in person in Cedar Rapids last week. She mentioned how she thought that Anita was modeled after the author; body types the same, etc. And how Laurell Hamilton wasn't really what she had expected. Who ever really is? One part of our conversation that stuck out was how Laurell Hamilton had said that she doesn't have a finale to the series planned yet. She doesn't see an end to Anita and her stories. Wow. She just finished writing book #20 and she doesn't see an end. So, all you Anita fans out there, don't worry, you just have to wait another year or so for your next Jean Claude fix. Personally, I can't wait and will probably start to reread some, just because.
How about you? Do you get so into your books that you feel you really know the characters? Or do you devour them quickly and move on to the next story, the next book, not really getting attached to a particular author or storyline?
Monday, June 20, 2011
Book Trailer Monday...
Here's the latest from one of my favorite authors...Not a story for the faint of heart...But also, better than the reviews are giving it credit...
Friday, June 17, 2011
From Our Recipe Box to Yours...
I don't really know what to call this fun and different camping treat, so I'll just make up a name. You could make these in your backyard if you're not into camping...
Snickers Pie???
Campfire sandwich maker
2 pieces of bread
butter
Snickers candybar
Peanut butter
Butter two sides of bread and then peanut butter one side of one piece and place in sandwich maker butter side down. Chop up Snickers bar and place on the peanut butter side. Close sandwich maker and toast over the campfire. Share with a friend and have a glass of milk handy. These sandwiches are rich and yummy!!
Don't forget to stop in and check out our summer audio collection for all your traveling destinations!!!
Snickers Pie???
Campfire sandwich maker
2 pieces of bread
butter
Snickers candybar
Peanut butter
Butter two sides of bread and then peanut butter one side of one piece and place in sandwich maker butter side down. Chop up Snickers bar and place on the peanut butter side. Close sandwich maker and toast over the campfire. Share with a friend and have a glass of milk handy. These sandwiches are rich and yummy!!
Don't forget to stop in and check out our summer audio collection for all your traveling destinations!!!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
What's in Your Library Bag Wednesday?...
Welcome to a wet Wednesday!!! What a perfect day to have a bag full of books by your side!! So, what is in your library bag this Wednesday???
I must say that I have reason to celebrate!! I finally finished reading Jane Eyre! It's about time. In my defense, I moved and cleaned up an old house and finished a new one in that time, but really, that book took me waaayy too long to read. Whenever anyone would ask me what I was reading, I'd respond, "I'm slogging through Jane Eyre right now." And it wasn't a terrible book; it was just slow and it felt like slogging to me. Whenever we would talk about it here at work, one of my coworkers would remind me about the time period that the book was written in and about Jane's age, her being a teenager, in the book. Because, there is a lot of drama in the story and teenagers are usually surrounded by drama, but I just don't normally read that type of story. When I put it in perspective like that however, it becomes a better story. It does have a rather unexpected, yet happy ending which makes some of the "slogging" worth it. It's just hard to imagine, having been raised in a time where women are fighting for equality rather than just to be heard and noticed as people, how ground breaking the author and story really were.
My reading style is more of a tell you all about how good of a story it was and why you should read it rather than critiquing the writing or what was going on in the time period. So, for an unlikely and poor heroine to find love and rise above difficulties the story is a winner.
For me and what I am going to read next, I am on the edge of my seat excited that Laurell K. Hamilton has another installment to her Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series, coming out this month!! Go vampires, werewolves and fantasy!
Happy Reading All!! Tune back in later for a review of the movie, Jane Eyre as compared to the book...
I must say that I have reason to celebrate!! I finally finished reading Jane Eyre! It's about time. In my defense, I moved and cleaned up an old house and finished a new one in that time, but really, that book took me waaayy too long to read. Whenever anyone would ask me what I was reading, I'd respond, "I'm slogging through Jane Eyre right now." And it wasn't a terrible book; it was just slow and it felt like slogging to me. Whenever we would talk about it here at work, one of my coworkers would remind me about the time period that the book was written in and about Jane's age, her being a teenager, in the book. Because, there is a lot of drama in the story and teenagers are usually surrounded by drama, but I just don't normally read that type of story. When I put it in perspective like that however, it becomes a better story. It does have a rather unexpected, yet happy ending which makes some of the "slogging" worth it. It's just hard to imagine, having been raised in a time where women are fighting for equality rather than just to be heard and noticed as people, how ground breaking the author and story really were.
My reading style is more of a tell you all about how good of a story it was and why you should read it rather than critiquing the writing or what was going on in the time period. So, for an unlikely and poor heroine to find love and rise above difficulties the story is a winner.
For me and what I am going to read next, I am on the edge of my seat excited that Laurell K. Hamilton has another installment to her Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series, coming out this month!! Go vampires, werewolves and fantasy!
Happy Reading All!! Tune back in later for a review of the movie, Jane Eyre as compared to the book...
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