A Gentleman and a Thief: The Daring Jewel Heists of a Jazz Age Rogue by Dean Jobb
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I tripped over this as I browsed an Audible 2 for 1 sale.
Every once in a while I find something way out of my normal rut. This was not only on a different road but a different time period than my usual.
A true crime story about a man whose name is mostly forgotten, 100 years ago Arthur Barry was a burglar who ran the local constabulary in circles until the inevitable end … sort of.
Arthur was one of those kids who was smarter than was good for him and his need for excitement set him on a path that started when he was 12 or 14 and ran until he was nearing 50. He developed a game plan for burglarizing homes that almost always guaranteed that (a) he got what he came for (b) he got away and (c) no one was injured or killed.
Polite, well mannered, bright, quick thinking. Arthur was all that and more. His story is amazing and amusing and even surprising.
Looking for something a bit out of the ordinary? This is it!
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Category: Books
From the Reading Table: The Shardlake Series
I recently encountered the BBC dramatization of the first 6 books in this series by C. J. Sansom on Audible and decided to give it a try. I’d not heard of the series before but now…
As a rule, Tudor England is not a period of history that captures much of my interest. I know a passing amount about Henry VIII and his family. This isn’t unusual if you have access to some sort of viewing screen and a streaming platform or two… Perhaps that is why I don’t claim any real Interest (yes, capitalization and all that goes with it) in the period.
That being said, I could say the same about Cadfael, that wonderful series starring Derek Jacobi from 1994. Different period of English history but still mysteries. <shrug/grin>
Shardlake is beautifully presented with interesting characters and more than a passing reference to historic people and places. It gives you an opening to walk through a looking glass, so to speak, and meander among the locals.
The stories are well written and the mysteries do not require the reader to dive in head first if they don’t want to.
This article, from the Adventures of a Tudor Nerd, provides a great introduction and might answer any questions you have before you dive in. Click HERE to read it.
I thoroughly enjoyed the BBC production but I will also be checking out the standard books in the series.
If you are inclined, Hulu / Disney+ has the 4 episode live action series. It is on my To Be Watched List.
From The Reading Table: It Seemed Like A Bad Idea At The Time
It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Time by Bruce Vilanch
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Every once in a while I come across a book that is so much fun, so delicious an experience, I hate to see it come to an end.
This is one of those books.
I admit I am a fan of the Hollywood Behind The Scenes scene. I love the stories about the things that go on that most folks have no clue about (even with social media) and I love it when I learn about stories that go back decades to a time when I remember either the show or the performer from days gone by.
This is one of those books.
For some readers (or listeners like me) the names might not connect but for others, we know who those folks are/were and had seen the shows or performances.
Memory lane!
For good or bad, every person has one of those folders in their heads labelled “It Was A Good Idea At The Time”. This is just a collection of items in a differently labelled folder.
Fun? Yeah.
Interesting? If you like the material.
Worth a listen or a read? Yep!
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From The Reading Table: Murder Crossed Her Mind
Murder Crossed Her Mind by Stephen Spotswood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This read (listen) came about because of a 2 for 1 sale on Audible.com. I have to say I am quite pleased to have discovered it.
I love Nero Wolfe and Sherlock Holmes and have listened or read many takes on each collection. Archie was always more interesting than Wolfe and Watson caused some humor but made Holmes more accessible.
Both Pentecost and Parker are interesting people in their own right but bring them together and there is something a bit arcane about their relationship. Each woman is very individual and interesting and not a cookie cutter cut out of some other literary character.
The time frame is also interesting and unusual. Later than either Wolfe or Holmes and in New York City, no less, the reader is treated to a post-war environment that is not cozy or mundane. Can I just say I love the idea of the brownstone?
My entry into the series was book 4 and as such a lot of the foundation has already been put into place. Juggling several cases (mysteries) at once makes the reader engage or just keep pace, there is no mid way if only to keep up with the various mysteries.
Speaking of the mysteries, wow! When each starts out I found myself thinking that I ‘knew’ what was coming but as each evolved it became clear that the author was in control and what IO ‘thought I knew’ was not what was actually going on. I love it when the author does that!
The cliffhanger ending was a both expected and surprising. And I can’t wait to find out what comes next!
I know I will be going back to Book 1 to learn more about Pentecost and Parker. I also know that I will have to pace myself as the author takes no prisoners and I suspect each book will be intense and wild.
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From The Reading Table: Life’s Too Short to Stuff A Mushroom
Life’s Too Short to Stuff a Mushroom: Really good food without the fuss – foolproof recipes, shortcuts and hacks by Prue Leith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Written by a well known cook but focusing on the reality that not every home cook has the time, let alone inclination, to be exceptionally fussy about cooking. Sometimes you really just need (want) to make use of shortcuts.
While this is not a huge book, there are some interesting features that could be useful for those who would use and appreciate them. The hacks and tips are useful but I think the QR Codes that will take the reader to videos showing how to do something might be the book’s best benefit.
All of this makes the book useful to every level of cook.
I think this is one worth taking a look at and maybe even trying out a couple of the recipes.
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From The Reading Table: Tea? Coffee? Murder Episode 1-3
Tea? Coffee? Murder! – Episode 1-3: A Cosy Mystery Compilation by Ellen Barksdale
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
When I look for an audiobook to listen to I tend to aim for something longer than 8 hours. This book, a compilation of the first 3 books in the series, has an 11 hour run time. In other words, each of the individual books is less than 4 hours long, so I would not have considered any of them individually. Being able to actually listen to the three has been enjoyable without lots of filler or diversion.
All that being said, this series is an interesting/odd take on a version of Midsummer Murders/Murder, She Wrote.
The stories are well written, have interesting characters, and there seems to be just enough to keep me interested without additives that just add bulk and no real substance.
If you are looking for something a bit different and yet engaging, give this a try.
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From The Reading Table: Oh Gussie!
Oh Gussie!: Cooking and Visiting in Kimberly’s Southern Kitchen by Kimberly Schlapman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Every once in a while I come across a cookbook that really speaks to me. As in food I like, recipes that capture my interest, and a book that might not spend more time on my shelf than in my hands being used.
This is one of those books.
Granted, the food is not for everyone. It is old school Southern cooking with a slight modern twist.
It is comfort food. It is NOT diet food. It is not intended to ‘get you by until…’, it is food that fills your belly and your soul while bringing smiles to the folks around your table.
If you are looking for something like this, give it a try.
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Food For Thought: Do I Really Need this?
It’s that time of year! That time when the <cough> Big Sales come along with all sorts of great prices and options. That time when gift giving might (or might not) be a part of your Winter Holiday planning. That time when you find yourself dreaming about all sorts of goodies you might want to add to your Wish List.
Okay, sure, for many folks this describes pretty much every day of the year.
Personally, I find myself browsing a lot of Pinterest boards, vlogs, and ads that come my way and thinking ‘ Oooooh, that looks like fun!’ My Amazon view history can often be overwhelming at times.
Granted, some of those items are ones I’ve searched for myself. I occasionally get a wild idea that I might ‘want’ or ‘need’ to find [ fill in blank ] and am looking to see what might be available and fit the criteria I need. Thanks to view history, I can return to that search many times.
The thing is, more often than not I discover that I really am not all that interested in whatever that item is and the ‘need’ isn’t as pronounced now than it was at the time I started looking. Hmmm
I love to window shop (thanks, Mom!) because it often has a powerful effect on my wallet (as in: I don’t spend a penny) and I get the opportunity to really think about what I have found.
Once I have devoted some time for the research, I give myself time to decide if at the end of a few days I still really want the item. I ask myself some questions before I jump to buy.
My core questions
- Do I really need it?
- Is the price justifiable?
- Do I have room for it?
- Do I already have something that I can use instead?
- Will I really use it?
Luckily, I have limited space in my home. Yeah, I know most folks would not think that a good thing. In my case I am limited by what I can add to my home without removing something else.
What I have discovered is that most of those potential purchases have been replaced by better options or dropped because I really didn’t find a true need for them after all.
As we slide into Holiday Season, when I am asked what I would like as a gift, I have a better idea of what to answer. Hint: Often it is not something I would use like a pair of socks. 😀
Now all of this is not to say I don’t make quick purchases when I find something that just tickles my fancy. I do. I just might not do it nearly as often as I once might have.
Best of all, there is the Thrill of the Hunt. Because there’s not much more enjoyable than finding just the right whatsit. Right?
From The Reading Table: Lickety-Split Meals
Lickety-Split Meals: For Health Conscious People on the Go! by Zonya Foco
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I have the original book and it has become a staple in my kitchen.
I love the organization and ease of use in the design of the book. From shopping lists to easy to use recipes, which include side dishes and timing to get everything ready at the same time, this book is definitely User Friendly.
The recipes are not culinary masterpieces, they are healthy, flavorful and easy to prepare.
If you struggle getting dinner on the table check it out. You won’t be disappointed.
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Extra! Extra! Read All About It!
I’ve been a fan of Zonya’s approach to healthy eating ever since she was on PBS – quite a few years ago. While it is no secret that I love the book, I understand that some folks are hesitant because they don’t know what to expect.
You can check out the book and download pdf samples of the recipes and shopping list by clicking HERE.
Cookbook Corner: Bisquick Cookbook
Betty Crocker’s Bisquick Cookbook by Betty Crocker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I am almost embarrassed to say that I currently have 8 different Bisquick cookbooks in my collection. I love working with this baking mix as it is so versatile.
This book is a great compilation of a variety of recipes with the All Time Favorites printed just inside the covers – handy! The book has the basics (biscuits, pancakes, waffles and impossible pies) and some great ideas for pot pies, baked goods and more.
This is a great book for those who are just delving into the world of Bisquick or those who just need to have the tried and true recipes from the back of the box – because we all seem to lose those, right?
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