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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Category: Books
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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From The Reading Table: From the Wizarding Archive: Curated Writing from the World of Harry Potter
From the Wizarding Archive (Volumes 1 & 2): Curated Writing from the World of Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
When my audio version of this book dropped yesterday I found myself immersed in a world that is as much fun and magical as what I found in the original Harry Potter books. It is difficult to stop.
Every writer has their own process. I learned about JK Rowling’s collection of boxes with her bits and pieces of background, thoughts, hints, etc. years ago. Being able to delve into the boxes and find out more about all sorts of people, places, and things has been great fun.
The audio version is narrated by Evanna Lynch, Hugh Quarshie, Finlay Robertson, Lara Sawalha. There are sound effects in the background, too. The experience adds layers to the work, making it even more interesting than just reading from a page…although I can imagine that would be fun, too.
As one of those folks who love the extras on DVDs, this collection of essays has fulfilled that passion. While it might not be to everyone’s taste, for those like me who are curious, this is a treasure trove of information that I am sure will inform my next listen to the series.
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From The Reading Table: Death on the Tiber
Death on the Tiber by Lindsey Davis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
First Thought: OMG!
Second Thought: The Didius Boys Strike Again. Actually the entire family.
I awaited the release of this book with a bit of trepidation. Having read the entire Falco and Albia series, I knew Albia’s backstory and her propensity for…strong reaction and response. I’ve seen her tempered as a result of her relationship with Manlius Faustus but there has always been an undercurrent of the fiery temper we knew from her days in Britain when Falco & Helena rescued her.
After the last couple of books where Faustus and the rest of the household were barely in evidence, it was nice to have them all back, front and center. Having more of the extended family just made everything better.
One of the more interesting aspects of this series is the way Lindsey Davis has pulled threads from earlier books (from both series) and brought them forward. Folks were wanting more after Pandora’s Boy and they got their wish. To be honest, I almost was another character list/spreadsheet to keep all the folks straight.
Florius’ return to Rome after decades away has upended the delicate balance of the various crime families in the city. Everyone is jockeying for control, if not just more opportunity to make more money as a result of their various illegal endeavors.
What starts out as an innocent trip to the riverbank turns into Albia’s next case when a body is pulled from the river. It is clear from the very beginning that lots of things just don’t add up. Unraveling the mystery strikes the match that starts on her quest to find (and kill?) Florius.
Family is the overarching theme of this book. Who is, or is not, part of the family? For Albia, the folks who make up her family have a history with many of the other characters we encounter, some going back years.
For Florius, the relationships he has developed over the years create quite a complicated, if not dangerous, web that could get him killed way before Albia finds him.
The original question is Who killed the lady pulled from the river? Early on I found myself thinking it would be the person it ended up being but there was a lot (!!!!) that surprised me.
If you have read Nemesis (Falco #20) you know that solution. If you have read both series you already know what the Didius family are made of. The solution to the original question in this book brought us to a resolution that surprised me…until I thought about what I knew about everyone involved.
Buckle up! It is going to be an interesting read!
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From The Reading Table: Murder at an English Seance
Murder at an English Séance by Jessica Ellicott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I always enjoy Beryl and Edwina. These books are just the right amount of cozy to make the mystery enjoyable. What surprised me was the realization that we have come to the one year mark of when these two friends reconnected and their adventures in mystery solving began.
Barbara Rosenblat does an amazing job with the voices in these books. Teamed with Jessica Ellicott’s wonderful stories, the audio books are a pleasure to listen to.
One of the most apparent things in this book is the amount of growth all of the characters have undergone. We are also looking at a change in circumstance that, to be honest, I’m not sure will resolve itself in ways some readers (not to mention characters) think it will. We shall have to see.
A psychic medium has come to the village and the resulting uproar might be the cause of the murder or it might simply be the red herring to disguise who did it and why.
Beryl and Edwina carefully peel back the layers to find a resolution for their client (The Vicar’s Wife) while managing to work with Doris Gibbs – who ever thought we would see that?
What is next for our intrepid duo? I, for one, can’t wait to find out!
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From The Reading Table: A Ruse of Shadows
A Ruse of Shadows by Sherry Thomas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
“I am a queen upon this board and I do not play to lose.”
Once again Sherry Thomas and Kate Reading have brought me a book that is luscious to listen to, complicated and meticulously plotted. In short, I had to actually pay attention. LOL!
I found myself thinking back to when I listened to the first book in the series and was astounded at the way Ms. Thomas turned the entire Sherlock Holmes series on its’ ear. As a rule, I don’t care for the many volumes of attempts by authors to evolve the original Holmes into something he wasn’t or to add characters that were not even hinted at by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Charlotte Holmes was, to say the least, totally unexpected and a welcome shift, not to mention addition to, the genre.
A Ruse of Shadows gathers threads from most of the preceding books. This could be a problem for folks who have not started at the beginning of the series, but it could also be a pleasant ‘ah ha’ when they start in with the first book.
As I said, I had to pay attention with this one as there are some twist and turns, not to mention red herrings, that took me off the path. By the time I got to the unveiling/explanation I had forgotten my personal subtitle to the series: Things are not what I think they are, so I was more than a bit surprised.
Watching all the characters evolve has been amazing and satisfying. Contemplating just how far ahead Charlotte has plotted her Grand Plan simply boggles my mind. It is worth reminding folks that she hinted at this during the last book, Tempest at Sea.
I’ve come to the conclusion that Charlotte not only plays 3 dimensional chess but tosses in some snooker to boot.
Enjoy!
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From The Reading Table: This Time Together: Laughter & Reflection
This Time Together: Laughter and Reflection by Carol Burnett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I’ve been a fan pretty much my entire life. I loved ‘The Carol Burnett Show’ and was devastated when I learned that they were closing production. To be able to watch the reruns has been a joy.
One of the things I loved about this book is the way Carol takes us through the show and gives us the behind the scenes perspective. She truly is a professional who knows her job and it shows not only in the book but in the show. For those of us who loved the DVD extras, this book is one of those. aka: All the stuff you never thought about before but now that you know…
If you love Carol Burnett, if you love comedy, if you love learning the behind the scenes stuff, if you just enjoy lots of good stories, I think you will enjoy this book.
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