Th Reading Lair

Archive for March, 2010

  • "Bill" by Heather Morrell (a children's book)

    Monday, March 29th, 2010

    Is there something you have always wanted to do? Perhaps learn to paint? Write a book? How about author and illustrate a children’s book?

    My dear friend Heather Morrell has. She just finished it a few months ago in fact. This is Bill, her adorably illustrated “learn to read” kid’s book, with its twenty pages worth of duck adventures. And, yes, those are watercolor illustrations—the girl knows how to write AND paint.

    I received a sneak copy because she loves me. Then I begged her to let me post about it. Her talented, marketing, husband, Scott, helped her publish it for their children, although I suspect their kiddos aren’t the only ones who’ll want a copy (seeing as my own 4-year-old is already obsessed with the thing). Am I wrong?

     

    What’s the mood noise of the moment (thanks to Gretchen)? 

    Mumford and Sons:  Roll Away Your Stone

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    Posted in A bit of brag | 9 Comments »

  • A Recipe for Flourless Mexican Chocolate Cake

    Monday, March 22nd, 2010

    Today I spoil you, Dear Reader.

    After all–we’ve been together long enough where a person might blushingly recognize the proper time to bequeath an invention: one which is not just any old grandmotherly reading recipe, but rather, THE reading recipe. At least it is in my world. This is my baby. My love. Treat her well. Perhaps pair her with a strong red wine or dark coffee and an afternoon reading of Austen or Tolkien.

    Both elegant and easy, she tastes amazing served hot from the oven, or (if you’re in a time-crunch) made a day ahead and chilled.

    And I’ll just say it now: You’re welcome.

    But tell me this before you go: What luscious work of fiction are you currently entangled in?

     

    Flourless Mexican Chocolate Cake

    •  2 bricks Mexican chocolate (such as Ibarra)
    • 10 oz. semisweet chocolate chips
    • 2 sticks butter
    • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
    • ¼ cup sugar
    • 7 large eggs
    1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line the bottom of a 8 or 9-inch springform pan with wax paper. Spray the sides with cooking spray.
    2. Melt butter, vanilla, sugar, and both types of chocolate in a heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring continuously until smooth. Cool for 15 minutes.
    3. Bring whole (not yet cracked) eggs to room temp by placing them in a bowl of warm water for 5 minutes. Remove and crack into separate bowl.
    4. Use an electric mixer to beat the eggs until thick and pale, about 5 minutes. Blend ½ cup into chocolate mixture. Fold in the rest.
    5. Pour batter into the prepared pan and place on a baking sheet in the oven. Bake until tester inserted into center comes out moist but not runny. About 35 to 40 minutes. Cool in pan 20 minutes.
    6. Run knife around pan sides to loosen. Remove springform sides. Gently place platter upside-down over cake and flip cake onto platter. Remove pan base and wax paper.
    7. Serve warm or chilled with whipped cream.

     

    What’s the mood noise of the moment? 

    Dashboard Confessional:  For You to Notice

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    Posted in Reading Recipes | 12 Comments »

  • Doin' the Man Thing (a guest review)

    Friday, March 19th, 2010

    This is the fabulous Jeanette Morris: busy editor, writer, and goddess of her kitchen (always a bonus find in a friend), and a partner-in-crime in our four-lady writing group (worddivas.com). Plus she’s a little weird (in the “she makes me laugh at unexpected times–like when I’m reading through her editorial notes on my novel” kind of way). I like her. And you shall too. This is Part Uno in her series of three reviews which I’ll post at random over the next few months. Enjoy :-) .

    A few weeks back my husband and I were vacationing in Las Vegas, and I found myself stuck indoors with nothing to read. Before the panic attack set in, I asked my DH if he had any books with him. He is also an avid reader, but not “my kind” of reader. Nevertheless, my desperation overcame my hesitation, and I began reading whatever one calls the opposite of “chick lit.” Guy stuff . . . you know . . . mass-market thrillers, crime fiction, etc. Ironically, my little dunk into the man thing became a channel crossing, and I read three of his generous (but odd) offerings. Knowing Mary would probably never include reviews of any such testosterone-laced novels on her blog, I offer the following for those of you who just might be interested in something other than Twi-fiction and literary classics.

    The Scarecrow (2010) – (sequel to bestseller The Poet) by Michael Connelly is a pointed commentary on the demise of print journalism and a fast-paced thriller featuring L. A. Times crime reporter Jack McEvoy. When Jack is laid off with 14 days’ notice to tie up loose ends, he decides to go out with one last big byline. What starts as a story about the wrongful arrest of a young gang banger for murder of an exotic dancer (yes, a bit cliché) turns into a much bigger and far more complex mystery that takes McEvoy into Las Vegas high rises and to a high-tech data-hosting facility in Arizona. FBI agent Rachel Walling, a femme fatale with whom he worked on the serial killer case in 1996’s The Poet, joins the hunt for another serial killer who always seems to be one step ahead of the star-crossed duo. As the pair uncovers more about the killer and his unsettling predilections, they realize that they too are being hunted. Jack’s close encounters with death allow him to unravel the mystery but, unfortunately, lose the byline. He gets the girl instead–not a bad exit from reporting. Unfortunately, the plot becomes a bit predictable as it unfolds. Connelly switches voices between Jack and the killer, which in one sense ratchets up the tension, and in another sense reveals the inevitable outcome much too soon. And although I could appreciate the one strong female character, Connelly’s inability to communicate her feminine side is probably one of the reasons he’s on the list of crime-thriller authors to which men are drawn.

    So, (Mary’s) question for the audience:  Which is better–chick, chunk, Twi, or man thriller lit?

    Jeanette Morris is a freelance writer and editor who has helped over 30 clients achieve their publishing dreams. You can find her at any of these places:     www.firstimpressionswriting.com   www.worddivas.com   www.ministryofwords.wordpress.com     
     

    Annnnnnd here’s the book trailer for it (the end being the best part).

     

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    Posted in Book Reviews, Book Trailers | 13 Comments »

  • When it Comes to Book Trailers…

    Monday, March 15th, 2010

    Dear Book Trailer Makers (you know—you people who make book trailers that look like movie trailers but they’re really just a ploy to advertise your book?),

    I don’t care that you make them. And I don’t care that some people question the legitimacy of any piece of literature that can be promoted as a Hollywood thrill ride. Nor do I care that some of you are selling your souls in an effort to both hock your novel and land a possible movie deal all within this well-planned scheme. I will do the same someday.

    But what I DO care about?

    The cheeze factor. It’s bad. And frankly, I, as a legitimate reader, am disturbed.

    Which is why I planned to post a few examples here, except my husband said it wouldn’t be very nice of me. Drat. So how about I just suggest out loud that if your book trailer starts out with a deep-throated voiceover, actors with bad hair who proceed to rap the entire dialogue, or if it contains a soft filter film quality like those used for soap operas, with lame women sighing heavily . . . or men sighing heavily, for that matter . . . I’m going to turn it off. And never read your book. Ever.

    However, in an effort to avoid sounding like a persnickety young wench (no small feat, let me tell you), I’ll give thee a hint at what type of tasty morsels entice me to buy and crack open your books. Namely, these. Watch and learn.

    And to my own discerning readers with sharp wit and excellent taste: watch and tell me if I’m wrong :-) .

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    Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters (Amazon’s Best Book Video of 2009)

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    Catching Fire  (if you’ve read The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, you’ll understand exactly why this trailer for the sequel works).

     

    And in case you missed my Facebook post earlier: here’s what we were all laughing over :-) .

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    Posted in Book Trailers | 11 Comments »

  • A Fabulous Book Nook: SLO's Higher Groundz

    Friday, March 12th, 2010

    Every month or so, my sister and I partake in a ritual where we escape our domestic kingdoms for a snug hole in the wall in which we read/write/not talk/stare at other people’s screaming children as if we’ve never had any of our own and indulge in some quiet time with a full cup of serenity. Always chai for her; whatever strikes my fancy for me.

    Last week’s rendezvous took place at Higher Groundz coffee shop (in San Luis Obispo)—one of my favorites (because not all coffee shops are created equal, can we agree?). Fortunately for me and the rest of the Central California Coast (the region that lays claim to Hearst Castle, Big Sur, and Santa Barbara, for those of you unfamiliar), this one is heaven. Cozy fireplace, Illy espresso, amazing food, tables, couch, eclectic art strewn across the walls, and music that is modish enough to enjoy without it blaring so loud one need shout over it. And, for the record, no screaming kids.

    Just a super cute one named Tobin. Child to the unreasonably gorgeous owners, Garth and Holly (this would be the same brilliant Garth who created the website you are currently staring at).

    We wrote. I read. Still working through The Swan Thieves, which, I hesitate to admit, I am not enjoying. However, I purpose to reserve full judgment until I’ve reached the end. But you can expect an upcoming review.

    Oh, and we tormented James (our barista) too, despite the fact that he DID make a pretty rockin’ turtle mocha for me and a super lucious chai (something my sister is unbelievably fastidious about). And then we wandered off, back to our respective homes, all the nicer for it.

    All right, my beautiful friendlies, now it’s your turn. For the sake of fun, indulge my curious side. Where is YOUR favorite book nook?

    (Oh, and if you ever feel inclined toward doing your own tormenting of James the Barista and the rest of the Higher Groundz staff you can go to: http://www.highergroundz.com/, or 3230 Broad St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. Tell them Mary sent you ;-) .)

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    What’s the mood noise of the moment?  David Gray:  This Year’s Love

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    Posted in Book Nooks | 17 Comments »

  • A Rainy Day Dinner Recipe: Balsamic Chicken with Rice Pilaf

    Monday, March 8th, 2010

    This is my lazy dinner recipe.

    The one I whip out on a rain soaked Saturday when, after a hard week, I’ve absconded to drift off for an hour or two into some work of fiction (The Swan Thieves this time), accompanied by the sounds of thunder and nervous squeals from my children playing hide and seek in the house.

    Five o’clock usually rolls around before the four-year-old pokes his head in to holler, “Mom! Mom! Mom! Mom! Mom! What you making for dinner? ‘Cuz I’m hungry and I got big muscles to fight those bad guys and I can give myself a wedgie. Wanna see?”

    No. I don’t want to see. And neither does the rest of the universe.

    But as to dinner . . .  I shall share with you my recipe for Balsamic Chicken with Rice Pilaf. The balsamic addition is mine; the rice pilaf is my friend, Diane’s. Serve both with a salad or broiled asparagus and it proves quite delish.

    Oh, except, before you read over it, I’m curious–what did YOU do to relax on Saturday???

    Balsamic Chicken

    • 1 Tab. olive oil
    • 1 clove crushed garlic
    • 1 yellow onion (sliced into thick rings)
    • 4 chicken breasts (frozen or thawed)
    • 2/3 cup balsamic vinegar
    • ¼ tsp pepper

    Place olive oil and garlic in a large saucepan and heat until garlic is sizzling. Add the onion and sear on high heat for 2 minutes while stirring. Cover and turn the fire down to medium for 5 minutes. I suggest using these 5 min. wisely by pouring a tasty glass of red wine and sipping on it. (Gulping works too, depending on your day.) Add four chicken breasts, the balsamic vinegar and pepper. Replace the lid and leave heat on medium. The cooking time will vary, depending on whether the chicken is frozen or not. Start with a half-hour and go from there. For the last 10 minutes, remove the lid to allow a slight reduction of the vinegar.

    Now start your Rice Pilaf.

    • 2 coils vermicelli noodles
    • ¾ cube butter
    • 1 cup rice
    • 2 ½ cups boiling water
    • 2 all natural chicken bouillon cubes

    Melt the butter in a tall pot. Stir in the vermicelli noodles and cook until they’ve browned. Dissolve the bouillon in the boiling water and add it and the rice to the pot. Stir, then turn the fire on low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes.

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    What’s the mood noise of the moment?  Missy Higgins:  Where I Stood

     

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    Posted in Reading Recipes | 10 Comments »

  • Lord Peter Wimsey (still sexy after all these years)

    Thursday, March 4th, 2010

    If you don’t know who Lord Peter Death Bredon Wimsey is then you’re in dire need of some better British reading material. And if you do, well, chances are you’re in need of a little air to cool your cheeks because, as any proper Brit can tell you, Lord Peter Wimsey is a delectably yummy chap! (Which is truly saying something considering the old man emerged into fictitious existence in the primordial year of 1923.)

    Ahem. Um . . . my husband has just snuck a peek over my shoulder and is requesting to know what exactly I mean by the term “yummy” in regards to Wimsey. I tell him it’s simply all the same things I think about him of course–handsome, witty, mysterious, brave, and careless in a roguish-yet-safe-sort-of-way.

    He snorts and informs me he once named his dog Lord Peter Wimsey.

    I tell him this is not helpful as it really isn’t the sort of post I’m going for, to which he smirks and goes back to finishing some sort of engineering calculations he’s been working on. Leaving me to confess to you, dear reader, that ever since my teenage years, Lord Peter Wimsey (the literary character, not the dog) has been greater to me than Sherlock Holmes (don’t gasp, I can’t help it). This is mainly due to the fact that Wimsey employs irresistible wit and charm in place of the opiates and morose moods so customary of Holmes. And although I will concede that Sherlock Holmes’ mind is by far more brilliant, as is—one could argue—his genius at solving crimes, Wimsey excels at cricket, which is also pretty hot in my book.

    Plus, his middle name is “Death,” okay?

    But the absolute sheerest beauty of these Dorothy Sayers’ mysteries? Their ability to bequeath upon the reader an aura of dirt being dished on half of the old English upper-crust whilst cheerily slinking around with a few dead bodies. And this usually comes after we’ve been allowed to watch our hero in action as he enjoys his morning tea and bath a bit too immensely for the ease of most modern, normal men. (A quick side note on our author for those of you interested—Sayers was a contemporary of C.S. Lewis and Tolkien, argued theology with a quick wit, and, among other things, did a translation of Dante’s Divine Comedy.)

    Hmm . . . a thought has just struck me. I wonder if my Lord Peter Wimsey obsession had any influence on my marrying a tall, dark man by the name Peter W? I mention this to my husband who finds it curious and then goes back to his reading with the calm request that from now on I reference him only as “Lord.”

    So here’s my question for the day (to which I already know the answer because I’m biased, but you can disagree if you like). Be honest now. Who would win in a monkey knife street fight—Holmes or Wimsey?

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     What’s the mood noise of the moment?  Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald:  Cheek to Cheek

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    Posted in Book Reviews, Literary Classics | 14 Comments »

  • About the Author Lewis Carroll (Alice in Wonderland)

    Monday, March 1st, 2010

    comingsoon.net

    Tim Burton’s movie extension of Alice in Wonderland comes out this week (in case you’ve been living under a rock or petticoat or some other form of shady coverage). And with it arrives the speculative-but-oh-so-fun press with their avid ogling into author Lewis Carroll’s personal life. Awkward that—seeing as the guy’s been dead for 112 years.

    Isn’t it fascinating how no one likes to speak ill of the dead and yet they obsess delightedly over speaking ill of the dead? Let’s see, this week alone I heard rumor that Carroll was a murderer, a molester, a plagiarist (apparently he didn’t write Alice in Wonderland—Queen Victoria did), and (my favorite) Jack the Ripper. Wow. (I’m beginning to think he and Dan Brown share the same taste in P.R. reps.)

    So was Lewis Carroll any of those things?

    I’ve no idea. But I’m not inclined to base my opinions of a man’s morality upon some missing journals and a few later-in-life, secondhand “recollections.” What I do know is that he was born to a country parson in 1832 as Charles Lutwidge Dodgson and grew up in north England as the eldest son in a full house. Carroll proved an intellectual child (first homeschooled, then attending Rugby School) and, as an adult, earned the post of Christ Church Mathematical Lectureship in Oxford along with taking deacon’s orders (although he chose against becoming a priest). Throughout his life he invented everything from ciphers to game rules to parliamentary policies to a very early version of the game Scrabble (at least according to Wikipedia). Carroll was a photographer (and, yes, he did some weird photos—I’ll give you that), a poet, and an author who was friends with the likes of Dante Gabriel Rossetti and George MacDonald.

    Beyond that, most else is rumor. Albeit juicy rumor.

    Which will probably push the movie sales through the theater roof for teenage Alice tripping down the rabbit hole in her effort to escape an unwanted marriage proposal.

    And I am going to see it. And then I’m going to read Alice in Wonderland again.

    How about you, my reading friendlies? What say you to all of this? And are you going to the movie?

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    And for more info on the subject, you can look here:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_carroll or here: http://www.lewiscarroll-site.com/ or here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/feb/27/as-byatt-alice-in-wonderland

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    Posted in Author Tidbits, Literary Classics | 26 Comments »

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