Book Journey

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

Published on September 20, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)25 Comments

This meme is used to share what we read this past week and what our plans are for the upcoming week. It’s a great way to see what others are reading and add to your own To Be Read list. You never know where that next great read may come from!

It has been a pretty full week with my “need to can” mode going on. Not a lot of time for reading barbecue I am usually on the move, mostly audio happening here. Here is what I posted this past week:

Lock In by John Scalzi

Dirty Chick by Antonia Murphy

Departure by A G Riddle

This week will be a lot more canning so more audio for me! I am planning on listening to:

America’s First Families are unknowable in many ways. No one has insight into their true character like the people who serve their meals and make their beds every day. Full of stories and details by turns dramatic, humorous, and heartwarming, The Residence reveals daily life in the White House as it is really lived through the voices of the maids, butlers, cooks, florists, doormen, engineers, and others who tend to the needs of the President and First Family.

These dedicated professionals maintain the six-floor mansion’s 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, 28 fireplaces, three elevators, and eight staircases, and prepare everything from hors d’oeuvres for intimate gatherings to meals served at elaborate state dinners. Over the course of the day, they gather in the lower level’s basement kitchen to share stories, trade secrets, forge lifelong friendships, and sometimes even fall in love.

Combining incredible first-person anecdotes from extensive interviews with scores of White House staff members—many speaking for the first time—with archival research, Kate Andersen Brower tells their story. She reveals the intimacy between the First Family and the people who serve them, as well as tension that has shaken the staff over the decades. From the housekeeper and engineer who fell in love while serving President Reagan to Jackie Kennedy’s private moment of grief with a beloved staffer after her husband’s assassination to the tumultuous days surrounding President Nixon’s resignation and President Clinton’s impeachment battle, The Residence is full of surprising and moving details that illuminate day-to-day life at the White House.

and other than that… pretty much Gone With The Wind for book club.

What are you reading this week? What did you read last week? I look forward to seeing what are the books everyone is talking about. Add your Its Monday What Are You Reading here where it says click here:

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Morning Meanderings… Canning FRENZY

Published on September 20, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)15 Comments

Sunday.

God bless friends and family that is for sure. This past week I was connected to a woman who lives a few miles from me who was done with the tomatoes in her garden and word came back to me that whatever was left was free for the taking. I hustled out the door with two large totes and a couple of boxes and let me just say…

it was not enough.

On my “SAVE THE TOMATOES” mission I loaded up with not only red tomatoes, but also green. Not sure what I could do with the green but always being a person who will figure it out later…. I grabbed a bunch of those too.

Ummmm…. yeah.

So basically, other than the recent trip to Wisconsin for the Mud Run I participate in every year (pics to come), I have been canning. Last night my first ever spaghetti sauce, and then this morning – 7 quarts of green tomatoes for fried green tomatoes.

book journey — Last nights spaghetti sauce

We are going to a friends house this afternoon for the football game and ribs. A quiet gathering of about 6 of us which will be nice. Then tonight I plan to go for another batch of spaghetti sauce. Keep on keeping on. I love the feel of being productive and the details of caning keeps my mind nice and busy.

Books that came in this week…

Both books look wonderful.

I am connecting this post to The Caffeinated Book Reviewer for her weekly Sunday Post.

Lock In by John Scalzi

Published on September 19, 2015September 17, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)10 Comments

In the future, a virus blankets the earth. For some, the symptoms are flu-like and than they get better… for others… the virus causes what becomes known as “lock-in. victims are fully alert and aware of their surroundings but unable to move or voice a response.

25 years later, the results of this virus is now called ‘Haden’s Syndrome.’ Newly appointed FBI agent Chris Shane is assigned to a case that appears to be a Haden related murder. The suspect is an “integrator” – someone who can let the locked in borrow their bodies for a time. If the Integrator was carrying a Haden, then naming the suspect for the murder becomes that much more complicated.

As Chris and his partner Van start to dig into the crime, what they find is bigger than they had imagined.

Recently I posted about a book I reviewed that I was hoping a bit more dystopian than it was and a little less sci fi than it was…. and now, with Lock In, I found what I was looking for. Lock In gave me the dystopian I was craving and while this synopsis was a bit out of my league… it was the narration by Wil Wheaton sold me on giving it a try in audio format. Wil Wheaton is one of the few narrators I have actually tracked by what they narrated because they are so incredible at it. Nicely played John Scalzi.

Lock In was brilliant. While it took me a while to fully picture what was happening, once I got it, it was a fun listen. With John Scalzi’s quick wit writing and Wil Wheaton’s perfect execution of the narration – readers are in for a pretty sweet ride. Treat yourself to this one in audio.

I see author John Scalzi has used Wil in other audio as well which I will be checking out soon.

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 10 hours
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Audible Studios
Audible.com Release Date: August 26, 2014

Dirty Chick: Adventures Of An Unlikely Farmer by Antonia Murphy

Published on September 18, 2015September 17, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)9 Comments

Antonia Murphy was born in San Fransisco and never really pictures herself as the farm girl type. Later in life she settles with her husband in New Zealand after her son was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition and they felt a slower more laid back style of life might be just the ticket.

The decision to start a farm was probably not as slow and laid back as they had anticipated, but it sure makes for some fun writing.

Obviously, the title captured my attention. While I have had this book on the shelf for the better part of a year, it was the audio version I fit into my schedule and found it quite entertaining and distracting while mowing my lawn. Much of what happens in dirty chicks is fairly funny. Imagine starting out with animals you know little about but you soon learn….. (I swear, I will never look at a duck the same way again.)

There is much to like about this book, and for me – I also found some things I personally didn’t like. As this is a memoir and I often hesitate to review some memoirs due to the impossibility of separating the book from the writer, I will refrain from giving my opinion here on what I did not like. After all – it is just my personal opinion.

I am glad I had a chance to experience this book. Antonia does narrate this book herself which I always find impressive and she did a good job of narrating. If you are ever thinking ooh starting a farm could be a lot of fun,” you may want to test this book out first.

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 7 hours and 20 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Audible Studios
Audible.com Release Date: January 22, 2015

Departure by A.G. Riddle

Published on September 17, 2015September 17, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)3 Comments

On a flight to London, passengers Harper Lane, Nick Stone, Sabrina Schröder, Yul Tan, and Grayson Shaw, have no idea that their lives are about to change forever… but change they do.

When the plane loses power and crashes into a remote area in the English country side, the surviving passengers have to come up with a plan for survival. Yet it is Nick Stone a venture capitalist, along with Sabrina (genetic researcher, Yul Tan (computer scientist), Grayson (son of a billionaire), and Harper (writer), who start to see that perhaps this crash was not an accident at all…

And what is at stake is bigger than all of the world.

I went into this read looking for a dystopian style of read. It has been a long time since I have read a good dystopian and this one sounded like it could be just the ticket.

The Departure was not exactly what I had hoped for, but it was interesting… more sci-fi than dystopian. I listened tot his on audio and narrators Nicola Barber and Scott Aiello are both new to me but really did an excellent job. It was actually Nicola Barber’s sample listen on Audible that sold me on this one.

While I didn’t love this one, I did like it. I am not the biggest sci fi fan and feel that someone more into that genre would find this worth a read or a listen.

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 9 hours and 31 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Audible Studios
Audible.com Release Date: February 17, 2015

Morning Meanderings… You Say Tomato

Published on September 17, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)11 Comments

Where did the week go?

It has been fairly quiet around here which I really appreciate. It is nice to have a break from all the outer world “to do’s” and just be around the house doing my inner world “to do’s”. I needed the break from the public and this last few weeks since Wine and Words has really been blissful. Lots of time to just be with me and cry as I want to.

I have been keeping myself occupied with canning. I canned a lot of apple butter and there will be more after the first freeze up, and now… I seen to have inherited…

Tomatoes. LOTS of tomatoes.

And that is ok with me.

The work of prepping jars, and containers, cutting into the tomatoes, blanching, and cooking is very good for me. My mind stays busy and at the end of the day I actually have something positive to show for it. I find tiny satisfaction in this new domestic side of me. Winters are long here and this year I am especially worried as I do not like that season anyway. Perhaps thinking of tomatoes ready for hot dishes, chili, and pasta sauces will assist with having good things to do.

While “tomatoing” away today I am listening to Call The Midwife by Jennifer Worth on audio. I am enjoying this memoir while working away. Better go, time to blanch more tomatoes!

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

Published on September 13, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)46 Comments

Who knew a meme could be emotional?

It’s Monday is back for the first time almost 5 months. As we enter fall, I want to bring this meme back and so appreciate all of you who have hung in there with me and even kept posting It’s Monday and mentioning Book Journey. When I did see the meme on some of the blogs I visited it was a nice feeling. Thank you.

Here is what I posted this past week:

Did You Ever Have A Family by Bill Clegg

Banned Book Week is coming- check out details here!

The Seventh Most Important Thing by Shelley Pearsall

The Night Sister by Jennifer McMahon

Weekend Cooking – Apple Butter..fairly simple and delicious!

This upcoming week here is what I am listening to and reading:

My book club is reading Gone With The Wind for October, our Classic Month. It is a first time go around for me with this book and I am enjoying what I have read so far.

I have always had a bit of a fascination with Steve Jobs and all he accomplished. Looking forward to this one!

An anxiety disorder disrupts fourteen-year-old Audrey’s daily life. She has been making slow but steady progress with Dr. Sarah, but when Audrey meets Linus, her brother’s gaming teammate, she is energized. She connects with him. Audrey can talk through her fears with Linus in a way she’s never been able to do with anyone before. As their friendship deepens and her recovery gains momentum, a sweet romantic connection develops, one that helps not just Audrey but also her entire family.

This one sounds fun.

That’s about it. I am in between Audible credits so waiting anxiously for my new credits to show up in about a week so I can put audio back on my phone.

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Morning Meanderings… Another Day

Published on September 13, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)17 Comments

Sunday morning and not a lot happening here. I have a little case of the “funk” … days keep coming one after another… I try to do life as I once did and it pains me all at the same time. I think part of the battle is to have a desire to want to move on and I can honestly say at this time I really don’t.

This morning has been COFFEE and emails and cottage cheese with raspberry rhubarb yogurt. I need to go grab the rest of the apples that are on the ground to finish up the first phase of apple butter today. A friend is sending me her Hungarian Mushroom soup recipe that is DELICIOUS and my hubby loves. His birthday is tomorrow so I would like to make it for him. We have no big plans for his birthday, we really don’t want any so what I can do from here will be nice.

Books were light this week. I have not made many requests lately. Here is what came in the house:

The Last Midwife by Sandra Dallas (I have not read Dallas in years but I used to enjoy her books. I have loved the midwife trending books.)

Whistling Women by Kelly Romo (love the title!)

Steve Jobs Insanely Great by Jamie Hartland (I have a fascination with Jobs… a brilliant and awkward man)

This afternoon I hope to read a bit of Gone With The Wind. Finish the apples, maybe make soup.

Weekend Cooking/Saturday Snapshot… Apples to Apple Butter

Published on September 12, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)27 Comments

My good friend over at Beth Fish Reads hosts this wonderful weekly meme where we can share what we are cooking. Many times I have found a new recipe to try or even planned right then and there that what I read about was what I was making for dinner.

Today I thought I would share with you the fall tradition I have of making Apple Butter from our apple trees. As there are lots of pictures, I am also placing this post under Saturday Snapshot (another excellent meme). The main connection I have to the whole process is this:

I am the proud owner of my Great Grandmother’s chinois sieve and pestle. This really is the selling point for making apple butter at home (well… that and all the apples). I love taking these items out of storage.

And… I do have apple trees.

It is Tree #3 I have been working off of. While I am waiting for the first frost before I pick the apples, Tree #3 is my crazy tree who never has an off year, is ALWAYS loaded down with apples and breaks it’s branches. And currently had dropped a lot of apples to the ground so I have been snatching them up.

So I have been making apple butter. I like it because it is fairly simple – no need to peel, seed, etc… here is my basic recipe handed down and perhaps tweaked a little be me….

You will need…

canning jars – small jelly style up to a pint

canning lids and rings

large pot (canners are good)

apples (I use from our trees but any hard apple will do – Granny Smith apples work great!)

apple cider vinegar

sugar

cinnamon

cloves

all spice

vanilla (optional)

You will need 4 pounds of apples per batch. I usually double the batches. Cut off any bad spots on your apples and then cut in quarters and don’t worry about seeds, stem, core. Weigh your apples and when you have the right amount bring to the stove and place in a large pot (the big canners work great for this).

I have been cutting the apples outside because it has been so nice out. I use my picnic table, the big canner and my Great Grandmothers scale.

Once apples are in the large pot, add two cups of water and one cup of apple cider vinegar to every 4 pounds of apples. Cover and bring to boil for twenty minutes.

After apples have cooked soft, with a slotted spoon, scoop the apples out of the liquid and place the sieve over a pot or bowl and then put apples into the *sieve. Use the pestle to squish the good sauce out of the apples and keep doing this until all that remains in the sieve is the skin, seeds, and stems. Continue until you have done this with all the cooked apples. Then take a spatula and grab the excess sauce off the outside of the sieve.

Add to your apples – 1/2 -3/4 cup sugar to each cup of apples. I kind of do this to taste and you should too – some people like a sweeter product than others. I am closer to the 1/2 cup sugar to each cup of apple sauce, sometimes less. Add 2 tablespoons cinnamon, 1 teaspoon all spice, 1 teaspoon, cloves, and 2 tablespoons vanilla to each 4 pound batch you are making. Stir all of this well.

Over med low heat start to cook your apples using a wide bottomed pan. The point of the cooking is to evaporate all the excess moisture our of the apples so the wider the pan bottom the faster this processes can be. I use two large deep fry pans. Cook this way for 1/2 to 2 hours, stirring often until apples are thick and if you place some on spoon and put in freezer for a minute the sauce does not get runny.

Sterilize your jars. I put mine in a clean sink and pour hot boiling water over them.

Scoop apple butter (yup…. it is apple butter now!) into the jars leaving 1/4 inch space to the top. Place a lid and ring over each jar. and leave to cool on a towel on your counter top. You should hear the lids pop as they seal.

I know there are easier ways to make apple butter these days, but using the same process that my Great Grandmother used and knowing that her hands used that pestle as did my own mother brings me a little happiness.

Apple butter is excellent on toast, and I like it with cottage cheese. It is also good on pork chops and makes for a wonderful gift.

Just a reminder.. Banned Book Week starts September 27th and we have a lot of fun lined up for this annual event. Click on the meme pic or the link above to find out more!

The Night Sister by Jennifer McMahon

Published on September 11, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)8 Comments

The Tower Motel was once a place where people stopped and stayed… a continuous flow of activity. Now, many years later the hotel lays in despair and the girls who used to play there; Amy Piper, and Margo only have their memories.. and the memory of what happened that destroyed their friendship.

When a crime is committed that Amy is accused of, Piper and Margo are forced to relive what they had hoped they would never have to speak of. The secret that had been held in the past – generation to generation… to come to light now.

Author Jennifer McMahon has amazed me before with her books such as Promise Not To Tell, Winter People, and The Island of Lost Girls. She has a way of adding an element of darkness to her stories.

Such is the case with Night Sister, once again Jennifer McMahon weaves a dark tale, but this time I just did not connect. I just found the story too far fetched and the back and forth feel of the girls in modern time searching out the clues to the flash backs of what happened in the past… I don’t know. It just didn’t work for me. I finished the book hoping for some big revelation but it never really came.

Here are a few different opinions I found on line:

View From My Home Highly recommended for fans of the author, coming of age stories in rural settings, mysterious suspense, and those willing to take a chance on a story with a plot ending you would never see coming when you started out.

Tales Of A Book AddictThe way this book unfolds is so impressive. It’s like Ms. McMahon just lightly peels away layer after layer until you’re finally at the heart and soul of the story.

The Caffeinated Book Reviewer I have been in the mood for suspenseful reads and The Night Sister with its creepy vibe and paranormal elements/lores was just the perfect fix.

I listened to this one on audio, the narration by Cassandra Campbell is almost always a draw for me and while I didn’t love her narration in this one (some of the females were too winy voiced) she is a narrator I admire and will continue to watch her work.