Follow Me
Follow Me
by Joanna Scott
432 pages
Fiction
Little, Brown and Company
April 22, 2009
When a young girl longs to learn of her family, of her heritage she is in for an exciting narration from her grandmother (AKA Sally Werner). She makes the young girl promise to never tell another soul what she is going to tell her, as she has never told anyone herself. In her grandmother's words she pieces together the mystery of her father's choices, and mostly the choice he made to leave her, a choice she lives with daily. Her family secrets are what make up a history of hardship and difficulty, however at the same time she realizes that within her family's history fanciful legends and tales hold the same value as the truth. However when she is confronted with her father, a man she had never known because of his choice to (after a failed suicide attempt) leave both she and her mother for a better life, she learns that he has another story all together about her grandmother. But could the elaborate story that her grandmother entrusted to her may only be fiction after all?
Follow Me is an interesting portrayal of family difficulties, discrepancies in family history and more than anything the lives that become that history. Since lives are lived only by one person, and seen by others in a much different light than one intends, history of the living is difficult to nail down. Follow Me is a novel of mysteries, family secrets and after a full dose of half-truths and some lies, there is a family history that evolves.
My thoughts are scattered on this read. I did enjoy the writing, it was as fluid and practical as it was elegant. Joanna Scott is an amazing storyteller and an extremely gifted writer, the tale flows from her words with ease. The only problem was that sometimes it seemed like it was too at ease, too leisurely, and I wished to learn faster. I found it interesting, but felt myself lagging behind in the thrill of it. I didn't completely fall head-over-heels with Sally Werner either, who this story is really about. For me it was mostly that somehow I felt I needed to be guarded against her because her choices made me nervous, and when I was allowed to know her thoughts about herself they were so harsh- that it just made me distrust her. By far the biggest fault of the book, which may be my own, is that I just lacked that personal bond with the characters. I did enjoy this read though, just not as much as I had hoped when it started out.
When you don't connect with the characters, does it make it harder for you to fall in love with the book? Do you find it harder to connect with characters you feel consistently make the wrong choices?
Some other perspectives:
Peeking Between the Pages
Bermudaonion
My Friend Amy
S. Krishna's Books
Booking Mama
Caribou's Mom
Savvy Verse & Wit
Confetti Cakes for Kids
Confetti Cakes for Kids
Elisa Strauss with Christie Matheson
224 Pages
Cake Cookbook
Making confetti cakes now seems so much easier than it did to me before. I am amazed at this book! Confetti Cakes for Kids is filled with the most hardcore cakes I have seen in my life!. I have never made a cake as fancy as these, and even thoguh I am still pretty intimidated to do so, this book brakes down the steps, the tools and the process into a format that I could handle.
Christmas Ornament Cupcakes, Easter Sugar Cookies that are so pretty you would never have the heart to eat them (I have two little boys that wouldn't even give eating them a second thought though!!). My favourite recipe that I HAVE to try, maybe for my littlest's next birthday are the Lollipop Cookies (p. 88) they certainly are the best of both worlds, soft, buttery and sweet and full of pretty bright colours and on a stick! Yes, it really doesn't get much better, does it? YUM!
Just look at the deliciously gorgeous cupcakes!
These would work great during this season these Ornament Cupcakes (p. 125) are stunning.
photo used with permission from Confetti Cakes for Kids, taken by Paul Whicheloe
And just because at this point we need to remember that spring is coming, where bees will buzz and flowers will bloom again. Check out these Garden Mini Cupcakes (p. 115)!
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The giveaway part!!
Here are the details:
-I have 5 copies of Confetti Cakes for Kids to give(thanks to Anna at Little, Brown!!!!)
-Post a recipe (the whole recipe) on your blog, previously posted recipes work as well....but I am looking for some of your favourites here, so please make sure it is a favourite!
-Comment below and paste the link to your recipe in the comments.
-Yes your recipes posted for the other giveaway count, but you will need to comment on THIS post if you want me to count you in on this giveaway (the same recipe is fine unless you are feeling into it, I'd love more recipes!!!)
-You have a week to do it, you can send me your recipes up through the 19th. I will select winners the next day.
- Sorry, only US and Canada and no PO boxes
The Flavor Bible
The Flavor Bible: The Essential Guide To Culinary Creativity, Based on the Wisdom of America's Most Imaginative Chefs
by Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg
380 Pages
Cookbook, Culinary Reference Guide
Awards: IACP Award- Winning Authors of What to Drink with What you Eat
This is insanity, insanely amazing for sure! The Flavor Bible was written as a reference type guide for when you have several ingredients but enhancing their unique flavours for the best culenary experience result is just beyond you. How does it work? Well, you figure out what you are interested in working on, for me that means what I have in the fridge that I need to eat, or sometimes what I buy on impulse at our amazing Saturday Market and then blunder because I have no idea how it should even be cooked. After you have your ingredient/s you check out what pairs well with it, and for each ingredient or spice there is a crazy long list that you can drool over and choose from. And probably designed especially for me, there are sometimes parings to avoid and they are also listed, YAY!
There are also sections titled Flavor Affinities where you can plan a trio of yummy delight, or the " understanding [of] what herbs, spices and other seasonings will best bring out the flavor of whatever it is you're cooking" (p. 33). I can't wait to try some of the ones I see listed! More than a cookbook, this is a reference guide that any person who likes their food to taste good would enjoy. The Flavor Bible lists so many options for most ingredients, many times probably saving you the trip out to the store for that unnecessary item, and that extra candy bar (for the road, you know!).
Most of the book is what the authors call, Flavor Matchmaking: The Charts, but there are two other chapters as well. The first chapter is titled: Flavor= Taste + Mouthfeel + Aroma + "the X factor": Learning to Recognize the Language of Food. And really it is a great chapter emphasizing the importance of things such as saltiness, temperature, bitterness, texture, and pungency. I was intregued by "the X Factor" and that is how the food affects us emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
The second chapter is called, Great Cooking= Maximizing Flavor + Pleasure by Tapping Body + Heart+ Mind + Spirit: Communicating Via the Language of Food, seriously that is a great title as well! This Chapter discusses things such as " Understanding the Essence of the Ingredients", the " Understanding the Essence of the Moment" (p. 25)
This really is a great one, in so many ways! I actually think it is "practically perfect in every way" haha, that is no joke though, it is exquisite! Check out this video below and then you will want it even more :)
Katie Brown Celebrates
Title: Katie Brown Celebrates: Simple and Spectacular Parties All Year Round
Author: Katie Brown
Pages: 192
Genre: Cookbook
Yearly Count b: 94
This cookbook is amazing! I have used several of the recipes and they have been excellent, simple and yet truly spectacular. The book is set up by months, and I enjoy that as sometimes I feel out of the loop as to what to do during a season, yes I know that BBQ's are better in the summer and hot soups are better in the winter, but I mean seasonal things, and little cutesy things. This book is packed with recipes, but is also an idea book filled with how-to-make things for entertaining. I love the quilt type rustic table cloth, and the ideas for 'Spicy Invitations' which you fill little bottles with Moroccan spice and then delicately wrap your invitation around it, for the party of a lifetime! I tried the Peanut brittle and the Apple Brownies, Oh goodness! Those are things that the kids will beg me for for sure really soon, and I know this cookbook will be put to good use.
There are amazingly simple and yet stunning centerpieces. I love the one on page 165, the Cork Runner and Nuts in Vases, amazing, just perfect for that natural feel that I love. Ideas on how to design neat menus that I will probably never get with it enough to make, but if I did I would copy her style exactly. This is an idea book just as much as a recipe/ cookbook. I can't wait to try more of the recipes, I need to get me some parties set up so that I will NEED to entertain with class. Oh, and for those of us with kids there are also several sections on how to entertain a kids party, complete with cake recipes, crafts that would be fun for that age group and art things to do with kiddos.
The recipe I am dying to try next is the Deep-Dish Country Quiche, oh goodness. I have 11 chickens and soon they will all be laying, I know that when they are I will be scrounging for things to use up my beautiful fresh eggs. I know that this Quiche will be perfect, YUM!
Here are two exquisite recipes from Katie Brown Celebrates listed under the December Holiday brunch section. Enjoy them with friends and family during this season.
Tomato Bread Pudding (Katie Brown Celebrates, p. 182)
Serves 12 (makes one 13 by 9-inch pan)
This is a a great way to use up tomatoes and bread that are about to go. Combine them with cheese and spices, and you will have a delicious pudding.
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 Large Onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, chopped
5 Tablespoons fresh thyme
1+1/4 Cups Heavy Cream
2+1/4 Cups Chicken Stock
1 Tablespoon Salt
1+1/2 Teaspoons black pepper
2 eggs
10 Cups cubed french bread
2+1/2 Cups grated Parmesan
6 Cups Halved Cherry Tomatoes
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Heat a medium-size saute pan over high heat and add olive oil. When oil is hot, add onion, garlic and thyme. Lower heat to medium and cook until onion is soft, about 6 minutes. Place mixture in a large mixing bowl and allow to cool. Add cream, stock, salt, pepper, and eggs, and whisk until well combined.
3. Add bread, Parmesan, and tomatoes, tossing well to coat everything, and allow mixture to sit for at least 10 minutes. Place in a greased 13 by 9-inch pan and bake until top is golden brown and pudding is set, about 45 minutes.
Turkey Bacon Eggs (Katie Brown Celebrates, p. 180) Serves 12
What brunch would be complete without bacon and eggs? I love this dish because it combines both of them in a quick and easy fashion.
12 3-inch ramekins
Olive oil or nonstick booking spray
36 Pieces turkey bacon
4 Tablespoons Olive oil or butter
4 Shallots, Chopped fine
2 small bags baby arugula (or spinach)
12 eggs
2 cups grated Gruyere Cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Prepare ramekins by brushing insides with olive oil or spraying with nonstick spray. Wrap 2 pieces of bacon around insides of each ramekin, closing all gaps around the sides. Cut the remaining 12 pieces of bacon in half. Place 2 of these pieces in bottom of each ramekin, covering all gaps.
3. heat large saute pan on high, add olive oil or butter, add shallots, and reduce heat to medium. Gently cook shallots until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add arugula to pan and cook until wilted. Remove arugula from pan and allow to cool. Squeeze out any excess water with your hands.
4. Combine eggs, Gruyere, and arugula, season with salt and pepper. (remember that the cheese will add some salt of its own. ) Fill each ramekin three-quarters full and bake until eggs are set and tops are golden and puffed, about 20 minutes.
3. Remove bacon and eggs from ramekins while hot, using towels to prevent burning yourself. Serve immediately, as eggs will loose volume as they sit.
Author Website:
Katie Brown Workshop
Want to get yourself a copy?? Send me recipes!!
I have five available to you lucky-hungry-winner types (thanks to Hachette!!)! The giveaway part!!
Here are the details:
-I have 5 copies of Katie Brown Celebrates (thanks to Anna at Little, Brown!!!!)
-Post a recipe (the whole recipe) on your blog, previously posted recipes work as well....but I am looking for some of your favourites here, so please make sure it is a favourite!
-Comment below and paste the link to your recipe in the comments.
-Yes your recipes posted for the other giveaway count, but you will need to comment on THIS post if you want me to count you in on this giveaway (the same recipe is fine unless you are feeling into it, I'd love more recipes!!!)
-You have a week to do it, you can send me your recipes up through the 19th. I will select winners the next day.
- Sorry, only US and Canada and no PO boxes
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Flirting With Forty
Title: Flirting with Forty
Author: Jane Porter
Pages: 368
Yearly Count b: 89
From the first page, this really wasn't my type of book. It is a chick lit, which many times I enjoy, but this read wasn't doing it for me. Jackie, the main woman has recently gone through a divorce with her husband and she is suffering, trying to make up for things with her kids, work harder to earn more money and keep her emotions, well just hidden mostly. She doesn't want her family or friends to know that she is really hurting, hurting for the family comforts she once had. One of her closest friends Anne buys her a trip to Hawaii but then can't make it with her....Jakie will have to make the choice to go alone or stay home in Seattle or head for the sunny beaches with her worst enemy, herself.
The whole book seems so selfish, as if she is making up for all the times she had to choose her kids over herself and her husband over herself and now it is her turn! HAHA, life isn't like that, and it should never be like that. Her kids need her, and she is in this very superficial relationship with a surfer guy in Hawaii. She makes more and more trips over...but the relationship doesn't get any deeper. I don't think that this relationship helps her overcome anything, more than anything it strings her out and takes her away from what really matters.
There aren't many twists or turns in this read, it is pretty straightforward and predictable.
I felt it was repetitive and like Kai, the surfer guy that she falls for, I was begging her to not mention again how old and out-of-date or wrinkly and stretched out, or saggy she was. Honestly I know some people loved this book, it really just wasn't for me, I couldn't relate at all. I am not young, but I don't feel old, I am not divorced, and with two little monkey running around I am far from lonely, or lacking in physical contact. However, if that is you, if you fit into any of those categories...this would be a book for you, at least I think it would.
Author Website: Jane Porter
Flirting with Forty is going to be aired as a movie on Lifetime tomorrow, December 6th at 9pm/8 central. I think that would be a better format for this material, it just seemed too fickle for a book.
For better, and probably more positive views on this book check these folks out:
My Friend Amy
Bermudaonion's Weblog
Book Critiques
Sharon Loves Books and Cats
The Tome Traveller's Weblog
The Printed Page
A Bookworm's World
Books, Movies, and Chinese Food
Allison's Attic
S. Krishna's Books
Literarily
Booking Mama
Cheryl's Book Nook
Cindy's Love of Books
Books By TJ Baff
B&b Ex Libris
Marjolein Book BlogBookopolis
A Novel Menagerie
Wendi's Book Corner
The Book Czar
The Book Girl
A Circle of Books
Books In Every Room
A Blog of Books for You
Book Ahoy!
At Home with Books
Enroute to Life
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Testimony
Title: Testimony
Author: Anita Shreve
Pages: 320
Yearly Count b: 87
The story is a hard one to read, that of sexual acts between teens and a minor in a drunken state. It all seems to private to really write or read about in the detail to which Shreve goes. Silas, the main man, a quality kid, a basketball player and someone who has so much going for him ends up in a situation where he put himself yes, but why? The journey through Anita Shreve's Testimony brings out the voice of each person involved and to what capacity they are invested in the situation. Each character has an intensely strong voice, a voice of their own as if they really all are truly individuals not working together in the head of Anita Shreve onto the paper. I was carried away, by her story, her plot and the depth of her characters. I can honestly say that I had to be, if I weren't I would not have finished this book, I wouldn't have started it.
Several times I decided to stop reading, but like a drug it sucked me in. I can say that knowing the end and the point of the author, that I am content. Anita strives to describe the implications that one day can have on the lives of so many and to what extreme one act can affect the surrounding individuals. I agree, I also really had to consider the power of choice in reading Testimony.Each individual is given choices, and how they act on those choices will affect the people around them in a positive or negative way, Anita portrays that to an amazing perfection.
What really made me think after finishing this was how when the whole scandalous situation first arose I immediately judged those involved, and I have to believe Anita did that purposefully. I was angry at them all. As the book went on, the situation rehearsed from each different person and they described the impact it had had on them, I felt differently, not entirely, but a little. I have noticed that in real life too, I can hate someone, but if I try to get to know them, try to befriend them I soon realize why they are the way they are and I can't help but understanding them a little better. What I got from Shreve's book is really that we are all capable of going off the deep end, and that it is much easier than you'd expect , especially if you don't surround yourself by people who will push you up rather than push you down.
I have to tell you that after I am done with it I did really feel and still feel impacted by it, I was glued to the words as they were read, but still because of its sexual content I have a hard time giving it my full blessing. If you don't think you'll have any problem with that, GO FOR IT! It will be well worth it, but if you have a check about that sort of thing, I will tell you it does get a bit better after the first chapter, but still the entire book does revolve around that one act and therefore it is rehashed.
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Have you read this? Comment your link to me :) I'll add you.
Roads To Quoz: An American Mosey
Title: Roads To Quoz: An American Mosey
Author:William Least Heat-Moon
Pages:582
Publisher:Little, Brown
Quoz (rhymes with "oz"): "Anything, anywhere, living or otherwise, connecting a human to existence and bringing an individual into the cosmos and integrating one with the immemorial, thereby making each life belong to creation, and so preventing the divorce of one from the all which brought it into being."
Working from the above definition, William Least Heat-Moon's latest book is a collection of writings about his search for quoz on several unique road trips around America. From the logging roads of north Maine to the Gulf of Mexico, Heat-Moon turns his knack for getting off the beaten path into an interesting and thought provoking string of loosely bound stories.
I have to make a confession here: two years ago I started reading Heat-Moon's most famous book, Blue Highways, and I stopped a fourth of the way into it. I wasn't prepared for his very unconventional prose style, which thrives on sticking its tongue out at brevity and clarity. Heat-Moon is not so concerned with making sure that you're able to follow him every step of the way, but instead enjoys weaving together long, intricate sentences full of word play and nuance.If you're unable to fully grasp the meaning of the the paragraph you just read, he trusts that you'll be able to rejoin him in the next.
Here's a sample sentence from Quoz that I think captures the idea. Heat-Moon is writing about driving into the Ouchita mountains in Arkansas: "In years past, I've always come into that planetary washboard athwart, and on two of those occasions I've had to stop along one of the twisting, transverse routes for a passenger to leave her breakfast along the roadsides for the possums, a consequence of transit not unlike sailing a short sea." Translation: his wife usually throws up when they drive the windy mountain roads.
While I was unprepared for Heat-Moon's style when I first picked up Blue Highways, I knew what was getting into when I started Qouz. As a consequence, I spent several pleasant evenings totally absorbed in the book - not just in the fantastic travel yarns, but in the smoky, rambling way that Heat-Moon tells them.
Most of the stories center on Heat-Moon's quest for interesting people and places in the less-visited areas of America. Some of them he purposefully tracks down - such as a woman who intentionally lives on $4.00 a day - and some of them he stumbles on by accident - such a muralist who has created a psychedelic museum in his home. All of them are worth reading about. A central theme of the book, also worth considering, is how we as Americans continue to adapt to our landscape - both successfully and unsuccessfully. Heat-Moons scorns a town built on top of ancient Native American burial mounds and celebrates a man who uses discarded grain bins to build a restaurant.
My only complaint with with Qouz has to do with Heat-Moon's apparent inability to see the world from other's point of a view. He is a writer with plenty of money travelling at his own leisure. This leaves him vast amounts of free time to critique the people and lifestyles that he encounters along the way. He seems to be a bit trapped in his own dreamy world, and anyone trying to work at a normal job for a living is hopelessly lost. One example: during an extended ride on a boat travelling the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Heat-Moons notices the irritated faces of drivers along the bank who have to wait for a drawn bridge while his boat passes. He spends a paragraph reflecting how these people must be drained of life, unable to appreciate the beauty of a boat sailing gently through the water on its way to an unknown destination. The fact that these people are just trying to get home from work to their families doesn't seem to register with him.
Despite this one aspect, I found Qouz to be a very satisfying read, full of great stories from a great storyteller. Heat-Moon's unique writing style raises it well above the level of average travel literature.
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