Showing posts with label Book Recommendations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book Recommendations. Show all posts
Friday, August 26, 2016
Our Recipes & Reads series features a delicious recipe that ties into one of our great book recommendations. So if you love reading and you love eating, you've come to the right place!
Entanglement: A Hollywood Lights Novel, by Katie Rose Guest Pryal, is set in sunny L.A., where Greta and Daphne enjoy nights on the town and love a good steak and potatoes. But the two young women enjoy light, fresh cuisine as well. So sit down with this intriguing novel and have a serving of this flavorful and crunchy salad that will put you in a California state of mind.
Honey Soy Sauce Chicken Salad
from Didier Quémener, chef and author of Chef Q in Paris: The Fall Collection
Servings: 2
Ingredients:
4 chicken strips
5 oz. mixed greens
5 oz. cherry tomatoes
1 apple
½ small fennel bulb
1 handful walnuts
1 tbs sesame seeds
1 tsp honey
1 tsp soy sauce
2 tbs olive oil
1 tbs balsamic vinegar
1 tsp mustard with seeds
Salt, pepper & cayenne pepper to taste
Preparation:
1. Halve cherry tomatoes, peel apple and cut into small cubes, slice fennel. Set aside.
2. Prepare the dressing: Combine mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper, then add olive oil. Mix well.
3. In a hot frying pan, sauté chicken strips with a little olive oil over medium heat until they begin to brown.
4. Remove from heat; add honey and soy sauce, mix well. Place back on burner at medium-low heat.
5. Let simmer until strips are well caramelized. Season to taste with salt and cayenne pepper.
6. In a bowl, combine mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, apple, fennel, walnuts and dressing.
7. Arrange salad on plates, place chicken strips sprinkled with sesame seeds on top and serve immediately.
Entanglement: A Hollywood Lights Novel
Katie Rose Guest Pryal
1990s Hollywood, two unlikely friends, one dangerous relationship...
Socially awkward 21-year-old Greta moves in with her best friend Daphne, a troubled young woman with an abusive past. The glamorous and charismatic Daphne teaches Greta how to wear stilettos, tame her wild hair, and navigate L.A. nightlife. Daphne is determined to make it big, and she drags an unwilling Greta into the limelight with her.
But Greta prefers spending time with Timmy, her new boss who has become a lot more than that. Daphne, convinced Timmy's not the right man for her friend, will do anything to drive them apart—even if her actions throw Greta into the path of danger.
Can Greta survive? Can she forgive?
Entanglement: A Hollywood Lights Novel, by Katie Rose Guest Pryal, is set in sunny L.A., where Greta and Daphne enjoy nights on the town and love a good steak and potatoes. But the two young women enjoy light, fresh cuisine as well. So sit down with this intriguing novel and have a serving of this flavorful and crunchy salad that will put you in a California state of mind.
Honey Soy Sauce Chicken Salad
from Didier Quémener, chef and author of Chef Q in Paris: The Fall Collection
Servings: 2
Ingredients:
4 chicken strips
5 oz. mixed greens
5 oz. cherry tomatoes
1 apple
½ small fennel bulb
1 handful walnuts
1 tbs sesame seeds
1 tsp honey
1 tsp soy sauce
2 tbs olive oil
1 tbs balsamic vinegar
1 tsp mustard with seeds
Salt, pepper & cayenne pepper to taste
Preparation:
1. Halve cherry tomatoes, peel apple and cut into small cubes, slice fennel. Set aside.
2. Prepare the dressing: Combine mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper, then add olive oil. Mix well.
3. In a hot frying pan, sauté chicken strips with a little olive oil over medium heat until they begin to brown.
4. Remove from heat; add honey and soy sauce, mix well. Place back on burner at medium-low heat.
5. Let simmer until strips are well caramelized. Season to taste with salt and cayenne pepper.
6. In a bowl, combine mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, apple, fennel, walnuts and dressing.
7. Arrange salad on plates, place chicken strips sprinkled with sesame seeds on top and serve immediately.
***
Katie Rose Guest Pryal
1990s Hollywood, two unlikely friends, one dangerous relationship...
Socially awkward 21-year-old Greta moves in with her best friend Daphne, a troubled young woman with an abusive past. The glamorous and charismatic Daphne teaches Greta how to wear stilettos, tame her wild hair, and navigate L.A. nightlife. Daphne is determined to make it big, and she drags an unwilling Greta into the limelight with her.
But Greta prefers spending time with Timmy, her new boss who has become a lot more than that. Daphne, convinced Timmy's not the right man for her friend, will do anything to drive them apart—even if her actions throw Greta into the path of danger.
Can Greta survive? Can she forgive?
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
As soon as you start seeing back-to-school supplies in the stores, you know summer is coming to an end. Back to school, back to work, but hopefully still plenty of time for reading—especially if those books can extend your summer!
We found four that will take you back to that time on vacation, whether you spent your days by the sea or in the countryside.
Walks on the Beach
by Sandy Gingras
An inspirational little keepsake book to remind you of life at the beach, laced with short essays about a woman's self-discovery. We love the uplifting messages and the colorful artwork, and we want to take these walks on the beach over and over all year long.
Ice Cream Social: 100 Artisanal Recipes for Ice Cream, Sherbet, Granita, and Other Frozen Favorites
by Anthony Tassinello and Mary Jo Thoresen
Even if we've left our favorite ice cream shop back at our summer beachy destination, we still can have the best frozen treats. And right at home! We were surprised to see that making ice cream isn't as difficult as we would have imagined. And in this book, we have the perfect guides: The authors both are Chez Panisse veterans. Classics like Maple Walnut and more unusual creations like Champagne-Rose Granita won us over!
Lost Ocean: An Inky Adventure and Coloring Book for Adults
by Johanna Basford
Fish of all shapes and sizes, coral reefs, shells, pirate treasures and shipwrecks: all you need for a delightful and relaxing journey under the sea. We were happy to get out our best colored pencils and set to work on this one, which brought us back to the calm beauty of the ocean.
The Natural World of Winnie-the-Pooh: A Walk Through the Forest that Inspired the Hundred Acre Wood
by Kathryn Aalto
Just call this a "behind-the-scenes" to one of our childhood favorites, Winnie-the-Pooh. In this beautiful book, we adults get to visit the forest that inspired the Hundred Acre Wood, the home of Pooh and his friends. The real place is Ashdown Forest, a wildlife haven in southeast England, and in this book, illustrations, photos, and words from Pooh's creator, A.A. Milne, enchant us. The book also is a guide to the plants and animals of this beautiful forest.
We found four that will take you back to that time on vacation, whether you spent your days by the sea or in the countryside.
Walks on the Beachby Sandy Gingras
An inspirational little keepsake book to remind you of life at the beach, laced with short essays about a woman's self-discovery. We love the uplifting messages and the colorful artwork, and we want to take these walks on the beach over and over all year long.
Ice Cream Social: 100 Artisanal Recipes for Ice Cream, Sherbet, Granita, and Other Frozen Favoritesby Anthony Tassinello and Mary Jo Thoresen
Even if we've left our favorite ice cream shop back at our summer beachy destination, we still can have the best frozen treats. And right at home! We were surprised to see that making ice cream isn't as difficult as we would have imagined. And in this book, we have the perfect guides: The authors both are Chez Panisse veterans. Classics like Maple Walnut and more unusual creations like Champagne-Rose Granita won us over!
Lost Ocean: An Inky Adventure and Coloring Book for Adultsby Johanna Basford
Fish of all shapes and sizes, coral reefs, shells, pirate treasures and shipwrecks: all you need for a delightful and relaxing journey under the sea. We were happy to get out our best colored pencils and set to work on this one, which brought us back to the calm beauty of the ocean.
The Natural World of Winnie-the-Pooh: A Walk Through the Forest that Inspired the Hundred Acre Woodby Kathryn Aalto
Just call this a "behind-the-scenes" to one of our childhood favorites, Winnie-the-Pooh. In this beautiful book, we adults get to visit the forest that inspired the Hundred Acre Wood, the home of Pooh and his friends. The real place is Ashdown Forest, a wildlife haven in southeast England, and in this book, illustrations, photos, and words from Pooh's creator, A.A. Milne, enchant us. The book also is a guide to the plants and animals of this beautiful forest.
Monday, August 8, 2016
Do your neighbors drive you crazy? If not, then you must live on a remote island!
In honor of the release of For Rent, the latest chick lit/cozy mystery from author and former apartment manager Erin Huss, we've rounded up some funny tweets about neighbors and apartment living:
1. There might be a reason your wifi seems to be running slowly.
2. You can bet someone's dog will be barking at any given time.
3. At least they can be entertaining.
4. Somehow they just know.
5. Just a little friendly competition.
6. Should you say something?
7. On second thought, yeah, you might want to say something.
8. Or just move to the best apartment on the block.
In honor of the release of For Rent, the latest chick lit/cozy mystery from author and former apartment manager Erin Huss, we've rounded up some funny tweets about neighbors and apartment living:
1. There might be a reason your wifi seems to be running slowly.
Our new neighbors thought our wifi name was our last name so they gave us a Christmas card addressed to the "Linksys Family"— Chance The Infielder (@ChanceCarnahan) December 26, 2014
2. You can bet someone's dog will be barking at any given time.
Son: What's peer pressure?— Rodney Lacroix (@moooooog35) July 22, 2016
Me: If someo-
[neighbor's dog starts barking]
[other dogs start barking]
[my dog starts barking]
Me: That.
3. At least they can be entertaining.
I like when my awful neighbor has her book club night because it lets me overhear what I'd be like if I had 50% less sense and 30% more wine— ErinEph (@ErinEph) July 20, 2016
4. Somehow they just know.
My neighbors don't always do home improvement projects, but when they do you can bet it's 1 min after the kids are finally down for a nap.— Vicki Lesage (@vickilesage) January 27, 2016
5. Just a little friendly competition.
I establish my dominance as the alpha neighbor by putting my trash out on the curb before everyone else.— Abby Heugel (@AbbyHasIssues) November 5, 2015
6. Should you say something?
My creepy neighbor is like Lord of the Open Flies...— Olive Ann Bachman (@offbeatoliv) July 15, 2016
7. On second thought, yeah, you might want to say something.
I'd tell my neighbor about the weird smell coming from her apartment, but she's been so quiet that I don't want to disturb her.— call me liv-sy (@liv_thatsme) July 16, 2016
8. Or just move to the best apartment on the block.
Um, hi. How much is the rent for this amazing apartment?— JuneBug (@jenyb4) December 2, 2014
Ma'am, this is the wine aisle of the grocery store.
Tuesday, July 19, 2016
During summer most of us have our favorite reading spot: by the pool or at the beach. So what makes a good summer read? What makes some books such great additions to our beach bags? Some readers associate "beach read" with light reading; others say beach reads should transport the reader to "beachy" places.
We at BookStar say we have to feel as if we've traveled to a warm and sunny destination! Check out our books recommendations for books that should be on your list this summer!
The Summer Girls
by Mary Alice Monroe
We've visited South Carolina's Sullivan's Island so a novel set in this beautiful place already has us interested. Monroe's heartwarming story of three sisters and the grandmother who hopes to bring them back together completes the package. And the great news is we don't leave the characters here; we can move right on to Lowcountry Summer Book 2…
In Too Deep
by Tracey Alvarez
Set on a gorgeous island of New Zealand, this book will soon have you packing your bags for a trip down under. Piper returns to the island for six weeks to help save her brother from financial ruin and falls in the path of West, her brother's best friend—who also happens to be the man she fell for before she fled the island to escape a painful past. Can Piper and West get it right this time? You'll be glued to your lounge chair until you find out…
Frosted Cowboy
by Charlene Ross
Set in the sunshine and glamour of LA, we loved commiserating with Laney Delaney, the sassy and loveable protagonist who loses her job and her guy—but has a chance to reinvent herself. But it won't be easy. She no longer works at a chic address, but instead sells her designer shirts at the flea market. And is the new guy who tries to capture her heart really a player like everyone says? We cheered Laney on, and got plenty of laughs in this delightful comedy that is a beach bag must!
The Guest Cottage
by Nancy Thayer
How about a vacation in Nantucket? We traveled there in the pages of this beautiful book. Sophie and Trevor, each struggling with their new situation as single parents, mistakenly rent the same guest house in Nantucket. Not wanting to disappoint their children, each decides to stay, and over the summer, the families grow closer… A touching novel about love and family.
Do you have any other summer book suggestions? Have you already made your list of what to read this summer? Happy reading!
We at BookStar say we have to feel as if we've traveled to a warm and sunny destination! Check out our books recommendations for books that should be on your list this summer!
The Summer Girlsby Mary Alice Monroe
We've visited South Carolina's Sullivan's Island so a novel set in this beautiful place already has us interested. Monroe's heartwarming story of three sisters and the grandmother who hopes to bring them back together completes the package. And the great news is we don't leave the characters here; we can move right on to Lowcountry Summer Book 2…
In Too Deepby Tracey Alvarez
Set on a gorgeous island of New Zealand, this book will soon have you packing your bags for a trip down under. Piper returns to the island for six weeks to help save her brother from financial ruin and falls in the path of West, her brother's best friend—who also happens to be the man she fell for before she fled the island to escape a painful past. Can Piper and West get it right this time? You'll be glued to your lounge chair until you find out…
Frosted Cowboyby Charlene Ross
Set in the sunshine and glamour of LA, we loved commiserating with Laney Delaney, the sassy and loveable protagonist who loses her job and her guy—but has a chance to reinvent herself. But it won't be easy. She no longer works at a chic address, but instead sells her designer shirts at the flea market. And is the new guy who tries to capture her heart really a player like everyone says? We cheered Laney on, and got plenty of laughs in this delightful comedy that is a beach bag must!
The Guest Cottageby Nancy Thayer
How about a vacation in Nantucket? We traveled there in the pages of this beautiful book. Sophie and Trevor, each struggling with their new situation as single parents, mistakenly rent the same guest house in Nantucket. Not wanting to disappoint their children, each decides to stay, and over the summer, the families grow closer… A touching novel about love and family.
Do you have any other summer book suggestions? Have you already made your list of what to read this summer? Happy reading!
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
What are our favorite authors reading? Find out in our One Night (Book) Stand feature! Today's guest is Julie C. Gardner, author of Letters for Scarlet.
Reading has been my favorite pastime since I picked up a copy of Nancy Drew and The Secret of the Old Clock on a road trip to Texas in third grade. Over the years my tastes have changed, but I still love a juicy mystery (Girl on the Train, anyone?) and I can't resist a candid memoir like Wild. Here are two titles I've recently enjoyed, and two I plan to add to my collection soon:
The Nest
by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney
The four Plumb siblings spent their adult lives banking on an inheritance they've dubbed "The Nest." When the money is drained to cover up a scandal caused by Leo Plumb, the rest of the family handles the threat to their financial futures with varying degrees of dysfunction. I admire an author brave enough to write unlikeable characters and this book is full of them. Despite their numerous flaws, however, I found myself rooting for the Plumbs and the people tangled up in their lives. I read late into the night to learn their fates and was deeply satisfied by the ending.
We Were Liars
by E. Lockhart
This book was marketed as a YA novel, but the spare and sophisticated writing immediately drew me in. Each summer the four ‘liars'—Cadence (Cady) Sinclair, her cousins Mirren and Johnny, and Johnny's friend Gat—gather with their families on an island off Martha's Vineyard. Theirs is a life of complicated privilege overshadowed by a mystery unraveling in the memory of a confused and haunted Cady. I'll admit I didn't see the jaw-dropping climax coming. Heartbreaking and raw, this story stuck with me long after I read the last page.
The Art of Memoir
by Marry Karr
This is on my TBR list and I can't wait to get my hands on a copy. I loved Liar's Club and am hoping Karr's latest memoir will offer more insight into the author's private life and her writing process. I love reading about the craft of writing (Stephen King's On Writing, Anne Lamotte's Bird by Bird, and Dani Shapiro's Still Writing) and when a book pairs practical advice with deeply personal stories, it hits the top of the stack on my nightstand.
The Nightingale
by Kristin Hannah
I've seen this book recommended (seemingly) everywhere by (seemingly) everyone. As a general rule I'm wary of titles this popular, but a story about two sisters that takes place in Paris during World War II is going to get my attention. (Sisters. Paris. World War II. To quote The Sound of Music, these are a few of my favorite things… to read about in a book, that is.) I just ordered the paperback edition and hope this novel lives up to its hype. Fingers crossed!
About Julie C. Gardner:
Julie's books:
Reading has been my favorite pastime since I picked up a copy of Nancy Drew and The Secret of the Old Clock on a road trip to Texas in third grade. Over the years my tastes have changed, but I still love a juicy mystery (Girl on the Train, anyone?) and I can't resist a candid memoir like Wild. Here are two titles I've recently enjoyed, and two I plan to add to my collection soon:
The Nestby Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney
The four Plumb siblings spent their adult lives banking on an inheritance they've dubbed "The Nest." When the money is drained to cover up a scandal caused by Leo Plumb, the rest of the family handles the threat to their financial futures with varying degrees of dysfunction. I admire an author brave enough to write unlikeable characters and this book is full of them. Despite their numerous flaws, however, I found myself rooting for the Plumbs and the people tangled up in their lives. I read late into the night to learn their fates and was deeply satisfied by the ending.
We Were Liarsby E. Lockhart
This book was marketed as a YA novel, but the spare and sophisticated writing immediately drew me in. Each summer the four ‘liars'—Cadence (Cady) Sinclair, her cousins Mirren and Johnny, and Johnny's friend Gat—gather with their families on an island off Martha's Vineyard. Theirs is a life of complicated privilege overshadowed by a mystery unraveling in the memory of a confused and haunted Cady. I'll admit I didn't see the jaw-dropping climax coming. Heartbreaking and raw, this story stuck with me long after I read the last page.
The Art of Memoirby Marry Karr
This is on my TBR list and I can't wait to get my hands on a copy. I loved Liar's Club and am hoping Karr's latest memoir will offer more insight into the author's private life and her writing process. I love reading about the craft of writing (Stephen King's On Writing, Anne Lamotte's Bird by Bird, and Dani Shapiro's Still Writing) and when a book pairs practical advice with deeply personal stories, it hits the top of the stack on my nightstand.
The Nightingaleby Kristin Hannah
I've seen this book recommended (seemingly) everywhere by (seemingly) everyone. As a general rule I'm wary of titles this popular, but a story about two sisters that takes place in Paris during World War II is going to get my attention. (Sisters. Paris. World War II. To quote The Sound of Music, these are a few of my favorite things… to read about in a book, that is.) I just ordered the paperback edition and hope this novel lives up to its hype. Fingers crossed!
Julie C. Gardner is a former English teacher and lapsed marathon runner who traded in the classroom for a writing nook. Now she rarely changes out of her pajamas. She lives in Southern California with her husband, two children, and three dogs.
Connect with Julie on social media:
Julie's books:
  Letters for Scarlet |   Guest List |
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