nyti.ms/3uqbH77

nyti.ms/3jwTp08

www.nytimes.com/2021/09/12/books/review/apples-never-fall-liane-moriarty.html

Spectacular Spreads

50 Amazing Food Spreads for Any Occasion

by Maegan Brown

There are loads of spreads in this title. They cover Breakfast & Brunch; Lunch & dinner; Special Occasions; Holidays; Desserts, and Drinks.

The book opens with some helpful sections as, for example, How to Use This Book, What You’ll Need, and Planning. Then come the spreads beginning with a Continental Breakfast that includes cinnamon swirled coffee cake, mini banana muffins, blueberry streusel quick bread, and mini cinnamon rolls. These recipes are followed by suggestions for accompaniments. Some of the recipes that follow are familiar crowd pleasers; there are soups and sandwiches, tacos, pizzas and more. Holiday spreads include one for a family Valentine’s Dinner, an Easter Brunch and more.

This cookbook has many illustrations that may well inspire those who are planning gatherings…once we are again able to do so.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

From the publisher:

In this stunning book, you will find spreads for special occasions, holidays, breakfast and brunch, lunch and dinner, dessert, and drinks, including:

Breakfast & Brunch Spreads Rise and shine with exciting morning spreads that will get everyone up and going for the day. From savory tacos to sweet waffles, everyone will start the day happy and satisfied. Treat overnight guests, invite friends for brunch, or just gather your family with these spreads that make fueling a crowd easy. Top Your Own Waffles Few things are better than the perfect waffle, crisp on the outside, light and fluffy on the inside. And now your family can put their own spin on perfection with this spread! Are you easy to please and like yours classic with butter and syrup? Feeling fruity? Try a cascade of fresh bananas, blackberries, and rich whipped cream. Or really go for it with chicken and waffles. There’s something for everyone and plenty of room to mix it up for your family or guests.	Lunch & Dinner Spreads Take the stress out of pleasing everyone at mealtimes with these delicious spreads that can easily be prepared in advance for a great family meal on a busy weeknight or made with the entire family on a slow Sunday for supper. Your family and friends will be delighted with the variety they offer, while you will be dazzled by their versatility and customization. Fill Your Own Chili Bowl Meet your new favorite meal! This spread truly elevates the chili-eating experience, and the star of the show is Brandon’s Best Darn Chili. Seriously hearty and perfectly seasoned, it’s craveable all on its own. Top it off with some crunchy corn chips, avocado, cheese, and green onions, and you’ll be back for seconds. And probably thirds.	Special Occasion Spreads These delightful spreads will have you looking for a reason to celebrate! Whether you’re toasting an exciting milestone or having friends over just for fun, you want to serve something that’s memorable and delicious. These wow-worthy spreads feature small bites, manageable mains, and satisfying sweets for hosting your favorite folks—all without a ton of fuss. Baby Shower Lunch Celebrate the parents-to-be with this fresh, easy, and gender-neutral spread. Choose from a selection of bright salads, flavorful sandwiches, and sweet little bites, but be sure to save room for dessert. The Mixed Berry Vanilla Layer Cake is just subtle enough not to upstage the guest of honor, but it won’t soon be forgotten.

Read more

Holiday Spreads Holidays are busy enough, so let me help take the stress out of what you’re going to serve with these creative spreads that are not only special but delicious. Each spread in this section has the perfect balance of festive eats and adorable treats, and is your cheat sheet for a pitch-perfect holiday celebration—from a meal with just the family for Valentine’s Day to a fancier soiree for New Year’s Eve. Most important, there are lots of ideas for you to treat your family and friends to an unforgettable holiday celebration! Christmas Eve Snacks Fuel up for the big guy’s visit with all the deliciously festive snacks in this spread. Kids and kids-at-heart will be charmed by the Rudolph cheese ball, Santa’s hat made of pepperoni pizza bites, veggies shaped into a Christmas tree, and a caprese candy cane. This spread is merry and bright and an absolute delight!	Dessert Spreads Wow your crowd with unforgettable sweet treats! From build your own ice cream sandwiches to cookies served with milk and cocktails, all you have to do is set the spread and let everyone have a blast bringing their dream dessert to life. This is such a savvy way to serve desserts and allows you to enjoy the gathering and build your own tasty concoction too. Easy yet unforgettable, these delicious spreads are ones that you will want to recreate again and again. Build Your Own Ice Cream Sandwich Make celebrations even cooler with this spread! With everyone’s favorite ice cream flavors, an array of chewy cookies, and colorful roll-ins, kids and kids-at-heart will go crazy for the endlessly delicious options. Don’t forget the extra napkins!	Drink Spreads Whether you’re throwing a shindig for kids or adults, the variety of thirst quenchers here will satisfy everyone! And with the opportunity for guests to customize their own drinks, from blending their own milkshake to mixing their own margarita, the creative possibilities are endless. Plus, any of these spreads can be easily paired with the food spreads for the ultimate gathering. Mix Your Own Margarita It’s hard to beat a classic margarita, but with this spread, it’s certainly worth a try, with its gorgeous array of fresh fruits, tangy juices, and spicy rimming salts. Go on a taste adventure with charred pineapple or turn up the heat with smoky red pepper. Who knows? You

Lethal White by Robert Galbraith

My earlier review:

Last year I was so excited to learn that there was going to be a new Robert Galbraith book.  I purchased the novel as soon as it came out and then held on to it for quite a while before reading.  It was worth the wait for me.

The Strike books are best read in order although a new reader could pick this one up and still enjoy it. Long term readers of the series may feel, as I do, that the novels are to be savored for the relationship between the protagonists.  Since Robert Galbraith is J K Rowling, a master plotter, I am sure that she knows where she is going to take us in their (not quite) romance.

Along with catching up with Robin and Matthew (and Sarah) and Strike, there is a mystery to solve.  What did Billy see?  How does it relate to the troubled family of the Minister for Culture?  How does this plot intersect with that of the blind minister who is involved in sport and her sleazy husband?  Who is the murderer in the present?

Set in London, Parliament, country estates and the country the book has many settings.  Politics and the London Olympics are the background.

The novel is long, very long, but I was happy to stay within the pages of this book as I both eagerly awaited the denouement and yet, did not want the book to end.   I am already looking forward to the next in this series.

Have you read this one?  Did you enjoy it?  I would be interested to know your thoughts.

Another view:

“At times you might feel as you did when reading the Harry Potter books, particularly later in the series, when they got longer and looser. You love the plot, and you love being in the company of the characters, and you admire the author’s voice and insights and ingenuity, and you relish the chance to relax into a book without feeling rushed or puzzled or shortchanged…. Long live the fertile imagination and prodigious output of J.K. Rowling.”―The New York Times

Picnic in Someday Valley by Jodi Thomas

Readers of Breakfast at the Honey Creek Cafe will be delighted to meet up with their old (character) friends in this second novel set in Texas. Piper, the mayor, and her Texas Ranger are back along with the widows and a number of other folks from the first novel including Pecos and his young bride. For those who have not read Breakfast, there is a lot of information given to catch you up; however, for a more leisurely read, take the books in order.

In part, this title tells the story of Marcie. She was a character in the first novel too, but comes into her own here. Marcie is a singer who made the mistake of getting involved with the wrong man. She expects little to bad things from relationships. Will it be any different with Brand?

Readers also meet Jesse, a young widower. He takes excellent care of his three children and his farm but can he hope for more in life? Will he find love with the baker of the most perfect scones?

Spending time in the locations and with the characters make for a relaxing read. Travel to Texas; readers will want to stay for a while.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

From the publisher:

If you are a James Bond fan, there are additional titles by Ian Fleming as bargains today.

www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2021/09/cozy-mysteries-popularity-crime-without-gore/620085/

Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying About Recipes (And Love My Microwave): A Cookbook

by David Chang; Priya Krishna

David Chang became very well known when Momofuku overtook Manhattan. His food was good and his restaurants were popular. Now, in this book, the well known chef addresses the home cook. He notes that he learned to cook in the classic way but believes that the best food comes without slavishly following recipes. His goal, and one that he successfully achieves, is to show how to cook without panic. He is even a fan of the microwave. This is not a traditional cookbook with precise measurements. This is deliberate.

Both Chang and his co-author Priya Krishna comes to life in these pages. Take a chance and try this different kind of book about cooking. Maybe it will work for you!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

poisonedpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/BN-Oct-21.pdf