Told from multiple points of view in a non-linear timeline, this novel introduces us to Defne and Kostas in the 1970s: their love, their daughter, their island, their pain. We learn of the devastation that tore apart the beautiful island of Cyprus, home of Defne, a Turkish girl, and Kostas, a Greek boy. Despite a…
Month: October 2021
Book Review: Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult
Diana and her boyfriend, Finn, are about to check another item off their bucket list. They are days away from leaving for their dream vacation to the Galapagos Islands…when COVID hits. Finn, a surgical resident at a NYC hospital, knows that he can’t take a vacation – even if it was safe to do so….
Book Review: The Donut Trap by Julie Tieu
“‘Everyone stop saying fuck!’ my dad shouted.” Jasmine works at her parents’ donut shop day in and day out, waiting to start her “real” life. When her best friend’s boyfriend gets a cute new roommate, things start looking up. Jasmine has had a thing for new roommate Alex ever since she sold him tickets to…
A Day in the Lifestyle – October
Hello! And welcome to another day in our everyday lives. I’m so glad you’re here! I feel like we’ve been so busy lately, but….actually, no. I think I’ve just been reading/working/studying too much. Anyway, let’s get started. Morning Routine: You, as always, can read my full morning routine here. Also got my October planner set…
Book Review: The Perishing by Natashia Deón
Set in Los Angeles and dually narrated, this book tells the story of Lou, a Black woman in the 1930s. While the novel is also narrated by Sarah, living in a future Los Angeles, the book is primarily about Lou. Lou, a writer for the Times, has seen more death than most. She has turned…
Red Beans & Rice
Ingredients: 1 lb. red beans 7 c. water 1 green bell pepper, chopped 1 onion, chopped 3 celery stalks, chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 32 oz. chicken broth 13 oz. polish kielbasa, sliced 2 Tbsp. Tony’s Creole Seasoning Cooked rice (I prefer plain instant white rice for this, but brown works, too – and is…
Book Review: Out of the Rain by V.C. Andrews
After losing her mother and her home to a deadly house fire, Saffron sets off with her father to their “new home.” Except she takes a huge detour when her dad leaves her on the bench at the train station and NEVER COMES BACK. Lucky for Saffron, he made prior arrangements with the grandmother Saffron…
Mulled Cider
Ingredients 1 gallon fresh apple cider 2-3 anise stars 4-5 cinnamon sticks 1-2 tsp. whole cloves 1 orange, sliced (I actually used clementines for this batch) Pour cider in the crock pot. Add in remaining ingredients. Cook on high for four hours. I serve mine directly from the crock pot with a ladle, but some…
Book Review: Sankofa by Chibundu Onuzo
Anna is struggling with her next steps. Her mother has just passed away, her daughter is grown and independent, and she’s on the brink of divorce. Growing up biracial in a white family, she never quite felt like she fit in and has always wondered about her father and the other side of her family. …