In the book Within Arm’s Reach, Gracie and Lila lead the effort to make sugar cookies for Easter lunch. The lunch introduces us to the McLaughlin Clan, a spirited, Irish-American family working through past and present trauma that both draws them together and pulls them apart. Grab your Easter bunny and egg cookie cutters and…
Tag: NetGalley
The Unmagical World of Children’s Entertainment
Mister Magic BY KIERSTEN WHITE In Mister Magic, the Circle of Friends plays a game where they call out a color, and everyone can “taste” it. Kitty, Val’s sister, always calls out. “Sprinkle!” even though it is not a color. Give a nod to Kitty’s color choice and make your kid palate sing with this…
Influencing a Killer
Dark Corners BY Megan Goldin In Dark Corners, Rachel goes undercover at Buzzcon, a conference for mega-influencers. As she digs into her delicious grilled shrimp appetizer, she realizes that everyone else is photographing their food instead of eating it. Some even send it away without taking a single bite. I’m not one to send grilled…
Locked in Silence
Happiness Falls BY Angie Kim In Happiness Falls, Mia’s boyfriend, Vic, visits the Parsons right before Eugene begins telling his story. Knowing the family is exhausted after the long interview, Vic makes them the only thing he knows how to cook– macaroni and cheese with salad on the side. Bake up the ultimate comfort food…
Where Credit is Due
A Likely Story BY Leigh McMullan Abramson In A Likely Story, Isabella’s godmother, Glenda, takes her out for a birthday dinner at Barney’s. Glenda orders to pair Dom Perignon along with two Madison Avenue Salads. Replicate this famous salad using this recipe for Mark’s Madison Avenue Salad Recipe, an excerpt from The Freds at Barney’s…
All That’s Missing is a Golden Ticket
The Only Game in Town BY LACIE WALDON In The Only Game in Town, Sally and Luanne’s feud leads to an underground muffin operation within the town of Redford. During the second competition, each team member had to keep at least one hand on a wall at all times to prevent from getting eliminated. Jess…
Be as Wise as Serpents & as Harmless as Doves
The Golden Doves BY MARTHA HALL KELLY In The Golden Doves, Arlette works in a small cafe in Paris’s Flower and Bird Market. The cafe only employs survivors of the Ravensbrück concentration camp. The cafe owner, Marianne, refuses to buy an espresso machine, so the small cafe is limited to coffee. In honor of Le…
Making a Splash in Hollywood
American Mermaid By Julia langbein There is no limit on the number of mermaid food recipes you can find online. When I host book club, however, I’m usually tired from work and ready to relax with my friends. So, set those complicated mermaid birthday party ideas aside and try these easy clamshell cookies. Made with…
No Regrets, but Lots of Blame
Maame By Jessica George Maddie cares for her father, who has Parkinson’s Disease. When Maddie tells him that she is moving out, she makes him a lasagna and tells him over dinner as she is feeding him. This lasagna from All Recipes is one of my favorite go-to meals. Feed your entire book club as…
Some Books are Not Good Audiobooks
The Angel Maker By Alex North Christopher Shaw, the younger brother of Katie Shaw, is attacked on his way home from school by a crazy madman. In the struggle, Christopher almost has his face ripped off. This incident understandable leads Christopher down a dark path of drugs and homelessness as an adult. Today’s squeamish book…
Baking Through Book Club 