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Comanche
by Brett Riley set in Comanche, TX and New Orleans, LA, present time Book Review Quick review: Comanche is a macabre and slightly stilted western ghost story. Overall I found this book to be a fantastical read with low budget horror movie vibes. In Depth Review: Comanche is the tale of two private eyes versus a murderous gun slinging ghost. Oh, and the detectives have a psychic side kick (try saying that three times!) Still here?? Okay. You will probably like this book. This was an easy fantastical story, despite some questionable descriptions and horrible analogies (ie: “the mayors face turned deep red, as if someone had chopped his head…
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Long Bright River
Audiobook Review: 3.5/5 Sometimes the greatness of a beat cop narration is it’s instructive, systematic roll out of information. In this way, Ryan delivered; maybe too well. I found the narrative straight, somewhat dry in her hands. Yet, always clear, Ryan’s performance reflects Mickey’s stoic character well. She has the sarcasm inflection down pat, but there’s not much variation with the other characters. The accents are sometimes indistinguishable (Gee sounds a lot like Mrs. Mahon). Overall, still better than listening to yourself sing while walking. Well done; I would consider this audiobook good company. Book Review: 4/5 Two sisters, one small town, and a world between them. Mickey is a…
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Reviews by The Nerdy Gourmet
What do the stars ratings mean? Here are easy explanations for all grades.
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The Dutch House
author, Ann Patchett narrator, Tom Hanks setting, Philadelphia Book Rating: 3/5A moving autobiographical fiction novel, The Dutch House focuses on the relationship between two siblings, Danny and Maeve Conroy. This was my very first Ann Patchett novel and I wanted to LOVE it!! It was beautifully written. Ms. Patchett is very definitely talented. I could feel the moods that settled over different scenes. I found myself thinking about parts of this book while doing dishes or rocking my baby to sleep. The lives of Danny and Maeve built a compelling story but I didn’t keep-walking-in-the-rainstorm-because-I-couldn’t-stop-listening ”love” it. (I miss you Crawdads!) Also, I couldn’t attach to the characters which is usually…
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The Giver of Stars Book Review ~ An Epic Inspiration
This book stuck with me. It inspired a trip to the mountains of Kentucky, horseback riding in the cold and some great comfort foods! by Jojo Moyes narrated by Julia Whelanset in eastern Kentucky, 1930s Book Rating: 5/5British born Alice is adrift in the mountains of depression era Kentucky as well as her confounding new marriage. In a quick paced turn of events, Alice finds herself volunteering to be a pack horse librarian. Moyes composes a magical journey about a young woman finding her place in the world, the meaning of friends and true love. She does all this while paying homage to the power of the written word and…
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Greek Dinner Night
Okay, so here are my goals: to make healthier food choices for my family, to expose my kids to a wide variety of foods and to limit the amount of food prep I make for a single meal (meaning I am tired of being a short order cook!) Last night I made a Greek themed dinner using pretty much the same ingredients served differently. Orzo. Why had I never thought of serving orzo before? My kids love rice and love noodles even more. A noodle that looks like rice? They loved it!! I actually made the hummus at home but obviously you can get the protein and fiber rich benefits…
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Cooking for my Kids
My family needs to go through some diet changes and I thought there was room for sharing that journey as well.
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The Nightingale Book Review
author, Kristin Hannah narrator, Polly Stone, setting, France, 1940s Book Rating: 5/5 “In love we find out who we want to be; in war we find out who we are.” This book has a presence. A heartbreaking yet inspirational novel, The Nightingale was such an emotional read for me. I listened to the audio during my daily walks and I remember sobbing while walking past fields of cows, their big cow eyes following me down the road. I carried this book around in my heart for weeks. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I related to it throughout different aspects of my daily life. Even a year later, I feel an…
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Up and Downer ~ A Daisy Jones Cocktail
Peanut Butter Whiskey, espresso and chocolate with a touch of salty peanuts. And at the places where servers knew me, I used to call it an Up and Down. Something to keep me up, something to keep me down. Taylor Jenkins Reid, Daisy Jones & the Six Tweet Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on linkedin Share on pinterest Share on email Share on google Coffee for the up, whiskey for the down. If you like this recipe, check out the book that inspired it! You can buy Daisy Jones and the Six here from Amazonor you can also choose to support local bookstores by purchasing it from…
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Firefly Lane Book Review ~ Best Friends Forever
This book broke me as per usual with the talented Kristin Hannah. I can only hope the sequel, Fly Away will put me back together. Kristin Hannah general fiction, domestic fiction Seattle, WA 1970s-2000s Susan Eriksen Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on linkedin Share on pinterest Share on email Share on google Book Review Firefly Lane 4.8/5 Firefly Lane is a heartfelt book about the journey of life long friends Tully and Kate. Despite their drastically different personalities, they develop this bond as teenage girls that takes them through college life, love lives, careers, marriage, kids and just the hardships of life. I felt an instant bond to…
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Daisy Jones Book Review ~ A Rockin Good Time
Ever wonder about the real behind the scenes life of rockstars like Stevie Nicks, Tom Petty or [insert favorite hardcore rocker here]? Daisy Jones hits all the notes. Written by the one and only Taylor Jenkins Reid Historical Fiction LA, 1970s Jennifer Beals, Benjamin Bratt, Judy Greer, Pablo Schreiber Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on linkedin Share on pinterest Share on email Share on google Book Review Daisy Jones and the Six 4.5/5 Daisy Jones is an epic memoir style story of a 1970s rock band. All the boozy, crazy, tense and wild behind the scenes you could imagine. Is Taylor Jenkins Reid Janice Joplin reincarnated? How…
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My Lovely Wife
by Samantha Downing narrated by David Pittuset in Central Florida, present day Book Review 4/5 Romance + Thriller = My Lovely Wife. Uneasiness crept across me from the first chapter. Going into this book blindly, I found it completely intriguing with a twist at the beginning- a “wait, what?” moment. I think Downing did a great job delving into the mind of our unnamed family man, although at times I found it hard to reconcile these loving parents with the storyline. Also, I wanted more from Millicent’s POV. Even though it felt like the book was lacking half the story the ending tied up all loose ends. Overall, Downing does…
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Millionaire’s Shortbread
Have you tried this recipe? I would love to know your thoughts. Peace & Love, jenni
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Where the Crawdads Sing ~ A Book Journey
Have you ever read a book so intense that you wanted more? Something about Crawdads sparked this need inside of me to explore for myself. It was just so beautifully written that I wanted more of Kya and the salt marsh. Sometimes books just aren’t enough for this nerdy girl. I had to see what Delia Owens so vividly wrote about. I packed my bags and went on my first Nerdy Gourmet adventure. Hence, book inspired travel and food became my passion. Where the Crawdads Sing ~ Review and Book Journey Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on linkedin Share on pinterest Share on email Share on google Delia…
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Nerdy Pizza Pies
If you have a Green Egg Grill, I’m sure that you’ve made pizzas! If not, these come out just as delicious in a hot oven. I’m giving you my pizza dough and sauce recipes but the toppings are all you! Some suggestions: mushrooms, pepperoni, sausage, blue cheese olives, caramelized onions, everything bagel spices, mozzarella balls torn up, ricotta cheese, broccoli, ham, bell peppers, jalapeños…… The list is infinite. Don’t box yourself in! Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on linkedin Share on pinterest Share on email Share on google The options are limitless!! Making your own pizzas are easy and taylored exactly to your tastes. Have you made these…
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Apple Cider Donut Holes Recipe with Caramel, Apple or Maple Whiskey Filling
Apple Cider Donut Holes with Apple Pie, Caramel, Whiskey Maple filling….. This Orlando girl misses fall. To me, the best part of fall is the apples (besides going back to school. Yes, I have always been nerdy!) Apple picking and fair foods like apple strudel and hot apple cider bred nostalgia. Here in Florida it is hot and summery. So I celebrate the next best way I know how- baking with apples. These apple cider donut holes are AH-mazing! Alone they are delicious but filled…..it just hits different. The whole batch was gone in less than 24 hours and that’s even without the hubby home to help. (He was out…
