I just finished reading The Last Apprentice: Rise of the Huntress. Actually, I didn't read it, I listened to it. It's one of the series that I've only listened to.
Side note: If you are used to listening to an author and switch to an acutual book you may be surprised at how different the narrative seems. I listened to all of the Harry Potter series (yes, loved 'em) prior to actually reading one of the books. Wow, what a difference. The narrator, Jim Dale, is so extraordinary and talented at giving the characters a true voice I couldn't compete with that in my own head. And I've always read JD Robb but had the chance to listen to one of her books from audible and almost hated it. Again, the narrator made the difference. She had this horrible, faux Irish accent for the heroines hottie of a super-wealthy and smart husband. Made him sound stupid. Certainly not foreign and sexy...Oh well, you lose a few.
Back to Rise of the Huntress:
The Last Apprentice series is by Joseph Delaney. It was a recommendation from audible.com when I typed in Harry Potter. The books are a bit dark and gruesome and clearly written for a tween/teen audience. That wouldn't stop me from reading it and overall I've enjoyed the series.
The series is about a boy of about 11 who is the 7th son of a 7th son. His mother's "gift to the county." As one might surmise he is apprenticed to a Spook, Mr. Gregory (also the 7th son of a 7th son.) A spook, in Delaney's world, is a man who keeps the county safe from boggarts, and witches, and other things that go bump in the night. A spook can sense evil and see ghosts and other paranormal stuff. It is considered the norm in Tom's world that these things exist.
This is Delaney's 7th(?) outing with Tom, the Spook, and Alice (the former witch-in-training who didn't really want to be a witch at all.) I enjoyed it even more than some of the earlier books and may go back to rereead them. Tom, Mr. Gregory, and Alice are forced to flee the county with other refugees due to a war "they" are losing. Homes & fields have been burned and things are so bad that even the witches have fled. Including several witches that Gregory had penned up in his garden. As this is a later outing you need to read earlier books to understand WHY it's ok to have witches in pits in your garden. So they end up on an island and the inevitable fight between good and evil ensues.
Despite my flippant choice of words I do like this sereies. I'm not sure why. But what's really funny is that Alice isn't our heroine. SPOILER ALERT. Alice, as per usual, has to rescue Tom, Mr Gregory, and everyone else and then gets referred to as "girl" and despised as a witch. OK, maybe not despised as a witch, we are clear that she is NOT a witch. Still What is Gregory's problem?! Seriously, this chick has done his bidding and helped save his and Tom's lives through any number of adventures and what thanks does she get? Zip. Nothing. He even wants to leave her behind in the final push to rid the island of its monster. Tom always acknowledges Alice's help and support and he does always stand up for her to Gregory.
I guess I'm kind of curious as to the motivation of the author in not having ANY relenting of the initial hard-feelings that he had against Alice in book 1. I mean, seriously, what does this kid have to do. Kill her own mother?
Anyway, a fun outing. It is a book for younger readers, but still a bit of fun for adults. I wish someone else would read this series so that I could find out if I'm just over thinking it.
Happy Reading!
PS: heading into baking season. YIPPEE! I spent the afternoon with a friend and 2 3-year-olds cutting out pumpkin & ghost cookies. It's the best mess ever.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Book & Baking Blog Entry 23
I love to bake. My daughter asked me the other day if we could bake cookies, "it's been a long time." I think that it's time. However, I haven't baked any lately. What I have been baking is pies. I'd like a better pie crust. It's time to experiment again. I made an apple pie the other day. It's great now that I have the concept of the thinly sliced apples down to a science. Who knew that following directions was all it took.
I like pecan pie but am too cheap to buy pecans. Why not use walnuts. So I guess it's walnut pie. Maybe I'll find a new pie crust recipe and try it.
Just as a follow-up. The apple pie was very well received AND I found some pecans in the freezer, so don't worry the south will not fall again in shame of my walnut pie.
I like my mother's recipe, but it's not rich enough. I like the butter recipe that I have but it generally falls apart and I find myself patching it (and, frankly, I often get a bit sick it's sooooo rich--who knew butter could be a negative?!!!!)
Well, I ended up buying refrigerator pie crust and everyone loved it. My grandmother may have had a point about not making home made anything. My mother tells this story of how my grandmother (her mother-in-law) would make home made noodles every Sunday for the family. I forget what she made them to go with, but my mother would rave about these noodles. One Sunday my grandmother didn't have the time and used a bag of store bought noodles. Mom said that you could tell right away that they were just from the store but no one else noticed. As a matter-of-fact all of grandma's kids went on and on about how fantastic the noodles were that week. She never made home made noodles again.
Of course, I cook for myself. If you don't like it I care, in the sense that I would like to be a good hostess, but I'm not losing sleep over it. Really. I know what I like and I know it's good. And all the more for me. Can I find any other cliché? So I will continue my quest for the perfect pie crust.
So, if you have a pie crust recipe that you're willing to share, please drop it into the comments. I could really use some help.
Happy Baking! Time for more cookies.
I like pecan pie but am too cheap to buy pecans. Why not use walnuts. So I guess it's walnut pie. Maybe I'll find a new pie crust recipe and try it.
Just as a follow-up. The apple pie was very well received AND I found some pecans in the freezer, so don't worry the south will not fall again in shame of my walnut pie.
I like my mother's recipe, but it's not rich enough. I like the butter recipe that I have but it generally falls apart and I find myself patching it (and, frankly, I often get a bit sick it's sooooo rich--who knew butter could be a negative?!!!!)
Well, I ended up buying refrigerator pie crust and everyone loved it. My grandmother may have had a point about not making home made anything. My mother tells this story of how my grandmother (her mother-in-law) would make home made noodles every Sunday for the family. I forget what she made them to go with, but my mother would rave about these noodles. One Sunday my grandmother didn't have the time and used a bag of store bought noodles. Mom said that you could tell right away that they were just from the store but no one else noticed. As a matter-of-fact all of grandma's kids went on and on about how fantastic the noodles were that week. She never made home made noodles again.
Of course, I cook for myself. If you don't like it I care, in the sense that I would like to be a good hostess, but I'm not losing sleep over it. Really. I know what I like and I know it's good. And all the more for me. Can I find any other cliché? So I will continue my quest for the perfect pie crust.
So, if you have a pie crust recipe that you're willing to share, please drop it into the comments. I could really use some help.
Happy Baking! Time for more cookies.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Book & Baking Blog Entry 22
I have a friend who is very well-read. She reads literature with an occasional foray into pop-fiction (I still can't believe that she read and enjoyed The DaVinci Code.) I will say in all honesty that our book tastes are not similar. For example, I read almost exclusively pop-fiction but wouldn't be caught dead reading The DaVinci Code. OK, I read the beginning, but how many times does the author have to explain that the curator is renowned. Clearly he has nothing but contempt for the unwashed masses that he believes will buy his novel. Enough about that. So, on my friend's recommendation I picked up Case Histories by Kate Atkinson.
I love a novel where you really don't like anyone. I think it's fun to have a novel where everyone is a stereo-type. However, it is novel. I, for the most part, did enjoy this novel. I would recommend it for those who enjoy literature and want something a bit different. I think for mystery fans it might be a tougher sell.
The non-formulaic format was both refreshing and confounding. It's nice that Atkinson writes in a different style. I have no idea if she regularly begins chapters in the middle of a thought. The desire to surprise her reader can be befuddling and annoying at times. I like a good surprise. I like a good mystery. In general I don't want to try to have to figure out where, when, and why I am in a novel. Atkinson consistently works to surprise and really, she doesn't.
As I said I did enjoy the novel over-all. I did think that it got bogged down in too many stories and the attempt to bring them all together. And yet, leaving us hanging with some. I like my mysteries wrapped up and with an ending. I don't mind one story trailing into another. But there were a lot of stories that had, really, nothing to do with each other trailing around randomly, working to find each other. Seriously. And, yes, we can all guess who we're supposed to think that Lily Ann is. And we can guess what happens to Michelle. The rest of the stories were wrapped up with a bow. Why not those?
So, here's the kicker. I am SURE that I've read this before. Yet, I can't lay my hands on it, nor did I remember it prior to opening the book. But it was so familiar. How stupid is that?! Seriously. So through the entirety of the book my tiny brain worked hard to remember where and when I had read this. Yet, I had no recollection of specific parts. Namely, our hero and his daughter. Except the scene where he (OOOOOHHHH, SPOILER) finds out that his ex-wife is taking the brat to Australia with her new husband. Wow, could the ex-wife have been much more of a caricature? Gee, she left him for no reason, forced him to give up his child, took all the money and the good stuff and left nothing but his one treasure from his murdered sister...
Ooops. Yes, I did like it. Did it drag in places, most definitely. Would I read it again? I'd say no, except clearly I've read it twice already so who knows how many more times that I can forget it. Oddly, I would say that it is unique enough in premise that it should be unforgettable. Oh well. Never say never.
Happy Reading.
Now, if only I had a lovely Copenhagen pastry...yum.
I love a novel where you really don't like anyone. I think it's fun to have a novel where everyone is a stereo-type. However, it is novel. I, for the most part, did enjoy this novel. I would recommend it for those who enjoy literature and want something a bit different. I think for mystery fans it might be a tougher sell.
The non-formulaic format was both refreshing and confounding. It's nice that Atkinson writes in a different style. I have no idea if she regularly begins chapters in the middle of a thought. The desire to surprise her reader can be befuddling and annoying at times. I like a good surprise. I like a good mystery. In general I don't want to try to have to figure out where, when, and why I am in a novel. Atkinson consistently works to surprise and really, she doesn't.
As I said I did enjoy the novel over-all. I did think that it got bogged down in too many stories and the attempt to bring them all together. And yet, leaving us hanging with some. I like my mysteries wrapped up and with an ending. I don't mind one story trailing into another. But there were a lot of stories that had, really, nothing to do with each other trailing around randomly, working to find each other. Seriously. And, yes, we can all guess who we're supposed to think that Lily Ann is. And we can guess what happens to Michelle. The rest of the stories were wrapped up with a bow. Why not those?
So, here's the kicker. I am SURE that I've read this before. Yet, I can't lay my hands on it, nor did I remember it prior to opening the book. But it was so familiar. How stupid is that?! Seriously. So through the entirety of the book my tiny brain worked hard to remember where and when I had read this. Yet, I had no recollection of specific parts. Namely, our hero and his daughter. Except the scene where he (OOOOOHHHH, SPOILER) finds out that his ex-wife is taking the brat to Australia with her new husband. Wow, could the ex-wife have been much more of a caricature? Gee, she left him for no reason, forced him to give up his child, took all the money and the good stuff and left nothing but his one treasure from his murdered sister...
Ooops. Yes, I did like it. Did it drag in places, most definitely. Would I read it again? I'd say no, except clearly I've read it twice already so who knows how many more times that I can forget it. Oddly, I would say that it is unique enough in premise that it should be unforgettable. Oh well. Never say never.
Happy Reading.
Now, if only I had a lovely Copenhagen pastry...yum.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Book & Baking Blog Entry 21
Well, it's been a while since I covered baking. So, just for fun I'm trying a new recipe that I found on Allrecipes.com. I also filled out a profile and joined. It's free. I just hope that I don't get a bunch of stupid emails (yes, I used the word stupid. It's not a four-letter word. Count.)
So, in honor of October (OktoberFest) I'm going to make soft pretzels for our Mommies & Mojitos drop in for drinks on Friday. Usually I'm a cookie woman, so it will be interesting to see how this recipe turns out. So far, I'm a little skeptical because you don't boil the bread prior to baking (a traditional method for bagels and pretzels.)
So the pretzels are made. Ruth and I spent a short period of time putting them together. I found the recipe on allrecipes.com. Interesting site.
The recipe itself was very quick and easy to put together. Flour, sugar, yeast, water, and salt. Let it rise and cut it into pieces. Shaping was fun. Ruth decided that she wanted to help. She also decided she wanted to eat the dough. She really liked it. So we worked together to create "snakes" and then fold them into pretzels. Then we dipped them into hot water with baking soda dissolved in it (please, someone explain this to me--or maybe I'll look it up on the Internet) and sprinkled them with kosher salt.
The recipe called for baking at 450 for 8 minutes. WAY too long in my oven (which is kind of a small, not so reliable oven.)
So the result is mixed. They tasted pretty good, although my husband pointed out that they a little sweet. I have to agree, but once you were into it, it wasn't so sweet as the initial bite. I would prefer a traditional texture. I like the, hmmmmm, how do you describe the traditional outside of a soft pretzel--leathery? outside. Oh, for heaven's sake. You know what I mean. And the inside wasn't as moist and chewy. The trade off is that these were REALLY fast and easy and you don't stand over a pot of boiling water.
Here was the bonus: My husband, not liking my water boiling skills, bought me a hot water maker. Maybe that's not what it's called. I actually thought that it was a bit silly. However, today, for the water and baking soda wash I needed hot water and had the 4 cups right at my fingertips! YIPPEEEEEEE!!!!!! Thank you technology. I really should be more open to new technology than I am...:)
I'm going to make another batch of these for Mommies & Mojitos. It should go well with the beer.
Happy Baking.
AND for those who are more interested in books: I just started Case Histories (an awesome friend highly recommended it to me about 2 years ago.) So far it's making me cringe BUT it is somewhat riveting. I just wonder how someone who can't watch Pieces could read this book. A bit gruesome. S
So bon appetite and happy reading.
So, in honor of October (OktoberFest) I'm going to make soft pretzels for our Mommies & Mojitos drop in for drinks on Friday. Usually I'm a cookie woman, so it will be interesting to see how this recipe turns out. So far, I'm a little skeptical because you don't boil the bread prior to baking (a traditional method for bagels and pretzels.)
So the pretzels are made. Ruth and I spent a short period of time putting them together. I found the recipe on allrecipes.com. Interesting site.
The recipe itself was very quick and easy to put together. Flour, sugar, yeast, water, and salt. Let it rise and cut it into pieces. Shaping was fun. Ruth decided that she wanted to help. She also decided she wanted to eat the dough. She really liked it. So we worked together to create "snakes" and then fold them into pretzels. Then we dipped them into hot water with baking soda dissolved in it (please, someone explain this to me--or maybe I'll look it up on the Internet) and sprinkled them with kosher salt.
The recipe called for baking at 450 for 8 minutes. WAY too long in my oven (which is kind of a small, not so reliable oven.)
So the result is mixed. They tasted pretty good, although my husband pointed out that they a little sweet. I have to agree, but once you were into it, it wasn't so sweet as the initial bite. I would prefer a traditional texture. I like the, hmmmmm, how do you describe the traditional outside of a soft pretzel--leathery? outside. Oh, for heaven's sake. You know what I mean. And the inside wasn't as moist and chewy. The trade off is that these were REALLY fast and easy and you don't stand over a pot of boiling water.
Here was the bonus: My husband, not liking my water boiling skills, bought me a hot water maker. Maybe that's not what it's called. I actually thought that it was a bit silly. However, today, for the water and baking soda wash I needed hot water and had the 4 cups right at my fingertips! YIPPEEEEEEE!!!!!! Thank you technology. I really should be more open to new technology than I am...:)
I'm going to make another batch of these for Mommies & Mojitos. It should go well with the beer.
Happy Baking.
AND for those who are more interested in books: I just started Case Histories (an awesome friend highly recommended it to me about 2 years ago.) So far it's making me cringe BUT it is somewhat riveting. I just wonder how someone who can't watch Pieces could read this book. A bit gruesome. S
So bon appetite and happy reading.
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