Daisy Talks About Food and Cook Books

So I'm a bit of a foodie. I LOVE going out to dinner with friends, trying new things (this is also always part of vacations), and cooking/baking myself. I'm not one of those people who will just throw stuff together and have it come out awesome though, I'm more of a always searching for that next great recipee kinda girl. Which also explains my addiction to a network called 24Kitchen, I can watch the chefs there cook ALL DAY LONG.

Mostly, I love cooking for the boyfriend, friends, family... I just need to not be eating by myself and I'll happily be in the kitchen for a while, usually with a nice dinner or baked goods as a result. The boyfriend doesn't really mind this hobby of mine so much ;)

Things that I made and actually remembered to take pictures of: double chocolate chip cookies, Pavlova with strawberries and raspberries, creme caramel

I have talked about my tendency to hoard books before, but I don't think I ever mentioned this is also starting to extend to cook books (though I am much more picky about them than I am about my fiction, mostly because I can't justify having the same amount of cook books). I LOVE cook books. I can just look at all the yummy food for ages and start planning when I'm going to make said yummy food myself and who I will subject to be the first to actually taste it. Two cook books that are quickly becoming my favourites, are published by a supermarket chain here in Holland, they're awesome, they have a step by step explanation for the recipees with pictures. Which I've never seen before in any cook book.

Another that I've gotten recently is Jamie's 15 Minute Meals by Jamie Oliver.

So it does take me a bit longer than 15 minutes (more like 25) usually, but that's mostly because I need to check back and see what I should be doing next and I just don't have his skills. But I do really like the attitude that you can actually cook a not-so-standard meal in a short amount of time and it's ok to take shortcuts sometimes, but you're still making a homecooked meal and nothing comes out of a ready-made baggie. It feels healthier and the ones I've tried so far turned out really well.

One of my friends lent me one of Martha Stewart's cook books recently and I made these awesome Oreo-Cheesecake cupcakes from it, but sadly forgot to take a picture. They were the best thing ever. And how could they not be: cheesecake GOOD, Oreo's GOOD, together = BLISS.
But I must confess that I do like my cook books to be in Dutch, I'm more comfortable with reading fiction in English, but for cook books, it's easier to not have to constantly look up how much a pound is or how much a stick of butter is in grams, because that just kills my flow.

So, do any of you guys like cooking/baking? What's your specialty? I make a mean cheesecake and chocolate pie :) Let me know if you know of any good cook books, especially Mexican or Thai food!

The Last 3 Books Jamie Read

Hey everyone! What have you been reading? Tell me, tell me!

I just got back from vacation and want to share what I've been reading!


The first book is one I read on vacation:

The Fixer by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

This was such a fun, fast paced book! I devoured it on vacation because it hooked me right away and had twists and turns that just kept me reading. The political conspiracy aspect was super compelling and I kept guessing what the heck was going on. It was pitched as Scandal meets Veronica Mars and I definitely think that's actually pretty accurate. It's like if Scandal's Olivia Pope had a little sister who came to live with her!



The next book I read on vacation was Dumplin' by Julie Murphy:

Oh man, Dumplin was SOOOO good. It was funny and heartwarming and badass. Willowdean is one of my favorite characters I've read in a while. I loved that it dealt with being comfortable in your own skin, body positivity, grief, friendships. I totally shipped the romance and YAYY lots of Dolly Parton goodness in it. I cannot say enough good things about this one!!

And the most recent book I just finished yesterday was Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon:

This one had a unique premise when it came to what I've read in contemporary YA and really delivered! The main character has a super rare disease that has her essentially living in a bubble in her house and never being able to go outside because she's allergic to things but they don't know what. And then the boy next door moves in and they see each other from the window and begin communicating. And suddenly the main character, who never even thought she could have any of that, is in love and she's finding it hard to exist as she had. It was equally cute and heartwarming as it is heart-wrenching at times. I can't imagine being cut off from the world but then getting a taste of something different in life and yearning for more but it's not safe for her to have it. I REALLY enjoyed the romance in this one and I don't want to say too much about how it ends up but HIGHLY recommend.


PS. Want to see what I'm reading and what books I'm talking about in real time? Follow me on Instagram!

What I've Been Doing While I Haven't Been Reading

Confession--I haven't been reading much lately at all.  Since May, I've finished two books that I can remember, but I highly doubt I've read more.  The two books I did read were ones I really enjoyed--Go Set a Watchman and All the Light We Cannot See.  I usually spend my free time reading, but I just haven't done that.  I haven't even been reading magazines.  This has left me wondering what the sam holy hill I HAVE been doing this summer...

image from dogonews.com

Flirting.

Making lots of eye contact with him.  This was a lot of fun...

Dancing.

Playing shuffleboard.  I've actually gotten quite good.

Sitting by the pool.  A lot.  A whole lot.

Making several new friends.

Making periodic attempts to start running and/or doing yoga regularly.

Getting addicted to mai tais and Fireball whiskey.

Learning how to spell whiskey.  General rule of thumb--If the country has an "e," whiskey has an e; if it doesn't, it's whisky.  Ireland--whiskey; Canada--whisky.

Studying for the LSAT.

Taking the LSAT.

Letting him pull me around the pool on a floatie.  Seriously--best way to travel!.

A fun weekend at the lake.

Getting him to fall in love with me while I fell in love with him.  Not as difficult as I thought it would be.

A couple of baseball games.

A great Midsummer's Night party.  Champagne, lovely romantic toasts, shuffleboard, dancing with the one you love.

Waiting impatiently on my LSAT score, but also being kinda glad I didn't know yet.

An amazing trip to Indianapolis.

Working on my law school application.

Avoiding working on my law school application.  This was pretty easy...

Thinking maybe I'll just put off law school for a semester or a year.

Working.

Wishing I wasn't working.

Wishing I could just quit my job.  Seriously.

Scrambling to get my law school application in on time.

Horseback riding.

Playing the dutiful daughter and granddaughter.  Sometimes easier said than done.



And somewhere in there I did read those two books.  I've started several.  I have made some progress on Moby Dick, which I've decided I'm going to finish by the time I start law school and fun reading time as I know it becomes even more scarce than it already has been.



What have you been doing this summer when you haven't been reading?

Fairytales & Fairytale Retellings -- Top Ten Tuesday

For future Top Ten Tuesday topics & info on how to participate, click here!

This week we are breaking up Top Ten Tuesday into our favorite fairytale retellings and fairytale retellings that are on our TBR!

Favorite Fairytale Retellings

Jamie's Picks

1. A Court of Thorns & Roses by Sarah J. Maas: A Beauty & the Beast retelling but also integrates dashes of other fairytales and fairy lore. SO GOOD.

2. Cinder by Marissa Meyer: I've read Cinder and Scarlet in this series of fairytale retellings and OH MY GOODNESS. THEY ARE RIDICULOUSLY GOOD. I love how it plays with the fairytales but feels so different also because it is sci-fi.

3. Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson: OH MY HEART.  This is one of my favorite YA books ever. It's just...WOAH. I sobbed through the ending.

Lauren's Pick

4. The Sleeping Beauty trilogy by Anne Rice writing as A.N. Roquelaure

Tahleen's Pick 

5. Ella Enchanted

A Cinderella retelling!

Fairytale Retellings On Our TBR List

Jamie's Picks

1. Ash & Bramble by Sarah Prineas: This one hasn't been released yet but it's a Cinderella retelling (with a pretty cover) that I'm excited to read soon!

2. The Wrath & the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh: Inspired by One Thousand and One Nights and I've heard it's INCREDIBLE.

3. Splintered by A.G. Howard: An Alice in Wonderland retelling but not Alice...further down her family tree.

4. Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge: Beauty and the Beast retelling!

Lauren's Pick

5. The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly


Let's talk fairytales and retellings!!!

Our July Favorites & August TBR

Hi friends!! Hope you've had some good reading in July! Here's what we loved and what we are looking forward to next month!

JULY FAVORITES

Jamie's Pick

God Shaped Hole
If you are wondering if this is a religious novel because of the title, not at all. You'll see what the "god-shaped hole" is that they talk about but the main characters aren't religious. But wow wow wow this book! This book WRECKED me and had me up until 2am reading (and sobbing) which is BIG for me. It's an adult fiction pick and just a great story about love. Read my full review!

 

Lauren's Pick

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

This book was just too cute and was exactly what I needed at the time. It was light and I blew through it in just a few days. You will fall in love with all of the characters without even realizing it.

Bridget's Pick

Orphan Number Eight by Kim van Alkemade

This book had so many great elements: history, horror, a little bit of romance (just enough to be sweet and not barfy)—sooo good. If it sounds like something you'd be interested in, check out my other blog in a few days for my review and an ARC giveaway!

ON OUR TBR FOR AUGUST

Jamie's Pick

Legacy of Kings
I am so excited for this historical fantasy -- ALEXANDER THE GREAT! The author knows her crap too when it comes to history so it's very promising!

 

Lauren's Pick

The Circle by Dave Eggers

This book has been on my TBR list for way too long and it seems like I would that I would just adore. It's time to shove some books aside and make this one a priority!

Bridget's Pick

Early One Morning

I think I might keep with my historical fiction theme after reading Orphan Number Eight and loving it. In the past, historical fiction hasn't really been my "thing," but it's been tickling my fancy recently. This one sounds really good! 

Tell us your favorite book you read in July and a book you are planning to read in August!

Lauren Reviews An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir 
Published: April 2015 by Razorbill
Source: Bought
Rating: 4 Stars

Laia is a slave. Elias is a soldier. Neither is free. Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear.

It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the Empire’s impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. They’ve seen what happens to those who do. But when Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy.

There, Laia meets Elias, the school’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined—and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.

I did a buddy read on this book with some fantastic ladies I met on Instagram. We all had the book and had kept putting it off and so we banded together to tackle this one. I really enjoyed this book. The only reason it didn't get 5 stars from me is because of Laia. She has done everything so she can save her brother, but at the same time she kind of half-asses it. If you're going to spy, then spy. Don't tip toe around it. 

Other than that, the world building aspect of the novel was on par, as were the characters' personalities. I could easily understand and feel the emotions that each character portrayed, which is something I think every book needs. I do wish I could've known more about Helene. She isn't mentioned in the summary of the book or even in most reviews that I've read. She is not one of the two main characters, but I believe she had a HUGE role in this book and overall... she was just badass. She's like the female equivalent to Braveheart's William Wallace. 

This was a wonderful debut and everyone is excited that this will not be a stand-alone novel. I admit.. I'm excited too. I just know I'll forgot everything and have to re-read this before the sequel comes out. This gets taxing, but more often than not.. it's worth it. 

Ten Characters Who Are Fellow Book Nerds

For future Top Ten Tuesday topics & info on how to participate, click here!

This week's topic is inspired by Jamie's Top Ten Characters Who Love Words.

Lauren's Picks

1. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

The main character, Diana, in this book has centered her entire life around books. Albeit old ones, but fascinating books none the less. She studies them for a living and loves her job. Actually, I'm kind of jealous. 

2. A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

Tyrion Lannister from this series is the witty, mostly drunken, bookish man with smarts. He just may be one of the smartest characters in the series and he credits his intelligence to books often. 

Jamie's Picks

3. Celaena from the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas

There are MANY things I love about Celaena but I freaking loved that she was a reader. She feels sad that nobody reads the books in the library and uses her charm to get Dorian to allow her to read them (he gives her his favorite and wants to discuss them!!). She stays up too late reading and devours books left and right…all while waking up the next morning and being a badass.

4. Paige from Emery Lord’s The Start Of Me & You

She’s a writer and has aspirations to go to a summer screen writing program. She’s been dubbed “Grammar Girl” (a nickname she isn’t too fond of). She’s a bookworm who love to reread and when she was younger would sneak off to read at slumber parties (I FEEL YOU GIRL)! And she won’t back down from a debate about Jane Austen.

5. Liesel from Markus Zusack’s The Book Thief: 

Liesel is a voracious reader who even did some breaking and entering to get some reading material.

Julia's Picks

6. Hermione from Harry Potter

How can we make a list of book nerds and not include Hermione who is almost literally always reading? I loved that she was a reader and could relate a lot to her bookish tendencies as I grew up reading Harry Potter. Book nerds unite!

7. Isaac Vainio from Libriomancer

Isaac is a Libriomancer which means he is entrusted with the sacred art of being able to pull things out of books and use them in life. There are of course strict rules, but the rules are meant to be... bent right? By nature of his job, Isaac would have to be a reader if only to catalog all of the cool shit you could pull from stories, or the things that should be avoided.

Bridget's Picks

8. Quentin from The Magicians

Quentin is an Ivy League-bound high school senior who discovers, much to his surprise, that he is a magician, and is admitted to a secret college of magic in upstate New York called Brakebills. Since childhood, he's been obsessed with a Narnia-like series that takes place in a land called Fillory—but after graduating from Brakebills, he and his friends discover that Fillory is real, and it's in trouble.

9. Madeleine Hanna from The Marriage Plot

An English major in her senior year of college, Madeleine is writing her thesis on Jane Austen and George Eliot, purveyors of the marriage plot that is the central conceit of many of the greatest English novels. So—English major, loves Austen and Eliot...how could she not be a book nerd?!

Kimberly's Picks

10. Jess from Ink and Bone

In a world where owning books is illegal, Jess knows the true value of the printed word. To him, a book is almost literally priceless. (His father has a different opinion.) I've only just started this book, but it is already a love story to book nerds.

Who are some of your favorite book nerds in fiction??