The Bookish Ramblings Of BookMama789!

Professional Book Nerd. LFL charter 111464. Member of Abrams Dinner Party!

[bookmama]

I am excited to finally announce/launch a new book club aimed at educating us on the the content and merits of books that are currently being targeted across the United States by political groups and school boards.

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Introducing, “A Closer Look At A Book” the anti-book banning book club where we all become more informed.

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This book club is open to the public with the requirement that if someone is unable to treat other members respectfully they will be removed. This club is being organized and run through @bookclubshq which is free to join. A link to this specific book club is:

https://bookclubs.com/a-closer-look-at-a-book/join/

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This month’s book is Last Night At The Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo. We will meet virtually over zoom at the end of the month. The zoom link will be provided through the @bookclubshq platform.

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This book club is not to evaluate whether any particular book belongs on any specific library shelf and is not associated with any particular school district or library. This book club is designed to read challenged books in a constructive and respectful setting to gain insight and understanding of why these books are important and to discourage the current trend of censorship in our libraries.

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My hope in creating this book club is to stop the fearful snap judgements being made about these books based on the use of out of context quotes being circulated by groups and individuals trying to have these books removed from schools and libraries. I hope you will come read with us, all that is required is an open mind and a willingness to discuss.

[bookmama]

What a week friends! What day is it even!? I do know a few things for sure though:

1) This beautiful book came out this week.

2) I missed posting about it on it’s pub day, because I hadn’t finished reading it yet😬.

3) If you are a fan of second chance romance, forced proximity, family drama, and smoldering chemistry, then this is a book for you!

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Thank you to author @susannahnixauthor for the gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review. Cream and Punishment is the second book in The King Family series and it was a wonderful follow up to book one My Cone and Only. Book two focuses on Tanner King and his ex Lucy Dillard, who ends up being his coworker when he gets demoted at his family business. The first half of the book is a lot of slow burn character building as the two main characters create enough sexual tension to power all of the city of Austin TX. It isn’t really so much of a question as to wether the two love each other, as much as a question of can they escape the toxic relationships they each have with their own families, so they can go on to live their own HEA. While book two is definitely slower paced than book one it was still a fun, steamy, emotional, and romantic edition to the King series. Also this one ends with one hell of a cliffhanger!!! While I am sure you could read this as a stand-alone, I recommend actually starting with the last book in Nix’s STEM series Romantic Calculus and then reading Cone and Cream💜

[bookmama]

Good Morning!

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-coffee brewed✅

-bread dough mixed✅

-first book for the #25in5readathon with @deedireads ready✅

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Starting off this weekend readathon with A Killer By Design by Ann Wolbert Burgess. Thank you so much to @hachetteus and @hachetteaudio for the gifted review copies. I will probably bounce between audiobook and physical copy today on this one. I also have my post-it notes ready to fill this book up with notes for @kate_reads_ ❤️

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Also can we just take a moment and appreciate how amazing my latest mug from @mugsmatterstudio matches with today’s book?

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Who else is participating in this weekend’s 25 in 5 readathon? What books are you planning on reading this weekend?

[bookmama]

It is super cold here in Pennsylvania, and this weekend holds the potential for a big snowstorm❄️ May I recommend a dish that could definitely sustain and warm you through a blizzard? (Swipe for #foodporn ).

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Thank you so much to @abramsbooks and @fjbits for the gifted review copy of New Native Kitchen: Celebrating Modern Recipes of the American Indian, as part of #abramsdinnerparty 🥘.

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Pictured one swipe over is Cheyenne Beef and Sage, which was by far the most flavorful beef soup/stew I have ever tasted. This Cheyenne recipe reflects flavors from the American Midwest and really allows for each individual ingredient to shine. For this recipe you are given the choice between diced sunchokes or russet potatoes, and we chose to use the latter. The use of fresh sage, thyme and parsley really made this comfort food more complex and packed with flavor. Best part, it makes enough to have leftovers to freeze, so you will have some all ready for the next time you find yourself snowed in❄️

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This cookbook is such a beautiful window into Native American cooking, and is put together in such a way that every home chef will be inspired to try new cooking methods and delicious new recipes!

[bookmama]

How would you respond if you found out today that you had a sibling that you have never met? For thirteen year old Molly, the existence of her brother Dustin pales in comparison to the family business he runs, a mortuary for monsters!

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Thank you so much to @littlebrownyoungreaders and @hachetteaudio for the gifted ALC of Dust & Grim by Chuck Wendig. This audiobook is 8hrs and 35 mins and is narrated by Rachel Jacobs. This was an excellent audiobook full of family drama, humor, ghosts, and suspense. Narrator Rachel Jacobs brings each type of ghost, ghoul, and human to life with her energetic and dramatic narration. This is a wonderful middle grade story that sets itself up perfectly maybe to become a series? Will there be a book 2? Please say yes!

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Synopsis from the publisher: Thirteen-year-old Molly doesn't know how she got the short end of the stick—being raised by her neglectful father—while Dustin, the older brother she's never met, got their mother and the keys to the family estate. But now the siblings are both orphaned, she's come home for her inheritance, and if Dustin won't welcome her into the family business, then she'll happily take her half in cash.There's just one problem: the family business is a mortuary for monsters, and Molly's not sure she's ready to deal with mysterious doors, talking wolves, a rogue devourer of magic, and a secret cemetery. It's going to take all of Dustin's stuffy supernatural knowledge and Molly's most heroic cosplay (plus a little help from non-human friends) for the siblings to figure it out and save the day...if only they can get along for five minutes.

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While Dust & Grim is technically a middle grade novel, it makes a great story for all ages! Available now in all formats💚

[bookmama]

Goodbye 2021, and hello 2022! The last year was full of lots of changes some good and some bad. One of the great things has been trying new recipes and discovering new favorite dishes thanks to @abramsbooks and being a part of #abramsdinnerparty ❤️ Thanks to this partnership I have been gifted early access to their finished copy cookbooks, and have cooked my way through some of the more stressful times in 2021. Cooking and baking are definitely ways that I relieve stress and show people in my life that I love them.

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One of the final books for 2021 was this beautiful copy of @southernlivingmag 2021 Annual Recipes. Organized by months of the year, you can find excellent recipes to cook the whole year through, and enjoy the best flavors of each season!

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My husband and I highly recommend the Spicy Grilled Chicken Wings on page 224. They are a perfect balance of sweet and spicy, and just as good the next day as leftovers cold out of the fridge!

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So here’s to 2022 and all of the new amazing things we can cook up together 🍾🥳🎉

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Do you have any special dishes that you make to celebrate the new year?

[bookmama]

It feels like a perfect night to curl up with a fuzzy blanket, a hot cup of tea, some freshly baked cookies, and a cozy mystery🥰☕️🍪🎄

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Thank you so much to @kensingtonbooks for these gifted copies of Joanne Fluke’s two Christmas cozy mysteries: Christmas Cupcake Murder & Christmas Dessert Murder!

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The very first cozy mystery I ever read was the first book in this series! I instantly fell in love with the residents of Lake Eden, Hannah Swensen, and her amazing bakery The Cookie Jar! Added bonus, each of these cozy mysteries have tons of delicious recipes inspired by the story sprinkled throughout.

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Today I baked the Sugar Plum Cookies and the Cinful Sugar Cookies from the Christmas Cupcake Murder, and they are delicious! This recipe makes a TON of cookies and added bonus, you can refrigerate or freeze the dough to make smaller batches.

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Sugar cookies are a must bake cookie for Christmas in this house, and the struggle is always making sure we leave some for 🎅🏻😂 What is your favorite cookie to make from scratch?

[bookmama]

Does anyone else feel like the Holidays just snuck up on us? How is it almost 2022???

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Thank you so much to @hachettebooks @hachetteaudio for the ALC of No Ordinary Christmas by Belle Callhoune, narrated by Mela Lee and Tre Hall. This audiobook was 8hrs and 46 min regular speed (I listened at 1.4x), and is available now!

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Synopsis from the publisher: Mistletoe, Maine, is buzzing and not just because Christmas is around the corner! Dante West, local cutie-turned-Hollywood hunk, is returning home to make his next movie. Everyone in town is excited . . . except librarian Lucy Marshall. When Dante took off for LA without warning—or even a goodbye—he broke Lucy’s heart. She swore not to spend one more minute thinking about her ex, but Dante makes an offer Lucy’s struggling library can’t refuse: a major donation to film on-site. Dante is thrilled to help boost his hometown’s economy and finally begin making amends to the people he hurt years ago when he left, starting with Lucy. But seeing his former best friend on set every day feels a lot less like closure and more like a fresh start. It’s one thing for Dante to fall for Lucy all over again, quite another for a famous movie star and a small-town librarian to find lasting romance. Can the magic of the holiday season give Lucy and Dante’s first love a second chance?

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So here is the thing, while this ended up being a cute hallmark movie type Christmas love story, the way it began really shaded the way I felt about the love story between Dante and Lucy. I feel like Lucy was bullied into giving Dante a second chance by family and the town’s need for the $$$ he would bring the small town. His excuse for why he broke her heart didn’t hold up very well either, in all that time he couldn’t find a way to call or write her? He only really tried to explain once? Also his whole demeanor of look at me I’m a movie star when he rolls back into town left a sour taste. As I said before though, despite the rough start this did end up being cute. I mean I can’t dislike a Christmas love story centered around saving a town library❤️

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Any recommendations for my next holiday read? Bonus if I can find it on audiobook!

[bookmama]

I think many times as a society when we think of who we would want to have in the room if we were to have a medical emergency, our brains automatically think “a doctor”. I am here to tell you after years of dealing with chronic illness/disability, that the better answer is nurse! I can’t count how many times they have caught drug interactions, advocated for me, and actually found a solution after the doctor had written it off as no big deal. Also the next time you get upset because you are a hard stick for an iv….whatever you do, DO NOT ask for the doctor to do it(they probably haven’t started an iv in years), who you really want is a NICU nurse!

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Thank you so much to @littlebrown @hachetteaudio and @jamespattersonbooks for the gifted review ALC of E.R. Nurses by James Patterson and Matt Everyman. This audiobook has a huge cast of narrators giving individual character and emotion to the stories of some of our most unsung hero’s, nurses. This audiobook is 7hrs and 23 min at regular speed, and is a collection of both heartbreaking and heartwarming stories from the people who save lives daily. This is a unique glimpse into the lives of nurses from all around the country, as they share their experiences and memories with us the readers.

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Synopsis from the publisher: Around the clock, across the country, these highly skilled and compassionate men and women sacrifice and struggle for us and our families. You have never heard their true stories. Not like this. From big-city and small-town hospitals. From behind the scenes. From the heart. This book will make you laugh, make you cry, make you understand. When we’re at our worst, E.R. nurses are at their best.

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Thank you to all the medical professionals that have worked in such heartbreaking and insane conditions throughout the pandemic, but a special thank you to all the nurses❤️

[bookmama]

So who is already done all of their Christmas shopping? Who likes to wait until the last minute? I am someone who likes to start early but ends up adding things until the last possible minute. One of my favorite gifts to give is a great cookbook!

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Thank you so much to @abramsbooks for my gifted review copy of Gabriel Kreuther The Spirit Of Alsace A Cookbook, as part of #abramsdinnerparty . This cookbook is such a visually stunning book! It makes a great gift for the everyday home chef as well as for that foodie in your life who maybe possess those next level cooking skills, because it is divided into two sections (two cookbooks in one!).

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The first section, Classic Dishes Of Alsace, is where I found this recipe for Pain D’Épices Alsacien. This recipe is described as traditional holiday bread in the same family of American Gingerbread. While it is definitely similar to gingerbread the amount of spices and honey loaded into these loaves makes the taste much more rich and complex. It is a perfect holiday treat.

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The second section is : Recipes From Restaurant Gabriel Kruther. These recipes look much more complex than the first, but give detailed instructions on how you can make these beautiful dishes at home. These recipes would be perfect for a fancy dinner party or special celebration, although if the last year or two has taught us anything, everyday is a day worth celebrating!.

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This book is available now.

[bookmama]

Does anyone else remember this 1994 cinematic gem that critics unfairly hated on because well… the 90’s weren’t ready for a all female driven narrative in the western genre? I LOVED this movie, and as soon as I started listening to the new audiobook of Heresy by Melissa Lenhardt I Had all the same love for this queer, diverse, Female driven historical fiction with amazing Trans representation.

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Thank you so much to @hachetteaudio and @librofm for this gifted ALC which was narrated by: Barrie Kreinik, Bailey Carr, Ella Turenne, Nikki Massoud, Natalie Naudus, Imani Jade Powers, and James Fouhey!

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Synopsis from the publisher: Margaret Parker and Hattie LaCour never intended to turn outlaw. After being run off their ranch by a greedy cattleman, their family is left destitute. As women alone they have few choices: marriage, lying on their backs for money, or holding a gun. For Margaret and Hattie the choice is simple. With their small makeshift family, the gang pulls off a series of heists across the West. Though the newspapers refuse to give the female gang credit, their exploits don't go unnoticed. Pinkertons are on their trail, a rival male gang is determined to destroy them, and secrets among the group threaten to tear them apart. Now, Margaret and Hattie must find a way to protect their family, finish one last job, and avoid the hangman's noose.

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I loved this story, and loved it even more because it is based on real women and actual accounts given of their lives. For anyone who loves historical fiction that is strongly rooted in actual history, Heresy is a must read. The full cast of narrators on the audiobook brought these historical women to life. By the end of the story you feel like you know these women and experienced the old west with them. This is truly a story where reality is much crazier than anything that could be dreamed up in fiction. The audiobook came in at just over 14hrs and is out now!

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QOTD: Do you think you would have survived in the Old West? I would definitely not have had what it takes to survive 😂

[bookmama]

What’s the last book that surprised you?

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Thank you so much to @hachettebooks @hachetteaudio and @librofm for the gifted finished copy and ALC of In The Weeds, Around The World And Behind The Scenes With Anthony Bourdain , written and narrated by Tom Vitale. This book had so many layers, but ultimately became a raw, emotional, and uncensored testament to a complicated friendship with a beautifully complicated man. Any fan of Anthony Bourdain was crushed by the news of his death, and through the eyes of his producer/director/friend we see not what only led up to that day, but also who Anthony Bourdain really was when he wasn’t in front of a camera. Some fans will be dismayed or disappointed to see a side of Bourdain that can be easily compared to a school yard bully, but his achingly vulnerable and codependent side while equally heartbreaking somehow balances the picture painted by Vitale. After reading Anthony Bourdain’s books and mourning his death, reading this book was eye opening and heartbreaking. The raw love and respect that you can hear in Tom Vitale’s audiobook narration really hits home how tragic and complicated the life and death of this legend really was. I truly appreciated the uncensored look at the whole person that Vitale was able to share based on his long personal and working relationship with Bourdain. The final result is an account of Bourdain’s life that comes across with respectful truth and lacking any exploitive undertones.

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Both the physical book and audiobook for In The Weeds are available now. The audiobook is narrated by the author and is 8hrs 47mins.

[bookmama]

How was everyone’s Thanksgiving? My kids just went back to school today because apparently in these parts of PA, schools are closed for the first day of hunting season😳🦌 run Bambi run!

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I love this time of year though, now that the pressure of Thanksgiving is over, I am just trying to ease into the holiday season and soak up as much family time as possible. Wanted to share with you a super easy family breakfast I made a couple weeks ago, that would be perfect for a holiday brunch! This is the Chocolate Hazelnut Twist With Fried Bacon from @yvettevanboven new cookbook Home Made Basics! Thank you to @abramsbooks for this gifted review copy as part of #abramsdinnerparty ❤️

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I am not usually a huge fan of adding bacon to sweet recipes, but in this case it made the whole dish next level delicious! This was such a super easy pastry to make, and with it being sweet, slightly salty, and full of satisfying crunch it’s sure to please everyone! This book is out today just in time for the holidays!

[bookmama]

Halfway through November!?! Is it just me or has this month been flying by? I have so many great books in my tbr for #nonfictionnovember and I know I will never get to all of them. Here is one I finished though!

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Thank you so much to @hachetteaudio and @grandcentralpub for the gifted ALC and ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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This was a book I was nervous about reading in audiobook format because it includes how-to’s and recipes that I felt would get lost in audiobook format, but fear not because they are all included in a pdf with the audiobook download. Hooked by Sutton Foster is narrated by the author and comes in at just over 7hrs. I listened at 1.4x for this one. I love how Sutton Foster connects experiences throughout her life to the things she made or were made for her by the people who surrounded her. Thanks to this book I have a very hilarious image of actor Peter Harman crocheting 🧶 😂 The book had me thinking back of recipes that have been handed down and blankets that have been made throughout my own life, and the memories I have attached to them. If you are a fan of her work, or just love behind the scenes glimpses of tv and Broadway, then this is a book to put on your list. Sutton’s book is also highly focused on family, the one you are born into, the one you create, the family that finds you, and the struggles along the way. Strong trigger warnings for miscarriage, and infertility struggles.

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Both the hardcover edition and audiobook are out now for Hooked by Sutton Foster.

[bookmama]

Sweet Baby Briesus! My whole house smells absolutely amazing, and this Garlic-Honey Baked Briesus With Rosemary was a perfect treat to end this week with!

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Thank you so much to @abramsbooks and @cheesesexdeath for this gifted review copy of Cheese Sex Death by Erika Kubrick in exchange for an honest review as part of #abramsdinnerparty 🧀❤️☠️

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As someone who loves cheese but didn’t know a lot about it, this book is amazing resource. It’s fun and quirky Bible format take you through the choosing, care, and eating of all things cheese.

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This specific Brie dish made from a recipe in the book was sinfully good! I will definitely be making this again.

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If you have any cheese lovers on your holiday shopping list, then I highly recommend this book, and maybe pair it with a basket full of cheese!

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QOTD: What is your favorite cheese?

[bookmama]

QOTD: Have you ever done a buddy read with your partner/spouse/significant other?

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Right before we moved @itsjustme0914 and myself listened to the audiobook of Falling by T.J. Newman, narrated by Steven Weber. Thank you to @librofm and @simon.audio for the gifted ALC for review.

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I asked my husband if he wanted in on this one due to his strange fascination with airplane crash documentaries… it’s an odd fascination I know but hey I get a kick out of watching homesteading/off grid living videos on YouTube, so who am I to judge. Overall we both liked this one. It is a fast paced thriller that takes places within a 24 hour time span. The characters are compelling and the commentary on societies ability to just ignore tragedy and suffering is timely. Narrator Steven Weber was excellent at giving individual characters dimension and unique personality. I listened to this one at about 1.3x since Josh was listening as well and doesn’t like the narration super sped up.

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Synopsis from the publisher: You just boarded a flight to New York. There are one hundred and forty-three other passengers onboard. What you don’t know is that thirty minutes before the flight your pilot’s family was kidnapped. For his family to live, everyone on your plane must die. The only way the family will survive is if the pilot follows his orders and crashes the plane. Enjoy the flight.

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This book is out now! Happy Friday everyone!

[bookmama]

Happy Pub Day to this big beautiful cookbook!!!!!!

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Thank you to @w.w.norton and @amandahesser for this gifted review copy of The Essential New York Times Cookbook: The Recipes Of Record! After ten years a new revised edition of this cookbook is being released with 120 new recipes added. This books literally has more than a thousand easy to follow delicious recipes. So many recipes and with such a wide variety to chose from you could literally just open the book to a random page and let fate decide “what’s for dinner?”. Which is exactly what we did! Swipe to see a picture of Pamela Sherrid’s Summer Pasta. This was so easy and delicious, and a perfect meal for those early Fall evenings that are still holding on to the warmth of Summer!

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There are so many things to love about this cookbook, including the detailed serving suggestions that accompany each recipe, the tips and tricks included in the cooking notes, and the stories attached to many recipes.

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If ever you wanted an ultimate reference cookbook that could lead you through just about any type of cuisine imaginable, this would be it. I can’t wait to continue cooking my way through this cookbook after we get through our move.

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QOTD: what dish have you always wanted to make yourself, but haven’t tried yet?