Can You Keep a Secret?

A random recommendation from a 20 year old book addict...

Since 10th grade I have been fascinated and enchanted by Sophie Kinsella's books. My love for the author began with "Confessions of a Shopaholic" and its series. For years I had forgotten how much I adored Sophie Kinsella. This last year sparked a new urge to devour all of her books. I believe I have only left one unread. Other than the original Shopaholic book, one has stuck out primarily as one of the funniest books I have ever read-- "Can You Keep a Secret?"

Emma Corrigan is a girl that seeks approval from those around her by refusing to tell them the truth about her life. She doesn't hide major details... just minor ones like whether or not she likes the opera or can do math in her head. Simple things like that. At the beginning of the book she finds herself on a crashing plane plummeting to the end of her life. Not wanting to leave the world a liar, Emma divulges ALL of her secrets to the man seating next to her. A man whom, unbeknown to her, is the CEO of the company she works for!

Kinsella places Emma in some of the most awkwardly hilarious situations that had me LAUGHING OUT LOUD TO MYSELF the entire time! Seriously. I'd be reading in a crowded place giggling to myself. But I was not ashamed because all of the laughs were well deserved. It is a frivolous read but one with which you should treat yourself.

Using laughter as my medicine,
Nicole

Cutting for Stone

Menu: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

As previously mentioned, Oskar, the nine-year-old boy in this book is a vegan.  Now I can finally implement my professional vegan-cooking skills into my personal life by utilizing my recipes to share among friends.  Oh glorious use of my job!

By the way, this book has made me laugh, cry, laugh some more and then weep in a corner of my room while shoving my face with licorice.

In this menu I am using like ingredients in all of the dishes to cut on costs:

Appetizer-  Sundried Tomato-Basil Hummus served with Crudites

In a food processor, blend

• 1 clove of garlic
• 2 tsp tahini (tahini is blended sesame seeds..if you don't have it, use 1 tsp peanut butter)
• 1 can of garbanzo beans
• 1 tbsp FRESH squeezed lemon juice (whoever invented the plastic-bottled lime and lemon juices should be jailed)
• 2 oil-packed sundried tomatoes
• Handful of fresh basil (usually a "handful" means a handful)
• Dash of salt  (usually a "dash" slightly exceeds a pinch)
• Drizzle of olive oil (usually a "drizzle" doesn't exceed a tablespoon)

Salad- Pesto Quinoa
Quinoa- make according to boxed directions then cool and set aside

Blend in processor or blender:

• two handfuls of basil 
• one garlic clove
• 1/4 cup of cashews
• juice of half lemon
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

Mix with quinoa

Add chopped tomatoes, spinach, kalamata olives, artichoke hearts, peppers...anything your taste buds desire-- more garbanzo beans

Entree- Baked Pasta

Boil pasta of your choice (i'm using quinoa rigatoni) three minutes under instructed time

Faux Ricotta-  Crumble firm tofu with "dash" of dried oregano, basil and thyme (or 3 dashes of Italian Seasoning)

Mix with jar of your favorite tomato sauce, veggies such as zucchini, chopped and wilted spinach, ripped basil, and the faux soy Italian sausage.  Mix in "al dente" pasta, pour in casserole dish and bake covered on 350 for 20 minutes.

Dessert courtesy of my friend Jen:  Guilty Chocolate Chip Fudge Heaven Muffins

• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/2 cup raw sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 tsp almond extract
• 3/4 cup oat flour
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup semisweet vegan chocolate chips
• 1 dash cinnamon

Mix in ONE BOWL!!! That's the best instruction EVER given to someone who can't bake.  Bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes in a nonstick or sprayed muffin sheet rotating halfway through.


Voila!  Vegan food is delicious....although ice cream, cheese and pizza with sausage will never allow me to delve into that diet completely.

Snacking on vegan chocolate chips,
Danielle

The Shadow of the Wind

A random recommendation from a random girl--
Provided by a 20 year old book addict.

Throughout the last 3 years of college I have heard numerous classmates create homage to the idea that alcoholism is not a problem until after college. But for me, alcoholism won't ever be a problem. I don't plan on getting addicted to alcohol-- because I am, and always will be, addicted to books. I don't read for class, I never have. I don't do homework or study for tests. Rarely have I been seen doing either of those activities. It is with a random book in my hand every few days that people recognize me.

No one has time to start a book club with me while at school-- so I get my book recommendations from a 70 year old receptionist in the housing office. As I've learned from this blog, age is not a barrier when it comes to a common love of books. In the words of the late, great Aaliyah-- age ain't nothing but a number, baby.


The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon was a book offered to me not by my receptionist friend but by another book addict. Although I was originally taken back by its length I was immediately mesmerized by its content..
Few books have ever captivated my attention quite as fast and fully as The Shadow of the Wind. It was all I could think, dream, or talk about.
The story of a bookseller's son, The Shadow of the Wind follows the main character on a journey to unravel the mystery of the author Julian Carax and the obliteration of Carax's books. As the story unfolds it becomes clear that Carax's life is no clear tale but one of deception, heartbreak, and backstabbing lies.

By far one of the best reads this addict has read in a long time (maybe since A Wrinkle in Time in 6th grade), I jump at the opportunity to have it be the first book I recommend to the devoted babes of this blog.


Awaiting my next dose,
Nicole