I don’t like to rate books. I am on a few Facebook groups with fellow book lovers and it shocks me, some of the books people don’t like! But, I realize that we all have different tastes and what I like might not necessarily be something that you like. That’s why I give you my did not finish list. These are amazing books that just didn’t hit for me… At that time. I’m not going to lie, Where the Crawdads Sing… It wasn’t my favourite. I liked it, but it definitely is not a book that I held close at the end or even thought about again. To each their own! When I recommend books for certain people, I try to pick books for those specific people. Not what I would like but a book that they would like. Like my MIL, she is a reader, so I try to pick books everyone is talking about but may not be on her list to give her new books to read. My Sister doesn’t have time to read so when she asks, I try to get a BIG punch of humour and NOT her typical head bending thriller lol. Because books make you feel and everybody feels differently. This month I read some great books… for me, but I hope you like them too!
I love challenges! I used to be in a competitive step challenge and it is killing me not to challenge myself at something, so last year I joined the Ultimate Book Nerd Challenge at our local library. This year I joined again, but I’m way over halfway through it… And it’s only July. Plus, I read other books that don’t necessarily fit the challenge themes. So I joined a summer book challenge! Now I have a place for all those, also reads! BAHAHAHA
The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata I took this out because Winnipeg is my hometown, but was pleasantly surprised by this great read! I really liked Vanessa and her communication style as well as the value of knowing her worth. I like books about assistants, as I was an EA and really enjoyed it. This was a slow burn read. I definitely wouldn’t call it a romance, but it is a love story.
Her Hidden Genius by Marie Benedict This book peaked my interest right from the beginning. The thoughtful scientific questions that were brought up in the first few pages, let me know that I would be thinking a lot while reading this book. I’m so happy I got to read about Dr Rosalind Franklin. Women’s contribution to science is so often overlooked in history. Her story is so important and I found the entire book very interesting.
Same time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan This was an easy read, perfect for the beach! I like how they discussed mental health and therapy in this book. I enjoyed the main characters and their families and how the author wrote in the then and the now. This allowed us to see Sam and Wyatt’s friendship from the beginning, what happened to their teenage romance, and how their adult lives turned out because of their relationship.
The Vanishing Half by Britt Bennett There is a lot going on in this book. Racism, abuse, being transgender and so many lies. I really liked this book and it kept me turning the page wanting to know what would happen with these two sisters and their daughters who were so different but so similar. Four women that managed to find each other despite the odds throughout the years. However, I wasn’t a big fan of the end. I like happy endings or at least endings with closure, I didn’t feel like this book gave me that.
The Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros I’m not a dragon fan but this book was addictive right from the first page. I really enjoyed the banter and relationship between Violet and Xaden and I love the dynamic between the dragons and their riders. I would be terrified if I was a first year!! This is an action packed story! The twist at the end leaves me excited for the second book.
The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller This story takes place over one day, but Eleanor continuously jumps back into the past to show us memories of how she became who she is on that very day. The book is about choices, love, abuse and regret. The author is very descriptive and you can picture the story clearly as she tells it. Trigger warning there is a lot of sexual abuse in this book. It made me think and even though it was serious, it had wit and I enjoyed reading Eleanor’s story.
The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese This is a long book. It is not going to leave you on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next. But, it is beautifully written and some of the descriptions about simple things caught me by surprise and made me wonder why I hadn’t looked at things that way before. I had no prior knowledge of India before this book. I Googled SO much. The history and cultural differences were fascinating. There are a few different stories happening, probably why the book is so long, and they are all fascinating and they capture your heart. Spanning over 77 years, I fell in love with these characters and all the love and hardships in their lives. I was so sad to finish this book.
Next of Kin by Hannah Bonam-Young This is a cute Hallmark type of book with a little spice, and with a serious side. Two young people fighting to keep their siblings out of the foster care system and away from their addict parents. Having ASL as a second language in this book was also something I enjoyed. This was a quick read that gave made me laugh and warmed my heart.
Fangirl Down by Tessa Bailey I’m a big golf fan! This is a hilarious, SPICY, thoughtful book with great banter and lots of witty flirting. I really liked that the main character has diabetes and it shines a light on the disease and the difficulties people that have it face daily. The Masters is my favourite tournament and I loved this sporty rom com.
Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez This book had a bit of everything romance, humour, and endearing characters. It also talked about mental health, abuse, and society’s class structures. I liked the supporting characters and even the town was a character with almost mystical qualities. I’m looking forward to the next book exploring Bri’s future relationship status.
The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield My Mom read this back in the 90’s and I remember her gushing about it. It’s funny how things have changed over the last 30 years. While some of these thoughts in the book may have seemed new at the time, nowadays, we talk about a higher vibration and energy and basically all of the insights from this prophecy, all the time. While I thought the ideas in this book were interesting, there isn’t much of a story. I wish there was more character development and there was more of a storyline.
Also Read:
Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice by Elle Cosimano This might be the funniest book of the series yet! What can go wrong when Finlay and Vero take a road trip to Atlantic city with Finlay‘s mom, 2 kids, ex-husband, sister and her new girlfriend, her new cop boyfriend, and his dirty ex cop friend? Lol I’m all caught up in the series now and have to wait for the next book, I hope it comes out soon!
Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez At first, I couldn’t remember Briana, but then it didn’t even matter. Briana is quick, funny, and smart! I laughed out loud, literally throughout this entire book! I love how Jimenez describes mental health. This was a fun book that made me happy, it’s like a hilarious Hallmark movie but dirtier.
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez This is the third book in the Part of Your World series and they just keep getting better. You don’t need to read these books in order as they are loosely attached, although this one would definitely give away the endings of the first 2. These books are hilarious, thoughtful, and I absolutely love the relationships between the romantic couple and all of the supporting characters in this book and the rest of the series.
The Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros This could’ve been 2 books but I’m glad it wasn’t because I probably would’ve been on hold at the library for the third one too lol. I just love Violet. I love her relationship with her siblings, her dragons, her friends, her allies, her enemies, and especially with Xaden. However, they are separated for the majority of this book so I missed their day today sparring and interactions. This is an action packed book that is constantly moving the plot forward. I was expecting her second year of her education to be written, similar to the first. It isn’t, there are new storylines, characters, problems, and surprises. Although it seems like 3 separate stories jammed into one big novel, it all comes full circle at the end. I have to say, I am not happy with the ending. When does the next one come out again? Lol
The Honey Don’t List by Christina Lauren This was a cute and easy read, especially if you like the HGTV network! This book was like a behind-the-scenes account of Chip and Joanna Gaines if their entire marriage wasn’t actually the way it seems to the world. Told from the sides of the two assistants, this is a funny book all about the dues and don’ts of romance.
Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle I have read this author before (In Five Years) and this book has a similar vibe. Each chapter tells the story of a different relationship. The concept of the book is very intriguing and I was left still guessing throughout the book where my loyalties were but in the end I was right from the beginning. Cute almost fantastical book that is quirky.
Remember to click the TITLE of the TREAT to go directly to the recipe!
HBear is a huge shortbread fan! Grandma makes it every Christmas, but I just do not have the patience for shortbread. Then I saw this recipe for Amish Sugar Cookies and I knew I had hit the jackpot! First, simple baking ingredients that make 4 dozen cookies… Done! Lol Next, they literally take 15 minutes to make maybe 18 lol and third, they melt in your mouth like shortbread! We kept out a few and froze the rest and we bring out a handful every week and they are a complete delight!
Coming from a family of lifelong Girl Guiders, I know Girl Guide cookies. At least I know Canadian Girl Guide cookies, but I’ve always been interested in the Samoan Girl Scout cookies in America! We combined tried, tested and true rice crispy treats with a Samoan flare, and these Samoa Rice Krispie Treats were sticky, sweet, and absolutely delicious!
My Nana’s chocolate chip cookie recipe is the only recipe I go to for chocolate chip cookies. However, a friend sent me her family chocolate chip cookie recipe, and asked me to give it a try, so we did! Jeanie’s Chocolate Chip Cookies are nothing like my Nana’s cookies, but in their own way, they are just as good! The mix of dark chocolate and milk chocolate, the chewiness in the middle, but the snap of the outside, OMG these didn’t even make it to the freezer! 2 dozen, gone in 2 days lol next time I will double it. We did two different pans, one baked for 10 minutes and 1 for 7 minutes and we preferred 7 minutes but you do you, baking times are a preference in this case.
We love muffins in this house. The only thing we like more than muffins, is s’mores! Put them together and these S’mores Muffins were chocked full of chocolatey, marshmallowy, and graham crackery deliciousness. They have an excellent depth of flavour and they didn’t last long! These are the perfect summer treat especially while we are on fire watch and have campfire bans!
If you live in Canada, you have been to Tim Hortons. When I was a kid, my two favourite doughnuts were the Wallet Crunch and the Cherry Almond Bar. Unfortunately, both of those doughnuts have been retired! Our cherry season was dismal this year because of, well, climate change, so while I still wanted that summer cherry flavour, I looked at maraschino cherries instead of bing cherries and took inspiration from Tim Hortons to make the this amazing Cherry Almond Bread! It tasted just like my favourite doughnut but giant and so easy and SO good!
The first thing my Kids want in the summer is, peanut butter! With peanut allergies at both of the Kid’s schools, they don’t get peanut butter and jam all year long. Now that it is summer, I wanted to treat the kids to a new peanut butter and jelly treat. These Peanut Butter & Jelly Blondies were so good! Chewy Blondies with sticky jelly and salty peanut butter? Yes please! I have to make another pan though because I ate more of them than the kids did lol.
Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup canola oil
1 cup sugar
1 cup icing sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
4-1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
Directions
Preheat oven to 375°. In a large bowl, beat the butter, oil and sugars. Beat in eggs until well blended. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and cream of tartar; gradually add to creamed mixture.
Drop by small teaspoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake until lightly browned, 8-10 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool.
Ingredients
5 cups mini marshmallows
3 tablespoons butter
6 cups Rice Krispie cereal
14 oz bag sweetened shredded coconut
2 tablespoons milk
1 (13.4 oz) can dulce de leche
6 oz chocolate chips, melted
Directions
In a large saute pan, pour the entire bag of shredded coconut and cook over medium-high heat.
Constantly stir and flip the coconut until a majority of it is golden brown. When a majority of it is toasted, remove from heat and continue to stir for another two minutes. It will continue to cook as the pan is still hot.
When the coconut is toasted, remove ½ cup of coconut and set aside. Heat the dulce de leche in a microwave safe bowl with the the milk for about 1 1/2 minutes.
Mix together the dulce de leche mixture with the remaining toasted coconut that hasn't been set aside.
In another large microwavable bowl, melt together the marshmallows and butter. In my microwave it takes about 2 minutes. Once melted, mix together the marshmallow and butter together.
Pour in the cereal and mix well.
In a greased 8X12 pan, place half of the cereal mixture and pat down. Then spread in the layer of caramel coconut. Place remaining cereal mixture on top and press down.
Melt the chocolate chips and spread on top. While it is melted, garnish with the ½ cup. of remaining toasted coconut. Wait until the chocolate hardens and then serve.
Ingredients
8 tablespoons butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups plus 3 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
6 ounces dark chocolate
2 ounces chocolate chips
Directions
In a large bowl, with a wooden spoon, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth. Then add the egg, vanilla and salt. Stir just until combined.
Sift in the flour, baking soda and baking powder. Stir gently just until combined. Add the chocolate. Stir just until evenly distributed throughout the dough. Cover and refrigerate for minimum 30 minutes better if overnight.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
Scoop up 1-inch balls of the dough with a spoon and set them 2 inches apart on the prepared pans. Bake the cookies, rotating the pans after 7 to 9 minutes, for 13 to 17 minutes until the cookies are golden brown. If you like a very soft cookie, bake them for 13 minutes. If you like a crisp cookie, bake them for 17 minutes. Transfer to racks and let cool.
Ingredients
⅓ cup oil
1½ cup flour
½ cup cocoa powder
¾ cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/4 cup graham crackers, crushed
- Streusel
1 tablespoon butter, melted
2 tablespoons sugar
⅓ cup marshmallows, chopped
2 tablespoons graham crackers, crushed
Directions
Heat the oven to 350°F.
Grease a 12-cup muffin tin with a little oil or line it with paper muffin cups.
Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
Beat together the eggs, milk, vanilla, and oil in a medium bowl.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir just enough to combine everything.
Gently fold the chocolate chips, graham crackers, and marshmallows into the batter. Distribute the batter among the muffin cups, filling them about two-thirds full.
Mix the streusel topping and sprinkle over the top of the muffins.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the centre of a muffin, comes out clean. Cool the pan on a rack for 5 minutes before removing the muffins.
Ingredients
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup oil
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
2 1/4 cup flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 8 oz. jar maraschino cherries, chopped, juice reserved
Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Grease and flour (or line with parchment paper) two 8x4-inch loaf pans; set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, cream sugar and oil; add eggs, vanilla and almond extract and beat well.
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour and baking powder.
Measure out 1/2 cup of the reserved maraschino cherry juice.
Alternately add the flour mixture and cherry juice to the sugar mixture until it is just combined.
Stir in the chopped cherries.
Divide batter evenly between both loaf pans. Bake for about 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool in pan for 10 minutes, then invert to a wire rack and cool completely.
Peanut Butter & Jelly Blondies
9
bars15
minutes45
minutes22-27
minutesIngredients
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter, melted
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 egg
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 1/4 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup jelly
Directions
Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8-by-8-inch pan with aluminum foil, spray with cooking spray; set aside.
Melt the butter in the microwave for about 45 seconds. To the melted butter, add 1/4 cup peanut butter and heat for 30 to 45 seconds to soften the peanut butter. Stir until the melted butter-peanut butter mixture is smooth and combined.
Add the brown sugar and stir to combine. Add the egg, vanilla, and stir to combine. Add the flour, salt, and stir until just combined, taking care not to over-mix or the blondies will be tough. Pour thick batter into prepared pan, smoothing it lightly with a spatula.
Drizzle or dollop 1/4 cup peanut butter on top of the batter. Drizzle or dollop 1/4 cup jelly, on top of the batter. Using a knife, marble the peanut butter and jelly in a zig-zag pattern, up and back, back and forth, across the pan until peanut butter and jelly is dispersed and marbled.
Bake for 22 to 27 minutes, or until edges begin to slightly pull away from sides of pan, center is set and golden, and a toothpick comes out clean; do not overbake. Allow blondies to cool for at least 45 minutes before slicing.
I can’t believe how fast this week went by! Everything goes by quickly when you’re asleep for the majority of the day! Although my stomach flu only lasted less than a week, the repercussions of my body going through that, lasted a whole lot longer. Today, I am still recuperating. While I am able to get up, the pain has lessened, and my MS symptoms are slowly going back to normal… The fatigue is still crippling. I was unable to do anything this week with my Brother, his girlfriend, and their Kids. We managed to get me down the stairs well enough to go to the family photo shoot we had planned on Wednesday. I slept for 2 days straight after that one.
I’m just grateful that they were here. I’m grateful that my Kids got to experience a week with all their Castle Cousins! I am so grateful to Ninja for loving me enough to do whatever was needed to make my family’s holiday a success. I’m grateful to my Sis for taking over the majority of the planning and, organizing before the visit and throughout. And I’m grateful for my Bro, his family, and my Uncle and Aunt, who came out for a visit and they ALL totally understood where I was at, empathized, and still made me feel included. I will discuss more about my MS pseudo flare in my post next week!
The week started out with HBear bringing me home more library books that I had on hold! My eyes have been really bothering me, and I have been unable to read for weeks! Despite a last-minute cancelled WestJet flight and some crazy western Canadian connections, my Big Bro, PrettyP, and my Bro’s GF and her daughter who I am going to call SnowFlake or SFlake from now on (she is quite the little individual from Wpg white a winterish last name!), finally arrived! They came upstairs for a visit, did a quick house tour, and then they had a backyard family barbecue!
The next day, the whole crew took the island and floated down the channel! That evening, we managed a quick photo shoot, our first one in years!!! They finished with tacos and brews at Neighbourhood Brewing. The next day was a bit cooler so UncleK took all the Kids downtown for some Penticton treats and shopping! My Uncle and Aunt from Cochrane were passing through and we were fortunate enough to get in a quick visit with them too!
On Friday, it was beach day! The weather has definitely cooled down from our heat wave last week making it a bearable temperature to be out in the sun all day! The Kids enjoyed the Witbit until the water was deemed unhealthy and everybody had to get out… And go to Lickety Splitz for ice cream! Lol and then it was time for them to say goodbye to Penticton and me. The whole gang was off to Kelowna for the next few days to spend some time with my Sis and her family! My Bro even got to help tend to my Sister’s, beautiful little community garden, and boy do the Kids love weeklong sleepovers!
On Saturday it was my Bro’s 50th birthday! That’s crazy! I can’t believe my Bro is 50?! How did that happen? For his big day we rented a pontoon boat equipped with a waterslide, barbecue, and tube… the Kids had a blast, everybody enjoyed themselves, from what I hear and through the videos and pictures it was an amazing day! My Bro even caught a fish!
Back at home, I am still on a beige diet as anything with too much flavour or acidity turns me right off. I watched the Canadian women’s gymnastics team semi finals before the whole family was off to Summerland! My Sis and BIL took everybody to Lightning Rock Winery where they are numbers. Then they headed over to Summerland Heritage Cider, where my Bro used to help press apples when our cousin Tom was still alive and owned it! Of course, no stop in Summerland is complete without a stop at Summerland Sweets for ice cream! They ended their day letting the Kids runoff some steam at Scandia winning prizes and driving Go Karts! From there it was the last supper at my Sister’s house before the final goodbyes. What a week!
5 thoughts on “July Reading & Summer Baking”
Amazing, love those Amish cookies.
Thanks so much for participating and sharing at SSPS 321. See you again next week at #322 https://esmesalon.com/tag/seniorsalonpitstop/
They are SO good, they melt in your mouth and make 4 dozen!!! Win win! See you next week!
I’m always on the lookout for book reviews and recommendations, so I really appreciated reading your list. And Wow! what wonderful baking delights.
Visiting today from SSPS 321 #92&93.
Wonderful! Enjoy the best things in life, books and baking! LOL Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
Your blog is a constant source of inspiration for me. Your passion for your subject matter is palpable, and it’s clear that you pour your heart and soul into every post. Keep up the incredible work!