Sarai Henderson's Blog, page 153

Sunday Confessions #46

Hello Sunday! It's been a long week. I got my hands on the new Hunger Games book. If you didn't know, Suzanne Collins came out with a prequel to the fabulous Hunger Games trilogy, so go get your copy. Our county is now in the post Covid 19 phase 1. Not sure what that is going to look like for me, but I'm dying for a haircut. Pandemic hair is not pretty. And, I've lost 5 lbs in all this Kerfuffle. Its been a weird week.
Anyway, lets move on with this weeks confessions.  

Sunday Confessions #45~Weekly Menu #353 And The Book Of The Week~Recipe: Deconstructed Chicken Pot Pie~Book Review: The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner~Book Review: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins~Book Review: The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley

Weekly Menu #354 And The Book Of The Week~Book Review: Creepy Little Things by Chelsea Ichaso~Book Review: Reflection by Elizabeth Lim~Author Interview: Brian Finney~Sunday Confessions #47



42/50 Books in my Read Around the Country challenge~17/196 in my Star Wars Legends challenge~6/20 in my Scotland challenge~39/341 Gilmore Girls challenge~38/100 in my 100 books before you die challenge

I'm ready to get back to normal. Stay safe out there.

Book Review: The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley

Title: The Winter SeaBy: Susanna KearsleyGenre: Time TravelPages: 536Release Date: December 1st, 2010Publisher: Sourcebooks LandmarkRating: ★★★★☆
Summary from Goodreads:In the spring of 1708, an invading Jacobite fleet of French and Scottish soldiers nearly succeeded in landing the exiled James Stewart in Scotland to reclaim his crown.

Now, Carrie McClelland hopes to turn that story into her next bestselling novel. Settling herself in the shadow of Slains Castle, she creates a heroine named for one of her own ancestors and starts to write.

But when she discovers her novel is more fact than fiction, Carrie wonders if she might be dealing with ancestral memory, making her the only living person who knows the truth—the ultimate betrayal—that happened all those years ago, and that knowledge comes very close to destroying her.…
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Review:A mystical time traveling tale that brought the future in line with the past.

The way the author wove a historical tale into a new age story, was really creative. As the main character dreamed about something that happened in the past, she used that story to write her book, but when she begins to research her characters, she finds out that the story might actually be true. Its a wonderful way of doing time travel without actual time travel.

Book Review: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

Title: The Ballad of Songbirds and SnakesBy: Suzanne CollinsGenre: DystopianPages: 540Release Date: May 19th, 2020Publisher: Scholastic PressRating: ★★★★☆
Summary from Goodreads:It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the 10th annual Hunger Games. In the Capitol, 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to out charm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute.

The odds are against him. He's been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low. Their fates are now completely intertwined - every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute... and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes.
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Review:I have to say, I'm kinda torn with this book. As a story, it was really interesting, but as part of the Hunger Games series, I wasn't sucked into the world like I was with the trilogy. I wanted to feel the same excitement and thrills that I felt before, but I was left on the outside of the hunger games with the lack of technology and emotions.
It seemed like everyone was just crazy, and Snow wasn't really Snow, nor did I find out really how he became to be the same man I knew from the trilogy.
With all that being said, after a while I threw out the whole Hunger Games thrill of it all and just enjoyed the book as a new experience instead of a whole series. I loved the music and and the snakes. They really played an intricate part of the story. All in all, it was a pleasant read.

Book Review: The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner

Title: The Jane Austen SocietyBy: Natalie JennerGenre: HistoricalPages: 320Release Date: May 26th, 2020Publisher: St. Martin's PressRating: ★★★★☆
Summary from Goodreads:Just after the Second World War, in the small English village of Chawton, an unusual but like-minded group of people band together to attempt something remarkable.

One hundred and fifty years ago, Chawton was the final home of Jane Austen, one of England's finest novelists. Now it's home to a few distant relatives and their diminishing estate. With the last bit of Austen's legacy threatened, a group of disparate individuals come together to preserve both Jane Austen's home and her legacy. These people—a laborer, a young widow, the local doctor, and a movie star, among others—could not be more different and yet they are united in their love for the works and words of Austen. As each of them endures their own quiet struggle with loss and trauma, some from the recent war, others from more distant tragedies, they rally together to create the Jane Austen Society.

A powerful and moving novel that explores the tragedies and triumphs of life, both large and small, and the universal humanity in us all, The Jane Austen Society is destined to resonate with readers for years to come.
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[image error] Review:If Jane Austen was still alive today, she would love this book. 
A group of people who have seemingly nothing in common, come together over one single longing, the written words of Jane Austen. I've always loved Austen and her way to bring a strong woman to life during a time when the world was against women with a voice. This book really tells the tale of people who need something from her words and how we all need each other to get us through the hard times. 
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.



AUTHOR BIO:Natalie Jenner is the debut author of THE JANE AUSTEN SOCIETY, a fictionaltelling of the start of the society in the 1940s in the village of Chawton, whereAusten wrote or revised her major works. Born in England and raised in Canada,Natalie graduated from the University of Toronto with degrees in EnglishLiterature and Law and has worked for decades in the legal industry. Sherecently founded the independent bookstore Archetype Books in Oakville,Ontario, where she lives with her family and two rescue dogs.

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Recipe: Deconstructed Chicken Pot Pie

As promised, here is the recipe for the chicken pot pie from the menu a few weeks ago. This meal was delicious, and apart form the biscuit, I was able to make it gluten free. The biscuit was for my husband and my kids, but they smelled so delicious. I was sad that i couldn't eat them. I was also too lazy to make my own gluten free biscuits, so who's fault was that? 
Let's get to cooking, shall we?
IngredientsPrepackaged biscuits (I used Grands biscuits)1 1/2 cup chicken stock1 cup whole milk3 tbsp. all purpose flour (or gluten free flour)1 1/2 tsp. poultry seasoning1 chopped small yellow onion
1 c. matchstick carrots
3 tbsp. butter
2 c. shredded rotisserie chicken (or leftover chicken)
1 c. green beans (fresh or frozen)
2 tbsp. parsley

Directions1. Prepare the biscuits according to package.
2. Remove the chicken from bone and put it aside.
3. Cut carrots, onion and green beans.
4. Mix in a bowl chicken stock, milk, flour and poultry seasoning.
5. Over medium heat, cook onion and carrots for 2 to 3 minutes or until soft.
6. Slowly whisk in milk mixture and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer, stirring often until thickened, about 6-8 minutes.
7. Stir in shredded chicken, green beans and parsley and cook until warm. About 4-5 minutes.
8. Add salt and pepper to taste.
9. Serve topped with biscuits.
My youngest son helped me cook this dinner. Although he has an aversion to most foods, he really liked the biscuit. I on the other hand, loved the whole meal. I hope you enjoy, and let me know what you think of this recipe in the comments below.

Weekly Menu #353 And The Book Of The Week

I believe we are finally moving on. The county is in phase one of opening back up and things are starting to feel like they are going back to normal. It's been rough. I'm not going to lie. The boys are feeling the strain of living inside the house for the last two months, and its all about to blow up... I can feel it. We need to get out of this house.
The read of the week is The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins. I've been waiting forever for this book and I was shockingly surprised how fast I was able to obtain it from the library. I can't wait to dive in. Are you as excited as I am?
I'm trying some new recipes on the menu this week. They sound delicious and I can't wait to see how they go. If you like the menu, leave me a comment below. I'd love to hear what you think about the new recipes. Enjoy.
MENU MondayBalsamic Fig Chicken
TuesdayMexican Pork & Street Corn Tacos
WednesdayBlack Pepper Chicken Stir Fry
ThursdayGrilled Beef and Mushroom Burger
FridaySpicy Korean Pork Bowls
SaturdayBlack Bean Quesadillas
SundayLeftovers Night

Sunday Confessions #45

Sunday is one of my favorite days.... and one of my least favorite... I don't have to work. The whole family is home and I can do pretty much whatever I want... After I finish the cleaning, laundry and grocery shopping. Usually all the things I want to do are in the afternoons. Still, I can hear the birds chirping this morning and the weather is fairly nice, although a little on the chilly side. 
I read some really great books this week and have some reviews to share with you, so lets get to it.

Sunday Confessions #44~Weekly Menu #352 And The Book Of The Week~Book Review: Date Me, Bryson Keller by Kevin Van Whye~Book Review: The Unseen Force by Catherine Fitzsimmons~Movie Review: Frozen 2~Book Review: The Gift of Forgiveness by Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt

Weekly Menu #353 And The Book Of The Week~Book Review: The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner~Book Review: The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley~Sunday Confessions #46



39/50 Books in my Read Around the Country challenge~17/196 in my Star Wars Legends challenge~6/20 in my Scotland challenge~39/341 Gilmore Girls challenge~38/100 in my 100 books before you die challenge

Its been a wonderful week full of reading and relaxation. I'm hoping to finish up some review books this week and dive back into my challenge books. Hope you have a wonderful book filled week. Stay safe.

Book Review: The Gift of Forgiveness by Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt

Title: The Gift of ForgivenessBy: Katherine Schwarzenegger PrattGenre: Non-FictionPages: 224Release Date: March 10th, 2020Publisher: Pamela Dorman BooksRating: ★★★☆☆
Summary from Goodreads:A fresh, inspiring book on learning how to forgive--with firsthand stories from those who have learned to let go of resentment and find peace

"When we learn to embrace forgiveness, it opens us up to healing, hope, and a new world of possibility." --Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt

Written with grace and understanding and based on more than twenty in-depth interviews and stories as well as personal reflections from Schwarzenegger Pratt herself, The Gift of Forgiveness is about one of the most difficult challenges in life--learning to forgive. Here, Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt shows us what we can learn from those who have struggled with forgiveness, some still struggling, and others who have been able to forgive what might seem truly unforgivable. The book features experiences from those well-known and unknown, including Elizabeth Smart, who learned to forgive her captors; Sue Klebold, whose son, Dylan, was one of the Columbine shooters, learning empathy and how to forgive herself; Chris Williams, who forgave the drunken teenager who killed his wife and child; and of course Schwarzenegger Pratt's own challenges and path to forgiveness in her own life. All provide different journeys to forgiveness and the process--sometimes slow and thorny, sometimes almost instantaneous--by which they learned to forgive and let go.

The Gift of Forgiveness is a perfect blend of personal insights, powerful quotations, and hard-won wisdom for those seeking a way to live with greater acceptance, grace, and peace.
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Review:This book had some interesting stories of people who went through something tragic, but managed to find forgiveness in the end. Although the stories were different, they all felt like they were worded the same and they became repetitive. I think the stories would have had more of an impact on me if they were told by the people behind them, but instead the book was a little lacking in emotion.
The author is a good writer, but I wanted her story. What did she have to forgive? How did she deal with this emotion? Or did she? These are the things I was wanting.


Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

Movie Review: Frozen 2

Title: Frozen 2Genre: Animated FantasyRelease Date: November 22nd, 2019My Rating: ★★★★☆IMDB Rating: 6.9/10Cast: Summary from IMDB: Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven leave Arendelle to travel to an ancient, autumn-bound forest of an enchanted land. They set out to find the origin of Elsa's powers in order to save their kingdom.
IMDB Trailer

Review:This was a fun movie. The plot explores the past of Arendelle and the princesses parents, how they came from two different backgrounds and united the kingdom. But within the past, they find troubling consequences that have gone on for many years. This was a story of adventure and above all else, love... Of course...
These characters make me laugh every time I see them. My youngest son used to make me watch the first movie two to three times a day when it first came out. I can quote the whole movie to you, sing every line. This movie gave me the same feels. I want to hate it, because we watch it so much, but I can't. 
The music was magical and amazing, and the humor from our favorite snowman is just the best. 
If you have young kids, or even if you don't, this movie was worth watching at least once... or twice... or ten times... 

Book Review: The Unseen Force by Catherine Fitzsimmons

Title: The Unseen ForceBy: Catherine FitzsimmonsGenre: FantasyPages: 306Release Date: June 19th, 2020Publisher: Brain LagRating: ★★★☆☆
Summary from Goodreads:The Battle of Albrith is over. The battle for Faneria has just begun.

Magic is forbidden in Faneria. That's why it came as a complete surprise when the king's city was attacked by a band of rogue mages. Though they were thwarted, Damian Sires, instrumental in their defeat, is known for only one thing--her magic.

She returns home to a cold welcome and an even greater threat looming. For Niabi, servant of the Gods of Light, is amassing an army far to the west. After Niabi fought the Goddess of Chaos in the streets of Albrith with no thought to the damage she caused, Damian knows that this Army of Light spells disaster.

Guarded at all times and accompanied by a former mercenary with a dark past, Damian sets out to stop Niabi from wreaking havoc on her country. However, even more dangerous secrets and plots are about to emerge... 
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Review:This was a good book with a very interesting story. I loved the magic use and how magic was forbidden. It made the story feel more suspenseful.

The characters felt easy and lovable, but I wanted more from them. They lacked depth at times and I needed more back story to fill in the gaps. I might have known more about them if I had read the first book, but since I didn't I was left a little lost. Still, they were wonderful characters.

The reason why I couldn't give this book a higher rating was the world building. It felt like the author was just pulling us through the story down a straight line without any color. I wanted depth and textures. I wanted to know what the world around me looked like and I lost that as the story progressed.

All in all, this was a fascinating story with an intriguing plot line. Thank you to the author for a copy of this book to review.