Sarai Henderson's Blog, page 4

Weekly Menu #625 And The Book Of The Week

 

This week we’re heading north to explore the cozy, hearty flavors of Sweden! While Swedish cuisine is often thought of in terms of meatballs and potatoes, there’s so much more to discover. Fresh fish, root vegetables, crisp rye breads, and bright pops of dill and lingonberry. I’ve built this menu with a focus on high protein and plenty of veggies, so it’s nourishing while still carrying that comforting Nordic feel. From creamy shrimp salad on rye crispbread to herb crusted cod and roasted root veggies, this week’s dishes are all about balance, simplicity, and flavor.
Alongside these Scandinavian plates, I’ve been diving into The Mad Wife by Meagan Church. It’s a haunting and emotional read, set in a time when women’s voices were often silenced, and it explores the heartbreaking reality of what could happen to those who didn’t fit into society’s expectations. Church’s storytelling is both beautiful and devastating, and it’s the kind of book that lingers with you long after you’ve set it down, making it a striking contrast to the warmth and comfort of this week’s menu.

WEEKLY MENU

Monday

Swedish Turkey Meatballs

Kids - Cheese and noodles

 

Tuesday

Oven-Baked Chicken with Mustard-Dill Crust

With Brussels sprouts and quinoa

Kids - Chicken Nuggets and carrots

 

Wednesday

Stuffed Bell Peppers with mushrooms

Kids - Cheese Quesadillas

 

Thursday

Grilled Trout with Roasted Asparagus

Kids - Chicken tenders with apple sauce

 

Friday

Roast Chicken with Dill Roasted Carrots & Broccoli

Kids - Chips and Cheese

 

Saturday

Beef Stew with mushrooms and carrots

Kids - Crackers and veggie plate

 

Sunday

Leftovers Night

Sunday Confessions #322

 

It’s time for another round of Sunday Confessions, where I spill the bookish truths, quirks, and behind the scenes moments of my reading life. From half finished reads to guilty pleasures, unexpected favorites, or the little struggles only fellow bookworms understand, this is my space to be honest about the highs and lows of the week. So grab a cup of coffee and settle in. It’s confession time.

Sunday Confessions #321~Weekly Menu #624 And The Book Of The Week~Novella Review: A Gentleman's Guide to Getting Lucky by Mackenzi Lee~Arc Review: The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer~Three Star Thursday~Book Review: The Girl with the Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier

Weekly Menu #625 And The Book Of The Week~
ARC Review: This is how a Villian is Made by Amanda Headlee~ARC Review: Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist by Daniel Pollack-Pilzner~ARC Review: Play Nice by Rachel Harrison~ARC Review: To Clutch a Razor by Veronica Roth~Sunday Confessions #323





Diary of an AssCanAndy Weir
★★★☆☆
Diary of an AssCan by Andy Weir was… not it for me. Ugh. Compared to the brilliance of The Martian, this one just fell flat. The humor didn’t land, the storytelling felt clunky, and overall it lacked the sharp wit and engaging pace that made The Martian so unforgettable. Honestly, I’d recommend skipping this one until after you’ve read The Martian, otherwise you might never realize how perfect that book really is.







291/100 2025 Reading Challenge~114/217 in my Star Wars Legends challenge~19/20 2024 Goodreads Fantasy Nominees Reading Challenge


That’s it for this week’s confessions. Thank you for letting me share the messy, funny, and honest side of my reading journey. I’d love to hear your own bookish truths in the comments, because let’s be real, we all have them. Until next Sunday, happy reading and may your next book be a five star favorite!

Book Review: The Girl with the Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier

 

Title: Girl With A Pearl Earring

By: Tracy Chevalier

Genre: Historical

Pages: 233

Release Date: 1999

Rating: ★★★★★

 

Summary from Goodreads:With precisely 35 canvases to his credit, the Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer represents one of the great enigmas of 17th-century art. The meager facts of his biography have been gleaned from a handful of legal documents. Yet Vermeer's extraordinary paintings of domestic life, with their subtle play of light and texture, have come to define the Dutch golden age. His portrait of the anonymous Girl with a Pearl Earring has exerted a particular fascination for centuries—and it is this magnetic painting that lies at the heart of Tracy Chevalier's second novel of the same title.
Girl with a Pearl Earring centers on Vermeer's prosperous Delft household during the 1660s. When Griet, the novel's quietly perceptive heroine, is hired as a servant, turmoil follows. First, the 16-year-old narrator becomes increasingly intimate with her master. Then Vermeer employs her as his assistant—and ultimately has Griet sit for him as a model.

 

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Review:Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier is a beautifully written and captivating novel. I loved every page of this read. The prose is elegant, the historical detail vivid, and the characters come alive with quiet intensity. Chevalier brings Vermeer’s world to life in a way that feels both intimate and timeless. A stunning story that lingers long after the last word.

Three Star Thursday

 

Welcome back to Three Star Thursday, where I share the books that landed right in the middle of my rating scale. These aren’t bad reads by any means, but they didn’t sweep me off my feet either. They had moments I enjoyed, balanced with parts that left me wanting more. Sometimes that makes for the most interesting discussions, so let’s dive into this week’s trio of three star reads.

Through Gates of Garnet and GoldSeanan McGuire
Publication Date: January 6th, 2026
Through Gates of Garnet and Gold by Seanan McGuire wasn’t quite the hit I hoped it would be. The concept had promise, but I found myself struggling to stay engaged and often lost focus while reading. A decent read overall, but it didn’t fully capture my attention.







AftermathChuck Wendig

Aftermath by Chuck Wendig wasn’t my favorite Star Wars read, but it still had its bright spots. The pacing and style didn’t fully click for me, yet I really enjoyed seeing some of the old, familiar characters return. A mixed experience overall, but worth it for the nostalgia factor.









The Sweetest FruitsMonique Truong
The Sweetest Fruits by Monique Truong had so much potential, but it ended up being a bit of a letdown for me. I stumbled across this book while on vacation, and while it started off with a wonderful story, the momentum quickly faltered. Instead of deepening the narrative, the author shifts into summarizing one character before moving on to the next, which happens several times. This structure broke up the pacing and flow, leaving the book feeling disjointed and ultimately disappointing.

Arc Review: The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer

 

Title: The House Saphir

By: Marissa Meyer

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 432

Release Date: November 4th, 2025

Rating: ★★★★☆

 

Summary from Goodreads:Mallory Fontaine is a fraud. Though she comes from a long line of witches, the only magic she possesses is the ability to see ghosts, which is rarely as useful as one would think. She and her sister have maintained the family business, eking out a paltry living by selling fraudulent spells to gullible buyers and conducting tours of the infamous mansion where the first of the Saphir murders took place.
Mallory is a self-proclaimed expert on Count Bastien Saphir - otherwise known as Monsieur Le Bleu - who brutally killed three of his wives more than a century ago. But she never expected to meet Bastien's great-grandson and heir to the Saphir estate. Armand is handsome, wealthy, and convinced that the Fontaine Sisters are as talented as they claim. The perfect mark. When he offers Mallory a large sum of money to rid his ancestral home of Le Bleu's ghost, she can’t resist. A paid vacation at Armand’s country manor? It’s practically a dream come true, never mind the ghosts of murdered wives and the monsters that are as common as household pests.
But when murder again comes to the House Saphir, Mallory finds herself at the center of the investigation—and she is almost certain the killer is mortal. If she has any hope of cashing in on the payment she was promised, she’ll have to solve the murder and banish the ghost, all while upholding the illusion of witchcraft.
But that all sounds relatively easy compared to her biggest learning to trust her heart. Especially when the person her heart wants the most might be a murderer himself.

 

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Review:The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer is a creepy, intense, and wonderfully immersive journey. The atmosphere is thick with unease, the kind of gothic tension that keeps you glancing over your shoulder as you read. Meyer balances the unsettling with strong character work, weaving a story that feels both eerie and enchanting. While not perfect, it delivers exactly what you’d want from a dark, haunting tale and leaves you satisfied, yet still thinking about its twists long after the last page.

Novella Review: A Gentleman's Guide to Getting Lucky by Mackenzi Lee

 

Title: The Gentelman' Guide to Getting Lucky

By: Mackenzi Lee

Genre: Historical Romance

Pages: 128

Release Date: November 26th, 2019

Rating: ★★★★☆

 
Summary from Goodreads:In this funny and frothy novella that picks up where the New York Times bestselling The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue leaves off, freshly minted couple Monty and Percy fumble through their first time together.
Monty’s epic grand tour may be over, but now that he and Percy are finally a couple, he realizes there is something more nerve-wracking than being chased across Europe: getting together with the person you love.
Will the romantic allure of Santorini make his first time with Percy magical, or will all the anticipation and build-up completely spoil the mood?

 

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Review:This was a kinky little side quest, and I loved every moment of it. The Gentleman’s Guide to Getting Lucky is a fun, flirty short story that gives us more time with beloved characters in a lighthearted, intimate setting. It’s a quick jaunt through their world that doesn’t take itself too seriously, but still delivers charm, wit, and a dash of emotional depth. A delightful bonus for fans of the series! 

Weekly Menu #624 And The Book Of The Week

 

This week’s menu takes us to China, where bold flavors meet fresh vegetables and protein packed dishes. From comforting noodle bowls to sizzling stir fries, I’ve put together a lineup that’s both nourishing and flavorful, with a balance of tofu, chicken, beef, and even a dedicated fish day. It’s all about variety, spice, and bringing a little taste of Chinese cooking right to the dinner table.
Alongside cooking, I’ve also been reading The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. This novel is powerful and heartbreaking, exploring themes of beauty, identity, and the ways society can shape how we see ourselves. Morrison’s prose is both lyrical and unflinching, pulling me into the lives of her characters in a way that’s unforgettable. It’s not always an easy read, but it’s one that lingers with you long after you’ve put it down.
WEEKLY MENU

Monday

Chicken and snow pea stir-fry

Kids - Chicken strips with snow peas and rice

 

Tuesday

Beef and bok choy stir-fry

Kids - Cheese, Crackers and Carrots

 

Wednesday

Steamed fish with ginger and scallions

Kids - Grilled Chicken with rice and cucumber

 

Thursday

Ma Po tofu with ground turkey

Kids - Ground Turkey with Crackers and Applesauce

 

Friday

Szechuan-style green beans with minced pork

Kids - Green Beans and Minced Pork

 

Saturday

Lemon chicken with broccoli and carrots

Kids - Chicken and Broccoli

 

Sunday

Family Dinner

Spaghetti

Salad

Sunday Confessions #321

 

It’s Sunday again, which means it’s time for another round of bookish confessions. This is where I spill the truths I’ve been holding onto all week. Whether it’s a book I couldn’t finish, a guilty pleasure read I devoured in one sitting, or a hot take I know might ruffle some feathers. Think of it as my cozy corner to be honest about the highs, lows, and unexpected twists of my reading life.

Sunday Confessions #320~Weekly Menu #623 And The Book Of The Week~August 2025 Wrap Up~Vampire Wednesday: Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab~ARC Review: Red City by Marie Lu~Fiction Friday: The Edge of Water by Olufunke Grace Bankole

Weekly Menu #624 And The Book Of The Week~Novella Review: A Gentleman's Guide to Getting Lucky by Mackenzi Lee~Arc Review: The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer~Three Star Thursday~Book Review: The Girl with the Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier~Sunday Confessions #322




★★★☆☆
Sleepless in Staffordshire by Celeste Bradley was a quick and pleasant read, but it left me wanting more. A friend who’s just starting to get into reading suggested it, and while I enjoyed the light story, the lack of character development and world building held it back. It felt too short. If the author had taken more time to flesh things out, this easily could’ve been a 5 star read. For me, it was just “eh,” but I’ll keep cheering my friend on in her reading journey.

282/100 2025 Reading Challenge~113/217 in my Star Wars Legends challenge~18/20 2024 Goodreads Fantasy Nominees Reading Challenge

Another Sunday, another round of bookish truths off my chest. I always feel a little lighter after sharing the messy, honest side of my reading life, and I hope it sparks a smile, a nod of agreement, or even a lively debate. Books aren’t just about polished reviews. They’re about the personal journeys we take with them, the quirks we uncover, and the confessions we dare to make. Until next week, may your pages be full and your confessions few.

Fiction Friday: The Edge of Water by Olufunke Grace Bankole

 

Title: The Edge of Water

By: Olufunke Grace Bankole

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 272

Release Date: February 4th, 2025

Rating: ★★★★☆

 

Summary from Goodreads:Set between Nigeria and New Orleans, The Edge of Water tells the story of a young woman who dreams of life in America, as the collision of traditional prophecy and individual longing tests the bonds of a family during a devastating storm.
In Ibadan, Nigeria, a mother receives a divination that foretells danger for her daughter in America. In spite of this warning, she allows her to forge her own path, and Amina arrives in New Orleans filled with hope. But just as Amina begins to find her way, a hurricane threatens to destroy the city, upending everything she’d dreamed of and the lives of all she holds dear. Years later, her daughter is left with questions about the mother she barely knew, and the family she has yet to discover in Nigeria.
Exploring the love of a determined mother and dreaming daughter who do not say enough to each other until it is too late, the detangling of Yoruba Christianity, traditional religion, and folklore, and the tellings of three generations of daring women—through times of longing, promise, and romance, as well as heartbreak—Olufunke Grace Bankole’s The Edge of Water is a luminous debut novel about a young woman brave enough to leave all she knows behind, and the way her fate transforms a family destined to stay together.

 

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Review:The Edge of Water is a heart wrenching and beautifully written story that I couldn’t put down. The characters face immense hardship, yet they carry themselves with resilience and quiet strength, doing their best to carve out meaning and hope in a difficult world. It’s raw, emotional, and deeply human. A story that lingers long after the last page.

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

ARC Review: Red City by Marie Lu

 

Title: Red City

By: Marie Lu

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 432

Release Date: October 14th, 2025

Rating: ★★★★☆

 

Summary from Goodreads:The Godfather meets The Magicians in the sweeping adult debut from #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu. Perfect for fans of V.E. Schwab, Red City is a dark and deadly contemporary fantasy of magical warfare, star-crossed ambition, and the pursuit of perfection at any cost, set in a glittering alternate Los Angeles.
Alchemy is the hidden art of transformation. An exclusive power wielded by crime syndicates that market it to the world’s elites in the form of sand, a drug that enhances those who take it into a more perfect version of more beautiful, more charismatic, simply more.
Among the gleaming skyscrapers and rolling foothills of Angel City, alchemy is controlled by two rival syndicates. For years, Grand Central and Lumines have been balanced on a razor’s edge between polite negotiation and outright violence. But when two childhood friends step into that delicate equation, the city—and the paths of their lives—will be irrevocably transformed.
The daughter of a poor single mother, Sam would do anything to claw her way into the ranks of Grand Central in search of a better life. Plucked away from his family as a boy to become a Lumines apprentice, Ari is one of the syndicates' brightest rising stars. Once, they might have loved each other. But as the two alchemists face off across opposite sides of an ever-escalating conflict, ambition becomes power, loyalty becomes lies, and no transformation may be perfect enough for them both to survive the coming war.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

 

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Review:Red City is a fast paced, alchemy laced adventure that showcases Marie Lu’s signature world building and character depth. I was especially drawn to the intricacies of the alchemy system and how well the characters’ backstories were woven into the plot. The momentum of the story kept me engaged from start to finish. However, the romantic subplot didn’t quite land for me. It felt underdeveloped and lacked the emotional spark I was hoping for. Still, this is a solid read with plenty to love for fans of dystopian fantasy.

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