Sarai Henderson's Blog, page 48

Sunday Confessions #248

 

Hello Sunday! Welcome back to the weekly confessions.

Sunday Confessions #247~Weekly Menu #554 And The Book Of The Week~Book Review: The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson~April 2024 Wrap Up~Book Review: Verity by Colleen Hoover

Weekly Menu #555 And The Book Of The Week~Book Review: By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult~Book Review: My Lost Freedom by George Takei~Sunday Confessions #249




Started 24 in 24. This is one intense cooking competition. 

48/100 2024 Reading Challenge~68/196 in my Star Wars Legends challenge~70/341 Gilmore Girls challenge~96/100 in my 100 books before you die challenge

Another great week on the blog. Happy reading!

Book Review: Verity by Colleen Hoover

 

My Book review for Verity by Colleen Hoover. A gripping and intense psychological thriller that earns every single one of its five stars.

Title: Verity

By: Colleen Hoover

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 336

Release Date: October 5th, 2021

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Rating: ★★★★★

 

Summary from Goodreads:Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish.
Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity's notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. What Lowen doesn't expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read. Page after page of bone-chilling admissions, including Verity's recollection of what really happened the day her daughter died.
Lowen decides to keep the manuscript hidden from Jeremy, knowing its contents would devastate the already grieving father. But as Lowen's feelings for Jeremy begin to intensify, she recognizes all the ways she could benefit if he were to read his wife's words. After all, no matter how devoted Jeremy is to his injured wife, a truth this horrifying would make it impossible for him to continue to love her.

 

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Review:From the very first page, Hoover plunges readers into a world of suspense, secrets, and spine-chilling twists that will leave you breathless.
The characters are flawlessly crafted, each one more complex and intriguing than the last. As the story unfolds, layers of deception are peeled away, revealing shocking truths that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
Wow, that plot twist at the end. I love Colleen Hoover. Her books are always unique and intense. She writes about hard issues and I really appreciate how she doesn't shy away from any of it..This story really dug deep. It was gritty and spicy. By the end I couldn't put it down and had to know the truth. But will we ever know what the truth is? Maybe not.

April 2024 Wrap Up

 

Hello! April is over and its now time to wrap all the great books that crossed the blog last month.

The House of EveSadeqa Johnson
From the award-winning author of Yellow Wife, a daring and redemptive novel set in 1950s Philadelphia and Washington, DC, that explores what it means to be a woman and a mother, and how much one is willing to sacrifice to achieve her greatest goal.
1950s Philadelphia: fifteen-year-old Ruby Pearsall is on track to becoming the first in her family to attend college, in spite of having a mother more interested in keeping a man than raising a daughter. But a taboo love affair threatens to pull her back down into the poverty and desperation that has been passed on to her like a birthright.
Eleanor Quarles arrives in Washington, DC, with ambition and secrets. When she meets the handsome William Pride at Howard University, they fall madly in love. But William hails from one of DC’s elite wealthy Black families, and his par­ents don’t let just anyone into their fold. Eleanor hopes that a baby will make her finally feel at home in William’s family and grant her the life she’s been searching for. But having a baby—and fitting in—is easier said than done.
With their stories colliding in the most unexpected of ways, Ruby and Eleanor will both make decisions that shape the trajectory of their lives.

My Lost Freedom: A Japanese American World War II StoryGeorge Takei
A moving, beautifully illustrated true story for children ages 6 to 9 about growing up in Japanese American incarceration camps during World War II—from the iconic Star Trek actor, activist, and author of the New York Times bestselling graphic memoir They Called Us Enemy.
February 19, 1942. George Takei is four years old when his world changes forever. Two months after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declares anyone of Japanese descent an enemy of the United States.
George and his family were American in every way. They had done nothing wrong. But because of their Japanese ancestry, they were removed from their home in California and forced into camps with thousands of other families who looked like theirs .
Over the next three years, George had three different “homes”: the Santa Anita racetrack, swampy Camp Rohwer, and infamous Tule Lake. But even though they were now living behind barbed wire fences and surrounded by armed soldiers, his mother and father did everything they could to keep the family safe.
In My Lost Freedom , George Takei looks back at his own memories to help children today understand what it feels like to be treated as an enemy by your own country. Featuring powerful meticulously researched watercolor paintings, this is a story of a family’s courage, a young boy’s resilience, and the importance of staying true to yourself in the face of injustice.
By Any Other NameJodi Picoult
Two women, centuries apart—one of whom is the real author of Shakespeare’s plays—are both forced to hide behind another name to make their voices heard.
In 1581, Emilia Bassano—like most young women of her day—is allowed no voice of her own. But as the Lord Chamberlain’s mistress, she has access to all theater in England, and finds a way to bring her work to the stage secretly. And yet, creating some of the world’s greatest dramatic masterpieces comes at great cost: by paying a man for the use of his name, she will write her own out of history.
In the present, playwright Melina Green has just written a new work inspired by the life of her Elizabethan ancestor Emilia Bassano. Although the challenges are different four hundred years later, the playing field is still not level for women in theater. Would Melina—like Emilia—be willing to forfeit her credit as author, just for a chance to see her work performed?
Told in intertwining narratives, this sweeping tale of ambition, courage, and desire asks what price each woman is willing to pay to see their work live on—even if it means they will be forgotten.
VerityColleen Hoove
Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish.
Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity's notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. What Lowen doesn't expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read. Page after page of bone-chilling admissions, including Verity's recollection of what really happened the day her daughter died.
Lowen decides to keep the manuscript hidden from Jeremy, knowing its contents would devastate the already grieving father. But as Lowen's feelings for Jeremy begin to intensify, she recognizes all the ways she could benefit if he were to read his wife's words. After all, no matter how devoted Jeremy is to his injured wife, a truth this horrifying would make it impossible for him to continue to love her.





48/100 2024 Reading Challenge~68/196 in my Star Wars Legends challenge~70/341 Gilmore Girls challenge~96/100 in my 100 books before you die challenge

A total of 15 books in April. Boom! A great month.
Happy reading, my friends.

Book Review: The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson

 

My book review of The House of Eve by Sedeqa Johnson. An absolute gem of a novel, disserving every bit of the five star rating. 

Title: The House of Eve

By: Sadeqa Johnson

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 384

Release Date: February 7th, 2023

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Rating: ★★★★★

 

Summary from Goodreads:From the award-winning author of Yellow Wife, a daring and redemptive novel set in 1950s Philadelphia and Washington, DC, that explores what it means to be a woman and a mother, and how much one is willing to sacrifice to achieve her greatest goal.
1950s Philadelphia: fifteen-year-old Ruby Pearsall is on track to becoming the first in her family to attend college, in spite of having a mother more interested in keeping a man than raising a daughter. But a taboo love affair threatens to pull her back down into the poverty and desperation that has been passed on to her like a birthright.
Eleanor Quarles arrives in Washington, DC, with ambition and secrets. When she meets the handsome William Pride at Howard University, they fall madly in love. But William hails from one of DC’s elite wealthy Black families, and his par­ents don’t let just anyone into their fold. Eleanor hopes that a baby will make her finally feel at home in William’s family and grant her the life she’s been searching for. But having a baby—and fitting in—is easier said than done.
With their stories colliding in the most unexpected of ways, Ruby and Eleanor will both make decisions that shape the trajectory of their lives.

 

Add on Goodreads

 

Review:From the very first page, I was drawn into the lives of the characters, particularly the resilient women who navigate the complexities of family, love, and societal expectations. Johnson's attention to detail breathes life into each character, making them feel like friends I couldn't help but root for.
This was an amazing read. It really highlights the segregation of black and white communities in American history and paints a heartbreaking tale of love and lose, and the atrocities bestowed upon of unwed mothers in the 1950's. 5 out of 5 stars.

Weekly Menu #554 And The Book Of The Week

 

Hello Monday! Welcome back to my weekly menu where I share all the delicious recipes we will be making this week.
The kids are on a countdown to the end of the school year. We are down to 7 weeks. Not sure if I'm excited or not. On one hand, no more driving them to school in the morning and more sleeping in. On the other hand, they will be home all the time while I'm trying to work, and they are really loud. Its a toss up.
Anyway, here is my read for the week. Not sure how fast I will get through this one. Its a beast. House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas is 835 pages. Like I said, a beast. Making my way though it though. 35% in.
Lets get to this weeks menu. Enjoy!

WEEKLY MENU

Monday

Chicken Milanese

Kids - Chicken Salad

 

Tuesday

BBQ Pork Tacos

Kids - Cheese Quesadillas

 

Wednesday

Chicken Stew

Kids - Mac and Cheese

 

Thursday

Hibachi Steak Bowls

Kids - Beef Ramen

 

Friday

Doritos Taco Salad

Kids - Nachos

 

Saturday

BLT Chicken Salad

Kids - Grilled Cheese

 

Sunday

Family Dinner

Taco Night

Sunday Confessions #247

 

Hello Sunday! Welcome back to the blog recap.

Sunday Confessions #246~Weekly Menu #553 And The Book Of The Week~Book Review: The World After Alice by Lauren Aliza Green~Book Review: The 100 by Kass Morgan

Weekly Menu #554 And The Book Of The Week~Book Review: The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson~Book Review: Verity by Colleen Hoover~Sunday Confessions #248





Just finished Fallout. It was ok. I didn't find it spectacular though.
Starting The Expanse.

43/100 2024 Reading Challenge~67/196 in my Star Wars Legends challenge~70/341 Gilmore Girls challenge~95/100 in my 100 books before you die challenge

Another wonderful week of reading. I only have 5 more books left on my 100 books before I die challenge, soon to be 4. About to devour Sherlock Holmes.
Happy reading, friends.

Book Review: The 100 by Kass Morgan

 

My book review of The 100 by Kass Morgan. A gripping tale of survival in intrigue.

Title: The 100

By: Kass Morgan

Genre: Scifi/Dystopian

Pages: 323

Release Date: September 3rd, 2013

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Rating: ★★★★☆

 

Summary from Goodreads:No one has set foot on Earth in centuries—until now.
Ever since a devastating nuclear war, humanity has lived on spaceships far above Earth's radioactive surface. Now, one hundred juvenile delinquents—considered expendable by society—are being sent on a dangerous mission: to recolonize the planet. It could be their second chance at life...or it could be a suicide mission.
CLARKE was arrested for treason, though she's haunted by the memory of what she really did. WELLS, the chancellor's son, came to Earth for the girl he loves—but will she ever forgive him? Reckless BELLAMY fought his way onto the transport pod to protect his sister, the other half of the only pair of siblings in the universe. And GLASS managed to escape back onto the ship, only to find that life there is just as dangerous as she feared it would be on Earth.
Confronted with a savage land and haunted by secrets from their pasts, the hundred must fight to survive. They were never meant to be heroes, but they may be mankind's last hope.

 

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Review:Kass Morgan's 'The 100' delivers a riveting narrative set against the backdrop of a post-apocalyptic Earth, where humanity's last hope lies in the hands of a group of juvenile delinquents sent down from a space station to assess the planet's habitability. With its blend of high-stakes drama, compelling characters, and thought-provoking themes, this novel captivates readers from start to finish.
The writing style in this novel is wonderful. Fluid, easy to follow. Morgan has created a whole backbone to a society in peril and she really allows the reader to immerse themselves in this dystopian and imagine what it would be like to live in it. Creative and wonderful.
4 out of 5 stars for The 100 by Kass Morgan.

Book Review: The World After Alice by Lauren Aliza Green

 

My book review on The World After Alice by Lauren Aliza Green. An intriguing concept with room for improvement.

Title: The World After Alice

By: Lauren Aliza Green

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 320

Release Date: July 2nd, 2024

Publisher: Viking

Rating: ★★★☆☆

 

Summary from Goodreads:For readers of Seating Arrangements and The Most Fun We Ever Had , a gorgeous and gripping story of two families brought together to celebrate an unexpected marriage, twelve years after a devastating tragedy upended their lives
When Morgan and Benji surprise their families with a wedding invitation to Maine, they’re aware the news of their clandestine relationship will come as a shock. Twelve years have passed since the stunning loss of sixteen-year-old Alice, Benji’s sister and Morgan’s best friend, and no one is quite the same. But the young couple decide to plunge headlong into matrimony, marking the first time their fractured families will reunite since Alice’s funeral.
As the arriving guests descend upon the tranquil coastal town, they bring with them not only skepticism about the impromptu nuptials but also deep-seated secrets and agendas of their own. Peter, Morgan’s father, may be trying to dissuade his daughter from saying “I do,” while Linnie, Benji’s mother, introduces a new boyfriend with his own tumultuous past. Nick, Benji’s father, is scheming to secure a new job before his wife, Caro—formerly his secretary and mistress—discovers he lost his old one. Morgan, too, carries delicate secrets that threaten to jeopardize the happiness she has so longed for. And Benji is just trying to make sure the whole weekend doesn’t implode.
As the whirlwind weekend unfolds, old passions reignite, deep wounds resurface, and unearthed secrets threaten to shatter the fragile peace the wedding promises. With each new revelation, the to-be-weds and their complicated families are forced to question just how well they know the ones they hold dear.

 

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Review:Every once and a while I come across these fiction stories that seem to be a jumble of words with no real plot line. Its like the author thought up a really intriguing title for the book, but forgot what it was about..I had a hard time finding much that was interesting to me. It was like listening to my grandma tell me about a cousins wedding she went to five years ago. Nothing special, no plot twists or climax in the story. Just a mundane recap of a sad day in the life.
And who really was Alice? I really don't remember. 
This read probably deserved a 2 star rating, but I gave it 3. It was just ehhh...

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

Weekly Menu #553 And The Book Of The Week

 

Hello Monday! Welcome back to my weekly menu where I share all the delicious recipes we will be making this week.

Its been a really beautiful week here in the PNW. We've been able to finish off the bottom part of the deck and are prepping for the railings so no one falls off the side onto the driveway, and I'm going to be buying pots for a few more flowers my neighbor gave me. I figure they are safer in pots than in the ground since another one of our neighbors likes to mow our law without asking and mows down everything he's not supposed to... Sigh...

This weeks read is Day 21 by Kass Morgan. Getting back into reading the 100 series since I really liked the show.

Anywho. Lets get to this weeks menu. Enjoy!

WEEKLY MENU

Monday

Chicken Piccata

Kids - Chicken Tenders

 

Tuesday

Slow Cooker Beef Ramen

Kids - Beef Ramen

 

Wednesday

Spaghetti

Kids - Mac and Cheese

 

Thursday

Chicken Shawarma Sandwiches

Kids - Grilled Cheese

 

Friday

Blue Cheese Burgers

Kids - Chicken Burgers

 

Saturday

Chicken Ranch Wrap

Kids - Cheese Quesadilla

 

Sunday

Leftovers Night

Sunday Confessions #246

 

Hello Sunday! Welcome back to the weekly recap.

Sunday Confessions #245~Weekly Menu #552 And The Book Of The Week~
Book Review: Queen B by Juno Dawson~Book Review: The House That Horror Built by Christina Henry

Weekly Menu #553 And The Book Of The Week~Book Review: The World After Alice by Lauren Aliza Green~Book Review: The 100 by Kass Morgan~Sunday Confessions #247






Started Fallout. Loving it.

38/100 2024 Reading Challenge~66/196 in my Star Wars Legends challenge~70/341 Gilmore Girls challenge~94/100 in my 100 books before you die challenge

Another great week!