Watcha Reading in March/April

[Michelle, Overrun By Pets]

I finished The Ultimate Guide to Vegetarian Cooking: 169 Delicious and Nutritious Vegetarian Recipes For All Occasions That You'll Love and Actually Use. The variety and number of recipes was commendable. I am a huge fan of cookbooks that include nutrition information with recipes.

The primary problem with this book was in the narrative sections. I also strongly prefer ingredients to be listed in the order they are used in the narrative sections. Some instructions were incomplete, and some narrative didn't match the ingredient lists (i.e. ricotta was listed as an ingredient, but the instructions referenced cottage cheese).

I made both the Easy Avocado Tacos and the Grilled Tomato Sandwich. Both recipes were quite tasty. I intend to try a few more recipes from this book. I'm particularly keen to try the Mexican Pasta With a Kick.


I have finished Book 1 of 1Q84. I feel embroiled in a very confusing storm. I answered book club questions for the first half of the first book and after reading the second half I clearly have no idea what is going on. I will say this, the ride so far has been tumultuous but enjoyable. I enjoy ping-ponging between Aomame and Tengo chapters.

[Michelle, Overrun By Pets]

I read Flowers in the Attic which was more accurately a re-read from my youth. I still like the book, but in retrospect am somewhat shocked that I read this book at quite a young age. This book is like fast food for me. Once I've started, I just want more, more, more which is why I followed it up with a lightning fast read of Petals on the Wind.

Cathy and her never-ending affairs with wholly inappropriate men in Petals on the Wind became quickly tiresome. I also became annoyed with Cathy's constant blame of all her adult errors being solely her mother's fault. Cathy, grow up and start owning your mistakes, you are supposed to be an adult now. The ongoing obsession of Chris for Cathy also seemed fairly unbelievable at this point. Chris completed college and medical school and could easily have found a girl who is not related to him. This book is what a young, immature girl imagines what being a sex symbol is like, but in which every attraction results in sexual relations. I am totally creeped out by the ending of the book, and will eventually read the remainder of the Dollanganger stories. So far, I like Garden of Shadows best, followed by Flowers in the Attic and least of all Petals on the Wind.

I read Calamity Jayne and really liked it. There were some typographical/grammatical errors in the narrative, but not to the extent that detracted from my enjoyment of the book. The main character is over-the-top, but self-deprecating and fun to follow on one misadventure after another. I did not predict the bad guy correctly and was held in suspense until the very end. I will read more of these series in the future. There were many funny quotes and one of my favorites was "As if choreographed, three men turned in unison and nailed me with three pairs of enemy combatant eyes. I felt like Winona Ryder with a shopping bag. Or Michael Moore at a Republican convention."

[Michelle, Overrun By Pets]

Although I have been reading, life has recently got the better of me and I have been very delinquent on keeping up with the Goodreads side of it.

I finished State of Wonder and enjoyed it immensely. I felt completely transported to another world very far removed from my own. I enjoyed the combination of science and suspense and interpersonal relationships. My favorite part is that before people understand the science of something it truly seems like magic. I was intrigued in the juxtaposition of cutting edge scientists living and working amongst indigenous people. I could have done without the one night stand between co-workers at the end of the book, but I have few complaints other than that.

I read Plague and it was mediocre, even for a free e-book. I was looking for a quick thoughtless read and it definitely met all of my requirements there. The characters were topical at best and I had very little vested interest in their ultimate survival or demise. The plot moved along at a fairly good pace, possibly because chapters were short. I wasn't wild about the epilogue, but I find that epilogues in general are extremely hit or miss for me.

I am now reading Talking with My Mouth Full: My Life as a Professional Eater and am enjoying it. I am a Top Chef fan and picked up the book because of that. I find the author somewhat polarizing, people seem to really love or hate her. I am nearly done and will post more thoughts upon completion.

I have completely stalled on 1Q84, but hope to get back in the swing of things and am looking forward to reacquainting myself with it. We have extended the end date on this book, so expect to seem some additional posts soon!