Reading Challenge 2022

 My son, Palmer, called me at the beginning of the year to tell me about a reading challenge he is participating in from Pioneer Book, which is a used bookstore in Provo, Utah. They have produced a list of 40 types of books to be read in the year, which if you do, they will give you a $50 gift card. I thought it was a wonderful thing and decided to join him in the challenge. 

If any of you would like to join us in this challenge here is a link to the rules: Pioneer Book Reading Challenge 2022

In a nutshell you need to read a book in each of the following categories, some of which require you to purchase a book at Pioneer Book (the ones with an *), but they have a web site that I will utilize and I just might stop in the next time I'm in Utah with my kids. 

I've already finished two categories: Popular published in 1992 (The Widow's Broom) and Author you share a last initial with (As You Are). 

The Widow's Broom by Chris Van Allsburg

 Children's fiction/picture book. Fulfills Popular Published in 1992 category in the Pioneer Book Challenge

Van Allsburg is my favorite illustrator. He has produced books like The Polar Express and Jumanji and my favorite The Mysteries of Harris Burdick. As an author/illustrator he is one of the best. Someday I would like to purchase prints of some of his illustrations and hang them in my home. 

The Widow's Broom is an enchanting tale about a broom that a witch left behind. It seems a simple tale, but has so many lessons woven into the story and the pictures. 

Recommend: Yes. 

When the Ground is Hard by Malla Nunn

Teen historical fiction. Adele is a mixed race young woman growing up in the 1960s in Swaziland. She attends a boarding school funded by her white father where life is anything but easy for her and the rest of the students at the school. Her mother has sacrificed to provide a life for her much different from the life she herself experienced. 

This story drew me quickly in and showed me not only the difficult lives of the various races living in Swaziland, but also the the different ways to handle those hard lives which can make our lives better. 

Recommend: Yes. 

As You Are by Sarah M. Eden

Regency Romance. Fulfills Author You Share Last Name Initial With category in the Pioneer Book Challenge.

I've read several of Sarah Eden's romance novels and they are a quick enjoyable read. This is in her Jonquil Brothers series that follows the romantic interests of the Jonquil family. The characters are well developed and it's fun to see the other brothers appear in each story. 

Recommend: Yes

 

The Paper Girl of Paris by Jordyn Taylor

 Teen Historical Fiction. This book quickly pulled me into the French Resistance during World War II. The story alternates perspectives from 1942 and modern era Paris as Alice and her family travel to Paris to find an apartment that was owned by Alice's grandmother and that hasn't been touched since 1944. It's like walking into a time capsule and Alice is shocked to find out her grandmother had a sister that neither her or her mother knew about. Her grand-aunt Adalyn's story unfolds through her diary that Alice finds and through Adalyn's own narrative living in German occupied France. 

A wonderful quick glimpse into the horrors and heroes of the people who were brave enough to be the French Resistance. 

Recommend: Yes. 

Thanksgiving: How to Cook it Well by Sam Sifton

I've looked at and tried dozens of turkey recipes over the years and they all seemed to turn out the same-not bad, little dry, but very edible. I saw this book at the library and thought, why not look at another turkey cookbook. First of all, this book is not just a list of recipes for Thanksgiving dishes. The author, Sam Sifton, is a former restaurant critic, and food columnist for the Sunday Times Magazine.  He used to do a helpline for those with "turkey emergencies" around Thanksgiving. He has seen and heard all the horror stories of ruined dinners. He has also cooked a turkey in every conceivable way-roasted, fried, grilled, deep fried, and smoked. His writing style is a joy to read as he recounts his experiences and imparts his turkey wisdom. (No garlic, no salads, and gravy is THE most important item to get right.) 

I tried out a few recipes the week before Thanksgiving to see if I could get them right. I tried the butternut squash recipe and decided it was fine, but everyone preferred sweet potatoes. I tried cornbread (presumably for making my own cornbread stuffing) but decided stove top was just so much easier. In the end I followed his simple roast turkey recipe too the T and the gravy recipe as well. Both turned out incredibly and surprisingly delicious, better than I've ever done in the past. To quote Sifton, "This is my testimony: You can make a better turkey than anyone has ever served you in your life." Guess what?  I did just that!  Best book I've read this year! I may have to actually buy a personal copy. 

Recommend: Yes!

*Side note--I emailed the author because I was so happy with my turkey and gravy results and he emailed me back to say thank you!  I'm a fan now!

A Line to Kill by Anthony Horowitz

 Mystery. This is the third book in this mystery series by Horowitz with detective Daniel Hawthorne, the first two being titled, The Word is Murder and The Sentence is Death.  These are unique because Horowitz puts himself in the story as the side kick to Hawthorne who has asked him to write books about him as he solves cases. Horowitz goes everywhere (almost) that Hawthorne does as the case unfolds. The reader gets a unique look into the frustrations and insights of a somewhat unobservant companion to a brilliant detective. These are highly enjoyable mysteries and I look forward to the next installment!

Recommend: Yes