2019 reading challenge: A book with SALTY, SWEET, BITTER, or SPICY in the title

Bitter Almonds: Recollections and Recipes from a Sicilian Girlhood by Mary Taylor Simeti

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was a sweet book - in several definitions. First, set mostly in the 40's and 50's, the story of Maria Grammatico who at the age of 7, after her father died, with her younger sister were sent to live at the orphanage of San Carlo in sicily because her mother could not afford to care for all the children. The orphanage was run by nuns and the way they supported themselves was through the making and selling of pastries and sweets made with almonds. Mary Taylor Simeti met Maria decades later, after she left San Carlo and had started her own little bakery. Ms. Simeti did not want the precious recipes to be lost so she interviewed Maria and got her lift story AND many of the recipes.

The second part are the actual recipes. I have read through those recipes and found my mouth watering and I hope to try them at some point.

This was a quick read and I would recommend it.



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GR Summer Challenge 2019: Past love: Reread a book you loved when you were younger.

Storm Front by Jim Butcher

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars


I first read this book when it came out in 2000. I knew Jim through a elist that we were both on for a different author's fans and he had mentioned that he was publishing his first novel. I picked it up to support an "online friend" and have been hooked on the world of Harry Dresden since.

I now read and/or listen to then entire series at least once a year. To be honest, being the first book in a series and the introduction of a new world so to speak (it takes place in modern Chicago but there's a lot of world building that still happens), the pace it a bit slow, but I personally don't care because I just love Jim's writing and the worlds he creates.

I'm constantly trying to get people to try this series and join me in the Dresdenverse.



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