Sara Reads Things

  Title: Where the World Ends By: Geraldine McCaughrean Genre: Historical Fiction Pages: 336 Release Date: May 1st, 2017 Publisher: Usborne Publishing Rating: ★★★★☆   Summary from Goodreads: Every time a lad came fowling on the St Kilda stacs, he went home less of a boy and more of a man. If he went home at all, that is... In the summer of 1727, a group of men and boys are put ashore on a remote sea stac to harvest birds for food. No one returns to collect them. Why? Surely nothing but the end of the world can explain why they have been abandoned to endure storms, starvation and terror. And how can they survive, housed in stone and imprisoned on every side by the ocean?   Add on Goodreads   Review: With a full cast of wonderful characters, this nail biting story of survival, is a wonderful read for a rainy day. The story follows a group of men and boys, as they set out for a small rocky island off the shore of Scotland. They are only planning on being on the island f...

  Lets talk about unforgettable books. Books that cannot be put down. These books make the biggest impact on our lives and are worth sharing. here are my top 5 unforgettable books that are a must read. 1. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens For years, rumors of the “Marsh Girl” haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet fishing village. Kya Clark is barefoot and wild; unfit for polite society. So in late 1969, when the popular Chase Andrews is found dead, locals immediately suspect her. But Kya is not what they say. A born naturalist with just one day of school, she takes life's lessons from the land, learning the real ways of the world from the dishonest signals of fireflies. But while she has the skills to live in solitude forever, the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. Drawn to two young men from town, who are each intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new and startling world–until the unthinkable happens. In Where the Crawdads Sing, Owens juxtaposes an exq...

  Title: Mexican Gothic By: Silvia Moreno-Garcia Genre: Pages: 301 Release Date: June 30th, 2020 Publisher:   Del Rey Rating: ★★★★★   Summary from Goodreads: After receiving a frantic letter from her newly-wed cousin begging for someone to save her from a mysterious doom, Noemí Taboada heads to High Place, a distant house in the Mexican countryside. She’s not sure what she will find—her cousin’s husband, a handsome Englishman, is a stranger, and Noemí knows little about the region. Noemí is also an unlikely rescuer: She’s a glamorous debutante, and her chic gowns and perfect red lipstick are more suited for cocktail parties than amateur sleuthing. But she’s also tough and smart, with an indomitable will, and she is not afraid: Not of her cousin’s new husband, who is both menacing and alluring; not of his father, the ancient patriarch who seems to be fascinated by Noemí; and not even of the house itself, which begins to invade Noemí’s dreams with visions of blood and doom....

  Hello Monday! I've been terrible at posting my weekly menu on time Monday morning, but this week, I am on top of it. I'm going to blame it on the weather. Every time there is a drastic change in the temperature, my head plugs up like a toilet. I just can't flush it out. Sorry if that's too graphic. This weeks book is  Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of a Modern Royal Family  by Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand. Since America doesn't have a royal family, only a mostly messed up first family, I am fascinated by the way it all works. Thought I would do some light reading on the newest royal family and all the drama that surrounds them.   Pulled some of our favorite recipes from some older blog posts today, but mixed in some new recipes as well. I hope you enjoy!  WEEKLY MENU   Monday Beef Stroganoff   Tuesday Chicken Teriyaki   Wednesday Tomato and Spinach Tortellini   Thursday Chicken Tacos   Friday Dagwood Sandwich ...

  Happy Sunday! Welcome back to the weekly recap. The weather has been warm and the sun is out... Surprisingly, I'm not reading as much as I was. I think its because I have big plans for a small plot of land behind our house where there is a pond and natural waterfall that sounds so relaxing, that I've been working on clearing that area any chance I get. When I'm done, it will be the perfect place for reading. Promise. Lets get to the recap. Sunday Confessions #92 ~ Weekly Menu #400 And The Book Of The Week ~ Book Review: Enola Holms: The Case of the Missing Marquess by Nancy Springer ~ Recipe: Ambrosia Fruit Salad ~ Book Review: Blood and Honey by Shelby Mahurin Weekly Menu #401 And The Book Of The Week ~ Book Review: Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia ~ 5 Books you Won't Forget ~ Book Review: Where the World Ends by Geraldine McCaughrean ~ Sunday Confessions #94 Sorry, I got nothing... Todays Around the Blogosphere is that AMAZING Ambrosia fruit salad from Trish a...

  Title: Blood & Honey By: Shelby Mahurin Genre: Fantasy Pages: 536 Release Date: September 1st, 2020 Publisher: HarperTeen Rating: ★★★☆☆   Summary from Goodreads: After narrowly escaping death at the hands of the Dames Blanches, Lou, Reid, Coco, and Ansel are on the run from coven, kingdom, and church—fugitives with nowhere to hide. To elude the scores of witches and throngs of chasseurs at their heels, Lou and Reid need allies. Strong ones. But protection comes at a price, and the group is forced to embark on separate quests to build their forces. As Lou and Reid try to close the widening rift between them, the dastardly Morgane baits them in a lethal game of cat and mouse that threatens to destroy something worth more than any coven.   Add on Goodreads Review: This book picks up where the first book left off. We are following Lou, Reid and their friends as they escape from those who hunt them. They know they need allies if they want to have a chance to survive, but...

  Sometimes I find the most delicious dishes that I just have to share. This Ambrosia fruit salad is from Trish and Charlotte at Salty Side Dish . If you love this recipe, you need to head on over to their blog for more delicious ideas. Ingredients 1 can, 15 oz, Mandarin Oranges, drained 1 can, 20 oz, pineapple chunks, drained 1 jar, 12 oz, maraschino cherries, drained 3/4 cup, 6 oz container, vanilla Greek yogurt 1 cup coconut 1 cup mini marshmallows 1 tub, 8 oz, whipped topping, thawed pecans, chopped / optional Recipe 1. Place all ingredients in a large bowl and mix together. 2. Place in fridge for an hour to set. 3. Serve. Full recipe is in the link above. My family and I love it on Easter. I even substituted the marshmallows for marshmallow cream, and I'm thinking I will try coconut milk with my whipped cream next time for a more creamy texture.     

  Title: Enola Holmes: The Case of the Missing Marquess By: Nancy Springer Genre: Historical Mystery Pages: 237 Release Date: September 23rd, 2020 Publisher: Hot Key Books Rating: ★★★★☆   Summary from Goodreads: When Enola Holmes, sister to the detective Sherlock Holmes, discovers her mother has disappeared, she quickly embarks on a journey to London in search of her. But nothing can prepare her for what awaits. Because when she arrives, she finds herself involved in the kidnapping of a young marquess, fleeing murderous villains, and trying to elude her shrewd older brothers-all while attempting to piece together clues to her mother's strange disappearance. Amid all the mayhem, will Enola be able to decode the necessary clues and find her mother?   Add on Goodreads Review: If Sherlock Holms had to get any better, this would be it. Even though there wasn't as much depth to this story as I would have loved, the read was fun and enchanting. We follow Enola Holmes, the smart...

  Hello Monday! This is my 400th week of the menus. Can you believe it? I started these menus to help my family save time and money at the store and its been such a huge success, there's been no reason to stop. This weeks book is Queen's Shadow by E.K. Johnson. This is one of my favorite Star War authors. The reading is easily understandable and the stories are always entertaining. I can't wait to finish this one up. Lets get to the menu. Enjoy!  WEEKLY MENU   Monday Salad Bar   Tuesday Instant Pot Burritos   Wednesday Pizza Night   Thursday Sausage and Rice   Friday Sloppy Joe's   Saturday Soup and Grilled Cheese   Sunday Leftovers Night