Week Eleven

Tom Ang once again provides the reader with a terrific reference volume. This is a must have for those looking for a beautiful coffee table volume. Great photographs stunningly reproduced.

Read 52 in 52 Weeks 2020

Week Ten

Colin Cotterill uses an unusual location, Laos, with solely Asian characters. Definitely not a "page turner”. While the characters are believable; the plot seemed overly complex.

Read 52 in 52 Weeks 2020

Week Nine

Looking for a volume that treats Rod Serling's remarkable 25-year career. Your search is over.

Read 52 in 52 Weeks 2020

Week Eight

Susan Rice has written an honest memoir. Very well-written and interesting. Extremely relevant for today’s news.

Read 52 in 52 Weeks 2020

Week Seven

Ben Crump takes advantage of a hot-button topic. Some readers may see this volume as useless propaganda but If you have an interest in minority rights or social justice this book is a good read.

Read 52 in 52 Weeks 2020

Week Six

In this long running series, Precious Ramotswe comes through again. This cosy read, leaves the reader with a good feeling.

Read 52 in 52 Weeks 2020

Week Five

The setting is New Bremen, Minnesota in the year 1961. The narrator is 13-year-old Frank Drum. This is a classic coming-of-age novel.

Read 52 in 52 Weeks 2020

Week Four

Once again, Jack Reacher is trying to help the little guy in this case older people. The over-the-top violence and high body count may put some readers off. The typical story line but the setting is a different town.

Read 52 in 52 Weeks 2020

Week Three

In the pages of Working, Robert Caro, a great researcher,  explores the mind of the writer. Thus making this work essential reading for any wannabe author.

Read 52 in 52 Weeks 2020

Happy New Year 2020

If you want good luck in the New Year, Southerners will tell you that you have to have a bowl of Hoppin' John on the first day of the year.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 cup chopped onion

2 celery stalks

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup chopped cooked ham (about 1/2 pound)

1 (15 ounce) can black-eyed, undrained

3 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained

3 cups chicken broth

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper (might use less - if too spicy for taste)

6 cups hot cooked white rice

Preparation

1. In a soup pot over medium-high heat, heat oil until hot; cook onion, celery, and garlic 5 minutes or until tender. Add ham, black-eyed peas, tomatoes, broth, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
2. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer 25 to 30 minutes.

Serve mixture over rice.