Alba in bookland

Welcome to Bookish Recipes, a new feature on the blog where I cook or bake a recipe from a book I have loved and share the result with you. For my second Bookish Recipe, I have chosen Philadelphia Italian Hoagies from The Stall of Second Chances by Dana Bate. It is a fantastic story about starting again and fighting for your dreams. And it's full of descriptions of delish food.

Plus, at the end of the book there are some extra recipes to some food key to the story, like muffins or bread, and one of them is the recipe for these Italian hoagies. Here is my own version of the recipe:

1) Cut the onion on thin slices and soak them in a bowl of cold water for 15 minutes.

2) Stir together the vinegar and half the oregano and then whisk in the olive oil until emulsified.

3) Split the rolls lengthwise and brush the bottom part with some of the vinaigrette.

4) Layer the meat and cheese. If you are wondering what capocollo is, like me, according to the Internet, the capocollo, also known as cappicola, is a type of pork cold cut similar to the proscuitto. If you can't find it, just use another kind of pork cold cut.

5) Drain the onion, pat dry and layer on top of the meat, followed by the lettuce and the tomatoes, thinly sliced. Add some more vinaigrette, oregano and salt and pepper and then try to close the roll.

This recipe is quite simple but the result is fantastic. It has this lovely Italian taste and I will be repeating it for sure.

About the book:

Title: The Stall of Second Chances
Author: Dana Bate
Published: November 20th 2014 by Corsair
Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: Sydney Strauss is obsessed with food.

Not just with eating it - though she loves that too - but with writing about it as an aspiring cookery reporter. But food journalism jobs are more coveted than cupcakes, and so Sydney is stuck working for one of TV's biggest egomaniacs - until she's left scrambling for shifts at the local farmers' market.

Selling muffins at the Wild Yeast Bakery is hardly going to make her the next Nigella. But soon Sydney is writing the market's weekly newsletter, and her quirky stories gain attention from a prominent food columnist. After years of being left on the shelf, she's even dating again. And then Sydney gets a shot at the story, one that could either make her career or burn it to a cinder - along with her relationship and her reputation.

Title: The Hourglass Factory
Author: Lucy Ribchester
Published: January 15th 2015 by Simon & Schuster
Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: 1912 and London is in turmoil...The suffragette movement is reaching fever pitch but for broke Fleet Street tomboy Frankie George, just getting by in the cut-throat world of newspapers is hard enough. Sent to interview trapeze artist Ebony Diamond, Frankie finds herself fascinated by the tightly laced acrobat and follows her across London to a Mayfair corset shop that hides more than one dark secret.

Then Ebony Diamond mysteriously disappears in the middle of a performance, and Frankie is drawn into a world of tricks, society columnists, corset fetishists, suffragettes and circus freaks. How did Ebony vanish, who was she afraid of, and what goes on behind the doors of the mysterious Hourglass Factory?

From the newsrooms of Fleet Street to the drawing rooms of high society, the missing Ebony Diamond leads Frankie to the trail of a murderous villain with a plot more deadly than anyone could have imagined...

With a major film, Suffragette, starring Meryl Streep, Helena Bonham-Carter and Carey Mulligan coming soon, suffragettes will be back in the limelight once again, nearly one hundred years after they fought for votes for women.

*First of all I would like to thank the publishers for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

Review: The Hourglass Factory is a brilliant debut set in 1912, when the suffragette movement is determined to be heard in London and an entire branch of police has been set up to deal with it. Frankie, the main character, finds herself in the middle of all this when she is asked by her newspaper to interview trapeze artist Ebony Diamond, who happens to be a suffragette. Ebony has no time for interviews as she has some other urgent matters to attend, but Frankie who wants to prove she is as good as any other male journalist doesn't let her go so easily. But then, Ebony disappears and Frankie, looking for her, ends up in a crime scene. Something is going on and she is determined to unravel it.

From that moment we follow Frankie's investigations and with the help of a snake dancer and some of her contacts, she soon discovers that Ebony's disappearance is surrounded by secrets and something big is about to happen. The plot is full of twists and subplots that keep you gripped to its pages wanting to know more.

Plus the setting of this novel is fascinating. I don't know a lot about the suffragette movement but this story has certainly piqued my interest. I will, for sure, look for more information and stories about this. And Lucy's style is so descriptive and detailed, that you could actually picture yourself in the middle of the dark streets of London in 1912. You can tell that there's been a resourceful research behind this novel. I especially loved reading about the fashion of that period, how some girls chose to wear pants and were regarded as too manly or how wearing a hat with a taxidermied seagull glued to it was seen as elegant. And don't forget the corset, key to the story.

Even if at the beginning I found the pace of the story a bit slow, with the great number of characters we are introduced, I soon started to enjoy it, a lot. I found it very interesting that some chapters were narrated from the police's point of view, who are also investigating the murders and Ebony's disappearance but seemed to be a bit too obsessed with the suffragette movement.

All in all, a fantastic debut by Lucy Ribchester that kept me awake hours, wanting to know more. Lucy is definitely an author to watch in the future.

Rating: 4,5

Title: As Good As It Gets?
Author: Fiona Gibson
Published: January 29th 2015 by Avon
Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: A warm, funny read for fans of Outnumbered and the novels of Fern Britton, Fiona writes about life as it really is.

“Midlife crisis? WHAT midlife crisis?!”

Charlotte Bristow is worried about her husband Will. With her 16-year-old daughter Rosie newly signed to a top modelling agency, and Will recently out of a job, things are changing in their household.

As Will dusts down his old leather trousers and starts partying with their new, fun neighbours, Charlotte begins to wonder what on earth is going on.

So when Fraser, Charlotte’s ex – and father of Rosie – suddenly arrives back on the scene, she starts to imagine what might have been…

*First of all I would like to thank the publishers for sending me a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Review: On As Good As It Gets we are introduced to a quite regular family: a couple around their forties with two kids, a sixteen-year-old girl who is too beautiful for her own good, and a smart eleven-year-old, who is obsessed with science. So far so good. Now add that said sixteen-year-old's biological father is out of the picture but is about to make an appearance any time now, that the father is unemployed and after months of endless job hunting is fed up with the situation and of his wife, and that the new neighbours are a tiny bit too friendly. Not so regular now, right?

With all this drama going on, Fiona Gibson keeps us entertained from cover to cover. The story is full of humor, especially on the first half of it. I kept laughing out loud with some of the situations, Will, the father dusting off his leather pants to go partying or Charlotte, the mother, throwing salad cream to Will. Then there were also Charlotte's colleagues and boss, his emails to encourage the team were hilarious. But as the story progresses, we see some serious topics arising. Charlotte and Will's relationship has lost any left spark and they have no idea why they are still leaving under the same roof, so when Rosie's biological dad writes to her, she starts doubting all her life.

Fiona Gibson has a very down to earth way to create stories and that makes them more appealing to her readers, I am sure that any mother of a teenager would relate to Charlotte more than once during this book. As Good As It Gets? is a very enjoyable read that will make you laugh but will also make you care for its characters, because any family could find themselves in a similar situation. So if you are looking for a fun family tale with a bit of craziness, this is your book.

Rating:

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists over there at The Broke and the Bookish. I'd love to share my lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

This week's top ten is books I'd want to read if I had a book club. I thought that it would be really good to have a book club where we read thrillers as, usually, thrillers have a lot to talk about. Plus, I have only started reading this genre recently and I'd love to discover more of this books. For my top ten, I have chosen these thrillers because people have talked a lot about them or because the premise just sounds awesome. In no particular order:

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins. Recently published and already a best seller. The social media haven't stopped talking about this psycological thriller. Already on my kindle, can't wait to read it.

Someone Else's Skin by Sarah Hilary. I have heard great things about Sarah Hilary's books and this one sounds very intriguing.

The Life I Left Behind by Colette McBeth. Also recently published, the reviews have been ravishing. I'm sure this story would give us a lot to talk about.

The Accident by C.L. Taylor. A lot of my friends have loved this book and I am dying to read it. Plus, in the blurb it says that this is a book with more twists than a helter-skelter, I am sure this would give a lot to talk on the book club.

If I Stay by Gayle Forman. This book has been on my radar for a long time and I can't believe that I haven't read it yet.

Gone Girl by Gilian Flynn. Just like If I Stay, I have been wanting to read it for a long time. And now with the movie, I am sure that we could do a movie and popcorn night on the book club!

The Ice Twins by S.K. Tremaye

Second Life by S.J. Watson

Disclaimer by Renee Knight

The Girl in the Red Coat by Kate Hamer

These four haven't been published yet but I love the sound of them. Plus the first reviews have been really good. I am sure that with these titles we would have hours and hours to talk on the book club.

So these have been my picks for a book club. What about yours? What genre would you choose for a book club? Or would you prefer a different genre each month? Any thriller I should add?

Title: Surviving the Rachel
Author: Aven Ellis
Published: December 20th 2014 by Soul Mate Publishing
Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: Life after college graduation is not at all what twenty-one-year-old Bree Logan expected. Unable to find a professional communications job, dumped by the guy who was THE ONE, and stuck with a pricey city apartment she can’t afford, Bree ends up moving back home with her parents in the suburbs and working as a cocktail waitress at a posh Chicago hotel.

In a desperate attempt to get a fresh start, Bree goes to a hip salon and requests that the first available stylist chop off her long dark hair. Alarmed when the stylist suggests “The Rachel,” after the famous haircut from the show Friends, Bree is hesitant, but decides to go for it when she is assured it will be a “fresh, modern adaptation” of the infamous 90’s cut. Unfortunately for Bree, it turns out to be exactly the same cut, but with horrific heavy bangs added to it. Hideous doesn’t even begin to describe it.

Bree is convinced nothing will ever go right when she meets neighbor Jack Chelten, a twenty-five-year-old German translator. Not that Bree is looking to date anyone, but there's something quirky and intriguing about his freckle-splashed face and blue eyes. And suddenly Bree finds herself seeking out different opportunities and challenges . . . as well as the boy next door.

In her new adult life, Bree learns that sometimes you have to go through crises to get to where you need to be. And if you can survive The Rachel, you can survive anything, right?

*First of all I would like to thank the author for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

Review: In the last year, Aven Ellis has become one of my favourite authors. She writes cute well thought stories that make you fall in love every time. And Surviving the Rachel is no exception, it put a smile on my face from the first page to the last. In the story, Bree is a bit lost after finishing college with no prospects for a job and a break up. Going back to her parents' hasn't helped either. But she is quite a positive girl and a hard worker so she is ready to take the world again, she just needs a new image. Here is where we find the first reference to Friends, she ends up with The Rachel, yes, the famous layered haircut that was so in in the nineties and is so out now.

Bree is a very lovable character, it's easy to relate to her and soon enough you find yourself really caring about her and cheering her on her job interview. And then there's Jack, the boy next door. He is a German translator and I loved his dedication to his job, his love for languages and especially his caring attitude. His chemistry with Bree was palpable and you could tell from the beginning that she was his lobster. Every scene with the two of them was a joy to read, even the most simple activity, like picking apples, sounded like the most perfect date.

One thing that always makes Aven's stories so especial are the details. She likes to describe the clothes they are wearing on especial occasions or the smell you can sense where the story is taking place and this makes you feel like you are also part of the story. I always love checking Aven's Pinterest as she always has boards with places, clothes or meals from her stories.

If you are looking for a sweet romantic story with believable lovable characters, this is your story. And if you love Friends, you just can't miss it. It was great to read all the references to the show and see how Bree and Jack teased each other with them.

Rating:

Today I am very happy to welcome Jennifer Joyce to my blog. Jennifer has published two novels, A Beginner's Guide To Salad and Everything Changes But You, and the short story A Beginner's Guide To Christmas. Today she is going to answer some bookish questions for us.

Hi Jennifer and welcome! First of all, Tell us a bit about yourself:

I live in Manchester with my husband, our two daughters, two rabbits (Cinnamon and Leah) and mad puppy, Luna. I’m a writer of romantic comedies as well as a book blogger. I also likes crafts, Twitter and tea.

Did you always want to be a writer?

I’ve been scribbling down bits of stories for as long as I can remember! I loved reading books as well as creating characters and stories of my own, so when I was around ten and a teacher took us to the library for an author talk, I decided that was what I wanted to do too.

Your novels are self-published. Why did you decide to follow this path?

It was never my plan to self-publish. I wanted to go down the traditional route of getting an agent and then a book deal but it didn’t happen. When I wrote A Beginner’s Guide To Salad (my first self-published book), it received some positive feedback from agents but nothing came of it. I absolutely loved Ruth and her story and I couldn’t bear the thought of shelving the book as I had with previous novels. So that’s when I decided to self-publish. I thought about it a LOT but in the end I decided to go for it and put Ruth’s story out there on my own.

Tell us a bit about your latest novel Everything Changes But You:

It’s a ‘be careful what you wish for’ and ‘the grass isn’t always greener’ kind of novel. Ally is a bit fed up of her life and wants a bit more excitement, so she makes a silly birthday wish – and it comes true!

Where did you find the inspiration to write this novel? If you could change one thing from your life, what would it be?

I took great inspiration from films like Big, 13 Going On 30 and Freaky Friday, as well as The Wizard of Oz (there really is no place like home, after all). I love films with a fun, magical element where the characters go on a journey and discover that they quite like the life they had all along.

If I could change one thing in my life, it would be to have an agent and a traditional book deal. I’m so glad I self-published, but the dream of being traditionally published is still there.

Which 3 words would you choose to describe your books?

Fun and romantic (does the ‘and’ count?)

How are your publishing days? Do you celebrate in a particular way?

I’m usually on Twitter more than usual because I’m so excited I want to tell the whole world (or the world that’s on Twitter, at least), in between working on my next project. When I published A Beginner’s Guide To Salad, my husband arranged for some flowers to be delivered, which was lovely. Then, when I published Everything Changes But You, he had a cake delivered with the book’s cover on it. He isn’t sure how he’s going to top that for the next book!

Are you working on a new book? What can we expect?

I’m working on a festive novella for later in the year as well as a sequel to A Beginner’s Guide To Salad, which I hope to release early next year.

You also review books on your blog and for Novelicious, do you think this has helped you in your writing process?

Absolutely! I review once a week for Novelicious, as well as a couple of books for my own blog a month, so I have to make time for lots of reading. Reading helps me as it inspires me with my own writing and spurs me on when I read a fantastic book and I also see what works for me as a reader, as well as what doesn’t.

Any tips for new authors thinking about self publishing?

Hire an editor! I believe that self-publishing should be done as professionally as possible. Also, Google is your friend. I had quite a bit of trouble formatting my manuscript so that it would work on a Kindle, but I managed by Googling anything I didn’t understand.

And finally, what is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you?

Having children! I have an 11-year-old and a 6-year-old and while they can be pains in the you-know-whats (think pre-teen hormones and the terrible twos that has stretched on for an extra three years), they make me laugh most days.

Thanks so much Jennifer for stopping by and answering my questions. It was lovely getting to know you a bit more.

Connect with Jennifer:

Blog: www.jenniferjoycewrites.co.uk

Twitter: www.twitter.com/writer_jenn

Facebook: www.facebook.com/jenniferjoycewrites

Haven't you read Coming Home to You yet? What are you waiting for? Here is a bit more about it:

Ally Richmond is dreading turning thirty and bidding farewell to her youth. And when her husband says he wants to start a family, she begins to panic.

Is this all that life has to offer from now on? Popping out babies and growing old gracefully? She wants a life crammed with glamour and spontaneous adventure, not one full of dirty nappies and night feeds.

When Ally makes a silly birthday wish for a new, exciting life, her wish is granted.

But when Ally is presented with the freedom and opportunities she craves, she soon realises this new life isn’t all it’s cracked up to be and that there really is no place like home.

Buy on Amazon UK

Title: The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules
Author: Catharina Ingelman-Sundberg
Published: November 26th 2013 by Pan
Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules is an incredibly quirky, humorous and warm-hearted story about growing old disgracefully - and breaking all the rules along the way!

79-year-old Martha Anderson dreams of escaping her care home and robbing a bank. She has no intention of spending the rest of her days in an armchair and is determined to fund her way to a much more exciting life-style. Along with her four oldest friends – otherwise known as the League of Pensioners – Martha decides to rebel against all of the rules imposed upon them. Together, they cause an uproar with their antics: protesting against early bedtimes and plastic meals. As the elderly friends become more daring, their activities escalate and they come up with a cunning plan to break out of the care home and land themselves in a far more attractive Stockholm establishment. With the aid of their Zimmer frames, they resolve to stand up for old aged pensioners everywhere - Robin Hood style. And that’s when the adventure really takes off . . . Perfect for fans of The 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Translated by Rod Bradbury.

Review: The older generation has a lot to tell. Sometimes we forget this fact, so it surprises us when one day our grandparents tell us how they had to flee their home during war with a donkey, or how they worked in a submarine when they were young. It surprises us because we just see them as old people who spend their days playing cards or watching TV. So it's no surprise that all these books with an old main character that have been published recently have been so popular. Because old people have a lot to tell and a lot of life to live.

The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules definitely has a lot to tell. Tired of being told to go to bed when the sun is still up, of all the tasteless food and of the suspicious pills that make them all sleepy, a very charming little old lady convinces her four friends that a better life outside their care home is possible. And the way out is committing crimes. This is the beginning of the League of Pensioners who are ready to cause mischief all around town just under the noses of the police.

I found this story really amusing and fun. All the members of the League of Pensioners were a real treat to read about. And their adventures made me laugh but think at the same time. Why would any healthy eighty-year-old want to sit on an armchair all day staring at the wall when they are still full of life?

The League of Pensioners' plans for their crimes were a real work of art, imagine an oceans' eleven forty years later and you'll have an idea. Each one of them had a role to play to make it all work, and even with some minor improvisations they all played it perfectly. Because why would the police get suspicious of this group of old innocent looking pensioners with walkers and canes?

A fun, uplifting book that will definitely make you look at the elderly a little differently. Come back next week to read my opinion on the sequel of this story, The Little Old Lady Who Struck Lucky Again.

Rating:

This week's top ten is a freebie so I decided to list the 10 books I am most looking forward to during this year. Some don't even have a cover or a blurb yet but there are authors that I just know are never going to fail me. Have a look at my selection, in no particular order:

1) Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella. The queen of chick lit is trying her hand on a young adult novel. I can't wait to know more about Sophie's new adventure, I am sure she will not disappoint and will win lots of new readers with Finding Audrey. It will be published in June.

2) Always the Bridesmaid by Lindsey Kelk. In May we will have a new Lindsey Kelk book and I cannot tell you how excited I am about this. I have read and loved all her books and I can't wait for more Lindsey. And let's not forget that at the end of the year the 3rd installment on the About a Girl Series will be out!

3) The Day We Disappeared by Lucy Robinson. Lucy has become one of my favourite authors ever and her talent knows no limit. I'm sure The Day We Disappeared will be one of the best novels of 2015. Out in April.

4) The Sun in Her Eyes by Paige Toon. Paige's stories are always special and I am sure this one will be no different. May come soon! And in July, the second installment of her young adult series, Jessie Jefferson, will be published. A great year for Paige.

5) The Little Flower Shop by the Sea by Ali Mcnamara. The Actually Series are one of my favourite series ever and this new stand alone novel by Ali looks and sounds just like my kind of read. Out in July.

6) Summer at Shell Cottage by Lucy Diamond. Lucy's new book will be published in June and I am sure it will be a success. I really enjoy her style and she always creates amazing stories.

7) The Definition of Icing by Aven Ellis. I love Aven and I have loved all her books. Her next book is going to be the second in her Dallas Demons series about hockey players. If it is half as good as the first one, it is going to be amazing.

8) Tied Up with Love by Amelia Thorne. I adored Amelia's debut last year, so image my pleasure when she offered me to take part in the blog tour for her new one. Can't wait for next month!

9) Letters to the Lost by Iona Grey. My last two picks are debut novels. This one sounds and looks like the kind of epic story I love. Out in April, I am sure it will be joy to read.

10) The Two of Us by Andy Jones. The reviews of this book have been ravishing and the blurb has already captured me. In May we'll be able to discover by ourselves this charming and heart-breaking story.

As usual, this list could go on forever but I am going to stop here. What are the books you are most looking forward to?

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