The Critic

You'll see that I have categories in my blog. One such category is titled Review. These posts will be quality time with "Heather, the critic" and surprisingly I will review something (there's a bit of sarcasm right there). This could be anything, but I'll probably review such things as books, food (i.e. restaurants, recipes, grocery items), music (mostly just a song I like at the moment), movies, etc. I'm not really critical, and usually will chose to review something I enjoy, but hey it's a review.

Today is the Heather Book Club day, so I'll review some recent reads. Before we get into the books, I want to make a call-out to my personal librarian and book-recommender, my sister. Thanks Lindz!

• Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay: I finished this just last night! I really enjoyed this book. It isn't a happy-go-lucky type book. No, not at all. It is a World War II book about the Jewish round-up in France in July 1942. They were all round up by French police into a stadium called the Vlodrome d'Hiver. I won't go more into the history because you should read the book. Moving on, it is sad overall (again, the topic), but you go into it expecting sad so with the right expectations it's easier to "take." In general, it is very well written (a different style w/ 2 voices) and great character development. A few side notes: (1) As I looked for a hyperlink for my blog, I just saw they are making this into a movie. (2) I discovered this book by asking a lady next to me at the Sacramento airport...random I know.


• And Only to Deceive by Tasha Alexander: This was lighter than the above, but was again historical in style. Although this is one was on the fictional side of historical fiction - like a history beach read type book. Basically the main character is about a lady that makes some striking discoveries about her husband's past. I enjoyed the wit of the character and it was a nice, quick read.


• The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova: This was because I wanted a more "legitimate" vampire book that was not quite Dracula but not the teenie-bopper books. It was a very interesting take on vampires and the Dracula story. I got very wrapped up in the story. At parts it started to be somewhat repetitive, but it sort of had to be that way with the storyline. And best part, I didn't really have nightmares about vampires after reading this (although, I did dream about them).


• The Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer: Okay, I admit it, I read them all. And...I LOVED them. There I said it to the world; it's out & no taking it back. A guilty indulgence. I flew right through all the books, and ended up staying up late way too many nights. The books just engulf you and suck you in (or maybe that's just me). To be honest, I am upset with all the teenie-bopper hysteria around the books. They seem more into the movie and actors than the book story. Do they really know the true Bella and Edward? I get sad because there is so much more in the book than the movie and hype. I hate those islands in the bookstore dedicated to Edward. Really? It's more like a shrine to Robert Pattinson. Geez, there are other characters too. Enough bitterness now. I just had to get that out. Anyway, you obviously get the fact that I enjoyed, and got a bit obsessed with, the book (only as I read them though).

Another review, but different topic, food. What? Trader Joe's wheat pizza dough. I made this for dinner and it was fabulous! I caramelized onions and mushrooms with balsamic vinegar. Added my roast eggplant (leftover from the lasagna from earlier), prosciutto, and goat cheese (mozzarella too of course). Delish!