Cabin in the City

Books, cats and midwestern charm.

Lisa

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Small Goals // November 2018

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What’s up, witches! October was quite the productive month!

  1. List my Halloween hoops. Done. I decided to only list one (I wasn’t quite happy with the second). Check it out here.
  2. Start a new spooky series. Done several times over. The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell was probably my favorite! Spooky baking? It’s like the show was made for me. I also started the new Sabrina, Buffy the Vampire Slayer (only 20 years late to the party) and picked up Riverdale again.
  3. Read something scary, creepy or thrilling (and finish it). I finished We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson and The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell. Could not put down the latter!
  4. Do something scary or spine-tingling. Check! My book club took a tour with Gothic Milwaukee. I loved every second.
  5. Think of a fun and easy Halloween costume. Yes! The costumes turned out really great, I think!

5/5. I think a month of fun goals was exactly what I needed! Especially for one of my favorite months of the year. I’m really happy I was able to pack in a lot of spooky Halloween stuff.

For November, I’m going to get a little more serious, though. I’ve got to tee myself up for a successful holiday season and ready myself for another craft fair. I’m really excited to get one in earlier in the shopping season so I can relax and enjoy more of the Christmas season. Honestly, most of my November goals are about setting me up for a meltdown-free December. Holiday burnout happens!

  1. Bulk up my Kaminski Handicraft inventory to 50+ hoops. I’ve got another show coming up and I want to be ready!
  2. Get organized with my stitching. It was Ben Franklin that said, “For every minute spent in organizing, an hour is earned.” I want to put that to the test when it comes to my stitching spreadsheets (and lack thereof). And yes, I know this is a boring goal.
  3. Get at least 50% of my holiday shopping done. I hate the pressure of last-minute gifts. I plan on getting some gifts scouted out early and doing a little damage come Cyber Monday.
  4. Visit my aunt Pat. I haven’t been down to my aunt’s convent for a minute! I hope to see her and catch all the great fall color early on in the month.
  5. Center myself. This one’s pretty personal, but it’s worth tossing out in the world. October has been full of highs and lows. Time to come back down to earth and get my mind right.

These are pretty darn boring, but after a month of nonstop fun goals, it might be exactly what I need. We’ll find out!

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Alriiiiight! // Being Linda Belcher

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You read about it in my Small Goals for October, and then I made it happen. That’s right – I am (or was) Linda Belcher! Alriiiight!

The last few years I’ve been really digging closet costumes – you know, the kind that are 75% things you already own plus 25% add-ons from Goodwill and Amazon. They really take the stress out of Halloween and are just as fun as the entirely original getups I used to sew.

This costume was easy for me. All I did was pull out some jeans and a red shirt I owned and topped it off with big hair, black hairspray and a pair of $8 glasses. Michael committed hard to being Bob – that mustache is the real damn deal. This is why the man is such a gem (and also a Bob). He agreed to this silly costume to make me happy but grumbled a bit about getting rid of his beard. If that’s not a Bob OK, fine. But I’m going to complain the whole time mentality, I don’t know what is.

As for me, I definitely have some Linda in me. Saying stuff like, “Wine helps me drink” or “Sorry we’re late. Bob had diarrhea” (Michael loved that one) comes pretty easily to me. And when you’ve got a glass of wine in your hand or a raccoon lawn ornament playing the part of Little King Trash Mouth, well, those props make it all the better.

My one regret: We didn’t win the costume contest (oh, or get good photos). We haven’t managed to top our Scully and Mulder…yet.

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Apple Cider Jell-O Shots // Wisconsin-Style

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One of the greatest parts of working for Taste of Home is getting to try new recipes all the time. Almost every day there’s something new – a casserole, a dessert bar, a cheesecake – ready for the sampling. Once in a while, though, there’s something special.

A few months ago that was an apple cider Jell-O shot. Very unlike Taste of Home but so so good. The second I tried it, I knew I’d be making them come fall. I just needed to break them out for the right occasion. And when my sister-in-law texted me about her annual Halloween party, I knew I found it.

So I pulled up the recipe on the website and I read it through. Seemed simple enough (I mean, it is Jell-O). But as I rummaged through my liquor cabinet, I realized I didn’t have enough vodka to make the batch. But the ingredients had me thinking that another liquor would do just fine, a very Wisconsin choice of liquor: brandy.

I mean apples, cinnamon, ginger, bitters? Those autumnal flavors are a natural match for brandy. So I went ahead and did it. And it turned out scary good.

You’ll need:

  • 4 packets unflavored gelatin
  • 1½ cups apple cider
  • 1½ cups brandy
  • 1 cup sugar
  • ½ teaspoon powdered ginger
  • 2 teaspoons bitters + more for garnishing
  • 2 tablespoons cinnamon-sugar

Making these is a cinch. Start by pouring your apple cider into a small saucepan or pot. Then sprinkle all four packets of gelatin on top. Let this hang out for five minutes.

Then stir in the sugar and turn on the heat – just to low. You’ll heat this until all the sugar has dissolved – about ten minutes. Then you can add in your brandy, bitters and ginger. I used ginger here because the original recipe called for ginger-infused vodka and I didn’t want to lose that little kick.

Then pour this into a 11×7 baking pan that’s spritzed with cooking spray. You can also use a 9×9 pan. Heck, an 8×8 pan would be fine too – just cut the squares a little smaller to compensate for the depth.

Let this sit uncovered in the fridge for at least two hours. Once it’s all set, you can scoop it out of your pan and place on a cutting board. I found it easiest to slice the Jello into four smaller sections and scoop them that way. From there you can cut into individual portions. I went for squares that were about 1½”x1½”. Right before serving, brush with more Angostura bitters and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar (though, the bitters are optional here).

The results are really very fall tasting and a bit adult. I think the bitterness and spice cuts down on that super-sweetness that you normally get from a Jell-O shot, so that’s all good by me! I think these are great for a grown-up Halloween, but I could totally see them working for a Friendsgiving (or really casual family Thanksgiving), too.

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Short Story: A Spooky 5-Minute Spiderweb

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When it comes to most crafts, I take it pretty slow. Stitching, latch hook, sewing – all those projects take hours (and hours and hours). That doesn’t mean I don’t like a quick craft once in a while, especially during a busy season. And if that craft is spooky, well, all the better.

That’s where this little spiderweb hoop comes in. I’m sure you can figure this one out just from the photo, but I’ll walk you through it anyways. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Embroidery hoop
  • Fabric doily, about two inches larger than your hoop
  • Black craft paint
  • Plastic spider
  • Ribbon

Assembling this all is pretty easy. But before you start putting it together, give your embroidery hoop (the inner and outer hoops) a quick coat of paint. I chose satin black, but orange, pewter or another metallic would be cool, too.

Once that’s dry (I let it dry overnight), fit the doily into the hoop. I like the center to be a bit off kilter. Nature’s not perfect, ya know. Tighten the hoop up and stretch the doily so there are no wrinkles and it’s not all misshapen.

Then flip the hoop over and trim the doily leaving about a half inch around the perimeter. I’ll be honest, this felt unnatural to me cutting up a perfectly good doily, but I know where I can go for some more.

Anyways, once you’ve got that trimmed, just stick the rough edge down with some hot glue. Regular craft glue would would here too, but hot glue is faster. Also, I know my glue gun looks a mess. It gets a lot of use.

Once it’s all fixed together, all you have to do is stick on that spider and tie a ribbon around the top. I had some black lace stuff laying around and I love it, but I think that some black velvet would be very spooky chic.

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Spooky Podcasts for October Nights

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The second October hits, I’m in full-on spooky mode. Pretty much everything I watch, read or listen to for the whole month will need to be supernatural, otherworldly or generally eerie. Sure, I’m interested in these things all year, but I like having a special occasion excuse.

One of my favorite ways to bask in all the glory of Halloween is to cue up some scary podcats. I’ll put these on as I stitch in the morning or on my way to work. It’s a great way to sneak in some haunted vibes in what would normally be downtime. Here’s what I’m listening to this year (and always):

Lore

Obviously! This is the essential spooky podcast if you ask me. Aaron Mahnke digs up unusual stories from history and tells them in a way that is at times tedious (I find he uses about ten words when one would do) but almost always spinetingling. I love how this podcast has exposed me to some of the lesser known haunts and legends of the world, and I like how they run about 20 to 30 minutes, perfect for a commute.

Here are my essential episodes:

  • Black Stockings: This is as good as Lore gets, in my opinion. A tragic story about an Irish woman and changelings.
  • The King: A story about an island off the coast of Mexico and how it was overthrown by a terrifying lighthouse keeper – and then how women took it back. I find this tale really fascinating. If anyone writes a book based on this story, let me know!
  • On the Farm: There aren’t a lot of concrete details about the Hinterkaifeck murders, but Mahnke doesn’t mind. He made a whole episode about it (and I gobbled it up whole).
  • Mary, Mary: I thought about this one for days.

Stuff You Missed in History Class

This was the first podcast I ever listened to. While it’s not categorically spooky, there are special Halloween-themed episodes every year. This is a great podcast for when you’re in the mood for creepy stuff but don’t necessarily want to be scared out of your wits.

Welcome to Nightvale

A pal of mine recommended this to me years ago. At the time I scoffed at the idea of a fiction podcast. And then I scoffed after listening to the first episode. But then I listened to about a dozen last year and loved it. Definitely weird in that Twilight Zone way (that’s a good way). I don’t have any recommended episodes here. Just start at the beginning and see how far it takes you.

• • •

I think that’s a pretty good start for anyone looking to jump into the scary podcast world! If you have any recommendations, let me know – I’m dying to hear them.

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California Dreaming

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While I truly enjoyed touring the winery, my favorite part of the trip came the following day when our press gang got to unwind a bit. Our day was still full, but it was less note taking and more taking in the scenery. You know I’m going to tell you all about it!

Vintners Inn

But before we dive into my favorite day of the trip, let me just say how gorgeous Vintners Inn, where we stayed for two nights, was. First off, I had the great fortune of being the first-ever person to stay in my room. That was pretty cool to me. A whole room unspoiled by other people’s weird hotel habits? Sign me up! I totally basked in all that glory. I futzed with the electric fireplace (it changed colors!), sat on the patio and happily gobbled down all the cookies that arrived with the turn-down service.

What I loved most though, was the grounds. Vintners Inn, true to its name, had a small vineyard on site with a mile walking path through it. I woke up early one morning and took a stroll around. It was super peaceful. It was a good way to center myself before all the adventure to come.

Bodega Head

Like I said in my last post, I loved the rolling hills and greenery of all the vineyards in Sonoma County; they were absolutely beautiful. This being said, I was honestly surprised by how, well, brown the rest of the countryside looked. This was totally unusual to me. I was starting to think that calling this the Gold Coast was a clever marketing campaign. But then we made our way up to Bodega Head and I changed my mind.

Climbing out of the van, I wasn’t struck by much (outside the wind). Sure, there were some dunes, a few hikers and a couple picnic tables – all normal park stuff. But then I turned the corner and saw the cliffs overlooking the ocean. This was the trip for me. I braved the cold and the wind to stand on the edge of the cliff. I’d never seen the Pacific Ocean before. I had to take it all in.

Eventually, we were all beckoned to the picnic table for a small brunch – charcuterie and wine. With the cold wind whipping around, the Pinot noir went down well. After having my fill of sopresatta, one writer mentioned how there was a path down to the beach. I thought this park was just beautiful cliffs! I made my way down the path, Cuveé in hand, with a few other gals.

Of course, I had to feel the water. I do this no matter where I am. Out at Devils Lake for a hike? Maybe I’ll dip my foot in and see if swimming is out of the question. Lake Michigan in March? Let me just see if I freeze my hand off. The ocean was cold, but in that refreshingly bracing way. I loved it. I felt totally alive, especially when the waves came rolling in faster than I expected.

Hog Island Oyster Co.

After visiting Bodega Bay, we trekked over to Hog Island. This was the part of the trip I was most nervous about. The itinerary noted that we’d be eating oysters all afternoon, and I was not looking forward to it. See, I’m not a fish or a seafood person, and the thought of trying what’s likely the most polarizing kind of seafood around made me really uneasy. Would I look bad if I didn’t try any? What if they were disgusting? What if I got hungry after all the not eating seafood?

But I shoved those questions to the back of my mind. Instead, I hunkered down at the table with the crew and grabbed a knife (and a glove – don’t worry). I watched the tour’s greatest oyster enthusiasts shuck a few and I decided I’d go for it. I surprised myself by prying it open fairly easily (at least for a first-timer, I think). I told myself all you have to do is swallow – it can’t be so bad. But then the winery’s chef piped in: “Try the first one plain and chew it once or twice.” Oh my gosh, whyyyyy? Powered by wine, I did so dutifully. And it wasn’t bad!

I tried the next with a squeeze of lemon and found I liked it even more. It was salty and briny – I could live with that! I spent the rest of the afternoon sipping on that Sonoma-Cutrer Grand Cuveé and trying different oyster combos: raw with lemon, with hot sauce, grilled with garlic-herb butter, grilled with sausage and bacon. All were great. As we slid into the afternoon, I was getting those summer camp feelings. You know, that temporary high, those close temporary friendships. I half expected us to start making bracelets. Instead, we just chatted about pets and secret shame dinners (you know, like tater tots and hot dogs or – my new favorite courtesy of one gal on the trip – Doritos sandwiches). Oh, and we sang on the bus ride back to the hotel – all the classics like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Landslide” and “Jumper.”

The trip wound down with a stunning dinner at John Ash’s restaurant at Vintners Inn. It was absolutely exquisite. My one regret is that I didn’t leave enough room for all of the short ribs. I stand by finishing every bit of my apple tart, though.

Alright, folks, that’s enough of my California adventure. I’m so incredibly grateful for the experience. And now I have a few new favorite wines to boot.

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Small Goals // October 2018

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September last for about five days, I swear. Let’s see how I did on what I thought were pretty relaxed goals.

  1. Get some California-cool pieces. Fail on this one! I ordered a Stitch Fix box but it was a flop. I ordered a few things from Mata Traders but they didn’t come in time! But I did get a Kindle for the trip and it made all the difference.
  2. Check out Cedarburg’s Wine & Harvest Fest. Done! I went with my mom and we had a great time.
  3. Host my Tupperware party like a pro. Done! We had a lot of fun!
  4. Hit the gym six times (or more). Ugh! I went five times. So close.
  5. Finish up all my stitching to-dos. I’ve still got two in the queue. Drat.

2/5. I feel like September was more stressful than I anticipated it to be! My goal was to be productive, but instead, I was overwhelmed a lot of the time. I need to chill out! So for October, I’m going to focus on some more relaxed goals. Yes, I still want to go to the gym and stay on top of my stitching, but I need space for fun stuff just as much.

Plus, October is one of my favorite months of the year. It’s 31 days where I get to embrace all the weird occult stuff I love. That means scary movies, creepy podcasts, wearing head-to-toe black and enjoying staying inside while the winds howl. So let’s get moving on October and Halloween-adjacent goals!

  1. List my Halloween hoops. I’ve got one productive goal on here. I’ve got two new Halloween hoops. Got to list them now!
  2. Start a new spooky series. Picnic at Hanging Rock popped up as a recommendation on Amazon for me, and I’m intrigued. Also, there’s a lighthouse-centric Ghost Adventures coming to the Travel Channel. It’s going to be awful but I will watch it. Also a scary Sabrina reboot is coming to Netflix. It’s a dream come true!
  3. Read something scary, creepy or thrilling (and finish it). I’m in the middle of Affinity by Sarah Waters right now (it’s a slow start), but I’ve really got my eye on The Witches of New York by Ami McKay and The End of Temperance Dare by Wendy Webb.
  4. Do something scary or spine-tingling. My friends and I visited Shakers (a haunted cigar bar in Milwaukee) for a quick drink one night. The waitress tipped us off to some regular tarot readings there. Maybe that’s in the future (or a ghost tour or a trip to Old World Wisconsin).
  5. Think of a fun and easy Halloween costume. I’m really angling for Bob and Linda from Bob’s Burgers right now. Let’s see if Michael will agree. (Also very open to being Gayle and Linda!)

Well, here’s to easy, seasonal goals this month! If you’ve got goals, let me know! I love to see what everyone else is up to.

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The Sonoma Wine Mixer

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September marks my one-year anniversary at Taste of Home. And what better way to celebrate this milestone than traveling to California wine country for work?

There is no better way, let me tell you. I spent a few days in Sonoma County and had the time of my life sipping wines, wandering through vineyards and eating amazing meals. I have Taste of Home and Sonoma-Cutrer to thank for this inspiring vacation disguised as a work trip.

Getting to California

Arriving in California felt a bit like a dream. I hopped off the plane only to find a driver waiting for me with a sign. I felt like a very fancy person. He took me over to Hotel Zeppelin, which I loved with all it’s Led Zeppelin and Grateful Dead swag. As beautiful and funky as the hotel was, I knew I had to take in a little bit of San Francisco. With just a few hours before dinner, I took a lap around Union Square and then walked through Chinatown. I haggled for a jade necklace there. The woman who sold it to me said it’d bring me luck. I already felt super lucky being in California, so I just figured this would put me over the top.

That night, I met the four other writers participating in this tour as well as reps from the winery. They were all really kind and charming – perfect company for our dinner at Bluestem Brasserie. I had a few glasses of Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay and Pinot Noir along with my dinner. It was a great way to ease into the trip.

The Vineyards

While San Francisco was nice, it wasn’t quite for me (though I only saw the smallest sliver of it!); Sonoma County was definitely more my speed. As we headed north, the city disappeared and soon all there was to see were vineyards and farms. This was the California I was hoping for.

For the better part of a day, I got to check out the vineyards and winery. Let me tell you, it was the perfect time to be in Sonoma County. It was the middle of the harvest season, so as we toured the winery, we got to see the grapes being brought in, sorted and then sent to press. Though what I enjoyed most was being able to walk through the vineyards and see the grapes on the vine (and try a few, too!). It was like being at an apple orchard in September or visiting a tree farm at Christmas – just the right place at the perfect time to take it all in.

The Tasting

Of course, the trip wasn’t all tours. The other writers and I got to enjoy a fantastic wine tasting with Sonoma-Cutrer’s winemaking director. We sipped a few different Chardonnays, a Pinot Noir, a rosé and – my favorite – a Grand Cuveé that I dream about. I wouldn’t normally say I’m a Chardonnay gal, but these were so unlike the common buttery and oaky varieties you normally find. Some were so clean and refreshing, others almost creamy. They definitely made me rethink this wine.

Overall, though, being led through the tasting was a fabulous treat. On my own, I do OK with tastings (just ask the Taste of Home crew that had to listen to me explain how flaxseed milk tasted like the coating of those pink and white animal crackers), but having a guide really helped me understand the finer points of each variety. Plus, tasting wine is hard! I just read about this study that says wine tasting is akin to doing complex math. Really!

The Sonoma Wine (and Croquet) Mixer

Before I left, I kept referring to this trip as the Catalina Wine Mixer. This is only funny for Stepbrothers fans. But the trip did entail a mixer of sorts – just in Sonoma County.

See, after a full day of touring the property (and a quick nap back at Vintners Inn), we returned for a small mixer: wine, cheese, a game of croquet and dinner. I foolishly bragged to everyone that I was a croquet master earlier in the day. I am not. I own the game and like to play from time to time – this does not mean I am any good.

Once we hit the regulation croquet court, I realized I was 100% out of my league. I realized I was 150% out of my league when the winery’s hospitality manager explained rules and techniques that were totally foreign to me. Any expertise I may have had was irrelevant.

But I was determined to do my best. I grabbed a red ball (I’m always red), a mallet and a glass of wine and headed to the court with my teammate. The game was pretty darn close, but in the end we won! I have Ashlee to thank for this. Thanks to her we won and I got to retain my very limited croquet cred.

The game was followed up with a lovely dinner with great pairings for each course. I could drink Les Pierres Chardonnay every day if I had to. It was the highlight of the evening for me. Well, and the Grand Cuveé. And pretending like I knew anything about croquet.

• • •

I’ll be back soon to share the last tidbits from this trip (and some much better pics – I botched my photos the first day)!

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It Turns Out I Love My Kindle

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I never thought I’d be an e-reader person. I own plenty of books, I visit the library all the time. What need would I have for a Kindle?

But as I prepared for my trip to California, I looked at my carryon and thought there’s no way I can fit enough books in here. I’m not an over-packer, but the thought of shoving three paperbacks into a small bag full of essentials seemed like too much. And in retrospect, bringing a milk crate full of books up north every year for my marathon read was too much. So after much deliberation, I dove in and bought a Kindle.

And I love it. Sometimes I surprise myself.

What I ordered

After exhausting all my friends and coworkers, I decided to opt for the Kindle Paperwhite (the ad-free version). The $150 price tag gave me some serious pause, but some Amazon Rewards and $50 in lottery winnings (thanks, Aunt Debby!) made clicking “buy now” a bit easier. At the end of the day, I only had to kick in about $40.

The Paperwhite is the Kindle with the nice backlit screen for reading in low or no light. I opted for the ad-free version – even though it was $20 more – because I didn’t want to be distracted.

Initial thoughts

I’ll admit, I opened up the box telling myself if it’s not for you, you can just return it. When took it out of the package I was honestly shocked at how small it was – about 6½ x 4½”. It was also surprisingly thin and lightweight.

Once I booted it up and connected it to the internet, I downloaded my first book with the credit Amazon provided. I pulled it up, and my first thought was oh wow, the pages seem so small. And they are compared to a normal hardcover book, but really they aren’t that much different than a paperback. After a few pages, I was used to the quicker page turning and was loving the lightness!

After poking around for another 20 minutes, I downloaded a handful of books from the library and connected my Goodreads account (my new favorite thing!).

Really getting into it

I, of course, downloaded even more library books – gotta have options – and wrapped up my new toy in a case. I tossed my Kindle in my purse and headed to the airport. On my 5:30AM flight to Chicago, I fired it up with the backlight. The folks around me got to sleep without the annoying overhead light and I got to enjoy the second novel from Paula Hawkins – win-win!

I kept up the momentum on my layover and next flight, too. But what I really loved was being able to stash it in my bag and walk around San Francisco with it. It weighs almost nothing, so there wasn’t that bookbag shoulder strain. Instead, I got to carry a nice, little purse while also being ready to read whenever I found a café with a decent bakery selection.

The verdict

I think you know this one: I love it. Having the ability to bring dozens of books anywhere is a big deal to me! It saves space at home and on the go. And I can still rent plenty of books, too!

Also, I notice that it’s changed my reading habits a bit. I’m reading more often. Sure, this could be the novelty – I mean, who doesn’t love a new toy – but I think just being able to carry it anywhere means that books are just more available at any given moment.

So, to all you e-reader skeptics out there, I say definitely give one a try. You might surprise yourself!

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Vacation Reads 2018 // AKA the Bulk of My Reading for 2018

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When it comes down to it, I fancy myself a reader. I’ve always got a book on my nightstand and I’ve got a pretty good relationship with my local library (and the fines to prove it). That being said, I can’t say I read every day. Instead, I go in spurts, like this January when I read a book a week (almost) or like when I go vacation up north and read six books over the course of seven days.

This year I thought I’d write up a quick review of my vacation reads. There are some good ones and not so good ones, so hopefully, this helps if you’re standing in the thriller section wondering which novel is going to make your flight, lunch hour or long hours of tech-free vacation go quickly.

 

The Book of Essie by Meghan MacLean Weir • ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’ll be honest, on vacation, I like a good thriller, something suspenseful, something that makes me a little bit scared to walk from one cabin to another. But I made an exception for The Book of Essie. I saw this pop up somewhere online (or maybe the Girls Night In newsletter) and it sounded interesting. Basically, a girl from a Duggar-esque family (TV show and all) finds herself pregnant a 17. She suddenly has to figure out how to deal with that, her family, the show, the press and how to make it all work (or not work). I really enjoyed this one, plus it was a nice change of pace.

The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware • ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I am a sucker for Ruth Ware. I first listened to In a Dark, Dark Wood a few years back and it totally struck a chord with me. I’ve since devoured all the rest of her books. While that first novel and The Woman in Cabin 10 are likely still my favorites of hers, I still heartily recommend her newest.

A poor tarot reader inherits an unexpected fortune – doesn’t that make you want to read more instantly? It fit the bill for me: thrilling, tarot-inspired, kind of spooky. An A+ vacation read.

Blood Sisters by Jane Corry • ⭐️⭐️⭐️

I read My Husband’s Wife (Corry’s other book) earlier this year and really enjoyed it, so grabbing her second novel was only natural. The premise of the book is fairly simple: three girls walk to school one day and one doesn’t make it. The book takes place about 20 years later and is told from the point of view of the two survivors. There were lots of great reveals in this book, so it was a pretty satisfying read!

Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance • ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Full admission: This is not a typical vacation read for me. Rather, it’s what my book club chose for our September meeting. Overall, I found it pretty readable for a memoir (especially a memoir from someone who’s not traditionally famous – no offense to J.D. Vance). My book club chose it to help us get a different perspective on the world and to kind of understand Trump voters? I feel like this book is often held up to be some sort of representation of that lifestyle.

Vance is a decent writer and I had sympathy for so many of the people he wrote about. I think he did a nice job of representing that Appalachian life. However, I think it’s unfair to think that working-class problems start and stop in that region. I think it’s also unfair to not discuss race with this book. But I have to remind myself that this is a memoir; it’s not on Vance to represent all of those perspectives (though I feel like much of the book begged those questions).

Our House by Louise Candlish • ⭐️⭐️

The premise of this novel sounded great: A woman goes home only to find that her family and possessions are gone and a new couple is moving in. Right away that grabs you (or it grabbed me). However, I kept wishing for this one to be over. This book could have easily been 100 pages shorter and came to the same conclusion.

Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins • ⭐️⭐️⭐️

OK, this one is an old one, but I’d never read it! It was on a shelf in our cabin and I blitzed through it in a day. It was good. That’s what everyone said three years ago when it came out. That’s all you need to know!

Also, new development in my life: Goodreads! I never used this site before because I didn’t want to sign up for one more damn thing, but it turns out that it’s super helpful. So now I don’t need to keep checking out the same book thinking maybe I read this? again!