The 2025 Oscars of Books

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Aside from putting down the recipes I want to remember, I’ve hardly written anything at all over the last year. (Can you tell exactly when my 4-year old dropped her nap?) I have, however developed the habit of being a book-squirrel. What is a book squirrel? Much like squirrels cache nuts all around their woods or neighborhood so they can always find some when needed, I have books waiting for me wherever I go. A mystery or light novel next to the bed; a non-fiction book waiting for me in the office, an audiobook on Libby when I get in the car… This has kept me nearly continuously reading, despite the lack of stretches of free time I used to enjoy.

Audiobooks, in particular, are a new habit for me. I have always found that while attempting to listen to an audiobook my mind would wander and suddenly I would be 10 minutes deeper into the book with no awareness of what had passed. Then, I borrowed Patrick Stewart’s memoir (read by himself) on Libby and discovered that listening to him felt almost like having a conversation, and I was able to attend to it and enjoy that conversation. I began borrowing more audio memoirs (always read by the author) from the library, one after another. I had never read more than 1 or 2 memoirs before, but I finished 11 this past year!

This week, I am taking my traditional mid-winter mental health break from work, going out for coffee, hiking in snowy woods, cooking warm food, meeting up with friends, trying to write a little, and – of course – reading. Without further ado, here are my awards for the 2025 Oscars of books, selected from the books I read in the past year:

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Actor in a Leading Role (Best Male Main Character): Schmendrick the Magician in The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle. I have watched the 1982 animated film based on the novel several times, but until this year, I hadn’t read the book. I discovered a meditation on the pain of feeling unknown by the people around you, on loneliness, on age, and on the nature of fairy tales. Schmendrick was far more interesting than his movie counterpart, as a would-be sorcerer in search of mortality.

Actor in a Supporting Role (Best Male Side Character): Sam Clay in The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon. I’m not sure what to say about Sam, aside from the fact that I love him dearly. A few months after I had read it, an acquaintance came over and as we were talking about books, he commented on this one from my shelf. He said that this was one of his favorite novels, which he read around the same time that he came out as gay, and that he found Sam’s storyline particularly moving.
Runner Up: Lebannen from The Other Wind by Ursula K. Le Guin.

Actress in a Leading Role (Best Female Main Character): Tenar in The Other Wind by Ursula K. Le Guin. This is Tenar’s second appearance in my book Oscars. In this book, her daughter is grown, she has grandchildren, and her relationship with Ged has deepened. Watching her gently coach the next generation and cope with death and loss of a different kind (and at a different stage in life) touched me in the “mother” part of my heart. I admire her wisdom, her strength, and her capacity for love.

Actress in a Supporting Role (Best Female Side Character): Seserakh in The Other Wind by Ursula K. Le Guin. In Seserakh, LeGuin shows a different kind of bravery from what we may expect in a fantasy adventure, a hidden kind of intelligence, and a surprising growth – from insecure to centered – through the course of the book. Le Guin continues to be the master.

Add a Category! – Best Non-Binary Character: ART in Artificial Condition by Martha Wells. So, I didn’t actually enjoy All Systems Red that much, but then a friend loaned Joe a tall stack of Murderbot novellas and there they were, so I read them. I was tickled by a bot pilot on a research transport vessel teaching Murderbot how to better pass as human, and also! showing Murderbot it’s okay to care.

Animated Feature Film (Best Graphic Novel Romance Novel): Book Lovers by Emily Henry. I actually didn’t read any graphic novels this past year, but I did pick of a handful of romance novels over the summer and fall – a first for me. I found them to be delightfully quick and entertaining reads, and some of them surprisingly thought-provoking about the nature of relationships. Should it be any surprise which my favorite was? Book Lovers has a setting in the publishing world and a strong sub-plot about sisters. I read it on a weekend trip with my extended family. My sister and I shared a room, so I sat on the floor of the closet late at night to finish reading it without the light disturbing her.  

Cinematography (Setting):  The City in Glass by Nghi Vo. This one was a birthday present from a friend. Vo writes about the City in a way that is somehow very physical – almost tactile. The city of Azril is as much of a character as the demon or angel that fight for control of it.

Costume Design (Best Cover Art): Arboreality by Rebecca Campbell, cover by Rachel Yu Lobbenberg. The cover is dark and subtle, but reflective of the themes of the novella: fire, loss, and the importance of growth.

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Directing (Favorite Author): Robin Wall Kimmerer. I can’t say I enjoyed The Serviceberry as much as I did Braiding Sweetgrass, but Kimmerer still takes the cake for author I admire and who’s work and research is vitally important.

Documentary Feature Film (Best Nonfiction Book): Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science, and What the Ocean Tells Us About Ourselves by James Nestor. Perhaps the first book I’ve read that comes with a medical/liability disclaimer in the front cover. I didn’t know anything about the fascinating and terrifying world of freediving before I picked this book up from the library. Deep showed me so many things about the depths of the ocean that I had never fathomed before, some of which impacted my outlook not just on the ocean, but on life itself.

Documentary Short Film (Best Essay or Memoir): Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner. I had never actually listened to the indie pop band Japanese Breakfast before reading her memoir about her mom’s death from cancer and navigating the relationship with her Korean heritage, but knowledge of her music is not really needed appreciate this book. While reading, I found myself wondering: how does she create such a beautiful story from such tragic events? How does she paint such beautiful and nuanced portraits of the people around her? It is well-written and insightful… and made me want to learn to cook Korean food.

Film Editing (Editor of a Collection or Magazine Best Audiobook): Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly by Anthony Bourdain. Read by Bourdain at a rapid pace, hearing this in his own voice transformed the essay collection from an informative (if crass at times) read to an wild time-capsule filled with intensity and joie de vivre that, upon opening, imparts a tinge of sadness and nostalgia to the reader.

International Feature Film (Book in Translation):  Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk, translated from Polish by Antonia Lloyd-Jones. Wow. While reading this book, I did not know if I thought it was a social commentary on marginalized people, a mystery, magical realism, thriller, or… something else. I read this one slowly to savor it, and bought a copy for my librarian friend for Christmas.

Makeup and Hairstyling (Best Mystery/Thriller/or Horror Book): Brother Cadfael’s Penance by Ellis Peters. A worthy end to the series. (And I like any part of the Cadfael books that includes Olivier de Bretagne.)

Music (Best Book-Related Social Media): Bodelian Libraries’ instagram. The Bod is the main research library of the University of Oxford, the second-largest library in Britain, and home to many of J.R.R. Tolkien’s manuscripts. On the instagram page, you will find pictures of medieval documents, beautiful architecture, and more.

Best Picture (Best “Literary” Fiction Book): Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk, translated by Antonia Lloyd-Jones. I picked this one up because Tokarczuk won the Nobel prize a few years back. I’m no expert on literature, but I thought this novel was flawless.

Production Design (Best Publisher): American Academy of Pediatrics. Thank you, AAP for Digging Into Nature: Outdoor Adventures for Happier and Healthier Kids, for Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5, and for vaccine standards that resist the CDC’s nonsense.

Short Film (Animated) (Best Children’s Book): The Skull by Jon Klassen. This book has been quoted regularly in our house over the last year. Beautiful art; spooky, yet cozy.

Short Film (Live Action) (Best Short Story Collection):  The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories by Susanna Clarke. A collection of short stories in the same setting as Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, Clarke’s style and her precision with characterization are excellent.

Sound (Best Poetry): The Odyssey, translated by Robert Fagles. I really don’t read much poetry, so the competition for this category was not steep, but I was impressed by how much of the story was about family, about treating guests well, and about respect. I would like to read another translation soon to compare.

Visual Effects (Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy Novel):  Arboreality by Rebecca Campbell. I bought this one because it won the Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for Fiction. Although it paints a bleak future where climate change and forest fires have destroyed much of civilization, it gives me hope to see images of people persevering and finding love, beauty, and happiness – even when it seems all is lost.

Writing (Adapted Screenplay) (Best Book Adaptation): Murderbot Season 1. I didn’t really get why people liked The Murderbot Diaries until I watched the show, which is funny, exciting, filled with interesting characters, and depicts a kind-of-autistic Murderbot trying to function when surrounded by people who keep trying to – ugh – make eye contact and talk about feelings.

Writing (Original Screenplay) (Best Prose): The City in Glass by Nghi Vo. This is the second time I’ve placed Nghi Vo’s work in this category. I recommended this book over and over to friends based on her writing alone. This story is not built by mere words on paper; those words are made of the very dirt, water, salt, and blood that built the City of Azril.

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Slow Cooker Red Lentil Curry with Sweet Potatoes

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I am frequently on the hunt for more vegetarian slow cooker recipes. I love using my slow cooker on days when I go in to work for easy dinner (or even when I’m at home, to fill the house with warmth and delicious aromas while I play with the girls and do chores.) My daughters love this recipe and ask for it frequently. In fact, the other day, my 4-year old was crying desperately for “orange potato rice.” Joe and I had no idea what she meant until the next morning when she was able to ask more calmly, and I promised to make it soon, and here it is!

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Slow Cooker Red Lentil Curry with Sweet Potatoes Adapted from Well Plated by Erin

Servings: 6 people

Ingredients

Olive oil
2 cups dried red lentils
6 cups peeled, cubed sweet potato (about 3 medium)
4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
1 cup water
1 small shallot finely chopped
3 tablespoons Thai red curry paste
1 tablespoon garam masala
1 teaspoon turmeric
½ tablespoon light brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground ginger
¾ teaspoon kosher salt
3 cloves garlic minced (about 1 tablespoon)
1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
1 cup heavy cream (or canned light coconut milk)

For serving:
Cooked brown rice
Fresh cilantro
Lime wedges

Instructions

  1. Coat a 5-quart or larger slow cooker with a small amount of olive oil. Rinse the lentils, then add them to the slow cooker. Add all ingredients except the cream and stir well to combine.
  2. Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours or LOW for 6 to 7 hours, until the lentils and sweet potatoes are tender.
  3. Turn off the heat and whisk in the cream. The lentils and sweet potatoes will emulsify and form a sort of thick sauce. If you’d like a thinner consistency, stir in additional broth or water. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
  4. Serve hot over prepared brown rice. Garnish with lots of fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lemon or lime, if desired.

The Best Italian Wedding Soup

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A year or two ago, Joe started making this Italian wedding soup for us at home and it has become one of our favorites – the girls devour it and Joe sometimes makes extra of the meatballs to serve for lunches. Just as the name indicates, the flavors marry very well and every mouthful is stunning. In October, Joe took a quart of this soup to a friend who had just had a baby; at her first bite, she set her spoon down, looked squarely at Joe, and said “shut up!” “I know, right?!” Joe responded. It’s just that good.

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Italian Wedding Soup adapted from Cooking Classy

Servings: 6

Ingredients

Meatballs
8 oz lean ground beef
8 oz ground pork
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 1/2 tsp minced fresh oregano
1/2 cup finely shredded parmesan
1 large egg
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 Tbsp olive oil

Soup
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 1/4 cups 1/4-inch diced carrots
1 1/4 cups diced yellow onion
3/4 cup 1/4-inch diced celery
4 cloves garlic , minced (1 1/2 Tbsp)
5 (14.5 oz) cans low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup dry acini de pepe or orzo pasta ( reduce to ¾ cup for a brothier soup)
6 oz fresh spinach , chopped
Finely shredded parmesan , for serving

Instructions

Make the Meatballs Add all meatball ingredients except oil to a large bowl; gently toss and break up mixture with hands to evenly coat and distribute.

Shape mixture into very small meatballs, about 3/4 inch to 1 inch and transfer to a large plate.

Cook the Meatballs Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add half of the meatballs and cook until browned, turning occasionally (to brown on 2 or 3 sides), about 4 minutes total.

Then transfer meatballs to a plate lined with paper towels while leaving oil in skillet.

Repeat process with remaining meatballs (note that meatballs won’t be cooked through at this point, they’ll continue to cook through in the soup).

Make the Mirepoix While meatballs are browning, heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add carrots, onions and celery and sauté until veggies have softened about 6 – 8 minutes, add garlic and sauté 1 minute longer.

Cook the Soup Pour in chicken broth, season soup with salt and pepper to taste and bring mixture to a boil. Add in pasta and meatballs, reduce heat to light boil (about medium or medium-low).

Cover and cook, stirring occasionally until pasta is tender and meatballs have cooked through, about 10 minutes, while adding in spinach during the last minute of cooking. Serve warm, sprinkle each serving with parmesan cheese.

Gallo pinto

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Beans and rice are a staple in many parts of the world, and they’re a staple in my house too – primarily because they’re so easy to make on a tight schedule. Lately, this Costa Rican version of black beans and rice has replaced the red beans and rice (my sister calls”Weezy, Weezy, beans so easy” in honor of our mom, Louise) which had been my go-to for the last 10 years. Gallo pinto is often made with leftover beans and rice from the night before to be served for breakfast alongside fried eggs, fried plantain, avocado slices, fresh corn tortillas, sour cream called natilla, and hot sauce with a cup of coffee. I adapted this recipe from Pura Vida Moms and Striped Spatula using canned beans since we always have some in our pantry.

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1 Tablespoon oil
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 small yellow onion, chopped
2 cups black beans (cooked ahead of time with 1-2 cloves garlic and some oregano) OR 1 can low-sodium black beans
1/2 cup reserved cooking liquid from the beans OR the juice from the can of beans
2 Tablespoons Salsa Lizano or Worcestershire Sauce
3 cups cooked rice
1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Heat oil on the stove over medium high heat until it is shimmering. Sauté pepper and onion until onion is translucent.
Add beans, cooking liquid, and sauce – stir to combine.
Stir in the cooked rice until it is heated through.
Stir in cilantro and season to taste.
Enjoy!

2024 Oscars of Books

~ marietoday ~ 6 Comments

Snow is blowing, ice is piling up, and it is officially awards season. Hugo and Nebula nominees will be announced in March, and the winners of the Academy Awards will be declared in next month, as well. When I was much younger, I (briefly) dreamed of being a film director and read all the film reviews in the local paper. I quickly moved on from that to my eventual goal of becoming a physiotherapist (achieved!), but in honor of the upcoming Oscars ceremony, I have prepared my “Oscars of Books”! I have enjoyed doing this post for the last 2 years; for each post I only use books that I have read within the last year. This past year saw a new baby and a new job, so I haven’t been able to read as much and my responses are a bit limited by that, but I still have a lot to reflect on.

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Actor in a Leading Role (Best Male Main Character): Tertius Lydgate in Middlemarch by George Eliot. Tertius (a co-main character with Dorothea) is a young, aspirational physician who has big ideas for revolutionizing health care… but doesn’t understand the difference between culture in the small town he moves to versus the city he is from which has ramifications on his ability to work toward his goal. I strongly sympathize with Tertius, although I have spent enough time living in rural areas to cringe at how naïve he is about the concerns and priorities of people living in rural communities.

Actor in a Supporting Role (Best Male Side Character): Paul Duré in Hyperion by Dan Simmons. Before reading Hyperion, a friend had described to me as “Canterbury Tales in space”. Seven pilgrims tell each other their histories while on their journey to the Shrike. Lenar Hoyt reads from Father Duré’s journals to tell the first story. I was fascinated by his character; an exiled priest who wants to learn more about a mysterious group of nativized people on the planet Hyperion, and ends up becoming a part of their society in a very unorthodox (and horrifying) way. 

Actress in a Leading Role (Best Female Main Character): Caithleen “Kate” Brady in The Lonely Girl by Edna O’Brien (also published as “Girl with Green Eyes”). I read Edna O’Brien’s Country Girls trilogy early last year before the author’s death. All three books are well-crafted, but Kate resonated most with me in the middle book…  She is hopeful, but scared; bold, but naïve. Life continues to throw itself at her. As the world opens up, Kate has no guidance, little support, and less love to see her through. And yet she pushes her way through as best as she knows how. I feel sorry for Kate, but also love her.

Actress in a Supporting Role (Best Female Side Character): Rosamund Vincy in Middlemarch by George Eliot. Rosamund for me was definitely a love-to-hate-her character. Really, she’s not quite as bad as all that, although she is a foil to the main characters I adore: both her hardworking husband Tertius and the selfless Dorothea.

Add a Category! – Best Non-Binary Character: Murderbot in All Systems Red by Martha Wells. Murderbot receives a lot of love online… sometimes I feel like I alone am unenchanted. I think Murderbot embodies a lot of the desire to withdraw which many people feel right now (something I actively try to work against in myself). I think it’s easy for many readers to see themselves in Murderbot.

Animated Feature Film (Graphic Novel): Saga Volume 11 by Brian K. Vaughn. I thought I hadn’t read any graphic novels last year, but looking way back in my reading records, I see I did read this and one other BPRD early on. In a head to head, Saga wins again.

Cinematography (Setting): Hyperion by Dan Simmons. Simmons’s description of the planet Hyperion was achingly beautiful. I wanted to lay eyes on the azure and green seas, the flame forests, even the Time Tombs.

Costume Design (Best Cover Art): The Rose Rent by Ellis Peters. I like the aesthetic of this one, it almost has a fairytale quality to it.

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Directing (Favorite Author): Edna O’Brien, DBE. Edna O’Brien has been on my to-read list for quite some time. Shortly before my younger daughter was born, I picked up a copy of “The Country Girls Trilogy”, which I read during sleepless nights last spring. O’Brien’s characters are beautiful, flawed creatures whom I felt I must have met before because they felt so real to me. I am glad I had a chance to experience her work before she died.

Documentary Feature Film (Best Nonfiction Book):  How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen by Joanna Faber and Julie King. A lifesaver, seriously.
Runner up: An Immense World by Ed Yong. See here for some thoughts on this book from Nonfiction November!

Documentary Short Film (Best Essay): On the 13 Words That Made Me a Writer by Sofia Samatar . Sofia Samatar’s writing is a joy for me to read. I was happy to find this essay by her on LitHub about the joy of language.

Film Editing (Editor of a Collection or Magazine): Emily Temple of LitHub. I increasingly appreciate LitHub for the collection of essays, book reviews, writing advice, and more. I also enjoy Ms Temple’s listicles – she wrote the original Oscars of Books that I started basing this on

International Feature Film (Book in Translation): Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End by Kanehito Yamada. After becoming mildly obsessed with the anime of the same name, I picked up the first 3 volumes of the manga series. I am not much into manga and probably won’t continue, but I am a fan of the story and it was the only work in translation I read last year…

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Makeup and Hairstyling (Best Mystery/Thriller/or Horror Book): The Raven in the Foregate by Ellis Peters. This Cadfael selection was among my favorites that I have read so far for its social critique of a strict priest and for the unique way the victim’s death was handled – no spoilers, though!

Music (Best Book-Related Social Media): indiarosecrawford on Instagram Do you like Frog and Toad? I grew up reading these beloved books by Arnold Lobel. India Rose Crawford’s Instagram page of a tiny knitted Frog and Toad cooking or going on other such adventures fills me with cozy. An instant mood lift.

Best Picture (Best “Literary” Fiction Book): Middlemarch by George Eliot. LitHub once called Middlemarch “exquisitely written and ecstatically boring” and I think that is very accurate… It starts so very slowly and continues from there with a portrait of 1st world problems which seem inconsequential (inheritance, marriage)… but what a brilliant portrait it is! Each character is so very fully realized and deeply understood by Elliot that, somehow, I feel like I understand even myself and people around me better simply by reading about Elliot’s characters. By the end, I was fully captivated.

Production Design (Best Publisher): Image comics. Image has a number of great comics: Bitch Planet, Descender, Ascender, Monstress, Rat Queens, Saga, Sex Criminals, The Walking Dead, The Wicked + The Divine… and one of the great things about Image is they keep their comics affordable = accessible!

Short Film (Animated) (Best Children’s Book): Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Beth Krommes. We received this book from some parent-friends of ours and I loved the art, the description of spirals, and illustrations of where spirals are found in nature. This introduced my 3 year old to the concept of tornados, which worried her for a while.

Short Film (Live Action) (Best Short Story): “Epilogue” by Edna O’Brien – The conclusion to the Country Girls trilogy has stuck with me – I found it surprising, sad, and comforting at the same time.

Sound (Best Poetry): Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler . I’m not too much of a poetry reader, so as a result we have kids’ book #2 in this year’s awards. This rhyming book was a cute and witchy story of found family looking out for each other.

Visual Effects (Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy Novel): Hyperion by Dan Simmons. This book just blew my mind when I read it. I couldn’t stop talking about it and it has lived in my head all year: the Shrike, or time sickness, or Tree ships popping into my head whenever they wished.

Writing (Adapted Screenplay) (Best Book Adaptation): I have two very different responses for this category. The first, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (2023-present) was a word-for-word, shot-for-shot remake of the manga… but with gorgeous color and soul-lifting music. The show was better than the book (gasp!).
The second response is Interview with the Vampire television series (2022–present). This is a reimagining more than a straight adaptation – what if Louis had been a black man? Which aspects of his story would change, and which would be the same? Beautifully acted, stunningly directed, really astounding.

Writing (Original Screenplay) (Best Prose): Edna O’Brien for The Lonely Girl – While reading this middle book of the Country Girls trilogy, I was struck by the beautiful writing. Edna O’Brien’s prose is beautiful, whether she is writing about life in a tiny rented room in Dublin, walking through misty Irish hills, or the twisted turnings of toxic relationships.

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New To My TBR

~ marietoday ~ 14 Comments
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I am participating in Nonfiction November to share my experiences and see what everyone else has been reading as well! Talking about books together with other book lovers makes what is usually a solitary activity a communal one. It is one of the benefits of blogging that we can come together and discuss the ideas initially shared by the author; the more we discuss, the more the ideas and experiences grow and our community grows as well.

The final week of Nonfiction November is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz and the topic is “New to my TBR.” I added a number of books to my to-read list, so take a look! Maybe there are some you have read (if so, share your thoughts!), or some that will pique your interest, too.

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All The Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me by Patrick Bringley
I have already picked this one up from the library and I am looking forward to reading it!
Recommended by:
Unsolicited Feedback
Based on a True Story
Nancy Elin

Making It So by Patrick Stewart
I don’t usually listen to audiobooks, but I think I will enjoy hearing this in Sir Patrick Stewart’s voice. I’m currently 17th in line to borrow it from my library on the Libby app.
Recommended by:
Joy’s Book Blog
The Book Stop

The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan
Back when I still used twitter, and it was still called twitter, I followed Amy Tan; I remember when she started drawing birds and sharing some of them online.
Recommended by:
Readerbuzz
Reading, Writing, Working, Playing
Shoe’s Seeds & Stories

The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World by Bettany Hughs
Recommended by:
Musings of a Literary Wanderer
Bookfever

How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen by David Brooks
Recommended by:
Lisa Notes
Readerbuzz

Autocracy, Inc.: The Dictators Who Want to Run the World by Anne Applebaum
Recommended by:
Unsolicited Feedback
Head Subhead

Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson
Volatile Rune
Notes in the Margin

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More from Musings of a Literary Wanderer:
Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want to Come by Jessica Pan
The Third Pole by Mark Synnott
The Six by Lauren Grush

More from AnnaBookBel:
The Blues Brothers by Daniel De Vise
All You Need is Love by Peter Brown and Steven Gaines
Rememberings by Sinéad O’Connor
The Swedish Art of Aging Well by Margareta Magnusson

More from Literary Potpourri
Parisian Days by Banine
Summers Under the Tamarind Tree by Sumayya Usmani

More from Shoe’s Seeds & Stories:
Medicine Wheel for the Planet by Dr. Jennifer Grenz
Kokoro by Beth Kempton

More from What? Me Read?
The Islandman by Tomás O’Crohan
Hunting the Falcon by John Grey and Julia Fox

More from Head Subhead:
This Is What It Sounds Like: A Legendary Producer Turned Neuroscientist on Finding Yourself Through Music by Susan Rogers and Ogi Ogas
The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters by Priya Parker

More from Notes in the Margin:
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk
Words Are My Matter: Writings About Life and Books 2000 – 2016 by Ursula K. Le Guin
A Kind of Mirraculas Paradise: A True Story About Schizophrenia by Sandra Allen
Tell Me a Story: The Life Shaping Power of Our Stories by Daniel Taylor

More from Unsolicited Feedback:
The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin
How Infrastructure Works by Deb Chachra
Around the World in 80 Birds by Mike Unwin
Our Moon by Rebecca Boyle

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More from Volatile Rune:
In Search of Mary Shelley: The Girl Who Wrote Frankenstein by Fiona Sampson

More from Adventures in reading, running and working from home:
Diary of a Young Naturalist by Dara McAnulty

More from Readerbuzz:
The Underworld: Journeys to the Depths of the Ocean by Susan Casey

More from Reading, Writing, Working, Playing:
Better Living Through Birding: Notes from a Black Man in the Natural World by Christian Cooper

More from She Seeks Nonfiction:
Inventing Reality by Michael Parenti

More from Silver Button Books :
Ultra-Processed People by Chris van Tulleken

More from Nancy Elin:
The Kingdom, the Power and the Glory by Tim Alberta

More from She Reads Novels
The Black Count by Tom Reiss

More from Hopewell’s Public Library of Life:
How to Keep House While Drowning by K. C. Davis

Which of these books will you pick up?

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https://bookstr.com/list/7-tips-for-keeping-your-tbr-under-control/

Mind Openers

~ marietoday ~ 10 Comments
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I am participating in Nonfiction November to celebrate the ability of books to broaden our horizons! Week 3 is hosted by Rebekah at She Seeks Nonfiction and the discussion is “Mind Openers.” I chose 3 different books for the 3 questions, but really, I probably could have mixed and matched any of these responses.

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What nonfiction book or books have impacted the way you see the world in a powerful way?

I feel like An Immense World literally changed the way I see the world! Each chapter focuses on a different sense and how animals may use that sense to navigate their world. I feel like I was made aware of only the tiny corner of perception, the rest of which is forever out of my reach in this human body. (And nearly out of the reach of words, as well!) This very same planet that we share is actually infinite worlds experienced in an infinite myriad of ways. Would I even recognize my own home if I experienced it through a bird’s senses? Could it even be possible to think about life in the same way a fish does? While reading, I repeatedly thought of the saying “if a lion could speak, we could not understand him.” Because of the gap in the very fundamentals of the way we process the world, we will always be alien to each other.

Is there one book that made you rethink everything?

*Everything*? Nothing quite so dramatic – it seems like that would be quite an upheaval! Buddhist Reflections on Everyday Life, however, is helping me to re-shape my thinking. I have often returned to this book over the last year when I need a “reset”.

Is there a book that, if everyone read it, you think the world would be a better place?

I would never assume any one book must be universally read, but I did share a book with my family to make our home a better place…

A year ago, a loved one came out as trans. This was not really surprising to anyone close to her, but some older family members didn’t know how to respond and had a lot of questions. I asked my mom to read Becoming Nicole together with me so we could discuss it, and I think it helped her understand what our loved one has gone through.

I disliked the “sciency” chapters of this book because I felt they were under-researched and that they over-extrapolated from some old/outdated studies of dubious quality. But the biographical chapters were page-turners. I wanted to hug Nicole, to keep her safe.

Trans kids who are allowed to go by their preferred name are significantly less likely to commit suicide. What else does one need to know? What other metric of morality could possibly be more important than protecting kids’ lives? If more people read this book, I think the world would be a better place for children who are trans.

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The greatest power books have is to help us see the world through another’s eyes.

Simple Salmon Cakes

~ marietoday ~ Leave a comment

I already have a tuna patty recipe on this blog… perhaps it seems silly to have a separate post for something so similar with salmon? I love the way these salmon cakes turn out, though, and the little bit of extra flavor they get from the herbs. Even my 2 and a half year old eats these with some steamed broccoli. I also think they would go well with a Ceasar salad and some potatoes. Or you could try topping them with pickled red onions and putting it all in a pita. There are many possibilities, although to be honest, I usually eat them plain, still standing impatiently next to the stove.

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Simple Salmon Cakes – adapted from Eating Well

1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil plus 1 tablespoons, divided
1/4 cup finely diced onion
2 tablespoons finely diced celery
1 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 (6-ounce) can unsalted boneless, skinless salmon, drained
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 scant teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
1 lemon, cut into wedges for serving (optional)
Creamy Dill Sauce for serving (optional)

Saute the vegetables Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a skillet (I use my cast-iron) over medium-high heat. Add onion and celery; cook, stirring, until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in parsley. Remove from heat and transfer to a small bowl; wipe out the pan.

Make the patties Place salmon in a medium bowl and lightly flake apart with a fork. Add egg and mustard; mix well. Add the onion mixture, breadcrumbs and pepper; mix well. Shape the mixture into 4 patties, about 1/4 cup each and 3 inches in diameter.

Cook the patties Heat 1 tablespoon oil in the pan over medium heat. Add the patties and cook until the undersides are golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Using a wide spatula, turn them over and cook until cooked through and golden brown on the other side, 2 to 3 minutes more. Transfer to a plate

Serve the salmon cakes with dill sauce and lemon wedges, or with whatever toppings and sides you desire

For the dill sauce:
2 Tablespoons mayonnaise
2 Tablespoons plain yogurt
1 scallion, thinly sliced
1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh dill (or parsley)
Freshly ground pepper, to taste

Mix all ingredients together and enjoy on fish cakes, sandwiches, noodles, or anything you wish

Sweet Potato, Black Bean, and Rice Skillet

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Every fall I get a craving for orange vegetables… sweet potatoes, butternut squash, pumpkin… My family also loves beans. (I affectionately call my older daughter my “beanie baby”!) This recipe which I have made a number of times has both! I love it because 1) it is full of tasty vegetarian nutrition and 2) it is very easy and only requires one pan. I like to use my cast iron for this. I also like to add in extra sweet potato. I have found that using a jalapeno-based salsa makes this taste overly bright, so now I lean towards using tomato based salsas. Recipe Runner also suggests adding corn, diced zucchini, spinach, or a can of fire roasted tomatoes if desired.

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Sweet Potato, Black Bean, and Rice Skillet – adapted from Recipe Runner
Serves 4
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cups peeled and diced sweet potato
1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
4 ounces diced green chiles
1/2 cup salsa or salsa verde (smooth, not chunky)
2 cups cooked brown rice
15 ounce can low sodium black beans, drained and rinsed
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
Juice of a lime
1/2 cup shredded cheddar, colby jack, or monterey jack cheese

Cook the sweet potatoes: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Add in the diced sweet potatoes, salt and pepper, and sauté over medium heat for about about 8 minutes. Add 3-4 tablespoons of water to the skillet and cover it with a lid. Let the sweet potatoes steam until they’re fork tender, approximately 4 more minutes.

Mix in the other ingredients: Add the green chiles, black beans, rice, spices, salsa, cilantro, lime juice, salt and pepper to the skillet. Stir everything together until combined.

Top with cheese: Add the shredded cheese to the top and cover the skillet with the lid. Let everything cook for another 3-4 minutes until the cheese is melted and everything is warm.

Serve topped with additional cilantro, avocado, and plain Greek yogurt or sour cream if desired.

Book Pairings

~ marietoday ~ 10 Comments
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I am participating in Nonfiction November this year to celebrate curiosity, learning, and inspiration in reading. Week 3 is hosted by Liz at Adventures in reading, running and working from home and the topic is Book Pairings. I’ve done a similar post before when I happened to read Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee and There, There in the same season.

Last year, I read Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest. I loved the description of trees sharing nutrients and even information among each other for the health of the forest. This year, I read Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds, and Shape Our Futures by Merlin Sheldrake. Sheldrake not only mentions Simard’s work, but expands on how the “wood wide web” really all comes down to the fungal networks in the soil. It made everything I learned from Simard’s work clearer and also helped me to appreciate even more the beautiful balance of nature. …And speaking of book pairings: Sheldrake mentions two other non-fiction writers I love: Robin Wall Kimmerer and Ed Yong; *as well as* my two favorite fiction writers: J.R.R. Tolkien and Ursula K. LeGuin.

My next book to pair with Finding the Mother Tree will be The Overstory by Richard Powers. Apparently, Powers was inspired by Simard’s work and even based a character on her in this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. I wonder if the fungal networks will make an appearance, too!