Behind The Butter

his and hers: dinner last night

It’s Tuesday but I don’t have a book review for you today. Mainly because all I’ve been doing during the past seven days has been melting my mascara by the stove and watching Grey’s Anatomy. On that note, anyone know a good book I should read? I’m stuck in a rut.

So instead of my weekly book review, I’ll tell you a little bit about our dinner last night! How does that sound?

Around two o’clock yesterday afternoon I emailed Adam at work like I usually do at that hour to tell him what’s for dinner.  I mentioned I was going to make How Sweet Eats BBQ chicken pasta bake because I was craving comfort food and Jessica is my one-stop barbecue chicken source.

Actually she’s my one-stop everything source. I made her crispy shrimp tacos the other night and they were a big hit as well!

Adam then emailed back to ask if I could make the pasta with a side of mashed potatoes and mushrooms (typical). I decided for the sake of my waistline we would save the pasta for another night and, instead, have steak, cheesy mashed potatoes and roasted asparagus.

Then, Adam emailed again and said he loved me very, very much.

Didn’t someone once say that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach?

Especially if you feed that stomach steak and cheesy mashed potatoes.

And especially if that man is from Texas.


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  • Kristin Eats
    April 12, 2011 at 1:36 pm

    SO true – the way to a man’s heart is always through his stomach. Looks delish. After reading your tweet yesterday about steak for dinner, I decided I had to have the same. 🙂 Hope Adam loved the dinner!

  • Lisa
    April 12, 2011 at 1:40 pm

    Yum! I made Hubby steak over the weekend too!

  • Jill
    April 12, 2011 at 1:44 pm

    First time commenting, but had to let you know about a book review I just read. The book is called The Wilder Life: My Adventures in the Lost World of Little House on the Prairie and it’s by Wendy McClure. Thought you might be interested!

  • Annalisa
    April 12, 2011 at 1:44 pm

    Books I’m enjoying right now:
    The Wheel of Life- A Memoir of Living and Dying by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross. Really inspiring.
    Tender to the Bone- Ruth Reichl

    I’m craving asparagus and mashed potatoes now!

  • Michelle
    April 12, 2011 at 1:49 pm

    One of my all-time favorite books is East of Eden. I also recommend Water for Elephants – you can read it just in time for the movie!

    PS: Made your pizza dough again last night. So delicious and always a huge hit with the husband!

    • Baking 'n' Books
      April 12, 2011 at 2:26 pm

      Good to know! I’ve been looking for a good dough.

      Books? I’m reading a book by Geneen Roth “Lost and Found”, but I doubt that’d interest you!

      I seen a cute book “Kitchen Chinese” the other day that I’d like to read though.

    • annie
      April 12, 2011 at 9:46 pm

      I was going to recommend Water for Elephants too! I loved it, Read it when it last year, so excited to see the movie.

      • LMF
        April 13, 2011 at 12:32 pm

        I just finished Water for Elephants too. It’s been on my list for awhile and I wanted to read it before the movie. Very very good! A surprisingly quick read as well. Shantaram was really good too.

  • Katie Jo
    April 12, 2011 at 1:50 pm

    I recently read Cutting for Stone – best book I’ve read this year by far. (And only 7.99 on the Kindle right now)

    So glad asparagus is back in season!

  • Jacqueline
    April 12, 2011 at 1:52 pm

    Just found your blog and I’m IN LOVE! I love the variety and that you like the exercise, and that you seem to live in the most beautiful place in the US!

  • Michelle | GOLD-HEARTED GIRL
    April 12, 2011 at 2:00 pm

    What a good girlfriend. 🙂 My boyfriend and I have a similar conversation, but he usually just says whatever you make, I’ll love. Boys are great sometimes, huh?

    http://goldhearted.etsy.com

  • Katie @ Nourishing Flourishing
    April 12, 2011 at 2:00 pm

    Have you read any of Gloria Naylor’s books? If you haven’t read Mama Day, I would suggest that one. It’s very unique, and Naylor is famous for her magical realism, which shines through in that novel. It’s filled with allusions to classic literature like Shakespeare, too, which I’m sure as an English major you will appreciate too 😉 That book is so rich and beautiful for some reason. I think you’d love it! A quick read as well — you get right into the story and can’t put it down.

  • Jessica @ How Sweet
    April 12, 2011 at 2:00 pm

    funny, because all of the recipes that my husband requests over and over again are YOURS! we’ve only eaten that chicken pot pie like 72 times since you posted it. Last week he requested it for lunch, which meant I had to make two of them so he ate 6 days of your pot pie for lunch!

  • Maggie
    April 12, 2011 at 2:00 pm

    Try the Maisie Dobbs books. I am obSESSED!

  • kimmy
    April 12, 2011 at 2:01 pm

    The Last Summer (of you and me) is wonderful!

  • lindsay
    April 12, 2011 at 2:01 pm

    I love that you included your portion size. Women are recommended to eat meat portions that is the size of our fists, not our faces!

  • Courtney @ The Granola Chronicles
    April 12, 2011 at 2:06 pm

    I really think I could eat asparagus just about every day. What a wonderful vegetable!

  • Nicole
    April 12, 2011 at 2:08 pm

    Those mashed potatoes look so so so delicious.

    As far as books go – my favorites are:

    The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein (this is written from a dog’s point of view, but it’s really really good!)
    Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen (one of those books that will definitely explode on the big screen – can’t wait for the movie)
    Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (beautiful story, but don’t bother watching the movie – it’s awful)

    • Rachel
      April 12, 2011 at 5:41 pm

      How funny, I just read The Art of Racing in the Rain and I’m about to start Water for Elephants!

  • Kelli H
    April 12, 2011 at 2:10 pm

    I would recommend Lost & Found by Jacqueline Sheehan.

  • Lisa
    April 12, 2011 at 2:10 pm

    YEP! That looks about right! When I first started living with my boyfriend I kind of thought I could eat the same portions he was eating…I quickly realized I could not! Our dinners often look like that: my plate is half the food as his.

  • The Red Velvet Life
    April 12, 2011 at 2:13 pm

    I’m new to your blog, so I’m not sure if you’ve read it, but I could hardly put down Kathryn Stockton’s The Help. I also liked Water for Elephants, but The Help really won me over. 🙂 Also, for something totally different but super interesting/sad/inspiring at the end, Portia de Rossi’s memoire, Unbearable Lightness was really good. So glad I found your blog! xo

  • Caitlin
    April 12, 2011 at 2:25 pm

    I second The Help, Also just finished One Day and it is tied with The Help for my favorite books I’ve read this year.

  • Jackie
    April 12, 2011 at 2:26 pm

    Have you ever read Poser: My life in 23 yoga poses? It’s really great and tells the story of one woman’s journey through yoga. She relates the poses she learns to her life, as each pose brings up memories. I highly suggest it!

  • Jenny (Fit Girl Foodie)
    April 12, 2011 at 2:27 pm

    Asparagus, mashed potatoes and steak? Great combination! Real bbq food 😀

  • Molly
    April 12, 2011 at 2:31 pm

    So I’m not the only one who emails her boyfriend during work to confirm dinner plans? Thought I was overly concerned with dinner affairs until now.

  • julie
    April 12, 2011 at 2:32 pm

    Hi jenna! Read the senators wife by sue miller. I cannot put it down. I’m hoping to read your recommendation of “pictures of you” this week.

  • Anne
    April 12, 2011 at 2:32 pm

    Books: “Extremely loud and incredibly close” from Jonathan Safran Foer and/or “The history of love” from Nicole Krauss (his wife) !

  • Alexa @ Simple Eats
    April 12, 2011 at 2:35 pm

    This meal is perfect warm-weather fare. Yum!

  • Sara
    April 12, 2011 at 2:35 pm

    Have you read One Day by David Nicholls? SO GOOD!

  • Shari @ Chicago Cuisine Critique
    April 12, 2011 at 2:37 pm

    Too cute. My boyfriend always changes the meal plan. Boys..

  • Heather at Heather's Dish
    April 12, 2011 at 2:40 pm

    Holy BBQ I’m hungry! It all looks and sounds amazing…

  • Melissa
    April 12, 2011 at 2:40 pm

    Fragile by Lisa Unger is a really well written book with an excellent plot. I bought it on a whim on Friday at a Borders store closing sale, started it on Sunday and finished it Monday morning. I was a very, very tired person when I woke up after four hours of sleep, but it was worth it!

  • AnneW
    April 12, 2011 at 2:52 pm

    Book Recommendation:
    The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff
    It’s about polygamy (and murder!) in modern-day Utah as well as in the days of Brigham Young. It mixes historical fiction, mystery, and religious debate. SO INTERESTING!

    • Sarah
      April 12, 2011 at 3:47 pm

      I’m currently listening to this on CD as I drive. I completely agree with this recommendation! It’s fascinating!!

  • Ally (oatsandspice)
    April 12, 2011 at 2:53 pm

    Grilled asparagus is just about my favvvv veggie – mmmmm 🙂

  • Kristin
    April 12, 2011 at 2:56 pm

    Omnivore’s Dilemma & The China Study would be my top 2 recommendations!

    Dinner looks amazing btw!

  • Kristin @Wounded Fawn
    April 12, 2011 at 3:07 pm

    I made a similar dinner on Saturday night and did a his/her. It was the first time I have ever cooked steak. I made a pan fried porterhouse with a bit or a dry rub and dill and buttermilk mashed potatoes topped w chives and steamed green beans. I made myself bbq tofu since I am a vegetarian and the boyfriend is not.

  • Melissa
    April 12, 2011 at 3:09 pm

    Read Winter Garden immediately. You and I are on the same page when it comes to books and trust me when I say that you will love this. It will make you cry though… Whatever you do, do not judge the book prior to page 150. I read from that page on to the end of the book without putting it down. It was just that good!

    • dana
      April 13, 2011 at 4:07 am

      agreed, Winter Garden is amazing-very similar to ‘Those Who Save us’. All of the Kristin Hannah books are great if you are in a very sappy, in-the-mood-to-cry kind of moods.

      • jenna
        April 13, 2011 at 2:34 pm

        just downloaded it for my Kindle and about to start it!! Can’t wait!

  • megan @ blackberries for jam
    April 12, 2011 at 3:13 pm

    I wholeheartedly recommend The Adults by Alison Espach and Freedom by Jonathan Franzen!

  • Jen Papaya
    April 12, 2011 at 3:13 pm

    The God of Small Things, by Arundhati Roy – absolutely breathtaking novel.

    Also – Prodigal Summer, by Barbara Kingsolver (or anything by her actually.)

  • Kristin @Wounded Fawn
    April 12, 2011 at 3:18 pm

    Also, I agree you should read the history of love by Nicole Krauss. I read it when it first came out and it still sticks out in my head.

  • mary (sisters running the kitchen)
    April 12, 2011 at 3:19 pm

    cheesy mashed potatoes…a favorite of mine! that steak looks awesome! I love a good steak every once in a while!

  • Deanna
    April 12, 2011 at 3:21 pm

    A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving is my very favorite book. It was the only book I read in high school that I have reread and forced other people to read as well. I make everyone read it.

    If you want something funny, you can’t go wrong with anything by Jen Lancaster.

  • Kristin
    April 12, 2011 at 3:25 pm

    I don’t mean to obsess, but if you haven’t read Maeve Binchy yet you should! Circle of Friends is my favorite!

  • Heidi - Apples Under My Bed
    April 12, 2011 at 3:27 pm

    What a great girlfriend you are 🙂 This looks mighty delicious, I’ve been making meals like this lately – craving meat!!
    Heidi xo

  • Heidi - Apples Under My Bed
    April 12, 2011 at 3:28 pm

    p.s. I loved The Bronze Horseman (and then the next 2 books in that series). Paullina Simons is a great writer.
    Heidi xo

  • Julie
    April 12, 2011 at 3:38 pm

    Highly recommend the book ROOM by Emma Donoghue. Excellent read. I have 6 month old twins and cherish my sleep — this book kept me up all night long while my twins were sleeping. Now it’s GOT to be a good book if I pass up sleep.

  • Julee
    April 12, 2011 at 3:45 pm

    I have two, but they’re both YA novels. The first is Looking for Alaska by John Green, and the other is I Am the Messenger by Martin Zuckas. I’m a high school teacher, but I would recommend either book to every read at any age!

  • Jen
    April 12, 2011 at 4:02 pm

    I really like books by Sire Mitchell…Chateau of Echoes is a good place to start.

  • Rene
    April 12, 2011 at 4:05 pm

    Check out Cutting for Stone – amazing book!

  • Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga)
    April 12, 2011 at 4:05 pm

    “Didn’t someone once say that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach?”– YES!!
    Big time. Feed them well, and you can get away with just about anything 🙂

    He looks like a natural in front of that grill, too!

    Jessica is one of my best friends. I think the world of her. Not just her recipes (which are amazing) but she’s my go-to girl for so many things 🙂

  • Jennifer
    April 12, 2011 at 4:26 pm

    I’m embarrassed to tell you the book I just finished and loved. It might have been written by a gal named Danielle.

  • Maggie
    April 12, 2011 at 4:32 pm

    If you haven’t read it already, “Blood, Bones and Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef” by Gabrielle Hamilton is fantastic!

  • Laurie
    April 12, 2011 at 4:37 pm

    That’s my kind of meal Jenna! I love a good steak!

    You have to read the Diana Gabaldon Outlander Series!! Once you start.. you can’t put them down!! It’s my most favorite books EVER!

  • Erin @ Small things
    April 12, 2011 at 4:44 pm

    cheesy mashed potatoes!
    Also, I just read and loved, “Just Kids” it’s Patti Smith memoir about her relationship with Robert Maplethorpe and I really loved it. Not sure it’s your thing, but who knows!

  • AnalieseMarie
    April 12, 2011 at 4:48 pm

    Have you read any of Sarah Dunant’s historical fiction? I just finished Sacred Hearts and The Birth of Venus, both set in late-Renaissance Italy. She weaves together art history, religion, politics, and serious drama with incredible characters. I’m now working on another one of hers, In the Company of the Courtesan, and it’s just as good as the other two.

    I second the recommendations for The Help, Water for Elephants, and Poser. I’d also add The Dirty Life by Kristin Kimball, an autobiographical work about the farming life and all its challenges.

    Love your site, your recipes, your book reviews…all of it. 🙂

  • Kathryn
    April 12, 2011 at 4:52 pm

    Mmmmm I’m craving BBQ now!

    I’m reading Freedom by Jonathan Franzen and its a great book!

  • Courtney T.
    April 12, 2011 at 5:13 pm

    Very true.. they love their meat and potatoes! Such a great lookin’ dinner… this is exactly what my boyfriend and I love to eat! Hits the spot for us 🙂
    Have a great Wednesday tomorrow!!

  • amy walters, aDESIGNdock
    April 12, 2011 at 5:18 pm

    Hehe cute recap 😉 Love it!

  • Lola
    April 12, 2011 at 5:36 pm

    If we ever wondered how Jenna stayed slim and gorgeous with all the yummy food she makes … this is how!!! check out the portion size,

    • Tania
      April 13, 2011 at 1:28 pm

      She’s a smart girl I tell you! She is living proof that you can eat everything in moderation with proper portions and maintain your weight.

      And Jenna girl, watch out cause that man is gonna marry you!

  • Melanie
    April 12, 2011 at 5:40 pm

    I am half way through Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand, I can barely stand to put it down to write this! So fascinating, highly recommend!

  • Ellen
    April 12, 2011 at 5:51 pm

    Hey Jenna,

    I would highly recommend reading Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte if you haven’t read it yet. It’s an awesome classic, and one of my favorite stories. Right now though, I’m reading ‘Invisible Man’ bye Ralph Ellison. Hope you find something! 🙂

  • French Heart
    April 12, 2011 at 5:53 pm

    Mmmmm cheesy mashed potatoes and roasted asparagus sounds soooo good…plus more great pix!

    YES, men are captured by great cooking–but our efforts to please have an eternal component, too. The pix of Adam reminded me when I was 21 and our son 4, my hubs and I bought our 2nd home on a leafy cul-de-sac. We immediately renovated everything, including adding a swimming pool. Every night after work he’d have a beer while cleaning the already clean pool in the beautiful garden, our darling little boy by his side. It was a Zen thing. He’d fire up the built-in brick barbecue while in the kitchen I’d be making everything special I could dream up for my two guys.

    I’d stand there sometimes, transfixed, looking out the kitchen window at the two of them in that gorgeous setting and think how lucky I was. Your post reminded me of this. And that tho he died young, I know how fortunate that time was for all of us. It really did revolve around my cooking that sprang from an effort to make our home a nearly holy place for the three of us. That specialness was short and sweet but has endured…. as am sure it will for the rest of my life.

  • Laci
    April 12, 2011 at 6:19 pm

    I read Hunger Games over the weekend. It is has been out for a while but I loved it!

  • Mellie
    April 12, 2011 at 6:24 pm

    My favorite authors are: Francine Rivers, Nicholas Sparks, and Judith Pella. Judith Pella’s books are harder to find (for me, anyways) but they’re worth hunting for!
    The steak looks great!

  • R @ Learning As I Chop
    April 12, 2011 at 6:33 pm

    Aww, that is sweet

  • Jil @ Big City, Lil Kitchen
    April 12, 2011 at 6:43 pm

    So cute! and looks delicious.

  • Christine
    April 12, 2011 at 6:44 pm

    I’ve been following your blog for awhile, but have never commented until now. I love all of your recipes that I’ve tried so far! Especially the curried butternut squash and lentil soup.

    Book suggestions: Comfort Food, by Kate Jacobs is really good. I recently read The Shack by William P. Young and it’s possibly the best novel I’ve ever read. I recommend it to everyone all the time. I also recently read The Fiction Class by Susan Breen, it’s excellent. Hope you find something good to read soon! I like your book reviews too 🙂

  • meagan
    April 12, 2011 at 6:51 pm

    I just started reading “The Game of Thrones” by George R. R. Martin. It’s the first book in a long series. I’m enjoying it so much. It’s a fantasy-historical of a land called Westeros, and it’s dark with lots of political intrigue, family drama, mysteries, spiderweb upon spiderweb. The author is a master of combining characterization, plot and exposition all at the same time. I’m learning so much about writing just by reading this book!

    I recall that you like the Outlander series–it’s my favorite–and while there’s no Jamie and Claire (that I’ve gotten to yet) I like TGOT because it’s the same kind of sweeping epic.

    • MLT
      April 12, 2011 at 7:46 pm

      OMG, that series (song of ice and fire) is my favorite ever! Love it sooo much. Now the question is, will he ever finish it!

  • Katy
    April 12, 2011 at 6:57 pm

    Highly recommend the book ‘the glass castle’ by Jeanette walls. It is one of my favorites…it’s a nonfiction book about a unconventional family.

  • Kris
    April 12, 2011 at 7:18 pm

    Here’s a book you probably haven’t read: Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer. I read it years ago because a girlfriend of mine said it was amazing. She was right. To this day I can still remember the details from the book. I couldn’t put it down.

  • Ellie
    April 12, 2011 at 7:24 pm

    I’m reading “Something Borrowed” it’s kind of just fun cute but it’s getting me out of a long chain of downers, which I needed

  • Macrae
    April 12, 2011 at 7:29 pm

    I have a book suggestion! Have you heard about The Covert Affair by Jennet Conant? It’s about Julia Child and husband Paul before she was a famous for cooking and instead about when they were involved in the OSS (aka: spy stuff!!)
    Sounds like a good read and it’s on my list 😉

  • Deva (Voracious Vorilee)
    April 12, 2011 at 7:29 pm

    My Boy LOVES when I make steak. Esp when that steak is chili-rubbed and exceptionally juicy and delicious.

    So that dinner of yours last night? Has my stomach rumbling, and I’m not even hungry!

  • katie
    April 12, 2011 at 8:02 pm

    I just finished the book “Room” which was amazing, and I’m only a few chapters into it, but “Bossypants” by Tina Fey is HILarious!

  • caryn
    April 12, 2011 at 10:04 pm

    The Memory by Philippe Grimbert is really good. (http://www.amazon.com/Memory-Novel-Philippe-Grimbert/dp/141655999X)
    It’s a WWII family drama/love story though, so maybe that wouldn’t be out of your “rut”? But maybe you’d like it because you seem to like this kind of story? :/ (I may have recommended this to you already in a different post. Not sure though…sorry if that’s the case!)

    Dinner looks delish…as usual!

  • Becky
    April 13, 2011 at 1:16 am

    “Saturday” or “Atonement,” both by Ian McEwan.

    “Room” by Emma Donaghue.

  • Ruth
    April 13, 2011 at 3:11 am

    That dinner looks awesome! I still haven’t had any new season asparagus. Need to rectify that immediately!

  • dana
    April 13, 2011 at 4:04 am

    I was given Ape House, by Sara Gruen (author of Water for Elephants), and thought it was GREAT. I liked it a lot better than WFE and read it in 2 sittings. I gave it to a friend who also devoured it (and she isn’t a big reader, unlike I am). So good!

  • Regina
    April 13, 2011 at 4:06 am

    It was already mentioned at least twice, but Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen is my suggestion…I’m nearly halfway through it in less than 2 days. I was hoping to finish before the movie came out.

    I also enjoyed Eat Pray Love. The movie did not do it justice, despite Julia Roberts’s best attempt.

  • dana
    April 13, 2011 at 4:11 am

    Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, by Jonathan Safran Foer, is one of the most unique books I have ever read. I expected it to be like ‘Eating Animals’, or at least non-fiction, but it was such a touching fiction story, I couldn’t put it down. As you can see, this is my third comment. I just keep thinking of books that I have loved in the past few months.

  • Fancy
    April 13, 2011 at 4:25 am

    Hey Jenna! I’m currently reading Snow Flower and the Secret Fan and so far it’s excellent! Have you read it? Same author as Shanghai Girls…

  • Christine @ Burning It Off
    April 13, 2011 at 4:33 am

    The last really, really good book I read was “A Thousand Splendid Suns” by Khaled Hosseini (the author of “The Kite Runner” although I think ATSS is a much better book). It’s one of those books where you feel really strongly about the characters and become emotionally invested in what happens to them. And the story itself is just so beautiful. Definitely a must read.

  • katie
    April 13, 2011 at 4:48 am

    U and Adam are so sweet together! Im so happy you met him!

    Food is the way to a mans heart!

  • Beth @ DiningAndDishing
    April 13, 2011 at 4:53 am

    I just read a travel memoir that I LOVED – “Everything is Going to be Great”. Hilarious! And so relevant to our age group. Also, have you read “French Milk”? Super quick, adorable read!

  • Marieke
    April 13, 2011 at 4:54 am

    I don’t know if you noticed yet, but you are mentioned in this post by Pioneer Woman: http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/04/web-deliciousness-sandwiches/

  • Conni
    April 13, 2011 at 6:38 am

    A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick or Spanking Shakespeare by Jake Wizner
    They are very different from one another, but both very good!

  • Carlee
    April 13, 2011 at 7:21 am

    I recently got rid of my TV and as a result have been reading a LOT more books. Some of my most recent favourites have been Water for Elephants, Sarah’s Key and Room. I am just starting Ape House and plan to read The Help next. And, now that the weather is warming up here in Canada I can’t wait to get outside in the sunshine to read and relax. Oh, and BBQ of course.

  • Nicole
    April 13, 2011 at 8:16 am

    “The Wood Wife” by Terri Windling. Beautifully written mythology/fantasy based in the Tucson Mountains. Really captures the magic of the desert.

  • Michelle
    April 13, 2011 at 8:30 am

    A blog stalker coming out of the woodwork ’cause I think I see an Aggie ring in your posts!
    Gig ’em!!
    Your food always looks delicious – thanks for taking the time to share!

  • Caroline
    April 13, 2011 at 8:50 am

    Amanda Eyre Ward is my current obsession. I randomly picked up How to Be Lost at the library. I was done with it in just a couple days and was so impressed I took it right back to the library and then took out Forgive Me. The second was a much heavier novel – it was shorter but felt longer. I’ve put a hold on her third novel, Sleep Toward Heaven.

  • sarah
    April 13, 2011 at 8:53 am

    Had to comment because of the Texas references! The next time you are in Texas you should totally go to Taco Diner or Mi Cocina for some Mexican. Everything is so fresh and delicious! I moved away two years ago and crave the flavor and spice of Tex-Mex on a regular basis.

  • Lora
    April 13, 2011 at 8:56 am

    If you haven’t read Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand yet you have to rush and get it. What an amazing tale of a WWII soldier – and a true story.

  • Vanessa
    April 13, 2011 at 9:30 am

    I am reading Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah and I CANNOT put it down. I was in a book slump and this book has plucked me right out of the slump and into book heaven:)

  • Meghan @ StruggleMuffins
    April 13, 2011 at 9:53 am

    Have you read Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blume? Its one of my all time faveys. It brought me out of an embarrassingly long book hiatus, which is quite the testament to its awesomeness.

  • Christine
    April 13, 2011 at 9:56 am

    You and Jessica are both consistent favourites in our house. Even when I have to make the occasional substitutions, you both inspire me on a regular basis and we eat something off of each of your sites every week. Jessica is the only person I know who’s recipe includes instructions like “barbecue sauce drizzle” so naturally hubs and I love her.

  • Natalia - a side of simple
    April 13, 2011 at 10:29 am

    Saving Ceecee Honeycutt is an excellent book if you liked The Help! It’s a lighter, fast read, but it has great Southern charm that I think you would really enjoy 🙂

  • molly
    April 13, 2011 at 11:58 am

    you MUST read

    PILLARS OF THE EARTH by Ken Follett

    the best part is it has a sequel!

  • natalie (the sweets life)
    April 13, 2011 at 1:17 pm

    I just started The 19th Wife and it’s really good so far! http://www.amazon.com/19th-Wife-Novel-David-Ebershoff/dp/1400063973

  • cassie m
    April 13, 2011 at 1:22 pm

    I am reading World Without End, the sequel to Pillars of the Earth and it sucked me in 2 pages in and I can barely put it down (dangerous, since I’m a full time student, lol). If you haven’t read it, I recommend it!

    Then there’s my all time favorite book, Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson. It’s a little nerdy, but a GREAT story!

  • Cristin
    April 13, 2011 at 1:40 pm

    Ok, as a fellow displaced southern girl, I would recommend The Help by Kathryn Stockett- I’m about half-way into it and it is phenomenal.

  • Danielle
    April 13, 2011 at 3:21 pm

    Have you read the Hunger Games series yet? Just stayed up late to finish the first one!

  • Kim
    April 13, 2011 at 4:43 pm

    I’d recommend A Dog’s Purpose, Middlesex, Secret Life of Bees, and Life of Pi .

  • Grace
    April 13, 2011 at 9:50 pm

    I’m currently reading My Life In France by Julia Child.
    It’s tre fun!

  • Kristin
    April 14, 2011 at 8:40 am

    Start with “In the Bleak Midwinter” by Julia Spencer-Fleming then read the rest of the series. Exciting, suspenseful, and oh-so-slightly spirtual with a twist of romantic tension. All in all, they are fabulous reads!

  • anurse
    April 14, 2011 at 10:41 am

    have to also recommend “My Adventures in the Lost World of Little House on the Prairie” by Wendy McClure, just read the review on NPR.org and it seems great!
    http://www.npr.org/2011/04/12/135326866/what-were-reading-april-12-18

  • a thursday book review — Eat, Live, Run
    April 14, 2011 at 1:30 pm

    […] started this book just last night based on a few of your recommendations and already I can’t put it down! I’ve never read anything by Kristin Hannah before and […]

  • Deanna
    April 15, 2011 at 11:49 am

    The Help is a great book – and I think was even better in audio book because the voices really helped me develop the characters in my head. Two other books I would recommend are Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford and Snowflower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. Oh, and if you haven’t read The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins, those are a MUST READ!