I'm re-reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets right now. I needed a comfort novel after the emotional hangovers of A Court of Mist and Fury and Confess. I'm not sure what I am reading next!
I'm close to finishing "The Raven Boys" ... I admit I wasn't getting into it much, partly because I didn't like that we weren't getting to know Noah. Well, that's changed.
QOTW: I'm a wuss ... if I don't know what it is, I'm very cautious about eating it. I'd like to blame the time my Dad cooked beef tongue (do you know, you can see the taste buds!!!?), or the time he tried to stretch hamburger with corn starch without cooking it first (just mixed it into the hamburger ... the dog wouldn't eat the leftovers). But mostly it's because I'm a wuss.
I'm reading The After Party by Anton DiSclafani. I just started it yesterday but I think I like it so far.
I can't think of anything really unusual. I live in a medium city but we have a pretty good food scene, so there are a lot of interesting things to try. Just nothing super crazy, I guess.
I'm still reading Americanah for my book club next week, and I'm not all the way through A Breath of Snow and Ashes yet. I've set myself up this month to finish no books unless I do some serious reading this weekend. We are attending my cousins wedding on Saturday and spending the day out of town on Monday.
I think the most adventurous food I've had is escargot, and with so much butter and garlic on them, it's hard not to like them.
I'm rereading Branded by Fire to recover from A Court of Mist and Fury. I still love the Psy/Changling series.
I'm listening to The Silkworm and I think I'm liking it more than The Cuckoo's Calling so far at about 1/3 in. I'm loving the development between the two MCs.
I don't have any plans this weekend and I'm kind of glad. We've got so much going on that I'm looking forward to vegging.
QOTW: I've tried a few things, but I'd guess that they're not technically adventurous. More that they're just not usual in the US. But even then, I'm sure it's tame.
I'm also in the "A Court of Mist and Fury" recovery club. I really just don't want to read anything else new but my audiobook for "You" by Caroline Kepnes is about to expire so I need to finish it, I'm about 25% into it and it's such a messed up book. I also barely started the last book in the Discord Jones series, "A Little Street Magic" which is such a light easy series to read which I should kind of hate for being too simple but for whatever reason I enjoy it.
QOTW: I'm a picky eater, so no, nothing adventurous unless you count sushi, which I don't.
Post by suzannesugarbaker on May 27, 2016 10:09:34 GMT -5
I finished Blue Lily, Lily Blue yesterday and started The Raven King last night. I can't wait to be able to post in the spoilers thread!
QOTW: I think calling it "cuisine" would be a stretch, but scrapple is what came to mind. It isn't unusual around where I live, but I know lots of people are grossed out by it. Same with softshell crabs, which are a favorite of mine. Oh, and fish roe.
Post by monkeyfeet on May 27, 2016 10:10:16 GMT -5
Still reading Morning Star, but should finish it this weekend!
We hit the zoo today, but will spend most of the weekend packing for our British Isles cruise next weekend. My girls have been talking about it nonstop, so it's hard not to be excited!
QOTW - although, I'm willing to try anything once, most of the crazy stuff happens when I'm really hungry and can't read a menu. In Barcelona, I had cold mussels. In central Spain, I thought I was ordering a large order of fries, but got a plate full of potato salad. Think I ate about 4 bites. During a bike ride in Germany, my husband and I decided to get the special platter. Almost ordered 2, and were glad we didn't when a bunch of cold raw meat came out. I should have known since it wasn't under the hot menu. Memories, right?
Still re-reading The Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan and listening to The Green Mile. I didn't realize the latter was originally published as a serial; it was interesting hearing King's explanation of how it came to be.
QOTW: I don't know; ostrich maybe? It's unusual, but really not that bizarre if you think about it.
I'm currently reading The Interestings, which is interesting ( ) , but I think I'm going to have to put it down to read Necessary Lies for book club that's rapidly approaching. This week has really gotten away from me!
QOTD: I enjoy, and eat, a wide variety of foods. I like just about anything. I don't know that I consider anything I've eaten too adventurous though, unfortunately.
Post by litskispeciality on May 27, 2016 10:53:39 GMT -5
I'm slowly chipping away at "The Nanny Diaries", pretty quick read, just not enough time to read lately. Hoping to finish that off by the end of May. We're going to my friends wedding tomorrow and hosting a small BBQ on Sunday. Pretty excited, one of my best college friends stays over and we stay up late drinking and talking and playing Mario Kart (lots of inappropriate comments thrown around late at night.)
QOTD: I'm a very picky eater, but I did try sea urchin once. It was surprisingly bland and rather mushy. Thankfully I didn't find out until after I ate it that you could die if it's not prepared right.
I am now TWO-THIRDS of the way through The Cider House Rules. I'm making amazing progress here folks. LOL!
It is a long weekend here, but summer doesn't really start in the pacific northwest until July, and it's going to be raining and chilly all weekend.
QOTW: I specifically sought out black (blood) pudding when I was in Ireland via a full Irish breakfast because I was curious. It wasn't bad; it had a lot more flavor/spices than I thought it would and one of them was really strong (anise maybe?) but I would eat it again. I also got try white pudding at the same meal, and I had zero idea what I was eating at the time but it was fucking delicious (it seems to be just fat, oats, and spices) and I would definitely eat that again.
But really the weirdest food I've ever eaten was this "omelet" made by the family of a high school friend. You know how after Thanksgiving some families make those casseroles that layer the turkey, green beans, potatoes, stuffing, gravy, etc., together? I spent the night at their house shortly after Thanksgiving and they threw that casserole into scrambled eggs. HORK! I'd eaten that casserole for dinner the night before and it was mediocre at best, and I love eggs, but together it was like eating puke.
Post by sassypants on May 27, 2016 13:46:30 GMT -5
I've just started The Wright Brothers by David McCullough. It's sort of for work (I've been voluntold to lead the local NPR's book club next month on behalf of the museum) and I've barely started it yet.
Today is our anniversary (9) and we're planning a little day trip tomorrow but that's about it for the weekend. I'm so flippin' tired from rehearsals that I just really want to sleep in, and that is my Monday excitement.
I love trying new foods!! I've eaten all kinds: the usual suspects (Americanized Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, Italian), good Italian, good Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, and I've had Brazilian, Argentinian, Greek, Spanish, French, Belgian, English, Scottish, German, Jordanian, Lebanese, Egyptian, Persian, Turkish, Ethiopian, Nepalese, Indian, Dominican, Cuban, Cajun, Creole...I'd guess the Nepalese was the most unusual of that group. There is a place in Charlottesville that has that with Indian and Himalayan food.
OMG, The Dovekeepers. I cannot seem to finish this book. It's great, but I've been reading it for like a month.
I'm listening to Madison's Gift by David Stewart. I quit BirdBox and went straight back to Revolutionary American non-fiction. It's also great so far. Not least of all because the first section is about Madison's partnership with Hamilton and I'm currently Hamilton obsessed.
QOTW: I'm generally up for trying any kind of new food, except that I don't eat cow or pig or most game animals, so that kind of limits my adventurousness. Ethiopian is probably the most "unusual" food I've eaten. And I really loved all the vegetable dishes I had. The chicken dishes not as much. My husband would tell you that ketchup on my clamcakes or doritos dipped in cream cheese are the most unusual things I eat.
Post by farfalla2011 on May 27, 2016 14:02:16 GMT -5
I finished up Opening Belle this week for bookclub on Tuesday. Now I'm reading The Notebook for a nice fluffy enjoyable read. I haven't seen the movie in forever, but I'm remembering how much I love it! One of my favorite stories ever. I'm also reading a prayer devotional type book that I started months ago, but finally picked back up. Who knows what is next!
For the long weekend, we're going on a bike ride - assuming it doesn't rain - and then hanging with friends on Monday. Nothing too exciting.
QOTW: I've had alligator before, but not sure that really counts? Can't think of anything too crazy.
Post by dorothyinAus on May 27, 2016 18:28:11 GMT -5
I'm reading Winter at Death's Hotel. I want to finish it this week so I can mail it to my Mom. I know she'll enjoy it and I want her take on it. Louisa Conan Doyle is the "sleuth" in this novel and it's quite interesting. I find it a refreshing change from all the Holmes pastiches or other books using Sir Arthur Conan Doyle as the "sleuth" or a major character.
QOTW: I asked because I'm taking part in an ESL cooking class. Each student is responsible for making lunch for the class based on dishes they had in their homes before moving to Australia. So it's all home-cooking type meals. We've had Australian (as in introduction), my contribution of New Orleans/Southern cuisine, Thai, South Sudanese, and Nepalese. We still have students from Eritrea, Bhutan, German, and Egypt. It's been very interesting and educational. The most unusual thing so far was the South Sudanese salad of tomatoes, cucumbers, and peanut butter -- unfortunately, I could not taste it because it had green onions and I'm allergic to those, but I'm definitely going to try it without the green onions.
I'm reading Winter at Death's Hotel. I want to finish it this week so I can mail it to my Mom. I know she'll enjoy it and I want her take on it. Louisa Conan Doyle is the "sleuth" in this novel and it's quite interesting. I find it a refreshing change from all the Holmes pastiches or other books using Sir Arthur Conan Doyle as the "sleuth" or a major character.
QOTW: I asked because I'm taking part in an ESL cooking class. Each student is responsible for making lunch for the class based on dishes they had in their homes before moving to Australia. So it's all home-cooking type meals. We've had Australian (as in introduction), my contribution of New Orleans/Southern cuisine, Thai, South Sudanese, and Nepalese. We still have students from Eritrea, Bhutan, German, and Egypt. It's been very interesting and educational. The most unusual thing so far was the South Sudanese salad of tomatoes, cucumbers, and peanut butter -- unfortunately, I could not taste it because it had green onions and I'm allergic to those, but I'm definitely going to try it without the green onions.That
That sounds so wonderful!! And I'm embarrassed to ask, but what does Australian food consist of?
That sounds so wonderful!! And I'm embarrassed to ask, but what does Australian food consist of?
The teacher made a lamb curry stew that could either be served with potatoes or rice, or made into traditional Aussie Pies -- a kind of meat pie with a pie crust past and a puff pasty top. We took the pie option. She also made Melting Moments cookies -- sandwich cookies made from piped shortbreads and a lemon frosting filling.
I've found Australian food is fairly similar to English & US food, with more of an English influence. Barbecues are different, they don't really use barbecue sauce or rubs, and I have never seen anything smoked here. Pies are awesome, and I really have to save them as a once-in-a-while treat. Sausages and mashed potatoes are a very common meal. In fact, one aspect of the ESL Cooking Class was to demonstrate planning a balanced meal that didn't involve just sausages and potatoes.
Parmesan-style chicken schnitzels are everywhere -- on every restaurant menu. You can get pre-breaded cheese-stuffed schnitzels at the meat counter at all the supermarkets and the butchers, usually sold with packets of tomato sauce for making the "parma." But they are most often served with a side of fries instead of the pasta that it common in my part of the US.
I'm currently reading The Interestings, which is interesting ( ) , but I think I'm going to have to put it down to read Necessary Lies for book club that's rapidly approaching. This week has really gotten away from me!
QOTD: I enjoy, and eat, a wide variety of foods. I like just about anything. I don't know that I consider anything I've eaten too adventurous though, unfortunately.
I really liked the Intersetings! I felt like they were my friends! Lol
I just started The City of Mirrors by Justin Cronin, which is #3 (and final) in his "The Passage" series. I love it, so far, but I'm maybe 5% in. I love his writing so much, and i love the overall tone. Plus the characters are fantastic.
The only really weird thing I've ever eaten was octopus, and I got violently ill. Plus it was gross, so I won't ever do that again.
Post by alleinesein on May 28, 2016 18:19:02 GMT -5
Reading book #3 in the Hollows series.
QOTW- I've eaten duck tongue, gulas (baby eels) and rattlesnake. I did eat mystery meat a few times in India- it wasn't beef or buffalo and we couldn't figure out what it was. Looked like beef but had a really weird taste. I did have Lucuma when I was in Chile and it is delicious. It isn't unusual or odd it is just hard to get in the US; you can find it in powder form. It tastes like caramel and makes great desserts.
QOTW- I've eaten duck tongue, gulas (baby eels) and rattlesnake. I did eat mystery meat a few times in India- it wasn't beef or buffalo and we couldn't figure out what it was. Looked like beef but had a really weird taste. I did have Lucuma when I was in Chile and it is delicious. It isn't unusual or odd it is just hard to get in the US; you can find it in powder form. It tastes like caramel and makes great desserts.
The Nepalese lady who cooked on Friday mentioned that goat is very common in India and Nepal, because of the Hindu prohibition against eating beef. It may have been goat. She said one of the problems many people have with goat is that is smells, and that may have come through as the weird taste.
I do not know; I've never had goat, so I'm just guessing. But I would bet on goat or lamb/mutton, which are the most common red meats in India.
QOTW- I've eaten duck tongue, gulas (baby eels) and rattlesnake. I did eat mystery meat a few times in India- it wasn't beef or buffalo and we couldn't figure out what it was. Looked like beef but had a really weird taste. I did have Lucuma when I was in Chile and it is delicious. It isn't unusual or odd it is just hard to get in the US; you can find it in powder form. It tastes like caramel and makes great desserts.
The Nepalese lady who cooked on Friday mentioned that goat is very common in India and Nepal, because of the Hindu prohibition against eating beef. It may have been goat. She said one of the problems many people have with goat is that is smells, and that may have come through as the weird taste.
I do not know; I've never had goat, so I'm just guessing. But I would bet on goat or lamb/mutton, which are the most common red meats in India.
Not goat. I've had goat (cabrito) in Mexico and it is pretty tasty. Nor was it lamb or mutton I cannot stand the taste of either of those.
They had it listed as tenderloin on the menu but didn't specify what animal it came from. Water buffalo was the only thing we could think of it being.
Mystery meat usually doesn't bother me but this one did.