Archive for May, 2009
Book Review: I’ll Have Who She’s Having
Remember when Lisa Steinke and Liz Fenton, authors of I’ll Have Who She’s Having, guest posted here a while back? Well here is my review of their book:
I’ll Have Who She’s Having by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke is fun, fast-moving read about two sisters who are struggling to find happiness—but looking in all the wrong places.
One is single and the other married, but the big thing they have in common is that neither is feeling particularly fulfilled; their searches lead them both to Tim, a hunky volleyball coach in whom they both see salvation.
As Scooby Doo would say, “Ruh roh!”
I really, truly enjoyed this book. The story is told from several perspectives, which I almost always love and certainly did here; the writing throughout is witty, snappy, and just plain fun to read.
I especially loved all the pop culture references sprinkled brilliantly throughout the book—describing someone as Jack of “Will and Grace” says so much in so few words. Yes, it places the book firmly in the time in which it was written, but it works, especially as those references made me feel like I was hearing the story from a girlfriend over the phone. And I love that in a book.
Great for the beach or a long cold night, this book had me furiously turning pages, deeply involved in the lives of Kate, Kelly, and the gang after only a couple chapters. In fact, I’m kind of hoping for a sequel. Hint hint….
I give it four espresso cups out of five—because I’m trying to convince the authors to fill that fifth espresso cup in a new book. Sequel! Sequel!
Remember you can still enter to win a copy of Too Much Tuscan Wine by Dario Castagno until tomorrow (May 31). The winner will be announced on Tuesday…along with another book giveaway!
What’s Cooking Wednesday: Ricotta Fresca
Ricotta fresca (fresh ricotta) is one of my most favorite foods in the whole world.
Our kids Pasqualina and Margherita aren’t old enough to breed and make milk yet, but I’m really looking forward to the day when we can make our own ricotta…because I’m pretty sure the only thing better than fresh ricotta is fresh ricotta made by your own two hands. I’ll keep you posted!
One great way to enjoy fresh ricotta is spread on bread–especially if both are warm–and for this week’s What’s Cooking Wednesday, I’m sharing three of my other favorite ways to enjoy fresh ricotta:
*Breakfast of Campioni*
Ricotta, Strawberries, Bananas, and Honey
This is definitely one of my favorite spring treats. Feel free to use kiwi and other favorite fruits if you got ‘em!
*Fast, Easy, Delicious Lunch or Dinner*
Spaghetti with Ricotta
Sometimes also called Pasta alla Pastora (Shepherd’s Style), all we do is toss cooked, salted pasta with fresh ricotta. You can add grated cheese, parsley, and hot pepper, but trust me, this is fabulous with just the ricotta.
*Scrumptious Dessert*
Gina DePalma’s Ricotta Pound Cake
Remember when I made this a couple years ago? It’s still one of my favorite cakes, and you can find the recipe here. Yum!
Have you had fresh ricotta?
What’s your favorite way to enjoy it?
Too Much Tuscan Wine: Book Review and Contest
Today we’re talking about Dario Castagno’s Too Much Tuscan Wine, his third book following up Too Much Tuscan Sun: Confessions of a Chianti Tour Guide and A Day in Tuscany: More Confessions of a Chianti Tour Guide.
Dario is a London-born son of Italian wine importers who moved to Tuscany with his family at age nine. For many years, Dario gave tours of his beloved Chianti hills, but he quickly became a main attraction himself, particularly after the publication of his first book.
Not one for the celebrity lifestyle, however, Dario quietly stepped out of tour-guiding on a grand scale and now meets with smaller, select groups, speaks internationally about Tuscany, and works on various film and DVD projects. Oh, and writes books.
Check out Dario’s latest news at DarioCastagno.com.
Now, before I get to my glowing review, I want to announce another contest here at Bleeding Espresso. Because I love Dario’s book so much—and because I can’t bear to part with my own copy—I am buying a copy to give away to ONE lucky reader who leaves a comment on this post.
In order to be eligible to win a copy of Dario Castagno’s Too Much Tuscan Wine, leave a comment on this post at or before 11:59 p.m. (Italy time) on Sunday, May 31, 2009. I will draw ONE winner at random from eligible comments and announce the winner on Tuesday, June 2, 2009.
Without further ado:
Don’t you love it when you pick up a book, and you’re 50, even 100 pages into it before you look up again? And then you put it down because you have other things to do but you find yourself sneaking peeks in between tasks, balancing it in one hand while you stir sauce with the other, and, ahem, even carrying it into the bathroom?
I do, and that’s exactly what happened to me with Too Much Tuscan Wine, Dario Castagno’s wildly entertaining book about his experiences with, not surprisingly, too much Tuscan wine.
I know it’s cliché, but I really did laugh and cry through various parts in the book—rather appropriate as a long evening of drinking wine can lead to very similar emotional reactions.
As wonderful as Dario’s tales of friendly challenges (the “truss” wine tour of Siena bars), animal encounters (the snoring boar in the backseat), the “Poolio” (a makeshift poolside version of the Palio), and general drunken debauchery are, my favorite part of the book was the glue that held it all together: the tale of the mysterious Mia, an American editor who contacted Dario via e-mail and urged him on with each new chapter he wrote.
I won’t spoil anything by adding more details, but I can’t stress enough how much I was touched by the magic of this seemingly random e-mail and what came of it.
It probably goes without saying that I give this book five out of five espresso cups, although I suppose wine glasses are more appropriate in this instance.
If you love wine, Tuscany, Italy, entertaining stories, and just really fun reads, get this book. Then pour yourself a nice glass of your favorite red (I’m with you, Dario–no white for me either!) and dig in.
Remember to comment to be eligible to win a copy!
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