Deep Dish by Mary Kay Andrews

A darling book about two cooking shows having a face-off, each trying to win syndication of their own cooking show in the "big time." Tate and Gina are the classic protagonists, hating to love each other. Set in Georgia, there is definitely a healthy dose of Southern charm and fried food tangled in with some clever moments meant to spark a completely fabricated but lovable romance.

I really enjoyed reading this, although there wasn't as much "foodie talk" as I was anticipating. It was a cute little love story, and a good break from the intellectual reading I've been doing lately. There was a bit of language, but nothing too totally abrasive. I enjoyed the story and finished the book in about four hours.

3 stars. It's a library read, for sure.

Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

I did it again...I went to Costco to buy food and checked out with two books in my cart. One of them was Nicholas Sparks' new book, Safe Haven. Now, now, don't judge me...I like sappy love stories sometimes. Courtesy of Amazon, here is a summary of the book:

When a mysterious young woman named Katie appears in the small North Carolina town of Southport, her sudden arrival raises questions about her past. Beautiful yet self-effacing, Katie seems determined to avoid forming personal ties until a series of events draws her into two reluctant relationships: one with Alex, a widowed store owner with a kind heart and two young children; and another with her plainspoken single neighbor, Jo. Despite her reservations, Katie slowly begins to let down her guard, putting down roots in the close-knit community and becoming increasingly attached to Alex and his family.

But even as Katie begins to fall in love, she struggles with the dark secret that still haunts and terrifies her . . . a past that set her on a fearful, shattering journey across the country, to the sheltered oasis of Southport. With Jo's empathic and stubborn support, Katie eventually realizes that she must choose between a life of transient safety and one of riskier rewards . . . and that in the darkest hour, love is the only true safe haven.

Now for my thoughts. I was really enjoying the book and I really loved the story. BUT, I feel like I needed another chapter at the end. Also, there were parts of the ending that I didn't really like and left me a bit on the confused side. These thoughts propelled me to give the book 3 stars on Goodreads. All in all, a great Nicholas Sparks read that took very little time to finish and left me with the satisfaction of a sappy love story. Mission accomplished.

The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe

This novel was a little slow for me at the beginning, but it was a very interesting take on a classic (reminiscent of The Crucible). Rather than blaming the Salem witch trials on chauvinism or religious repression, it brings the concept of alchemy into the picture. I thought it was interesting.

I would recommend it for anyone interested in the period or the Salem witch trials. Otherwise, it may be a little difficult to get into it.

3 stars.

Peace out.

The New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance by Elna Baker

If you have ever spent any time as a single person in the LDS culture, you may or may not be able to relate to this novel. I laughed out loud at multiple parts of the book, mostly while cringing and recollecting some horrendous dating experiences of my own.

There is definitely more raunchy content in this book than most penned by LDS authors, so watch out. I think the author phrases it well when she cautions her parents at the beginning of the book that there are "9 F-words, 13 Sh-words, 4 A-holes" and that they should avoid chapters 21-23 and most of the ending.

This is not a must-read, but it's a could-read if you have a thicker skin and don't get offended by people who question their faith in compromising situations.

Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin

As far as YA fiction goes, I enjoyed this book. However, I wouldn't recommend it as a change your life must-read novel. It was fun and entertaining.

Naomi, the MC, konks her head and has amnesia. She doesn't remember anything, including her boyfriend, best friend, dad's fianceeor really her purpose in life.

As she "wakes up," she starts to see her role in the world from an outsider's perspective and recognizes some things she wishes she could change.

Zevin is very good at portraying the teenage angst that is so familiar if you ever were a teenager or have ever worked with them.

I'd suggest this book as a "coming down off a classics" novel. In other words, this was a good read after finishing The Count of Monte Cristo.