Eat, Read, and Be Mommy

On second thought, even that sounds too frequent for the kind of review I’m about to do.  I’m unlikely to ever again review a piece of post-apocalyptic fiction that I skimmed rather than read, so this is really more of a one-time occurrence.  Enjoy it while it lasts!

Really, this started several weeks ago at the library, when I saw the ‘United we read’ title out on display (that’s a local program with the aim of getting Salt Lake County residents to read one specific title).  I saw the words ‘flu pandemic’ on the back, and because a)I was in a hurry and b)half of me was firmly paying attention to my 3-year-old I grabbed it and put it on my library card, thinking it was historical fiction.  When I got home and looked at the description more closely, I realized my mistake; I would have bailed on it immediately, since post-apocalyptic fiction is not, not, NOT my thing, but it mentioned Shakespeare on the back, and it was the ‘United we read’ title, and so I stuck it on the shelf to think about.  I finally decided to skim it and then return it, except that by the time I was 1/3 of the way through my skimming became fairly thorough, because Emily St. John Mandel’s Station Eleven is good.  The former child actor, the Traveling Symphony who also performs Shakespeare, the pieces of the past that give us insight into the rest of the characters and the different worlds involved–I DON’T LIKE post-apocalyptic fiction, and yet I found myself captivated by this book.  It brought to mind my favorite story from Orson Scott Card’s Folk of the Fringe, except that this is a novel, not a short story, and so its world is more fully realized.  If you have any interest at all in any aspect of this story, then read the book.  I can almost promise that you will not be disappointed.

Clearly I missed the 1st of February…and the 3rd.  And, yes, the first was quite a busy day, and the 3rd was a very busy evening, but the 5,000 piece puzzle currently being assembled in our living room still played a significant role in distracting me from other things.  I shall try and do better–but I make no promises.

Technically, I have a book to review, but it’s a snowy night promising to turn into a snowy day tomorrow, so I’m giving you a soup recipe instead.  Specifically, this Slow Cooker Chicken Potato Soup, which I thoroughly enjoyed (while my children remain various levels of unappreciative when it comes to many soups, especially those with chunks of potatoes in them).  I only made two changes; I gave the onions and celery a quick saute (because FLAVOR), and I substituted 1/2 cup of evaporated milk for the 1/4 cup milk and 1/4 cup heavy cream.  (I was also generous with the veggies and chicken, but hey, I like a hearty soup with lots of chunks, and I used what I had.)  The Parmesan cheese finish gave it a different flavor than your average creamy soup, which was really rather delightful.  I recommend this one!