.png)
““A Mother is Like a Flower. Each one is Beautiful and Unique.” --darlingquote.com
My mother is 94 years old. It’s so hard to believe, and she still lives independently and does well. I can only hope for her wisdom and longevity. I keep telling her we are going to throw her a huge party for her BIG 100!
I have read a couple books I think you will enjoy about mothers and family. It didn’t occur to me while I was reading these would be perfect for Mother’s day reading:
BOOK REVIEW TIME
The Godmothers by Monica McInerney
This story chronicles the life of Eliza Miller. This book takes us to Australia, Scotland, England, Ireland and a little sprinkling of New York City. Eliza has two Godmothers who are faithful beyond measure. Always there for her and her troubled mother. This is a story of losing a parent and finding a family you never knew about. There is a troubling secret about the death of her mother that her Godmothers will take to their graves in order to protect Eliza from the truth. Follow Eliza and these women as they navigate family, travel, friends, holidays, new acquaintances and even love. The emotions caused by this book are so unexpected you feel them right along with the characters. It’s such a moving novel I couldn’t put it down.
The Sister Effect by Susan Mallery
Join the McGowen girls Finley and Sloane as they navigate life and all it’s messes. Sloane is battling an alcohol addiction and trying to dig herself a new life one step at a time while her sister Finley is juggling work, loss and anger all the while trying to raise her sister’s 8 year old daughter Aubrey. Then there’s their mother Molly who despite her best efforts has never made it big on Broadway. Oh and throw in their long lost grandfather who returns hoping for open arms and forgiveness. This book is dripping with sadness, failure, success and friendship. But along the way this family will discover unconditional love comes in many forms, one of which is hidden in the heart of a little 8 year old girl. This one is a winner, it will check all your boxes if you like family drama, friendship, betrayal and ultimately a happy ending.
Some other winners worth considering this month are:
Mom and Me and Mom by Maya Angelou
This biography follows Angelou’s relationship with her mother who abandoned her and came back into her life a decade later.
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
This novel tells of dictatorship and women being stripped of their rights. Offered is a handmaid, assigned for reproduction purposes remembering her life before her husband and daughter.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Who could forget this classic of four sweet girls and their "Marmee?" My daughter and I have bonded over this book for many years. As it turns out she calls me “Marmee”--How endearing is that?
Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner
This story follows three young new mothers who bond over their shared struggle of raising infants. Love her books; so moving.
A couple children’s books you may want to share with your little ones:
Love you Forever by Robert Munsch
It’s a picture book about a mother’s lullaby that she always sings to her son. It’s about her unconditional love even though he flushed her watch down the toilet.
The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown
It’s a story of a young bunny that keeps running away only for his mother to find him every time.
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW TIME
My book on CD choice is Lessons at the School by the Sea by Jenny Colgan. This is the 3rd installment in this series. I have found this series quite addictive. It’s a quick listen and full of the same characters from series 1 and 2, Maggie, David, Maggie’s third form girls Alice, Fliss, Simone and a new girl Esme. What’s her story, she is so mysterious! Will she ever fit in with these third year girls? Quite a lot of drams surrounds the boys school too, not just Downy House. In this you will find heartbreak, betrayal, friendship, a touch of bullying and attempted suicide. It’s all blended in with just enough adult drama to keep it interesting. How will the characters from the small town of Cornwell navigate this new year? Listen to see how each girl is changed by all that is happening in their lives and those surrounding them. Please listen or read this series, I know you will love it! Will there by a 4th installment? Ooh listen and find out!
How about Taco night? May weather is warmer and blooming with gorgeous flowers and bright green grass. So relax, make this easy taco recipe and slip outside and enjoy.
Emily’s Excellent Taco Recipe ---allrecipes.com
Ingredients:
6 cups corn tortilla chips
2 cups vegetarian chili with beans (in cans)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups shredded lettuce
2 roma or plum tomatoes, chopped
½ cup salsa
¼ cup sour cream
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Place chips in bottom of a 9x13 baking dish.
Pour chili straight from can over chips. Sprinkle with cheese.
Bake 20-25 minutes until chili bubbles and cheese is melted. Remove from oven
Top with tomato, lettuce, sour cream and salsa.
Ole’
A sweet and tart lemon dessert is just the thing to cool your palate after these delicious tacos, and I’ve got just the recipe.
Lemon Bars with Shortbread crust –Sally’s Baking Recipes
Ingredients:
For Shortbread Crust
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
½ cup granulated sugar
2 tsps vanilla extract
½ tsp salt
2 cups + 2 tbls all-purpose flour
For Lemon Filling
2 cups granulated sugar
6 tbls all-purpose flour
6 large eggs
1 cup lemon juice (about 4 lemons)
Confectioners’ sugar for dusting
Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Line the bottom and sides of a 9x13 glass baking dish (do not use metal) with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to lift the finished bars out. Set aside.
Make the crust. Mix the melted butter, sugar, vanilla extract and salt together in a medium bowl. Add the flour and stir to completely combine. The dough will be thick. Press firmly into prepared pan, making sure the layer of crust is nice and even. Bake for 20-22 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned. Remove from the oven. Using a fork, pole holes all over top of the warm crust but not all the way through. This helps the filling stick and the holds the crust in place. Set aside.
Make the filling. Sift the sugar and flour together in a large bowl. Whisk in the eggs, then the lemon juice until completely combined.
Pour the filling over warm crust. Bake the bars for 22-26 minutes or until the center is relatively set and no longer jiggles. Give the pan a light tap with an oven mitt to test.
Remove bars from the oven and cool completely at room temperature, about 2 hours, then stick in the refrigerator for 1-2 more hours until chilled.
Once cool, lift the parchment paper out of pan using the overhang on the sides. Dust with confectioners’ sugar and cut into squares before serving.
Bars can be kept in refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Dates to remember Cinco de Mayo May 5, 2023
Mother’s Day May 14, 2023
Memorial Day May 29, 2023
It’s that time to start checking out our website for our upcoming Summer Reading Program aboard the Lego Bookmobile. When will we arrive in your neighborhood?
Please visit the library’s website at rcplwv.org for a list of all summer programs and activities.
“There is no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one.--Jill Churchhill
“Hope your month is positively aMayzing."--all wording.com