I’ve started Edge of Eternity and we are now in the 1960s! It’s amazing to me how much I actually don’t know. Yes- I did know there was a wall in Berlin. But if you asked me when it was built, I would have said… right after WWII? No! It was built in 1961, after the US and USSR threatened war over the Berlin crisis. This was going on during the Civil Rights protests in the US. What an incredibly turbulent time! Needless to say, I’m loving this book.
This is the third book in Ken Follett’s Century Trilogy, and in between books 2 and 3 I quickly read this:
This was a reread, as all Agatha Christies are for me. I found it at the used bookstore, flipped through it and didn’t recognize any of the character’s names. I took that as a good sign, and decided to risk it. So many times I start an Agatha Christie (I read them all at least thirty years ago) and remember the ending about halfway through.
Not this time! I KNOW I read this one, but I truly couldn’t remember it. I even tried out different “ingenious” solutions: “The narrator is the murderer! The priest isn’t really a priest! Someone is a long-lost son!” Nope. The ending was a complete surprise. I really enjoyed this reread!
Eating wise… I’ve continued to pretend that it’s not hot, muggy, and steamy here, and made chili! I while ago I made Vegan Cincinnati Chili from this website. I was planning to make that again, but when I went to the website, I noticed he also has a recipe for “Texas Chili” which is called Best Damn Vegan Chili Ever. Well! I had to try that.
It was very good! I’m not sure I believe the claims that this chili is “award winning.”. But to be fair, I did leave out two “optional” ingredients, pickled jalapenos and masa harina. Mayne next time I’ll put those in and see if it wins any awards.
I will say that my husband LOVED it! We ate it for two dinners, and both times he exclaimed over how much he enjoyed it.
Chili: Cincinatti, or Texas style?
What are you reading now?
15 Responses
I have no opinion regarding chili, I almost never make it and when I do, it’s my recipe. So, Calgary style? That’s where I came up with the recipe. I’ll go with that.
I only knew about the Berlin wall going up in 1961 because of reading Kairos recently. It basically happened overnight, it’s so crazy!
Yes! People had no idea it was going to happen, and had been crossing over between East and West Berlin all the time. Then suddenly one day they couldn’t- so crazy.
Okay, I’m interested in this “Calgary style” chili!
I’m not sure if I’ve ever had Cincinnati chili, but I’m not opposed. BTW guess where I was last weekend? Yep, Cincinnati! I couldn’t resist having dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory, which was a childhood favorite.
I was today years old when I learned the Berlin wall went up in 1961! The real question is how much longer before I join in on the Ken Follet party? I’m intrigued.
Oh darn- you could have eaten Cincinnati style chili IN Cincinnati! Btw I got your postcard today!!!
I haven’t tried Cincinnati chili and I’m actually not sure if I’ve had Texas chili either — my mom always made chili with beans which apparently Texans say is wrong, but that’s how I like it. But now I’m curious to try the Texas style chili you made!
Yes, I’m pretty sure “authentic” Texas style chili only has meat. This one definitely has beans, and also a meat substitute of your choice. I used seitan because that’s what my husband loves. I would probably like it better with tempeh, and if you’re a fan of the Beyond or Impossible meats, it would probably be really good with those.
I don’t have an opinion re. Cincinnati or Texas chili, but I like the look of the scoop of guac(?) in your chili bowl!
I will get to Edge of E someday, but I needed to take a break…
It is guac! Definitely added a lot.
I’m wishing I had taken a break before E of E because two library holds just came in… sigh.
I like the chili my husband and I make, adapted from my grandmother’s recipe. It’s VERY simple, but has ground beef and red kidney beans. And tons of chipotle. YUM.
Right now I’m listening to Long Island Compromise which is A JOURNEY. I’m not sure I like it at all or any of the characters, and a lot of it I find kind of horrifying and repulsive, but also it’s quite hilarious and I love the style?
Huh, that sounds interesting!!!
I just made chili too. Added corn. Bought cornbread
Reading Lucky.
Yum- i love corn in chili. This recipe didn’t have any though (maybe corn isn’t “texas” style?)
I didn’t realize there were different styles of chili, but I guess that makes sense. I do NOT want my chili to be spicy. I have a low spice tolerance. Flavourful? Yes. Spicy? No.
I’m reading Summer Romance and inspired by Birchie a memoir by a sociopath. I just finished Catastrophic Happiness by Catherine Newman. It was the right time of life to read that. If I read it when my kids were little I wouldn’t have believed one day I would no longer be required to wipe butts and buckle them into car seats!
Sounds like you’re reading some interesting books! I’ve heard of the second two you mention.
i like a little spice in my chili but not too much. I definitely want more flavor than heat.
Yeah, I make “Birmingham chili” which starts with a tin of mixed beans in a mild chili sauce and ends up packed with a million different veg you would never find in a chili!
I’m reading a book about the volcanic origins of the UK (to review for Shiny New Books) and the new Lissa Evans, “Small Bomb at Dimperley” which is a historical novel set just after WW2 where a country house will have to be sold if the inheritor can’t find a solution to their money worries.