Remember when I used to do these posts regularly? I’m still reading and obviously still eating- but my meals are very monotonous and uninteresting. But I do have a couple things to share… let’s start with the books. I’m just finishing this:
Ten people have been selected to beta test a sophisticated new piece of spyware. They have two hours to “Go Zero”- i.e. disappear, and if they can elude capture for 30 days, they win three million dollars. Gradually, nine of the participants are found… but one woman remains invisible.
I would categorize this as a non-anxiety-inducing thriller. It’s interesting but not too tense (I don’t like thrillers that make me anxious). The story moves along nicely, but didn’t leave me on the edge of my seat- which is a good thing.
Next up… I have several books waiting on my shelf, but I got a notice that one of my library holds came in:
I’m starting this tonight! Technically I have it for three weeks, but I know there are people behind me on the holds list, so I’m prioritizing it. While I was at the library I also got this:
I recently listened to an old episode of Currently Reading, and Meredith talked about P.D. James. I read all her books in my early 20s, and figured I’m due for a reread. I read the first couple pages of this one and didn’t remember it at all, so I think I’ll enjoy it.
On to food. Remember those fall leaf chips I bought at Trader Joe’s? I was going to make them part of a special dinner, but then realized my husband wasn’t going to be home that night, so instead I had a little lunch plate while watching football.
And then the rest of the chips were just casually eaten. SIGH! Oh well. Another night I made skillet enchiladas from Nora Cooks. This recipe was easy! Especially if you use a jar of enchilada sauce, as I did. It’s basically all the ingredients you would put in enchiladas, including the tortillas, but just cooked together in a skillet. At the very end I sprinkled on some vegan cheese and put it under the broiler.
We all liked this, even my daughter! I’ll have to make it again. Here’s my portion, with avocado, scallions, and black olives as a garnish.
According to “Jenny’s Meal Math”, since this lasted for two dinners, I don’t have to cook again for a week! It was a win-win.
What are you reading?
Do you like thrillers? – I like mysteries, but I don’t like to feel like I’m having a heart attack while reading them.
26 Responses
Yay Reading and Eating!!! I do love a good enchilada (and have not made them in forever so I really should do something about that).
I think we’re on the same page with thrillers. I like a little bit of suspense, but not too much.
Yes! Enchiladas! Make them! Make skillet enchiladas if you want to make it extra easy.
Ooh that sounds like my kind of thriller! I am with you- I don’t like anything too intense or scary. That one sounds good! And I do love enchiladas but I rarely get them! Or make them. My absolute favorites are enchiladas verdes. I love salsa verde so much.
Maybe I’ll make enchiladas verdes next time- I keep seeing the green enchilada sauce at the store and it sounds good!
I’m not big into thrillers as I tend to forget them quickly. I am reading American hogwan by Pachinko’s author and love it!
I’ve never tried enchiladas in my life, can’t you believe? your meal looks great.
I’ve heard really good things about that book! And, that’s funny about enchiladas- I guess you don’t usually eat much Mexican food.
I just ordered Going Zero on my holds list at the library! Thanks for the rec.
I’ve also never had enchiladas. I feel like they’re not common in Canada. Like… at all? I don’t even know what enchilada sauce is made of!
That’s interesting! I definitely never had enchiladas growing up, but I see them all the time now in restaurants. And- I hope you like the book!
I love the fall leaf chips! I’ve been making vegan nachos with them and they feel more festive and fun than nachos with regular chips.
I haven’t had enchiladas in a long time but the ones you made look really good!
Ashley, I highly recommend Nora’s recipes. They’re usually pretty easy and always come out well.
I’ll have to get back to Trader Joe’s and get more of those chips if they still have them- my original plan was to make nachos!
Skillet enchiladas sound good. The cooler weather here is inspiring me to cook more. Every summer I get to a point where I can’t figure out what anyone in our house actually likes to eat.
Also that looks like a nice library haul. I need to up my holds game a bit to keep my reading moving a long.
It seems like lately I have all sorts of good books from the library- it’s not always like that! And yes- it’s easier to cook when it isn’t swelteringly hot.
Oh, I like the idea of skillet enchiladas. Making actual enchiladas is such a faff. Ha! I like enchiladas better than tacos, but we also default to tacos because they are so much easier.
I almost always find thrillers too thrilling for me. I know this about myself, though, so I try to stay out of that genre. I’m always impressed with people who only read spy thrillers or Frida McFadden – they are made of sterner stuff than I am.
Spy thrillers are my least favorites!!! Well, any kind of political thriller, I’ve learned to stay away from.
You should make skillet enchiladas! They’re easy, and my daughter likes them better than regular enchiladas because she says they’re easier to eat.
That thriller sounds excellent — adding it to my list. I read Cover Her Face a few years ago and cannot remember it at all! I hope your reread goes well. But I am super excited that you got the new ESJM book!!! I love her so much.
Yum… skillet enchiladas. It has been a long time since I’ve had those. Maybe it’s time to add it to the ol’ meal plan.
This is crazy, but I’ve never read ANYTHING by ESJM! I know, how did that happen. I figured this was an excellent place to start.
ooh dying to know if Exit Party is good!!!!!
I will let you know SOON.
I’m not a thriller reader. I overdosed on mysteries and horror and thrillers early in my reading life, and I don’t feel the desire to go back to them. Plus, I like my reading to be tension-free, for the most part.
The skillet enchilada looks good and EASY, the latter being a big deal for me lately. Thanks for providing the link!
Try them- they’re so good! Just make sure to buy a jar of sauce (do not make your own- then it’s not easy anymore).
I love mysteries- but not thrillers, and not usually horror. I like my books to be intriguing but not terrifying.
Going Zero sounds great. On the library holds list!
I just read a thriller suspense, but when the characters start acting stupid ( the serial killer tends to dress as a police officer and you don’t ask for ID or a rota of actual officers? And go walking by yourself!?!) I start skimming.
I’m also reading CSW- I’ll go over the second half again this weekend. I did think it’s funny at times and well written, but her otherness just hurts . I just want to tell her she’s doing fine and not listen to the others who disdain her job and life. ( I can just see my son in the same situation…) .And someone in the CBBC comments mentioned Jude the Obscure- I went through a big Thomas Hardy phase in high school. I want to revisit that tale.
Your meal math sounds great to me!
I also had a Thomas Hardy phase in my 20s. I liked Jude, and also Tess. And- CSW. Yes, I see my daughter in Keiko, although Keiko is a little more extreme. It’s maddening how the people in her life disrespect her when actually she’s doing JUST FINE.
And- totally agree. I hate thrillers when the characters are behaving so stupidly. Yes, you WILL be killed if you go wandering around at night when you know there’s a serial killer on the loose… sheesh.
Oooh, I am bookmarking those skillet enchiladas to make this week! That sounds like a perfectly cozy me.
I want to read Exit Party, but I’ll probably do it on audio because her books work much better for me in that format! Right now, I’m ready Dolly All the Time and have The Calamity Club coming up next!
I have Exit Party on hold, but I have 8 weeks to wait, so I will just be pleasantly thrilled when it comes in.
Mmm. I love enchiladas. I especially love them with salsa verde, though red sauce works too.
I don’t like thrillers, but did you see the NY Times published a list of the 50 best Thrillers of the 20th Century? So many of the book descriptions, I read and, nope, not for me.
I see The Dinner on your list – I read that three of four years ago when we were going to Amsterdam since the author is Dutch. Actually – it was the book I mentioned a few weeks ago that I had bought from Barnes and Noble where the cover was on upside down. I left the book at our Air bnb in Amsterdam. I think I foudn it engrossing, but again, not really my thing.