Tiny Kitchen Problems (and Solutions)

Summer? Meet Fall

★★★

An abysmal start to fantasy football season has limited my enthusiasm & focus, but alas, this is a two sided blog and what is the Book Nerd without an equal helping of Cook Nerd.

This post comes at a time when the weather can’t make up its mind and neither can my spirit. While we refuse to acknowledge the chronological end of summer, the cold brisk mornings are forcing our hand. For this meal we are combining summer favorites of grilled steak, halloumi, and asparagus with a fittingly autumnal, sweet potato hash. One caveat…our confined quarters and lack of communal grill space mean we’re forced to make some trendy cookware upgrades.

The Taster

★★★

The Taster by V.S. Alexander is a novel that brings a new perspective to WWII historical fiction- it’s a different and refreshing read in a literary world filled with novels about this time period. It’s unapologetically honest with no pretenses about heroism in the protagonist. I especially liked it because I learned a ton about the key players in the Nazi Party (people behind the scenes), which was both fascinating and horrifying.

Summer Wives

★★★☆ (3.5/5)

The Summer Wives by Beatriz Williams is a novel that takes place on Winthrop Island (inspired by Fishers Island) off the coast of Long Island. Wealthy families summer there and the year-long population is made up of Portuguese locals who fish and run the Island businesses. There is a distinct class disparity, but at the surface the Island runs in perfect harmony until a fatal accident leaves a dark mark on the Island atmosphere for years.