Last summer I met an author who sold me on her book by drawing a connection to The Vampire Diaries. This month's bonus features that author as we talk about her books, plans for more books, and The Vampire Diaries. Join me and Bree Wilde to hear all about it!

Check out Bree on Instagram @authorbreewilde and find her books here.

Follow me on Instagram here to keep up with all the latest updates and reviews of what I am reading, and the mouth-watering meals I make to accompany them!

Artwork by @stephanieilana

Editor: Alex Schmitz

Song: Clementi Piano Sonatina Op. 36 No. 3 in C Major

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s time to return to the wizarding world of Harry Potter. Breaking down the fourth book in the series, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, with Barry Watson of Retold: A Harry Potter Podcast. Find it on Spotify, or wherever you listen. You can also follow him on Instagram and YouTube.

Book Recommendations - Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson, Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman, and Powerless by Lauren Roberts.

Recipe: You will need: 2 cans of white beans, an onion, one carrot, 2-3 stalks of celery, 2 small peppers (any color), 1 tsp paprika, dash of salt, ½ tsp thyme or oregano, dash of pepper, 1 tsp parsley flakes. Chop the onion, carrot, and celery into small pieces. Place all ingredients into an instant pot or pressure cooker and add 2-3 cups of water. More water will result in a soupier consistency, less water will result in more of a stew. Give it a stir then set the cook time to 8 minutes. Enjoy with some fresh bread!

Follow me on Instagram here to keep up with all the latest updates and reviews of what I am reading, and the mouth-watering meals I make to accompany them!

Artwork by @stephanieilana

Editor: Alex Schmitz

Song: Clementi Piano Sonatina Op. 36 No. 3 in C Major

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nothing like gathering with friends to share thoughts about books! Want to hear more from the Book Thots? Find them on Spotify, or wherever you listen. You can also check out their website for more info and merch. You can also follow them on Instagram.

We had two recipes for you in this episode. Bonus episode, bonus recipe!

Chocolate cake: Baking is kind of an alchemical process, and some foods really do feel magical! Today we’re whipping up a chocolate cake. You will need 3 cups of flour, 2 cups of sugar, 6 Tbsp of cocoa powder, 2 Tbsp baking soda, 1 tsp of salt, ¾ cup of vegetable oil, 2 Tbsp vinegar, 2 tsp vanilla, and 2 cups of cold water. Mix the dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Make 3 wells. Put each of the first 3 liquids into a separate well. Pour the two cups of water over everything and mix thoroughly. Bake for 50 minutes at 350º F. Enjoy plain or decorate with your favorite frosting!

Sidecar and mocktail:

Mocktail: 1 ounce organ juice. 2 ounces white grape juice. 1.5 tbsp lemon juice. ½ tsp vanilla extract. Orange slice and lemon twist to garnish.

Cocktail: 2 oz cognac or brandy. 1 oz orange liqueur or triple sec. Freshly squeezed lemon juice. Garnish with lemon and orange twist. Superfine sugar for the rim.

Follow me on Instagram here to keep up with all the latest updates and reviews of what I am reading, and the mouth-watering meals I make to accompany them!

Artwork by @stephanieilana

Editor: Alex Schmitz

Song: Clementi Piano Sonatina Op. 36 No. 3 in C Major

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tired of real world news? Blast off with The Menuscript as I share some thoughts and a meal about Pierce Brown’s dystopian sci-fi series, Red Rising. This episode may be served solo but it’s packed with all your favorite episode ingredients, covers two books, and hints at my predictions for the third.

Recipe: You will need: a tube of crescent rolls, a head of broccoli, one cup of shredded cheddar, and salt and pepper to taste. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Roll out the crescent rolls into one large rectangle, pinching together at the seams. Chop up the broccoli and saute on medium heat for about 6 minutes. Sprinkle the cheese all over the crescent rectangle and then scatter on the broccoli, and tomatoes if you decided to add them. Season with salt and pepper. Starting from the bottom, roll up the rectangle and cut into four pieces. Place each piece in a glass baking dish and bake for 15-20 minutes. Enjoy on it’s own, or perhaps as a side to grilled chicken, a bowl of soup, whatever you prefer!

Follow me on Instagram here to keep up with all the latest updates and reviews of what I am reading, and the mouth-watering meals I make to accompany them!

Artwork by @stephanieilana

Editor: Alex Schmitz

Song: Clementi Piano Sonatina Op. 36 No. 3 in C Major

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Books provide an amazing platform for learning about the world. Sara Novic’s True Biz not only tells a great coming-of-age story, but it educates readers on deaf culture, probes thoughts on issues such as accessibility, civil rights, and so much more. Sarah Razner, a fellow author of a coming-of-age novel, returns to the kitchen to break bread over the book.

Recipe for Chicken Tacos: 2 Tbsp chili powder, 2 tsp cumin, 1 ½ tsp oregano, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp cinnamon, ¼ tsp cayenne, a dash of salt, 2 ½ lbs of chicken breast, ½ cup of pineapple juice, and 1 Tbsp ketchup. Mix all the spices together in a small bowl. Put the chicken in the pressure cooker or instant pot, cover with the spice rub, and add in the pineapple juice and ketchup. Give it a stir to make sure all the chicken is coated. Pressure cook for 15 minutes. When the chicken is done you can either release the vent quickly or allow for a natural release, depends on how much time you have. Using tongs, remove the chicken and place in a separate bowl. Using forks, shred the chicken. Put the now shredded chicken back in the instant pot and mix with the liquid. Enjoy with tortillas, lettuce, guac, whatever taco toppings you prefer!

Place your order for In Name Only here! Follow Sarah on Instagram to see more book updates from her.

Follow me on Instagram here to keep up with all the latest updates and reviews of what I am reading, and the mouth-watering meals I make to accompany them!

Artwork by @stephanieilana

Editor: Alex Schmitz

Song: Clementi Piano Sonatina Op. 36 No. 3 in C Major

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! -- When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.” - Jane Austen (Pride and Prejudice)

Such a true line, and such a great book! While we’re talking about Persuasion and its modern day retelling Anne of Avenue A, I couldn’t resist this booky quote.

If you’re an obstinate, headstrong romantic who can’t get enough of Jane Austen, consider treating yourself to an Austen box.

If you’re curious about those cranberry feta pastry puffs, try this recipe. Want to try that cherry pie? Give this recipe a go!

You can see more of what Shelby is up to by following her on Instagram at soshelbs44

Follow me on Instagram here to keep up with all the latest updates and reviews of what I am reading, and the mouth-watering meals I make to accompany them!

Artwork by @stephanieilana

Editor: Alex Schmitz

Song: Clementi Piano Sonatina Op. 36 No. 3 in C Major

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Merry Christmas! We don’t need Hercule Poirot to help us solve the mystery of why this is one of the greatest days of the year. What we do need him for is a Christmas murder! Here to discuss Hercule Poirot’s Christmas is Dominique del Calzo.

Link to Dominique’s books.

Follow me on Instagram here to keep up with all the latest updates and reviews of what I am reading, and the mouth-watering meals I make to accompany them!

Artwork by @stephanieilana

Music: Clementi Sonatina No. 1 in G Major III

Editor: Alex Schmitz

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From page to stage! What does it take to bring a bestselling novel to a Broadway stage? Or to stages around the country. Joining me in the kitchen to discuss Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen is Connor Sullivan, the actor currently portraying August in the national tour.

Find out where you can see Water for Elephants by checking out the tour schedule.

Follow me on Instagram here to keep up with all the latest updates and reviews of what I am reading, and the mouth-watering meals I make to accompany them!

Artwork by @stephanieilana

Editor: Alex Schmitz

Song: Clementi Piano Sonatina Op. 36 No. 3 in C Major

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.