#FitReaders Check-In: December 11, 2015

Sun 1 h walk
Mon 8 km bike, 30 min walk
Tue 4 km bike, 30 min walk
Wed 4 km bike, 30 min walk, 1 h walk
Thu 30 min walk, 30 min walk, 4 km bike
Fri, 30 min walk, 4 km bike

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DNF TIME

Most were blah blah yawn

Kitchens of the Great Midwest - J.Ryan Stradal

When Lars Thorvald’s wife, Cynthia, falls in love with wine—and a dashing sommelier—he’s left to raise their baby, Eva, on his own. He’s determined to pass on his love of food to his daughter—starting with puréed pork shoulder. As Eva grows, she finds her solace and salvation in the flavors of her native Minnesota. From Scandinavian lutefisk to hydroponic chocolate habaneros, each ingredient represents one part of Eva’s journey as she becomes the star chef behind a legendary and secretive pop-up supper club, culminating in an opulent and emotional feast that’s a testament to her spirit and resilience.

Each chapter in J. Ryan Stradal’s startlingly original debut tells the story of a single dish and character, at once capturing the zeitgeist of the Midwest, the rise of foodie culture, and delving into the ways food creates community and a sense of identity. By turns quirky, hilarious, and vividly sensory, Kitchens of the Great Midwest is an unexpected mother-daughter story about the bittersweet nature of life—its missed opportunities and its joyful surprises. 

My thoughts:

This book was about Eva, and not about Eva. The book starts with her father Lars, who hates making lutefisk (oh and btw lutefisk sucks, and grandma makes it every year, ugh.) Anyway, Lars loves food and haves a daughter named Eva.

Eva loves her chilis, and food in general. She wants to be a chef and becomes a chef and we get to follow her from being a baby to her 30s. 

But the book makes these jumps. Eva as a baby, Eva at 11, Eva at 17, Eva at 21. And it is not always Eva the reader is following. Instead we get her life from those around her. The boy who fancies her. The woman who thinks she is a know it all upstart. Her cousin with her own problems. So there are these glimpses into their lives, while we also get to see Eva. In some more, in some less.

And it works, most of the time. I think the only POV I did not care for was this woman who was the sister of a man Eva knew. And it was just, nope, did not care.

Conclusion:

Food is mentioned at lot, duh. It made me hungry, and there are even recipes. It sure is a foodie book, and an interesting one.  Good writing too.

Cover

meh

Hardcover, 320 pages
Published August 6th 2015 by Quercus
Fiction
Library

Lost dogs and lonely hearts - Lucy Dillon

Thirty-nine year old Rachel is having a really bad year. After losing her job and breaking up with her boyfriend, Rachel has inherited her late aunt's house, her beloved border collie, and a crowded rescue kennel, despite the fact that she knows almost nothing about dogs. Still, considering her limited options, she gamely takes up the challenge of running the kennel. And as Rachel starts finding new homes for the abandoned strays, it turns out that it might not just be the dogs that need rescuing. 

My thoughts:

I am a bit torn. I liked it, but at the same time it felt...well I just did not really connect with anyone. Maybe the book was just ok after all. Or ok bordering on good.

Rachel is the main character as it is she who inherits a house and a kennel. And she does not like dogs. And she spent her 30s on a man who dumped her. But as we get to know her the book becomes about 2 other women too.

Zoe who has an idiot ex husband, who gives the boy a puppy and leaves it to Zoe to care for it.

Natalie and Johnny who is trying for a kid, but falls for a dog.

Maybe, yes maybe it was the preachy part, not preachy that way! Just preachy about how to care for dogs. Srsly, it made me feel bad that I left our then kitten alone while I worked. I should have put him in daycare? Really? Ok I know that kittens and puppies are not the same. Cats are better *whistles* It was just too do this and that, or else you suck.

Conclusion:
And then everyone met someone or something like that and lived happily ever after.

Cover 

cute

Paperback, 432 pages
Published November 1st 2009 by Hodder & Stoughton
Romantic fiction
Library

Saga Vol 3 - Brian K.Vaughan, Fiona Staples

From the Hugo Award-winning duo of Brian K. Vaughan (The Private Eye, Y: The Last Man) and Fiona Staples (North 40, Red Sonja), Saga is the sweeping tale of one young family fighting to find their place in the universe. Searching for their literary hero, new parents Marko and Alana travel to a cosmic lighthouse on the planet Quietus, while the couple's multiple pursuers finally close in on their targets.

Collects issues 13-18.

My thoughts:

I am confused now, did I read vol 2? And now when I search in the library catalog I can not even find this one! *headdesk* But it did not feel like I missed anything. I remember that space ship, and they were still in it...oh well.

Two star crossed lovers being hunted across space. And they have a baby to protect.

I always say it, but I cannot review graphic novels...what should I say? They are short, they can be read fast. Yes stuff happens, but but.

Story: They meet an author. They try to live as normally as always. Good.

Illustration: Yes, that part I find the most important. I really like the illustrations. They are awesome. Really really well made.

Conclusion:

Good. But I really need to try to check at the library if I have read vol2 ;)

Cover

Great

Paperback, 1st edition, 144 pages
Published March 25th 2014 by Image Comics (first published March 19th 2014)
Saga, Volume 3
Graphic novel, sci.fi
Library