A Little Bit Wicked by: Kristin Chenoweth

***Purchased Through Barnes and Noble

Synopsis

A lively, laugh-out-loud journey from Oklahoma beauty queen to show biz sensation. “Life’s too short. I’m not."You might know her as a Tony Award–winning Broadway star who originated the role of Glinda the Good Witch in the smash musical Wicked. Or you may recognize her from her starring roles on TV—The West Wing, Pushing Daisies, and Sesame Street. At four foot eleven, Kristin Chenoweth is an immense talent in a petite but powerful package. Through a combination of talent, hard work, and (she’s quick to add) the grace of God, Kristin took Broadway and Hollywood by storm. But of course, into every storm, the occasional drizzle of disaster must fall, and Kristin reflects on how faith and family have kept her grounded, even in tough times. Filled with wit, wisdom, and backstage insight, A Little Bit Wicked is long on love and short on sleep. It’s essential reading for Kristin’s legions of fans and an uplifting story for anyone seeking motivation to follow his or her dreams—over the rainbow and beyond. Featuring Chenolicious recipes, Kristin’s advice for young actors, and much more!

My Review Comments:

After seeing the musical Wicked with Kristen Chenoweth and hearing her beautiful voice, I was so excited to be able to read a book all about the girl who played Glinda. She is amazing and her story was truly touching to me since it was based on her faith. What a wonderful follow up book to, Wicked and it was such a light and fun read. This book covers her entire life and explains what obstacles you need to overcome to make your dreams come true. It was so interesting to know that she was adopted and that she had struggles just like all of us, and yet she was able to achieve so much. Everything does come at a price but, she has the support of her family and friends to help her along her journey. She shares her humor and lots of delightful stories that you will get lost in. One other thing that I thought was interesting is that she included sprinkles of family recipes throughout the book too. If you have never seen her in Wicked, then I would encourage you to listen to her music. She has an amazing voice and one that you will not soon forget.

Wicked by: Gregory Maguire

***Purchased Through Barnes and Noble

Synopsis

Born with green skin and huge teeth, like a dragon, the free-spirited Elphaba grows up to be an anti-totalitarian agitator, an animal-rights activist, a nun, then a nurse who tends the dying? and, ultimately, the headstrong Wicked Witch of the West in the land of Oz. Maguire's strange and imaginative postmodernist fable uses L. Frank Baum's Wonderful Wizard of Oz as a springboard to create a tense realm inhabited by humans, talking animals (a rhino librarian, a goat physician), Munchkinlanders, dwarves and various tribes. The Wizard of Oz, emperor of this dystopian dictatorship, promotes Industrial Modern architecture and restricts animals' right to freedom of travel; his holy book is an ancient manuscript of magic that was clairvoyantly located by Madam Blavatsky 40 years earlier. Much of the narrative concerns Elphaba's troubled youth (she is raised by a giddy alcoholic mother and a hermitlike minister father who transmits to her his habits of loathing and self-hatred) and with her student years. Dorothy appears only near novel's end, as her house crash-lands on Elphaba's sister, the Wicked Witch of the East, in an accident that sets Elphaba on the trail of the girl from Kansas? As well as the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodsman and the Lion? and her fabulous new shoes. Maguire combines puckish humor and bracing pessimism in this fantastical meditation on good and evil, God and free will, which should, despite being far removed in spirit from the Baum books, captivate devotees of fantasy.

My Review Comments:

I have to say, if you love the idea of finding out what really happened before Dorothy landed in Oz than this is the book for you. There was a whole new world to discovery through this book that explained the story of Oz. It was an interesting twist to learning the back story of the relationship between Glinda the good witch and Elphaba the wicked witch. It will give you a new way at looking at the wicked witch of the west and the good witch of the north. You will also learn about the story through all the other unforgettable characters such as the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Lion. After, seeing the musical years ago I just had to read the book that it was based on it. Besides, the fact the there is a rumor that Walt Disney is going to take the musical version and make it into a movie. Let me tell you it didn’t disappoint me at all and I couldn’t put it down. It was such a great concept to think that there actually was a world with another side to it in Oz before Dorothy landed there. I would just like to also add, that there are three other books that go along with this one in the series. They are as follows: Son of a Witch, A Lion Among Men, Out of Oz. The last book is coming out soon, with a fitting end which includes Dorothy to make the story complete. You will have to add these to your library.

Mailbox Monday

The Orphan Sister by: Gwendolen Gross
book courtesy: Simon & Schuster

The Dry Grass of August by: Anna Jean Mayhew
book courtesy: Kensington Books

So Near by: Liza Gyllenhaal
book courtesy: Penguin Group

The Pioneer Woman Cookbook by Ree Drummond

*** Purchased through Barnes and Noble

Synopsis


My name is Ree.

Some folks know me as The Pioneer Woman.

After years of living in Los Angeles, I made a pit stop in my hometown in Oklahoma on the way to a new, exciting life in Chicago. It was during my stay at home that I met Marlboro Man, a mysterious cowboy with steely blue eyes and a muscular, work-honed body. A strict vegetarian, I fell hard and fast, and before I knew it we were married and living on his ranch in the middle of nowhere, taking care of animals, and managing a brood of four young children. I had no idea how I'd wound up there, but I knew it was exactly where I belonged.

The Pioneer Woman Cooks is a homespun collection of photography, rural stories, and scrumptious recipes that have defined my experience in the country. I share many of the delicious cowboy-tested recipes I've learned to make during my years as an accidental ranch wife—including Rib-Eye Steak with Whiskey Cream Sauce, Lasagna, Fried Chicken, Patsy's Blackberry Cobbler, and Cinnamon Rolls—not to mention several "cowgirl-friendly" dishes, such as Sherried Tomato Soup, Olive Cheese Bread, and Creme Brulee. I show my recipes in full color, step-by-step detail, so it's as easy as pie to follow along.

You'll also find colorful images of rural life: cows, horses, country kids, and plenty of chaps-wearing cowboys.

I hope you get a kick out of this book of mine. I hope it makes you smile. I hope the recipes bring you recognition, accolades, and marriage proposals. And I hope it encourages even the most harried urban cook to slow down, relish the joys of family, nature, and great food, and enjoy life.

My Review Comments:

I purchased this cookbook, after someone mentioned it to me. It is a wonderful cookbook and is so full of beautiful images with step by step instructions on how to make the most delicious meals. I have followed her blog site and now she has added yet another feather to her cap by having her own cooking show on the Foodnetwork channel. I watch the primer show this past weekend and it was excellent. She is just such an interesting, down to earth person to watch and it is so special that she takes so much time to share with others her family life. Her recipes in the cookbook are down home style and pretty simple to make. The ingredients are things that are easy to locate and are things that you would normally carry in supply in your pantry. She has truly inspired me to make my blog the best that it can be and to cook a hearty meal with ease. I would recommend anyone that is interested in down home cooking to purchase this cookbook. I know you will enjoy it as much as I did just sitting back and looking at all the breath taking images of her ranch as well.