March Book Update

Once again, I've set a reading goal of 100 books for the year - I didn't quite make it last year (95), but it's close enough to set that as a goal again (and I like a nice round number). I'll track which books I read in a month and which I liked best. Mostly for myself more than anything, but of course I'm always glad to have others follow along.

So...  in March: new (to me) books read: 8; books re-read: 1
Favourite book in March:  Spring, Ali Smith

 in February: new (to me) books read: 4; books re-read: 
Favourite book in February:  A Single Thread, Tracy Chevalier

in January:  new (to me) books read: 6; books re-read: 
Favourite book in January:  An American Marriage, Tayari Jones

March reading: 

• I read one of my Christmas present books (Petra's Ghost by C S O'Cinneide)
• I listened to a fantasy title on audio from the library (The Lost Gate by Orson Scott Card)
• I read the book which my class is reading this half term (The Girl Who Stole an Elephant by Nizrana Farouk)
• And another children's book I picked up from school (A House without Walls, Elizabeth Laird)
• I read a book from my TBR shelf (Spring by Ali Smith)
• I read a few  crime novels in series which I am following (Through a Glass Darkly by Donna Leon, Two for Sorrow, Nicola Upson and A Cold Treachery by Charles Todd)
• And I re-read a YA title I particularly like (The Rest of Us Just Live Here, Patrick Ness)

Dinner, 31/3/21: Spicy Schechuan Noodles

Pork mince with various spices and egg noodles. With purple sprouting broc on the side.

 

Dinner, 30/3/21: Spring Salad

Nice spring day - calls for a salad.  Lots of salad items, plus marinated beans. Yum.

 

Dinner, 28/3/21: Sweet Potato and Spinach Curry

 

Book 18: The Rest of Us Just Live Here, Patrick Ness (re-read)

I've read this before and thought it brilliant, for some reason it kept coming into my mind, so I thought I'd revisit it.  Still great.

 

Dinner, 27/3/21: Marinated Courgettes with Mozzarella, Sausages, Crusty Bread

This was a lovely way to use courgettes - thinly sliced and griddled, then marinated and served with mozzarella. Very nice. We had sausages on the side as an accompaniment, and crusty bread.

 

Book 17: Two for Sorrow, Nicola Upson

Another series which I am reading - I've felt quite into crime fiction lately, perhaps because it's easy to fall into without deep thought, but still quite rewarding.

 

Dinner, 25/3/21: Pasta with Broccoli, Chili and Garlic

Always looking for interesting ways to use broccoli when it lands in our box - this was unfortunately, rather boring.  It was a variation on a recipe using greens, and I can't but help think it would have been better with greens.

 

Dinner, 23/3/21: Thai Green Chicken Curry

With mushrooms and hearts of palm.

 

Book 16: A Cold Treachery, Charles Todd

The next in the series, which I am reading my way through. I think there's about 20 of them, and this is only number 6 or 7.  Which is great, if they don't fall into the  trap that many long running series do, and get a bit samey.  So far, so good, though.

 

Dinner, 21/3/21: Stuffed Courgettes and Peppers

Stuffed peppers with couscous and stuffed courgettes with feta, capers, olives, sundried tomatoes, etc

 

Dinner, 20/3/21: German Sausages, etc

German sausages, celeriac & potato mash, sauerkraut; braised fennel

 

Book 15: A House without Walls, Elizabeth Laird

 

A children's book about Syrian refugees - not set in a refugee camp, but rather fleeing to relatives in Jordan.  I enjoy Elizabeth Laird - she's good at presenting tough issues in a way that's not too sad but still gives kids room to think about others with very different lives. 

Dinner, 19/3/21: Pasta with fennel, rocket & lemon

The fennel here was sliced very thin and cooked with butter and garlic - very nice.

 

Dinner, 18/3/21: Tacos

The first two, I had as a taco; this one was beginning to fall apart, so I deconstructed it intentionally...

 

Dinner, 17/3/21: Braised Lentils with Roasted Beetroot and Feta

Braised lentils, with roasted beetroot and carrots and a feta sprinkle (easily vegan by using vegan cheese or no cheese). 

 

Dinner, 16/3/21: Pasta with peas, broad beans and chorizo

Yummy

 

Dinner, 14/3/21: Spiced pork balls in hot fragrant broth

This was delicious  - the pork balls had a Thai flavour, as did the broth, and it was just incredibly yummy. Definitely one to have again!

 

Dinner, 13/3/21: Roasted Aloo Gobi

Potato and cauliflower curry (with a tomato base) - yum.

 

Dinner, 12/3/21: Baked Gnocchi with Broccoli and Blue Cheese

Very nice. Forgot to sprinkle with walnuts, but will eat this again, so definitely will try with added walnuts next time...