Report | Oct 22nd

Reading

Bunny is an unparalleled literary journey that introduced me to the, in a word, enchanting, world of Magical Realism, a genre I had yet to explore before this extraordinary book landed in my hands. Magical realism weaves elements of magic and fantasy into the real world, creating a mesmerizing blend of the ordinary and the extraordinary. In "Bunny," human characters are intertwined with the characteristics of animals, such as one figure who is repeatedly likened to a lion with a wild, untamed mane. This artistic choice conjured vivid imagery in my mind, evoking a blend of man and beast.

Reading this novel in late October enhanced the eerie atmosphere, crafting a spookiness that the book needs. The narrative's undertones of cultish mystique, shrouded in darkness, and perpetually elusive, left me in a state of perpetual intrigue. It's a literary smoke-and-mirrors show, constantly challenging my grasp on reality, ultimately leaving me with the delightful disorientation

However, it's worth noting that the ending didn't quite meet the expectations set by the story's captivating beginning. This could be due to the fact I was left with a sense of not fully comprehending the narrative's intricacies. Nevertheless, "Bunny” is a truly unique and memorable reading experience.

“How empty and emptied I felt walking away with all my words still on his floor. Wanting so badly to pick them back up. Take it all back. Wipe away the night, my dumb tears, my endless tumbling out of words. I never meant to give this to you.”

Keeping with my spooky theme, The Stolen Hours undeniably held my attention, as I managed to read the entire story within 12 hours. Yet, it failed to evoke that relentless urge to discover its secrets, an expectation I often associate with exceptional thrillers and mysteries. From the beginning we know Gavin is a killer, leaving the real puzzle to center around the finer details and the identities of the other key players.

My anticipation left me wanting a grander, more explosive climax, although it was attempted, fell short of its potential. Additionally, the legal jargon peppered throughout the text presented a challenge for my pea brain, often requiring me to revisit these passages. While the book certainly delivers a noteable reading experience, I must say that it struggles to distinguish itself in my year brimming with exceptional thrillers.

In summary, this book is a solid recommendation but falls short of truly standing out in the realm of thrillers, despite its ability to captivate the reader's attention.

Eating

I am in a seafood mood on a canned food budget. My solution? Hearts of palm. I have been a hearts of palm advocate for years and eat them in various recipes or alone with balsamic vinegar or related sauces. It is a great texture and doesn’t have much flavor which makes it great as a fish substitute. my #1 favorite recipe with hearts of palm is some vegan lobster rolls but this week, I tried some ceviche.

Hearts of Palm Ceviche

2 cans hearts of palm

1 red bell pepper

1 orange bell pepper

1 sweet onion

1 habanero pepper

1 Persian cucumber

4 tbsp lime juice

Salt

Pepper

Cilantro

Vegan Lobster Roll

2 cans hearts of palm, break up into piece (drained)

1 stalk celery finely chopped

1 tbsp fresh dill

1 tbsp chives

1/2 tsp garlic powder

2 tsp old bay seasoning

1/2 squeeze lemon s/p as desired

2 to 4 buns

1/3 cup red onion, chopped finely

2 tsp adobo sauce or hot sauce

1/2 cup vegan mayo or greek yogurt

Playing

Let’s do something upbeat since I have been in a very chill mood, specifically, let’s make it country. I am a 90s and early 2000s country fan so it takes a LOT for me to like current country but here are just a few I have had on repeat this year.

Tucson Too Late x Jordan Davis

Whiskey And Rain x Michael Ray

Dance Her Home x Cody Johnson

The Kind of Love We Make x Luke Combs

Handle On You x Parker McCollum