Book: Today, I read Amelia: An Autumn Bride (Brides for All Seasons #7) by Hildie McQueen (autumn colors).
Task #1
The three books I am most thankful for reading this year are:
1. To End All Wars: A Story of Loyalty and Rebellion, 1914-1918 by Adam Hochschild
This is what I would recommend to anyone, but especially non-history readers, if they wanted to read one book about World War I.
2. Hamilton's Battalion: A Trio of Romances by Rose Lerner, Courtney Milan, and Alyssa Cole
I'm not a fangirl of Hamilton or his musical (although I do listen and enjoy the soundtrack), but getting new material from these authors was enough for me to buy it. Courtney Milan's story was my favorite, but Rose Lerner's and Alyssa Cole's stories were wonderful as well.
3. Conspiracy of Fools: A True Story by Kurt Eichenwald
This book was a door stopper, but read so much like a novel that it didn't feel over long at all. This is the true story of the rise and fall of Enron.
Honorable mention: The Lotus Palace and The Jade Temptress (Pingkang Li Mysteries #1 and 2) by Jeannie Lin.
Task #2
My perfect meal, created by a chef and his/her/their team, is inspired by my Italian heritage. It would be time and resource intensive, ergo I would never make it for myself.
1. Starters - Caprese salad and friend calamari
2. Main - Zuppa di Pesce e Frutti de Mare (just a ton of seafood in a clear broth)
3. Sides - Baked Fennel with Parmesan and Mushroom risotto
4. Dessert - Tiramisu
Task #3
The book I read this year with the most "stuffing" was Once Upon a Spine (A Bibliophile Mystery #11) by Kate Carlisle. Details about the most mundane things with boring vanilla characters and constant wedding talk - and the murder mystery was an afterthought until the very end.
Task #4
Honestly, I can't remember all the freebies I download in a single month, let alone in a year. So here is what I bought this month:
1. Bitch Planet Volume 1 and 2 by Kelly Sue DeConnick et al (from Foyles)
2. A Nightingale Christmas Carol and Nightingales Under the Mistletoe by Donna Douglas (from a charity shop)
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