2011 Book Review #29: The Postmistress

Title: The Postmistress
Author: Sarah Blake
Genre: Literary fiction
Thingummies: 4

Synopsis: In the fall of 1940, Europe burns. In the tiny coastal town of Franklin, Massachusetts, though, life continues on untouched. The postmistress, Iris James, watches over her town, from the young doctor and his new bride to the mysterious German immigrant and his boss who scans the waves for U-boats. They all listen, from their sleepy vacation town, to the devastation of the Blitz, as narrated by spunky radio "gal" Frankie Bard. It seems very far away. But Iris and Frankie's lives will strangely intertwine when they each betray their calling, with a letter one can't bear to deliver and a story the other can't bear to report.

Thoughts: ( So, what did you think? )

2011 Book Reviews #30: Bargaining for Advantage

Title: Bargaining for Advantage: Negotiation Strategies for Reasonable People
Author: G. Richard Shell
Genre: Textbook (Negotiation)
Thingummies: 5

Synopsis: A Wharton School professor walks you through the theories and strategies of bargaining. Negotiation styles, planning tactics, timelines, tricks, and ethics are all covered.

Thoughts: ( So, what did you think? )

Best cookie ever

I made double-decker brownie cookies to bring my grandfather for his birthday. They're chocolate chip cookies on top (I browned the butter for extra caramel-y flavor) melded to a super fudgey brownie on the bottom. The recipe made rather more than he and my grandmother can handle these days. So I kept a few for us.

Oh, these are one of the most amazing cookies. Gooey and chocolatey and golden. Best of both worlds.