Weekly Friday Finds | 04-05-2024 | Books ~Author News ~ Recipes ~ Crafts ~ New Trivia Contest Question
Welcome to the 04-05-2024 edition of the weekly Friday Finds.
I hope you are doing well. Spring has not quite sprung around here. It’s cold and dreary, with the occasional snow shower. I’m ready for gentle breezes and warm, sunny days. Even one of the barn cats walked out of her heated house and promptly turned around and went back in. Evidently, a warm cat bed overcomes the need for breakfast.
I can’t say much; there are some mornings when I feel the same way!
Let’s move on to the finds for this week!
Gina
Weekly Friday Finds | 04-05-2024 | Blog News
I had a fun week on the blog with the following reviews:
CHASING THE DRAGON BY MARK TOWSE | GUEST POST FROM THE AUTHOR
HELLULAND BY C.R. LINDSTRÖM (A MODERN SAGA OF MYTHS AND FANTASY)
DEADLY. SET. VEGAS. (A VEGAS VICTORY FC NOVEL, BOOK #1) BY VANESSA M. KNIGHT
FALLING FOR A REAL COWBOY BY KAREN BANEY: A COUNTRY VS. CITY CHRISTIAN COWBOY ROMANCE
A CURE FOR SPRING FEVER BY BARBARA ROBINSON (PART OF THE JELLY BEANS & SPRING THINGS
I have more scheduled for next week, so please check back often.
Weekly Friday Finds | 04-05-2024 | Recipes
Here’s the ideal healthy breakfast recipe—easy and full of flavor: banana-baked oatmeal! This recipe is wholesome and filling, packed with nutritious ingredients like oats and bananas. It happens to be vegan baked oatmeal, so it has no eggs or dairy. Topped with a little nut butter and banana slices, it’s a wholesome way to start the day.
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Roasted Veggie Mason Jar Salad
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You can also check today’s corresponding email newsletter for a healthy dinner recipe. (Don’t get the Friday Finds email? Sign up on the sidebar! ) —>
Weekly Friday Finds | 04-05-2024 | Books
Here are a few personal picks from the editors at Amazon Books.
The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo – #1 in Renaissance Historical Fiction
Determined to seize her one chance to better her fortunes, Luzia, a scullery maid with a mysterious gift, plunges into a world of seers and alchemists, holy men and hucksters, where the lines between magic, science, and fraud are never certain. But as her notoriety grows, so does the danger that her Jewish blood will doom her to the Inquisition’s wrath. She will have to use every bit of her wit and will to survive—even if that means enlisting the help of Guillén Santángel, an embittered immortal familiar whose own secrets could prove deadly for them both.
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Bardugo, Leigh (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 387 Pages - 04/09/2024 (Publication Date) - Flatiron Books (Publisher)
The Age of Magical Overthinking by Amanda Montell
“Magical thinking” can be broadly defined as the belief that one’s internal thoughts can affect unrelated events in the external world: Think of the conviction that one can manifest their way out of poverty, stave off cancer with positive vibes, thwart the apocalypse by learning to can their own peaches, or transform an unhealthy relationship to a glorious one with loyalty alone. In all its forms, magical thinking works in service of restoring agency amid chaos, but in The Age of Magical Overthinking, Montell argues that in the modern information age, our brain’s coping mechanisms have been overloaded, and our irrationality turned up to an eleven.
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Montell, Amanda (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 268 Pages - 04/09/2024 (Publication Date) - Atria/One Signal Publishers (Publisher)
The Secret Elephant: Inspired By a True Story of Friendship by Ellan Rankin
A remarkable friendship between a baby elephant and her keeper shows that kindness is never forgotten. Inspired by a true story, this uplifting picture book is a perfect read for animal lovers of all ages. Inspired by a remarkable true story at the Belfast Zoo during WW11 perfect for fans of The One and Only Ivan and the award-winning documentary The Elephant Whisperers.
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Rankin, Ellan (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 32 Pages - 04/23/2024 (Publication Date) - Random House Studio (Publisher)
Weekly Friday Finds | 04-05-2024 | Author News
This is my latest scoop from Indie Authors.
Mim Eichmann is looking for digital ARC readers for the upcoming release of her latest book, Tavie’s Story. You can contact Mim or me for more information if you want to be an advanced reader. Here’s a peek at this fascinating story, set for release in July 2024.
Chicago, Illinois – December 1923: Terrified, racing from an irate shopkeeper who has accused her of stealing, her comatose mother sprawled in a dark hallway, four-year-old Tayvie Jackson falls asleep while hiding on the back floor of a car. Hours later, Tayvie, who understands almost no English, awakens many miles from a home she barely knew. Forced to live with deceitful relatives during the Depression, Tayvie and her adopted mother later escape, hoping to build on Tayvie’s fledging career as a jazz singer.
In 1938, Tayvie innocently signs a six-month contract to appear at the Moulin Rouge in Paris. Almost immediately, distorted allegations erupt surrounding her involvement with the historically devastating Kristallnacht, the propaganda broadcasts called Charlie and His Orchestra, and the elite Nazi playgrounds in Berlin and Paris, all of which force her into a demoralizing relationship with a member of Hitler’s most despised inner clique, Dr. Joseph Goebbels.
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Eichmann, Mim (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 355 Pages - 07/23/2024 (Publication Date) - Living Springs Publishers (Publisher)
I have a feeling that I’ve missed some author news that was sent to me, and I can not find it in my notes. If you sent me some important news that hasn’t yet made the newsletter, reach out via comments or email and I’ll get it included ASAP.
Don’t forget about the book review contest. Vote by liking and commenting on your favorite book reviews on my website. The author of the book with the most likes and comments will receive an award. One reader will also win a small token of appreciation for participating.
For the April 15 winner, all previous book reviews will be considered, so search my website for a past favorite, leave a comment, and like! After that date, I would like to limit it to reviews from the past quarter. This will help keep things a little easier on my end. I am still working out the logistics and details for this contest, so plans may undergo minor changes.
But, in the meantime, vote and share this news with your friends. The more people that participate, the more fun we will have. Authors, you may vote for your own book and also share the contest with your readers to give yourself a boost. We are all in this game together to grow our businesses.
Weekly Friday Finds | 04-05-2024 | Creative News
Last week’s Friday Finds featured my plans to knit a hat for our Mother-Daughter baseball outing. I received the custom-dyed yarn this week but have not started on the project yet, which is pretty typical for me.
Hummingbird and Flower Embroidery Kit
Since embroidery was the topic of last week’s trivia question, I though you might be interested in checking this kit out. Hummingbirds and flowers seem appropriate for this time of year.
- Includes 1 embroidery hoop, 3 embroidered cloths with patterns, 3 sets of color threads, 6 needles, instructions, scissors, needle threaders, and seam ripper
- Simple and diverse embroidery patterns suitable for beginners to spark creativity and try new techniques
- Comes with detailed instructions on dealing with floss, printed patterns, and framing the embroidery
- Adjustable hoops have a tightening screw to keep fabric taut while stitching
Weekly Friday Finds | 04-05-2024 | Trivia Time
It’s time to announce the April 1 winner of the latest trivia contest. Congrats to reader M.E. She has been notified and chosen her prize. For your chance to win, leave a comment on the Friday Finds blog post with your answer to each week’s trivia question. You will get double entries if you are also a subscriber to the Friday Finds email newsletter. The next trivia winner will be announced on May 1st!
This week, we are back to books in the trivia question rotation. Here you go:
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn takes place in the fictional town of St. Petersburg, Missouri, which was based on what real town?
The answer to last week’s question:
In the craft of embroidery, what term refers to the technique of using small, tightly packed stitches to create intricate designs on fabric? Satin Stitch
Remember, if you find something you like in this post, leave a comment and click the LIKE button at the bottom of the page. It means the world!
See you soon for more Weekly Friday Finds Fun!
Gina
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That embroidery kit is gorgeous, but I certainly do not need anymore patterns to work on 😅
I used to cross-stitch so seeing that about cross stitching brought back memories. Thanks for the post
I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Since you don’t cross-stitch, do you have any other “crafty” hobbies?
Believe it or not I write for fun