anything good lately-reading, watching, eating

Great secrets from the kitchen and cellar

2011-09-03T19:15:00.000-07:00

I just got back from the Los Angeles Times weekend food event aptly named "Secrets From The Kitchen and Cellar." This was just one of many events being put on this weekend across town at locations in Hollywood, Downtown and Beverly Hills. My event in Beverly Hills was held in the parking lot of the now vacant, landmark Robinson's Department Store on Wilshire.

I bought these tickets not really knowing what the event would be like, but wow, was it a great surprise! I was upclose for three of Food Network's culinary stars' cooking demos and I ate food from over 20 different L.A. restaruants. There were lots of celebrity chefs there today and all were super friendly and engaged with the crowd. The three chefs that did demos (see below) have great personalities and can really cook too.

Here are some of the "secrets" I learned today:

-Claire Robinson ("Five Ingredient Fix" and "Challenge") demonstrated how to make your own butter in a KitchenAid mixer. I went home and actually did this. It was simple and the butter is great! I just used whipping cream and put the mixer on and walked away for awhile. When I came back the butter separated from milk (whey?) and I put it in a cheesecloth, squeezed out the extra liquid, and voila...butter.

Claire also said the Challenge shows take 14 hours to film and are often filmed in Denver because of the low humidity.

-Scott Conant (judge on "Chopped" and "24 hour Restaurant Battle" and owner of the just opened Scarpetta in Bev. Hills)is really, really funny and seems like a great guy. I asked if the contestents on "Chopped" know their ingredients ahead of time. He said NO. He also said he has had some ingredients that are just disgusting.

Scott also said that the water for pasta should "taste like broth" meaning it should have so much salt in it, it's like soup.

-Arti Sequeira (last year's winner of "The Next Food Network Star") demonstrated how to make Indian cheese (Paneer) by cooking milk and lemon juice. I am going to try that tomorrow. Arti is hilarious and full of wonderful stories about cooking for Wolfgang Puck and Bobby Flay. She does spot on celebrity imitations, and lives in L.A. with her husband. She said she shoots her show in Culver City next to Guy Fieri's studio and that he is a great guy.

The food was delicious today too. I really enjoyed the crispy brown rice with spicy tuna, creamy polenta with truffles, juicy watermelon salad with mint and basil oil, crispy prawns and carmelized walnuts, and melt in your mouth beef short ribs.

Also, Cutie's Brand of tangerines is launching tangerine juices and a variety of smoothies this Fall. They are packaged in round plastic bottles with eye-catching labels and taste delicious.

Even though I'm sure I ate way too many calories today, it was worth it.

Noodle Star Sherman Oaks

2011-08-20T17:15:00.001-07:00

Noodle Star "asian noodles and bar" opened its doors 2 weeks ago on Van Nuys Blvd. across from Gelson's Market, replacing the neighborhood mainstay, Lanna Thai.

This very resonably priced, yummy restaurant has oodles of noodle dishes served with meat (chicken, pork or beef) or vegetarian. Actually their menu lists 110 different items with 100% of them priced under $10!!

For last night's dinner, my husband enjoyed the chicken noodles(spelled correctly)soup--a giant bowl filled with thick rice noodles, white meat chicken and a very tasty broth. I had the traditional Pad Thai that was loaded with shrimp, chicken, egg, rice noodles and I think some eggplant thrown in there too. Both dishes cost $7.95 each and we had plenty to take home.

There are rice dishes, pan fried noodles, salads and lots of types of soup including Chinese Noodle, Thai Noodle, Vietnamese Pho, and Japanese Udon. There is a fully stocked bar and Bobas to drink. Thai iced tea is sweet and refreshing and Noodle Star also serves fruit smoothies and non-dairy coolers.

The super friendly staff and great location make this a perfect lunch or dinner spot. I think with these prices and so many choices, this place is going to be one of our favorites.

Noodle Star
4457 Van Nuys Blvd.
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
818.985.0808

Great food on Sunset Blvd.

2011-01-16T20:12:00.000-08:00

Just got back from a wonderful dinner at BLT Steak on Sunset in Hollywood. This is the first restaurant in L.A. owned by famed Chefs Laurent Tourondel
and Daniel Boulud and is in the old Le Dome space.

This was the first time we've eaten here, but definitely not the last! Where to begin?? I'll start from the top--we felt comfortable and cared for the minute we walked into the place. When was the last time a hostess asked how my day was and actually had a conversation with me? Probably never.

After we were seated, we were given some crusty bread and chicken liver pate as a "free" starter from the chef. I honestly didn't try any because I'm not a huge fan of pate however it was good I held out because right afterwards we were served the biggest, most delicious popovers I've ever had! These airy, crunchy popovers are served with sweet butter and sea salt and are about as big as a baby's head. They are outstanding!! A copy of the recipe comes with the popovers so maybe I'll make them at home. Yummmm.

My initial plan before arriving at BLT Steak was in fact to order some steak, but I changed my mind after seeing the $50 Prix Fixe dinner. What a great deal--tons of outstanding food with plenty to take home. The waitress said this menu changes every few days and it's always available.

We had steak tartare as the appetizer. This very generous portion comes with more pieces of crunchy bread.I haven't had steak tartare since eating at Windows on The World in NYC years ago. I don't remember it being so good, but that was a long time ago.I actually bagged up about half of it to bring home to our doggie.

The main course I chose was fennel dusted Ahi tuna. Four rare slabs of tuna were served with diced veggies and a delicious, light sauce. There was a choice of a rabbit dish as well. We got two side dishes--roasted carrots and parsnips and Guyere mac and cheese with bacon. Both side dishes were just great; full of flavor and the perfect size.

This prix fixe menu also includes dessert--there was warm carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and ginger ice cream or a butterscotch pudding and homemade sugar cookies. Plus,the chef sends out espresso cookies too. Do I need to say more??

We couldn't even come close to eating all this delicious food. What a wonderful treat. They're going to have an even better deal in a few weeks during Dine L.A. week.

Dinner $44**Price excludes alcohol, tax and gratuity.
Choice of AppetizersBaby Artichoke Salad / Truffle Vinaigrette / Arborio Crouton
Cast Iron Mussels / Chorizo / Slow Cooked Tomato / Saffron Toast
Niman Ranch Crispy Pork Belly / Sherried Lentils / Green Apple /Juniper
Choice of EntreesHorseradish Crusted 8 oz Petit Filet / Grilled Asparagus / Crabmeat Béarnaise
Tournedos of Scottish Salmon / Potato Fondant / Grain Mustard Cream
Tarragon Roasted Chicken / Fingerling Potatoes / Maitaake Mushroom / Preserved Lemon Jus
Choice of DessertsWarm Carrot Cake / Ginger Ice Cream
Cinnamon Sugar Doughnuts / Espresso Ice Cream
Chocolate Bread Pudding / Caramelized Bananas / Whipped NutellaBLT Steak:
8720 W Sunset Blvd · West Hollywood
bltsteak.com

Another good book from last year

2011-01-06T18:29:00.000-08:00

Today on NPR's All Things Considered, there was an interview with author Lisa Grunweld. She wrote a book I read last year called The Irresistible Henry House. This book is about Henry House, a "practice baby" being raised on the campus of a mid-west college.

Although this story is fictionalized, practice babies were a real part of college life in the U.S. for some 50 years. Practice babies were orphaned babies placed at "houses" in colleges across the country to help teach female students "domestic skills."

My bookclub read this book last year and we had a lively discussion about parenting, attachment theory and adoption.

It's worth a read.

Check out the interview here: http://www.npr.org/2011/01/06/132708047/practice-babies-an-outdated-practice-discovered-west

I know, it's been like, forever...

2011-01-05T14:18:00.000-08:00

Happy 2011! After many, many non-productive months, I'm back to my blog. Last year was a tough year for me and I was easily distracted from taking time to write about the good stuff--there was just so much bad stuff. But it's a new year, and I am optimistic this year will be better than the last one.

I did read some good books in 2010 as well as eat at some great restaurants, see some wonderful sights and watch some pretty good movies.

Here is my list of my favorite books that I read last year:
1) Little Bee by Chris Cleave--not a happy book but beautifully written.
2) One Day by David Nicholls--enjoyable love story with a London setting.
3) The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman--intertwining stories that take place at an English language newspaper office in Rome.
4) Hungry Planet-What The World Eats by Peter Menzel--a look at a week of food consumption in various parts of the world, family by family.
5) A Secret Gift-How One Man's Kindness and a Treasure Trove of Letters-Revealed the Hidden History of the Great Depression by Ted Gup--a glimpse of life in Ohio in 1932

I am currently reading (and almost done with) Steve Martin's new novel, An Object of Beauty, about the art world in NYC. I have read his other novels and have always liked them; this one is no exception.

My friend Susan told me a funny story about Steve Martin and his book. He was in NYC at the 92nd Street Y doing a reading and the audience was not too happy because Steve wasn't funny--he was too serious! The audience wanted their money back because they thought his talk would be more of a standup act vs. a serious book reading. Ugh to the audience.

Next on my nightstand is God's Mountain by Erri de Luca and The Lonely Polygamist by Brady Udall.

Besides books, some other good things that I ran across in 2010 are: The Annenberg Beach House in Santa Monica (great community pool, beach access and history), dinner at Hatfields Restaurant on Melrose Ave., LACMA's Resnick Pavillion exhibit called "Fashioning Fashion-European Dress in Detail" and the movie "The King's Speech".

I look forward to much more good stuff this year.

a night with author Jodi Picoult

2010-03-12T07:47:00.000-08:00

Vroman's Bookstore presented a reading from best selling author Jodi Picoult last night at All Saints Church in Pasadena and my friend Debbie and I were in the front row (sort of). Ms. Picoult is on tour for her newest book "House Rules" which came out 2 weeks ago and debuted in the #1 spot on the N.Y. Times Bestsellers list.

I've seen and heard Ms. P. speak before. Last year she was the headline speaker at the Assistance League of Fullerton's Annual Day of Authors event. She was as interesting, friendly and engaging last night, as she was last year.

I love listening to authors speak--in addition to the Day of Author event I've listened to Lisa See ("Shanghai Girls" and "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan") and Alice Hoffman ("Practical Magic", "Blue Diary")at bookstores in town. At these events the authors give a glimpse into their writing process as well as some fun insider secrets. Last night was no exception.

I knew from last year's presentation that Jodi does a ton of research for all her books and she always has compelling stories to tell. This new book deals with a teen with Asperger's Syndrome. Jodi met with about 50 teens with Asperger's and their parents. She said she puts real life conversations and situations into all her books and in this latest novel Jodi had a teen read the book before it was finalized to see if she got the voice of her character right.

She also got to shadow a local CSI unit because the main character is really into crime scenes. She witnessed an autopsy (and brain removal) first hand as well as some rather unusual lab analysis.

An audience member asked Jodi about her writing style==she said she writes the ending of her books before she's written the beginning and the middle is worked out when she works out the characters. She often steals conversations from friends and strangers but doesn't put anyone she knows directly into the books.

It's hard for me to imagine but Jodi's book for 2011 is already done. It's called "Sing You Home" and it's about gay rights in America and will include a CD of original songs. Her 2012 book is going to be about the right to die. She works two books ahead and spends about 9 months on each one and 3 months on book tours.

The best answer of the night came from my friend Debbie's question about the movie version of Jodi's bestseller "My Sister's Keeper." If you've seen the movie you know the ending is NOT the same as the book. I won't reveal anything here but needless to say, Jodi was very, very shocked with the movie (I was shocked and I didn't write the book!).

I can't wait to crack open this new book. I'm trying to save it for an upcoming plane ride but I have to wait 2 1/2 weeks. I hope it's as much of a page turner as her 15 other books!

Los Angeles Times Food Section

2010-02-25T12:45:00.000-08:00

Growing up in L.A. my parents subscribed to the Los Angeles Times and The Daily News (which was called The Green Sheet when I was a kid). I didn't read the paper very much at all when I was little (except for current events projects), but I did read the comics and Calendar section each Sunday. My Dad read (and still reads) the whole paper and my mom would always read and cut out recipes from both newspapers (and she still does that).

As a grown up, I really do love the newspaper. I only subscribe to the Times but I read it every morning. I am the only one walking down my driveway barefoot-ed at 5:45 a.m. to get my paper. My feet are so cold that I've started to count the number of steps it takes to reach my paper and pretend I'm crossing over broken glass just to distract my freezing cold feet.

Anyway,one of my favorite sections is the Wednesday Food section. It has definitely lost its amount of content over the years and for the last few weeks it came in the Thursday paper not the Wednesday paper (which really threw me off) but it's still a great resource for recipes, wine and restaurants.

Last week there was a review for a hole-in-the-wall, Mediterranean restaurant called Hayat's Kitchen in North Hollywood.I went there the other day for lunch and there were 3 other tables of diners there from the same article. For a place that has 6 tables total, that is an amazing turnout!

Today's Food section was really great. After reading today's edition, I signed up for a free daily foodie newsletter (Blackboardeats.com) and made the recipe for Nutella Humentashen (for Purim) which sounds amazing.

I know the likelihood is virtually zero that a hard copy of a newspaper is going to be around for my kid to subscribe to, but I sure hope so. She sees me read the newspaper every day just like I did with my parents and she reads the Comics section every Sunday just like I did too.

Garlic Sauce & Foot Massages

2010-02-20T13:08:00.000-08:00

When I was pregnant with my daughter, my husband and I would go to Zankou Chicken Restaurant for lunch after our doctor's appointment. It used to be cheap (not so anymore) and I'd always get a chicken sandwich with extra garlic sauce. The white, pungent, flavorful spread is/was my favorite part of the sandwich and I ate it up. I never had that sauce again until I found it at another middle eastern type restaurant in my neighborhood called Cedar House. They give the sauce as an accompaniment to their entrees in a little, tiny bowl. Never enough but I guess good enough.

However today, I found my favorite thing in the cold case at Jons Market in North Hollywood. There it was--a tub of the white fluffy stuff. Garlic Spread for $2.99. I could have my own spread anytime and on anything! Yay! Once I unloaded my groceries I immediately put it on some flat bread and savored the taste. It tastes just like the stuff at the restaurants. We'll see how long it lasts in my fridge.

Although the garlic sauce did make my day, I was pretty happy this morning anyway because of my hour long, $20 foot massage. When a friend told me about Nature Healing Center (across the street from the North Hollywood Target) and their amazing 60-minute foot massage, I had to try it.

I've been coming here for the past year at least once a month. It's really a great price and it's really a great massage.

This isn't a chic spa with white terry cloth robes, fuzzy slippers and cucumber water. However, it's a deep tissue, professional massage done in a reclining, comfortable, cushioned chair and I get to keep my clothes on. I've brought friends here and it works out great because each massage space has two lounging chairs next to each other. The treatment gives special attention to the pressure points in the feet which is perfect for my sore spots, but the masseur person also works the head, neck, back, arms and legs.

Even without the extras (including privacy), after this massage I felt like a million bucks.

The next big thing

2010-02-12T19:03:00.000-08:00

If I could make money on trend spotting, I'd have some more money than I have now. I'm pretty good at predicting the next big thing, but I'm the only one who knows this (or probably who cares about this) so I can't really cash in. I told my family that Crocs would be very popular when I noticed everyone in the Denver Airport was wearing them a few years ago. When I got into Boulder, Colorado, everyone was wearing them there too. Not one person in L.A. even knew what a Croc was until about 6 months later, then Crocs got their 15 minutes of fame worldwide.

Last January I told my husband that 3D was going to be the next big thing. That was before Avatar, 3D TV's and every other 3D thing that came out. I couldn't invest in 3D but I knew it was going to be huge.

I'm back with my current prediction--French Macarons. I'm not talking coconut macaroons you eat at Passover. These are the beautiful, bright, crispy, light as air macaroons made with crushed almonds and filled with rich cream. The flavors are amazing--Lavender, Meyer lemon, sea salt and caramel, chocolate ganache and raspberry. I've seen these wonderful cookies in the prettiest of colors for awhile now, but just this week I've read about them on Tasting Table, heard two separate stories about them on NPR and saw them in the weirdest places.

It's the jewel colors of the French Macaroons that make them so unique. Shocking pink, tangerine orange, sunny yellow, lime green, etc. Crazy for a cookie but perfect for a special treat.

The next big thing is waiting to be discovered and I hope to figure it out before everyone else does too...

Eat Cake

2010-02-04T19:26:00.000-08:00

I'm in a book club that meets once a month. Sometimes we go to a coffee house to meet and sometimes we go to a member's house. Sometimes we watch movies based on books and sometimes we just talk. In December we did a book swap--we just brought in books we were done with and traded for books we hadn't read yet. At that time I picked up a few books including "Eat Cake" by Jeanne Ray. I put it in my pile of books to read and forgot about it. The other day I was done with a book and didn't have another one at the ready, and found this book in my book shelf.

I have no idea who brought this book to swap, but I need to thank her, because I enjoyed spending a few days reading this book. The book involves a family undergoing change and the main character realizing her passion can also be a financial success.

I've never heard of this author before but have since discovered she's the mother of Ann Patchett, an author whose books I have loved (Bel Canto and Truth & Beauty). This is a really simple book but it combines two of my favorite things--baking and family. I love books that highlight cooking, baking and recipes. Although I read cook books for fun, I really like books that intertwine recipes and food into the story.

Some of my recent favorites are: School of Essential Ingredients (really great book), Julie and Julia (yes, the book the movie is based on. It was really very fun; better than the movie), Gourmet Magazine's Ruth Reichel's non-fiction books (Comfort me with Apples is the best) and anything by anyone that has lived in Italy.

However, one book that I was really disappointed in that is in this genre is "The Recipe Club"--this book has been highlighted on TV and in book clubs and I found it pointless and boring and included recipes that were just sub-par. Don't waste your time.

When in Rome

2010-01-30T15:58:00.000-08:00

I took myself to a movie today. I'm ok seeing a movie alone because it's usually one that no one else wants to see. I spent part of my Saturday afternoon watching "When in Rome." I knew it wouldn't be super great but I'm a sucker for romantic comedies. I enjoyed "The Proposal" and "Leap Year" and I look forward to "Valentine's Day" opening soon.

The best part of this movie is the very, very handsome Josh Duhamel. I don't watch the show he's on so it came as kind of a shock as to his beauty. Wow, that alone is worth the ticket price--now note, I got into this movie for free because I had a voucher, so maybe if I paid $10 my feelings might be different.

The movie was light and somewhat entertaining. A couple of women behind me in the theater were laughing their heads off, so maybe it's funnier than I thought.

There was a disappointment though. In the trailer, there is a very funny line said by Dax Shepard's character. He says something like, "call the vet because these puppies are sick!" He is referring to his muscular abs at this point and I think it's a great line. Well, that scene wasn't in the movie at all. That was like a bait and switch to get me to the theater and then never have the funny part in the movie. ugh.

For Napolean Dynamite fans, in addition to Jon Heder, Pedro from Napolean Dynamite showed up in this movie. He isn't in the trailer at all. I guess that's just another bait and switch...

doing something good

2010-01-27T10:59:00.000-08:00

I'm getting a bit overwhelmed with all the bad news out there. From the wars we are still fighting, to the devastating earthquake in Haiti, to the gigantic budget shortfall in California, it's getting to me.

Honestly, I don't think about our battles in Afghanistan and Iraq (and other places) until I watch the nightly news and hear the stories from the front lines. Our troops are putting themselves in harm's way every day and every minute while I go about my day to day activities worrying about the high price of clementines or the fat content in almonds .

An easy way to remember our troops and let them know we care is to donate to Operation Gratitude. Operation Gratitude is a non profit, volunteer organization that sends care packages (with all types of items) and letters addressed to individual U.S. Service people deployed overseas.

There's an outpost of Operation Gratitude in Encino and they are taking all kinds of donations. We brought our extra Halloween candy there and they added it to the care packages that were sent out in December. At year's end they had sent 500,000 care packages to our troops that contained snacks, toiletries, entertainment items and letters.

In addition to Halloween and Easter candy, Operation Gratitude accepts $$ donations, Beanie Babies (the troops hand them out), scarves, Girl Scout cookies, nuts, greeting cards, etc.

You can also go there and help pack out the packages. It's a feel good experience that really does do some good.

www.operationgratitude.com,
the address is NOT posted on line for security reasons, but it is on Victory west of Balboa across from Birmingham High.

A better Mongolian BBQ

2010-01-24T13:29:00.000-08:00

I've been going to Mongolian BBQ places since I was a kid growing up in L.A. These restaurants are often not the prettiest places but the food is fine. Nothing amazing but it's kinda fun to pick your own meat and veggies and watch the guys grill your food in front of you. I don't know how sanitary the whole thing is, but I don't worry too much about that.

Nowadays, the closest Mongolian BBQ places by me is Mogo's in Sherman Oaks. I always thought it was fine until we went to Gobi Mongolian BBQ last night is hip Silverlake.

I read about this place in Friday's edition of Tasting Table L.A. (free on line subscription) and by Saturday, I was there.

This is a great version of Mongolian BBQ. The veggies were outstanding and unique--asparagus, shataki mushrooms, butternut squash, cilantro, spinach, etc. The meat choices included lamb, chicken, rib eye and pork and there was also tofu (my husband loved that) and shrimp available ($3 more for shrimp). The sauces were also not run of the mill--lemongrass, smoked oyster sauce (mild or medium) and curry sauce were all delicious. The smoked oyster sauce reminded me of the taste of BBQ potato chips--really yummy.

This isn't an all you can eat place like Mogo's, but that's ok. The bowls are huge and people pile it on. For $13.95 for dinner, it's a great deal. We had enough left over for a decent doggie/people bag.

This is a small place and they don't take reservations for small parties but we were seated pretty quick. The host said "16 minute wait" and it was. I have no idea how they planned that.

There are cocktails and dessert but we were stuffed so we didn't try it. DEFINITELY worth the quick drive. I can't wait to go again.

Gobi Mongolian BBQ, 2827 W. Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake; 213-989-0711 or gobimongolianbbq.com

movies

2010-01-23T12:55:00.000-08:00

My friend asked me the other day if I'd seen any good movies lately. I have seen a ton this year because 1) my husband's in the Writer's Guild so we got a lot of screeners to "review", 2) a typical family outing is my family going to the movies and 3) by living in L.A, you just go.

Based on what I've seen recently, here's my thoughts on some of the potential Oscar-y movies... "A Single Man" with Colin Firth--very well done movie that is more about relationships than about two gay men. I don't think it was showing in a lot of theaters, but it is worth seeing. It did not make me squirm in my seat from being uncomfortable watching it with an almost 15 year old girl even though it's rated R.

"Up in the Air"--I liked it but it is not action packed. I don't think it's the best movie of the year. Oscar-y movies are more impactful and make a statement. This movie is very subtle. Acting was strong, there was a good twist and there were some funny lines.

"Fantastic Mr. Fox"--great stop-animation movie. The detail of the animals' clothes, fur and mannerisms were spot on. It was fun to watch and had a good story too. Not just for kids.

"The Lovely Bones"--I liked the book much more. Stanley Tucci is a great bad guy but the idea of heaven is too abstract for me (I blame Peter Jackson's vision for that) and I hate seeing dead people. Even though it's rated PG-13, it was hard for me to watch.

"It's Complicated"--has one of the funniest scenes in a movie in a long time. Meryl Streep is always great and I'd love to own/work in her bakery and kitchen . Steve Martin looks like he had too much plastic surgery and Alec Baldwin is Alec Baldwin-ish.

"Precious"--very good movie. Mo'nique was just great. Even though she doesn't shave her legs in real life, she was really, really powerful as the horrible mom. She was ugly inside and out in that film. I was concerned the abuse scenes would be too much for me to watch, but they were ok. It's definitely worth seeing.

"Young Victoria" and "Bright Star"--beautiful movies. The costumes are just wonderful and the male co-stars are a pleasure to watch. Both great romances.

"An Education"--I liked the acting in the movie even though Peter Saarsgard's character is creepy. I know he's supposed to be creepy, so that works.

"Julie and Julia"--come on, it's Meryl Streep, and she's great in EVERYTHING.

It may seem like I've seen every big movie, but I haven't--haven't seen "The Blind Side", "Avatar,"Invictus" or "The Hurt Locker." I should watch these so when they win I can say, "I saw those movies and they deserve the Oscar", but I'm not rushing to the theaters.

I do still want to see "Crazy Heart" with Jeff Bridges. Have to find the time for that.

here goes

2010-01-22T11:47:00.000-08:00

My sudden interest (and hidden talent) in writing about the people and places in my neighborhood (check out www.mydailyfind.com) has encouraged me to keep writing. Also since my daughter now has a blog with one entry (firstimpressionsoffilm.blogspot.com) posted, I figured I can do this too.

I love to read good books. I've read quite a few of them lately and am always searching for my next favorite book. Four of my recent faves ("The Help," "The Art of Racing in the Rain," "Sarah's Keys," and "Water for Elephants") are now optioned to be made into movies. I usually love the book more, but I have highish hopes that these movies will be good, however after seeing the terrible movie version of Jodi Picoult's "My Sister's Keeper," I should probably lower my expectations.

My daughter calls me a lazy reader--she says I give up books too quickly and don't give them enough time. That is true. If I'm not hooked pretty soon into it, forget about it. There are a million more where that one came from.

Recently I started some books, gave them up, tried again and turned out to love them. First one is "The Kite Runner." Too wordy for me, too foreign, too something. Tried it again months later and loved it.

Second one is "The Book Thief". Too hard to grasp that the narrator is death, too sad, too something. Tried it again and loved it--cried and cried.

The third book I'm reading now, "The Gurnsey Literary and Potato Peel Society." I started that book a while ago, got maybe 10 pages into it and gave it up. I just couldn't get into it--too Irish (I thought), too old fashioned, too something. After seeing it week after week on the L.A. Times bestseller list, I thought I'd try it again. For some reason this time it stuck. It's a sweet book, easy read and has an interesting concept (it's written in the form of letters). So far so good.

I usually go for popular fiction books; yes some are corny and not the top of the literature heap, but entertaining anyway. Because I'm a "lazy reader" (and very tired) my books have to be somewhat straightforward. A few of my favorite authors are Jodi Picoult, Alice Hoffman, Sophie Kinsella, Harlan Coban and even Mitch Albom. I might not love all of their books, but I always pick them up. I'm up to 238 books read in about 6 years so I read a lot of different authors.

I also like Young Adult books--not little kid books, but teen books. They are really pretty good. I'm not talking Twilight or some teen Nanny/Slut books, but "The Book Thief," "Boy in the Striped Pajamas" and "Elsewhere" were all really good teen books.

I can post my entire book list, but I don't think I will (for now).