Rachel Anders
Wow! Whoever coined the phrase " time flies" sure hit the nail on the head. How can it be June already? It was just Thanksgiving filled with stuffing and yams and all of those wonderful carbs that fuel us through the holiday season. Then I blinked and the ball was dropping over Times Square. The New Year's excitement turned quickly into Easter bunnies and stacks of Passover matzo. Then Mother's Day and now Father's Day help us remember those who love us unconditionally. Unbelievable that all this happened while I feel like the Thanksgiving pies are just getting ready to be pulled from the oven.
One way I know that a new month has passed is the appearance of yet another James Patterson book. I know many authors are prolific (how is it that authors die and just keep publishing?) but Patterson and his co-authors seem to break all records. I read (and reviewed) his latest Women's Murder Club series this week and must admit that I enjoyed it. He is pretty formulaic, but this formula works. Unlucky Thirteen had me turning the pages as quickly as his earlier stories about these four friends who always seem to be there for each other. They remind me of the Sex in the City women who always had fun through their collective tragedies. I always wanted to join those City girls for brunch, and I keep wishing for the opportunity to join the Murder Club four some evening for dinner and drinks.
Speaking of dinner, my dinner at Barbuto's in New York last week was amazing. Our table shared the gnocchi primavera for an appetizer and fought over the last bit of sauce. How Waxman's chefs make those little pillows so light and the spring vegetables so perfectly textured is a trick I would pay to learn. My main course (cod on a salad of lightly sautéed asparagus, almonds and mint ) was so amazing that I left little room for the shared strawberry-rhubarb tart and chocolate pudding for dessert. I definitely understand why it is one of Michael's (my son and New York Guide) favorite restaurants.
Marley (college roomie and reason for this trip) took us to a few good restaurants, too. Ici, a charming Brooklyn restaurant, had the greatest enclosed patio to enjoy an amazing brunch, and Sociale, in Brooklyn Heights was just the kind of warm and inviting neighborhood restaurant that is sorely missing in South Florida.
Well, enough daydreaming about things gone by...onward to Fathers' Day plans and my next novel selection...Without Warning by David Rosenfelt. It has been out for a few months, but I have been saving it as a gift to myself. I usually love his books and decided that I can wait no longer.
Enjoy your fathers, grandfathers, husbands and sons this weekend, and start a great journey by turning to page one of a new book.