Fun and Frothy Reading for Adults

Last month the newest installment in one of my favorite series became available and I was excited to jump right in! Perfect, by Marne Davis Kellogg (St. Martins, 8/05), is the third installment in a series about the Shamrock Burgler, Kick Keswick, an internationally reknowned, and retired, jewel thief.

This installment follows Kick to the inner sanctum of the world's rich and elite at an ultra-private ski resort in the Swiss Alps. A former prima ballerina, Italian tenor, and Greek billionaire who shamelessly resembles George Soros, round out the colorful cast. Fun and exciting as always!

Grade: A-

I also picked up a copy of The Undomestic Goddess, by Sophie Kinsella (Dial, 7/05), that had been lying around my house all summer. The Undomestic Goddess is a top lawyer at a London firm who suffers a nervous breakdown after a multi-million pound mistake costs her her job. She flees to the country and is hired as a housekeeper in a case of mistaken identity. A hilarious and poignant series of events ensue.

Grade: B+

Reading The Undomestic Goddess inspired me to get in the kitchen over the weekend and I cooked up a really wonderful apple brown betty. It was especially easy to make and would be a snap for any undomestic goddesses out there. I should have taken a photo to post like my idol over at 101cookbooks, but I'm still a novice blogger so I will just list the recipe. Trust me, it's great and looks tasty too!

APPLE BROWN BETTY
4 c. 1/2 inch bread cubes (preferably from French bread)
1/3 c. butter
4 c. rough cut sliced and peeled cooking apples
1 c. packed brown sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnaomn
2 TAB lemon juice
1/4 c. water
Heavy cream or vanilla ice cream

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Grease a 2 quart casserole dish.
In a medium bowl combine bread cubes and butter; mix well.
In another bowl, toss together apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
Sprinkle with lemon juice.

Layer 1/3 of the bread cubes in the prepared cassrole, then 1/2 apple mixture.
Repeat layers, ending with bread cubes.
Sprinkle with water.
Bake 1 hour or until golden.

Serve warm with heavy cream or ice cream.

Bon appetit and happy reading!
Your Friendly Librarian