Library Loot XXIII

Library Loot is a weekly blog event that encourages bloggers to share what books they borrowed from the library that week. To participate, simply make your Library Loot post on your blog and link it using the Mr. Linky link at Marg's blog Reading Adventures or Claire's blog The Captive Reader. This week's link up is at Claire's.

In fiction:

A Bad Day for Pretty by Sophie Littlefield

This is the second book in a new crime fiction series by Sophie Littlefield. I was happy to see my library get this book in as I had just read A Bad Day for Sorry last month, which I liked. The romance reader in me enjoyed the development of some subtle sparks between the heroine of the series, Stella Hardesty and the local Sheriff, Goat Jones, so you know I need to read the next book to see what transpires between them. Especially knowing Goat's ex shows up in A Bad Day for Pretty. That should make for some interesting scenes.


In non fiction:

Sips and Apps by Kathy Casey

This is a great little book filled to the brim with cocktail and appetizer recipes. I'd like to get a few classic and out of the ordinary cocktail recipes that I can learn how to make on the fly for when friends come over, hopefully this book will do the trick.

Eating Local:

The Cookbook Inspired by America's Farmers

by Janet Fletcher and Sur La Table

This is another great cookbook that I've borrowed from my library that highlights seasonal foods and encourages becoming a locavore. I have been an a New Jersey based organic produce co-op for years, so eating local has been an important part of my consumer patterns for some time now. It's important to me for my family's health, and I also believe that supporting local organic, ecologic and IPM farms is important from an environmentally perspective as well. I've already thumbed through the cookbook and have tagged dozens of recipes to try. The timing is perfect, too, as local produce is at its peak right about now in both variety and abundance around here.

What local produce is at its peak near you right now?

As I said above, so many summer vegetables are at their peak right now in New Jersey, but my favorites are peaches, corn, cucumbers, tomatoes and basil.