Well, Dear Reader/s
I'm very excited to do my very first book review of 2026.
Recently, I've had a magnetic push in nostalgia. But, the good kind? Like, a deep need to reconnect with the parts of me that always felt stifled, buried, ridiculed,and rejected. I'm not saying that for pity. We ALL have been in this space where what we like is immediately mocked, or shot down in the name of someone else's taste. You know what I mean , let's say a table of friends are discussing something as simple as ice cream flavors. And your closest best friend hears that you prefer strawberry over vanilla. Immediately , she starts to laugh, and say how idiotic strawberry ice cream is, how much she hates strawberry ice cream..... and it goes on.
Now, some people would be able to shrug their shoulders, and move on with their life. It's not that big of a deal. It's just ice cream right?
Then others, will take that reaction and hold it deep in their brain. They will have thoughts like "why is it such a big deal that I like strawberry?" , "am I idiotic?" .... Down the rabbit hole that person will go, until they genuinely feel deep shame for the simple fact that they like strawberry ice cream.
I'll leave it a mystery as to which behavior pattern I am healing from. Ha!
In some ways my little scenario is the perfect introduction to this book.
I love a good book. It doesn't matter to me if it is audio, old fashioned paperback, hardback, special edition, or on a Kindle or my phone. Books are soothing, thrilling, and the right kind of book will deeply impact you.
This was such a book. If you love Jane Austen, you will love this book.
This book was about the journey of Mary Bennet, and the impact of the words spoken into her life. It sobered me, because in many ways this book chronicled what happens to a person when the words spoken over them are life or death.
I'm not giving a spoiler alert when I say (to fans of Pride and Prejudice) that Mrs. Bennet is a silly and vain woman. The same would be equally said of Lydia, the youngest sister.
So what happens when a silly and vain mother raises a quiet, studious, glasses wearing girl that is not as shockingly beautiful as her other sisters? Well, you will have to read that for yourself.
I listened to this book for free on the Libby app. As soon as the book started, I took a screen shot because I knew I was going to love it.
I recommend listening to this book with a cup of herbal peach tea, and a slice of /////gluten Free Orange Carrot cake.
In my diffuser , I put Young Living's Hope blend, chamomile,and bergamot.
The recipe for the cake is as follows;
GF Orange Carrot cake
1 3/4 cups of Bob's Red Mill gluten free flour blend
1 mashed banana
3 finely grated carrots
1 1/2 teaspoon of baking orange oil (I get mine at World Market)
Vanilla (measure with your heart)
Cinnamon (measure with your heart)
3/4 cup of organic coconut sugar
1 teaspoon of baking powder
1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
3/4 stick of melted butter
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
2 organic eggs
Combine your wet ingredients first in a glass mixing bowl, and then add all of your dry ingredients .
Heavily butter a glass baking dish. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes depending on your oven. Cake is done when a fork inserted comes out clean. I like to drizzle a little butter on top when it's fresh from the oven.
This snack feels warm, slightly sweet and spicy, pairs well with a cup of herbal peach tea, and a good literary visit to Longbourne. Your house will smell like the orange groves, and the carrots in this cake only add to the natural sweetness.
For those of us desiring cleaner, whole foods, that do not cause our autoimmune issues to flare, this cake is exactly what you need mid January to lift your spirits and satisfy your sweet tooth without harming your body.
Be Blessed, Laurie
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