News Archives

Getting Medieval

It might be the 21st century where you are, but deep in the stacks of my winter reading, it's definitely medieval times (although, sadly, without a greasy turkey leg to wave around majestically). My most recent undertaking was Hild, by Nicola Griffith, the much-buzzed-about historical novel that covers the early years of the woman who would grow up to be the real-life St. Hilda of Whitby, an influential and intelligent abbess who was instrumental in introducing Christianity to Britain and whose wisdom led kings to seek her advice. Pretty cool! Read the full review to see my thoughts on this [...]

Stephanie Perry2016-12-31T17:58:46-07:00February 24th, 2014|Tags: hild, medieval, middle ages, nicola griffith|

For Valentine’s Day, A Blind Date with a Book

The Seattle Public Library is doing a cute Valentine’s Day event this year: a “blind date with a book.” Read the titillating descriptions, check out your brown-bagged mystery date, and take it home. (Or just go somewhere for coffee and get to know each other! I don't want to rush you.) I’m pretty promiscuous when it comes to books — at least three or four at a time — so I decided to cheat on my to-read stack and give the blind-date thing a try. As with any first date, I was prepared to be open-minded and not to judge [...]

Stephanie Perry2016-12-31T17:58:47-07:00February 9th, 2014|Tags: blind date, books, library, valentine's day|

Bookish Baking: Valentine’s Day Bloody Cupcakes

Here at Readers Lane, we have a conflicted-at-best approach to commercialized “holidays” such as Valentine’s Day. But no matter how you feel about February 14, we have a one-size-fits-all recipe for your valentine: Bloody Cupcakes! (Yes, it’s a Martha Stewart recipe. Don’t cross her.) Aggravated at your spouse? Seethingly resentful toward your ungrateful kids? Need the perfect stalkerish snack to leave on your ex’s doorstep? These frightening little cakes, impaled with bloody shards of sugar “glass,” will say it all for you. Of course, the cake part is really just a standard vanilla cake with cream cheese frosting — the [...]

Stephanie Perry2016-12-31T17:58:48-07:00February 5th, 2014|Tags: baking, cupcakes, valentine's day|