The Menuscript

What’s in a name? In this episode (occurrence, event, happening, installment, etc.) Rachel serves up an appetizer on “By Any Other Name” by Jodi Piccoult. This spellbinding book explores theories that Shakespeare did not write his own plays, at the same time following a modern playwright working to stage her first play. Woven together as only a master like Piccoult can, this book will have you fle...

Welcome to Rome! No, not that Rome. Rome, Kentucky. Home of the Walker family and their love interests. Each book in this adorable comedic series tells the story of a different sibling and their journey to their soulmate. Funny, awkward, relatable, all the things - these books will both satisfy your craving for a cute story while leaving you hungry for more happenings in this charming small town....

One last episode before the season break. Feeling anxious? Too much doom spiraling? Would you define yourself as a chronic overthinker? Joseph Nguyen’s book helps you break out of those mental traps and move towards a calmer mental state. It’s a quick read with lots of great strategies to try and things to consider. Recipe: Today’s recipe is not a meal so much as a little meal prep. It’s slow cook...

Sick of politics? So is Nate Campbell. This debut novel by Sarah Razner follows Nate, the a member of an American family political dynasty who would like nothing more than to get as far away from the legacy as possible. Sarah herself joins me in the kitchen to talk about her book and the writing process behind it. Recipe: Sarah shared a great mac n’ cheese recipe with us to honor Nate’s love of co...

Need a cute, feel-good fun read? Look no further than the wide array of novels by Christina Lauren. This charming author duo provides a buffet of palatable books that are sure to make you smile. Let’s dish it out! Recipe: This dish is my go-to for any potluck or gathering during the fall and winter months. It’s so easy to throw together, tastes delicious, and, as previously mentioned, is so colorf...

We’ve made it to the end of January and we’ve (mostly) weathered the Onyx Storm. What a book! As we settle in to wait for Book 4 the theorizing and discussions abound. I’m joined by fellow reader and author Dominique del Calzo to discuss some of our initial thoughts and things we loved about this outstanding installment of the Empyrean series. Link to Dominique’s books . Follow me on Instagram her...

Books as hot as dragon fire! Thousands of readers took flight with Rebecca Yarros’ Fourth Wing in spring of 2023 and eagerly devoured the sequel, Iron Flame , in November of 2023. Since then we’ve been rereading, theorizing, discussing, and counting down the days until the release of Book Three. And today is the day! Onyx Storm is here!! But, before the storm rolls in, let’s look back at the first...

Ready to kick of 2025 with a thrill? Look no farther than The Butterfly Garden . This isn’t your usual stroll through a peaceful garden surrounded by butterflies. Join the FBI agents to question the survivor of horrific crimes as she walks us through her experiences with a kidnapper/serial killer. Happy New Year! Recipe: You will need a cup and a half to two cups of diced ham, 2 carrots, 2 or 3 st...

I read so many amazing books this year and am so excited to share my top choices with you all. There are also so many books I am already looking forward to in 2025. Happy reading and New Year to all! Follow me on Instagram here to keep up with all the latest updates and reviews of what I am reading, and the mouth-watering meals I make to accompany them! Artwork by @stephanieilana Music: Clementi S...

It’s Christmas (and Hanukkah) time in the City! Whisk away to NYC for a wintery story featuring a chef, a secret, and gelato.  Recipe: For the noodles, use an instant noodle pack or bowl of your choice. All you will have to do for that is put water and the included flavor/spice packet in with the noodles and microwave it for the time indicated on the packaging. Now for the add-ins! You will n...

Jean Meltzer’s schtick is bringing Judaism to the romance fiction shelf with witty, fun books that’ll have you laughing, crying, and learning about yourself, Jewish traditions, and a variety of other topics. In this episode, Rachel interviews Jean about her writing journey, books, chronic disability, and more. Recipe: We’re making latkes! This tasty food is an appetizer or side dish commonly serve...

Recapping a magical night where fantasy book lovers were whisked away to frolic amongst the fae!  Really dive deep into the fae with this comprehensive guide . Follow me on Instagram here to keep up with all the latest updates and reviews of what I am reading, and the mouth-watering meals I make to accompany them! Artwork by @stephanieilana Music: Clementi Sonatina No. 1 in G Major III Editor...

Climb aboard the Hogwarts Express (or the flying Ford Anglia) and return to the Harry Potter series. School security issues, talking to snakes, heroic actions, and bubbling potions all come into play as we dive further into the wizarding world. Recipe: This week’s recipe is a white bean mushroom soup. You will need a pound of mushrooms - I use baby bellas but you could use white, cremini, a mix, w...

Welcome to Olympus where the gods treat the humans like toys and people compete in all sorts of tasks. This is not your average Olympiad! Feast with the gods as we talk about Lyra, Hades, and maybe find ourselves in the Underworld instead of atop Olympus. Recipe: Here is the recipe for the simple, delicious Greek salad. For a base you can use whatever greens you like - I typically do a mix of roma...

Talking all things thriller and horror for this Halloween episode. The ghouls, goblins, thrills, and chills come to play…and Rachel will stick to books that keep her up all night eager to find out what happens next and not shaking in fear. Happy Halloween! Recipe: No recipe with this episode, but enjoy some candy or treats of your choice!  Follow me on Instagram here to keep up with all the l...

For a book that’s all about a girl no one remembers, it sure is hard to forget! A book about life, memory, and the ways in which we make an impact. Also hard to forget - this hilarious and fun conversation featuring guest and fellow book podcaster, Julia of Novel Finds. Recipe: Looking to make those brownies Julia mentioned? Try this recipe !  Listen to more Novel Finds, and follow them on In...

What if? That is a question asked by all of us, so many times. These books give us the chance to start over, maybe not from scratch, but close enough to it that we see our characters tweak the recipes of their lives. And find some humor and revelations along the way! Recipe: You will need: a small onion, a can of black beans, a can of kidney beans, a can of pinto beans, diced jalapeno peppers, a c...

Lights, camera, action! And books. Sit down with Rachel and Lauren as they talk about turning The Devil in the White City into a limited series. It’s a reel good time and a stunning book that is perfect for true-crime fans. Want more Lauren? Yes. Find her on YouTube ! Follow me on Instagram here to keep up with all the latest updates and reviews of what I am reading, and the mouth-watering meals I...

The game is all set up and ready to play! Engage in games and books with Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin. We wrap up season (level) one sharing one of Rachel’s 5-star reads and tasty meals.  Recipe:You can either use a store bought jar of sauce, or make your own. If you are making your own, you will need 2-3 cloves of garlic, a small onion, a 14 oz can of tomato sauce,...

We’re going back to school and class is in session. Join along on some ELA classes from elementary, middle, and high school to check out some memorable school books. If you would like to donate books to school or local libraries, I encourage you to do so. Help get books in kids’ hands!  22 Most Unexpectedly Banned Books Thank you everyone who contributed books from school that stood out to yo...

This week we head courtside to watch Carrie Soto return to the tennis world to attempt to reclaim her title. Like Carrie, we’ll learn and grow in more than just our tennis skills. Grab a snack, a water bottle, and your racket and let’s go. It’s game, set, match. Recipe:You will need: a cup of peanut butter (or some other nut butter if you are allergic or just don’t like peanut butter), a quarter c...

Get ready to go into stealth mode as we explore the fantasy world of Victoraly and discuss assassins, war, love, and so much more with author Dominique del Calzo!  Unwrap all your snacks before starting - assassins are quiet! Nothing like sharing a meal or a book with a good friend, and it’s an extra cool experience when that friend has written the book! Recipe: You will need: a filet of salm...

Traveling to imaginary worlds is awesome, no passport required and you don’t have to worry about flight issues. Grab your favorite road trip snacks and journey to a variety of realms with me.  Series mentioned in this episode: Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas, Harry Potter by JK Rowling, and Fourth Wing by Rebe...

Good books, like good meals, take time to make and master author Amor Towles knows this better than anyone. Each of his books takes years of work and are oh so worth the wait. Dig into the feast of Towles’ novels and meet fabulous characters, engaging plots, and sharp, witty, beautiful writing. Recipe: You will need 6 eggs, 1-2 cups of sliced mushrooms. A bunch of chopped asparagus (maybe 8-10 sta...

The Universe is a vast place with no shortage of books, foods, ups, downs, everything you can think of. It can all feel a bit overwhelming. But fear not! For all of the craziness and curveballs, the Universe also always has your back and will catch you if you let it. This book by Gabrielle Bernstein tells us how. Recipe: You will need: a small yellow onion, carrots, a butternut squash, a cup of le...