The Menuscript

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...

Somehow we’re already halfway through the year! Grocery stores have gone from remaining holiday treats to bursting with supplies for s’mores, picnics, and all the summer goodies. Bookstores are dropping all their hot summer releases and people may be checking in on their 2024 goals. In this bonus episode, I invite you to the table to hear about how I determine my book ratings, how I’m doing on my...

The next appetizer is here, step in and check it out! Featuring strong friendships, witty banter, and great chemistry, this book is the perfect recipe for a fun summer read. Or any time!  Minor spoilers from 9:53 to 12:23 Make the meal: Boil the water and cook your ravioli of choice. As the water is boiling, chop up and saute onion, broccoli, asparagus, zucchini, mushroom, and spinach. Sprink...

Looking to fill your plate with smart, fun reads with relatable characters, charming love interests, and all the feels? Look no further than the buffet of Emily Henry novels! Always witty, always a delight, Emily Henry never misses. And neither does pizza. For more from our wonderful guest Sarah, you can find her phenomenal writing on The Prompt . You can also follow me on Instagram here to keep u...

Orphan boy goes to school for wizards and food magically appears on plates. If only! Actually no, I really enjoy cooking so I wouldn't want my food to just materialize. Most of the time, that is. The Harry Potter series is to bookstores what apples are to supermarkets. Always available, and often in several different varieties (editions, cover art, illustrations, etc.). In this first book, we meet...

Mental health challenges are a bitter pill to swallow. It's something we all struggle with at some point or another, and it's so important to have a recipe, or pantry of options, to help us through those times. A great escape and aid to mental health can be books and reading. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and I invite you into the kitchen to learn more about how beneficial books can be for...

Looking for variety? Sometimes, as much as we love our go-to meals or books, we want to change it up Luckily, we can change it up while still sticking close to something that suits our palate. Think about those versatile foods like chicken or potatoes. You can dish those foods out on so many different platters! Today's episode is all about an author with a wide variety of material to choose from:...

This appetizer brings us back to the 1950's, California, a science lab, and a television studio. How do those ingredients blend? With power-packing character Elizabeth Zott! Discussing themes, summaries, memorable lines, and more, join me for a quick bite of Lessons in Chemistry. Follow me on Instagram here to keep up with all the latest updates and reviews of what I am reading, and the mouth-wate...

A charcuterie board of an episode featuring the types of episodes and what to expect on The Menuscript. 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 Op. 36, No. 2 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.