We don’t get much snow here in East Tennessee and this winter storm has been anxiously awaited. Our home is stocked with all the fixin’s for milk sandwiches (if you know, you know) and enough toilet paper to last out the month. The roads are terrible out here in the woods, so it looks like we’re snowed in for a few days. Should I pretend I’m upset I’ll have to cancel plans this weekend?
After a hike around the farm and a round of homemade hot chocolate (recipe below if you’re curious), I’ve settled the kid in with Snow Day (2000) on t.v. which means mama’s busting out the TBR pile! *Bliss*
Last night, I started (and devoured the first fifteen chapters-oops) Bound to the Orc Warrior by Krista Luna. It’s wonderful so far just like the rest of the series and there’s a 99% chance I’ll finish it before I go to sleep tonight, but fresh snow calls for a fresh read and I’ve been side eyeing The Shadow of Perseus with interest for a hot minute now. I picked this one up at McKay’s early last summer. I was deeeeeep in a mythology retelling phase that unfortunately fizzled before I got to it.
From the book:
Nationally bestselling author of Daughters of Sparta Claire Haywood returns with a fiercely imaginative, feminist reinterpretation of the myth of the great hero Perseus, told through the voices of three women who are sidelined in the traditional version: his mother, Danae; his trophy, Medusa; and his wife, Andromeda. But as these three women lead us on a deeply affecting emotional journey, the classic myth is flipped on its head when the truth, as seen through their eyes, gradually becomes clear:
Perseus is no hero.
Honestly, I got chills just copying that from the book. And it’s great so far! I mean, I got 32 pages in and was like, “yeah, I need to go make a whole blog post about this real quick.” If you enjoyed Circe (Madeline Miller), Ithaca (Claire North), Elektra (Jennifer Saint), or any story where the forgotten or vilified women of traditional mythology get to tell their story, you’re sure to love this one!
If you’re looking for a bone-warming sweet treat, might I suggest a quick and easy hot chocolate recipe?
2 cups of milk
1/8 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/8 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup chocolate chips
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
Heat milk, cocoa, and sugar in a saucepan on medium/medium-low heat until hot but not boiling. Add in chocolate chips and stir constantly until melted. Add in vanilla extract and pinch of salt (optional). Top with your favorite toppings (I love whipped cream and crushed candy canes).
Whether you’re snowed in or not, it’s a great day to be shut up at home with a book! <3