But that is not the biggest problem. The greater worries lie elsewhere, in the abuse of office and the threats to freedom. Some politicians are already making power grabs, as in Hungary, where the government is seeking an indefinite state of emergency. Israel’s prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, appears to see the crisis as a chance to evade a trial for corruption. Jan 29: The White House forms a coronavirus response task force, initially led by Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar.

As I invert it onto a cake plate, I splash hot caramel all over my hands, the table, the floor, my son’s shoes.The pacing was fine at about 7 hours. I've listened to very long books before, but this was the perfect length for this type of novel. I am so glad that I've been able to review this as my first audiobook review. Emily Adrian is a talented writer and I would read another book from her. This book is perfect for a book club or for fans of contemporary, prescient literary fiction. Fantastic narration by Madeleine Lambert as well! I pull him into my lap and cradle his impossibly long body, carefully covering his eyes with my hands. I feel his heart racing in his eyelids. In Everything Is Under Control, author Phyllis Grant invites the reader into her life story, by way of her kitchen. We pass the typical milestones. Body image. Career choices. Awkward relationships. Marriage, Kids. And right away, food is a thread that weaves the chapters together. Avocados drizzled with savory vinaigrette and meats bubbling away in rich, umami sauces.

Jan. 21: The first U.S. case is announced in Washington state (as well as Vietnam and Singapore). WHO says the virus risk globally is high.Feb. 4: Diamond Princess cruise ship quarantined in Yokohama, Japan. Over 2,600 guests and over 1,000 crew. Within two days, over 40 people test positive for COVID-19, including eight Americans. Everything Here Is Under Control is a book about so many things. Motherhood. Friendships. Daughterhood. Womanhood. Relationships. Forgiveness. All of which are examined in all their messy complications in a raw and honest way through the lens of the zeitgeist of the 2016 US election campaign. It's not often that I take a chance on a memoir from an unknown author. Forging a connection deep enough to invest fully into a random person's life story can be hard for me to achieve, personally. So, imagine my surprise when I slipped so deep, right into emotional investment with Phyllis's relationship with food and motherhood. I loved reading about her life in New York City. It was there that she met her future husband. Phyllis discusses her marriage, children, career moves, and life in general. It was a sort of easy, breezy, ironic and overall fun book. It was consumed very fast and was satisfying, like I'm sure a lot of her scrumptious recipes are at the end of the book! March 17: Trump said in a news conference that for the next 14 days, “we’re asking everyone to work at home, if possible, postpone unnecessary travel, and limit social gatherings to no more than 10 people.”

One complaint I have is that a book so much about female choice and friendship seems to be overpowered by the gravity of Gabe for Amanda--that she would choose him over her best friend and her home--and arguably her self-empowerment. The narration was great. I loved Madeline Lambert did a great job and I loved hearing the story in her voice. The rapidly evolving story can be broken down into three phases: the emergence of the threat, the government’s focus on keeping it out of the United States, and finally, its efforts to contain the spread. Unfortunately, I have to say that the narrator of the audiobook didn't work for me. The dialogue was okay but the narration itself was very monotone and unemotional which made it very hard for me to empathize with the protagonist. I wish there was an audio excerpt on Netgalley, because then I'd listen to it and decide not to request this audiobook.Phyllis Grant has the voice of a poet and the sensuality of a cook. This very brave book makes you want to experience the world with equal intensity. As for the recipes ... completely irresistible.” —Ruth Reichl, author of Save Me the Plums Before the X-Files, before alt.conspiracy, there was Robert Anton Wilson and his legendary Illuminatus! Trilogy. Now this avatar of conspiriology, renowned for his razor wit and progressive philosophy, takes you on a fascinating, eclectic ride through what Wilson has termed the "Cultic Twilight" where conspiracy theories flourish. One of the most important scientific philosophers of his century--scholarly, witty, scientific, hip and hopeful." After high school graduation, Phyllis travels to New York City and Juilliard, chasing her dream of being a ballet dancer. Her mother leaves her with a book of handwritten recipes. Phyllis is body shamed into losing more weight to strike that ballet dancer physique. Eventually she has an epiphany that she'd like to try being a pastry chef. I was fascinated by her tenure training in a very hectic restaurant. She started out in the pastry area, but soon expressed interest in moving over to being a regular chef. I loved reading about all the things she sliced and diced, including accidentally cutting her own self in the process. She has a way with describing food preparation that is poetic and uplifting. In epigrammatic, nearly poetic diction, Grant . . . reminds us of how transformative the junctures where food and life collide can be." -- The New York Times Book Review