“Things Every Southern Woman Should Know How to Make”

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Alice clicked on the headline, mildly curious about what yet another stranger thought should be in her kitchen repertoire. Pictures of China plates mounded with crispy fried chicken, greens, cobbler, and a pile of biscuits a mile high flooded the screen, all set off with a pitcher of sweet tea beaded with condensation. The table was set; an apron draped off to the side next to a box labeled “Gramma’s Recipes” in fine calligraphy. She closed the browser and put away her tablet. She was born a Georgia peach, but she couldn’t make a cobbler to save her life. Did that mean she wasn’t southern? Or maybe just not “Southern.” For Alice, there was no recipe box full of family traditions. Her younger years were filled with rental homes in different states and her father’s voice coaxing her toward a text book rather than a cookbook. Metalworking and fabrication held more interest than learning to flambé or sauté. Did it make her less of a woman that her cooking skills consisted of fresh salads...
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Book Recs: DAMSEL DISTRESSED by Kelsey Macke

CW: Self-Harm

I'm not going to go into details on that, but it does play a factor in the story so be aware.

What I really liked about DAMSEL DISTRESSED is that Imogen is flawed, knows she's flawed, and even though she's trying to work on it, sometimes she fails hardcore. She sometimes thinks or says terrible things about people she loves, but she usually calls herself out on it or someone else will. Which was nice because too often things like slut-shaming or body-shaming slip into a protag's dialogue and they aren't pointed out as wrong.

Imogen lives with clinical depression, and in her low moments, it's hard for her to believe in herself or other people, even when they are supportive of her. She struggles with the fact that even with therapy and medication, she still feels broken. She isn't magically cured by a pill or a couple therapy sessions or by the love of her best friend, Grant. Rather than curing her, the support of her family and friends gives her the strength to try. I actually liked that about this book because, like real life, there isn't a simple solution, and the ending is more about happy for now rather than happily ever after.

The story is dealing with a teen with teen problems, so if you're not comfortable with or no longer have the patience for the drama that comes with that part of growing up, then this book might not be for you. I would've liked to have seen more development around her stepsister Ella and her motivations for her actions, but in the end, I think the story is more about Imogen, her own perceptions/biases, and realizing that sometimes her worldview is skewed by her depression. Overall, I really liked it and rooted for Imogen even in her most awful moments, and I hope to see new work from Kelsey Macke soon.

You can find out more about Kelsey Macke at https://kelseymacke.com/. 

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