The Wishing Game

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The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer

Four adults who ran away to Clock Island in Maine as children are invited back to the island for a competition by reclusive author Jack Masterson. Masterson wrote the very popular Clock Island books for children, and will give the winner the only copy of his long-awaited new book. Lucy Hart was a neglected and lonely child who took refuge in the Clock Island books. Now a kindergarten teacher’s aide, she longs to adopt young Christopher but needs money to buy a car and rent a larger apartment. Winning the competition would make their dream come true.

Hugo Reese is the illustrator of Masterson’s books, and the current caretaker of Clock Island. Handsome and grumpy, he warns Lucy that she will have to face her deepest fears to have a chance in the competition. Melancholy at times, The Wishing Game is a compelling, very satisfying, and memorable read. Perfect for readers who ever wished they could step into their favorite story for real. The power of hope is good to remember. Book groups will likely enjoy. This was very hard to put down, even as I worried, just a little, about what might happen. Publication date is May 20, 2023.

Readalikes include Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein, Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts by Kate Racculia, and Greenglass House by Kate Milford.

Brenda

100 Cookies

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100 Cookies by Sarah Kieffer

Cookies shown include Thumbprint Cookies, Neapolitan Cookies, Cinnamon Roll Blondies, and Oatmeal Chocolate Cookies. The Neapolitan cookies, made with a vanilla sugar cookie dough to which one part has cocoa powder added, and another part pureed freeze-dried strawberries, is always popular. I make some without strawberries for the vanilla and chocolate fans. These disappeared first, along with the Chocolate Oatmeal cookies. These are one of Kieffer’s famous pan-banging cookies, where you lift up the edge of the sheet pan then drop it with a bang a few times during baking to add ripples to the dough and make the edges crispy while the middle remains soft and chewy. I make the cookies rather smaller than the recipe, and the method doesn’t really produce ripples, though the cookies are delicious. The slightly less gorgeous Cinnamon Roll Blondies and Thumbprint cookies are tender and delicious. Kieffer includes a chocolate bark recipe, but I used a different one here. All told, this is a delicious platter of cookies made from recipes I had tried before. These cookies all freeze well after baking, for at least one month. Another favorite is her Lemon Oat Bars. I am really looking forward to Kieffer’s forthcoming cookbook: 100 Morning Treats, to be published this May.

Brenda