Wicked Wednesday's Picks for Reading, Drinking and More

Wicked Wednesday is back with a treat, a book and a drink of the week to help you indulge in a guilty pleasure or two as you blow off steam from what's surely a busy week.

This week's book choice is The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen. I read this while down the shore on a recent weekend. It's in the category I refer to as "Chick Lit Plus" -- more than just a quick read and a romance, there is a bigger story with a bigger hook there.

This book is a great read on vacation, during the upcoming winter school break or if you are trying to read something on the lighter side at night before you hit the hay. The book was released in 2011 so you may find it in the New Books section of your local library. Many libraries in the BCCLS system now offer eBooks for downloading, which is free with your library card -- definitely worth checking into.

Okay, here it is -- the treat of the week. A classic Smashburger. The newest location recently opened up in Paramus on Rt. 17 North in the strip mall with Anthony Franco's pizza. You can slip in through the back entrance using local roads (back behind JoAnn's craft store). Do not look at how many calories or grams of fat there are -- just enjoy it. You deserve a treat. Eat in or take out, either way you are guaranteed to enjoy this treat. They do have good salads, too, if you feel you need to balance things out.

And finally, our drink of the week. Whipped Cream Vodka. Pinnacle Vodka was among the first brands to release this flavor but many other companies have now jumped on the whipped cream bandwagon. It might not sound appealing, but mixed with Coke, Sprite or Orange Juice, it wass among the hottest cocktails of 2011. No self-respecting bar is without this special flavor of vodka these days. If you are looking for a special cocktail to whip up for friends and family, check out Whipped Cream Vodka.

Visit NNJ Family for more great suggestions on how to indulge in your guilty pleasures!