Latest Review: Three Souls by Janie Chang

Summary Blurb:
We have three souls, or so I'd been told. But only in death could I confirm this ... So begins the haunting and captivating tale, set in 1935 China, of the ghost of a young woman named Leiyin, who watches her own funeral from above and wonders why she is being denied entry to the afterlife. Beside her are three souls—stern and scholarly yang; impulsive, romantic yin; and wise, shining hun—who will guide her toward understanding. She must, they tell her, make amends.

As Leiyin delves back in time with the three souls to review her life, she sees the spoiled and privileged teenager she once was, a girl who is concerned with her own desires while China is fractured by civil war and social upheaval. At a party, she meets Hanchin, a captivating left-wing poet and translator, and instantly falls in love with him.

When Leiyin defies her father to pursue Hanchin, she learns the harsh truth—that she is powerless over her fate. Her punishment for disobedience leads to exile, an unwanted marriage, a pregnancy, and, ultimately, her death. And when she discovers what she must do to be released from limbo into the afterlife, Leiyin realizes that the time for making amends is shorter than she thought.

Suffused with history and literature, Three Souls is an epic tale of revenge and betrayal, forbidden love, and the price we are willing to pay for freedom.

 
My Blabberings:
It's been awhile since I've read some Chinese historical fiction and I'm so glad that I broke that streak.  I've never read much about the Communist movement in China so this time period was really fascinating for me.

I thought the characters were complex enough to be both realistic and sympathetic.  I loved Leiyin even though she could be naive and spoiled.  All of the secondary characters were also very compelling - whether they were villains, friends, or dwelling in a moral gray area.

My overall opinion was that this is a great historical fiction novel that also encompasses some of the mystic religious qualities unique to Chinese culture (Leiyin's yin, yang, and hun souls).  If you are a fan of Lisa See, Amy Tan, or just historical fiction in general - this is definitely a book worth checking out!

4.5/5 stars

Latest Review: Night Film by Marisha Pessl

Summary Blurb:
On a damp October night, beautiful young Ashley Cordova is found dead in an abandoned warehouse in lower Manhattan. Though her death is ruled a suicide, veteran investigative journalist Scott McGrath suspects otherwise. As he probes the strange circumstances surrounding Ashley’s life and death, McGrath comes face-to-face with the legacy of her father: the legendary, reclusive cult-horror-film director Stanislas Cordova—a man who hasn’t been seen in public for more than thirty years.

For McGrath, another death connected to this seemingly cursed family dynasty seems more than just a coincidence. Though much has been written about Cordova’s dark and unsettling films, very little is known about the man himself.

Driven by revenge, curiosity, and a need for the truth, McGrath, with the aid of two strangers, is drawn deeper and deeper into Cordova’s eerie, hypnotic world.  The last time he got close to exposing the director, McGrath lost his marriage and his career. This time he might lose even more.

Night Film, the gorgeously written, spellbinding new novel by the dazzlingly inventive Marisha Pessl, will hold you in suspense until you turn the final page.

My Blabberings:
I'm not normally much of a thriller fan (especially when it actually gets downright scary in parts) but I really loved this book!  I rooted for the main character, the side characters were quirky and added dimension to the story, and I was on gnawing my hand off due to anxiety-inducing scenes.

I would probably classify Night Film as a multimedia literary thriller - strange concept, no?  I loved the little newspaper clippings and fictional webpage screenshots peppered throughout the novel.  It made it easier to suspend my disbelief and get swallowed into this gritty world created by Pessl.

Another aspect of this book that struck me is the parallel between Scott McGrath and Stieg Larsson's Mikael Blomkvist.  Both are investigative journalists that have been recently disgraced.  Both are seeking redemption by investigating the very thing that caused their disgrace.  I almost cringe to point out this similarity because the books are so different overall.  I wonder, is this typical thriller trope?  I don't read enough thrillers to really recognize if this is a common protagonist used in this genre.

ANYWAYS, went on a bit of a tangent, but the overall takeaway I want to impart is: this book is awesome!!  Even if you don't particularly like thrillers, I would recommend that you give Night Film a shot.

5/5 stars

Latest Review: The Rosie Project

Summary Blurb:
An international sensation, this hilarious, feel-good novel is narrated by an oddly charming and socially challenged genetics professor on an unusual quest: to find out if he is capable of true love.

Don Tillman, professor of genetics, has never been on a second date. He is a man who can count all his friends on the fingers of one hand, whose lifelong difficulty with social rituals has convinced him that he is simply not wired for romance. So when an acquaintance informs him that he would make a “wonderful” husband, his first reaction is shock. Yet he must concede to the statistical probability that there is someone for everyone, and he embarks upon The Wife Project. In the orderly, evidence-based manner with which he approaches all things, Don sets out to find the perfect partner. She will be punctual and logical—most definitely not a barmaid, a smoker, a drinker, or a late-arriver.

Yet Rosie Jarman is all these things. She is also beguiling, fiery, intelligent—and on a quest of her own. She is looking for her biological father, a search that a certain DNA expert might be able to help her with. Don's Wife Project takes a back burner to the Father Project and an unlikely relationship blooms, forcing the scientifically minded geneticist to confront the spontaneous whirlwind that is Rosie—and the realization that love is not always what looks good on paper.

The Rosie Project is a moving and hilarious novel for anyone who has ever tenaciously gone after life or love in the face of overwhelming challenges.
 

My Blabberings:
I really loved this unique and nerd-tastic romantic comedy!  This book was definitely a page turner, the atypical characters compelled me to find out what quirky thing would come out of their mouths.  My connection with both Rosie and Don was immediate - I loved these two misfits!  Don made me smile with his misunderstanding of people and Rosie was tough but vulnerable too. The Rosie Project was unlike most chick-lit books I've read thanks to the strength of the main characters.

This book helps the reader realize that sometimes, even with heavy preparation, we don't know what we want.  Recommended?  Absolutely!  Why should you read it?  Characters that you will be rooting for on the edge of your couch and laugh-out-loud funny to boot!  If you liked the movie "Stranger Than Fiction" or enjoy watching "The Big Bang Theory" you will like The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion.

4/5 stars

Latest Review: Maggot Moon by Sally Gardner

Summary Blurb:
A 2014 Michael L. Printz Honor Book

In Sally Gardner’s stunning novel, set in a ruthless regime, an unlikely teenager risks all to expose the truth about a heralded moon landing.

What if the football hadn’t gone over the wall. On the other side of the wall there is a dark secret. And the devil. And the Moon Man. And the Motherland doesn’t want anyone to know. But Standish Treadwell — who has different-colored eyes, who can’t read, can’t write, Standish Treadwell isn’t bright — sees things differently than the rest of the "train-track thinkers." So when Standish and his only friend and neighbor, Hector, make their way to the other side of the wall, they see what the Motherland has been hiding. And it’s big...One hundred very short chapters, told in an utterly original first-person voice, propel readers through a narrative that is by turns gripping and darkly humorous, bleak and chilling, tender and transporting.

My Blabberings:
I love, love, loved this book!  It was a strange but beautiful little tale that stays with you long after you finish the last page.  I'm going to have to buy a copy so I can lend it out to as many friends as I can!

Maggot Moon defies category conventions.  Due to the book's short length and the age of the protagonist, I think this is marketed as a YA/MG book, but there's some very adult events that transpire.  It is also a mixture of historical fiction and science fiction as it is set in an alternate Big Brother-esque past.

I admire that the author created a main character, Standish Treadwell, that is not conventionally smart or handsome.  Despite these handicaps he is one of the most loveable protagonists I've come across in my reading.

Bottom line: the writing is beautiful, the characters captivating, and the story memorable.  Highly recommended - go read this book!

5/5 stars

Mini Reviews - Foodie Duds: Dolci di Love & Cinnamon and Gunpowder

Summary Blurb:
New from the author of House of Daughters- an irresistible confection of love, loss, and Italian sweets in the delectable tradition of Chocolat

Corporate star Lily Turner abandons the boardrooms of Manhattan for the steep streets of Montevedova when she discovers her "perfect" husband, Daniel, has another family tucked away in the hills of Tuscany. Once there, her plight attracts the attention of the Secret League of Widowed Darners, an all-but-invisible army pulling strings behind the scenes to create happy endings. Soon founding members, Violetta and Luciana, are scheming to mend Lily's broken heart-and to enlist her help for their struggling pasticceria.

With the lush landscape of a sumptuous Tuscan summer in the background, and the tantalizing scent of fresh-baked cantucci in the air, Dolci di Love is the joyful celebration of a modern recipe for life.

My Blabberings:
This was a typical light lit book that I thought was going to have much more foodie elements than it actually did.  Sure, the protagonist ends up staying in an apartment above a bakery and there is a small element of baking…but that’s it.  I liked the book just fine, but I didn’t love it. 

2.5/5 stars
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Summary Blurb:
A gripping adventure, a seaborne romance, and a twist on the tale of Scheherazade—with the best food ever served aboard a pirate’s ship

The year is 1819, and the renowned chef Owen Wedgwood has been kidnapped by the ruthless pirate Mad Hannah Mabbot. He will be spared, she tells him, as long as he puts exquisite food in front of her every Sunday without fail.

To appease the red-haired captain, Wedgwood gets cracking with the meager supplies on board. His first triumph at sea is actual bread, made from a sourdough starter that he leavens in a tin under his shirt throughout a roaring battle, as men are cutlassed all around him. Soon he’s making tea-smoked eel and brewing pineapple-banana cider.

But Mabbot—who exerts a curious draw on the chef—is under siege. Hunted by a deadly privateer and plagued by a saboteur hidden on her ship, she pushes her crew past exhaustion in her search for the notorious Brass Fox. As Wedgwood begins to sense a method to Mabbot’s madness, he must rely on the bizarre crewmembers he once feared: Mr. Apples, the fearsome giant who loves to knit; Feng and Bai, martial arts masters sworn to defend their captain; and Joshua, the deaf cabin boy who becomes the son Wedgwood never had.
 
Cinnamon and Gunpowder is a swashbuckling epicure’s adventure simmered over a surprisingly touching love story—with a dash of the strangest, most delightful cookbook never written. Eli Brown has crafted a uniquely entertaining novel full of adventure: the Scheherazade story turned on its head, at sea, with food

My Blabberings:
***first ever foodie fiction DNF!!***

I really thought I was going to love this book - the premise sounds so unique and fun.  But alas, it just didn't grab me despite its foodie bits and swashbuckling bits.  I kind of want to blame the narrator (Wedgewood, the chef pictured on the cover) because he was so naive and whiny.  So yeah...I wasn't a big fan of Wedgewood but maybe I just wasn't in the right frame of mind to read this tale.  I know a lot of folks on Goodreads seemed to like this book so maybe I'll give it another chance next year!
 

Latest Review: Keepers

Blurb:
Whether they’re parents, married without kids, or single, most people want to do better at mealtime—they want to put good, nutritious food on the table, they’re looking for a more diverse repertoire of dishes to prepare, and they’d like to enjoy the process more. The problem is they don’t believe they have the time or ability to do it night after night. But it can be done, and Keepers will show them how.

Drawing from two decades of trial-and-error in their own kitchens, as well as working alongside savvy chefs and talented home cooks, Campion and Brennan offer 120 appealing, satisfying recipes ideal for weeknight meals. There’s an array of master recipes for classic dishes with options for substitutions, updated old favorites, one-pot meals, “international” dishes, super-fast ones, and others that reheat well or can be cooked in individual portions. Along with timeless recipes, Keepers is filled with invaluable tips on meal planning and preparation, all presented in an entertaining, encouraging, and empathetic style.

Keepers gives cooks all of the tools they need to become more efficient, confident, and creative in the kitchen. It will help them survive the Monday-to-Friday dinner rush with their sanity and kitchens intact, and also have some fun along the way.
 

My blabberings:
This is one of my favorite new cookbooks.  This book centers around easy but tasty family meals (my favorite kind of cooking). 

I really like the planning section at the start of Keepers.  Normally, I skim these parts of cookbooks but these ladies have some really great tips that I'm going to try and incorporate.  Like, categorizing your recipes into super-quick, one-dish, vegetarian, etc.  Then you can space out these categories so you're not overwhelmed by a week of prep-heavy recipes.  For instance, maybe Wednesdays you want a super-quick meal but Mondays a large one-pot meal would work so that you could eat leftovers throughout the week.  Smart thinkin'!

Now, let's get to the recipes.  Not only are they easy but they're delicious and unique.  Flavors that I would never think work together miraculously do in these recipes.  For example, the Japanese-Style Meat and Potatoes recipe combines ginger with ground beef and potatoes with seriously tasty results.  Then, I made the Expat Fried Rice and was in foodie heaven!  I've been making fried rice all wrong until now.  When I made this yummy meal I made it with salmon and spinach...what a tasty fried rice combo.  Also, I can't wait to try my hand at the Sausage and White Bean Gratin and the Shrimp Wonton Soup - they look sooo good!

This is a cookbook that needs to be on your shelves. Stat.

5/5 stars

Latest "Meh" Books

As a frequent reader, you come across a few duds or books that aren't necessarily bad but aren't really novels you'd recommend either.  Here are some recent "meh" reads:

Inferno by Dan Brown - I thought I was going to like this book (as I've read a few of his other works and enjoyed them) but beyond the Florence setting, I wasn't too enamored of this read.

Stella Bain by Anita Shreve - I've read another of her books a looong time ago, but I vaguely remember liking it.  I also chose to read this because it was recommended somewhere (I can't remember where now).  Unfortunately, this was an annoyingly predictable novel.  I knew exactly where the plot was going...I kept thinking "surely there's a twist!  This is much too obvious!"  But nope.  Nada.

Latest (Shorty) Review: The Fifth Wave by Rick Yancey

Summary Blurb:
The Passage meets Ender’s Game in an epic new series from award-winning author Rick Yancey.

After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.

My Blabberings:  
Normally I am not a fan of (read: want to chuck a book out a window when I see) love triangles.  However, this book was an exception…maybe because it hasn’t gotten too love triangle-y yet since it is the first installment.  The author clearly set this up but yet I didn’t mind it…shock! 

This was a really well-written nail biter of a book.  The Fifth Wave makes me want to read more of Rick Yancey’s work.  I originally avoided his other novels due to their categorization as horror (I’m a scaredy-pants), but I’m going to put my big girl pants on and try them out really soon!

4.5/5 stars

Latest Review: And the Mountains Echoed

Summary blurb:
Khaled Hosseini, the #1 New York Times–bestselling author of The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns, has written a new novel about how we love, how we take care of one another, and how the choices we make resonate through generations.

In this tale revolving around not just parents and children but brothers and sisters, cousins and caretakers, Hosseini explores the many ways in which families nurture, wound, betray, honor, and sacrifice for one another; and how often we are surprised by the actions of those closest to us, at the times that matter most.

Following its characters and the ramifications of their lives and choices and loves around the globe—from Kabul to Paris to San Francisco to the Greek island of Tinos—the story expands gradually outward, becoming more emotionally complex and powerful with each turning page.

 

My blabberings:
First off, I love Khaled Hosseini.  Every single book he's written is heartbreaking and beautifully written.  I still think that of all his books, A Thousand Splendid Suns is my favorite but this absolutely lived up to my expectations of Hosseini as an author.

It was a beautiful story of family and self-discovery all set against his familiar Afghanistan backdrop.  I always love learning a little bit more about Afghani history each time I read one of this author's books.

And the Mountains Echoed is very similar to a collection of short stories.  Each chapter focuses on different main characters, although they all intertwine at some point.  While this is not necessarily a page-turner type of read it is nonetheless compelling...just at a slower tempo. 

Once again, I'm recommending a book that necessitates tissues.  But it is well worth it people!  Mr. Hosseini has composed a solid addition to his life's work.  If you are a fan of his other books, you should definitely check out this book as you will not be disappointed.  If you have never read anything by this particular author, I would encourage you to pick up any of his books as they are all wonderful!

5/5 stars

Latest Review: Gone Girl

Goodreads Summary:
On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunne's fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick's clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn't doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife's head, but passages from Amy's diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media--as well as Amy's fiercely doting parents--the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he's definitely bitter--but is he really a killer?

As the cops close in, every couple in town is soon wondering how well they know the one that they love. With his twin sister, Margo, at his side, Nick stands by his innocence. Trouble is, if Nick didn't do it, where is that beautiful wife? And what was in that silvery gift box hidden in the back of her bedroom closet?

With her razor-sharp writing and trademark psychological insight, Gillian Flynn delivers a fast-paced, devilishly dark, and ingeniously plotted thriller that confirms her status as one of the hottest writers around.

My blabberings:
I know, I know, everyone and their aunt's neighbor has already read and reviewed this book.  Nonetheless, I wanted to just add my two cents into the mix.  I was really hesitant to read this book for one main reason: friends and reviewers repeatedly stated that the main characters are awful people.  Once I heard that I was certain I would hate the book.  It has rarely occurred where I've read a book with despicable characters and still liked the book.  Apparently I have to identify with a character in order to really care about their story...who woulda thunkit?  Anyways, I had already decided that I would just let this book be a buzz-generator that I skipped.   

However, the Btown Booksters thought differently and it was picked for one of our recent reads.  I purchased the novel with trepidation and sat down in my couch nook to read a few pages.  I looked up from my book sometime later and realized I was already several chapters in (this is not a rare occurance).  I ended up finishing the book in two days.  Not, as many others have stated, because it was so compelling that I read through the night, but because I had procrastinated and had exactly that long to finish before our next book club meeting!  That being said, it was a really compelling book, it was just as twisty turny as you would want a suspense novel to be.

Now, to get to my point of contention, the characters...were they so loathsome that I couldn't like the story?  Not exactly.  Was a character or characters absolutely heinous to their very core? Yes.  Once I closed the back cover of the book, I looked over at my husband with wide eyes, shuddered, and said, "whoa."  A novel that can evince that kind of reaction at its culmination must mean that it's good, right?  I don't really know how to answer that question.  Yet, I can say that I was surprised that I didn't loathe this book as I did the character(s).  Suspense isn't my favorite literary category, but I did enjoy the novel and won't be so quick to pass over a book because I'm certain I won't like the characters.

4/5 stars

Quickie Review: The Shadow of the Wind

I lucked out big-time when I was on vacation because I read three amazing (5 star rating) books in a row!  The last of which I already reviewed here.  Whenever I try and review books after some time has lapsed since I've finished, I tend to lose the details.  Thus, I decided to just do a quickie review post.

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Goodreads Summary:
Barcelona, 1945: A city slowly heals in the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, and Daniel, an antiquarian book dealer’s son who mourns the loss of his mother, finds solace in a mysterious book entitled The Shadow of the Wind, by one Julián Carax. But when he sets out to find the author’s other works, he makes a shocking discovery: someone has been systematically destroying every copy of every book Carax has written. In fact, Daniel may have the last of Carax’s books in existence. Soon Daniel’s seemingly innocent quest opens a door into one of Barcelona’s darkest secrets--an epic story of murder, madness, and doomed love.

My Thoughts:
OMG!  Where has this book been all my life and why have I waited so gosh darn long to read it?!  The Shadow of the Wind has a little bit of everything: historic and foreign setting, mystery and intrigue, romance, and it's a gothic coming of age tale to boot!

This book had a very eerie and murky atmosphere that had me on the edge of my lawn chair.  Plus there were ghosts, masked men, and evil policeman adding more and more layers to this historical mystery.

The amazing characters - wowza! My favorites were Fermin and Daniel.  Daniel was just such a good-hearted little protagonist whereas Fermin was the more colorful and passionate character.  Sometimes I was smacking my head in empathetic agony over some of Daniel's actions but that's a typical feeling I have when reading coming-of-age stories.  Fermin stole a piece of my heart with his heroic displays of friendship.

Touching, atmospheric, and expressive...all of the books I read over my vacation were 5 star reads but The Shadow of the Wind is my personal favorite!

Latest Review: The Art of Fielding

Goodreads Summary:
At Westish College, a small school on the shore of Lake Michigan, baseball star Henry Skrimshander seems destined for big league stardom. But when a routine throw goes disastrously off course, the fates of five people are upended.

... (spoilery so I omitted this part)

Written with boundless intelligence and filled with the tenderness of youth, The Art of Fielding is an expansive, warmhearted novel about ambition and its limits, about family and friendship and love, and about commitment—to oneself and to others.

My Thoughts:  
This was one of my vacation reads and I absolutely adored this book!  My admiration of The Art of Fielding is largely due to the realistic characters with an authentic storyline.  One way to compare it would be that it is similar to an indie movie (not one of those ones that's trying too hard but one that is trying to be true to life).

I loved the multiple POV format of this book.  When I first started reading, I thought it would all be from Henry's point of view and was afraid the only way the story could be this long (528 pages) is if it were overly dramatic.  Luckily my fears were soon relieved.  I also thought that the over-arching theme of self-doubt was handled really well with this story and was enhanced by the multiple POV format.

If you love Melville, enjoy collegiate settings, or are a baseball fan you will be over-the-moon about this book.  If you aren't, you will still love this book for the clear writing style and amazing characters!

To conclude, I'll leave you with this quote from my favorite character Owen:

“You told me once that a soul isn't something a person is born with but something that must be built, by effort and error, study and love.” 

5/5 stars.  Highly recommended.

Other reviews:
The Book Garden
my books. my life.

Latest Review: The Homemade Pantry

Goodreads Summary:
In her debut cookbook, Alana Chernila inspires you to step inside your kitchen, take a look around, and change the way you relate to food. The Homemade Pantry was born of a tight budget, Alana’s love for sharing recipes with her farmers’ market customers, and a desire to enjoy a happy cooking and eating life with her young family. On a mission to kick their packaged-food habit, she learned that with a little determination, anything she could buy at the store could be made in her kitchen, and her homemade versions were more satisfying, easier to make than she expected, and tastier. 
           
Here are her very approachable recipes for 101 everyday staples, organized by supermarket aisle—from crackers to cheese, pesto to sauerkraut, and mayonnaise to toaster pastries. The Homemade Pantry is a celebration of food made by hand—warm mozzarella that is stretched, thick lasagna noodles rolled from flour and egg, fresh tomato sauce that bubbles on the stove. Whether you are trying a recipe for butter, potato chips, spice mixes, or ketchup, you will discover the magic and thrill that comes with the homemade pantry.
           
Alana captures the humor and messiness of everyday family life, too. A true friend to the home cook, she shares her “tense moments” to help you get through your own. With stories offering patient, humble advice, tips for storing the homemade foods, and rich four-color photography throughout, The Homemade Pantry will quickly become the go-to source for how to make delicious staples in your home kitchen. 

My Thoughts:
So, I have to say...this was a major disappointment.  I was SUPER-excited about this book but it just didn't live up to my expectations.  Usually, when I read a cookbook, the darn thing is just filled with paper scraps to mark all of the recipes I want to copy/use.  This time...three.  I marked three measly recipes (two of which are syrups for soda and the third was the adorable toaster pastries from the cover).  That's pretty pathetic.

My main complaint is that The Homemade Pantry is too basic and, welp, boring.  Making food from scratch isn't really a novel idea.  If the book is going to center around this premise then show some creativity with the recipes.  For example, there was a condiments section that I was really excited about.  I thought "Oooh!  Maybe there'll be some unique vinaigrettes or other different sauces and dressings."  The reality was homemade: ketchup, mustard, salsa (oh please!), hot sauce, Italian dressing, ranch dressing, and other basics.  Yawn!

I already know how to make lasagna, and soups from scratch - so those portions were completely skipped over.  Then there were some things that the time/results ratio was just way too low (but I'm sure there are some folks out there who would disagree with me).  Sorry, but putting in the time to make ricotta cheese from scratch...not gonna happen.

Overall, this just wasn't for me.  If you want to learn the fundamentals of making food from scratch...and are willing to put the time in to make basics by hand, then maybe this is your book.  However, I really don't think that this book will appeal to a large population of folks.  Too bad...because I thought The Homemade Pantry had real potential.

2/5 stars :(

Latest Review: The Lost Art of Mixing

Goodreads Summary:
National bestselling author Erica Bauermeister returns to the enchanting world of The School of Essential Ingredients in this luminous sequel.

Lillian and her restaurant have a way of drawing people together. There’s Al, the accountant who finds meaning in numbers and ritual; Chloe, a budding chef who hasn’t learned to trust after heartbreak; Finnegan, quiet and steady as a tree, who can disappear into the background despite his massive height; Louise, Al’s wife, whose anger simmers just below the boiling point; and Isabelle, whose memories are slowly slipping from her grasp. And there’s Lillian herself, whose life has taken a turn she didn’t expect. . . .

Their lives collide and mix with those around them, sometimes joining in effortless connections, at other times sifting together and separating again, creating a family that is chosen, not given. A beautifully imagined novel about the ties that bind—and links that break—The Lost Art of Mixing is a captivating meditation on the power of love, food, and companionship.

My Thoughts:
Never before have I felt like I could taste an author's descriptions of food.  Yummm...my mouth watered throughout this book!

The Lost Art of Mixing is a sequel to Bauermeister's delicious The School of Essential Ingredients and picks up right where last left the characters.  For those who haven't read the first novel, you will still find this book to be appealing; however, you will be more invested in the characters and their stories if you read The School of Essential Ingredients.  I love that we got to catch up with Chloe, Lillian and Isabelle and look at the next chapter of their lives.  This book also introduced some new and incredibly endearing characters who have engrossing lives. 

The Lost Art of Mixing focuses on the intertwining of food and memories.  The overarching theme in each of the character's stories is overcoming past memories that are obstacles to a more fulfilling future.  If you like cozy, character-driven foodie fiction, then this book is for you!

4/5 stars

Other Reviews:
Book Chatter
Life in the Thumb

Latest Review: Dinner a Love Story

Goodreads Summary:
Jenny Rosenstrach, and her husband, Andy, regularly, some might say pathologically, cook dinner for their family every night. Even when they work long days. Even when their kids' schedules pull them in eighteen different directions. They are not superhuman. They are not from another planet.

With simple strategies and common sense, Jenny figured out how to break down dinner—the food, the timing, the anxiety, from prep to cleanup—so that her family could enjoy good food, time to unwind, and simply be together.

Using the same straight-up, inspiring voice that readers of her award-winning blog, Dinner: A Love Story, have come to count on, Jenny never judges and never preaches. Every meal she dishes up is a real meal, one that has been cooked and eaten and enjoyed at least a half dozen times by someone in Jenny's house. With inspiration and game plans for any home cook at any level, Dinner: A Love Story is as much for the novice who doesn't know where to start as it is for the gourmand who doesn't know how to start over when she finds herself feeding an intractable toddler or for the person who never thought about home-cooked meals until he or she became a parent. This book is, in fact, for anyone interested in learning how to make a meal to be shared with someone they love, and about how so many good, happy things happen when we do.

My thoughts:
You guys, I LOVED this book!  It is unique in that it is part memoir, part cookbook.  I found this format amazing in that it really promotes each of the recipes by making you think things like "if she could do this as a cooking newbie, so can I!" or "if she could find the time to put this on the table with two young kids, surely I can make this with only a hubby to feed."  I really appreciated that she organized the book into three main sections: before kids, with young kids (AKA close to 0 cooking time), and eating as a family.

One thing that made me feel awesomely vindicated about my recent dinner organization craze (see my monthly dry-erase meal planner below) was that Rosenstrach does this exact same thing (excepting that hers is in journal form)!  Glad to know that I'm on the right track for making family dinners with ease.

I soooo want to do this once we own a house - behold, the painted cabinet recipe door of awesomeness:

After reading this I wanted to go out and buy several copies to give as gifts.  I can't think of one person who wouldn't benefit from all of the tips, stories, and recipes in this book.  Highly recommended!

5/5 stars

**UPDATE: I have made several recipes from this book now and holy cramoly...did I mention this book is awesome???  Because it is.  Seriously.  Go get it.  And then make the Pork Shoulder Ragu with Pappardelle!

Super Shorty Review Catch-Up

Self-Challenge: Can I create tweet-sized reviews of some recent reads?  You be the judge:

Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder

 

 

Awkward by Marni Bates

 

The Missing Manuscript of Jane Austen by Syrie James

Wow, that was much harder than I thought it would be!  Do these reviews make sense or is it simply ridiculous to try and condense opinions regarding a book into so few characters?

Latest Review: The Sea of Tranquility

Goodreads Summary:
Former piano prodigy Nastya Kashnikov wants two things: to get through high school without anyone learning about her past and to make the boy who took everything from her—her identity, her spirit, her will to live—pay.

Josh Bennett’s story is no secret: every person he loves has been taken from his life until, at seventeen years old, there is no one left. Now all he wants is be left alone and people allow it because when your name is synonymous with death, everyone tends to give you your space.

Everyone except Nastya, the mysterious new girl at school who starts showing up and won’t go away until she’s insinuated herself into every aspect of his life. But the more he gets to know her, the more of an enigma she becomes. As their relationship intensifies and the unanswered questions begin to pile up, he starts to wonder if he will ever learn the secrets she’s been hiding—or if he even wants to.

The Sea of Tranquility is a rich, intense, and brilliantly imagined story about a lonely boy, an emotionally fragile girl, and the miracle of second chances.

My Thoughts:
I read this due to the review from Allison at The Allure of Books (who always has amazing, under-the-radar recommendations).  This book had me turning the pages feverishly right from the start and overall I really enjoyed The Sea of Tranquility. 

I loved the cast of characters in the novel and it had superb dual narration.  Not only were the main characters awesomely unique and empathetic, but there were some well-drawn secondary characters too (which is a super-rare quality in a book). Seriously, character-driven novels are pretty much my favorite.

My only gripe is that the drama rose to soap opera-ish levels (maybe that's why the author references General Hospital?).  Granted, some extremely disturbing and upsetting things happen- but towards the end it just all seemed to pile up.  It was just one crazy event on top of another to the point where I was feeling a little eye-rolly.  BUUUuut there are lots of books out there where IMHO the drama levels are too high and most other people LOVE them.

So, take my criticism with that in mind.  If you are sensitive to this sort of thing like I am (for example...most of the time love triangles bug me), then you may get annoyed at the latter part of the book but still like it despite that fact.  If not, I think you will be absolutely enamored with this unique love story.  Overall, no matter where you fall on the drama-dramz spectrum, this is definitely a book worth checking out!

4/5 stars

Disclosure: I received a copy for review via NetGalley. 

Latest Review: The Book of Atrix Wolfe

Booklist Summary:
Driven by a formless fury when the prince of Kardeth refuses to halt his invasion of the kingdom of Pelucir, the great mage Atrix Wolfe creates a fearful hunter, "a warrior with no allegiance but to death." But the ensuing massacre of both armies and the king of Pelucir appalls the mage, and he flees to the mountains to live in wolf form among wolves until, 20 years later, the queen of the Woods demands that he seek out her daughter, who disappeared at the time of the great bloodbath. The ensuing story involves aspiring mage Talis Pelucir, son of the slain king, and Saro, a young, mute scullery maid in the castle of Pelucir whose background is unknown. Steeped in medieval legends of the wild huntsman, living trees, and shape changers, McKillip's tale is decidedly atmospheric, complex, compelling, and filled with rich imagery.

My Thoughts:
This is the first book I've read from the much-lauded Patricia A. McKillip and I really enjoyed this YA Fantasy tale!  The author's writing is very lyrical yet she still manages to be concise and convey a complex story within a slim novel.

I loved the magic and dark sorcery that permeates the book.  Throughout reading this novel you are biting your nails - wondering how the story will end and the characters restored after one awful instance of dark magic.

Fans of Robin McKinley will likely love The Book of Atrix Wolfe (and I'm guessing other McKillip books too).  This novel has mystery, magic, romance, sympathetic villains, unlikely heroes, and fantastic settings - who can resist?  Highly recommended to fantasy fans!

4/5 stars

Latest Review: Cloud Atlas (Movie & Book)

Goodreads Summary:
A reluctant voyager crossing the Pacific in 1850; a disinherited composer blagging a precarious livelihood in between-the-wars Belgium; a high-minded journalist in Governor Reagan’s California; a vanity publisher fleeing his gangland creditors; a genetically modified “dinery server” on death-row; and Zachry, a young Pacific Islander witnessing the nightfall of science and civilisation—the narrators of Cloud Atlas hear each other’s echoes down the corridor of history, and their destinies are changed in ways great and small.

In his captivating third novel, David Mitchell erases the boundaries of language, genre and time to offer a meditation on humanity’s dangerous will to power, and where it may lead us.

My thoughts:
I really loved this book.  I think that it came to me at a time in my life when I really needed a novel like this.  It's not an easy read and I don't know how readily I can recommend it to just any random person.  I think this would especially appeal to readers that enjoy a spiritual and/or revolutionary element to their reading.  The most compelling (aka page-turning) components of this book are the areas that involve conspiracies or revolutions.  However, my favorite storylines were actually the ones that were more quiet and character-driven.  

My favorite character of the book was definitely the charismatic composer Robert Frobisher.  His particular story was one that really spoke to me - who can read this book and not love this dashing fellow?  Robert's view of the choices he made toward the end of his tale helped me gain a different perspective on some recent difficult family events.  Sorry I'm keeping this vague but I don't want to ruin anything for those who haven't yet read Cloud Atlas.  

Also, I have to say that the reoccurring theme of reincarnation was really uplifting, even for the sadder storylines.  Let me get into things a bit further with my film review...here ya go!

4.5/5 stars (for both film and book)

Movie thoughts: 
Despite all of the lukewarm critic reviews, I was pleasantly surprised with the film adaptation of this book.  First of all, you can tell that the producers/directors of this film loved and respected this book.  The way they broke down all of the storylines into one film was genius.  They found parallel threads in each of the stories and interwove them perfectly (I might venture to say, they presented it in a more compelling manner than the book itself).  

I convinced four of my non-reader friends to see this movie with me - so obviously, none of them had any previous knowledge of the book.  They all really enjoyed the film (some even ventured to say that they loved it!) and understood the main points that the author was making with these intertwining stories.  Also, while some of the storylines were tampered with (including my fave Frobisher) I surprisingly approved of the plot alterations.  

I was blown away with how well they portrayed the main point of each storyline.  In fact, some of the storylines (especially Frobisher) evoked a much more visceral reaction than what I had while reading the book.  My favorite movie storylines: Robert Frobisher (more disturbing and moving in the movie...in the book he was just so likeable you almost couldn't take him seriously), Timothy Cavendish (movie version sooooo hilarious), Louisa Rey, and Sonmi 451.

The only problems I had with the film were some cheesy lines (that never existed in the book) and Old Georgie in the Zachry plotline...in the movie he was a weird green warty guy with a top-hat, WTF?!?  Otherwise, I thought it was one of the better film adaptations of a book...especially considering how complex and long this book is.

Overall, if you enjoyed the book, I don't think you'll be disappointed by the movie.  If you've never read the book and don't plan to...ignore the stupid leprechaun (aka Old Georgie) and enjoy a really good film adaptation of a very complicated book.

 

Latest Review: Tell the Wolves I'm Home

Goodreads Summary:
In this striking literary debut, Carol Rifka Brunt unfolds a moving story of love, grief, and renewal as two lonely people become the unlikeliest of friends and find that sometimes you don’t know you’ve lost someone until you’ve found them.

1987. There’s only one person who has ever truly understood fourteen-year-old June Elbus, and that’s her uncle, the renowned painter Finn Weiss. Shy at school and distant from her older sister, June can only be herself in Finn’s company; he is her godfather, confidant, and best friend. So when he dies, far too young, of a mysterious illness her mother can barely speak about, June’s world is turned upside down. But Finn’s death brings a surprise acquaintance into June’s life—someone who will help her to heal, and to question what she thinks she knows about Finn, her family, and even her own heart.

An emotionally charged coming-of-age novel, Tell the Wolves I’m Home is a tender story of love lost and found, an unforgettable portrait of the way compassion can make us whole again.

 
My Thoughts:
Why doesn't this book have more hype surrounding it??  I thought it was fantastic!  One of my IRL reader friends always accuses me of recommending books that make her cry...and, welp, this one is no exception.  I definitely had red-rimmed eyes after finishing Tell the Wolves I'm Home.  I guess I just like stories and characters that can invoke a wide range of emotions.

I loved looking at the story through June's lens.  Her attention to detail and creative imaginings reminded me of myself at a young age.  I really liked that June's insecurities stemmed from her perceived inability to understand her relationships rather than perceived physical or character flaws.  It was a refreshing way to portray self-doubt.

Tell the Wolves I'm Home is one of those soul-feeding novels - definitely on my short list of my top books read in 2012!  Get thee to the library/bookstore and read this book!  You won't be sorry.

Quote I Like:
 "I don't know.  None of those things should have mattered, but I guess they did.  I guess they were like water.  Soft and harmless until enough time went by.  Then all of a sudden you found yourself with the Grand Canyon on your hands." -- pg. 36

Soundtrack Recommendation: 
While I read this, I was listening to Philip Glass' Glassworks album.  If I were to get specific...I particularly envision the song "Opening" for large portions of the story and for the scenes in the woods I hear "Islands."

Also, there's several references to music throughout the novel that should bear mentioning and would perhaps make great accompaniment to your reading experience:

• Mozart's Requiem
• classical guitar music (for the bits with Toby)
• Late 80's hits like "New Years Day" by U2

5/5 Stars!!