One Chapter

Good for You: Bold Flavors with Benefits. 100 recipes for gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and vegan diets by Akhtar Nawab

What I notice first about this cookbook is the cover. The cover is a thick cardboard with a slick glossy cover. I thought this was different and I liked that. This cover is thick, I mean really thick, there is no way that I would be able to fold a corner of this cover without realizing it and I hope that the slick cover would keep stains off it.

I noticed that all the pictures included in this cookbook look fantastic. Bright and detailed, these pictures popped off the page and had me searching to see what ingredients were lying on that plate. I had no idea what Mojo de Ajo was or what I would do with My Mexican Marinade but the pictures made me want to figure it out. Not every recipe had a picture to accompany it, I’d estimate about half or 1/3 of the recipes had pictures. It’s a shame though because the pictures just might get someone to try something new.

Upon opening this book, you’ll find a detailed Table of Contents. There are 8 sections: Foundations (marinades, sauces, pastes, etc.), Breakfast, Sandwiches & Salads, Soups & Stews, Dinners, Sides, Desserts, Aiolos, Dressings, Salsas, & & Chutneys in this book. In this index, each section is listed, with corresponding recipes under it. There are between 7- 18 recipes per section. It states what page the recipe is on and they marked each recipe with an abbreviation if it falls within one of their special categories. The special categories are GF = Gluten Free, DF = Dairy Free, VG = Vegetarian, V = Vegan. All recipes have at least 1 special category attached to it while some have 2 or 3 of them.

All of the recipes have some information about the recipe, how many it serves, an ingredient list, and paragraphs on how to prepare it (not step-by-step directions (1)(2)(3)). Some of the recipes include Good to Know information about the recipe which will help you understand more about the dish that you are preparing. There is no nutritional value information for the recipes.

The Mexican Roast Chicken with Crispy Skin looked amazing and I can imagine with the My Mexican Marinade, the oregano and the other ingredients, I’d be adding this one to my menu. My Mexican Marinade is a recipe that I’m going to have to try. Garlic, oregano, chilies, pepper, and a few other ingredients, I think I could use this on chicken and pork. The Chicken and Black Bean Chili is another one that quickly caught my eye. There are quite a few healthy dishes in this cookbook, dishes made with cauliflower, fish, vegetables, and nuts.

This is a personal book as Akhtar tells us a lot about himself in these pages. From the Foreword to the Introduction, to the other pages where he adds detailed information about his life, he lets us all in on his little secrets. If you’re into healthy cooking, this would a cookbook to check out. I saw this cookbook on NetGalley and the cover caught my attention. I wished that it had more pictures as I would have liked to see more of the recipes. 4 stars

The Unoffical Disney Parks Cookbook by Ashley Craft

I had to pick this one up when I saw it at the library. I’ve been to Disney once with my children many years ago but I love to read recipes. This book didn’t disappoint, in fact, I bought a copy as a present for a family member.

The cover of this book got my attention as it looks like a Disney commercial. This book is basically broken into 2 parts: Disney Parks Cooking 101 and Magical Recipes. The Disney Parks Cooking 101 section talks about the history of food at the Disney Parks throughout the years and the essential items that you’ll need to prepare the recipes in this cookbook. If you don’t have the essential item, there are alternatives listed for some of them. In the Magical Recipe section, you’ll find recipes. You’ll also find a Table of Contents, an index, a Preface, an Introduction and a conversion table for measuring. The recipes are broken up into 8 chapters: Disneyland, Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studio, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney California Adventure.

You begin each chapter with a colorful map of that Disney area. Each recipe is listed with its location within that theme park. An example is Disneyland’s chapter: 1. Churros (Main Street, USA, Disneyland) 2. Raspberry Rose Mickey Macarons (Main Street, USA, Disneyland) ….. what is missing I feel, is the page number that these recipes are on (which would be helpful). Disneyland has 18 recipes listed from Beignets to Fritters to Safari Skewers. Epcot had 19 recipes including Carmel Pecan Bars, Crepes, Caramel Popcorn, Baklava, and Croissant Doughnuts.

The recipes. Not all the recipes have photographs attached to them. I think about 25% of them have a picture. The pictures that are included look great. I like how simple the photos look; the photos aren’t cluttered with other items on the page. Each recipe has information about the recipe, how many it serves, the ingredients list, and step-by-step instructions. Some recipes have additional ideas on the page for you.

The ingredients I found for the most part were normal items you could find in a store or things you have at home. That’s another great reason to check out this cookbook if you’re thinking about it. I think this is a great cookbook and one that is worth checking out. I don’t have children in my house anymore but I think the recipes sound great and I liked the variety. I do think this cookbook will be a great surprise for the person that I bought it for and I know they’ll get a lot of use out of it. 4.5 stars

Batpig: When Pigs Fly by Rob Harrell

This is a hoot! I will definitely be reading more of this series. You need to have a sense of humor to really appreciate this fantastic book. I found myself smiling and laughing through most of this book as Gary, Brooklyn, and Carl discover a new super hero. I do think some younger readers might not fully understand or “get” all the laughs/puns that are written in this book but they’ll still enjoy the story. I think a reader’s age, maturity and life’s experiences helps them fully appreciate this book.

Gary was once a normal, boring pig. Not normal as in a barnyard style pig but normal as in a 6^th grade pig who loves video games, comic books, and playing cards. His best friends were Carl, a fish and Brooklyn, a bat. He’d play Go Fish with Brooklyn and Carl, (I hope you got that laugh – Go Fish with Carl, the fish). I can’t help but smile/chuckle just thinking of this book as there’s so many great lines and these friends are so very entertaining. With lines like, “I’m gonna go hop in the toilet for a bit. Get wet.” (Carl) “AAAAA! I wanna go home! And I also wanna pony!!” “Batpig sped off like…..like a pig in a leotard.” “I know Gary. I’m sorry I haven’t created a Batpig ringtone for you yet.” It was a typical night of playing cards that changed Gary’s life forever.

It’s a hilarious read but these friends also wrestled with a variety of different issues that young children also cope with and I liked how they addressed and tackled it. From talking things out, to trying a different solution, to encouragement, the friends never strayed far from one another. This is an easy graphic novel to follow with bright colorful text boxes and just a handful of characters to follow. I loved the variety of text fonts that were used to bring this book to life. Children will love this graphic novel but anyone who is looking for a good laugh should read it, for its bound to put a smile on your face, just like it did mine. 5 stars

Take Me With You When You Go by David Levithan & Jennifer Niven

“We thought we had a wall around our story. But what if there were windows?”

I really enjoyed this story. Told through email exchanges, this story built upon itself exposing issues that had been hidden for years. Ezra awakens one morning to find his sister Bea gone. There had been no warning/signs and no note had been written. Bea’s boyfriend Terrence claims he knew nothing and with Bea’s personal effects still at home, her disappearance is a mystery.

Ezra receives a confidential email from Bea which comforts him but he knows he must face the facts. Bea left him, she escaped and now, he has to face Darren alone. Sure, his mother lives with them but she has done nothing to stop her current husband from abusing her children. Why would she start now? As Ezra and Bea correspond via email, Ezra discovers what finally pushed Bea out the door and I feel that the two of them are growing closer as they’re opening up about a variety of issues. When Ezra talks to their mother about Bea’s disappearance, her reaction made me want to scream. As this story unfolds, there were turns and twists that I didn’t see coming and mysteries that were revealed that I didn’t expect.

An emotional story about connections and family that’ll have you wrapped up inside this book till you turn the very last page. 4.5 stars

My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

I was so glad that our book club picked this book for this month’s selection. I’ve been meaning to read it but I just haven’t gotten around to it yet. This book totally surprised me. I seriously had to reread the synopsis a few times, as I thought perhaps, I had this book confused with something else. I didn’t find this book humorous at all, so I’m confused why it was labeled as a humorous book. It was an entertaining book that got my attention, a book that I couldn’t quit reading it until I got to the final page.

I couldn’t believe how much Korede covered for her sister, Ayoola. I realized that Korede felt responsible for her younger sibling but to take it to that extent was ridiculous. What began as a responsibility turns into an obligation, with only one of the parties, receiving any benefits. Ayoola was a hoot! She could wrap people around her finger and they’d come back for more. He lies were ridiculous yet people fell for them. Ayoola tries to act like an innocent victim but it’s obvious she’s not. I just couldn’t understand why no one questioned her or looked into her track record. Perhaps if they did, they would also realize that Korede was not the innocent bystander she thinks she is either. She played an active role in all of this. It’s like they deserve one another but really?

This was a fun read; I think everyone in book club enjoyed this entertaining story and could see why this book is so popular. We had a good discussion about this book and I thought the ending was great as it got me all fired up. 4.25 stars

The Initial Insult by Mindy McGinnis

I try to go into my books blind, that added mystery as to lies before me, intrigues me. This book however, it bit me! I woke up early today as I had about thirty pages left and I had to know how it ended so. Well, this is book number one! What?!? I’m left hanging for a few months as the second book isn’t due out until then. Mindy left some important questions unanswered. She definitely had me in her grips, clearing some of my uncertainty as she connected each character to the story. I didn’t know what the final outcome would be, but I wasn’t thinking, it was going to be reading a second book.

In the town of Amontillado, time carries more weight than gold. It doesn’t matter how well-off your family is or what type of car you drive, what matters is how long you’ve been a resident of this small community. A stone pillar, engraved with Amontillado’s founding fathers has been placed in the center of town, so they will never be forgotten. You too will not forget some of Amontillado’s residents.

Seven years ago, both Felicity Turnado and Tress Montor had it all. Family, friends, money, and each other. Now, they’re both trying to discover what remains. Tress is currently living with Grandpa Cecil who runs an area animal attraction. My heart immediately broke as I read about her, as she can’t quite recall what happened that turned her world 180 degrees and no one will fill in the blanks for her. Her parents are gone but where exactly, did they go? Tress knows that there were four of them together that night and now, just the two of them remain. Yet, Felicity won’t say a thing and Tress doesn’t realize what that night also did to her.

Tress will try to make Felicity talk; she has her ways. As the perfect opportunity arises, Tress has Felicity right where she wants her. I felt that Tress wanted answers yet she also wanted revenge, she wanted Felicity to feel the pain that she has felt since that night. Felicity is at Tress’ mercy, the night in question begins the conversation but it doesn’t stop there. I too, wanted answers, I wanted them quickly, what happened that was so disturbing and caused so much denial? Just tell Tress what happened to her parents. What did Tress’ parents have to do with the girls not being friends anymore?

The emotions and energy that poured out of this book was intense. Told in a dual timeline, I thought these flashbacks helped build-up the story. In the current time period, Tress and Felicity were interacting under a stressful situation. As they brought up their past, we were whisked back in time to when these events actually took place. I wanted the best for them, but there were times that I really felt my sinister laugh coming through for the characters didn’t act like they deserved it. I can’t wait to finish this one, I need to know how this one ends………I mean really ends. 4.5 stars

Eat Pete! by Michael Rex

Ha! What a funny book. The energy coming off this book was enormous. While Pete was excited to have someone to play with, Monster was excited to be close to Pete, as he aiming to eat him! Jumping from one activity to the next, Pete is keeping Monster busy playing but between activities, Monster is thinking that Pete looks awfully tasty. That part of the book was funny!! How long can Monster keep this craving away? It’s bound to happen sometime; the question is when?

It’s a great book about friendships and having fun together. The illustrations are fun and you’ll want to check out the facial expressions. A cute, entertaining book that children will enjoy. 5 stars

sometimes it’s TURKEY – sometimes it’s FEATHERS by Lorna Balian

A cute story that will warm your heart not just at the holidays but year-round. When old Mrs. Gumm is out hunting for wild mushrooms, she stumbles upon a large, freckled egg. Using her mushroom basket, she places some “fresh April grass” inside and she carefully places the egg on top. Excited with her treasure, she explains to Cat that believes that she has found their Thanksgiving dinner and she proceeds to take it inside their house. Mrs. Gumm cares for that egg for months until the day that it hatches. Now, Mrs. Gumm must feed the little turkey so that it grows up big and plump, she is still excited about enjoying it for their Thanksgiving dinner. This becomes quite the process for Mrs. Gumm: first the hatching and now, getting the turkey nice and plump. Cat though, is right in the middle of this activity and is quite inquisitive as to what the turkey is up to.

I think older, mature individuals reading this book can guess what options are coming towards the end of this book. I think the way that the author chose to end this book made this book special. That combined with the relationships that Mrs. Gumm had with Cat and the turkey throughout the story and how her original intention flowed throughout the text that made this story stand out for me. The use of the mustard and white colors might turn some readers off but I really enjoyed them. I think a keynote to enjoying this book with younger children is to make sure that the child understands where their Thanksgiving turkey comes from. I think it’s a great book. 5 stars from me and I’m glad that I stumbled upon it.

The Spiffiest Giant in Town by Julia Donaldson

This spiffy giant is also the kindest person in town! George, the giant, was once the scruffiest giant in town so he decides to change his image, by buying all new clothes. George can change who he is on the outside but George is still George, on the inside. I soon discover that clothes do not make who this giant is, George is one special giant who has a heart of gold.

As soon as George puts on his new spiffy clothes, his step is lighter as he looks happier and his mood improves. George looks fantastic! Just outside the clothing shop, George hears the cry of despair. A giraffe George finds a sad giraffe who explains to George his problem when he inquires. Although George doesn’t have exactly what the giraffe needs, he improvises and helps the giraffe as best as he can. Walking away, George sings a song about being a spiffy giant even though, he has given giraffe one of his newly acquired pieces of clothes. Continuing to walk home, George comes to the river and finds a goat in distress. Oh George! Without batting an eye, George helps goat out the best that he can too. Goat is grateful as George walks away singing his song, adding another line to it, mentioning goat. George has now given away 2 pieces of his newly acquired clothes and his song keeps getting longer. Georger continues to walk home and I couldn’t wait to see what would happen in the end.

I thought this book was entertaining and clever. I liked how George’s mood improved when he got his new clothes but as he helped individuals, his mood continued. So, what made him scruffy at the beginning of the book? I liked the character of George and I liked how the author put this book together. There are a few great messages/teachable moments in this book. The illustrations were colorful and I enjoyed just looking at them on their own. 5 stars

Black Sand Beach by Richard Fairgray

What just happened? I read everything, I was confused, I reread portions, I tried to piece it all together but after I closed the book, I felt I was missing something. I really felt that not much occurred in this book for how confused I felt and for how many pages I read. Reading this book, it felt sometimes like I was suddenly off course for some reason. The illustrations and text weren’t making sense and it felt that I had skipped some pages. I tried to reread a few pages, only this time I read out loud but that didn’t help in this situation. By the end of the book, I didn’t understand what had all occurred in the 192 pages. I guess this book could be a set-up for book 2 and I hope that is the case.

Dash begins our story in a huff. He’s upset because his friends have an exciting summer planned and he’s stuck revisiting Black Sand Beach. It’s actually been 6 years since he’s been to that beach and this year, he’s taking Lily with him so it could be a fun year but Dash isn’t considering these possibilities. When they arrive at Black Sand Beach, some of Dash’s relatives are there in the house they’re sharing and I wasn’t sure what to think about these individuals. Were they actually living people or not? The confusion started for me and the illustrations didn’t help to calm my inquiring mind. This summer would definitely be one to remember for Dash and Lily, if only for the individuals that they get to meet and be around.

Black Sand Beach is the home of the “spooky old lighthouse,” which Dash knows hasn’t been functioning for years but then, why does Dash think he saw something bright come from the lighthouse? Dash thinks he hears something next. It’s a voice calling out to him from the direction of the lighthouse, can this really be happening? They’re calling out his name……”Dash.” Why would they want him after all this time and who is it?

I think the book has potential and perhaps, I just wasn’t in the best frame of mind when I read it. I thought the storyline was intriguing and I enjoyed the illustrations. I think I’ll try reading this again when I read book 2, hoping this one makes more sense, then.