Big Love Cooking

75 Recipes for Satisfying, Shareable Comfort Food

by Joey Campanaro

#BookLoveCookbook #NetGalley

This book is just full of wonderful food to share. There are chapters on Brunch, Soups and Salads, Vegetables, Pasta, Meat and Poultry, Fish and Seafood, Sunday Supper, and Desserts.

There are many photos inside that provide a sense of the origins of the recipes for this author. There are also photos of the food that will make readers hungry. The author is inspired by his New York City based, West Village, restaurant Little Owl. His story is told in the introduction.

The book opens with a chapter that suggests the things that one might want to have in a pantry. And then, come the recipes. Fontina Sausage Biscuits, anyone? How about a Warm Radicchio, Pancetta and Gorgonzola Salad or one with Spinach, Avocado and Strawberries with Lemon Poppyseed Dressing? There are so many other recipes in this book as well, seventy-five in all. Just to name a few; Baked Eggplant Parmesan, Baked Ricotta Crespelle and My Mother’s Ziti in the pasta section. Keep paging through until you get to desserts like Birthday Rum Cake and Philly Cheesecake with Blueberry Agave Sauce.

This is a very personal feeling cookbook that will leave readers hungry! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

7 Secrets to Bringing Out the Best in Yourself and Others from America’s Beloved Neighbor

by Dr. Anita Knight Kuhnley

#TheMisterRogersEffect #NetGalley

When my children were little, each day I welcomed the theme song that led to Mr. Rogers coming to his neighborhood. His show was gentle, seemingly simple but, in my opinion, profound. He had many lessons to teach not only children, but also adults, how to live a life well.

The author of this book notes that it was begun by her wise 90 plus year old grandmother and that she has finished it at her relative’s request. I am so glad that she did.

This title covers seven topics, just as promised (of course, someone writing about Fred Rogers would keep their word!). They are entitled Listen First, Validate Feelings, Pause and Think, Show Gratitude, Develop Empathy, Practice Acceptance and Remember That People Need to Know That They Are Cared For. Mr Rogers’s belief in what we could achieve and his belief that we can make a good world for our children (and own inner child) was and is inspiring. What better rules for living could a reader ask for?

The introduction includes much information on Fred Rogers and how he came to value and believe in his message and in children. He was influenced by mentors, Anna Freud, his own education and more. He was influenced by attachment theory which is clearly explained at the beginning of the book. All of this knowledge is distilled into the principles explored in this title.

Spend some time with this book. It will invite and encourage you to be your best self.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

Unearthing our Mysterious Past

by Mary-Ann Ochota

#SecretBritain #NetGalley

pub date: September 29, 2020

This beautifully illustrated title will be enjoyed by those who are interested in the British Isles, history, archaeology and more. It is a beautifully photographed and wide-ranging tile.

The author begins with an introduction, a timeline and a map. She follows this with the many places where she is interested in “unearthing our mysterious past,” as the title of the book notes.

There are so many places included. To name some there are the Tomnaverie Recumbent Stone Circle, Seahenge, Must Farm, Snettisham Treasures, the Dagenham Idol and Stonehenge. The geography includes Kent, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Moray and many more locations. The first object featured is the Westray Wifey which is over 5,000 years old and was found on Orkney. There are so many more to follow.

This book can be dipped into or read in its entirety. I very much enjoyed the time that I spent with this fascinatiing title.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-galley. All opinions are my own.

Some mystery, some classics and a woman’s fiction/romance title. I’ve reviewed 500 Miles From You. Interestingly two titles are about who should rule, with The Black Arrow and Julius Caesar. Happy reading!

60-Second Brain Teasers Crime Puzzles

Short Forensic Mysteries to Challenge Your Inner Amateur Detective

#60SecondBrainTeasersCrimePuzzles #NetGalley Do you read lots of mysteries? Do you think that you could be a good detective? Do you enjoy puzzle books? If your answers are yes, you will surely enjoy this title. The author presents 65 short cases that the reader is invited to solve. Test your wits and wile away some time most pleasantly as you go through the cases. Some I could solve but others not. I really enjoyed this book. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

by Paul Hodson

#EnglishandBritishHistoryin100BitesizeChunks #NetGalley Pub date: September 28, 2020 In a book of just under 400 pages, the author of this title covers English and British history beginning with “The Fossil Record,” moving through Ancient and Pre-Roman Times and continuing on until finally reaching The Atomic and Nuclear Space Digital Age of War. Along the way, readers can spend time in their favorite era whether that is time with the Romans, The Georgians, The Stuarts, The Victorians or a different time entirely. The range in this book is extensive. In browsing, I read about Victorian women and the evolution of their rights and then moved backward to read about ancient art. There is so much of interest in this book. You do not have to be a scholar to read this book. It is geared to anyone who would like to know more about English and British history. Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this interesting title. All opinions are my own.

Organize and Transform Your Space, Time, and Mind

by Michele Vig

#TheHolisticGuidetoDecluttering #NetGalley

Pub date: September 22, 2020

While we have all been dealing with Covid, we are spending more time at home. If you are like me, you look around and think, this place could use some work and so could I in terms of mindfulness and awareness. This title addresses these topics from a number of perspectives.

Many people have been exposed to Marie Kondo by now; this book provides an additional perspective. There are many practical tips here as well as a good linking between physical clutter and mental/emotional overload as well.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

Mysteries and mostly light fiction here. I reviewed Queen Bee and enjoyed Queen Sugar. QS became the basis for a TV series on Oprah’s network. the Luminaries was also made into a TV series in Britain. I have, but have not yet read The Paris Orphan. Anyone have an opinion on that one? Enjoy.

Secret Gardens of Somerset

A Private Tour

by Abigail Willis

#SecretGardensofSomerset #NetGalley I spent a semester of college in Somerset so was beyond excited to receive this e galley and revisit an area that I adored. Inside this book, readers can enjoy an armchair visit to twenty beautiful spots including The American Museum and Gardens in Bath, Cothay Manor, Stoberry H0use and more. Each entry has a good amount of information along with gorgeous photos. There is also a section on information for visitors. For those who enjoy gardens, this title is highly recommended. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review.

by Alice Miller Audiobook edition

#MoreMiracleThanBird #NetGalley

This title is beautifully and charmingly narrated by Polly Lee. I found myself looking forward to hearing her voice and was always immersed in her words. Ms. Lee makes the characters of this novel and its settings come to life with her melodic reading.

The novel tells the story of Georgie Hyde-Lees and those around her. She traveled in a circle with many in the arts. Much of the novel is about Georgie’s relationship with William Butler Yeats, Willie to her. Georgie’s close friend Dorothy marries Ezra Pound so the literary is quite present in this work.

Georgie, Yeats and others were interested in mediums and an organization that was cult like. I had no knowledge of this organization before hearing this novel and found that to be quite interesting.

An additional key character in the book is Pike. He serves as a kind of counterpoint to Yeats. Pike is a wounded soldier who very much wants to be involved with Georgie. There are many others in the story as well from Georgie’s parents to hospital the nursing director and more. Each seeks to influence Georgie in some way.

Georgie is portrayed as a young woman who is trying to live her life. She is human and makes mistakes. She is busy as a translator, hospital nurse and more. Her life unfolds in this work.

Some reviewers did not seem to like this book. However I did. I was interested in the time period, the characters and the story line.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.