There are three sections in this title; Anxiety Machine, Growing Pains, and Onward to Good Things. In them, the author/cartoonist shares his view of the world and some of his struggles. Heart and Brain may sometimes be in conflict but they both are needed.
Those who like comics with a somewhat existential bent may want to give this book a look. It did not fully gel with my sense of humor but that certainly doesn’t mean that it might not be perfect for others. Many readers have given this title five stars.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel for this title. All opinions are my own.
The Metropolitan Affair was a thoroughly enjoyable read. I loved how it combined history, mystery, art, relationships and more. The characters and settings were engaging and the pages turned easily.
About the book:
Lauren Westlake has a deep interest in Egyptology and has secured an excellent position at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The story takes place around the time of the discovery of Tut’s tomb so it was an exciting time to be a curator. Lauren’s father is also an Egyptologist; they have a complex relationship and one that is in need of some repair. It doesn’t help that he might be involved in something unsavory.
Detective Joe Caravello has known Lauren for many years. When he has a case involving Egyptian artifacts, he naturally turns to her for assistance. What they uncover and how they resolve things form the basis for the narrative.
The Roaring Twenties. Forgery. A plot that leaves readers wanting to find out everything. All in all, a fun read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bethany House for this title. All opinions are my own.
Before picking up this title, the main thing that I knew about Chicago food was Deep Dish Pizza. Clearly there is so much more.
This book is about that pizza and twenty-nine other dishes. Some of these include Akutagawa, Chicken Corn Roll Tamale, the Chicago Hot Dog, Jibarito, Jim Shoe, Maxwell Street Polish, Mother-in-Law and many more. This book will be so enjoyed by those lucky enough to live in, or who can travel to Chicago, or foodies in general. The pictures and text will make readers hungry. Luckily there are mentions of restaurants where the foods are served. There are also recipes.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the University of Illinois Press for this title. All opinions are my own.
Reviews
“Chicago has invented, transformed, and promoted dozens of foods that give the city its distinct and inimitable gastronomy. Veteran Chicago journalists Eng and Hammond teamed up to delve into 30 of those unique Chicago eats to discover their origins and their status as icons of American cuisine.” –Booklist
“A taxonomic guidebook to the city’s lesser-known endemic eats. With obligatory chapters on familiar signatures like hot dogs and deep dish, its real value lies in the stories behind less celebrated working-class originals like the Japanese-American rice and gravy burger plate akutagawa; sweet sticky Chinese-Korean gampongi lollipop wings; and the city’s other beef on a bun: the sweet steak sandwich.” –Chicago Reader
“Eng and Hammond are two of Chicago’s most respected (and voracious) food reporters, so it’s no surprise to see how they’ve covered the city’s iconic foods like a layer of mozzarella on a deep-dish pie. This is the most thorough, gumshoe, deep-dive reporting into the origins of not only the well-known dishes (Italian beef, pizza, and hot dogs) but also the lesser-known gems in specific neighborhoods, like the Big Baby and the Gym Shoe. I clearly need to get out more, because how have I lived in Chicago for thirty years and never had Taffy Grapes?! This is a must-read for any local who wants to understand what it means to ‘eat like a Chicagoan,’ but it’s also a fascinating history lesson about how waves of immigration have shaped our local diet over the years.”–Steve Dolinsky, 13-time winner of the James Beard Award and food reporter for NBC 5 Chicago
“Made in Chicago proves that Chicago is one of the world’s greatest vernacular food cities. Created mainly by ethnic food vendors–from pushcarts to diners and small food compani
Kids who are starting to read chapter books and who have a sense of humor will, I think, enjoy this book. At times, it reminded me of Amelia Bedelia as a character would take a word literally and another would explain it. For example, one of the sisters hears the word pump in terms of riding on a swing but thinks of it as used for fixing a flat tire. Kids may well enjoy this verbal play.
The three sisters, admittedly odd, are Hildegurp, Yuckmina and Glubbifer. Just based on this, young readers will know if the book is one that they want to read. These three want to solve mysteries but will they ever find one?
They do indeed find mysteries. One involves the tire swing and another, a missing robin. Fun abounds and, as the publisher, notes that are even hints of Shakespeare here.
The chapters are short and the illustrations are quirky. This is a unique title for those who are learning to read for pleasure.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Owlkids Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
Kids who are starting to read chapter books and who have a sense of humor will, I think, enjoy this book. At times, it reminded me of Amelia Bedelia as a character would take a word literally and another would explain it. For example, one of the sisters hears the word pump in terms of riding on a swing but thinks of it as used for fixing a flat tire. Kids may well enjoy this verbal play.
The three sisters, admittedly odd, are Hildegurp, Yuckmina and Glubbifer. Just based on this, young readers will know if the book is one that they want to read. These three want to solve mysteries but will they ever find one?
They do indeed find mysteries. One involves the tire swing and another, a missing robin. Fun abounds and, as the publisher, notes that are even hints of Shakespeare here.
The chapters are short and the illustrations are quirky. This is a unique title for those who are learning to read for pleasure.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Owlkids Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
Fans of Under Lock and Skeleton Key, rejoice! Today is the release date for the author’s new book featuring that special staircase company and a terrific protagonist. It is easy to recommend this title to those who will enjoy its whimsy.
Why (and how) did Corbin literally crash a seance party? Will Gigi and her grandfather be able to figure out what transpired? What will happen in this locked room style mystery? There are many suspects, twists and a few hidden places.
This is a most enjoyable novel. It received a well deserved starred review from Publishers Weekly. It is such a fun read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this title. All opinions are my own.
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 