The author of this cookbook grew up in New York City’s Chinatown. I have eaten at many restaurants there, mostly small but very good ones. So, I was interested to see how the author’s growing up and his cooking came together in his recipes. The result is this book.
One aspect of this book that I found quite appealing was the way that Mr. Cheung immersed readers in the feel of Chinatown. For example, he describes what the markets are like and how ingredients are procured.
There are fifty recipes in categories including vegetables, fish & seafood, “Damn Good Snacks” and more. Make a Cucumber Salad or saute Bok Choy. Prepare a Bao Bun or Scallion Pancakes. Each section has some background information to set the tone.
This title also has a nice section on the cooking tools and equipment that work well in Chinese cooking. For example, rice cookers and woks are mentioned.
All in all, a book to be recommended for those who love Chinese food. And I do!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
by David P. Wagner is an e book bargain for 11.6.21
Readers who enjoy art, architecture, gardens, twisting streets, Italian food and red wine will want to read this mystery. It is part of a series although the novels can be read out of order. This was the first book that I have read by Mr. Wagner and I look forward to reading all of the others.
Rick Montoya works as a multi-lingual translator while his significant other, Betta, is employed by an art crime squad in the Italian cultural ministry. The two are in the Urbino area where a wealthy Spanish collector has donated a Piero Della Francesca drawing to a small, local museum. Unfortunately he is murdered and the drawing is missing. Solving the case is the focus of this story with intervals for food and drink.
There are many suspects. These include directors of other museums, a collector who was unable to secure the drawing himself, the victim’s second wife and his daughter, his assistant and more. Readers will get to know each of them as they try to solve the case.
Those who enjoy mysteries by Donna Leon and Andrea Camilleri will want to read this. There is even a character who continuously pays homage to the latter’s series detective, Inspector Montalbano.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Getting to Know the World’s Most Misunderstood Bird
by Rosemary Mosco is now out
Over the past year I have spent time at my local botanical garden. While there, I have observed robins, bluejays, woodpeckers, red-tailed hawks and more. On my walks of city streets, I have seen many pigeons but never really thought of them as being as interesting as the botanical garden birds that I viewed When I saw this title, therefore, I was intrigued. Was there more to the homely pigeon than I knew? You can be sure that there is!
Ms. Mosco’s enthusiasm for the pigeon comes across so clearly in this entertaining look at the species. She shares history, facts about behavior, appreciation for the physical appearance and colors of the species and so much more. With lively illustrations, many boxes of extra facts and love for the subject, Ms. Mosco captivates readers. Did you know that there is a pigeons in movies data base or that Tesla was in love with the pigeon that came to his hotel window? These are just two of the anecdotes that are found in the early pages of the book.
Engaged readers, watch out! The author may just make a pigeon watcher out of you by the time that you finish the book.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.
Editorial Reviews
Review
“Mosco…has written the most perfect of popular science titles, one that teaches readers everything about a topic in an accessible, funny, and charming manner. A must-read for bird lovers and urban wildlife watchers.” —Booklist, STARRED review
“This book will change what you think about pigeons! With loads of eye-opening pigeon science, delivered in playful and engaging style by Rosemary Mosco’s text and illustrations, A Pocket Guide to Pigeon Watching will help you gain a whole new appreciation of these smart, savvy, and adaptable birds whose lives are so intertwined with ours.” —David Allen Sibley, author of The Sibley Guide to Birds
“We scorn pigeons for their commonness, but their ubiquity speaks to their talents. Past civilizations domesticated them and brought them wherever they went, for pigeons were loved and prized—as messengers, as producers of fertilizer, as meat on the plate. With her trademark wit and artistic charms, Mosco gives us a hundred reasons to rekindle the love affair. A Pocket Guide to Pigeon Watching is part field guide, part history, part ornithology primer, and altogether fun!” —Mary Roach, New York Times bestselling author of Stiff and Grunt
This romance title will be enjoyed by those who like a long story with protagonists to root for. English professor Bonnie’s relationship ends but that is not the end of her story. What happens when she becomes “Smitten by the Brit?” Read this fun, engaging and romantic story to find out. Enjoy the characters, the settings and the literary allusions.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
The Month of Borrowed Dreams is the fifth entry in the author’s series set in Ireland. A sixth book is also forthcoming in 2022.
I have not read the other titles in the series. I do think that I will go back and read them. In any event, it took me a little while to sort out the characters, something that long term readers probably will not have to do.
These folks who came to life include Hanna, Jazz, Louise, Aideen, Eileen, Mary and Saira as some of the main female characters. There are also the men in their lives and Rasher, a homeless young man whose life is hopefully turning around.
To be brief, Hanna is a librarian who returned to the peninsula with Jazz when her marriage broke up. Her mother Mary lives in the town. Jazz works for her grandmother Louise is an ethically sourced company. Aideen and Eileen are planning their weddings to brothers but the ways in which each wants to acknowledge the day are very different. Saira works with Rasher and is a wise counselor.
As librarian, Hanna has started a film club linked to novels. One of her choices is Colm Toibin’s Brooklyn. Readers who have not already read Brooklyn may well want to by the time that they finish the novel.
The Month of Borrowed Dreams is a gently paced story of people’s lives. I think that it will be enjoyed by those who like the novels of Maeve Binchy.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
This brightly illustrated book is for the youngest children. They will get to feed the pets from the choices that are attached to the book. Faces also pop up which the children may enjoy. Of course, I could not get the full benefit of all of this with my ARC but it seems appealing.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
State of Terror was a highly anticipated fall release. It will have its admirers and detractors. I suspect that conservative Americans will be offended by the thinly veiled references to the presidency of Donald Trump and the consequent perilous state that was left in his wake. But…this is fiction and should be judged as such.
This book is a page turning thrill ride that goes from one scary scenario to another. Throughout is a stalwart Secretary of State, Ellen, who I imagine has some of HRC’s characteristics. Ellen is a good person who is willing to take risks for the good of her country. She was appointed by a president who did not like her and who perhaps wanted her to fail; will she?
Interestingly, readers learn a bit, through Ellen, about how women are judged. Ellen takes advantage of this in her role as chief diplomat. For example, while she may act one down or look a bit disheveled Ellen is as clever as they come.
In addition to the action and the feeling of insider information, there are some nice relationships with the main characters and their connections. Ellen’s friendship with Betsy is the kind of relationship many wish for with their closest connections. Readers also get to watch Ellen with her adult children.
There are many other characters in this book. All contribute to the story line and readers will care for many of them. The villains also get their time in these pages.
The collaboration of these two authors works very well. Each had a role to play in creating the book. SPOILER: Readers of LP’s books will be delighted when they see how her own series comes into play. I loved how that was done.
I recommend this novel. It is a thriller with heart and some important messages.
J
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 