My Very First Cookbook

Joyful Recipes to Make Together!

by Danielle Kartes

This cookbook for little ones includes a number of appealing recipes for each meal of the day along with some beverage. sides, dessert, and snack choices. To name some of the recipes…there are apple cinnamon overnight oats, veggie fried rice, cinnamon sugar popcorn, strawberry and orange slush, sheet pan fajitas, creamy Mexican rice and berry shortcrust cobbler. The recipes are well presented and easy to follow. There are also suggestions for substitutions. The author is very encouraging to the young chefs who will be doing the cooking.

One small quibble, at the beginning of the book, the author suggests that children cook with a parent or other relative. In today’s climate with so many different kinds of families and social arrangements, I feel that it would have been preferable to suggest cooking with a trusted adult. That having been said, this playfully illustrated cookbook looks like a good resource that will provide fun and nourishment for kids.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

Four stars

From the publisher:

Breakfast & Lunch Best-ever buttermilk blueberry muffins, apple cinnamon overnight oats, waffle pizza sammies, veggie fried rice, and more!	Snacks, Sides, & Beverages Superstar guacamole, crunchy fried pickles, grannie’s special creamed corn, mean green fruity smoothie, and more!	Dinner & Desserts Sheet pan fajitas, sizzling beef and broccoli, very berry short crust cobbler, orange creamsicle milkshake, and more!	Bonus Deliciousness A recipe for laughter, celebrations and conversations, write your very own recipe!

The Happiness & Contentment Workbook

Opening your heart, embracing your natural joy

by The Happy Buddha

#TheHappinessContentmentWorkbook #NetGalley

The author of this book is an optimist. The Happy Buddha believes that happiness is our natural state and one that we are distracted from by the outside, perhaps through possessions or the opinions of others or our own ruminations. The belief that causes of discontent can be understood and addressed is at the core of this title.

Those who engage with this book will begin to explore questions and to better understand themselves. For example, readers can list their limiting beliefs, think about what they need to forgive, practice mindfulness, cope with jealousy and more.

The Happy Buddha believes in the ice cube analogy. Readers will learn what this is and how to work with it. Those who patiently work their way through this title will learn not only about this but also about themselves.

I found this book to be interesting. It offers a chance to engage with one’s self and to self-knowledge. I do think that there are similar books out there but this one could be worth your time as well.

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

Three stars

Many good choices in a wide variety of categories make today a great day for e book bargains!

Posting late today because I was enjoying fall at the botanical garden. Still, lots of good choices today. I’ve read lots of these: Have His Carcase, Bethlehem Road, Unto Us a Son is Given, Eligible, Can You Forgive Her, The Ghost Fields, The Nun’s Tale, Friday the Rabbi Slept Late, The Age of Innocence, The Citadel, and Shem Creek. All good. Happy reading.

What Would Frida Do?

A Guide to Living Boldly

by Arianna Davis

The author of this title clearly loves Frida Kahlo. She has immersed herself in the life of this artist by spending time at La Casa Azul (Frida’s home) and by letting the spirit of this artist infuse her. Ms. Davis has also researched Frida’s life and work.

This book includes much biographical information on Frida; her life had contradictions and these are explored. There are many quotes throughout the illustrated text. Ms. Davis also looks to Frida as someone who can guide readers on good ways to live their lives. The book looks at this topic from several points of view including confidence, pain, creativity, style, love, heartbreak, sex, identity, and friendship. For example, the author notes the famous eyebrows and sees them as a way of loving/accepting herself, implying that there are ways that readers can practice their own self-acceptance.. Other suggestions include things like the using a creative outlet to help build inner strength.

If you are a fan of Frida Kahlo or if you enjoy self-help books, this book may appeal to you. Many thanks to the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

by The Editors of New York Magazine

Whether you live in New York, have visited or, would just like to know more about this city, this eclectic title may pique your interest. In it, the editors of the iconic New York Magazine share all sorts of information on this metropolis.

The introduction points out the ways in which Manhattan has constantly adapted and changed. For example, as the editors point out, South Street once contained warehouses while Soho had factories. Now, these neighborhoods are filled with trendy shops and restaurants. Industries changed also; once there were no longer so many factories other industries thrived here including publishing and finance. And so it goes, in this constantly evolving city. Get to know it through this title which takes innovation as its theme.

The book is arranged with alphabetical entries. so, for example, A has everything from Abstract Expressionism (which began here), to the Algonquin Round Table to the Automat and more. There are so many entries in this book. Readers can go in order or dip in and out. They will find something interesting wherever they land. Just a couple of others from the beginning of the alphabet are Big Bird and the Crossword puzzle.

This book would make a good gift for anyone who loves the city or wants to know more about it. With its many illustrations and entries, it is an entertaining read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

A Novel

by Jane Harper

Pub Date 02 Feb 2021   

The Survivors was my first encounter with a novel by Jane Harper although I have several of her books in my TBR pile. I only regret that it took this long to spend some time with this excellent author.

The Survivors is a bit of a slow burn of a book. It is set on Tasmania in a small community that is heavily impacted by the sea around it. The location with its small town, the beach, the caves and more is brought to vivid life. (Interestingly, I read that the author often thinks of place as one of the first things when she embarks on a novel).

There are many characters and they have numerous interconnections. Some are alive and some, who are no longer living, are those who were important to the novel’s characters in the past. Past tragedies, mysteries and disappearances all have their parts to play. There is also a murder in the present.

A sculpture called The Survivors was commissioned after a disaster at sea. But…there are other survivors as well. So, think about the title as you read.

This is a complex, rich novel and one that I highly recommend. I listened to it and the narration was very good. The male reader had the Australian accent that perfectly matched the story that he was reading.

Whether in book or audio format, I recommend this one highly.

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

by words&pictures

#PeoplewhohelpusAtTheHospital #NetGalley

This is a short book about those who work in the hospital. With its vivid pictures and rhyming text it provides a quick look at some hospital workers. While not extensive, this book provides a nice, un-scary view of a hospital and can help a child to see some of what happens there.

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

Pub date: November 10, 2020

A variety here. Enjoy.

Night Night, Norman

by Marie Dimitrova

#NightNightNorman #NetGalley

This is a sweet and engaging story with absolutely charming and, at times, amusing illustrations. Young horse lovers will truly enjoy it as will the adult who reads the story to them.

What happens to Norman after Ellie says good night to him? How will he spend his time until the morning? Young children will delight in finding out as they share in his adventures.

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