150+ Gluten-Free Family Favorites by Tamara Dillon and Bonnie Root

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

Get Rid of the Gluten, Not the Good Taste

Are you one of the roughly three million people in the US who struggles with celiac disease? Do you have an intolerance or sensitivity to gluten? Whatever your reason for incorporating gluten-free foods into your daily diet, this one-of-a-kind cookbook adapts all your family favorite recipes into incredibly delicious gluten-free family favorites.

Ditch the gluten, but none of the foods you love, with these mouthwatering recipes:

Little Smoky BBQ Bacon Bites

Sinfully Cinnamon Cinnamon Rolls

Blissful Buttermilk Biscuits

Cilantro-Lime Shredded Chicken Tacos

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake

...and so much more!

Yes, you can still enjoy all your favorite foods and live a successful gluten-free life!

My thoughts-

Just looking at this book made me want to read it. I knew by the cover that there would be some great recipes in here. There was everything I could have possibly hoped for divided by sections, starting with the breakfast section and capping things off with both a holidays and kid friendly section. There were appealing options in every category and I like that the authors specified specific flours instead of making me go search for each different type of flour to make a gluten free flour on my own. It's so much easier and cheaper to buy a pre-made blend. I like that nothing in the book makes me think "that's a gluten free recipe". So many comfort foods and favorite foods are in these pages and that is especially important for my 10 year old daughter who has a gluten intolerance but doesn't want to feel different. I recommend this book to anyone who wants fantastic gluten free recipes all in one place. 

Martina's Kitchen Mix by Martina McBride

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

At home or on the road, Martina McBride is a consummate entertainer who feeds souls through her music, nurturing spirit, and delicious home cooking.

When she’s not on stage or in the studio, country music icon Martina McBride is mos t likely in the kitchen cooking with family and friends. Growing up on a farm in Kansas, Martina began helping in the kitchen at an early age, preparing fresh-from-the-field ingredients at her mother’s side. Meals and stories were shared daily around the table. It’s a tradition she continues with her own family as often as she can because real life is what’s worth celebrating. In this gorgeously photographed cookbook, readers will find more than 100 simple and satisfying recipes that entice with fresh, seasonal ingredients and downhome flavor. Whip up her family favorites like her mother-in-law Flavia’s Deviled Eggs, husband John’s Bacon-Wrapped Olives, or her go-to Grilled Shrimp Tacos with Chipotle Sauce and Slaw. Mix things up in your own kitchen by following Martina’s inspired ideas to feed a handful or a houseful.

My thoughts-

Martina McBride has long been one of my favorite country artists. I was lucky enough to see her sing live in Nashville many years ago and I remember thinking how does such a powerful voice come out of such a tiny human? I was excited to see she had a cookbook and even more excited to see that she has a fantastic ability to put together a good recipe. I would try pretty much anything in this book. What I really loved that many of these were creative recipes I haven't seen before but that they sound completely delicious. I can't wait to get in my kitchen and to try out some of these fantastic recipes! I recommend this book to anyone who loves Martina McBride or who loves to experiment in the kitchen and have a wide array of interesting and tasty recipes at their fingertips.

Curiositree: The Human Tree by AJ Wood, Mike Jolley

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-


CHOOSE YOUR OWN LEARNING ADVENTURE with Curiositree, a new series of visually compelling information charts. In the second title, Human World, discover the myriad reasons why humans have become the most successful species on the planet. Travel from our earliest beginnings to the modern day, and discover how our evolution is interconnected by following the arrows that link to charts on related topics throughout the book. Including the development of farming, the origins of writing, religion, trade, weapons, and armor, the first cities and the growth of technology in the modern age, this visual compendium of wonders from the mind of man is full of fascinating information for curious young readers. 

My thoughts-

This is such a cool book! The colorful graphs and beautiful pictures make learning about the past even more fun. My kids are insatiable learners, and love to learn facts and gain knowledge. Human World allows them to do that regarding so many different subjects on humans and our world. This small little book holds a great deal of knowledge just waiting to be shared with kids who love to learn. Human World would make a great book for a home school library or would be great for any kid who loves to learn about the world around them. 

Simply Bento by Yuko Yagi, Noriko Yura

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

From the creators of Japanese Cooking 101, Simply Bento is a complete collection of nearly 100 delicious and healthy bento recipes for everyone in the family. 

Ready to make lunch quick, easy, and delicious? Traditional Japanese bento boxes are single-portion packed lunches usually made with things like steamed rice, vegetables, and sushi, and they have long been one of the main pillars of Japanese cuisine.

Today, bento boxes have become hugely popular in both the East and West, creating a fusion of incredible flavor combinations. Simply Bento features nearly 100 healthy, delicious bento recipes you can make for every day of the week using a combination of traditional and non-traditional ingredients! Learn the essential components for a bento box, how to assemble your box, and the everyday items you will need in your pantry.

Simply Bento comes to you from the creators of the popular site Japanese Cooking 101, and shows you the finer points of making:10-Minute BentoNoodle BentoLow-Carb BentoVegan BentoSandwich BentoPopular Japanese BentoMake-ahead BentoSo if you're in the mood for Teriyaki Chicken, Ramen, Avocado Pasta Salad, Cauliflower Fried Rice, Falafel, Tempura, or Chicken Nugget for the kids, then Simply Bento has the bento recipes for all of them and more!

My thoughts-

While there have been some improvements to public school lunches since the 80's and 90's while I was in school, I still think they have a long way to go before they get anywhere near the healthy meals I would want my kids buying at school, so my kids take their lunch. Packing kid lunches you can still fall in the trap of unhealthy foods as well, so I am always looking for new ideas on healthy lunch choices. The Japanese food art of bento has always interested me, but I have never found a book like this that breaks down the history and art of it. I love that there are plenty of traditional Japanese options in the book, but that there are also some Americanized ideas as well. There are intricate lunches that might take some time and effort to make, but there are some that would be quicker to throw together. I also love that these are meals my husband and kids would enjoy, and that they are healthy choices for all of them but will still be tasty and flavorful. I recommend this book to anyone looking to up their lunch game or just wanting to learn more about Japanese food culture. 

The Lost Carousel of Provence by Juliet Blackwell

*Disclosure of material connection-I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

An artist lost to history, a family abandoned to its secrets, and the woman whose search for meaning unearths it all in a sweeping and expressive story from the New York Times bestselling author of Letters from Paris.

Long, lonely years have passed for the crumbling Château Clement, nestled well beyond the rolling lavender fields and popular tourist attractions of Provence. Once a bustling and dignified ancestral estate, now all that remains is the château's gruff, elderly owner and the softly whispered secrets of generations buried and forgotten.
 
But time has a way of exposing history's dark stains, and when American photographer Cady Drake finds herself drawn to the château and its antique carousel, she longs to explore the relic's shadowy origins beyond the small scope of her freelance assignment. As Cady digs deeper into the past, unearthing century-old photographs of the Clement carousel and its creators, she might be the one person who can bring the past to light and reunite a family torn apart.

My thoughts-

I often find myself drawn to books that take place in more than one time period, especially if one of the time periods happens to be during WWII. I have always gravitated towards stories set during that time, and lately I am especially interested in stories that deal with the French Resistance Movement. What I really loved about The Lost Carousel of Provence is that it is full of layers- there are 3 time periods, and one of the main characters is in both of them. His character is significantly younger in the older time period and I think Juliet Blackwell does a terrific job at making sure we see what has happened in his younger years has really effected how he is in the present day story. I like that there is an element of mystery surrounding Fabrice and his direct ancestors both in the past and present. I found him to be the fabric that tied all of the stories in each time together. I liked that there were elements of suspense, romance, and history running throughout the book. I recommend this book to anyone interested in WWII, France, and Women's Fiction. 

The Edible Cookie Dough Cookbook by Olivia Hops

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

The Edible Cookie Dough Cookbook is exactly what someone with a big sweet tooth needs for endless options of great desserts. I think many people enjoying eating cookie dough, but this book allows you do that safely. It also delivers the opportunity to try a wide array of recipe options for every palate and has recipes that would fit nearly every dessert making occasion. The first section focuses on cookie dough recipes. Most are pretty simple recipes, but there are a few more intricate ones as well. The second section allows you to use your cookie doughs to make out of this world desserts if you want to do something more complicated or mix more flavors together. I recommend this book to the cookie dough enthusiast or anyone who enjoys a homemade sweet treat.

The Dinner List by Rebecca Serle

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

“We’ve been waiting for an hour.” That’s what Audrey says. She states it with a little bit of an edge, her words just bordering on cursive. That’s the thing I think first. Not: Audrey Hepburn is at my birthday dinner, but Audrey Hepburn is annoyed.”

At one point or another, we’ve all been asked to name five people, living or dead, with whom we’d like to have dinner. Why do we choose the people we do? And what if that dinner was to actually happen? These are the questions Rebecca Serle contends with in her utterly captivating novel, THE DINNER LIST, a story imbued with the same delightful magical realism as One Day, and the life-changing romance of Me Before You.

When Sabrina arrives at her thirtieth birthday dinner she finds at the table not just her best friend, but also three significant people from her past, and well, Audrey Hepburn. As the appetizers are served, wine poured, and dinner table conversation begins, it becomes clear that there’s a reason these six people have been gathered together.

Delicious but never indulgent, sweet with just the right amount of bitter, THE DINNER LIST is a romance for our times. Bon appetit.

My thoughts-

I was so excited to read The Dinner List because the concept seemed so interesting. I think many of us have been posed the question, if you could have dinner with 5 people living or dead who would they be? This book takes that question and helps paint a picture of what that might be like. Sabrina has this happen to her in the book at her 30th birthday. There is only one famous person in the mix, Audrey Hepburn, but she ties together several of the people in Sabrina's life and makes the story more interesting to boot, she may have been my favorite part of the book. The Dinner List explores several key relationships in Sabrina's life- her relationship with her estranged father, her best friend who she seems to have lost her connection with, and the love of her life, Tobias, and the struggles they went through and what happened that ultimately lead to their parting. The book is heartbreaking and romantic and keeps you turning page after page to see what exactly happened in all of these relationships. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read something refreshing and new or who enjoys contemporary literature. 

Fizz Boom Bath! By Isabel Bercaw, Caroline Bercaw

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions are 100% my own. 

About the book-

Have you ever been at a store and found yourself staring longingly at a table full of scrumptious-looking bath bombs, shower melts, or lotion bars and thought, “Gee, it would be fun to make these at home, but where the heck would I begin?!” Well, we’re here to take the mystery out of bath and body recipes and give you all the tools you need to crown yourself Archbishop of Bathtopia. We’ll hold your hand every step of the way, and then we’ll exfoliate it with some sugar scrub when we’re finished! This book will teach you how to create all kinds of delightful, natural, homemade treats. From fizzers to scrubs, masks to soaps, bubble bars to shower melts, we’ve got you covered.

My thoughts-

A few years ago I bought several bath bomb molds on a whim and started making my own. At first it took some trial and error, but I found a few recipes online that worked well. Fizz Boom Bath! Is full of interesting, fun, new bath bomb recipes to take my bath bomb making to the next level. What I really love about the book is that there are so many other do it yourself beauty product recipes in the book including bath jellies, hand scrubs, lotions, foot masks, ect. Most of these recipes have stuff that I have lying around the house to try out these fun recipes. Fizz Boom Bath! is an excellent resource for making beauty products at home. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys D.I.Y. or  beauty products.