Famous Dishes from Around the World by Stephanie Maze

*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 require to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

English/Spanish. With well-known ethnic recipes that are both tasty and healthy, this book seeks to pay homage to immigrants through their culinary contributions to the United States. Compiled by lovers of good ethnic food who have lived all around the world, it features 30 well-known dishes that are identified with specific countries worldwide, such as Colombian Sancocho, French Ratatouille, Indian Vegetable Korma, Mexican Fajitas, Moroccan Tagine with Chicken, Greek Moussaka (with Turkey), Polish Lentil Stew, Indonesian Satay with Peanut Sauce, and Spanish Paella. The book includes background information about each dish, calorie and nutrition breakdowns of each recipe, and sections called “Cooking Tips and Tricks” and "Healthy Hints for the Home Cook." Famous Dishes is timely given our country’s current political state of affairs, and that it provides an engaging blend of both good food, ethnicity and health.

My thoughts-

It might be evident from the sheer fact that I review a plethora of cookbooks on this blog that I absolutely love food and cooking. Something that I also really enjoy is trying foods from all over the world. The recipes included here are some of the more popular recipes from many different places including Greece, France, Spain, India, and many other places. Some of my favorite recipes that are included in the book are Fajitas, Vegetable Korma, Moussaka, Irish Stew, and Huevos Rancheros. Famous Dishes from Around the World is a great addition to any kitchen. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes trying new things or who is interested in food from different places. 

The League of Extraordinarily Funny Women: 50 Trailblazers of Comedy by Sheila Moeschen

*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-

A celebration of the most groundbreaking women in comedy who used humor to shake up the status quo and change perceptions of gender and comedy forever.


Step aside, Seinfeld. It's time for the brave, hilarious women of comedy to finally get the recognition they deserve. The people who say women aren't funny are actually saying something else: that humor in the hands of women is radical and scary. Nevertheless, women have persisted for generations now, deploying their wit in game-changing ways. The League of Extraordinarily Funny Women is a beautifully illustrated book that showcases fifty women -- past and present -- who use humor to deliver cutting social commentary, tangle with sensitive subjects, challenge traditional ideas about femininity, and, above all, do anything but sit still and stay quiet when laughs are on the line.

The result is a sisterhood of empowering and often under-recognized figures who have gone on to become standups, writers, and actresses, including Mae West, Lucille Ball, Gilda Radner, Tina Fey, Amy Sedaris, Wanda Sykes, Ellen DeGeneres, Mindy Kaling, Jessica Williams, and many more.

My thoughts-

My husband and I are HUGE comedy fans. When I was pregnant with our first baby before we knew the gender, we picked out a boy name immediately but struggled hard to agree on a girl name. After about each contributing 30 names each that we both couldn't agree on we came to Madelyn and both immediately knew that had to be our daughter's name. You see, we were big fans of a movie called Young Frankenstein starring an extraordinarily gifte comedienne named Madeline Kahn. We love comedy so much that it took a comedian to influence our baby name decision (and of course that baby turned out to be a girl and she is a funny female in her own right. The last two years at her school's talent show, she has done a comedy act!). Madeline Kahn does not get a mention in this book (a travesty really) but there are 50 worthy women from all backgrounds, both personally and comedically, and different time periods who deserve their stories told in this book. I love that there are several different categories with a handful of comedians listed and their stories told. Some of my favorite people profiled in the book are Lucille Ball, Mindy Kaling, Tina Fey, Ellen DeGeneres, and Gilda Radnor. There were even a couple I have never heard of that now I will have to look up! I recommend this book to anyone who loves comedy. You can get your copy starting April 9!

The Keto All Day Cookbook by Martina Slajerova

*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-

Keto is the top-trending supportive diet. Bolstering its reputation is research that strongly suggests that a keto diet may help reverse diabetes, obesity, cancer, and the effects of aging. However, in order to reap the benefits, you need to stick to the keto plan at every meal. That can be challenging when eating breakfast during your commute or figuring out what to eat for dinner after a long day. And what to do about lunch? Especially when your lunch "hour" may be 10 minutes at your desk. With Keto All Day you won't be tempted to blow your keto diet on a carb-filled snack or a processed convenience meal simply because you are tired, rushed, or just don't know what to prepare.

Enjoy tasty, flavorful recipes for snacks and meals, such Breakfast Egg Muffins, Pizza Waffles, Carrot Cake Oatmeal, Southern Duck Deviled Eggs, Eggplant Parma Ham Rolls, and Taco Frittata. Keto All Day even has recipes for delicious drinks and desserts, including Cookie Dough Mousse, Boston Cream Pie, and Raspberry Lime Electrolyte Cooler. 

My thoughts-

The Keto All Day Cookbook is full of a variety of recipes that are both pleasing and satisfying. I like that there is a lunch section because that is where I struggle a lot when trying to come up with new keto recipes. There are also a lot of different ethnic dishes in here which I appreciate because I like changing up what I am eating and I enjoy foods from all around the world. I think I would eat nearly anything in this book. The Keto All Day Cookbook is the perfect cookbook for someone falling a ketogenic diet or who just want some new healthy recipes. 

Excellent Engineering Book Review

*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-

Learn to make a bottle submarine, a smartphone boombox, a weather vane, and more with this brilliant book of simple projects to do at home using everyday materials! Illustrated throughout and with step-by-step instructions, this book makes science fun and is a must for young engineers!

My thoughts-

Excellent Engineering is full of really cool projects for kids. These types of projects are exactly the types of fun projects my kids would love doing and that I want them doing because it helps them with their math and science skills, gives them a sense of accomplishment when they have completed them, and for the most part you can find the materials around your house so it isn't super expensive. I love that they are having fun while learning new things and challenging their brains without even realizing it. I recommend this book to anyone with elementary aged kids. 

Again, but Better by Christine Riccio

*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-

Shane has been doing college all wrong. Pre-med, stellar grades, and happy parents…sounds ideal -- but Shane's made zero friends, goes home every weekend, and romance…what’s that?

Her life has been dorm, dining hall, class, repeat. Time's a ticking, and she needs a change -- there's nothing like moving to a new country to really mix things up. Shane signs up for a semester abroad in London. She's going to right all her college mistakes: make friends, pursue boys, and find adventure!

Easier said than done. She is soon faced with the complicated realities of living outside her bubble, and when self-doubt sneaks in, her new life starts to fall apart.

Shane comes to find that, with the right amount of courage and determination one can conquer anything. Throw in some fate and a touch of magic - the possibilities are endless.

My thoughts-

I LOVED this book. I haven't loved a book this much in a while. This was my in flight read for my flight back to Dallas from an amazing vacation in New York City with one of my best friends today. I loved the book so much that I have to write about it today...after a very jam packed vacation and being completely exhausted because I love it *that* much. The first part of the book was cute and I enjoyed the references to some of my favorite bands and tv shows, but it was part two that made me completely swoon. I would describe this book not as a young adult novel, but as the book version of a rom-com. I love everything about it! Shane is a relatable character as she faces early adulthood and college and finding her own place in the world, something that is scary for most people, and I am head over heels for Pilot. If you are in love with love stories, like to laugh out loud, enjoy a book that makes you swoon or delight in references to alt rock bands from the late 90's/early 2000s, read this book! You can purchase your copy in May or pre-order it now on Amazon.