Thursday, January 30, 2020

Bento for Beginners by Chika Ravitch

*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-

Easy, tasty, and healthy are three great aspects of any good meal. Combine them all together—in an easy to-go box—and you have the beauty of bento. In Bento for Beginners, you’ll learn how this Japanese culinary art can help you build 60 appetizing, well-balanced lunches that can be taken just about anywhere.
In addition to recipes, the book is filled with tons of tips and tricks on streamlining prep time, how to improve the storage life of your ingredients (without using preservatives), the right containers to use, and what foods make the best (and easiest) fusion dishes. There’s so much to savor in these to-go treasure boxes.
My thoughts-
When my kids were younger, I got a lot of supplies to make the cutesy Bento boxes you see all over Pinterest with the cute character shapes made of food, but I think I only ever got around to doing a Bento like that one time. It is just too much work. My kids are older now, and my oldest who is in 6th grade is completely obsessed with all things Asian. She loves k-pop, and anime and pretty much any variation on Asian food she can try. These Bento ideas are simple and healthy and they all sound incredibly delicious. These are meals my husband would probably eat too at work so I will probably get a few Bento boxes for our three kids and a couple of more for us. I love the ideas in here and I am also happy that nutrition facts are included and ideas for extras to go with the particular main protein are included. The sky is the limit really. There is a focus on Japanese food with Bento boxes, of course, but in this book there are also fusion meals and American comfort food, giving us even more variety in the dishes we can make. I absolutely love it. I recommend this to any parent looking to make their kids healthier lunches for school. 

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

The Honey-Don't List by Christina Lauren

*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-

Carey Duncan has worked for home remodeling and design gurus Melissa and Rusty Tripp for nearly a decade. A country girl at heart, Carey started in their first store at sixteen, and—more than anyone would suspect—has helped them build an empire. With a new show and a book about to launch, the Tripps are on the verge of superstardom. There’s only one problem: America’s favorite couple can’t stand each other.

James McCann, MIT graduate and engineering genius, was originally hired as a structural engineer, but the job isn’t all he thought it’d be. The last straw? Both he and Carey must go on book tour with the Tripps and keep the wheels from falling off the proverbial bus.

Unfortunately, neither of them is in any position to quit. Carey needs health insurance, and James has been promised the role of a lifetime if he can just keep the couple on track for a few more weeks. While road-tripping with the Tripps up the West Coast, Carey and James vow to work together to keep their bosses’ secrets hidden, and their own jobs secure. But if they stop playing along—and start playing for keeps—they may have the chance to build something beautiful together…


My thoughts-

It's been a while since I have read a romantic comedy that I couldn't put down, but that is exactly what happened once I started (and quickly finished) The Honey Don't List. I am not even a huge HGTV person. I don't care about house renovations shows, although I have been to Magnolia because I live in Dallas and Waco just isn't so far away and it's a beautiful store. I still thought this story sounded interesting and I was right. I was more engaged in the love story between the main characters- the assistants to the big tv star couple- and them trying to get through the sham that they are caught between. I know a lot of people don't like the style of writing that includes flash backs and other types of enhancements, but I have always thought that presenting more than one time frame and other types of media that are expository in nature with excerpts from the news articles and social media outlets really help move the story along and these types of extra information always make the novel feel more whole to me. I absolutely love this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys contemporary romance.

Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Fresh from Poland by Michal Michal Korkosz

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

About the book-

Most people associate Polish cuisine with rich, heavy meats such as kielbasa. But in Fresh from Poland, MichaƂ Korkosz reveals a whole new side of his beloved culinary heritage—showcasing beautiful fruits, vegetables, grains, and herbs while still evoking the traditional food of his mother and grandmother.

Korkosz’s passion for food shines through in his award-winning photographs. Here is vegetable-forward comfort food for every occasion: Brown Butter Scrambled Eggs; Buckwheat Blini with Sour Cream; Sourdough Rye with Cultured Kefir Butter; Chilled Beet Soup with Cucumber, Radish, and Dill; Polish Cheesecake, and (of course) sweet and savory pierogi of every kind. Polish cuisine has never been more vibrant—or delicious.


About the book-

I love cooking a variety of foods from all around the world so when I see a region specific cookbook that I haven't really cooked from I am always interested to learn some new dishes. I thought it was also pretty cool that even though this is a Polish cuisine cookbook, that is is 100% vegetarian. I didn't think that took away from the book at all, and I think even non vegetarians (like myself) can find plenty to enjoy in these pages. I was specifically intrigued with the sauerkraut fritters, the side dishes, and the section on pierogi alone is worth getting the book. I also think all of the desserts sound delicious. I recommend this book to vegetarians looking for some diversity in their meals, as well as people who enjoy learning about other cultures and food from around the world. 

Thursday, January 23, 2020

Press Here! Face Workouts for Beginners by Nadira V. Persaud

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

About the book-

Press Here Face Workouts for Beginners offers age-defying results through a series of easy-to-follow pressure and massage techniques, which can be used as part of your daily skincare regime.

Benefits of facial workouts are more than aesthetics; a daily workout can have remarkable results in the way you feel. You'll be encouraged to focus on the feeling of each movement to identify problem areas or muscle tension in the face which can display deep lines, sagging skin, and an overall tired appearance.

Through the power of touch and focused breathing, these simple routines will help you feel more energizedde-stress, and maintain a toned and firm facial structure without the use of specialized equipment, whether you want to see a transformation immediately or over time.


My thoughts-

I had recently read about facial massage before coming across this book but didn't know exactly where to start. Press Here! gives countless exercises on taking care of your face, and other close by regions (neck, collarbone, ect). I have recently learned that I have tmj so I was hoping to find some exercises to relax my jaw and mouth muscles which I was delighted to find here. There are also great exercises to reduces baggy eyes and wrinkles, something most 30 something women like me would find interesting. There are also many other exercises targeting certain areas to reduce stress and help us look out best. I absolutely recommend this book to any woman looking for ways to look and feel her best!

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Tweet Cute by Emma Lord



*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-


Meet Pepper, swim team captain, chronic overachiever, and all-around perfectionist. Her family may be falling apart, but their massive fast-food chain is booming — mainly thanks to Pepper, who is barely managing to juggle real life while secretly running Big League Burger’s massive Twitter account.
Enter Jack, class clown and constant thorn in Pepper’s side. When he isn’t trying to duck out of his obscenely popular twin’s shadow, he’s busy working in his family’s deli. His relationship with the business that holds his future might be love/hate, but when Big League Burger steals his grandma’s iconic grilled cheese recipe, he’ll do whatever it takes to take them down, one tweet at a time.
All’s fair in love and cheese — that is, until Pepper and Jack’s spat turns into a viral Twitter war. Little do they know, while they’re publicly duking it out with snarky memes and retweet battles, they’re also falling for each other in real life — on an anonymous chat app Jack built.
As their relationship deepens and their online shenanigans escalate — people on the internet are shipping them?? — their battle gets more and more personal, until even these two rivals can’t ignore they were destined for the most unexpected, awkward, all-the-feels romance that neither of them expected.

My thoughts-

Tweet Cute immediately drew me in by the title alone. I love a good play on words! Once I read the plot synopsis above, I knew I would love it. I have twin boys so stories with twins always capture my attention and I can't resist a good love story either! There was so much to love about the book: the Twitter war between Jack and Pepper, the added romance of them falling for each other both in real life (although neither of them seem to know it is happening) while also falling in love on an app where neither know it's the other, and being set in on of my favorite places on Earth, New York City. There was heart written all over this story, it is definitely the type of book I see being turned into a movie or I think this one could even be a tv series really! Tweet Cute was the cutest teen rom-com novel I have read in a really long time. I recommend it to anyone who loves a good love story!

Sunday, January 12, 2020

Starting over at Blueberry Creek by Annie Rains

*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 aer 100% my own. 

About the book-


Firefighter Luke Marini moved to the small town of Sweetwater Springs with the highest of hopes - new town, new job, and new neighbors who know nothing of his past. And that's just how he wants to keep it. But it's nearly impossible when the gorgeous brunette next door decides to be the neighborhood welcome wagon. She's sugar, spice, and everything nice - but getting close to someone again is playing with fire.

Brenna McConnell put college on hold to raise her little sister. Now that Eve is grown, Brenna is ready to leave Blueberry Creek and finish what she started. Moving on isn't easy, however, when her gruff new neighbor gives Eve a dangerous firefighting job. And yet, even as Brenna is telling him off for putting her sister in harm's way, she can't deny the sizzling chemistry between them. She put her dreams on hold once. Is she willing to make that sacrifice again for a chance at forever?


My thoughts-

Annie Rains really tugs at my heartstrings with all of these books in the Sweetwater Springs series. I always look forward to her next book and the next couple I get to be swept away with. Starting over at Blueberry Creek had the added element of the main character's love interest being a Firefighter. I enjoyed watching the relationship between Luke and Brenna, who live next door to each other, unfold. I also enjoyed the secondary story of Brenna's sister becoming a firefighter. It is good to see a strong young woman doing what she wants in this world, no matter what anyone else thinks! I, of course, also LOVED seeing snippets of many of my favorite characters from the other series drop in to the story! I was sad when the book was over, but I saw a few little snippets of possible romance that could be future books in this series, so I will be patiently waiting for the next installment! I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys sweet, (mostly) innocent romance novels. 

Tuesday, January 7, 2020

The Buy Nothing, Get Everything Plan by Liesl Clark & Rebecca Rockefeller

*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 aer 100% my own. 

About the book-

In 2013, when friends Liesl Clark and Rebecca Rockefeller launched the first Facebook Buy Nothing Project group in their small town off the coast of Seattle, they never expected it to become a viral sensation. Today there are thousands of Buy Nothing groups all over the world, boasting more than a million members, and 5,000 highly active volunteers.

In their island community, Clark and Rockefeller discovered that the beaches of Puget Sound were spoiled by a daily influx of plastic items and trash washing on shore. From pens and toothbrushes to toys and straws, they wondered, where did it all come from? Of course, it comes from us—our homes, our backyards, our cars, and workplaces. And so, a rallying cry against excess stuff was born.

Inspired by the ancient practice of gift economies, where neighbors share and pool resources, The Buy Nothing, Get Everything Plan introduces an environmentally conscious 7-step guide that teaches us how to buy less, give more, and live generously. At once an actionable plan and a thought-provoking exploration of our addiction to stuff, this powerful program will help you declutter your home without filling landfills, shop more thoughtfully and discerningly, and let go of the need to buy new things. Filled with helpful lists and practical suggestions including 50 items you never need to buy (Ziploc bags and paper towels) and 50 things to make instead (gift cards and salad dressing), The Buy Nothing, Get Everything Plan encourages you to rethink why you shop and embrace a space-saving, money-saving, and earth-saving mindset of buying less and sharing more.


My thoughts-

I am a part of my local Buy Nothing group on Facebook. I always thought it was a fantastic idea so I was excited to learn more about what (and who) started the movement. I absolutely loved the book. I got some new ideas to present to my local book and some new ideas for my own giving and well being. I like that this is a step by step guide for spending less and giving more. I am so glad that the Buy Nothing Movement exists and I am hoping that this book will help it go even more viral.

To Drink and To Eat by Guillaume Long

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

About the book-

If you want to take your culinary skills from cook to master chef, you’ll need to know a few things. Where can you get not just good, but the best wild garlic? What are the tried-and-true utensils every master chef’s kitchen should have? Which recipe should you have in your back pocket for preparing to perfection at a moment’s notice? What are the best wine pairings for your next dinner party? Aspiring chefs who need new tricks in the kitchen: You’re not alone. Guillaume Long has asked and answered all your culinary questions.

My thoughts-

This was a fun way to present a book about cooking. I enjoyed the comics, but more importantly I enjoyed the tips and tricks for better culinary skills and the few recipes that were included. My husband booked a trip to Paris for us this summer that he gave me for Christmas so this was a good book to kick off the relentless French and Parisian reading I will inevitably be doing for the next five months. This is definitely a cookbook for someone who enjoys books with a graphic component. I recommend it to Francophiles, Graphic Novel fans, and fans of cooking.