Review: If You Were Me and Lived In... Colonial America by Carole P. Roman

Title:If You Were Me and Lived In... Colonial America: An Introduction to Civilizations Throughout Time
Series: If You Were Me and Lived In...
Author: Carole P. Roman
Artist: Sarah Wright
Format: Paperback
Pub. Date: April 24th 2017
Source: Author


Book Description:

Join Carole P. Roman and travel through time to visit the most interesting civilizations throughout history in the first four books of her new series. Learn what kind of food you might eat in Ancient Greece, the clothes you wore in 15th century Renaissance Italy, what your name could be in Elizabethan England, and what Colonial American children did for fun. If You Were Me and Lived in...does for history what her other award-winning series did for culture. So get on-board this time-travel machine and discover the world through the eyes of a young person just like you.

Review:

★★★★

I'm a pretty big fan of these books. I think they're a great introduction to history for young readers. This book is no exception. This is a good, age appropriate introduction to American history.

One thing that's super helpful is that there are phonetic pronunciations are given for words that may be unfamiliar. However, I do think the words chosen seem sort of odd. For example, "Catholic" has phonetics, but "Protestant" does not. You also learn some new words- like "daub" or "wattle".

There's a lot of information in these small books. This includes a glossary section in the back, as well as a guide with some famous people from this period in history.

There's a stray typo or two, but nothing too major.

The illustrations are very cute, and go well with the text. There's a good balance of words and photos on each page, which is good for maintaining focus.

I think this is a good intro to American history, that tells a lot, but doesn't get into too much horrific detail.

I received a copy in exchange for my honest review. Thank you!

Review: The Family Tree Cemetery Field Guide by Joy Neighbors

Title: The Family Tree Cemetery Field Guide: How to Find, Record, and Preserve Your Ancestor's Grave
Author: Jun Asuka
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: October 20th 2017
Source: Netgalley


Book Description:

Not all research can be done from home--sometimes you have to head into the field. Cemeteries are crucial for any genealogist's search, and this book will show you how to search for and analyze your ancestors' graves. Discover tools for locating tombstones, tips for traipsing through cemeteries, an at-a-glance guide to frequently used gravestone icons, and practical strategies for on-the-ground research. And once you've returned home, learn how to incorporate gravestone information into your research, as well as how to upload grave locations to BillionGraves and record your findings in memorial pages on Find A Grave.

Detailed step-by-step guides to finding ancestors' cemeteries using websites like Find A Grave, plus how to record and preserve death and burial information
Tips and strategies for navigating cemeteries and finding individual tombstones in the field, plus an at-a-glance guide to tombstone symbols and iconography
Resources and techniques for discovering other death records and incorporating information from cemeteries into genealogical research

Review:

★★★

I'm pretty interested in cemeteries and history, so I was happy to get my hands on this book. It was a solid read- just a bit basic for my personal needs.

The book is divided into four main parts. Part One is planning your trip. It's sort of the 101 course of what you'll need to do and what you'll need to know on your expedition. Part two is researching on hallowed ground. It's how to read grave markers and tombstones, what the different symbols mean, etc. Part three is making sense of your research and delves into how to dig into all your data. Part four is digging deeper, and deals with things like records and preservation. There's also a final appendix, which includes worksheets and more records/information to help you organize better.

The book is a little scattered, and information can be a bit hard to find. The part divisions are more of guidelines than hard rules, and sometimes topics switch seemingly at random. It's a bit irritating.

It wasn't as dry as I was expecting to be. It's certainly more of a guide book and less of a text book. That said, in some spots the tone of the book was a bit condescending. Again, just mildly irritating.

This is probably a really good guide for people who have never done any genealogy before, or who are unfamiliar with cemeteries in general. But for those who already know a bit about it, it's a fair bit of information that you probably already know. It's a good basic start, but is not all encompassing (though I'm sure that'd be nearly impossible). There are icons and grave types, for example, that aren't mentioned. I was actually hoping to find more information about a specific style that's prevalent in my area, but no dice.

If you're new to this field of study, this is a great place to start. There's resources, worksheets, advice, and helpful tips. But if not, this book may have limited offerings for you.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

HOLIDAY COUNTDOWN Review: Venison by Jonathon Wipfli

Title: Venison: The Slay to Gourmet Field to Kitchen Cookbook
Author: Jonathon Wipfli
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: October 1st 2017
Source: Netgalley


Book Description:

Written and photographed by the team behind Slay to Gourmet, a Minneapolis-based catering service specializing in wild game, Venison takes readers through author, chef, and outdoorsman Jonathon Wipfli's technique for quickly and efficiently processing a deer, as well as a raft of contemporary recipes for venison dishes and accompanying sides.

Wipfli describes and illustrates the breakdown of a deer, focusing on the fronts, middles, and rears before proceeding to more specific cuts like sirloins, shanks, ribs, loins, roasts, sausage scraps, and more. Whether the reader has been hunting for two years or for thirty, there’s a good chance they’ve never approached processing by muscle groups. Wipfli demystifies them and in the process shows the value of individual cuts and how to maximize one's quarry.

More than 50 recipes for venison and accompanying accoutrements and sides are beutifully photographed and presented. The result is a venison book like no other, sure to appeal to those new hunters as well as veteran outdoorspeople.

Review:

★★★★

When I saw this book, I knew I had to read it. My fiance absolutely LOVES venison. It's her favorite thing ever and is super nostalgic for her, because her grandfather used to hunt & prepare it when she was a kid. And, I try to adapt my recipes to include the things she loves; but I've never prepared venison before. Wipfli's Venison is a very approachable first look at all things deer to the heart.

The book is divided into three sections. The first part is the hunt, and it goes into how one catches a deer and narrations about hunting. It was interesting, since I'm not even outdoorsy, let alone a huntress.

The second part is the butchery. As you probably guessed, it's about how to butcher a deer. Like, all of it. I honestly wasn't really prepared for the graphic photos of a whole deer, but, that's what venison is so I don't know why I was caught off guard. But this portion of the book is very well written. It includes photos of each and every step, as well as descriptions on what to do. It goes pretty far in depth, but it is written in really basic terms so it's easy to understand even if you're not chunking out meat as part of your regular daily routine.

The third part of this book is the recipes: shareables and entrees. Though this section is the last, it is certainly not the least. By far, this is the largest section of the three- you're getting more recipes than any other content included in the book. The recipes have short, easy to follow steps. When it came to some harder techniques, the book again included step by step photos to help you through the process. I really appreciate this as someone who just isn't that familiar with the meat.

A few of the recipes that sound the best include venison meatballs with cherry BBQ sauce and venison and pineapple chili.

All in all, I think this is a really good cookbook, especially for those who are either intimidated or inexperienced with cooking venison. I'd for sure buy a copy of this for my fiance. I also think it'd make a good gift for a hunter or a midwesterner (I don't know about other places in the US but I know here in the Midwest we love us some venison). It sort of goes without saying, but if you're squeamish about meat or animals, this might not be the book for you.

I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Mini College Review: The Whipping Man by Samuel French

Title: The Whipping Man
Author: Samuel French
Format: Paperback, 84 pages
Pub. Date: November 3rd 2009
Source: SIU Bookstore


Book Description:

Drama / Characters: 3 male It is April, 1865. The Civil War is over and throughout the south, slaves are being freed, soldiers are returning home and in Jewish homes, the annual celebration of Passover is being celebrated. Into the chaos of war-torn Richmond comes Caleb DeLeon, a young Confederate officer who has been severely wounded. He finds his family's home in ruins and abandoned, save for two former slaves, Simon and John, who wait in the empty house for the family's return. As the three men wait for signs of life to return to the city, they wrestle with their shared past, the bitter irony of Jewish slave-owning and the reality of the new world in which they find themselves. The sun sets on the last night of Passover and Simon - having adopted the religion of his masters - prepares a humble Seder to observe the ancient celebration of the freeing of the Hebrew slaves from Egypt, noting with particular satisfaction the parallels to their current situation. But the pain of their enslavement will not be soothed by this tradition, and deep-buried secrets from the past refuse to be hidden forever as the play comes to its shocking climax. The Whipping Man is a play about redemption and forgiveness, about the lasting scars of slavery, and the responsibility that comes with freedom. "A mesmerizing drama." - Peter Filichia, Newark Star-Ledger "A cause for celebration. Mathew Lopez has come as close as any author could to producing a microcosm of the genesis of a wide range of today's Black American males." - Bob Rendell, Talkin' Broadway "I can see why director Lou Bellamy chose this play for Penumbra, whose most famous alumnus is playwright August Wilson. In its complex welter of issues, in its interior explorations...The Whipping Man is Wilsonian." - Rohan Preston, Minneapolis Star-Ledger "Succeeds with an uncanny maturity in using sharply drawn characters and rich metaphor to wrestle Wilson-like with epic American issues of race, religion, and responsibility. Someone must succeed Wilson; it might as well be Lopez" - Tim Gihring, Minnesota Monthly

Review:

★★★★★

I had to read "The Whipping Man" in my American literature course in college. It is the best piece of fiction that I got to read the whole semester.

This play is absolutely fantastic. I can honestly say that I've never read a story like this one.

The characters are a mix of Jewish home owners and slaves during the Civil War era. I can honestly say in all my years of education (and reading for fun) I've never read a story that weaves these two points of view together. But the incredible way that French has written this story, it seems like a common sense pairing. It works so well.

The characters are well developed. They're distinct, and they feel real. I had feelings toward them all. Not all of those feelings were positive, but I was emotionally invested in the way these characters developed and grew, the way their backgrounds are teased to the surface, the way each of them struggle and have faith in their own way.

It's rugged. It's gritty. It's real. It feels almost like you could be watching this unfold from through the window. There's a particularly gnarly leg amputation that is very well detailed, that sets the tone of dirt and blood and alcohol and grit that gives this play a distinct tone. That said, it's not all drama and heartbreak. It's rather comedic, which I did not anticipate even a little. I was pleasantly surprised, and it keeps you reading and connects you to particular characters.

It's a short play, but there's so much packed into these 90 pages.

I sincerely hope I get the chance to see this on stage. It's fantastic, and I can't recommend it enough.

Review: Meet Me in My Cape Cod Kitchen by Linda Maria Steele

Title: Meet Me in My Cape Cod Kitchen: Recipes for Seaside Living
Author: Linda Maria Steele
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: November 28th 2015
Source: Netgalley


Book Description:

With more than 60 delicious recipes, this book celebrates sharing good food with family and friends, inspired by the sweetness of living by the beach. Accompanied by food photography and beautiful Cape Cod landscapes, chapters focus on baked goods such as cakes, cookies, quick breads, cheesecake and biscotti, as well as appetizers, entrees, and salads and even summertime-perfect drinks. Many of the easy-to-follow recipes rely on seasonal and regional ingredients, such as Linda's Supreme Lemon Cake, Cape Cod Cranberry Loaf, Turkey and Cranberry Empanadas, Linda's Simple Lobster Salad, and Bella's Raspberry Tea. Children will enjoy helping with treats such as Nana's No-Fail Sugar Cookie Recipe, which the author makes with lobster-shaped cookie cutters. This celebration of Cape Cod focuses on gratitude for simple pleasures and includes reflections on life in a seaside community.

Review:

★★

One and a half stars.

I've got to be honest, I'm super disappointed in this one. I picked it up because I used to live in Massachusetts, and I miss the food on the coast. This didn't deliver.

The recipes are sorted by course. Chapters include topics such as "The Art of the Appetizer", "Thirst Quenchers", and "The Joy of Salad". But, there's not always much meat to them, so to speak. Cheesecake, for example, has a whole chapter, but there's only two recipes in it. So, not much of a point there.

Let's talk about the good parts of the recipes. They're pretty straight forward, with easy to follow, numbered instructions. It's approachable, and not very intimidating. That'd be good if I were new to cooking. There's also a lot of personal touches throughout the book. There's little stories and poems in between the recipes. It sets a nice tone.

Now, the not so good. The pictures are awful. They're really small, and they're not even high quality. They look like photos taken off a stock page or website. There's also a lot of clip art. I don't know why there needs to be clip art, it makes it look unprofessional and dated.

I'm also disappointed that in a Cape Cod focused cookbook, there's literally only 5 seafood recipes. And one of those is for breaded fillets.

Normally, at the end of a cookbook review, I pick the three recipes that I think sound the best to highlight. I usually have more than three, but pare it down. This is a rare time where I only found two recipes that sounded worth making.

Those recipes would be Turkey and Cranberry Empanadas and Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cheesecake.

All in all, this is a book I was super excited for. But the weird clip art and the "meh" recipes make it come off like a book put together by a classroom or Girl Scout troop as opposed to a published one. I wouldn't recommend it.

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Cookbook Review: Dishing Up Minnesota by Teresa Marrone

Title: Dishing Up® Minnesota: 150 Recipes from the Land of 10,000 Lakes
Author: Teresa Marrone
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: June 28th 2016
Source: Storey Publishing, LLC/Netgalley


Book Description:

These 150 mouthwatering recipes, contributed by some of Minnesota’s best chefs, farmers, and foragers and accompanied by gorgeous photography, celebrate the state’s outstanding and unique cuisine. You’ll find dishes featuring fish from the lakes as well as morels and chanterelles, wild blueberries, wild game, beef and bison, orchard fruits, berries, dairy products, and much more. There are recipes inspired by German, Scandinavian, East Asian, and African traditions, as well as dishes from fairs and food trucks. There’s something here for everyone, from Carrot Risotto and Dry-Fried Sugar Snap Peas to North Shore Fish Cakes; Wild Cherry Jelly; Northland Venison Burger with Wild Rice; Bison, Bacon & Cheddar Meatballs; Busy-Day Pho; Egg Coffee; Gravlax; Varmland Potato Sausage; Hmong Chicken Larb; Tater Tot Nachos; Thai Peanut Caramel Popcorn; Honey Pecan Pie; Classic Pound Cake with Cardamom; and Apple Dessert Hotdish.

Review:

★★★ ★

Three and a half stars.

Ah, Minnesota. Home of the hot dish. Being a Midwestern girl, I love learning recipes from my own neck of the woods. Minnesota is in my region, but ultimately isn't a place I associate with food. This book helped to teach me more.

The good outweighed the not-so-good in this book. I really liked the amount of information that was smooshed into it. There's all sorts of historical notes and facts about Minnesota. There's also some inviting information about places to visit, as well as a guide to all the festivals that are hosted throughout the state.

The recipes themselves sounded delicious, and came off as approachable to a home cook. The instructions have numbered steps, making it easier to follow along. There's also notes about substitutions when you don't have certain ingredients, or can't consume them. This is something that I wish more cookbooks had, and I appreciated it here. There's also quote a few vegetarian dishes, and even some gluten-free ones. This was a pleasant surprise, because I know we aren't known for our health-consciousness here in the middle of the country. There's also some drink recipes, and there's a list of sources included.

The pictures were okay, but I wish there were more photos of the finished dishes. There's pictures of ingredients, or some of the steps, but not so much of the "ta da! Here's what it should like!" type. That's mainly what I look for when I look for a new cookbook.

I like that there was an homage to the many cultures that call Minnesota home. Some recipes of Native American, German, and Scandinavian origins are in this book, and it was these types of recipes that I found the most interesting and that I most want to enjoy.

The one thing that really annoyed me about this book is the way that the recipes are organized. They're organized by type of dish. Now when I say that, I don't mean divided by ingredient, or by course, or by occasion. More like general labels of "how would this be categorized?" Some of the chapters include The Land of 10000 Lakes, Multi-Cultural Specialties, and Fairs. This leads to the recipes being in a really, really weird order. For example, blueberry pie and mushroom soup are next to each other. It's awkward, and incredibly hard to navigate.

That aside, the dishes in this book sound delicious. Some of the ones that I thought sounded great include Grilled Venison Loin with Honey, Juniper, and Black Pepper Glaze , Pickle-Brined Chicken Nuggets with Dill Horsey Sauce, and Honey and Sunflower Ice Cream.

I think this book does Minnesota justice, said as someone who isn't from there. It's full of yummy sounding things with easy to follow instructions, and I'd recommend it to those looking for more Americana type recipes.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Dishing Up New Jersey by John Holl

Title: Dishing Up® New Jersey: 150 Recipes from the Garden State
Author: John Holl
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: May 17th 2016
Source: Netgalley/Storey Publishing, LLC


Book Description:

New Jersey native John Holl searched from Sussex County to Cape May to find the best recipes New Jersey has to offer, and the result is this rich and unique cookbook celebrating the foods, flavors, cultures, and traditions of the Garden State. These 150 recipes include dishes featuring New Jersey’s own produce — tomatoes, corn, cranberries, blueberries, apples — along with deep-fried boardwalk treats, late-night diner bites, and recipes contributed by casinos, bison and dairy farms, food trucks, old-school delis, famous bakeries, and more. You’ll find Pork Roll Surprise, Cucumber Gazpacho, Ukrainian Holubtsi, Funnel Cake at Home, Tomato and Onion Salad, Jersey Green Clam Chowder, Sunday Gravy, Saltwater Taffy, Traditional Amish Chili, Classic Lawrenceville Mac & Cheese, Jersey Disco Fries, Fresh Jersey Corn Cakes, Honey Thyme Caramel, Black and Blue Cobbler — and a classic Taylor Ham, Egg, and Cheese Sandwich. Beautifully photographed, this collection is the ultimate tribute to New Jersey’s best.

Review:

★★★★

Three and a half stars.

So, fun fact. I don't know anything about New Jersey, or the food that's eaten there. I'm a midwestern girl, so this was quite the informative book. I will say that at the very least, I know more now than I did before!

The book is divided by a combination of course and ingredients. Sections include "Rise and Shine", "Sweet Treats", and "Down the Shore". This is the way I like my cookbooks to be organized, so this is a big plus from me.

Each recipe has numbered steps, which I think makes this book an accessible one to those who aren't used to being in the kitchen. There's also a ton of fun facts sprinkled in this book, and the commentary that Holl provides is pretty funny- you'll actually want to read the text of the cookbook and not just the recipes.

What I thought was cool about this book is that it includes recipes from some in-state venues, as well as a festival and restaurant/resource guide. It shows a certain state pride, like "hey, don't just make this at home, come here and try it yourself!" It's inviting. There are also recipes from a BUNCH of different cultures, which I appreciated because it shows how diverse the phrase "New Jersey Cooking" can be depending on who you ask. Recipes from the Ukraine, India, Ireland, and more all are included.

Another big plus for this book is the difference in the type of recipes listed. There are some healthy dishes, some that are paleo, and some that are veggie friendly. It's a nice mix.

I do have some hang ups, though. There were nowhere near enough photos for my preference, which was a bit of a let down. Especially because so many things sounded SO GOOD. There are also quite a few really basic recipes in here, like deviled eggs and iced tea, that are just classic renditions. I'm sure they'll be useful to some people, but they were skip-able to me.

Some of the dishes that I would love to make from this book include Thanksgiving Inspired Chicken and Waffles, Taylor Ham, Egg, and Cheese Soup, and Limoncello Cheesecake.

This is another cookbook that I think is good for both beginners and the more seasoned chef, no pun intended. If you depend on photo finishes, be wary. It's a funny book with delicious sounding recipes and a good dose of Americana.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Nashville Eats by Jennifer Justus

Title: Nashville Eats: Hot Chicken, Buttermilk Biscuits, and 100 More Southern Recipes from Music City
Author: Jennifer Justus
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: October 6th 2015
Source: ABRAMS


Book Description:

If it seems like Nashville is everywhere these days—that’s because it is. GQ recently declared it “Nowville,” and it has become the music hotspot for both country and rock. But as hot as the music scene is, the food scene is even hotter.

In Nashville Eats, more than 100 mouthwatering recipes reveal why food lovers are headed South for Nashville’s hot chicken, buttermilk biscuits, pulled pork sandwiches, cornmeal-crusted catfish, chowchow, fried green tomatoes, and chess pie. Author Jennifer Justus whips up the classics—such as pimento cheese and fried chicken—but also includes dishes with a twist on traditional Southern fare—such as Curried Black Chickpeas or Catfish Tacos. And alongside the recipes, Jennifer shares her stories of Nashville—the people, music, history, and food that make it so special.

Review:

★★★★★

If you would have asked me a year ago about Nashville cooking, I wouldn't have known or cared much about it. But over this past summer, my family and I had a vacation in Nashville, and I absolutely fell in love with the place. From the music scene, to the bar scene, to the glorious food I shoved in my face, I hope to return many more times. I saw this book, and I had to have it. I wasn't disappointed.

The recipes in this book are divided by course: Scones Pones and Rolls, Starters and Salads, Birds, Meats, Fish, Veggies and Sides, Put-Ups, Sweets, and Drinks. What's really cool is that these sections include kitchen playlists. I have never seen a cookbook that came with music recommendations, and I love the Nashville touch it gives the collection. There's also a lot of personal connections and histories, giving the book a rustic, down-home charm.

The steps are written in paragraph format and are easy to follow. This book is FULL of pictures, and I absolutely love that. I hate cookbooks without pictures, so I really appreciated the volume of them in this book. It also made me more excited to cook, because good lord these dishes look amazing. I think this book is approachable to all skill levels. Some dishes are easier than others, but the steps are super clear and it's altogether not very intimidating for a beginner.

It's very hard for me to just pick a few recipes to highlight, because so much of this food sounds (and looks) amazing, but I must do what I must do. Some of the dishes that I'm most eager to try include Fried Hot Chicken on White Bread with Pickle*, Beef Brisket with Blue Cheese Grits, RC Cola Baked Ham, Watermelon Rind Pickles, Chess Pie, and a Float Named Sue.

*I will try very much in vain to make it as delicious as Prince's, but I know that I will hardcore fail.

This book is a must have for those who love southern comfort foods. I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Mini Review: The Cowboy's Cookbook by Sherry Monahan

Title: The Cowboy's Cookbook: Recipes and Tales from Campfires, Cookouts and Chuck Wagons
Author: Sherry Monahan
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: August 4th 2015
Source: Rowan and Littlefield


Book Description:

From chuckwagon recipes to dutch-oven favorites for your own campfire, The Cowboy's Cookbook features recipes, photos, and lore celebrating the cowboy’s role in the shaping of the American West. From songs sung around the campfire after hearty meals of steak, beans, and skillet cornbread to the recipes you'll need to recreate those trailside meals in your own kitchen, this book will get you in touch with the spirit of the Old West.

Sherry Monahan is the President of Western Writers of America, and holds memberships in Women Writing the West, the Author’s Guild, the Wild West History Association, National Genealogical Society, Association of Professional Genealogists, and the National Women’s History Museum. She has her own column (Frontier Fare) in and is a contributing editor for True West magazine. Other publications include Mrs. Earp and Frontier Fare (both TwoDot) Tombstone Times, Tombstone Tumbleweed, Tombstone Epitaph, Arizona Highways, and other freelance works. She was a contributor to The Best of the Best of Arizona and Encyclopedia of Prostitution and Sex Work.

Review:

★★★

Thanks to my recent binge reading of romance novels, I've gotten quite the infatuation with cowboys. I also really love to cook. So, it made complete sense to me that I needed to read The Cowboy's Cookbook. Unfortunately, it wasn't what I expected.

It's divided into sections for ease of access, such as the introduction, guide to the dutch oven, a list of cowboy slang, photos, and history.

I would have rated this book higher if it was marketed as more of a food history book and not a cookbook, since there was more information on history and the like and less emphasis on how to cook. It was cool learning the meaning of the slang and seeing why cowboys cooked some of the things that they did, and how they became so popular. However, it reads more like a text book than a text book. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it's not at all what I was expecting when I got this book.

The recipes in this book, I can take or leave. While it was interesting to see them coupled with the history, I'm not very likely to try to make them in the future. They were really easy, basic things such as coffee and beans. Plus, there were next to no pictures for the recipe sections. That's a really important thing to me in a cookbook, and it's another way this one fell short for me.

I think this is a great book for those who are interested in Western history or food history, or for those who are looking for simple recipes to begin with. But if you're looking for a true "cookbook" with lots of recipes and pictures, maybe give this one a pass.

I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Haunted Plantations of the South by Richard Southall

Title: Haunted Plantations of the South

Author: Richard Southall

Format: egalley

Pub. Date: June 8th 2015

Source: Llewellyn Publications



Book Description via Goodreads:

When you hear the word "plantations," most people think of grand homes with pillars and sweeping staircases. These houses of grandeur were located all through the South in the days before the Civil War, and there are some that still resonate with the loveliness they had in their heyday. These majestic homes have a long history, and some of those who lived in these homes remain today. The ghosts of soldiers, slaves, and the elite family who lived in the plantation homes still wander the halls.

Richard Southall explores gorgeous plantation homes and those that are abandoned and in decay to present a colorful history of the ghosts that linger there.

Review:

★★★

The American South holds a special place in my heart. For too short of a time, I lived in Louisiana. I immersed myself in the history and the legends, and I visited a few different plantations (among other things) in order to get a better appreciation for the stories. It is for those reasons that I was really excited to get a copy of this book. It was super informative, but not quite what I was expecting.

The book is divided into 8 chapters: Intro, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia

This book read way more like a text book than a standard nonfiction narrative. It was chock full of information, that's true enough. But it was pretty tough to get through all of the information dumping and facts. I was expecting it to be facts, but wrapped in more of a story-telling type tone, so I was pretty disappointed that it felt like reading a school book. It was interesting, just dry. I had to read it in small bursts. That's not necessarily a bad thing, and I did learn quite a bit about the legends and histories of various southern plantations. While I knew a bit about the Louisiana chapter, I didn't know much about the other ones.

I was a bit surprised that this book had no pictures. When references specific historical places and scenes that still exist in modern day in a nonfiction guide, I had just assumed that there'd be at least a couple sprinkled in. Maybe there are pictures in the final copy, but I received a digital copy in advance, so there were none in my copy at the least.

In short, there's lots of information and it's rather interesting. However, there are no pictures and it can get a bit boring, which is not something that I expected when opening a book on ghosts and hauntings. I'd recommend it to those interested in the south, history, or paranormal activity, but be prepared for the factual tone.

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

Review: The Twinkies Cookbook by Hostess!

Title: The Twinkies Cookbook, Twinkies 85th Anniversary Edition: A New Sweet and Savory Recipe Collection from America's Most Iconic Snack Cake
Author: Hostess
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: July 14th 2015
Source: Ten Speed Press


Book Description via Goodreads:

A comeback cookbook for the perennially popular snack cake, with 50 unique sweet and savory recipes that highlight the whimsical nostalgia of America's favorite dessert.

For more than 80 years, Twinkies have captivated the cravings of Americans both young and old. The Twinkies Cookbook, Second Edition explores the snack cake's heritage in the United States while celebrating its popularity in recipes for snacks both sweet and savory. For the first edition, Hostess urged Twinkie-aficionados across the nation to submit their favorite dishes featuring the cream-filled sponge cake. This new edition compiles the best of these colorful concoctions with 25 new recipes and additional photography. From a Twinkie-filled take on chicken and waffles to Twinkie pumpkin pie, these surprising and innovative recipes are a small slice of Americana that will be a hit with Twinkies fans across the country.

Review:

★★

Like almost any other American, I love me some Twinkies! I was heartbroken when Hostess went away, and I'm so excited that all the products that we have come to know and love as a nation have come back! (Well, almost all. One day, they will bring back my beloved Apple Spice Cupcakes. I digress.) I also love to bake, so I was really excited to get my hands on this book.

First, the good. This book is divided into easy-to-search sections: Cake, Pie, Fruit, Chocolate, Cream, Meat, and Novelty. The book also starts out with a really nice history about the Hostess company and how it started, flourished, and came back after it had closed down. It was really interesting to learn about all this, because it wasn't something that I was familiar with. I also appreciated that the recipes included in this cookbook were submissions taken from fans of Twinkies. There's a fair amount of photos, but there aren't photos for every creation.

Unfortunately, because these are submissions, the recipes were really, really hit or miss for me. Some steps were really well explained, others weren't. Most of them weren't very homemade, calling for recipes such as a box of cake mix or instant pudding. In addition, some of the recipes were pretty basic. Some examples of this include kebabs, which is just chunked Twinkies and some fruit and Twinkie burritos, which involves a snack cake and a tortilla. I was expecting some more creative uses for Twinkies, and I felt that for most of these recipes, I didn't need a recipe or would never use it anyway.

That said, there is a Ribbon and Bows Twinkie Wedding Cake that is absolutely gorgeous, and props to the person who came up with it. I definitely never would have thought of that!

Some of the recipes that I'd definitely love to try include No Bake Twinkie Pumpkin Pie, Twinkie Berry Forest Ice Cream, and Deep-Fried Bacon-Wrapped Chocolate-Covered Twinkies. I mean, it's Twinkies, bacon, chocolate, and fried all in one. How can you go wrong?

I'd recommend this maybe for those who throw a lot of kids parties/room moms because a lot of these are pretty quick to make, but look really cute. If you're looking for a bit more complicated recipes, this isn't the right book for you. Overall, I think I'd keep it on a shelf if I had gotten it as some sort of mail-in prize or promotional contest or something from Hostess, but I wouldn't buy it myself.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

PRIDE Month Review & Giveaway: The Right Side of History: 100 Years of LGBTQI Activism by Adrian Brooks!

Title: The Right Side of History: 100 Years of LGBTQI Activism

Author: Adrian Brooks

Format: $19.95, Trade Paper, 408 Pages, 6” x 9”

Pub. Date: June 9th 2015

Source: Cleis Press



Book Description:

Harvey Milk delivering a version of his impassioned Hope Speech. Bayard Rustin advising Martin Luther King Jr. Long-distance swimmer Diana Nyad finishing her incredible swim from Cuba to Florida. The AIDS quilt. Edie Windsor's victory, which overturned the Defense of Marriage Act. In this book, The Right Side of History: 100 Years of LGBTQI Activism, author Adrian Brooks tells the history of the nation’s clash over civil rights with amazing stories about some of the most recognizable gay rights heroes and heroines.

Available to readers in time for the events and celebrations that mark LGBT Pride Month in June, Brooks’ book is truly one of a kind. Filled with first-person interviews, The Right Side of History offers intimate and unique glimpses into the lives of some previously anonymous figures as well as legendary names from gay and civil rights movements across the nation.

Offering something for everyone—from academic scholars to students of life—The Right Side of History is an accessible history that explores activism from the Edwardian period into the 21st century. Simultaneously raucous and tender, Brooks’ work provides a diverse, inclusive, and in-depth look at the long-fought battle over gay rights in America.

Review:

★★★★★

Honestly, I wasn't really sure how I was going to read this book. I am a huge fan of Cleis Press's books, both fiction and nonfiction alike. However, I knew that this book was going to be one that I'd want to read slowly, in order to absorb each and every word.

It should be no secret to most of my regular readers by now that I am on the LGBTQI spectrum. That being said, I have a horrible concept of history when it comes to LGBT rights. I am very fortunate to be living in a society at a young age where people are so largely accepting of who I am. I know that that has definitely not always been the case. However, everything I know about LGBT history is self-taught, or was vaguely mentioned in a GSA lecture. That's sad considering I will have a minor in Sexuality Studies this spring. It's not something that I find to be talked about enough. Before reading this book I knew highlight words like "Stonewall" and "Shepard"- things I know about, but not in a bigger context.

Well I know now. Brooks does a great job of covering a large span of history in a smart way. It's full of information and points of view, but it's done in such a way that you want to read more. It's not like reading an information dump or a text book. I think it covers a lot of ground, but everything that is brought up is covered further, not just brought up for the sake of mentioning it. It's a really relatable, accessible dose of history.

I think this is a book that everyone would benefit from reading, be you straight or otherwise. It's a fight for rights that needs a more accessible, respectful discussion if you ask me, and is definitely a history that needs to be more widely taught. I can't recommend this book enough.

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

Get it Here:

Amazon | BN

About the Author:

Adrian Brooks- a regular contributor to Lambda Literary- is a writer, performer, and Quaker activist, who has been engaged in progressive political, spiritual, and social movements for fifty years. While attending the Friends World Institute in the 1960s, Brooks was an anti-war activist and a volunteer for Dr. Martin Luther King. Later, he attended Woodstock, participated in New York’s fledgling SOHO movement, and, after moving West in 1972, he became a radical gay liberation poet and performer/scriptwriter with the San Francisco “Angels of Light” free theater until 1980. A world citizen who has lived on five continents, Brooks continues a diverse legacy of good works by supporting HIV+ orphans in rural India. Currently, he lives in San Francisco.

Giveaway:

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Review: Eating Appalachia by Darrin Nordahl!

Title: Eating Appalachia: Rediscovering Regional American Flavors
Author: Darrin Nordahl
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: June 1st 2015
Source: Chicago Review Press


Book Description via Goodreads:

Dozens of indigenous fruits, vegetables, nuts, and game animals are waiting to be rediscovered by American epicures, and Appalachia stocks the largest pantry with an abundance of delectable flavors. In Eating Appalachia, Darrin Nordahl looks at the unique foods that are native to the region, including pawpaws, ramps, hickory nuts, American persimmons, and elk, and offers delicious and award-winning recipes for each ingredient, along with sumptuous color photographs. The twenty-three recipes include: Pawpaw Panna Cotta, Pawpaw Whiskey Sour, Chianti-Braised Elk Stew, Pan-Fried Squirrel with Squirrel Gravy, Ramp Linguine, and Wild Ginger Poached Pears, among others. Nordahl also examines some of the business, governmental, and ecological issues that keep these wild, and arguably tastier, foods from reaching our tables.

Eating Appalachia profiles local chefs, hunters, and locavores who champion these native ingredients and describes food festivals—like the Pawpaw Festival in Albany, Ohio; the Feast of the Ramson in Richwood, West Virginia; and Elk Night at Jenny Wiley State Park in Prestonsburg, Kentucky—that celebrate them.

Review:

★★★★

It's no secret by this point that I love food. I especially love learning about American cuisines, and the Appalachian region is one that I knew next to nothing about. Thanks to Eating Appalachia I can proudly say I learned a lot more!

I should start out by saying that this book isn't a cookbook. It does feature some recipes, but it is way more informative about the region and the local ingredients than it is a list of things to make. This is more for those who are interested in immersing themselves completely by studying, learning, and cooking all at the same time.

The book starts with a handy dandy little map of what is considered to be "Appalachia" as well as a pretty lengthy introduction to American ingredients. It's divided into sections: Albany, Ohio; Richwood, West Virginia; Prestonburg, Kentucky; Cairo, West Virginia; Cherokee, North Carolina; Colfax, North Carolina, and the epilogue.

This book is really vibrant. That is, each section is filled with nice little stories about life in that particular area of the United States. There's also a ton of information about some ingredients that are used here in the USA but are not necessarily well known about. For example, I learned a lot about the pawpaw fruit, which to be honest I only knew about from "The Jungle Book" cartoon. I really learned a lot more than I expected, which is pretty cool.

Each recipe that is included has a little description. The preparations are pretty short, and are written in paragraphs instead of steps which I imagine could get a bit confusing after awhile. This book doesn't just include recipes for food, but drinks such as "Pawpaw Whiskey Sours" as well. I really liked that drinks were included. There's also plenty of pictures!

Some of the recipes that I'd most like to try include Pan-Fried Squirrel with Squirrel Gravy, Chianti-Braised Elk Stew, and Seared Scallops in a Pawpaw Buerre Blanc.

I'd recommend this to food lovers, those looking for a slice of Americana, or just looking for a few unique recipes.

I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: Between the Lines by Claudia Whitsitt!

Mother Daughter Book Reviews is pleased to be coordinating a Blog Tour for the middle grade book, "Between the Lines" by Claudia Whitsitt from May 18 to 31, 2015.

 

About the Book

Title: Between the Lines | Author: Claudia Whitsitt | Publication Date: March, 2015 | Publisher: Independent | Pages: 318 | Recommended Ages: 9+


Summary: Between the Lines tells the story of three girls who become friends during the racially-charged aftermath of the 1967 Detroit Riots.

Hattie Percha is crushed when the riots start on her tenth birthday, and when she must move away from her treasured childhood home and friends, attending public school for the first time, she’s afraid her life is over. Then, she meets Beverly Jo Nichols, her first black friend, and Crackers, a fearless tomboy. Despite opposition from Hattie’s mother and a racist teacher, the unlikely friends join forces. As the self-proclaimed Dream Girls, they challenge bigotry and intolerance, willing to do whatever it takes to hold onto what’s most precious to them all, their friendship.
 

Amazon (US) * Amazon (UK) * Amazon (CA)

B&N * iTunes * Kobo * Smashwords * Goodreads

 

Review

I wasn't too sure what to expect going into Between the Lines. But I have got to say that this is a perfect book for young teen girls.

What I perhaps liked most about this book is the idea that it's based on a true friendship between two white girls and a black girl. This story takes place during the aftermath of the Detroit Riots in 1967, a time when racial tensions were running high (to say the least). I think it's cool that there's real aspects tied in with the fiction. The author and her friends serve as the real life influences for this story, and like Hattie the riots started on her birthday. I think it's awesome that she was able to translate her story to a book for younger girls.

I also liked that I could tell that this book was written by a teacher. The main character, Hattie, wants to be a writer when she grows up. Because she wants to be a writer, she is always working on her vocabulary and handwriting. I think this was a subtle way to introduce new words to young readers, without making it "too educational" or too much information dumping at once. In fact, this carried over to the historical aspects too. It felt like a story, even though these events happened in real life, at least in some capacity. It's educational without coming off as an essay or textbook, and I think that's a great note.

The characters were distinct and likable. Hattie is the first character we meet, a white ten year old girl who has to move from her home to a new neighborhood, where she will attend a public school (instead of a private Catholic school) for the first time in her life. Beverly Jo is a black girl, the first one that Hattie has ever had. Crackers is an adventurous, gutsy, more tomboyish character. Together they are an awesome trio that stands strong, even in a society that tells them that they shouldn't be friends.

I think this book is a great read for girls in the junior high school age bracket, so about 10-13 years old. It brings up important issues like standing up for what you believe in, fighting for equality, and the importance of friendship. It is reminiscent of the American Girl series books, but a bit thicker in length and a bit more detailed and in depth.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

 

The Buzz

"Between the Lines is a powerful piece of historical fiction that must be added to the reading list of every middle grade student."~ 5 Stars, Lori L., Goodreads

"Teachers and parents need to purchase this novel... Parents could use this novel to engage their kids in discussions to help develop a sense of social responsibility, friendship, and morality... Ultimately, this story is inspirational." ~ 5 Stars, Amazon Customer

"This book is a must read for everyone, no matter what age ... I would recommend it highly to be in the curriculum of every 5th and 6th grade classroom. " ~ 5 Stars, Sandra W., Amazon

"My daughter and I read this book together and loved it. It is a story that will stay with both of us for many years to come!" ~ 5 Stars, aleblanc, Amazon

"Between the Lines tells a really heartbreaking but uplifting story, about race and loyalty and friends, in a way that any kid will relate to. A perfect gift book for that hard-to-please youngster!" ~ 5 Stars, Jimmy, Amazon

 

About the Author

 

Claudia Whitsitt spent a lifetime teaching special education and writing before becoming a full-time author. She believes in the power of friendship, small acts of kindness, and paying it forward. Nothing makes her happier than spending time with her children, which includes not only the five she raised but the countless students who touched her life over the years.

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

 

 

Schedule

May 18

Mother Daughter Book Reviews (Launch & Review)

Cherry Mischievous (Author Interview)

May 19

My Love For Reading Keeps Growing (Review)

May 20

Sher A Hart: Written Art (Review)

Coffee Books & Art (Excerpt)

May 21

Books Direct (Author Interview)

My Soul Called Live (Review)

May 22

B's & Prose (Review)

May 23

Icefairy's Treasure Chest (Review)

May 24

LibriAmoriMiei (Guest Post)

May 25

BeachBoundBooks (Review)

May 26

Oh My Bookness (Review)

Bookworm for Kids (Excerpt)

May 27

Doodles, Doodles Everywhere (Author Interview)

Too Clever (Review)

May 28

Kay LaLone ~ I Love Books! (Review)

The BookDragon (Review)

May 29

View From the Birdhouse (Excerpt)

Beauty Brite (Review)

May 30

Rockin' Book Reviews (Review)

May 31

Pragmatic Mom (Guest Post)

Undercover Book Reviews (Review)

 

Giveaway

Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice

Contest closes: June 7, 11:59 pm, 2015

Open to: Internationally

How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.

Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by Claudia Whitsitt and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.

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Review: Chowderland by Brooke Dojny!

Title: Chowderland: Hearty Soups & Stews with Sides & Salads to Match
Author: Brooke Dojny
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: May 5th 2015
Source: Storey Publishing, LLC

Description:

Creamy Clam Chowder. Portuguese Caldo Verde Chowder. Northwest Salmon Chowder with Leeks and Peas. Double Corn Summer Chowder. Brooke Dojny offers 57 recipes for chowders of all kinds -- some made with seafood, some with meat, and some with just veggies -- plus side dishes, salads, and desserts to round out the menu. Whether you’re looking for a hearty meal on a cozy winter evening or a fresh gumbo perfect for a summer lunch, you’ll turn to this delicious collection again and again!

★★★★★

I was born and raised in the Midwest. Illinois, specifically, where even now in my adulthood is where I go to college and where I live. However, for a very brief time, I lived and vacationed in Massachusetts. This book made me homesick for the coast, even though I'm from the heartland. Each of the 57 recipes included in this book sounded absolutely fantastic, and had me wanting to book the next flight to Marblehead.

At the front of the book, there's a nice guide on how to best use and handle the ingredients listed throughout this cookbook. This is an especially nifty little note, considering there are a lot of seafood chowders with ingredients that the average home cook probably isn't using each and every night (at least in Illinois).

The recipes are very clear and concise, each one having numbered, step-by-step instructions. That makes this a really good book for beginners in the kitchen, because everything is laid out in a really helpful manner. There's also a lot of handy tips throughout this book, such as the 411 on mussels, and how to buy and clean clams. This is information that I wouldn't necessarily know off the bat, so I'm glad it was included. There's also lots of nice anecdotes and memories in this book, making it clear that the author is passionate about what she does. I also rather liked the "chowder wars" in this book, where different places claiming a better chowder were discussed.

Each recipe also offers salad, side, or dessert pairings that are also found in this book, so the book is kind of a one-stop-shop for all your soup eating needs. There is a surprising amount of variety found in this cookbook, from fish to chicken, from shellfish to beef. There's something in here for everyone, whichever ingredient you may happen to favor. The book is divided by type of meal, so it's fairly easy to navigate to find what you're looking for. There's a lot of yummy looking pictures too, which definitely helps.

As I mentioned before, everything in this book sounds awesome. That said, the dishes that I'm most excited to try include Dark and Sticky Candied Gingerbread, Day After Thanksgiving Chowder, and Northwest Salmon Chowder with Leeks and Peas.

This book is a great burst of Americana, and I recommend it to any one who loves to eat soups and chowders as much as I do. Because of the detailed steps, I think this book is suitable to both experienced and beginner cooks.

I received a copy of this in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Rose Water and Orange Blossoms by Maureen Abood

Title: Rose Water and Orange Blossoms: Fresh & Classic Recipes from my Lebanese Kitchen
Author: Maureen Abood
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: April 28th 2015
Source: Running Press

Description:

Publishers Weekly’s Top 10 Cookbooks for Spring 2015

Pomegranates and pistachios. Floral waters and cinnamon. Bulgur wheat, lentils, and succulent lamb. These lush flavors of Maureen Abood's childhood, growing up as a Lebanese-American in Michigan, inspired Maureen to launch her award-winning blog, Rose Water & Orange Blossoms. Here she revisits the recipes she was reared on, exploring her heritage through its most-beloved foods and chronicling her riffs on traditional cuisine. Her colorful culinary guides, from grandparents to parents, cousins, and aunts, come alive in her stories like the heady aromas of the dishes passed from their hands to hers.

Taking an ingredient-focused approach that makes the most of every season’s bounty, Maureen presents more than 100 irresistible recipes that will delight readers with their evocative flavors: Spiced Lamb Kofta Burgers, Avocado Tabbouleh in Little Gems, and Pomegranate Rose Sorbet. Weaved throughout are the stories of Maureen’s Lebanese-American upbringing, the path that led her to culinary school and to launch her blog, and life in Harbor Springs, her lakeside Michigan town.

★★★★

Review:

I'm always looking to add new cultures to my culinary repertoire. I don't know much about Lebanese cooking, so I was excited when I found Rose Water and Orange Blossoms. I think this is a great book for a bit more experienced home cook who is interested in adding some more flavor to their meals.

This book is sorted by course, which makes it easy to pick what you want to make. There's even chapters on things such as preserving and drinks. I love tea, so this made me happy. There's a really nice guide at the beginning that introduces the "new" ingredients and includes sources for where you can get a hold of them. I really liked this addition, because I've been irritated with cookbooks in the past when they just expect you to have a million new ingredients.

The cookbook is written in a more conversational style, which makes it seem that the author is talking you through each recipe, which is nice. The recipes' steps are in longer paragraphs, which makes it appear a bit more complex. There's lots of family stories within the book, and it is clear that this book is filled with love and passion for her cooking, heritage, and family. Nice tips are sprinkled throughout the book, like how to work with grape leaves and how to seed a pomegranate (something I definitely need instructions for- I'm awful at it). If a dish's name isn't in English, then it is translated directly underneath so you know exactly what you're preparing, and I like that. I wish there were more photographs included, but the ones that are included are lovely and vibrant.

The author had an upbringing in Michigan, and I practically lived there growing up, because we used to spend weeks and weekends up there all year long. I loved that I could see the Michigan influence in this Lebanese-American style cookbook. Whenever I saw a recipe showcasing ingredients such as whitefish or cherries, I got really happy. I love this appreciation and reflection.

In my personal opinion, the dessert chapter is the best part of the book, and is likely the recipes that I'll make the most in my own kitchen. There are helpful menus provided in this book to help you plan for special meals or events, which is a pretty cool touch.

There are a lot dishes in this book that I can't wait to try, but the ones I want to try the most include Stone Fruit with Flower Waters and Shaved Coconut, Roasted Leg of Lamb with Black Cherry Pomegranate Salsa, Pistachio Crusted Whitefish with Parsley Lemon Butter, and Sticky Date Cake with Warm Orange Blossom Caramel Sauce.

Overall, this book is a really approachable way to learn about Lebanese cooking. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it for beginners, but I don't think it's overly complex. I'd also recommend it to those who love Michigan-centric ingredients, like myself.

I was provided a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Abandoned NYC by Will Ellis

Title: Abandoned NYC
Author: Will Ellis
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: February 28th 2015
Source: Schiffer Publishing


Book Description via Goodreads:

Every city has its ghosts. From Manhattan and Brooklyn s trendiest neighborhoods to the far-flung edges of the outer boroughs, Ellis captures the lost and lonely corners of the United States most populous city. Step inside the New York you never knew, with 200 eerie images of urban decay, through crumbling institutions, defunct military posts, abandoned factories, railroads, schools, and waterways. Uncover the forgotten history behind New York s most incredible abandoned spaces, and witness its seldom seen and rapidly disappearing landscape. Explore the ruins of the Harlem Renaissance, sift through the artifacts of massive squatter colonies, and find out how the past is literally washing up on the shores of a Brooklyn beach called Dead Horse Bay. This book is for anyone who s ever wondered what s behind the "No Trespassing" sign."

Review:

★★★★

This book is equal parts fascinating, informative, and chilling.

Abandoned NYC is a book that explores the urban decay of New York. From asylums to military buildings to so much more, the photography in this book highlights places that remain in the shadow of their glory days. The pictures are beautiful and sad at the same time. The photos show places that most people will never see, such as the inside of abandoned mental institutions. It's a shame to look at the wasted resources, and the graffiti that plagues a lot of these sights, but it's sad and beautiful to see how nature is trying to claim these places back. It gives a cool insight into the history of NYC.

In addition to being filled with gorgeous photography, there's also historical backgrounds for each of the places visited over the course of the book. It details what the buildings were used for, who stayed there, and why they became abandoned in the first place. I didn't know about any of these places, and it was really cool to learn about them.

The book starts with a disclaimer not to try visiting places like these, because they are extremely dangerous and often illegal. I completely agree, having done some exploring in my own region in the midwest.

This is a book that I think those interested in photography, anthropology, and history will enjoy flipping through. There's plenty of pictures showcasing the visited landmarks with matching text to further explain what is being seen in the photo, as well as the history behind it.

I recieved a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Review: The Joy of Ballpark Food by Bennett & Deborah L. Jacobstein

Title:The Joy of Ballpark Food: From Hot Dogs to Haute Cuisine
Author: Bennett Jacobstein, Deborah L. Jacobstein
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: March 11th 2015
Source: Ballpark Food Publications


Book Description via Goodreads:

Baseball is a game that is identified with food. We even sing about it at every ballpark during the seventh inning stretch: "….buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack..." The famous song was written by Jack Norworth in 1908. From the early part of the twentieth century until the 1980s, classic baseball fare consisted mostly of hot dogs, ice cream, peanuts, and Cracker Jack. Then ballparks slowly began to sell new items. A proliferation of new food offerings during the 1990s was fueled by the opening of twelve new major league ballparks. Now, teams around the country sell a variety of exotic food as well as wide variety of hot dogs. The Joy of Ballpark Food: From Hot Dogs to Haute Cuisine begins with the history of the first hot dog at a ball game and concludes with a culinary tour of all 30 major league ballparks. 100% of royalties from the sales of this book are donated directly to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties of California.

Review:

★★★★

People are often surprised to learn that I adore baseball. I grew up with my dad taking me to White Sox games in Chicago, so for me baseball is something that's nostalgic and synonymous with summer vacations. There's nothing like the smell of popcorn, the buzz of the crowd, and the fireworks in the night sky after a victory. On top of that, my dad is a chef, so food has always a prominent role in my life. When I found a book that combined the two- baseball and food, I had to have it. And I'm glad I gave it a go!

This book is chock full of information. The beginning of the book acts as a history of baseball food and hot dogs, including how they became important, how they changed, and who's who when it comes to baseball cuisine. There's a lot of cool pictures and scans of old timey programs and stuff that give the book a cool, retro, scrapbook type feeling to it. The second half of the book is dedicated to a culinary tour of all of the baseball parks in America.

The first half is full of fascinating facts that I didn't know, and that I've stored away for future reference in conversation. This book is good because though there's a lot of history and information, there's no "info dumping". It doesn't read like a text book, but more like a casual and entertaining story that happens to be informative. There's a resource guide at the end of the book, but I do wish that there were some citations or footnotes in the book. More than just hot dogs, this section also highlights a Kosher history and the evolution of healthy food too.

The second half, as mentioned earlier, is a food map of the parks in the USA. Each stadium is listed, and for each stadium there's a featured hot dog or sausage, and then there are informative little snippets and offerings from other stalls and vendors that can be found at each park. I appreciated these short backstories because it's cool to see people's stories, and I was surprised to learn how many stalls are owned or were started by baseball players themselves. What I learned most from this is where I need to see a game so that I can eat well! From the Jack Daniels Triple Crown Sandwich in Baltimore to beer ice creams in Atlanta to conch fritters and ceviche in Miama, please take me out to the ball game!

I couldn't help but to feel a bit of hometown pride when getting to the Chicago stadiums. I've been to both, though I'm definitely not a Cubs fan. That said, I have had a lot of the restaurants/foods mentioned in this book. Bobak's Polish sausages are the best. Beggar's Pizza is amazing, and comes with a deliciously unholy amount of cheese (I mean, their motto is "We lay it on thick). Wow Bao has some of the best steamed dumplings in Chicago. One thing I didn't know before reading this, though, is that the Cell (that is, US Cellular Field) is the only stadium in the states with a Hooters in it. The more you know.

I also got really excited because my girlfriend lives near Milwaukee, where they stuff their brats with hot dogs and then top it with beer and cheese curds. She's already promised to take me (thanks, authors!)

This back section got a bit more "yelp review"-ish, and started to have more of the author's personal opinions. This wasn't a bad thing, but it did shift the tone of the book. There were also a few times where it got snarky like "I'm sure it tastes better than it looks" that I thought were unnecessary. The pictures looked delicious, but unprofessional.

Despite that last remark, it's clear that this is a book of passion. The author obviously loves food and baseball, and it's awesome that he made a book that represents them both. On top of that, the proceeds of this book go to an organization that helps to feed the hungry, which is a really cool idea. I think this book is a fun read that acts as both a history book and a guide to where to eat and what to enjoy while you're at a baseball game. Foodies, sport lovers, and those interested in US history and Americana would all benefit from reading it, in my opinion. It's a book I'd definitely buy for when I'm traveling around in the summer.

I recieved a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Cookbook Review: The Tucci Table: Cooking With Family and Friends

Title: The Tucci Table: Cooking With Family and Friends

Author: Stanley Tucci

Format: egalley

Pub. Date: October 28th 2014

Source: Netgalley & Gallery Books



Summary from Goodreads:
Featuring family-friendly recipes and stunning photography, an all-new cookbook from New York Times bestselling author, beloved actor, and respected foodie Stanley Tucci.

Stanley Tucci's association with wonderful foods began for fans with the movie Big Night and resonated in his role as Julia Child's husband in Julie & Julia. But well before these films, he was enjoying innovative homemade Italian meals throughout his childhood, when family and food were nearly inseparable and cooking was always a familial venture.

Now, in a completely new, family-focused cookbook, Tucci captivates food lovers' imaginations with recipes from his traditional Italian roots as well as those of his British wife, Felicity Blunt, tied together with a modern American ribbon. The time-tested recipes include pasta alla bottarga, mushroom-stuffed trout, pork chops with onions and mustard sauce, barbeque chicken wings, and much, much more! Nothing will make you happier to spend time with family than the aroma of a hearty Italian dish sizzling on the stovetop.

Featuring 100 luscious new full-color photographs, The Tucci Table captures the true joys of family cooking. Buon apetito!

★★★★

I've got to say, this book has a really wide variety of recipes, and a high volume of them too. This cookbook is a nice blend of "a little bit of everything", but draws heavily on Italian, British, and American cuisines. There's a lot of dishes in here that I was familiar with, which helped to set the familial tone that Stanley Tucci wished to give to the reader.

Each recipe comes with a fun little story that introduces the people in Tucci's life, and makes you feel like you know them too. It made the recipes seem more personal, as though this book wasn't mass produced, but given to you as something special. There's a fair bit of humor in this book as well, which made it very easy to flip through for recipes. It's clear that this book was written in love.

The book is divided by course for easy navigation. In addition to anecdotes about Tucci's family, these recipes are paired with tips on how to store these dishes, how to make them better, or how to work with substitutions in a pinch. I really appreciated that for some of the more difficult recipes that step by step photos were included. The photography in this book is lovely, and while there's not a picture for every recipe, there are a lot of photographs.

This is a book that virtually anyone can use. There are some basic recipes for those who are new to the kitchen, and more complex dishes for those of us who have more experience with cooking. A few of the dishes that I most look forward to trying include Isabel's New York Cheesecake Ice Cream, Baked Ham with Mostarda di Frutta, and Pan-Seared Loin of Venison with Red Wine, Juniper and Quince.

This is a solid book for beginners and more experienced home cooks alike who are looking for new meals to share with their families. Thanks to Netgalley & Gallery Books for my copy in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Eerie America

Title: Eerie America: Travel Guide of the Macabre
Author: Eric R Vernor, Kevin Eads
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: May 1st 2014
Source: Netgalley & Schiffer Publishing

★★★★★

Four and a Half Stars, rounded up.

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This book is a travel guide featuring over a hundred creepy and dark spots for your inner creeper. From restaurants and hotels that just might have a ghost or two to historical sites where the gravest acts happened, Eerie America is there to help you add a little bit of the macabre to your next vacation across the states.

When I saw this book, I knew I had to read it. In the words of Lydia from Beetlejuice, "Live people ignore the strange and unusual. I, myself, am strange and unusual." I am always attracted to, well, attractions that are off the beaten path and are a bit darker than your run of the mill diners and theme parks. Eerie America caters to this kind of people.

I really appreciated that this book was divided up by state. This allowed me to find out what sites are closest to my location without much travel. That being said, it's helpful while planning vacations too. That way you can plot what sites in each state that you'd like to stop by on the way to your main destination.

I was really happily surprised by the diversity of locations included in this book. I was expecting haunted locations that I've seen a million times, but that definitely was not the case. There are hauntings of course, but also creepy stores, restaurants, bars, museums, and even a host that offers gothic weddings.

This book also includes contact information for each location when available. Addresses and URLs are provided so that it's easy to check out all the places that the authors recommend. This proved useful, because I clicked each website or Googled each place as I was reading this ebook on my computer.

If you ,like me, prefer to walk on the darker side of life and have an appreciation of things that go bump in the night, Eerie America is a book you should use to broaden your twilight horizons. Thanks so much to Netgalley and Schiffer Publishing for my chance to read this!