The Fatal Gift of Beauty

Nina Burleigh's latest novel, "The Fatal Gift Of Beauty" was a definite page-turner. The book goes into detail about Italy's culture and beliefs. Even though the tragic murder of Meredith Kercher, I did not follow the news or trial closely. I recently watched the Netflix documentary "Amanda Knox" and read Burleigh's investigative story of Kercher's murder and Italy's trial of the century. I can now understand why the media was so fixated on this particular case. Still, so much of it still remains a mystery in some way.  But all of it was very tragic: Kercher's gruesome murder and Knox and Sollecito's imprisonment. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the Amanda Knox case or anyone who is interested in a murder mystery.

Disclaimer: I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

The London Cookbook

Aleksandra Crapanzano's "The London Cookbook" takes you on a journey throughout London to some of it's finest restaurants. I never thought of London being an epicenter of fancy food. The one time I've visited, I don't recall the food much. What a shame that I did not get a chance to visit some of the restaurants and tried some of their food. This cookbook is a compilation of some of London's best chefs and their dishes. The cookbook is broken down to the following: Light Fare; Soups; Pasta, Rice and Grains; Vegetarian; Seafood; Fowl; Meat: Desserts: Chilled Desserts: Cocktails. This cookbook is rather varied with a good number of recipes to try from. A good number of the recipes are rather easy and simple while some other recipes require more time. I really loved the black and white photography of London and wished there were more in the cookbook.

Disclaimer: I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

The Bread Baker's Apprentice

Peter Reinhart's book, "The Bread Baker's Apprentice: Mastering The Art Of Extraordinary Bread" is a serious book. It received the James Beard Foundation Book Award and The IACP Cookbook Award and the heavy book is over 300 pages. The book has detailed instructions on how to prepare, proof, bake, shape a multitude of bread. I don't bake a lot of breads, but the pictures look delicious. I never really thought a simple loaf of bread would be so difficult and time consuming, but it takes a lot of patience and an artistry to get bread right. This bread book is a bread lover's dream come true!

Disclaimer: I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

Mindy Kaling Does It Again

Mindy Kaling's second and latest book "Why Not Me?" is a light-hearted and hilarious easy read. I read Kaling's first book "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?" and loved it. I was super excited to receive and read her second book. "Why Not Me?" does not disappoint either. It is just as funny as her first book. Kaling's books are similar to Tina Fey and Amy Poehler's books. As much as I love Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, I couldn't get into their books for some odd reason.

Kaling is very funny and witty. I can't imagine what it would be like to hang out with her in person. I hope Kaling writes a third book because I would definitely read it.

Disclaimer: I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

Big Bad Breakfast

I was super excited to get my hands on John Currence's latest book "Big Bad Breakfast." Breakfast is the one meal that I struggle the most with because I never know what to make so I end up eating the same thing over and over again. I was really hoping that this book would offer an array of healthy and delicious recipes. The recipes and pictures are definitely good, and some of the recipes are healthier than others. This is a serious cookbook jammed pack full of scrumptious recipes, all dedicated to the first and most important meal of the day.

The cookbook breaks down as follows: The Welcome Basket; The Incredible, Edible, Omnipresent Egg; Omelets and Frittatas; Pancakes, Waffles, Crepes; BFD: Breakfast for Dinner; Cereals, Grains, and Oher Pseudo-Virtuous Things; Breakfast Sandwiches; Sides, Condiments, Meats, and Extras; and Eye-Openers (Drinks).

I love that it includes a Homemade Frosted Cornflakes recipe! I don't really eat commercial cereal anymore (though I am always so tempted because it's quick and convenient) because it is heavily processed and all cereal goes through a process called extrusion which is toxic. I love how the cornflakes recipe is so easy and I just replace the sugar with honey since it's healthier.

I cannot wait to try the Low Country Cast-Iron Skillet Scramble, French-Style Omelet Master Recipe, and the Homemade Pop-Tarts recipes. There are a lot of yummy recipes in this one book that I will be turning to for a while.

Disclaimer: I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

Victuals

Victuals by Ronni Lundy is a cookbook and storybook about the Appalachian food and journey. Many of photography is absolutely stunning, tempting me to want to vacation in the Appalachian countryside somewhere and gorge on the yummy food. I was a bit disappointed though with the long story. When I get a cookbook, I enjoy lots of colorful and beautiful photographs. I don't want to read much, except for the recipes. While I'm sure the story is beautiful and well-told, I could not find myself wanting to read it. So I mostly flipped the pages until I got to the recipes and any pages with photographs. I really wish they had more photographs!

I am excited to try the English Pea Salad with Cream Dressing and the Perfect One-Eyed Jack recipe because I always have those ingredients on hand.

Disclaimer: I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

Mamaleh Knows Best

Marjorie Ingall's latest book "Mamaleh Knows Best: What Jewish Mothers Do to Raise Successful, Creative, Empathetic, Independent Children" was an interesting read. I was very excited to receive this book and to read it. I LOVE parenting books and have read quite a few, and Ingall's book was a quick and easy read. Most of Ingall's Mamaleh Methodology weren't new information, like how you should read to your child, not focus so much on grades but the education, how play matters, and you should let your child fail sometimes. All of those parenting beliefs have already been mentioned in various education and parenting books. According to Ingall, Jewish children outshines and outperforms so many cultures because their culture values geekiness, finding a passion, valuing an education and reading, questioning authority, giving their children independence. I don't really know whether the Jewish culture actually values some of these values or if it was only Ingall's family, but I do think these values are important regardless of your culture. I think the book is a good book if you haven't read many parenting or education books. Some might find Ingall's writing and tone funny, but at times I found her tone a bit harsh, opinionated and biased at times (mostly when she writes about how great and perfect the Jewish culture is). I have a hard time believing that a culture is so perfect.

Disclaimer: I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.