Cart
|
|
my account
|
wish list
|
help
|
800-878-7323
Hello, |
Login
MENU
Browse
New Arrivals
Bestsellers
Featured Preorders
Award Winners
Audio Books
See All Subjects
Used
Staff Picks
Staff Picks
Picks of the Month
Bookseller Displays
50 Books for 50 Years
25 Best 21st Century Sci-Fi & Fantasy
25 PNW Books to Read Before You Die
25 Books From the 21st Century
25 Memoirs to Read Before You Die
25 Global Books to Read Before You Die
25 Women to Read Before You Die
25 Books to Read Before You Die
Gifts
Gift Cards & eGift Cards
Powell's Souvenirs
Journals and Notebooks
socks
Games
Sell Books
Blog
Events
Find A Store
Don't Miss
Creatives on Creating Sale
Spotlight Sale
Picture Book Sale
Powell's Author Events
Oregon Battle of the Books
Audio Books
Get the Powell's newsletter
Visit Our Stores
Powell's Staff:
Five Book Friday: In Memoriam
(0 comment)
Every year, the booksellers at Powell’s submit their Top Fives: their five favorite books that were released in 2023. It’s a list that, when put together, shows just how varied and interesting the book tastes of Powell’s booksellers are. I highly recommend digging into the recommendations — we would never lead you astray — but today...
Read More
»
Brontez Purnell:
Powell’s Q&A: Brontez Purnell, author of ‘Ten Bridges I’ve Burnt’
(0 comment)
Rachael P.:
Starter Pack: Where to Begin with Ursula K. Le Guin
(0 comment)
{1}
##LOC[OK]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]##
##LOC[Cancel]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]##
##LOC[Cancel]##
Customer Comments
chocolateandcroissants has commented on (73) products
Moonlight Over Paris
by
Jennifer Robson
chocolateandcroissants
, January 17, 2016
Lady Helena goes to Paris to escape a failed engagement. Living with her older socialite aunt she attends art school and meets and American newsman Sam. Paris is such an old city that streets from 100 years ago are still here today. I loved that I knew the street Helena and Sam walked and some of the places they visited. Author Robson did a great job in capturing the spirit of Paris and pick the right locations for the book. The book had a little of everything. Set against the backdrop of post WW1, there was the impact of the war, art school, and art in Paris, high fashion, cafe life, romance and parties with Sylvia Beach and the Hemingways. For anyone who adores Paris and appreciates the history of the city in the mid-20's this is the book for you.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook Eat Well & Lose Weight with More Than 200 Healthy Recipes
by
Pearl Barrett, Serene Allison
chocolateandcroissants
, January 10, 2016
Interestingly none of the meals list the amount of protein sugar or carbs or calories. Their theory is that none of this matters. If I had the other book maybe I would understand their logic. All I know from this book is that there are some products you need to avoid. Sugar being one of them. DUHH. I could have told you that. Stay away from all sugar-they use sugar substitutes stevia, trivia and erythritol. I have never used any of these and am very suspicious of sugar substitutes. Research these products and their side-effects before you suddenly add them to your diet from two women with no professional credentials. I do not know what these are however I personally do not use splenda or any sugar substitute. Why better to exercise more than consume a chemical is my thought. Or you can purchase their own sugar substitutes. Red flag to me. These women are not scientists, chefs or dietitians-what are they selling you? Their products. Do not tell me that the sugar substitutes are gluten free-shocking of course they are we do not get our sugar from grains. They also have you using whey protein powder and some other ingredients I have never heard of. Why use a protein powder when I can get protein from meat? What is gluccie? This ingredient shows up a lot.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
(0 of 4 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment
Second Suns Two Doctors & Their Amazing Quest to Restore Sight & Save Lives
by
Relin, David Oliver
chocolateandcroissants
, May 15, 2013
I absolutely loved this story from start to finish. Relin is a great author. I was rather saddened to learn to that amidst all the controversy that surrounded the veracity of Three Cups of Tea he had taken his life this past December. In Second Suns, Relin follows Tabin and Ruit throughout the Himalayas and Africa as they attempt to eradicate preventable blindness. The story of both of these men is an incredible story in itself. Ruit was born in a remote Nepalese village. As a bored little boy who always seemed to be getting into trouble his father hiked for days to take him to the closest school. Tabin is just a likeable eccentric. As a pre-med student he was introduced to mountain climbing and had a difficult time deciding whether attending classes or taking off for his next pitch was more important. Together these men performed cataract surgeries in some of the most remote areas with less than ideal medical conditions. The book captures the joy of the thousands of patients who have their sight and lives restored. For many of these individuals having limited vision meant being confined to their rooms. There is no room for error on the side of a mountain if one cannot see where to put their foot. It is shameful to think that millions live in darkness when having their vision restored is an easy 10 minute procedure. The book also focuses on the medical industry and their goal of making money vs. helping others. I recognize that we all need to pay the bills. However I find it despicable that lenses can be made in India and other countries for about $4 vs the cost of having them made in a Western country. In the beginning of Ruit career he trained under an Australian physician who exposed the marked different between medical care to Aborigines vs. whites. He died early from cancer but his dream to have lenses made at a fraction of the cost was fulfilled. Ruit and Tabin attend a conference in Hong Kong where many doctors are only interested in gathering the sag from large pharmaceutical companies and paying attention to devices that will increase their profits. As a keynote speaker Ruit who discusses how the surgery can be done safely and successfully Ruit's audience is a small group of 11 doctors.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Night Circus
by
Erin Morgenstern
chocolateandcroissants
, January 01, 2013
From the first sentence the book grabs you with it's magic and mystic.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Yes Chef A Memoir
by
Marcus Samuelsson
chocolateandcroissants
, September 09, 2012
Sometimes you find a book that not only can you not put it done you feel inspired by the book. Inspired by it to tell everyone about it. Inspired to read experts about it to others and inspired to get into your kitchen and cook. I adored Samuelsson's story. Samuelsson's story is one of those stories that makes you wonder but for an event where his life would be today. Born in Ethiopia, his mother walked him and his sister to a hospital when all three of them were suffering from tuberculosis. At 28 years of age his mother died, but her children had been saved. Believed to have been orphaned Marcus and his sister were adopted by a couple in Sweden. Samuelsson's love for food was nurtured by his grandmother who would roast a chicken every Saturday for a family meal. Samuelsson spent many hours in his grandmother's kitchen first as her little helper and then learning her secrets. To me it is amazing that his life could have had such a different path had his mum not died. Raised by loving parents, Samuelsson had a strong work ethic instilled in him which carried him through many kitchens. The book tells the story of Samuelsson's time in different kitchens in Europe and NY before he opened his own kitchen. In the book you learn about Swedish cooking, his approach to food and how Samuelsson discovered new foods and spices as he rollerbladed through NYC. I appreciated Samuelsson's approach to food. In NYC he discovered Kalustyans (an amazing spice shop) and China town. From his travels around the world he would mix the flavors with until he found the perfect fusion. For me it was interesting the way he played with ingredients. Yes Chef is a delight to read. Samuelsson's determination is infectious. His story is a reminder that dreams do happen.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
How to Eat a Cupcake
by
Donohue, Meg
chocolateandcroissants
, May 15, 2012
It only seems fitting that I would read How to Eat a Cupcake as I was on my way to France. The French are apparently obsessed with cupcakes and we are obsessed with their macarons. Why not read a book about the love of baking as I was headed over to the pastry capital of the world. I am proud to say that I gave this book to the front desk clerk at my hotel in Paris and she was delighted by it. You would think that I was giving her freshly baked cupcakes. How to Eat a Cupcake is a book after my heart. I wanted to be Annie. The book had me wearing an apron, bringing out my kitchen aid and just tasting one batter after another. Okay not really, remember I was in France. I was either reading late at night all tucked in my hotel room or dragging the book out to dinner with me. High on French pastries and wine, laying in a bed in France, what better way to enjoy the book. (From the author)Free-spirited Annie Quintana and sophisticated Julia St. Clair come from two different worlds. Yet, as the daughter of the St. Clair’s housekeeper, Annie grew up in Julia’s San Francisco mansion and they forged a bond that only two little girls oblivious to class differences could�"until a life-altering betrayal destroyed their friendship. A decade later, Annie bakes to fill the void left in her heart by her mother’s death and a painful secret jeopardizes Julia's engagement to the man she loves. A chance reunion prompts the unlikely duo to open a cupcakery, but when a mysterious saboteur opens old wounds, they must finally face the truth about their past or risk losing everything. Seriously the book had a little about friendship, a lot about betrayal and the best descriptions of ingredients that I have read about in a long time. As a young adult Annie is at the St. Clair residence catering a party with her yet to be famous cupcakes. She has not spoken with Julia in many years. After tasting one of her wonderful cupcakes Julia decides to finance a cupcakery for Annie. Opening a cupcakery with the person who was once your closest friend and you feel betrayed you is not an easy task for Annie. The opportunities it presents to Annie are endless. For once Annie can indulge in the high quality ingredients she has always dreamed of. I would usually think of a book like this as my fluffy beach read. This book is anything but a fluffy book read. Donahue did a lovely job of developing both the young women's characters. You understood their personalities and the decisions they made. For me the highlight of the book was the process of both opening the cupcakery and Donahue's descriptions of the cupcakes and their recipes. Throughout the book she had me wanting to be in my kitchen baking alongside Annie. If How to Eat a Cupcake is any indication of Donohue's talents I hope that she comes out with another book soon, maybe about a woman who runs a chocolate store perhaps.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
More Than Words Can Say
by
Robert Barclay
chocolateandcroissants
, January 15, 2012
If I had not received an ARC from the publisher William Morrow I more than likely would not have finished reading this book. By the time I finished it, it was not as horrible an experience as I was dreading however there was a lot of skimming of the book. Why? The dialogue was painful. I am not sure if the author had a word quota to be met however he had the characters repeating themselves constantly with a matter of paragraphs. Does he not think that I would notice this. An example of this is when Chelsea's father showed up at the house. Her father is described as the rugged handsome type and then on the next page is another description of him, this time describing how his clothing reflected his good looks. Later in the book when Chelsea met Brandon twice within paragraphs he comments how he wished he met her grandmother. The relationship between Brandon and Chelsea was also quite out there. Brooke, Chelsea's grandmother left her her cottage and sent her on a mission that she wanted her to do solo. Within hours of meeting Brandon she has him reading her grandmother's diary with her. Call me a cynic, yes love at first sight exists however these two were practically married within a few days of meeting each other. Okay I am slightly exaggerating however you understand my point. On the positive Brooke would cook during her husband's absence during WW11. Her dishes were named after leaders of the time. She conceived up delightful recipes titled MacArthuroni and Cheese, Eisenhower's Eggs Benedict and Churchill's Cherry and Cream Pie. No there is no recipes for Hitler's Ham or Stalin's Stale Borscht. I thought the recipe idea was rather quaint.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Cutie Pies 40 Sweet Savory & Adorable Recipes
by
Dani Cone
chocolateandcroissants
, January 07, 2012
The book starts off with how to make pie crust and gives you a choice of 4 different crusts, a traditional one, gluten free, graham cracker crust and vegan crust. What makes the book so adorable are the different ways to serve your pie, traditional with an upper and lower crust, baked in a mason jar (Pie Jars), turnovers (Flip Sides) and pie pops on a stick. I am not sure how messy the pie pops would be. There are plenty and plenty of berry pie recipes-which are my absolute favourite. Just think blueberry pie and razzle dazzle. Some of her more creative recipes include Caramel-Pecan and Mango Raspberry Lemon Piepops, Strawberry Rhubarb Ginger Flipsides, Campfire S'Mores Petit-5's, Peach Ricotta Honey Piejars, and Peanut Butter and Jelly Pie. The savory recipes sound just as tasty. How about a Curry Veggie Piejar or broccoli cheese and onion pie or Potato, Cheese, and Bacon Flipsides. For those who want just an individual pie Cone tells us which recipes work best for that. For me I am going to start off with the Pear, Gruyere, and Proscuitto, possibly followed by the Spiced walnut and plum one. One could have a tea party with all the recipes in this book. There are a great variety of savory recipes. Just imagine little pies for popping in your mouth. Cone has put together quite the delightful pie book. There are plenty of photos to give you idea and her concepts are unique. I had never thought of making a pie in a mason jar until seeing her book.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Leaving the World
by
Douglas Kennedy
chocolateandcroissants
, January 05, 2012
Do you ever read a book by an author that you have read before and expect it to be similar? Initially you may be disappointed because it is not the same and then the book just grabs up. Having read one of Kennedy's other books I picked up Leaving the World with pre-conceived notions which is always dangerous when reading. I liked the way the novel started and then felt that I had been dating the book for too long and we were just going through the steps together without any excitement. Just as I was feeling comfortable I was walloped. The book took hold of me and I could not put it down. At the risk of sounding sexist, Leaving the World reads like it was written by a woman. But it was not. Author Kennedy has an amazing talent for writing in a woman's voice. Leaving the World is not for everyone. If you are feeling the slightest bit sad or depressed I would not read this book. Some of the scenes are quite painful and gut wrenching. The book opens up with "On the night of my thirteenth birthday, I made an announcement "I am never getting married and I am never having children." The following day Jane's father walked out on his family after considering the dramatic statement made by his daughter. For Jane she would be the brunt of her mother's guilt and denial until the day she died. The main character Jane does not really know how to experience happiness. Her life is marked by one tragedy after another. The book is divided into the different stages of her life. Happiness is an elusive concept of Jane.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate
by
Jean-Pierre Wybauw
chocolateandcroissants
, January 01, 2012
Jean-Pierre Wybauw is a Belgian chocolatier, chef and teacher with well over 30 years experience in the industry. He has written several books, and publishers ACC Publishing were kind enough to send me a copy of the latest, “Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate”.I must confess, that for as much as I adore chocolate I do not know much about it. This book is the perfect stocking stuffer for any chocolate lover and or chocolatiers. The book goes into the history of chocolate and discusses the differences between white, dark and milk chocolate. You will learn about the quality of chocolate, the methods in utilized in producing chocolate and the shelf life of chocolate. When it comes to recipe books I am a huge fan of illustrations. After all I want to see what I am supposed to be making. This photographs in the book are gorgeous. The type of photos that either have you heading towards the kitchen to start making your own chocolate or scrounging for some. For any aspiring chocolatier there are recipes for making your own truffles, pralines and ganaches. For those of us who like chocolate desserts there are recipes for chocolate baba, muffins, macarons, sachertorte and more.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Her Sister's Shadow
by
Katharine Britton
chocolateandcroissants
, January 01, 2012
While the book opens in Lilli's kitchen in London, most of the story takes place at her childhood home in Massachusetts. For me, I love books that at set on the east coast. There always seems to be a deepness to the story. Yes, the characters can be predictable, children who sail, are athletic and are born into a life of privilege that is disrupted by a tragedy in their lives. All the main characters except for one have strong personalities. Personalities that I enjoyed following and getting to know. For me I could identify with the characters. Dorie, is a believer in magic and everything good. She likes starfish, and searching for Russian subs. Lilli struggles with a crush and feelings that are new and foreign to her. Bea is the older sister, the responsible one. Author Britton has crafted a beautiful story with all the right elements to make one snuggle up under a blanket and enjoy having your eyes float across the words on the page.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Laduree: The Savory Recipes
by
Michael Lerouet
chocolateandcroissants
, January 01, 2012
While Laudee's reputation was built around its pastries they have wonderful savoury dishes. The first time I stepped into Laudree was a Saturday afternoon. Swarms of fashionable French women and men were enjoying a delightful afternoon tea. To me it was all quite civilized and welcoming. It was a scene from the era of Belle Epoque. Savory is no exception. The book is gorgeous. For anyone who is a girl this is the perfect present. Boxed in a pretty pink box, the book has a violet velvet cover with silver gilded pages. Every recipe has a photo. To appreciate the importance of this one must appreciate who Laduree displays it's fare. The book is as pretty as this pastry. The photos are just stunning. Leafing through it has me walking the streets of Paris dreaming of their pastries. The book is a marriage of their sweet and savoury, taking the base of the pastries and turning them into savoury recipes. The book is divided into entrees and appetizers, salads and could sops, egg dishes, meats and finger sandwiches. Having been mesmerized by the dishes I have yet to cook a single one. Honestly I have had too much fun just reading them and fantasizing. With recipes such as Grilled stead with crispy herbs and potatoes or Duck breast with savoury muffins with carrot-orange marmalade I know that I will be trying many of these recipes. Given I cannot get enough of pumpkin how about cream of pumpkin soup with duck foie gras or maybe an omlette with morel mushrooms for breakfast. It really all sounds quite delicious to me. With the holidays upon us this book truly is a perfect Christmas gift. These are a collection of recipes that will not be found elsewhere
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Cat Selector How to Choose the Right Cat for You
by
David Alderton
chocolateandcroissants
, January 01, 2012
Author Alderton discusses a variety of breeds of cats, from the rare hairless ones, to the common domestic shorthair. Each breed of cat has a full page devoted to it, with beautiful photos of the cat. In the book, he discusses the personality, history and feline characteristics of the cat, grooming, health issues, appearance and their behavior. While I do not think that you can select the ideal cat, I do think they select you, your lifestyle and the characteristics of the cat should match. Some cats do make better lap cats than others, long haired cats require more grooming. If you do not want to spend the time grooming your cat, a long haired cat or Persian cat is probably not the one for you. Some cats are more active than others, if your home is like a visit to a fine arts museum, you probably do not want a cat that will be jumping up on everything. This is a book for cat lovers. I thought the book had lots of useful information, introducing me to breeds that I had never heard of before. Given this is an oversized book the photography is spectacular, with clear lovely large photos of all the cats. I do not remember how I found it in the library, I was not looking for it. When I checked it out, the librarian told me they had all been viewing it. I can see why.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Extraordinary Cakes Baking for Flavor & Decorating with Style
by
Karen Krasne
chocolateandcroissants
, January 01, 2012
"Extraordinary Cakes" is all about getting dressed up and going out on New Years Eve-the black velvet, champagne and glistening diamonds. The photos are absolutely stunning. Who would not want one of these cakes on their table? You would not even need to diet as the cake would be too pretty to cut into. But maybe not. Each cakes seems to have an extraordinary filling full of seasonal flavours. What I think makes this book unique is both the recipes ( I have not seen most of these recipes before) and the assembly of the cakes. The cakes are divided by season, emphasizing the tastes of each season. Summertime has you savouring a strawberry poppy seed cake, bora bora, a combination of vanilla joconde cake with coconut creme and beau soleil (beautiful sun) which is a hazelnut vanilla joconde with a mascarpone mousse and peach curd. For spring, you can enjoy Devika, rose flavored tortes with a raspberry gelee and rose whipped cream. Of course there is a lemon praline torte and Toute Fraises (everything strawberry) strawberry cupcakes. The Fall is offering you Blackberry cheesecakes and blood orange ricotta cake. For the winter you can enjoy Versailes (the cover cake) an almond joconde cake with a salted caramel mousse. Of course the winter offers you a Yule Log and rasberry white chocolate linzer torte. There are many variations of chocolate cake for each season. All the recipes look straight-forward and easy to follow. The author has detailed notes on assembling the cakes and includes an introduction regarding kitchen essentials and techniques. This is one baking book I cannot wait to start trying out.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Forgotten Garden
by
Kate Morton
chocolateandcroissants
, January 01, 2012
The Forgotten Garden is reminiscent of books I read of a child. I thoroughly enjoyed the book from beginning to end. Author Morton takes you onto a journey into a special world.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Oracle of Stamboul
by
Michael David Lukas
chocolateandcroissants
, November 11, 2011
Set in Turkey The Oracle of Stamboul captured both my heart and imagination from the beginning. Who can resist the allure of Stamboul? Late in the summer of 1877, as the Russian cavalry descends of the defenseless Ottoman outpost of Constanta, a flock of purple and white hoopoes suddenly appears over the town and Eleonaro Cohen is ushered into the world by a mysterious pair of Tarta midwires who arrive just minutes before her birth. "They had read the sign, they said, a sea of horses, a conference of birds the North star in alignment with the moon. It was a prophecy that their last king had given on his deathwatch." But joy is mixed is with tragedy, for Eleonora's mother dies soon after the birth. As Eleonora grows up, raised by her widowed father and stern aunt, her flock of hoopoes is a constant presence in her life. As a young child she discovers her father's bookshelves and loses herself for hours in the words between the spines of the books. When her father embarks on a journey to Stamboul to sell his carpets, she stows away in a trunk finding herself welcomed into the home of her father’s friend, Moncef Bey. During her short stay at Moncef Bey's home with her father she is introduced to a life fit for a Panguian as she is treated to dress fittings, hours of reading and games of backgammon. Outside the walls of Moncef Bey's home Sultan Abdulhamid II is struggling to keep his empire together given the terrible advice of all his useless advisers. For me The Oracle of Stamboul was a novel that took me back in time to a land of magic and mystic. Did the Stamboul as described in the book ever exist? I cannot say for sure. What I do know is that while I was reading the book, I could hear the call to prayer as I looked out over the Bosphorus Sea. The air was filled with the scent of rosewater and out of the corner of my eye I could see shades of purple as the hoopoes watched over.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Dont Sing at the Table
by
Adriana Trigiani
chocolateandcroissants
, October 31, 2011
Grab yourself a cup of tea. Tuck yourself into bed, under a cozy duvet and open up Don't Sing at the Table. For me this book was charming and comforting all in one. It was about the way life should be. It had the lessons I wished we could all live by every day. It made me wish for the relationship she had with her grandmothers. I also come from migrant parents. My difference is that my parents were the only ones who migrated. My grandparents were across the Atlantic. They spoke I language I did not speak. I loved my grandparents and they loved me. Seeing them on summer vacation is different from having them in your life. Author Trigiani's Don't Sing at the Table is the story about love, relationships and her grandmother's mother's stories. Her grandmother's era is an era long past. Both her grandmothers were from Italy. They were each successful in their own way. Their lives were dramatically different. Both of these women were pillars in their society and they both had lessons to pass on to their grandchildren. The book is divided into ten chapters: 1. Viola, 2. Lucia, 3. The Factory Store, 4. Storefront Couturier, 5. Security, 6. La Bella Figura, 7. Sex and Marriage, 8. THe Places You'll Go, 9 Children and 10. Belief. There are many lessons to be learnt from both of her grandmothers. Some of my favourites are 1. Open your home to friends. 2. Fill your home with music, love and beauty your child will remember, 3. Self-respect is the most important respect of all. 4. Eat fresh and in season. and most importantly Start each day with calm. These are simple lessons, but lessons that will make one a more peaceful person. Trigiani's grandmother's had wisdom. Wisdom love and stamina. Their families were important to them and they made their house a home. Each grandmother has had an interesting life full of adventure and heartache. In the end it appears that each of them lived their lives to the fullest. Trigiani was fortunate to have such strong and beautiful women in her lives as a role model. She wrote an amazing book that shares with us the lessons her grandmother's passed on to her. Aim for sprezzatura, elegnce that is neither forced not dictated, that comes from within, effortlessly like zippy dialogue and is an extension of the person, not words for the sake of them.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
(3 of 3 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment
Most Beautiful Walk in the World A Pedestrian in Paris
by
John Baxter
chocolateandcroissants
, October 13, 2011
I am having some difficulty reviewing The Most Beautiful Walk in the World; A Pedestrian in Paris. I wanted to like the book, I should have liked the book. I love everything about Paris. I would be in Paris every weekend if I could. And the title is so appropriate; Paris belongs to pedestrians. It is one of the most walkable and pretty cities I have ever visited. I enjoyed the book. However there were some moments of boredom and disillusionment. This may have been my own doing. I had a pre-conceived idea about the book. I thought that Baxter who is an Aussie married to a French woman was going to take us a a few of his favourite walks around the city. The book was not so much about walking through the city as it was a collection of anecdotes about his life in Paris. I had started reading this book before my recent trip to Paris. Having finished the book on the plane it did enhance my excitement and anticipation about going to Paris. Baxter's book is more of a guide and tribute to the literary figures and artists who made Paris home than it is about the walks Paris has to offer. I did enjoy his descriptions of the city, however I wished this book was more about walking through the city and less about Baxter and who used to live in his apartment building before. There is probably something for everyone who loves the city of lights in this book, I just do not think the entire book is for everyone.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
(2 of 3 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment
Thousand Lives The Untold Story of Hope Deception & Survival at Jonestown
by
Julia Scheeres
chocolateandcroissants
, September 13, 2011
Wow, is the first word that comes to mind. Not necessarily in a good way, but not in a bad way either. Wow! that someone could have so much control over the lives of others. Control enough to isolate them and institute a mass suicide/murder.I first heard of the "Jonestown" suicides as a teenager. Living outside the United States at the time, I did not learn much about Jim Jones (the leader of the Peoples Temple) but just heard how a religious group of individuals drank the poisonous vat of purple kool-aid.For me, A Thousand Lives was a gripping story that I did not want to put down. Everyone knows the story of the vat of purple kool-aid. What I am not sure if everyone knows is how Jim Hones was and how he was able to convince his flock to follow him to Jonestown and segregate them from their families and society. Like many religious zealots, Jones was a charlatan. Initially it seemed that he had the interests of his followers. Whether power corrupted him or he was always evil is no known. Scheeres does an amazing job in chronicling his rise a a religious leader and how his charismatic personality was able to have individuals turn their backs on their families. Scheeres personalizes the story, by introducing her readers to the lives of several members of the Peoples Temples. Some of these people are the few survivors and other information comes from the diary and writings on one women. While the fate of the characters is known one has hope throughout the book that they will not follow Jones to Guyana and survive that fateful day. Having enjoyed her book JesusLand, Scheeres did not disappoint with A Thousand Lives. Scheeres did an amazing job in telling the story of both Jones and his followers and offering an explanation of how so many people ended up in a country many of us had never heard of before.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Sweet Chic
by
Rachel Thebault
chocolateandcroissants
, September 01, 2011
For author and baker Thebault, baking is complimentary to getting dressed. Scooped cookies are our white t-shirt, chocolate cookies that basic trench coat and of course who can forget the little black dress and all the accessories that go along with it. Her desserts are sweet, chic and elegant. Of course let's not forget versatile. Take the simple vanilla cookie add some strawberry and now we have a strawberry shortcake. Of course, if one is going to be chic and eat your dessert with white gloves we are just going to have a dainty nibble. No oversized cookies that are wider than the circumference of your mouth. Everything about the book is darling and dainty. Who is not drawn in to the pink cover and the little cupcakes? I refuse to mention the season that follows summer but when it is time to put on a chunky cardigan, Chcolate amaretto and Linzer Thumprints sound like the perfect cookie to enjoy as the leaves fall. Of course, eating a Sweet and Salty Cake while sitting around in the little black dress sounds quite delightful. Before the strawberries reach their peak I am going to have to try the Strawberry Vanilla Cake. What I think makes Sweet CHIC such a great baking book is the versatility of her recipes. The Vanilla Cake Batter is the same batter used in the Peanut Butter and Jelly Cupcakes and the Blueberry Cheesecake. Once you start baking you could easily come up with your own recipes and just switch out the color of your t-shirt. To quote Rachel "Each base recipe is like a wardrobe staple that can be worn many different ways and never goes out of style". Be creative with your baking. The introduction has all sorts of helpful hints, from icing a cake (with photos) to double boiling and making your desserts last. The book has three sections, cookies, cakes and confections. Yes I will be making the cranberry almond bark.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Soldiers Wife
by
Margaret Leroy
chocolateandcroissants
, July 24, 2011
s it wrong to fall in love with a Nazi, when the Germans have occupied your island? The setting is Guernsey, a tiny British island in the Channel Islands during World War II. Vivienne de la Mare did not intend to fall in love with the German soldier. With the war ravaging on around her, the need for love and human comfort does not stop. Vivienne wants to be patriot to her country. As the mother of two children, she made the agonizing decision to stay on the island instead of fleeing for London and must now follow through with the consequences. Her eldest daughter Blanche is angry with her. London is so much more fashionable, with much more to do. Why did they have to stay behind. There is very little to eat and so many rules. Millie a child of five does not understand everything. Her mother tries to hide the war from her, but Millie starts to believe in ghosts. Soon Vivienne realizes that Millie and her friend Simon are feeding a POW. It is their secret, but Vivienne must protect her child from the Germans. From the first page I adored this book. This is probably my favorite book I have read this year. Leroy's writing is beautiful, transporting you to an island that was once idyllic before it was occupied. The author had me wanting to visit the islands, smell the sea and walk amongst the many trails. She also did an amazing job of displaying the conflict Vivienne felt, having an affair with the enemy, pretending to her children their father was a decent sort of man (he had an affair before going off to war), taking care of her senile mother-in law and soothing her longing for her absent son. I first became fascinated with the Guernsey Islands after reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society and have wanted to read another book set here. Leroy's book is a beautiful historical love story that gives a little history and an awakening to human emotions.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
The Cat Who Went to Paris
by
Peter Gethers
chocolateandcroissants
, June 11, 2011
I cannot tell you where I found out about the title of this book. I can tell you, that when I heard about the book I borrowed it from the library immediately. Who could resist a book titled The Cat Who Went to Paris? For anyone who likes or loves cats this is one of the more charming kitty books I have read. After all how many cats go to Paris? I enjoyed this book so much I was reading passages aloud to my husband. He took one look at the title and announced that he knew why I was reading the book. Author Gethers is given Norton a 6 month old Scottish Fold kitten from his girlfriend. For a man who disliked cats he became an cat aficionado. Little did Norton know the adventure he was about to embark on. Norton is not really a cat, he is part doggy, part human and full of love and life. Norton was quite happy to sit in Gether's pocket and go on expeditions around NYC. Amazingly Norton was always happy to be sitting on Gether's lap whether he was dining out in Paris or flying over on the Concorde. Gether's tales of Norton's aviation adventures are enough to make me fly Air France all the time. On one American airline flight the stewardess lost her mind when she saw Norton sitting on Gether's lap. Apparently the FAA is concerned about pets and food being in close proximity. Meanwhile on Air France, Norton was treated like a frequent flyer. At French restaurants he would be given his own chair and meals. And of course the maids at the hotel would turn down the sheets for Norton and always be in the room playing with him. Amazingly Norton would always respond to his name when called. No matter where Gether's and Norton would be, whether it be a hotel, a conference or the hotel in Paris, Norton would go out for a stroll and come home when beckoned. I have never heard of a cat named Norton before. He truly sounds like an adorable kitty. My thoughts on this book, This is a lemon pastry from my favorite bakery in Paris.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Jadore New York
by
Isabelle Lafleche
chocolateandcroissants
, June 11, 2011
Summertime is upon us and for me that means reading chic lit at the beach. J'Adore New York has chic Parisian fashion, scummy high-powered male attorneys, romance and glamour. As a former practicing attorney author Lefelche is accurate in her description of the conflict and inner workings of a high-powered law firm. I appreciated how she juxaposed attorney Catherine's poise and professionalism against the old boy's sexist attitudes and corporate corruption. As a Parisian Catherine has a penchant for Dior fashion. There are enough references to Dior to appreciate the world of haute couture without thinking that Lefelche was being sponsored by them. I enjoyed her description of Catherine's wardrobe. Even though for me I am a Chanel girl. Lefelche does a great job of keeping the story moving at a fast pace, keeps the story moving, manages to address some serious issues in the legal world that unfortunately face many female attorneys while adding in some laughs and having Catherine emerge at the end of the day with her Parisian values intact.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Tanas Kitchen Secrets
by
Tana Ramsay
chocolateandcroissants
, June 11, 2011
Married to British celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, Tana's books contains recipes for families to enjoy together. The book is divided into slow and easy meat, quick and easy meat, fish, pasta, rice and grains, pies, pastries, tarts and batters, vegetables, a bit of dough, something sweet, cakes and cookies, sauces and dressings. I must admit when I first realized the author was British I was a bit skeptical of the recipes. Sorry, but I do not consider British cooking to be the most exciting cuisine around. I must say that I was pleasantly surprised as I sat down to read the book. The book has a wonderful selection of recipes with something for everyone. Apparently Tana is a fan of spices so for me that bodes well. Some of her recipes include, sauteed calamari with chorizo and peppers, crab and sweet corn soup, filled potato skins and cauliflower cheese my way. One unique trait I like is that all her recipes have a special tip. All of her recipes seem to be quite simple and actually healthy. How about Peapod salad, Just blanch your peas and toss them in olive oil adding fresh bean sprouts and soy sauce along with salt and pepper. Or what about Pan-fried corn on the cob-just toss your ears with olive oil and fresh rosemary. The dish I want to try is the Napa cabbage and chile salad. Of course, blackberry and coconut sorbet sounds quite refreshing for dessert. I cannot wait to go to the fruit store for some apricots so I can try out her apricot, raspberry and ginger crumble. The English scones are another recipe I would like to try. As a fan of crumbles I would never have thought of this fruit menagerie. Would I add this book to my collection? I think I may just have to buy it. Her recipes are varied and unique. Many times when I pick up a cookbook that covers all the courses I find the recipes to be variations of other recipes I already have. Aside from the cupcake, meringue and chocolate cheesecake recipes that appear to be generic the remainder of the recipes seem to be unique. The ingredients are common enough to have in your kitchen that you will not be struggling to improvise.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Dreams of Joy
by
Lisa See
chocolateandcroissants
, June 11, 2011
I am not sure what quite happened to See's writing in this book. Dreams of Joy's writing is reminiscent of her earlier writing style-poorly written and chopping. The dialogue in the book was painful to read. While I had read Shanghai Girls and quite enjoyed it, May and Pearl did not have any character in this book whatsoever.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
(2 of 4 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment
Oracle of Stamboul
by
Michael David Lukas
chocolateandcroissants
, February 21, 2011
Set in Turkey The Oracle of Stamboul captured both my heart and imagination from the beginning. Who can resist the allure of Stamboul? Late in the summer of 1877, as the Russian cavalry descends of the defenseless Ottoman outpost of Constanta, a flock of purple and white hoopoes suddenly appears over the town and Eleonaro Cohen is ushered into the world by a mysterious pair of Tarta midwires who arrive just minutes before her birth. "They had read the sign, they said, a sea of horses, a conference of birds the North star in alignment with the moon. It was a prophecy that their last king had given on his deathwatch." But joy is mixed is with tragedy, for Eleonora's mother dies soon after the birth. As Eleonora grows up, raised by her widowed father and stern aunt, her flock of hoopoes is a constant presence in her life. As a young child she discovers her father's bookshelves and loses herself for hours in the words between the spines of the books. When her father embarks on a journey to Stamboul to sell his carpets, she stows away in a trunk finding herself welcomed into the home of her father’s friend, Moncef Bey. During her short stay at Moncef Bey's home with her father she is introduced to a life fit for a Panguian as she is treated to dress fittings, hours of reading and games of backgammon. Outside the walls of Moncef Bey's home Sultan Abdulhamid II is struggling to keep his empire together given the terrible advice of all his useless advisers. For me The Oracle of Stamboul was a novel that took me back in time to a land of magic and mystic. Did the Stamboul as described in the book ever exist? I cannot say for sure. What I do know is that while I was reading the book, I could hear the call to prayer as I looked out over the Bosphorus Sea. The air was filled with the scent of rosewater and out of the corner of my eye I could see shades of purple as the hoopoes watched over.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
(0 of 1 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment
Finny
by
Justin Kramon
chocolateandcroissants
, February 06, 2011
Finny is a book that I both loved and at times was bothered by. We are introduced to Finny as an adolescent who just cannot fit in. At home she has problems with her mother who has expectations as to how a young woman should behave. When her parents discover her "crush" with Earl Finny is sent off to boarding school where she rooms with Judith, who always seems to know what to do in every situation. For as innocent as Finny is Judith is mature. I loved the coming of age aspect of the book as we follow Finny from her early teen years through to her mid-thirties. This may sound sexist but I was surprised that this book was written by a male. Equally surprising was that this is Kramon's first novel. I thought he did an amazing job with all the characters. The book also arrived with a feather which once you read the book you will understand why. What bothered me about the book was the graphic nature of Judith's sexual behavior. Judith is an attention grabber and likes to shock people. Her attention grabbing behavior was evident through her graphic behavior. I felt that at times there was too much detail given that was not necessarily necessary. Aside from that this was a great read.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
(0 of 1 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment
Moonface: A True Romance
by
Angela Balcita
chocolateandcroissants
, February 06, 2011
Moonface is a memoir and romance rolled into one. It is about the most selfless gift a person could give another, their kidney. During her first year in college, Author Balcita becomes ill. As the child of a physician her parents summon her home where she enters the world of medical tests and kidney transplant and dialyses. This book is not for the faint of heart. This poor women has had more than one kidney tranplant. Her first kidney was donated by her brother. She then received a second kidney from her boyfriend who went on to become her husband. This book grabbed me from the beginning. Balcita makes no secrets about her fears and anguish about her body rejecting her kidney and the stamina required for dialysis. But through it all it seems that she has truly found her life partner, Charlie who not only gives her his kidney but is there for her in a loving and supporting way through all their ordeals. Asked if he would ever donate a kidney again-he delivers an emphatic no. The pain was too much for him to bear. Of course it did not help that the surgeon asked him this in front of the Balcita. Balcita delivers a great story about her life, life with Charlie, and life about being a young women with a failing kidney. For anyone who ever wondered what unconditional love is, Balcita captures it for us.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
(0 of 1 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment
Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother
by
Amy Chua
chocolateandcroissants
, January 25, 2011
Chua is a Chinese American law professor at Yale married to a fellow Jewish law professor with two daughters. Chua strongly believes that Westerners have a different approach to child rearing than the Chinese. For some reason unfathomable to me she decided to write a book about her daughters and the approach she took to raising them. The list of what she allowed her daughters to do is shorter than the list of what she did not allow them to do. No sleepovers, no sports, extra curricular activities, playdates etc. From a tender age and I am talking three years old-she had her daughters learning classical music. One daughter took up the piano while the other daughter played the violin. Her approach to child rearing was akin to being a dictator. Childhood for her children was all about perfection and practicing their instruments, thrown in with achieving straight A's. Chua only accepted perfection from her children. On one occasion when it appeared that her children made her a birthday card at the last minute, she berated them and told them that she would not accept them. Not to spoil any more of these delightful tales of her daughter's childhood my one big question is why did she write the book? As a fellow attorney I can assure you that our private lives reflect on our professional lives. One can be disciplined professionally for actions in your private life. Not that this really makes a difference but why would you ever write this book? I have to question if Chua has some issues herself needing some sort of strange accolades or attention? But that said, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Memoirs, especially Asian memoirs are one of my favorite genres. This was an interesting look into the lives of others. Do I agree with her technique. No. All I could think of is thank goodness she is not my mother. But I was also born to migrant parents. As a child I was not allowed sleepovers, watching cartoons on Saturday morning or to play sports. Yes, I was made to suffer hours of piano lessons and practice. No I did not perform at Carnegie Hall. For me, some of these concepts were foreign to my mum and I think that she gave me piano lessons because she never had them. I like a book that makes you think. Throughout the book I kept on wondering what was Chua's motivation with her daughters? I am not a psychologist so I cannot answer that question. What I can tell you is, a book should make you think and ask questions. Chua achieved that with this book. Maybe a little too much as everyone seems to now have an opinion.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
(0 of 1 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment
Forgetting Room
by
Nick Bantock
chocolateandcroissants
, January 15, 2011
I am not sure what I thought of this book-I liked it, yet I found it to be confusing and disorienting. The illustrations in the book are quite unique and in general I enjoyed the story. The main character inherits his grandfather's home in Ronda, Spain. While staying in the house and packing it up he is supposed to figure out a puzzle left by his grandfather. We are never really told what the answer to the puzzle is. I am not sure if this book would appeal to everyone.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Promise Me How a Sisters Love Launched the Global Movement to End Breast Cancer
by
Nancy Brinker
chocolateandcroissants
, January 09, 2011
The first week of the year has just ended and I would have to say that Promise Me is the most inspirational book I have read this year and in a long time. If you live in North America I am sure you must be familiar with the Susan Komen Foundation and Race for the Cure. While Susan succumbed to breast cancer many years ago, Promise Me is her sister's story of who Susan was and how the foundation came about. I found the book to be utterly amazing. For me it falls into the category of books that I could not put down once I started reading it. The book is part memoir, part the history of documented cases of breast cancer,the story of Nancy Brinker's promise to her sister to bring awareness to breast cancer along with the stories of various women who have been afflicted by breast cancer. Race for the Cure is the largest foot race in the United States in terms of participants. Once you start reading the book you get an understanding for who Nancy Brinker is and how she came to create the Susan Komen Foundation. Born to a mother who believed in helping those less fortunate, Nancy and her sister put on a talent show with neighborhood children in their effort to raise money for the fight against polio. They also spent time dropping off food to families afflicted by polio. As a college graduate, Nancy worked for Neimen Marcus in Dallas, learning what customer service was all about. It is these life experiences that I believe gave Nancy the ability to create such a successful foundation. While her sister underwent treatment, Nancy or other family members were always along her side. After her death, Nancy spoke to the same doctors to find out what could be done to bring awareness to breast cancer and help other individuals (Breast cancer is not unique to women). Nancy had me laughing when she detailed a French doctor's oncology research. Only a French doctor would cook a sample of a breast with cancer alongside with beef to detail how cooking it changed the sample. He also tasted the sample. With fondness she recounts growing up as the younger sister of Susan and the adventures they had together. Little did she know when they toured Europe as young women that her sister's life was already half over. Most importantly, as a breast cancer survivor author Brinker, emphasizes the importance of regular mammograms and self breast exams. The book is truly remarkable. I have run in the local Race for the Cure race and watched from the sidelines. The event is truly something to watch. For those who have never been or seen the races, hundreds of people turn out. But what is more amazing are the various teams of families who are supporting a breast cancer survivor or running in memory of someone that science and medicine could not save.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Distant Hours
by
Kate Morton
chocolateandcroissants
, January 05, 2011
One would have thought that the book was written for me. This book took me back to my childhood. I just loved this book. Morton has a wonderful way with words. The book will engross you from the first word. Read it if you can.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
What a Difference a Dog Makes
by
Dana Jennings
chocolateandcroissants
, January 05, 2011
What a Difference A Dog Makes Big Lessons on Life, Love and Healing from a Small Pooch is a cute collection of anecdotes about Jennings family poodle, Bijoux. For anyone who has a dog or has had pets, you will laugh at the stories about this family dog. Every animal has a lesson to teach us and their own quirky behavior that brings a smile to our face. The book is billed as a story about the life lessons that Bijoux taught the author when he was sick with cancer. While his illness is mentioned in the box and there are some lines about how he would get out of walking the dog because of it, this is not so much that story as it is a collection of little tales about Bijoux and the other odd assortment of pets the family had.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
GETTING REVENGE ON LAUREN WOOD
by
Eileen Cook
chocolateandcroissants
, November 14, 2010
I would not call this Children's Young Adult, YA is more appropriate. I am not sure how this ended up on my book shelf as it is not my usual genre. That said this was a quick enjoyable read. There were some good lessons in the book, about who you are, honesty, friendship and doing what is important for you.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Who Loves You Best
by
Tess Stimson
chocolateandcroissants
, November 14, 2010
Clare is your typical 30 something year old has it all women-until she gives birth on the sidewalk of London-only to land in the hospital with an infection. Parts of the book I loved and other parts I did not enjoy at all. Overall this is a great chick lit book. There is some vulgarity that the book could have done without and some sex scenes with forced sex that I did not appreciate. The book does address some issues that I am sure many working mothers find themselves facing. I did not like the sex scenes as I did not think that added to the book and as a hard rule I avoid any literature that has forced sex
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Bobbi Brown Living Beauty
by
Bobbi Brown
chocolateandcroissants
, November 08, 2010
The tips Bobbie Brown gives are helpful, however there is nothing new in this book if you read fashion and beauty magazines. I was slightly disappointed with the book-expecting a lot more from it. I thought there would be tips on technique and application-but nothing-she talks about what makeup brushes to use but does not show you their shape. She talks about color but once again no-sketches on how to apply it-just what colors to use. This book was akin to a magazine article.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Saving CeeCee Honeycutt
by
Beth Hoffman
chocolateandcroissants
, November 07, 2010
Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt is a story to be treasured. Author Beth Hoffman brings to life the story of sweet child from a troubled family who unexpectedly finds herself transposed to Savhannah. The story she tells us, is a fairy tell full of Southern charm and humor. Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt is such an enchanting story I am ready to pack my bags and move. Cee Cee’s mother is the crazy lady in town. Eccentric and odd, Cee Cee is troubled by her love for her mother and the alienation she suffers at school given her mother’s odd behavior. When her mother dies, Cee Cee’s father ships her off to Aunt Toottie, a kind and adventurous women. Under Aunt Tootie’s roof Cee Cee is introduced to a collage of women, each who have an impact on Cee Cee. Each character has their own personality and lessons about being a Southern belle to teach Cee Cee. One neighbor introduces CeeCee to the concept of karma. Hoffman had me laughing out loud as CeeCee travelled around town taking photos taking photos of another neighbor’s traveling brassiere which she then sent back to the bra’s owner. What I enjoyed the most about this book was the description of all the different characters. Author Hoffman did such an incredible job with developing their characters that for me I had a vision of all of them in my mind as I was reading along. This is a wonderful chick lit book with strong, unique female characters. My favorite quote from the book: Take the gift Miz Tootie is givin you and hold it tight. Don't go wastin' all them bright tomorrows you ain't even seen by hanging on what happened yesterday. People is wise cause they get out in the world and live. How true is this quote.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Beezer & Boomer Lessons on Living & Dying From My Canine Brothers
by
Doug Koktavy
chocolateandcroissants
, October 31, 2010
Let me start off by saying, be prepared to cry. This book is going to pull at your heart. Before I could even make my way through the first chapter I had tears streaming down my cheeks. From the cover of the book, it is known that both of the author’s dogs die from health related issues. The crying will stop, you will laugh and you may cry again as author Doug tells the story of his dogs, his efforts to give them a healthy life, stump their illness and his experience with them as they slowly lose the battle. As a fellow attorney, I can relate to Doug’s approach in the treatment of his pets. We are a neurotic group who likes to be in control. We chart, record and analyze everything. No, is not really a word in our vocabulary; if one approach does not work we attempt another. We are not very accepting of defeat. Author Doug, did his research, he joined chat rooms, sought out holistic treatment, dog therapy, dog communicators, homemade diets and kept a diary of his dog’s illness. One of his motivations in writing the book, was to address the issue of an ailing pet. The emotions he describes, are raw and real. It sucks to see your pet's health deteriorate. There is nothing else to be said. To say I enjoyed the book, may not be the proper description. One does not enjoy learning of another’s grief and sadness. I truly appreciate the author’s efforts in documenting his experience and the tidbits as a pet owner you may adopt. Doug is fortunate in that he had the finances and capability to spend time with his pets as their health deteriorated. Probably the most important advice he passes on from one of his veterinarians is to enjoy your pet. When a pet’s health is deteriorating, one can become focused on the issue of health instead of enjoying the time with the pet. For me, I found this a great book. I have lost a pet suddenly, am dealing with a pet’s health and know that I have suffered many emotions; happy and sad. This was a book that I really identified with. You may also want to visit the Beezer and Boomer website for more information. Go to Costco, buy a few dozen boxes of tissues and tuck yourself in for a good read.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Me, Myself and Paris: One Toe Under the Eiffel Tower, The Other In the Grocery Store
by
Ruth Yunker
chocolateandcroissants
, October 05, 2010
Author Ruth Yunker is living part of my dream. Three years in a row she rented an apartment in Paris, spending 6 weeks in the city. This is where my dream ends. Yunker writes about her time in Paris and the adventures and escapades that she encounters and she tries to navigate a foreign country with a different culture and language. I did read the book in it's entirety despite wanting to just put it down partway through. I found Yunker to be a complainer and I am not sure if she enjoyed her time in Paris. Travel abroad can be frustrating; especially when one does not speak the language and is not surrounded by friends. That is also what makes travel abroad so much fun. It is not home. If you want home stay home. Each chapter of the book, chronicles part of her stay, whether it be the parks of Paris, Monoprix (France's cheap department store with everything from groceries to souvenirs to clothes, riding the metro to chic French fashion. What she writes about are authentic Parisian experiences. Except there does not seem to be anything positive or funny about what she has to say. I would not call the book a work of humor and at the end I had to ask myself why she returned three years in a row.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
(4 of 8 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment
Under the Table Saucy Tales from Culinary School
by
Katherine Darling
chocolateandcroissants
, September 26, 2010
Katherine Darling is a young woman living in NYC in the publishing business. One day she decides that she wants to go to culinary school and hone the skills that she was introduced to in her family kitchen. She comes from a family that debates over what pies to make at Thanksgiving. I do not recollect the number but believe that there would be about 4-5 different pies served-although her family was not a fan of turkey. At Thanksgiving she announces her big plans to her parents and grandparents to see what the reaction would be. Who would not want a chef in their home. I would love one. Her book chronicles her experience through culinary school, from receiving her set of knives, apron and pants, through the various lesson, making stocks, dicing vegetables, cooking poultry and fish, breads and desserts onto the more sophisticated lessons. What I truly appreciated about the books were some of the cooking techniques she shares with her readers. Simple little tricks that one may not have an appreciation for. Of course I always welcome a selection of recipes. The recipes she included are all quite simple, just a little heavy on the calories. I would highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys cooking or wants a little insight into the lives of culinary school and the students. One of Darling's colleagues came from Michigan, having worked in the auto industry. As a twenty something year old he leaves his wife and children behind for 6 months to pursue an education in culinary school. I loved the stories of her classmates, students who were willing to try something different and take a chance. As a first time writer, Darling has given us a true treasure. Her combination of a few recipes, six months of culinary lessons, some tales about the French chef instructors and a wonderful use of the English language has baked up a true culinary read. Readers can hear the accent of her Gallic instructors as they critique and praise the student's progress in the kitchen. This book will stay on my shelf for the recipes and tips she has included alone.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
(3 of 6 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment
Gifts Cooks Love: Recipes for Giving
by
Diane Morgan and Sur La Table
chocolateandcroissants
, September 20, 2010
With all sorts of recipes and gift ideas you better believe these are Gifts Cooks Love. The recipes range from the savory, Rustic Rosemary Parmesan Crackers, and onion marmalade, to making your own olive oil and herb-cured albacore tuna for tuna salad-I can hardly wait to try this one out. Let's not forget the sweet gifts, jams and preserves, candied apples, biscotti, Mexican hot chocolate and double fudge brownie pops. Scrumptious is the word that comes to mind. I have yet to make anything from the book. There will be plenty of recipes that I will try out. In perusing the book, the recipes all seem quite easy with readily available ingredients and instructions that have wonderful cooking tips. My only criticism is I found one recipe that called for corn syrup. I am the enemy of corn syrup. It is the cheapest cooking ingredient around with evil lurking about-just think fat. Unhealthy and unnatural. That said, I am rather enticed by the thought of making dried porcini mushrooms and panforte. What I believe that sets this book apart from other gift giving recipe books is the the presentation of the final product and ideas for gift baskets. You could give someone a smores basket, making your own chocolate, graham crackers and marshmallows, or how about an Italian basket, with pasta, sauce and mushrooms.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
(5 of 9 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment
Cleopatras Daughter
by
Michelle Moran
chocolateandcroissants
, September 06, 2010
Most people know the story of Cleopatra and her love affair with Marc Anthony. For me the story of her children was unknown to me. The story of Cleopatra does not end after the she dies from the snake bite. Cleopatra had three children that survived her, Selene Kleopatra, her twin brother Alexander and a younger brother Ptolemy. After Octavian conquers Egypt he relocates her children to Rome forcing them to embrace the Roman gods and culture. What I enjoy about Moran's books is not only do I have the opportunity to read a great book, when I turn the last page I feel that I walk away knowing the history of the era. Moran takes the time to research her subject matter. As you read the pages, you can envision young Selene, walking the streets of Rome, studying the architecture and dreaming of her beloved Alexandria. Of course at the end of the book is a brief history of Selene's life after the book ended. I would truly appreciate a sequel to this novel, chronicling Selene's life as she grew older. For anyone who wants to read a great book and become engrossed in Cleopatra's daughter's story and life in Rome this is a great novel.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
(3 of 6 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment
Mommy Are We French Yet Tales of an American Family Living in France
by
Shawn Underwood
chocolateandcroissants
, August 27, 2010
Author Underwood and her sister decide to move their families to France. Mommy, are we French yet is the hilarious tale of their adventure, pantomining and speaking a semi-intelligible language for a year. Just the fact that they would have the fortitude to move their school age children to a foreign country scores a million croissants with me. This would have been my type of adventure. Underwoodtells the story of every traveler who has attempted to visit a foreign country on their own. First there are the roundabouts in France. From my own experience, my husband driving, me reading French, one cannot translate quickly enough to stop yourself from going around and around until you have made yourself clear when you should exit. Of course men find this rather frustrating and it leads to the argument of the day. Underwood goes on to describe her attempt to get a chic French hair do-only to come out looking somewhat like Annie Lennox. I must confess that I considered getting a new style while in Paris, but chickened out concerned that I would not be able to verbalize what I wanted. Throughout their trip whether it be a vacation to Spain or Egypt, Underwood and her family keep their sense of humor about them. Each chapter is written by Underwood, with a synopsis from her husband on his observations of the experience. Underwood will have you laughing from beginning to end as she describes their adventure in the South of France. While I do not make light of the situation the book ends with robbers breaking into their house. Underwood in her attempt to communicate under stress in French, is offering the robbers cheese and coffee as she misinterprets their demands for the rings and the way to the safe. Only in France.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
(2 of 6 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment
Recessionistas
by
Alexandra Lebenthal
chocolateandcroissants
, August 21, 2010
The Recessionistas is a chick lit satire of the wives of hedge fund managers who shop at the three B's Bergdorf, Barneys and Bendel and spend their day lunching. The book is both funny and sad. Imagine not being able to survive on $250,000 a year. The horror of it all. What is sad, is that because of greed and Wall Street this country is in the financial mess that it is in. To think that my investment in a fund helped support someone's addiction to Botox, liposuction or a life of really doing nothing is rather discouraging. But leaving that aside, the book is rather amusing. Most of the wives are portrayed as shallow clueless women whose just like to shop and be seen. Now an argument can be made that their husbands are the ones that reinforced and encouraged this behavior. Grigsby Somerset is preoccupied with having her husband fund a personal assistant for her to schedule her beauty appointments and other such matters. As the market is collapsing and her husband is worried about a margin call her preoccupation is getting her child into the right kindergarten at 30K a year. Poor Mimi cannot face the fact that she is aging and will do anything for a photo op in New York's Society pages. We have all seen the photos of women wearing who knows what and wondering if they did not have a mirror in their home. That is Mimi, anything for a little attention. Author Alexandra Lebenthal knows her stuff, both about how Wall Street Works and how the wealthy wives of NYC spend their time. This is a fun beach read that will either leave you cheering for the demise of these women or crying that you are a victim of this nation's greed. My one complaint about the book is the excessive use of the "F" word. I am sure that many expletives were used as the market crashed in the fall of 2008. Do I really need to see the "F" word in print. As president and CEO of Lebenthal and Co, I am sure that Lebenthal has an extensive vocabulary in addition of the "F" word that could have been used instead.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
(3 of 6 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment
Descartes' Bones: A Skeletal History of the Conflict Between Faith and Reason
by
Russell Shorto
chocolateandcroissants
, August 20, 2010
The description sounds interesting enough. I thought the book would chronicle the mystery surrounding the movement about Descartes Bones. For me I found the book way over my head. It had a lot of detail about Descartes the man and his theories on philosophy and his contributions to the world. The man did make some significant contributions, just not ones that I was all that interested in.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
(5 of 13 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment
Sarahs Key
by
Tatiana de Rosnay, Tatiana De Rosnay
chocolateandcroissants
, August 10, 2010
Sarah's Key is a beautiful haunting book that will stay with you long after you close the cover. Author De Rosny has tackled a difficult and little known subject in the dark history of France. On July 16, 1942, French police did the Nazi's dirty work by rounding up Jewish men, women and children and housing them in despicable condition in a velodrome. Ten year old Sarah hides her brother in a secret cupboard when the French came banging on her door to take her family away. The locking of the cupboard haunts Sarah for the rest of her life. The author's style is one of my favorite, switching between Sarah's narration and the new mistress of the home. Julia, is about to become the mistress of the home. Married to a Parisian, she writes for an expat magazine catering to Americans. Her current assignment is to write about Vel D'Hiv. Through her assignment she discovers that her husband's family home in the Marais, was Sarah's home.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
(0 of 1 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment
Secret Lives of Husbands and Wives
by
Josie Brown
chocolateandcroissants
, August 10, 2010
In suburbia every neighbor has a secret. Who needs enemies when you have frenemies. Friends that pretend to be friends but are really enemies. The Secret Lives of Husbands and Wives chronicles the lives of a group of suburban moms and the one housedaddy Harry. Harry's wife has left him-overnight he goes from a neighborhood husband to the most sought after mother, with the suburban moms tripping over themselves to ingratiate their way into his bedroom. While quite unrealistic, the book provides some great laughs and is perfect for a summer read. I found the ending to be a bit too predictable.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
(0 of 2 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment
Roseflower Creek
by
Jackie Lee Miles
chocolateandcroissants
, August 08, 2010
I wanted to like this book. It is written from the voice of a 10 year old who is dead. I just could not get into the book. I understand that the characters live in the south, they are poor and probably not educated. I just do not enjoying reading books that have poor grammar and English. I comprehend it is their voice it is just not the voice for me. Aside from not enjoying the voice, I found the flow of the book to be unbelievably slow.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
(0 of 2 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment
Shantaram
by
Gregory David Roberts
chocolateandcroissants
, August 04, 2010
I found Shantaram at Target just days after returning from India. You may have well already imagined that I had fallen in love with the countries. I know what a dichotomy, France and India as two of my favorite cities. Surprisingly there were plenty of French on vacation in India. I am a restless person and sitting on a plane for about 24 hours as I made my way to Asia did not have a lot of appeal to me. This was back in 05 I believe when Sudoka was slowly overtaking the nation. I had brought my book of Sudoka with me and I remember sitting on a plane on one of the domestic flights in India next to a French man. He was rather forward and literally was trying to learn how to play Sudoka over my shoulder. So obviously I taught him how to play Sudoka and ripped a few pages out of my book so he would have his games. I honestly cannot remember what drew me in to the book, I just knew I had to read it. Ironically enough one of my friends from the trip was at a party that weekend and called me to tell me about a book someone had mentioned to him given he had just returned from India. Shocking it was Shantaram. Shantaram is not a memoir, yet is a memoir. While author Roberts does not write his story, the book is based on his story. It is only apropos that author Roberts, would travel to India, as his life is as colorful and chaotic as the streets of New Delhi. As a former Australian journalist, Roberts succumbed to a nasty heroin habit. In the throes of desperation and frustration over losing custody of his daughter he robs banks, only to receive a 19 year prison sentence. Escaping from an Australian prison he finds himself in Mumbai, India. His time here is full of both adventure and misfortune. Roberts is quick to befriend the Indian people living amongst them in the slums. His training as a paramedic elevates his status to that as a hero as he helps the slum dwellers with their ailments. Backed by the local mafia, Roberts is given access to whatever medication he needs to assist the locals. Without spoiling the story for you, his other occupations include, drug dealing and Bollywood. For me a good book is one that appeals to my senses. Shantaram does that are more for me. Given I read it on the eve of returning from India, I appreciated his colorful descriptions of the streets and people. I am not going to pretend that I spent and times in the slums of India, although I saw plenty of people in need. Roberts had me walking aside him down the streets of Mumbai. I could smell the scent of curry wafting through the air and heard the cacophony of the city. This book was India. I was struck by the relationships Roberts developed with the locals. He was kind to all and helped where he could. To tempt you to read the book I will tell you that as a fugitive and one of Australia's most wanted men he did get caught.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
(4 of 9 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment
Hundred Foot Journey
by
Richard Morais
chocolateandcroissants
, July 25, 2010
Richard Morais' book The Hundred Foot Journey is a culinary feast that will have you sampling the lives of families, dreams and my favorite topic, food. To truly appreciate the nuances of the book one probably needs to be somewhat of a gastronome with an understanding of the history and culture of food in France. How did I hear about this book? I had the pleasure of meeting the author at the BBC reception in NYC. Morais is a former editor for Forbes magazine. He resided in London and is now back in the US. Why did I decide to read it? The author did a great job of self promoting his book-although this was not a hard sell for me. I knew it was about an Indian family and food. ( I cannot remember if I knew that they would go to France-just saying food, India and France would be enough for me). PS. I am a shallow cover reader and I really like the cover of this book. Morais tells the story of the Haji family. The title of the book, The Hundred Foot Journey is symbolic of the Haji's acceptance into the community and the Hassan's journey. From a small food stand in India, the family finds their calling and success in life. As often happens in life, circumstances takes the family from the warmth and hospitality of India, to the dampness of England. While on a road trip on the continent the family settles into a little village, Lumierie nestled in the French countryside complete with cobblestone streets and a daily market. The Hundred Foot Journey tells the story of the Haji family, life as migrants and the story of the French's relationship with food. Throughout the book, Morais shares the intimacy that the French have with their food. Morais makes reference to the bible of French cooking, The Escoffier, the treasured Michelin ratings, France's 35 hour work week and the dreaded Vat. It was these small truffles that Morais has inserted into the book that made it truly special for me. I am not sure if the average reader who is not familiar with the French food culture would appreciate these little details. I found it interesting that he had the Haji's settling in France England would have been more obvious. I am not sure if I have ever seen an Indian restaurant in France. Morais was able to both characterize the differences between the two cultures and have demonstrate their clashing through his three main characters, the patriarch of the family, his son and Mrs. Mallory the spinster French chef. Was there anything I did not like-200 pages into the book there was some unnecessary adult language-why he chose the English words I do not know, there may be the French equivalent-cannot say as my knowlege of French slang is lacking. I also wished he had included some recipes.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Give a Little How Your Small Donations Can Transform the World
by
Wendy Smith
chocolateandcroissants
, July 21, 2010
Give A Little: How Your Small donations can transform our world is an insightful and interesting look into the world of donations and the difference they can make in this world. The premise behind the book is awesome as it opened my eyes up to how even the smallest of donations can make a difference to villages and people around the world. Think about the concept of donating $5.00. To most of us what is a $5.00 donation. To a family that lives in an area that does not have access to clean filtered water twelve donations of $5.00 will by them a water pump that delivers what most of us take for granted, clean drinking water. How does clean water impact a family? For a young infant it may make the difference between life and death. For the family it may keep the parents alive. Clean water will eliminate the potential of many illnesses. The children can grow up and lead healthy lives. The parents are able to parent their children-hopefully these children do not become orphans from some other disaster. I am sure if all of us saw the photo of a dehydrated child we would give $5.00 so they could get a water pump or netting to keep them safe from malaria. The book discusses different charitable organizations and how little donations add up to make a difference. The difference goes beyond what you are purchasing. One small donation can impact families and generations to come. The premise of the book is great as it opened up my eyes as to the larger impact of small donations. Author Smith has over 20 years experience working with different agencies. She definitely knows her facts. However part way through the book she lost me a little by getting too bogged down in facts and almost coming across as preachy. While facts and numbers may work for the accountants I would have sooner heard about how lives were changed by the donations. Before reading this book I was aware of different organizations such as Heifer International that will buy a family a cow. What I was not aware of was the impact and long term benefits of such a gift. Smith has done a great job in creating awareness of how little donations really do make a difference to the world. A healthier world benefits all of us.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Lost Girls Three Friends Four Continents One Unconventional Detour Around the World
by
Jennifer Baggett
chocolateandcroissants
, July 16, 2010
I absolutely adored this book. I love travel memoirs and The Lost Girls was no exception. What made the book special for me, was that the went to some of the same places that I have been to. Kenya, the Amazon, Machua Pichua, India, Vietnam and Australia. It was interesting to read about another woman's perspective on these places. I envy the women taking a year off from their jobs and enjoying the experiences they did. All three of the women had a set experience they wanted to enjoy, volunteering at an orphanage in Africa, studying yoga in India. As I was deciding what photo to post from my travels I came across a few that reminded me of a something I had read in the book. I have a lot of street photography from Asia. People posing and smiling. The women all talked about strangers they had encountered along their trip who helped them. In Vietnam it was a woman in a crowded market who grabbed one of the woman's belongings after her purse had been snatched, in South America a woman who helped one of the woman onto a rock to watch the sunset. This is what traveling is about-getting to meet new people and realizing that while we may not speak the same language, we look out for one another. What a truly found refreshing about the book, was the women's attitude toward the locals they encountered. They were all willing to accept that they were in a foreign culture different from theirs and embraced the culture to its fullest. Was their anything about the book I did not enjoy? One of the women wrote about a sexual encounter she had with a fellow backpacker and her experience with drugs in India. I am not sure why she felt the need to include this information. I was slightly mortified for her, thinking would I want my employers to know this information. All three of the women worked in the media industry.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Claude & Camille
by
Stephanie Cowell
chocolateandcroissants
, July 06, 2010
Cher ami, the more I live, the more I regret how little I know. -Claude Monet, In a letter to Frederic Bazille Even before I opened the cover of Claude & Camille I knew that I would fall in love with author Stephanie Cowell’s latest novel. Cowell has painted her own canvas giving readers an unique look into Monet’s life. I first became familiar with Monet as a 20 year old backpacking through Europe. My girlfriend was much more culturally aware than I as she dragged my from museum to museum in Paris. The Musee D’Orsay is where I was treated to my first Monet and the term “impressionism”. While I did not immediately appreciate what I had been introduced to, my passion for Monet was born. For myself, the name Monet, conjures up images of an older man with a white beard, standing before his famous waterlilies, Les Nympheas. Monet was much more than this collection. In Claude and Camille, Cowell takes readers on an artistic tour as she paints a portrait of a young Monet struggling to establish himself as a painter in 19th century Paris. Readers are introduced to Monet’s bohemian lifestyle and his friendship with the masters of his time, Renoir, Cezanne, Pissarro, Manet and Bazille. This group of men, would share a studio and together create what became known as Impressionism. Central to Monet’s story is his muse and future wife, Camille Doncieux. Having first caught a glimpse of her in a Paris train station, Monet introduces himself to her after stumbling upon her in a Parisian bookstore. Their story is one of love, selfishness and unfulfilled promises. After a failed attempt to be displayed at the State salon Palais de L’Industrie it is Monet’s painting of Camille in her lovely green promenade dress (The Women in the Green Dress)that is accepted. Cowell’s true gift is her ability to bring to life Monet’s paintings. As I read the book, I saw Monet’s canvasses before my eyes. I could imagine the light flickering over the Thames through the London fog, Camille standing in the garden, the trains at Gare St. Lazare. For me, being able to envisioning the studios were Monet painted, walking the streets of Paris to the cafes were he spent time with his friends and being able to feel I was standing before his works is a sign of a wonderful book. It is an unique talent for an author to conjure up the imagination of a reader. Claude and Camille left my heart fluttering as I turned the pages. As I read the last words of this magnificent story I was broken hearted it had come to an end. I was left with a longing to return to the great museums of Paris and soak in the beauty of Monet's canvasses. Cowell's story will forever be etched in my mind when I think of Monet. To truly enjoy the book, pack a picnic with a fresh baguette, some strawberries, and cheese. Spread your blanket out under the twilight of summer and watch the colors change as the sun falls from the sky, illuminating it with the last rays of the day.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter
by
Seth Grahame Smith
chocolateandcroissants
, June 30, 2010
Vampire stories are not my genre. I have tried to read a few of them and they have no appeal to me. However given that this story involved Abraham Lincoln it caught my attention. I do not profess to know a lot about Abraham Lincoln. I thought that the book would be a good opportunity to learn more about his life. Initially the book really caught my attention. It is full of detail and chronicles honest Abe's life from childhood through adulthood. I enjoyed the parts of the book that were filled about his life. Abraham Lincoln as a Vampire Slayer-unfortunately I thought that this part of the book could have ended a few CD's earlier. If I had been reading this book-I would not have ended up as far as I did. As an audio book I was able to listen much longer than I would have read. Would I recommend this book-probably I would not say it was awful-just a little long for me and I had enough of the Vampire Story.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
(0 of 2 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment
In the Sanctuary of Outcasts
by
Neil White
chocolateandcroissants
, June 29, 2010
In the Sanctuary of Outcasts is an unlikely memoir that you need to read to really believe it is true. Author White is a white collar criminal and for his crime he is sentenced to a federal prison. Not just any federal prison, a federal prison where inmates and patients afflicted with leprosy and confined to Carville against their choice are housed together, sharing the same food and hallways. The story is really quite a tragedy and outrage on our Public Health System. What made those afflicted with leprosy the lucky ones who had criminals preparing their food and would sometimes find themselves on the receiving end of inmates comments and stares. For me it was a shock that in the late 1990's people were still forcibly quarantined in the United States. I was also rather disturbed by the selection of their neighbors. As the number of patients dwindled at Carville, the inmate population increased. White's story has some entertaining and endearing moments. As a former magazine owner and journalist he sees potential in his stay at Carville for a story. White befriends some of the patients and delivers a very interesting and touching look into their lives and stay at Carville. Readers get a special insight into the life of a person, afflicted with Hansen's Disease. White also provides us with a look into life in a federal prison located on lush green property and the interaction that occurs between inmates. His story in itself is not that remarkable. Successful business get greedy, gets caught, is sentenced. Ends up losing wife along the way. What truly makes this a great story is not White's story but the story about a quarantined facility, a prison, the patients who lived there, the lives of inmates and the anecdotes about the visits from White's young children. Initially I had no tolerance for White-he liked the money and was willing to do what he needed to do to live the good life. Do I care if he is remorseful for his actions, no, although I have no patience for those who live the good life at the expense of ruining others financially. Initially I felt that he was exploiting his coveted status as an inmate/journalist who stumbled across a story. In the end, I do believe that he came to care about the patients and saw them as people as opposed to a story line. Readers are given a rare opportunity to listen to the stories of both the married and unmarried patients. Hearing the words of patient Ella Bounds makes you stop, ponder and realize we all have something to be thankful for. Why did I enjoy this book: 1. this memoir is different from many as it is not really White's story-we only hear about the story given White was a inmate 2. I loved this little piece of Louisiana history that I never knew about 3. the patients stories and lives were truly incredible-while reading the book I could see Ella as a young child being taken to the facility 4. the book made me think-can you imagine being dropped off at a facility never to see your family again 5. I have been to India and seen people afflicted with leprosy. Through my employment I have come into contact with those who are HIV positive and have full blown AIDS. As in India, it is a natural instinct to keep your distance, stay away and be concerned about you. No matter what your illness is, those afflicted are humans also, with needs, emotions, desires and feelings me.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
(4 of 7 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment
Every Last Cuckoo
by
Kate Maloy
chocolateandcroissants
, June 23, 2010
As I sit here to write my review about Every Last Cuckoo, I have one question. How did this book manage to sit on my shelf for so long? Look at how gorgeous the cover is. Based on the cover alone, I should have pulled it off my shelf months ago. It probably sat on my shelf for about 7 months. Which I suppose is not that long. I own books that have been sitting for years unmoved. Unbelievable I know. When you look at the cover what does it say to you. Home, comfort, a little eclectic. It almost reminds me of walking into an Anthropologie store. Not neat and organized like Crate and Barrel but fun and whimsical. I read Every Last Cuckoo in May and really wanted to post my review for Mother's Day. The story line is beautiful. From the beginning of the book I was pulled into Sarah's life. This is not a story about mother's and the relationship they share with their daughters. It is a story about Sarah a widowed seventy-five year old grandmother, her life and her family. I loved the family scenes that were described in the book. Perhaps because author Malloy describes the family scenes that I have always wanted to be part of it, but never will. A large family gathered around the table. Evenings spent sitting around the fireplace with relatives and friends coming and going. What I truly enjoyed about Maloy's writing and her book, is her ability to describe the characters and the scenes both so that I could envision them and I wanted to be part of the scene. Sarah lives on a plot of land adjacent to a forest in Vermont. A large part of the book, occurs during the Vermont winter. I have no desire to visit Vermont in the winter, I grew up in the snow. Maloy's writing about the walks Sarah and Charles her late husband took through the snow had me wishing I was outside trudging along in the snow. "At last a late January thaw broke the hold of the bitterest winter. The temperature climbed almost sixty degrees on that first morning, from twenty-five below overnight to freezing by noon. Thirty felt tropical, and Charles went out hatless in the sun, grinning at Sarah as if the two of them had not spent those past weeks as edgy as two knives in a drawer. The dogs followed as Charles set off on a short walk into the woods. They leapt and ran in the the sun and grinner like Charles, like Sarah as she answered his eagerness with her own". While the sun is high in the sky until the late evening hours, grab yourself a cup of tea, stretch out on a lawn chair and make yourself cozy to truly enjoy this book.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
(1 of 1 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment
Year of the Cock The Remarkable True Account of a Married Man Who Left His Wife & Paid the Price
by
Alan Wieder
chocolateandcroissants
, June 20, 2010
I am not sure what to call this book-Year of the Dick is a potential title. This is probably one of the most disgusting books I have ever read. I have read my share of trash and in the trash can is where this book belongs. Wieder is the producer of reality tv My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiancee and attempted show Your Band Sucks. After two years of marriage he walks out on his wife of two years, fails to return one single phone call and goes on a quest to have as much sex as possible-after depleting their accounts to buy a Porsche and some hi-fi equipment. Narcissistic is an understatement. He is beyond obsessed with the size of his genitilia-to the point of getting penis enlargement. One of his dates tells him her father was murdered and his response is a comment regarding the size of his penis. He is so obsessed that he goes on to gay porn sites to compare his size to others. Six months later in a state of depression and self pity-he calls his wife and is shocked when she has not much good to say to him. Somehow he reconciles with her only to have a child and get divorced. While the writing is not bad-Weider cannot go a paragraph without the F.Word. What for me was the final disgust is that he calls his wife the B and C word. Completely tasteless.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
(1 of 1 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment
Swimming Pool
by
Holly Lecraw
chocolateandcroissants
, June 16, 2010
is a book I should have liked, (family secrets, an unsolved mystery, illicit affairs, romance) but did not. Now I did not dislike it enough to put it down and just stop reading it. I had to finish it. It was almost like a bad relationship. You know you should walk away-you just cannot. You keep on going back for more. I liked parts of the book and then disliked it. Liked it again, disliked it. Yet I needed to know how it finished. I found the book to be rather disjointed and distracted. It took awhile for me to figure out the characters in the book and their relationship between each other. Each time you learnt a little more about the characters and the role they played it seemed that the author took you in a different direction not quite giving you enough information. I also found that when different character was introduced their place did not seem to fit into the story. So why did I not just throw the book into the junked pile? I cannot really tell you why-there was something about the book that kept on pulling me into the story line. I wanted to know how the characters came together and what happened to them.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Spice Dreams: Flavored Ice Creams and Other Frozen Treats
by
Sara Engram and Katie Luber and Kimberly Toqe
chocolateandcroissants
, June 15, 2010
One of the sure signs of summer is ice-cream dripping down the chins of children and adults alike. Who does not like ice-cream? Are you in the mood for a little spice in your ice cream? What about white chocolate -allspice ice cream, dark chocolate anise ice cream or triple spice chocolate ice cream. Do I have your attention yet? Are your taste buds fantasizing about some spicy cold ice cream. I know mine are. Can you imagine my delight, when I opened up the envelope and found spice Dreams staring back at me? I need to pull my ice-cream maker down from the rafters in the garage and start churning away. I can easily get excited over a cookbook. This book has me jumping up and down like a child. I wanted to put on a sundress and run threw a field of sunflowers or just get on my bike pedaling as fast as I can through the neighborhood with my tassels and hair blowing in the breeze and a cone in my hand savoring the arrival of summer. Can you imagine adding spice to ice cream? This book has opened up a whole new freezer of ice cream possibilities. Cardamon mint ice cream, basil ice cream, chile -lemongrass. I feel like a line from a cheezy movie-this book had me with the title "spice Dreams" Let's give credit where credit is due. The authors of this book, Sara Engram and Katie Luber founders of The Seasoned Palate are culinary goddesses. Who would have ever thought of combining ice cream with spice? If you have never made home made ice cream you have no idea of what you are missing. Ice cream churned at home is filled with a special magic and flavoring you never knew possible. Choose your flavor according to the season. Summertime is the perfect time for fruit ice cream. Around Thanksgiving think pumpkin and for the Christmas season, egg-nog ice cream is a favorite of mine. Authors Katie and Sara have divided the book into ice creams, sorbets and frozen yogurts, sandwiches, sundaes and such, syrups, sauces, toppings and other goodies and metric conversions and equivalents. To match my mood, the book is printed in delicate pastels. Of course you will want to make every flavor possible I know I do.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Road Trippin': A Guide to the Best West coast Road Trips-Ever!
by
Steve McCarthy
chocolateandcroissants
, June 14, 2010
Summer is almost here and as we all know summertime is synonymous with Road Trips. Author Steve McCarthy has put together the ideal book, Road Trippin to assist you with your road trips up the West Coast and Arizona. As a resident of California, we have some gorgeous coastline that makes for scenic and enjoyable road trips. What makes this book different from a typical travel guide are Steve's comments and great directions. After 30 years of teaching history and writing a weekly column Steve puts together a great guide complete with turns, distances on the road and photos of the drive. You will find interesting tips on quirky tourist sites and hidden treasures. As the owner or a TR3 Steve knows how to enjoy himself on a road trip. His comments include helpful suggestions for the time of year when to take the trip, places to eat and suggestions on the accommodations. Steve has included some of the best drives you can do in this beautiful state. Given I have driven north of Los Angeles past Mendocino (home to the filming of Murder She Wrote) north of San Francisco, I can assure you, you will not be disappointed with any of the drives you choose. Of course no road trip would be complete without driving Route 66. This is another trip included in the book. Should you be planning a road trip to either California or Arizona I recommend you pick up a copy of Steve's book. If you want to some some great photography visit his site. Who better to get tips from than a bag-pipe playing, car aficionado history teacher.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Summer at Tiffany
by
Marjorie Hart
chocolateandcroissants
, June 14, 2010
Who can resist a memoir that comes wrapped up with a darling bow and the traditional blue of Tiffany's? What Marjorie Hart has written is a delightful as receiving that traditional blue bag and box from Tiffany's. It is the summer of 1945, towards the end of World War 2, when Marjorie and her sorority sister Marty arrive in New York City, full of enthusiasm and optimism. In their search for a summer job, they land positions as the the first women to ever work the floors of Tiffany's. For two girls from Iowa or any young woman, this summer position is what dreams are made of. Find yourself a quiet spot in your backyard. Put on a pot of tea and sit back with a fresh croissant, a dab of butter and some homemade jam. Are you comfortable? You are about to be taken back to an era that no longer exists. White gloves, pearls, women and men wearing hats and even the odd gangster that comes walking through the doors of Tiffany's shopping for a present for the mistress. Marjories' story is about dancing the evenings away, scrimping every penny to enjoy a dessert and finding romance with the a midshipman. Marjorie's awe with life in the big City shines through in her stories about the rituals of working the floor at Tiffany's along with her window shopping expeditions and times spent in the high society night clubs of the city. Readers are given a rare look into the inner sanctum of Tiffany's. Marjorie charms us with her story about dropping a bag of pearls on the elevator floor. Scrambling to collect all the pearls she continuously hits the elevator button in desperation to make sure every pearl is collected. Working the china and crystal floor she is taught by the salesmen who to sniff brandy only to try to shrink to behind a pillar when old man Tiffany unexpectedly showed up on the floor. Marjorie's letters home add a charming touch to her memoir, as she describes seeing Judy Garland shopping for her wedding present courtesy of MGM Studios. While the days of young men waiting in the lobby for their dates, ladies wearing a hat and gloves out for the evenings and 5 cent subway rides are long gone, Marjorie is able to bring the magic of this time period come to life. What makes the memoir even more special, is that it was written to preserve her story at the urging of her grandchildren.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
(1 of 1 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment
Up from the Blue
by
Henderson, Susan
chocolateandcroissants
, June 05, 2010
Up from the Blue tells a story about love, family and relationships. It is a story that everyone can relate to. Told through the eyes of Tillie we are introduced to her as a young woman going into labor early, completely unprepared for the premature arrival of her child. Tillie tells us her story through her experience as an 8 year old child. A child that desperately needs her mother and attempts to protect her mother from the mental illness that drowns her capacity to be a mother.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Substitute Yourself Skinny Cookbook
by
Susan Irby
chocolateandcroissants
, May 15, 2010
calloped potatoes, clam chowder, fudge brownies; these are probably all foods that you like but would not eat on a daily basis. What about Molten Chocolate Cake and a Bloomin Onion? Chef Susan Irby has 175 super slimming recipes in her latest cookbook, Substitute Yourself Skinny to help you enjoy the food want with just a little less calories. Her approach to cooking makes sense to me. Realistically there is only one way to lose weight, healthy eating and exercise. There are probably very few people who enjoy eating carrots and spinach day in and day out. While I have never had to consider a diet program where you are purchasing a certain companies food, I do not believe in their programs. This approach may be good for a couple of months but when it is all said and done what happens next. Chef Irby demonstrates to readers that by changing a few ingredients in a recipe you can reduce calories and turn it into a healthier meal. In the mood for saucy spaghetti with sausage, just throw in low fat turkey sausage and whole wheat pasta, lobster bisque, leave out the heavy cream and use low fat sour creme instead. How about a deep fried onion, do not deep fry it-that is obvious-she has you baking it in the oven. What about Sunday brunch with some French toast-instead of using milk and eggs-try egg whites and low-fat yogurt. -whole wheat bread also helps. Almost every recipe can have the calories cut so you are enjoying foods that you find appetizing and not overloading your body with unhealthy and useless calories. The book is divided into jump start breakfasts, energizing lunches, thinner dinners, slimming sides, snacks and appetizers and skinny desserts. Will I cook out of this book? Without a doubt. Each recipe gives you the calories, servings and nutritional breakdown. In addition to this it lets you know how many calories you are saving. The one part of the book I do not agree with is the dessert section. Irby makes most of the desserts with artificial sweeteners. For me I consider this to be substituting one evil for another. Some of her healthier suggestions are using apple sauce or adding more fruit to naturally sweeten the dessert. Overall I think this is a great cookbook with plenty of recipes that will appeal to everyone. I do not view this book as a diet book at all, as much as it is a healthy lifestyle book for food you eat everyday.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
(1 of 1 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment
Crowning Glory Of Calla Lily Ponder
by
Rebecca Wells
chocolateandcroissants
, May 03, 2010
As a woman we all can relate to Calla Lily as she transitions from a young girl to a teenager in love and then starts to find her way in life. I was reminded of my childhood as I watched Calla Lily swimming outdoors and sharing summertime secrets with her friends. I cried for Calla as she finished high school ready to venture out into the world. Calla Lily is the type of woman every women hopes she has a friend like her in her life. Her story teaches us about love and hope, making friends and trusting in our dreams and ambitions. Throughout the book Calla Lily takes us back to the rules of life of M'dear-her beloved mother. While Calla Lily moves away from La Luna to New Orleans she is always close to home remembering the rules her M'dear had for living. " Sadness can find you anywhere, anytime, so you better have fun when you can". My favorite passage from the book: I like seeing La Luna before it woke up. It made me feel like my town was a sleeping baby, all sweet and good.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Denises Daily Dozen
by
Denise Austin
chocolateandcroissants
, April 28, 2010
Denise has a plan for healthy living-eat 12 foods daily-a combination of grains, vegetables, protein and fruit. Snack at regular intervals, find 12 minutes daily to do a combination strength training cardio workout and get in 12 miles of cardio weekly. To facilitate this she was going to give you weekly meals. The first week she cuts your calorie down and slowly adds to them. The one promise she makes is if your follow her meal plan you will not be hungry. This I had to see. I must confess I get hungry easily. And I am an eater. And I eat breakfast, a healthy one, every day. Without fail. So I decided to try her plan. I will admit I am not following her plan to a T-there are some days for a variety of reasons I do not do the cardio/strength workouts. On the weekends I have started biking twenty miles. I have been doing it on a mountain bike and it takes me about 1.45 minutes. This is a long workout for me. I am tired. Too tired to then do the cardio/strength workout. I have followed the meal plan. Her recipes are delicious with a variety of food. Initially I was skeptical of a few recipes. I am not a fan of cabbage or black beans, but I was going to do this and do it properly. I would try the black beans, what is the worse thing that would happen, I would not like them. I loved them. Black beans are for the fish tacos and black bean salad. I have eaten dishes I would not usually try, fish tacos, whole wheat pasta with veggies, scrambled eggs. I cannot stand scrambled eggs-I usually disguise the flavor with cheese cheese and more cheese. No cheese, I added lots of hot sauce. Oatmeal-yuck-but oatmeal and barley-not my favorite-what the heck. I have started reading labels slightly differently. Foods that I thought were healthy not so much. Foods I feared are allowed-who wouldn't love a baked potato for lunch. Whole wheat English muffins for breakfast, and tuna salad with whole wheat pita. What has been my favorite-I loved the turkey and avocado whole wheat wrap-just load it up with spinach and cucumbers, the whole wheat pasta with veggies and those fish tacos were pretty tasty. Have I been hungry? Not at all. It is amazing what adding two teaspoons of almonds to your breakfast does for you. Or having a balanced snack. What about the strength training-love it. You are doing cardio with weights. Who would ever guess that a few squats with weights can get your heart rate up. If you want to live a healthy life style, eat well and be toned this is a fantastic book to get you started. Even if you are already living the healthy lifestyle-she has fun exercises to change your routine and delicious recipes to add to your repetoire.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Jack Daniels Spirit of Tennessee Cookbook
by
Lynne Tolley
chocolateandcroissants
, April 18, 2010
I was enticed to review Jack Daniels Spirit of Tennessee Cookbook simply by the cover. It is gorgeous. I love the idea of having a backyard this beautiful and being able to enjoy meal surrounded by the serenity of flowers and trees. If you have never cooked with whiskey you should try it. You do not taste the whiskey in the food and it adds subtle flavor. The book has a collection of appetizers, breads, desserts, entrees, soups and salads and outdoor cooking. Some of the recipes are flavored with Jack Daniels and many are not. I probably would not purchase this book myself. The recipes are not the type of cooking that I do. Many call for ingredients high in fat or sugar which is not the way I cook. Not to say the recipes are not interesting-they do seem quite inviting and probably would taste quite good. For me I try to eat leaner and healthier. This is not to say that I will not make some of these recipes. There is a sauce for ribs that I will try later in the summer. There are also many desserts that if I am mood to indulge I will try who can resist Black Fudge Cake? Not me. What I really enjoyed about the book where the stories about Jack Daniel's and Lynchburg Tennessee, home to Jack Daniels. The book is beautifully illustrated with photos from a time long past.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Late Lamented Molly Marx
by
Sally Koslow
chocolateandcroissants
, April 11, 2010
What took me so long to read The Late Lamented Molly Marx. I won this book about 6 months ago and just left it sitting in my stack of to be read books forever. Browsing through the stack one night the cover grabbed me. I am a shallow reader-always judging a book by it's cover. I adored this book. I cannot believe that it sat there unread for as long as it did. What makes the book interesting in a quirky morbid way, is Molly narrates the story. She looks down on the people who were part of her life currently and discusses aspects of her life before she died. I really enjoyed Molly as a character. She had her flaws but so do I. From the place she is she cries for her daughter, wanting to comfort her, encourages her on and laments that she will not be there in the future. With anger and trepidation she watches her husband move on to another woman. Who would not want to look down and see their life, hear what people have to say and spy on others. I thought this book was fantastic from beginning to end. I look forward to reading Koslow's other book, Little Pink Slips. This is a great read for the beach or pool.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Buckley's Story
by
Ingrid King
chocolateandcroissants
, March 23, 2010
Buckley’s Story is the story of how one small cat changed the author’s life in ways she never could have imagined. In this warm-hearted memoir, Ingrid King shares the story of Buckley, a joyful, enthusiastic and affectionate tortoiseshell cat she meets while managing a veterinary hospital. Buckley challenges Ingrid to overcome long-held emotional patterns and teaches both the author and the reader universal lessons about opening the heart, following intuition, and living a life filled with joy. When Ingrid leaves her job at the veterinary hospital to start her own business, Buckley comes home to live with her and Amber, another tortoiseshell cat who had adopted the author several years earlier. Author Ingrid King tells both her story and the story of Buckley an adorable little cat. King is fortunate to have found a career doing what she loves. For years she managed a veterinary hospital. After leaving this position she became self employed working with animals. Her love for animals is evident from the first page. Reading the book, one cannot help but falling in love with Buckley. She is a cute little cat full of love and antics. In the words of King "This little cat was pure love in a small , feline body. She loved being my arms, and I loved holding her. When I held her, I felt like my entire being melted. I was a goner." Everyone should only be as fortunate of King to have enjoyed and cherished the relationship she had with Buckley. Relationships with pets are special. Regrettably for Buckley she is diagnosed with a heart disease after only two years of living with King. The story has a sad ending. For an indoor kitty, Buckley does not enjoy the long life she deserved. King is with Buckley to the end seeing her through her last breath. I found the last few chapters of the books very difficult to read. It becomes obvious that Buckley will not be able to beat her illness. For me I had to read the end of the book in stages with a huge box of kleenex. For pet owners, King offers wonderful advice regarding caring for your pet, helping your pet during their last stages and helping yourself with dealing with the grief of losing a pet. Pet owners and non pet owners will enjoy reading this book. For cat owners I invite you to visit King's blog where she offers great advice on cat care.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Making Rounds with Oscar A Doctor His Patients & a Very Special Cat
by
David Dosa
chocolateandcroissants
, March 03, 2010
Animals are such agreeable friends- They ask no questions, they pass not criticisms” GEORGE ELLIOT As a tribute to Miss. B. as she was affectionately called my our neighbours this weeks posts will be about cats. Not just cats extraordinary cats that have made a difference in the world just like Miss B. did for me. Every kitten, puppy, animal makes a difference in this world, some of them just get the chance to show their difference and receive recognition. From the book jacket you have probably figured out that Making the Rounds With Oscar is about Oscar, a cat. Oscar is a cat with an extraordinary gift, Oscar knows when his patients are going to die. As the time nears Oscar goes to their bed and sits with them waiting for the moment when life ends and the next stage begins. We all know that at sometime we are going to die. When I die I hope that I can have the same tranquility, peace and comfort that I have little doubt Oscar brought to his friends. I first heard about Oscar in the news. It was an eerie phenomenon when Oscar began making the rounds at the Steere House nursing home choosing to spend time with the patients he knew where ready to enter the next phase on this planet. Dr. Dosa is a geriatrician at Steere House a home for the terminally ill. This nursing home is truly unique in that Oscar is not their only cat; the home has a family of cats. Dr. Dosa was initially skeptical when told about Oscar’s abilities. After all, he is a scientist and all scientists need facts not speculation. What makes Oscar’s story unique is not his ability to predict death but the comfort he gave the patients and families of patient’s at Steere House. In some ways Oscar was a typical cat, he loved to stretch out in the warmth of the sun, he could be moody and aloof and like all cats he considered the nursing home really be his world. All the families though noticed a unique characteristic about this nursing home cat. Oscar was a welcome invitation when the time to die approached. Oscar was territorial with his patients, scratching at their door to be let in and then snuggling up with them until their last breath was taken. The true lesson of this book is the comfort we as humans derive from having an animal or pet around us. Family members spoke about the pleasant and welcoming distraction of having a cat in a nursing home. They described how they could tend to their parent, as their children would play with the cat, how they enjoyed seeing a cat in a place that many associate with death. We all know that pets relieve stress so why not having a cat in nursing home? Death is a subject that we do not like to discuss. As Dr. Dosa tenderly tells us “Oscar’s gift is a tender mercy. He teaches by example: embracing moments of life that so many of shy away from”. I truly enjoyed this book. Oscar’s story is inspirational. As a pet owner myself I know the joy that my pets give to me. After a lousy day there is nothing better than coming home to my babies. I also have a parent in a long term facility. Animals never look at a patient noticing tubes and wheelchairs. Kudos to Dr. Dosa and his staff for recognizing the therapeutic advantages of having a cat in a nursing home. Dr. Dosa so believed in Oscar's comfort to families and patients he wrote an article for the New England Journal of Medicine.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
(2 of 3 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment
Double Take: A Memoir
by
Kevin Michael Connolly
chocolateandcroissants
, March 01, 2010
I read this book in the span of two days-there was something about the book that just grabbed me. I am a huge fan of memoirs when one has something worthwhile to say. Kevin Connolly's Memoir, Double Take is one of them. I had seen this book around the internet on some giveaways. I never won a copy and must confess that I got my book for a dollar when a local bookstore closed down. I now feel somewhat guilty for only paying a dollar for the book. Author Connolly was born without any legs. Aside from this he was a healthy baby, physically and mentally. He just needed to adapt to not having legs. He did not have prosthetic legs (they were too uncomfortable) and quite simply did not like being in a wheelchair. It labeled him as disabled. Bless his parents who gave their best efforts to raising him as they raised their other children. When Kevin started to take an interest in skiing his father shuttled him around Montana and the nation to compete in races. Kevin then went on to be invited to the disabled X Games and took his purse money to travel the world and photograph its occupants. His photography was a project for him on how people viewed him. As a young 21 year old Kevin went around the world with his skateboard. I admire his tenacity and charm. I have traveled the world myself, sometimes solo. sometimes with others. I speak another language and fortunately do not have a handicap. While adventure is exciting it can often times be daunting and challenging. For Kevin to leave the confines of his hometown, with a camera, backpack and his skateboard is a tribute to his personality and upbringing. There were moments of frustration and anger. Some people mistook him for a beggar. Others wanted to challenge him physically. But he had a dream and fulfilled it.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
(2 of 2 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment
Fireworks Over Toccoa
by
Jeffrey Stepakoff
chocolateandcroissants
, February 25, 2010
A moment in the sky forever in the heart. (Ernesto Russo) (from the author) Author Jeffrey Stepakoff, made a trip in the fall of 2003, to Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, to research a TV pilot about a multigenerational fireworks family. One of the more memorable moments of the trip was having dinner with George Zambelli, founder of the Zambelli Fireworks Internationale. Zambelli talked about the magic of his work and the engraving effect of fireworks. It was clear to Stepakoff that Zambelli's wife was the inspiration for his magic. The book starts of with two boys pedaling their bikes around the lake bed, seeing a glint of metal and a sparkle of glass. You are not told what they find. Toccoa, a few days later What could you say to a young woman who thought she was in love when you thought she may be making the biggest mistake of her life. Lily chewed on this as she waited for her granddaughter. Lily is a young teenager when her husband of a few days is sent off to war during WW11. Having been raised in Toccoa Lily is very aware of her downtown face when she must face the society ladies and her mother. Life for her is supposed to be about keeping the right house and having children. Days before her husband is set to return from Europe, Lily pulls off the road to watch some fireworks. As fate would have it she meets Jake and they linger together neither one finding a reason for Lily to return to her car and drive home. Born to an Italian father Jake has taken off his father's firework company. Jake invites Lily to stay for dinner. Candlelight coalesced with moonlight and in the strange and wonderful glow Lily and Jake sat tat the small table in the middle of the field and dined. Lily is mesmerized by Jake's passion for life and his understanding of her dreams and visions. This moment in the field makes Lily wonder if she is meant to be the perfect wife and continue playing the role she was born into. Her time with Jake teachers her that "Cooking is just like making firewords. after you learn the recipes, you try to forget them and you trust your instincts-you give in to them. You take a little of this, and a little of that, separate and distinct sensations, and you mix it all together and boom you create somthing wonderful that didn't exit before". For me I found this to be a wonderful love story. We are introduced to Lily as a grandmother, concerned about her granddaughter and her story. The author is able to take us back to a moment in time, in 1945 as through the voice of Lily we told about the love she had for Jake and the conflict she felt about her husband returning home.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Venezia Food & Dreams
by
Tessa Kiros
chocolateandcroissants
, February 25, 2010
For anyone who is Catholic, you know that we have entered Lent, one of the holiest times for Catholics. I have never been to Italy during Lent. Images of Mardi Gras, gorgeous Italian masks, beautiful Italians walking through the streets of Venice come to mind. Venice is one of the world's more beautiful cities. With it's Byzanitne architecture, long canal and gondolas it is unlike any other city. Tessa Kiros's Venezia is a tribute to the city. Tessa Kiros’ latest book, Venezia, will no doubt have turned up in many food lovers’ kitchens. I am fond of all of Kiro's cookbooks. Her books are more an adventure in food and photography than a selection of memories. The book is a work of art with it's gold gilt-edged pages and stunning photographs. The book has a beautiful black page marker. This is a little thing, but one that makes the book all the more a collectibe piece of art. The recipes have a strong emphasis on seafood. There are other classics such as tiramisu and risotta. For anyone who has ever been to Venice, the book will bring home fond memories of the city. I must confess that I gave my book away. A friend of mine has a winery. His home is one that I could only dream of. His living room with a large oversized fireplace, overlooks the vinyard. A cookbook as beautiful as this one deserves a home that conjures up memories of Italian wine, figs and dishes of antipasta.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Twentieth Wife
by
Sundaresan, Indu
chocolateandcroissants
, January 24, 2010
Sundrasen tells the story of the Mughal empire. The story is beautifully told, weaving toghether the rich history of India and the Mughal empire along with the love story of Mehrunnisa and Salim. While Mehrunnisa is the Prince's twentieth wife she quickly rises above his other wives to become his favorite. Their love story comes to life on the pages of the book-this book is written so well that readers can see the colors of the women's sari's, smell the scents of the streets and hear the chaos of the courtyard.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
(5 of 6 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment