Review: Elements of Style: Designing a Home and a Life by Erin Gates

Elements of Style: Designing a Home and a Life by Erin Gates

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I've been thinking a lot about home design lately so when I saw this Erin Gates book, I thought it might be exactly what I was looking for. This is a really solid design book with a lot of personal anecdotes from the author and some very good tips and tricks!

The photography in the books is beautiful and looking at the variety of spaces that the author highlights was very inspiring for me! I loved how each section of a home was highlighted by its own section with really good tips and tricks (and photos). One of the things I was surprised by is how Gates included tips for renters which I think is a nice addition to the overall book since so many people are renting these days. I also loved the special features she included such as recipes in the kitchen section and some tips around blogging and starting a blog. I thought those were unexpected but really nice additions which added something special to the overall book.

I definitely recommend this book to anyone with an interest in design or if you enjoy Erin Gate's blog. There is a lot of great information here!

NOTE: Review copy received from the publisher for an honest review. Book available for purchase October 7, 2014.

Review: Brick by Brick: How LEGO Rewrote the Rules of Innovation and Conquered the Global Toy Industry by David Robertson

Brick by Brick: How LEGO Rewrote the Rules of Innovation and Conquered the Global Toy Industry by David Robertson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was drawn to this book about LEGO for two reasons - 1. my son is obsessed with LEGOs and I was interested in learning more about the company behind his beloved toy and 2. it sounded like a fascinating case study of a company that is known for innovation. I'm not usually a huge fan of non-fiction or business books unless they offer more than the usual stuff and this one really did deliver some unique and interesting things!

From a business perspective, I found the pieces on the history of the company and how it became the company we know and love to be fascinating. I knew nothing about LEGO beyond the very basics. If you're a LEGO fan, you may find this insiders view of the history of the company fascinating. I also found it interesting in terms of my own job - there was much to learn about innovation, changing culture and how to avoid making decisions that can take your focus in the wrong direction.

The other thing I loved about this book was the fascinating facts and interesting tidbits that I learned and was able to share with my son who is an avid LEGO fan. He loved that I was reading a LEGO book! And I loved getting a bit more information about something that he loves so much.

If you have an interest in LEGO or you want to read a case study about how LEGO got off course and made it's way back, I highly recommend this one. It's an interesting read that I feel I got a lot out of reading!

NOTE: I received this book for review, from the publisher, for an honest review.

Review: Seating Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead

Seating Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is one of those books that really isn't for everyone. I found the reading experience to be VERY dense. I'm not sure that's the best description but it's the word that kept coming up for me. It's got a lot of depth and the writing is quite good (some of the writing is stunning) but it's ultimately a social satire about a very specific segment of the American population - the East Coast WASP that has lots of wealth, goes to Ivy League schools, owns beach houses, etc.

I felt the world created by Shipstead certainly felt real to me ... although not the world I'm from by any stretch of the imagination, it seemed to resonate with me in terms of my own encounters with such people. Were the characters likeable? Well, no. Not even a little bit. Flawed certainly and often self-absorbed and annoying. Yet, I still enjoyed reading about them.

I struggled with rating this one ... it's probably more of a 3 and a half for me but I'm rounding up since I really did enjoy this one overall. I think the book deserves a higher rating for the moments of genius that I found within (some of the writing blew me away yet some of it most definitely did not). There is an intensity to the novel that gave it the sense of density that I referred to earlier. I'm not sure that I'd recommend this to most readers ... but, if you are interested in reading satire about wealth or are interested in getting a taste of Maggie Shipstead's writing, I would recommend this one. I am looking forward to trying her new novel to see if that one resonates even more than this one!

Review: The Farm by Tom Rob Smith

The Farm by Tom Rob Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a really fast-paced and intriguing novel that grabbed me from the start and kept me wanting more for the entire read! The pacing kept the story moving quickly and the short chapters helped that sense of being propelled forward. The story itself was very well constructed and keeps the reader guessing almost to the end!

The structure of the book leads the reader to experience confusion, skepticism and tension throughout the novel. Giving the reader a sense of urgency and questioning at every turn of the page. I understand that the story came out of the author's own experiences with his mother which may be why it all feels so real and fresh.

Very intriguing novel that I definitely recommend. I already knew Tom Rob Smith was a good writer but this book definitely reminded me of his talent and made me ask myself why I never finished reading his Leo Demidov series but I plan to rectify that soon! Again, I definitely recommend this one ... it's a really intriguing and interesting novel!

Review: Fourth of July Creek by Smith Henderson

Fourth of July Creek by Smith Henderson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This may be one of my favorite books of this year - it's fantastic! I still can't quite believe it's a debut novel! I will say that this one took me awhile to get into - and I think that was partly a result of getting connected to the narrative voice as well as the 'feel' of the overall story. But, once I connected, WOW! I couldn't stop reading. I wanted more and more and more!

Well written, really interesting and multi-faceted characters, realism at every turn! The primary thing that pulled me in initially was the social work angle - I'm always pulled into stories about social workers and the families they serve. This may be one of the most realistic depictions of the challenges of being a child protective services worker that I've read in fiction. This social worker isn't the usual do-gooder we see in fiction ... this man is flawed and real and at times very dark. As real people can be.

This story felt very realistic and true to life. The characters felt the same. This is a gritty book that doesn't flinch from the hard things in life. In fact, it pulls up close and really explores the darker side of things in life. And I loved this book for that unflinching look it gives the reader!

I highly recommend this one ... but don't give up on it if you don 't immediately connect to the story or the characters. Give it time, live in the world a bit and I bet you'll begin to connect! It is so worth it! I cannot wait to see what Smith Henderson has coming for us in the future if this book is any indication of his talent!

Review: We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I quite liked Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's newest novel and when I saw this piece was going to be available, it seemed right up my alley - feminism, a great writer, based on a TED talk? I'm IN!

And I'm so glad I took the time to read this piece - it's very insightful, thoughtful and interesting. She has such an intriguing voice. Now, I should say that I suspected going in that I'd agree with pretty much all of her arguments around feminism as I consider myself to be a feminist. But, even so, I found myself very interested in her ideas and I kept highlighting sections of the piece that really resonated with me. This was well presented/written and certainly speaks to feminism at a pretty basic level. She makes some really well thought out and logical arguments that were drawn from her experiences in Nigeria and the United States.

This is an excellent and needed re-visit to feminism and being a feminist in today's world. I highly recommend it to all!

Review: Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer

Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I really struggled with this novel. After hearing so many raves about it, I think I was expecting much more than I actually found during reading it. I just didn't 'get' it. I am not sure what I missed but I never connected with the story, the world created by the author or the characters. I kept waiting to 'get' it but I never did.

This is the kind of book that would typically be right up my alley but I found this one a bit lacking. I felt very in the dark throughout the reading and I really don't feel like I ever came into the light. And that is part of the problem for me ... knowing it's a trilogy, I didn't expect the author to give it all away in this novel. But, give me SOMETHING so I can feel grounded in the world and to help me to care what is happening in that world. But, I never really connected to the story or the world being built. As a result, I just didn't find the novel to live up to the hype.

I don't think I'll be reading future books in the trilogy. I think this one is worth a read if you find the description interesting since so many people have loved it. However, it just didn't work for me. I really hope it will work for you. The upside is that it's a fairly short book so you can give it a shot without having to invest a ton of time and reading energy!

Review: Landline by Rainbow Rowell

Landline by Rainbow Rowell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I absolutely love Rainbow Rowell's previous novels so it really pains me to give a novel of hers 3 stars. I kept waiting for Landline to get better but it just never did. It was truly middle of the road - not great, not terrible - just in the middle all the way. I am tempted to give this 2 stars but I didn't find it to be below average, just AVERAGE. So, I went with a 3.

I was never bored during reading this but I just didn't find it nearly as engaging as her other novels. I didn't love the characters as much as I've loved the characters in her previous novels. The magical realism aspects of this novel were fine but nothing outstanding. I loved the narrative voice in this novel but I just never connected to it as I usually do with her work. There was something missing that is usually there with Rowell's work. I can't seem to identify it but I noticed it was missing!

If you haven't read Rainbow Rowell, I highly recommend you start somewhere else ... her other novels are much better than this one. But, even not great Rainbow Rowell is better than a lot of good books. So, if you're a Rowell fan, you may want to give this one a go but know that it's not nearly as good as her best!

Review: One Kick by Chelsea Cain

One Kick by Chelsea Cain
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Publication Date: August 19, 2014
 
I was so excited to hear that Chelsea Cain was coming out with a brand new series given how much I love her Archie Sheridan series! And I have to tell you, if this first book is any indication, the new series is going to be just as good (if not better)!

What a wild and wonderful ride this book was for me! I could not put it down! Cain has such a way with words - she makes characters come alive in amazing, wonderful ways! And this new character, Kick, is just fantastic! She's a perfect blend of strong, fearless, hurting, sad and WILD! And I loved every moment of getting to know her!

I enjoyed the story line here - the idea that Kit was abducted and abused as a child and then able to help use those experiences to help others. I found her to be complex and her journey pretty realistic! I didn't find her story to be unbelievable or anything. And her interactions with the other characters in the book are really fantastic. Have I said fantastic enough?? HA!

Cain paced this novel so well - it's fast paced and un-put-downable! Well written, well paced, great characters and wonderful storytelling ... it doesn't get any better!

If you love Cain's Archie series, I have a feeling you'll love this one. If you haven't tried Cain before but enjoy suspenseful novels, I suspect you'll enjoy this one as well! If you felt the Archie series was a bit too violent and gory, this one might be more palatable as the violence and gore is considerably less here than in the Archie series. I cannot wait to see what is to come for Kick Lannigan in future books of the series!

NOTE: I received an electronic copy of this book for free from the publisher via Netgalley for review consideration. My feelings about this book are 100% genuine, regardless of receiving it for review.

Review: The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness (All Souls Trilogy, #3)

The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I could not be happier with the ending of this particular trilogy. I was worried how this third book might go after having mixed feelings about the second book. But, wow! The final book in the trilogy definitely exceeded my overall expectations and sealed this trilogy's fate as an all-time favorite of mine!

I wouldn't say this book is easily read as a stand alone novel - you really need the context of the first two books to fully understand and enjoy this one. I continue to be amazed at what a wonderful writer Harkess is ... her ability to weave a fantastic story with multifaceted characters is just superb! She's a master storyteller and kept me enthralled with this one for every single page!

I am often frustrated by the final book in a trilogy because many authors seem to almost give up and give the reader a half-hearted story that doesn't actually provide closure or it closes the story up so quickly that it feels undone. Not this one ... Harkness unravels the mysteries of the trilogy slowly and provides the reader with answers that have obviously been thought out and demonstrate a respect for the reader's intellect. THIS is what the final book of a trilogy should be! It's so good that it makes me want to go back and read all 3 books from the start, one after another!

I will point out that these novels, especially this one, are not fluffy vampire/witch fiction. These novels are well thought out, intellectual and cerebral takes on fantasy/gothic horror. These story lines are occasionally treated as fluff by other writers. But not Deborah Harkness ... she elevates them and brings them to life with her attention to detail and excellent writing skills!

This may well be one of my all time favorite trilogies - well written, great characters, intellectual exploration of identity and self awareness, and more! I can't recommend the trilogy more highly! In fact, I envy those of who haven't read them and get to read them for the first time!

Note: I received an electronic copy of this book for free from the publisher via Netgalley for review consideration.

Review: Vampires in the Lemon Grove: Stories by Karen Russell

Vampires in the Lemon Grove: Stories by Karen Russell
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

It absolutely KILLS me to rate a Karen Russell book of stories this low but I have to be honest ... this collection did not do it for me. In fact, I really only enjoyed the first two stories in the collection. I loved the title story - Vampires in the Lemon Grove - as well as the second which was about silkworms. That was also a really fascinating story that captivated my imagination. However, for the rest of the collection, I was frustrated and forcing myself to read them just to get finished with the book. The ideas she puts together are SO creative ... but some of them just didn't come together for me.

I should also add that short stories are not my favorite genre and I am often frustrated by them. Very rarely does a short story really resonate with me - it happens but rarely. I'm sad to say that this collection was not for me! But, if you love Karen Russell OR short stories that are outside the box, this definitely might be a collection for you to try out!

Review: All Fall Down by Jennifer Weiner

All Fall Down by Jennifer Weiner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Let me say upfront that I'm a big fan of Jennifer Weiner - the writer AND the person. I think she's funny, interesting, polarizing and fascinating! So, I was so excited to hear that she had a new book coming out!

And I have to say that I really enjoyed this novel - even more than I'd expected! Weiner's books have been hit or miss for me - either I like them ok or I love them. Never do I not like them but I don't love them all. This one actually did a great job of exploring a serious subject - addiction - while also giving the reader a really compelling and interesting main character.

I love how Weiner is able to be both realistic and compassionate about addiction through Allison's journey with addiction. And by adding in her trademark touch of humor, she makes the reader care for Allison while also feeling such frustration with her decisions while in the crux of her addiction. There were aspects of the story that I wish had been explored more fully than they were but that didn't necessarily make the story go downhill for me. They were just aspects that were ultimately left to my imagination which was fine given that I enjoyed the rest of the novel so much!

I highly recommend this novel if you're interested in reading a well written novel about prescription drug addiction and it's impact on a woman, her family life and her work life. It's a well-written and thought provoking novel that is well worth the read!

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Review: The Fever by Megan Abbott

The Fever by Megan Abbott
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was my first Megan Abbott novel and I only picked it up after hearing good things from a few readers that I trust! And I'm glad that I picked this novel up but I'm not sure that I loved it as much as some others have. Definitely a compelling read with pacing that keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout the novel. The story itself is definitely compelling and interesting. There is a strong focus on the lives of teenagers and high school which is to be expected given this is a young adult novel but part of me was hoping for something with a little more depth which is why I'm rating it a 3 instead of a 5.

The concepts being explored in this novel could have gone so much further with small shifts in focus. However, it is a good read that most who enjoy young adult reading will love! There is much good here such as Abbott's exploration of the impact of 'the fever' on this community and the exploration of the inner lives of teenagers (male and female). This novel was much darker than I expected for some reason. I was a little surprised by that aspect of the book ... in a good way. However, I was disappointed in the 'big reveal' which I didn't find to be nearly as good as all that led up to it. Perhaps that is just personal preference, in the end, but it just didn't resonate with me.

I think this was good for what it is ... but I was a little disappointed as I was hoping for a bit more given how many great things I was hearing about it. If you're a YA fan, this is one you should definitely consider. If the inner lives of teens is not your thing, you may want to skip this one!

Review: Extra Virgin: Recipes and Love from our Tuscan Kitchen by Gabriele Corcos and Debi Mazar

Extra Virgin: Recipes and Love from Our Tuscan Kitchen by Gabriele Corcos
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was pleasantly surprised by this cookbook. I watch the Extra Virgin television show on occasion so I suspected what I might be getting when I opened this cookbook. Overall, I think the cookbook is a nice companion to the show but also serves as a stand alone cookbook for those who haven't seen the show.

The quality of this cookbook is fantastic. The cover is just stunning - so beautiful! It just begs you to open it! In addition, it is made of high quality material. The binding is fantastic - it allows you to open to any section of the cookbook without worrying that the pages will fly over. It's perfect for a cookbook and eliminates that annoying flipping that pages can do when you lay a book down. The photography is quite good and there is a good balance of food photography and photos of Debi and Gabriele.

The stories that are interwoven throughout the cookbook really make this special. It's similar to how they talk about their families and food on their show and it's one of my favorite things about the way they talk about food!

This cookbook is divided into 12 distinct sections - Appetizers, Pasta and Sauces, Risotto, Soups, Salads, Meats, Fish, Vegetables, Pizza, Panini, Desserts and Drinks. As you can imagine, anyone and everyone can find something here! I think the section on the essentials of the Tuscan kitchen is a fantastic resources for those specifically interested in Tuscan cooking and stocking your own shelves with the basics you need!

I love how each recipe includes commentary from one (or both) of the authors - giving tips as well as stories that bring that particular recipe to life for the reader! The recipe instructions are clear and detailed (but not too detailed). This cookbook is the perfect balance of traditional Italian dishes as well as new and interesting dishes that don't automatically think of when I think of Tuscan cooking. I love that about this book! And I think the recipes are going to challenge me to try new ingredients and cooking styles!

Some of the recipes that I'm most excited to try include - Pecorino and Honey Dip, Lasagne Alla Bolognese, Pesto Lasagne, Sausage and Asparagus Rissoto, Lobster and Cannellini Bean Soup, Grilled Tuscan Chicken, Fried Artichokes, Pizza Dough, Heirloom Tomato and Mozzarella Sandwich with Basil Oil, Carnival Fritters, Florentine Orange Cake, and the Lemon Brule Tart.

I have just two critiques for this cookbook - I wish there were more photos. I prefer to have a photo of EVERY recipe if at all possible and there were many recipes with no photo. Quite disappointing to me. In addition, I was frustrated by the fact that there is NO nutritional information in the book for any of the recipes. Also quite disappointing to me!

All in all, this is a great cookbook and I highly recommend it. It's definitely a great addition to any home cook's collection!

NOTE: I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review. However, my feelings about this book are 100% genuine, regardless of receiving it for review.

Review: The Chopped Cookbook by Food Network Kitchens

The Chopped Cookbook: Use What You've Got to Cook Something Great by Food Network Kitchens
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm a huge Chopped fan! It's one of my go-to cooking shows and I love seeing what the chefs are able to create with the baskets. So, when I saw that there was a Chopped cookbook, I was all in!

This is a beautifully produced book - all of the photos are really great, very well designed graphics, and the overall graphic design of the cookbook is fantastic.

I think the books is well designed with a focus on using what you have available to create amazing dishes (which is really the focus of Chopped)! And I think this is a great cookbook for those with very little cooking experience and those that are more advanced since this is much more than just a bunch of recipes. There is a big focus on tips and ways to use what you might have on hand to make outstanding meals. Each section of the cookbook outlines new ways to use what you have! Which I think is why this cookbook is so successful!

Some of my favorite things about this cookbook include -

1. The plethora of tips throughout the book - some from our favorite Chopped judges and others just to outline a specific use for something or a cool tip to try!

2.Sections such as Play with your Pasta which outline ways to make a number of pasta sauces or Have Fun with your Frittata which demonstrates interesting combos to make yummy frittatas! Another favorite was Ten Fun Pan Sauces!

3. There is an entire section on cooking vegetables with lots of different options and flavor combinations. I often struggle with finding new and interesting ways to make veggies for our family so I love this section since it's so useful!

4. As I am trying to include more grains in our family meals, I love that there is a whole section on cooking grains. I know that will come in handy.

I have very few complaints about this cookbook but I'll share what did come to mind ...

1. I wish there was a photo for EVERY recipe in the book. I find that so helpful when I'm flipping through and trying to find something that strikes my interest. There are recipes here that I'd love to see a photo of before I decide if I want to make it.

2. I didn't see the nutritional information for any of the recipes which would have been a nice addition.

All in all, I'm really impressed by this cookbook and can't wait to get into the kitchen and cook! If you are a fan of the Chopped TV show, I definitely think you'll enjoy this cookbook. But, if you aren't, you may well still enjoy this one! It's a new favorite of mine and I highly recommend it!

NOTE: I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review. However, my feelings about this book are 100% genuine, regardless of receiving it for review.

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