The Healthy Mind Cookbook: Big-Flavor Recipes to Enhance Brain Function, Mood, Memory, and Mental Clarity by Rebecca Katz

The Healthy Mind Cookbook: Big-Flavor Recipes to Enhance Brain Function, Mood, Memory, and Mental Clarity by Rebecca Katz
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

As my family is working to begin transitioning our overall diet to a more healthy and mindful one, I thought this cookbook sounded right up my alley. And, for the most part, it is. I really liked how it focused on the combination of food and brain function. How to eat to improve your mood, memory and stress. Which I really enjoyed reading about quite a bit. That is what this cookbook does best!

My primary issues with the cookbook are that I'm not sure how realistic the recipes are for my family - especially my kids. I definitely think there are things that they will like but, overall, it didn't feel family friendly to me. Also, I really wish there was a photo of every dish included as a recipe. That would have taken this one to a 4 star easily.

The photography and book design are impeccable. So clean and engaging!

If you're into eating healthy and paying attention to how the food you eat impacts your mental health, I think this one will be right up your alley!

NOTE: The publisher provided a copy of this cookbook to me for an honest review.

Review: Eight Hundred Grapes by Laura Dave

Eight Hundred Grapes by Laura Dave
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I primarily picked this one up for the cover ... I mean come on ... it's so eye-catching! And I loved the idea of it taking place mostly at a winery. I didn't know much more about it. And I'm so glad I did indeed pick it up because it's a really nice little story about family, secrets and how things are often imperfectly perfect!

It's a mix of a family drama with some romance thrown in for good measure. The characters are well drawn, the sense of place is wonderful and the story itself is solid. The pacing was a strong point - it didn't move too fast or too slow - it was pretty much perfection!

I really enjoyed spending time with this family and getting to know them as individuals and as a group. And I loved learning a little about wine along the way which was fun. This is a lighter book - more chick-lit than literary - but I really thought it was quite well done for the genre! I definitely recommend this one if you enjoy a solid family drama ... or wine! (LOL)

Review: Delicious Foods by James Hannaham

Delicious Foods by James Hannaham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is one of the most original novels that I've read in a long time. Very refreshing but impactful! Quite well written with a number of really well explored themes including grief, self-medicating, race, and more. The primary narrator is very cleverly done - very unusual frame for a story but one that is quite impactful and added a great deal of creativity to the novel. The story itself was quite engaging although I feel like the pacing was off at times. There was a chunk of the novel towards the middle that felt a little too slow to me and I wished there was more to move the story along. But, other than that, this was a really great novel.

I had no idea what I was walking into with this novel and I really think that helped me to enjoy it. I was pleasantly surprised by what the novel was about as I was expecting something completely different based on the title and cover. I recommend heading into this one without a lot of information about it ... just pick it up and immerse yourself. It's definitely worth the read and it gave me a great deal to think about. Very modern and original novel that I'm so glad I read!

Review: The Night Sister by Jennifer McMahon

The Night Sister by Jennifer McMahon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I tend to enjoy Jennifer McMahon's fiction - the suspense, the possibility of things going bump in the night, etc. This particular one really worked for me. I enjoyed the story, the characters and the atmosphere created in the novel. It grabbed me right away, kept me guessing throughout and I found the ending to be satisfying. Definitely creepy. The story explores family secrets and dynamics as well as friendship. It was all fantastic and I really enjoyed it. I don't want to give too much away because I think that McMahon unravels the story quite well.

This will be published on August 4, 2015 and I definitely recommend this one, especially if you're a fan os suspense and don't mind the creepy factor in your fiction!

NOTE: ARC provided by the publisher for an honest review.

Review: Dietland by Sarai Walker

Dietland by Sarai Walker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am having a really difficult time with reviewing this novel. I actually really enjoyed it but it was nothing like I expected. And that felt a little irritating to me. However, in terms of message ... I actually really liked it. I just felt as if the start of the book where we meet Plum (who I adored) was absolutely wonderful but it slowly moved from one kind of book into another. From a feminist perspective, I love where it went. However, I didn't love the beginning of the story and the end of the story being put together as one narrative. That didn't work for me for some reason which is why I'm giving 4 stars instead of 5. This is a book that many will not like because of what I've described but I hope they come away with something about societal change and feminism. I think that aspect of the novel was fantastic and gave me a great deal to think about. Although not a perfect book for me, I did enjoy the reading experience and I will miss spending time with Plum! Despite it's flaws, I definitely recommend this to women in particular.

Review: Among the Ten Thousand Things by Julia Pierpont

Among the Ten Thousand Things by Julia Pierpont
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I feel a bit of trepidation about writing this review. My experience of the novel was good but not great. Julia Pierpont is a really good writer and the story itself was good and explored really interesting themes. She plays a lot with structure which is one of the things that I didn't happen to love about it. I understand why she probably made that decision but I didn't really like that aspect of the novel. Maybe I'm too traditionally minded to truly appreciate the out of the box structure she used to tell this story.

I really loved the first part of the novel - I found it engaging and fresh in a really good way. But, something shifted for me as we move into later parts of the novel ... the narrative slowed down in some way and it didn't feel quite right to me as I read it. I found myself eager to see what happens but wishing it would just move forward more quickly. Perhaps that is a result of the structure of the novel - given that the reader learns an outcome before the story that led to that outcome is told.

Overall, I do think the exploration of family, marriage and infidelity was interesting and it was done in a refreshing way. Watching the story play out from the perspective of the children in the novel was also quite interesting and compelling. That might have been some of my favorite bits.

Despite my reservations about the novel's structure, I did think it was a good read. I recommend it especially to those who are open to bold story structure and who enjoy non-traditional prose.

FYI - I struggled with my rating - it's probably closer to a 3.5 but I don't think it's quite a 4.

NOTE: The publisher provided me with a galley of this novel for my honest review.

Review: The Truth According to Us by Annie Barrows

The Truth According to Us by Annie Barrows
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is such a lovely novel that does such a wonderful job of making the sense of place so central to the story that it's almost like another character in the novel. I was eager to read this when I found out that Annie Barrows was one of the authors of one of my favorite books from 2010, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. I hope that this new novel doesn't suffer from comparison to that novel but I worry that it might. It's not quite as compulsively readable as that book. In fact, it's a very different sort of book ... in a good way.

I love how Macedonia, West Virginia came alive in this novel. The family that is explored in the story was fascinating to me. The time of the novel is during the Great Depression so it was interesting to see that time period play out in a small town in America. Although not as readable as her previous novel, this one was still a wonderful reading journey. It is a more quiet novel ... there isn't a ton of action. It feels slow at times - but never boring. More leisurely. I really enjoyed the exploration of family secrets, growing up in a small town, the experience of growing up, forgiveness and redemption.

I definitely recommend this novel - it's such a lovely story with an intriguing place and characters that become like good friends.

NOTE: I received a galley of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Review: The Enchanted by Rene Denfeld

The Enchanted by Rene Denfeld
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This may be one of the most beautifully written novels that I've read in some time. A friend wrote in her review that this book expresses her desire "to see each person, no matter how damaged, as human" which is a perfect description of this novel. It's exploration of violence, abuse and the prison system is simply stunning. The language just WOW'd me. Denfeld's ability to paint a picture with words is simply breathtaking. There were moments that the descriptions left me stunned. I highlighted a TON of passages while reading (which I rarely do anymore since I've begun reading so much via my e-reader).

There is so much in this novel - the damage we do to one another, our path to redemption, our ability to face what's done to us and come out ok, justice, the realities of the legal system. And it's all so interesting and thought-provoking. It's in no way happy or bright but rather dark, heavy and intense. It's not for everyone. If darkness makes you uncomfortable, I'd recommend that you skip this one. There are some moments of light - particularly within the poetic descriptions and some pieces that are ultimately about the triumph of the human spirit.

I can't do this novel justice, no matter what I write. But, it's simply one of the most moving books I've read in ages. Heartbreaking but poetic. It has stuck with me and I suspect it will continue to do so for some time. I highly recommend this one!

Review: Corregidora by Gayl Jones

Corregidora by Gayl Jones
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I heard someone on a podcast (perhaps Book Riot?) mention this as one of those books that will tear you into 100 pieces and devastate you. And now that I've completed it, I completely understand the recommendation. This is a very, very dark novel. One that really is devastating to the reader. The anger and pain in this novel really get into your head as you read. You FEEL it. You experience it. I don't think I can do this one justice in a review. The story explores the long-lasting impact of slavery and violence. It is an intense book that won't be for everyone. There are very intense scenes of violence and sex that may not be for all readers. I definitely recommend this one, particularly if you're a fan of Toni Morrison. There are a lot of similarities between this novel and some of Morrison's work. If you're interested in the exploration of post-slavery feminine identity, I think this might be a good novel for you. Really beautiful and horrific novel.

Review: The Children's Crusade by Ann Packer

The Children's Crusade by Ann Packer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It took me a little while to get into this one but once I did, it really delivered. It is a slower paced novel that explores many details and experiences of a family. If you're looking for a fast paced novel, this isn't the right novel for you. By the end, I knew these characters inside and out. The detailed aspects of the novel gave the story a richness that it wouldn't have had without the slow build up.

A family story that explores who we are and how our families can and cannot change us. It's beautifully written and well worth the time it takes to finish. I definitely recommend it if you have the patience to stick with it when it slows down, enjoying its details and savoring the story as it comes together.

Review: The Fishermen by Chigozie Obioma

The Fishermen by Chigozie Obioma
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This novel is such a haunting novel ... heartbreaking really. The themes of sibling relationships, grief, and healing were so well explored in this one. This story so effectively reminds the reader of the power of revenge as well as the power of superstition over logic.

Chigozie Obioma has written a beautiful and well nuanced novel that I will not quickly forget. Each character is well drawn and explored. This family will remain with me for some time. The sense of place was elegantly captured by Obioma. Nigeria and the home of this family came alive for me. I felt as if I could see, hear and breathe in the scents through the beautiful language.

It's not a fast paced novel but one that moves slowly and elegantly. I definitely recommend this one and can't wait to read more of Chigozie Obioma's work.

Review: The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler

The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The cover alone was intriguing but when the description said words like books, librarian, magic, and family ... I was ALL IN. It sounded like something right up my alley. I'm so glad that I picked this one up. It's a book for readers, for people who value books as objects and as a way to escape. But, I will warn you ... it's not a fast-paced thriller of a book. At it's heart, it's a quiet novel about a family over the generations.

The story is told in two narratives - The first is of a librarian who is going through a rough time and is sent an old book that is the log from a traveling carnival from the 18th century. This book contains information about his family and opens the door for his exploration of the history of his family. The second narrative tells the story that is described in the log book that the librarian has in his possession. It's the story of a traveling carnival and the librarian's ancestors. I found myself loving both narratives which I was frankly surprised by. I'm typically drawn to one or the other. But, in this novel, I found myself eager to read both pieces equally.

I'm a little surprised that this is a debut novel - I didn't find all of the little flaws I typically see in a debut. It's a slow, deliberate novel. There isn't much fast action or anything ... it's just a good, solid story told through characters that are quite compelling. There is a darkness in this novel that I found surprising but completely appropriate, given the context of the story. Several reviews I've read of this novel talk about it being slow, boring and tedious. I couldn't disagree more although I understand that this type of novel isn't for everyone. You have to sort of sink into the prose, embrace the world and just go with it. I think it's completely worth the journey.

I found the carnival aspect of the novel to be one of the most compelling aspects - perhaps because most carnival people are a bit different than the average person. There is a sense of family among the carnival acts which allows for rich storytelling and interesting character dynamics. It (almost) made me want to join a carnival!

One of my favorite parts of the novel was finding the bits and pieces of the story that connect both narratives. The mystery and exploration of those things was so interesting to me. I found myself intrigued by all of them - tarot cards, horseshoe crabs, water, and the tides. I loved pulling them all together as I read, loving the sense of collection that it gave me as a reader.

And the bookish pieces, of course, made the story all the more enjoyable for me. The library, the draw of a book, the mystery of a book, the searching and researching ... it all just felt so soothing to me. I felt at home with this book in some way which is why I would argue that this novel is one that may appeal especially to book lovers.

Until I began to write this review, I didn't really realize quite how much I enjoyed it or how much it's stuck with me since finishing it. I don't think this is a book for everyone - if you need fast pacing, this may well not be the book for you. But, if you love books and want to sink into a book that celebrates books and offers a unique and compelling story, I highly recommend this one!

THIS BOOK WILL COME OUT ON JUNE 23RD SO BE SURE TO LOOK FOR IT THEN!

NOTE: I received a galley of this novel from the publisher for an honest review.

Lighter Reads - Mini Reviews

I've read a number of lighter fare novels (pretty much all romances) lately so I thought I'd give a quick update and some mini-reviews on some of those reads ... quite a few of these were read on our Caribbean cruise in May! Enjoy!


Beach Town by Mary Kay Andrews
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Nice little novel by Mary Kay Andrews - I like this one better than the last couple of her books.






All Lined Up by Cora Carmack
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

First in a romance new series that I found and I liked it quite a bit.






All I Want Is You by Toni Blake
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Another new series to me. Not a perfect book but I did enjoy it. I think I'll read one more in the series before I decide whether or not to keep on with this one.






Playing Dirty by Jennifer Echols
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This one had quite a few flaws but I did enjoy the reading experience. I liked the first one in this series (I think it's a series?) so I'd be willing to keep reading these.






Moonlight on Nightingale Way by Samantha Young
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

More of a 3 to 3.5 star read but I rounded up because I love this series and it's so sad that this is the final book. This isn't the best in the entire series but it's a solid ending. Going to miss reading about these folks! If you haven't read this romance series, I highly recommend it.




All Broke Down by Cora Carmack
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the second in the Rusk University (my rating of the first one is above). I actually quite liked this one. I'll keep on with the series.





Suddenly One Summer by Julie James
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Although this one was less light than most of the romances on this list, it was quite good. It felt like it had more substance than most romances but I'm not sure that I can pinpoint why I feel that way. All in all, it was a good one!

Quick Reviews

Here are a few quick reviews of books I've read lately but haven't had time to review in detail - I'm heading on vacation later this week so I won't be posting for a week or two but I should get lots of reading done so look for lots of reviews coming up in early June!

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OK, I get it now. This was my first foray into Toni Morrison's work and now I get it. She's amazing. Her ability to paint a picture with words is just stellar. The themes that she explores in this novel are so important - as important today as it was when she published this novel. If you've been intimidated by Toni Morrison (as I have been after trying to read Beloved in high school), this is a great place to start. This was a wonderful exploration of beauty, womanhood, love and the internalization of hate. I highly recommend this one! I can't wait to work my way through all of her novels!

The Walls Around Us by Nova Ren Suma
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Very well written YA novel - dark, twisty and engaging! So glad I'm not a teenager any more! Very disturbing novel but disturbing in the best way! Didn't want to put this one down! Very well conceived and delivered! I am looking forward to reading more of Nova Ren Suma's work! Very smart and nuanced YA! Definitely recommend this one (and the cover is so beautiful, right??)!


View all my reviews The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace: A Brilliant Young Man Who Left Newark for the Ivy League by Jeff Hobbs
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a really engaging read that explores some really important things. I think it's a book that most people will enjoy - it's very well written narrative non-fiction. Such a tragic story that I highly recommend!



Where Women Are Kings by Christie Watson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Although this isn't a perfect book, I really think it was a really engaging read that I truly didn't want to put down. I'll try to do a more robust review some time but I did want to recommend it. There is a lot of thoughtful exploration of themes here - faith, child abuse, foster care, adoption, mental illness and more. Really glad that I read this one.


The Mistake by Elle Kennedy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Really enjoying this new adult romance series.







Overruled by Emma Chase
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The first in a new series - I really enjoyed this romance. I enjoyed that part of it took place in DC which is close to home for me!






Chase Me by Tessa Bailey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another new to me series that I'm really enjoying.







Need Me by Tessa Bailey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the second in Tessa Bailey's Broke and Beautiful series. Really liking these!

Review: Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town by Jon Krakauer

Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town by Jon Krakauer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I will pretty much read anything Jon Krakauer publishes, regardless of the topic he explores. He writes non-fiction that reads like really great fiction. This book is no exception. What an important exploration of rape and the justice system, using Missoula as a case study! After working with sexual assault victims for many years, this book really resonated with the experiences that I saw with my own clients (and a few friends who experienced rape & didn't have great experiences with the justice system).

This book covers a difficult topic, but one that we all have a responsibility to understand. The trauma of rape is bad enough but the fact that most victims are traumatized even more by the justice system's inability to effectively help them and society's lack of understanding about the impact of rape is something that should make us sick. I am so glad that Krakauer has taken the time to write this book which I hope will help those with little to no knowledge of the impact of rape to women, families and communities, will come out of reading this with more understanding and EMPATHY for the victims of these atrocious crimes.

This isn't an issue that impacts only women - it's one that affects all of us. I appreciate what Krakauer has done with this book to bring focus to an issue that really needs better understanding. I highly recommend this one to everyone!