The Earl's Jealousy (Elizabethans #1) by Margaret Brazear

The Earl's Jealousy by Margaret Brazear
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Liked The Earl's Jealousy well enough, I guess. The writing itself was very simplistic and the plot very easy going and predictable. Brazear's characters were well fleshed tho and it's nice to read a romance that doesn't have a more adult/sex mechanic like romance books usually default too. The hisorical aspects were decently done at least as well. Something lightish to fill in the time between my heavier reads and I guess served that purpose well enough.

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The Nerdy Nummies Cookbook: Sweet Treats for the Geek in All of Us by Rosanna Pansino

The Nerdy Nummies Cookbook: Sweet Treats for the Geek in All of Us by Rosanna Pansino
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Love Rosanna's YouTube channel and her cookbook delivers just as well. The only thing I didn't like was how a good amount off the recipes were just unrealistic or time consuming. But then that's one of the reasons why we're buying the cookbook, to watch someone else make it, right?

I would have given another star except I do like to actually use my cookbooks for trying stuff out and the practical recipes were very well done but pretty simplistic. There was just not enough for intermediate skill.

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On the Road: The Quest for Stamps by Stephen R. Datz

On the Road - The Quest for Stamps by Stephen R. Datz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An engaging and sometimes humorous look inside the world of stamp dealing and collecting during the 1980's philatelic boom. From people expecting to be sitting on a gold mine to stamps held in albums by jam jar labels, Datz tells his stories of crossing state after state in the love for stamps.

Well written and open, Datz brings his professionalism and upbeat personality to readers. There's not much one can review about this kind of writing, really. Just trust me that it's worth the time for any collector.

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The Food Lover's Companion (Barron's Cooking Guide) by Sharon Tyler Herbst

The Food Lover's Companion by Sharon Tyler Herbst
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Small in size and to the point, Food Lover's Companion is a nice little reference to have on hand for the foodie or avid cook. It's nothing fancy but still delivers as promised: Information of pretty much every food you will find in the typical western supermarket and restaurant along with the occasional article for more in depth explanations on some things. While I prefer more information heavy food references this is still a good guide and easily fits in a purse when I travel so I can check when I encounter something new.

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The Vegetarian Myth: Food, Justice, and Sustainability by Lierre Keith

The Vegetarian Myth: Food, Justice, and Sustainability by Lierre Keith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Vegans will hate this book. Vegetarians....well,this one liked it, personally.

Kieth strips away a lot of the egotistical and obnoxious backpatting of the typical American vegan for a glimpse of what really happens behind the scenes of the food industry. She also takes a good look at the health ramifications of both veganism and vegetarianism. Fully sourced and verifiable, which is always a big concern with any book dealing with nutrition.

There is good food for thought in this work. There is also a lot of kneejerk reaction from people who didn't finish the book or put things in perspective.

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Momofuku Milk Bar by Christina Tosi

Momofuku Milk Bar by Christina Tosi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

LOVE this cookbook!

A very honest and simple approach to comfort food you didn't even know you wanted to try. Tosi makes it very easy to get caught up in these unconventional treats. Generally easy recipes that focus on having fun and indulging your tastes rather than trying to be hip like so many pretentious cookbooks lately. The concepts are just so perfectly unexpected and different that I don't even want to give away recipe titles so you can be surprised. Let's just say that you'd never think of drinking flavored milk that tasted like your childhood memories, right?

Worth every penny!

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A Silent Voice, Vol. 1 (A Silent Voice, #1) by Yoshitoki Oima

A Silent Voice, Vol. 1 by Yoshitoki Oima
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Life is hard enough when you're a deaf student being bullied and it gets harder for the bully when the tables turn and he's at the mercy of what he's created. Can he ever be forgiven?

I honestly loved this manga. There's something bittersweet and compelling in the characters that made it very hard to put down. Simple plot, simple but well done graphics and an honest look at being an outsider. I was so hooked with the narrative that I bought up the rest in the series the next day and had it all finished in about three days. Everything else took a break just so I could follow along the path towards redemption.

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Larousse Gastronomique: The World's Greatest Culinary Encyclopedia by Larousse

Larousse Gastronomique: The World's Greatest Culinary Encyclopedia by Larousse
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

No foodie has a complete shelf without a copy of Gastronomique. It's part of a sturdy foundation for both professional and home cooks, bursting with tons of illustrations and information. This edition has full color and sharp illustrations and even recipes, an unpretentious look at food and doesn't become condescending when explaining the intricacies of the culinary world. The translation is smooth and even allows for casual reading. Mine needs replacing soon from years of spills and stains and very rarely do I get complaints over my cooking. I really think I owe that to the Gastronomique and a good translation of Escoffier.

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Pussification: The Effeminization of the American Male by Doug Giles

Pussification: The Effeminization of the American Male by Doug Giles
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Very simply stated and honest ranting about a very true, timely American pnenomenon.

Where have all the cowboys gone? They've become women. You're not alone in noticing, either. Giles takes you on an honest and funny look at the modern American hipster male, offering tongue in cheek guidance to the men who want to throw away their tampons and struggle in to Manville.

Don't read if you're a snowflake, trust me.

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Untouchable by Mulk Raj Anand

Untouchable by Mulk Raj Anand
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If this isn't considered a classic then it needs to be. Anand takes a heart rendering look in to Indian society at the beginning of Ghandi's movement through the eyes of a young boy. An untouchable boy living in the slums of India who honestly tries to keep his spirits and outlook up while constantly being beaten down by the world around him.

I honestly felt for him, the author fleshing out his personality and soul so deeply as he describes his situation and encounters. I almost was yelling at the people in his life who were abusing him because the narrative was so honest. It's not a very twisting and turning storyline, very linear, but while the concept was simple the actual story was engrossing.

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Brainwashed: How Universities Indoctrinate America's Youth by Ben Shapiro

Brainwashed: How Universities Indoctrinate America's Youth by Ben Shapiro
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Shapiro comes out swinging with a lot of good talking points. With a focus on the most common oft-repeated social bylines and political stances, he brings honest challenge. I would have given an extra star if it wasn't for the tinge of attitude Shapiro likes to use but you can honestly understand his frustration over the changes in university life the last 20 years or so. Still, it does get annoying.

The author presents references for his claims which is really important for me with political pieces. Cultural Marxism is given a hard beating in this one.

I wish I could elaborate more but to be honest there's so many points and issues presented, all of them being splashed over the news on pretty much a daily basis so there's really no reason for me to reiterate.

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Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving by Judi Kingry

Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving by Judi Kingry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Whether you’re a beginner, pro or just interested in home canning then you need this book!

Ball has a reason for such a good reputation and their recipes are a huge part of it. This book will take you step by step through the actual canning and preserving processes as well as the recipes themselves. There’s a wonderful mix of classics as well as new tastes included here, especially in the jam and jelly sections. While it’s not the hipster avant garde trendy style ( no acai wheatgrass smoothie base here) It’s to the point and wonderful.

Skip the basic magazine style beginner’s book that Ball and Mason put out and get this instead. It’s more expensive but much more valuable for what’s inside.

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I'm Perfect, You're Doomed: Tales from a Jehovah's Witness Upbringing by Kyria Abrahams

I'm Perfect, You're Doomed: Tales from a Jehovah's Witness Upbringing by Kyria Abrahams
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It might have been the way it was advertised but I though there would be a bit more in depth explaination of the JW doctrines and culture, tho it was still very interesting. It was nice seeing Abrahams' humor and honesty come out in her writing, I just lost a lot of interest when it turned in to the usual memoir trap of blaming every bad decision on her childhood. Yes, i'm sure it had a big influence but it feels like a crutch after a certain point.

Not a bad read at all, just had an unfinished feel to it that really didn't warrant an extra star.

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