Gastro Obscura: A Food Adventurer's Guide

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Title: Gastro Obscura: A Food Adventurer's Guide

Author: Cecily Wong

Publisher: Workman

Release Date: 10.12.21

Publisher’s Summary 

Wonder is around every corner, and on every plate. The curious minds behind Atlas Obscura now turn to the hidden curiosities of food, which becomes a gateway to fascinating stories about human history, science, art, and tradition—like the first book, all organized by country, lavishly illustrated, and full of surprises.

My Review

This book was so fun! Part cookbook and part short stories, a reader could open this book onto any page and be both entertained and educated. For example, a section on Australia includes a collection of information about a melon festival, a coconut cult, the world's oldest emu farm, and wild rice conversation art. I've been keeping this book in the kitchen to read a little bit when I have a minute or two--you know, when you're waiting for the water to boil or during the last few minutes when dinner is coming together. This would also be a great idea to read with and/or discuss with your family at dinner. What better way to get everyone talking over sandwiches than to discuss that the first sandwich was NOT invented by the Earl of Sandwich, but by the Han Chinese 2,000 years earlier or The Cheese Sandwich Scandal of the Masters Tournament? Got a kid who likes "gross" or "weird" stuff? Talk about how Russians once preserved their milk with frogs, the Inuit tradition of fermenting birds in seal skin, or the Worm Courtship Festival of Indonesia. I definitely suggest adding this book to your kitchen or coffee table. This would be a great book to give as a gift this holiday season. 

The Brides of Maracoor by Gregory Maguire

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Title: The Brides of Maracoor (Another Day #1)

Author: Gregory Maguire

Publisher: William Morrow

Release Date: 10.12.21

Publisher’s Summary 

Multimillion-copy bestselling author Gregory Maguire unveils the first in a three-book series spun off the iconic Wicked Years, featuring Elphaba’s granddaughter, the green-skinned Rain.

Ten years ago this season, Gregory Maguire wrapped up the series he began with Wicked by giving us the fourth and final volume of the Wicked Years, his elegiac Out of Oz.

But “out of Oz” isn’t “gone for good.” Maguire’s new series, Another Day, is here, twenty-five years after Wicked first flew into our lives.

Volume one, The Brides of Maracoor, finds Elphaba’s granddaughter, Rain, washing ashore on a foreign island. Comatose from crashing into the sea, Rain is taken in by a community of single women committed to obscure devotional practices.

As the mainland of Maracoor sustains an assault by a foreign navy, the island’s civil-servant overseer struggles to understand how an alien arriving on the shores of Maracoor could threaten the stability and wellbeing of an entire nation. Is it myth or magic at work, for good or for ill?

The trilogy Another Day will follow this green-skinned girl from the island outpost into the unmapped badlands of Maracoor before she learns how, and becomes ready, to turn her broom homeward, back to her family and her lover, back to Oz, which—in its beauty, suffering, mystery, injustice, and possibility—reminds us all too clearly of the troubled yet sacred terrain of our own lives.

My Review

The publisher's summary pretty much tells the entirety of this novel. There is no hidden storyline that wasn't included in order to keep the summary spoiler-free. As the first installment of new trilogy, the majority of this book is world-building and what I can only guess is the build up to the real action. To tell the truth, I was pretty bored by the lack of action but Maguire's talented storytelling kept me invested. While I was a bit let down by this book on its own, I have high hopes for the next releases. I absolutely LOVED and recommend this to anyone who loved the WHOLE Wicked series, not just the first book, because the later books have heavier ethical and political storylines which is where I see this series (Another Day) going.

The Book of Hope by Jane Goodall and Douglas Carlton Abrams

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Title: The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times

Author: Jane Goodall and Douglas Carlton Abrams

Publisher: Celadon

Release Date: 10.19.21

Publisher’s Summary 

In a world that seems so troubled, how do we hold on to hope?

Looking at the headlines--a global pandemic, the worsening climate crisis, political upheaval--it can be hard to feel optimistic. And yet hope has never been more desperately needed.

In this urgent book, Jane Goodall, the world's most famous living naturalist and Doug Abrams, internationally-bestselling author, explore--through intimate and thought-provoking dialogue--one of the most sought after and least understood elements of human nature: hope. In The Book of Hope, Jane focuses on her “Four Reasons for Hope”: The Amazing Human Intellect, The Resilience of Nature, The Power of Young People, and The Indomitable Human Spirit.

Told through stories from a remarkable career and fascinating research, The Book of Hope touches on vital questions including: How do we stay hopeful when everything seems hopeless? How do we cultivate hope in our children? Filled with engaging dialogue and pictures from Jane’s storied career, The Book of Hope is a deeply personal conversation with one of the most beloved figures in today’s world.

And for the first time, Jane tells the story of how she became a messenger of hope: from living through World War II, to her years in Gombe, to realizing she had to leave the forest to travel the world in her role as an advocate for environmental justice. She details the forces that shaped her hopeful worldview, her thoughts on her past, and her revelations about her next--and perhaps final--adventure.

There is still hope, and this book will help guide us to it.

My Review

I must admit that if I was given a book about hope and it was written by an author I didn't recognize I would have rolled my eyes and moved along. As a stereotypical Gen-Xer, I'm not one for super positive books and definitely would not have given this book a chance if it weren't for the fact that it is authored by Jane Goodall. Quietly moving and full of impactful insights, I am glad I read this and will be passing it along to a friend when I think they need a hopeful perspective in their life. 

The Quick Fix Kitchen by Tia Mowry

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Title: The Quick Fix Kitchen: Easy Recipes and Time-Saving Tips for a Healthier, Stress-Free Life

Author: Tia Mowry

Publisher: Rodale

Release Date: 9.28.21

Publisher’s Summary 

The beloved actress and star of the digital series Quick Fixsaves you time and energy with her favorite mealtime hacks, tips to bring joy and balance to your kitchen, and 65 easy, delicious, and healthy recipes the entire family will love.

"I love how Tia breaks down how to organize your pantry and kitchen."--GIADA DE LAURENTIIS

As a busy mom, author, actor, and entrepreneur, Tia Mowry needed to find quick and easy solutions to a busy life, especially when it came to cooking for her family. She figured out a way to create nutritious, hearty dishes that work for everyone, allowing her to savor moments spent around the table. The Quick Fix Kitchen empowers you to do the same, helping you embrace home cooking without sacrificing time and energy with Tia's "Quick Fixes" for mealtimes: healthy food swaps, pantry organizational hacks, food shopping tips, meal plans, sixty-five easy, delicious recipes, and more. With advice presented in her trademark joyful, down-to-earth fashion, you'll learn how to use your kitchen to your advantage--understanding flavor affinities, balancing wholesome and indulgent meals, incorporating the kids, managing your time--so that you can unwind and have fun creating family traditions.

The recipes themselves are designed to deliver big flavors with minimum prep and cook time. They include sheet pan meals like Stuffed Pesto Chicken Breast, one-pot meals like Spinach Artichoke Pasta Bake, classics with a healthy twist like Creamy "Alfredo" Pasta, and creative, kid-friendly snacks like Banana "Sushi" Rolls and Mini Quesadilla Pizzas. With The Quick Fix Kitchen, feeding yourself and your family won't feel like a chore.

My Review

This is a great beginner cookbook or a great cookbook to pull out when you need easy and quick recipes. This would also be a great cookbook to use if you want to cook with kids. In addition to the recipe collection, Tia Mowry discusses the importance of food, gives insight into organizing your kitchen and pantry, and lots of detailed ideas about meal planning.