Cooking at Home

Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying About Recipes (And Love My Microwave): A Cookbook

by David Chang; Priya Krishna

Pub date: 26 Oct 2021

Publisher: Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press

I don't think I have ever read a cookbook this closely before. There is a lot, A LOT of good info here. I suspect I am going to be pretty influenced by David Chang and his style of cooking. For instance, he has convinced me to give MSG a try again! And not long after finishing the book, I actually went and gave my microwave a good clean! Cook veggies in the microwave? He has convinced me to try it.

I made a lot of notes, and even texted my daughter back and forth about some of the kitchen equipment he recommended, I appreciated that the book has more meat dishes than anything else. If I remember correctly, there's only one dessert recipe! I'm not sure I like the way the "recipes" are written. I like them easy to refer to. Even though he says he doesn't think people should use recipes, he does have recipes except that they are not formatted the conventional way and some of the ingredients (mostly seasonings) are not given exact measurements. Perhaps not for absolute beginners but for someone who has had a little bit of experience in the kitchen (if disasters are to be avoided.)

Some of the 90 odd recipes are interesting and I hope to try them out soon. I like that he goes for the fast and easy and simple but still aiming for delicious.

If this book had been a hard copy one, it would be dog-earred and covered with highlights and notes.

 

Finding the Hero in Your Husband, Revisited

Embracing Your Power in Marriage

by Juli Slattery

Pub date 19 Oct 2021

HCI Books

Let's get one thing established here first. I like to see who wrote the book that has the potential to influence me. Juli Slattery is a widely known clinical psychologist, author, and broadcast media professional with over 25 years of experience counseling and teaching women. She is known for her commitment to biblical principles and is a highly sought after speaker. She was the former co-host of the Focus on the Family Broadcast and co-founder of Authentic Intimacy, an international non-profit designed to minister to women. Well, I believe the author knows what she is talking about!

In my opinion, this book should be read by every woman to prepare for marriage and by every woman who wants to improve their relationship with her husband. Even after more than 30 years as a wife, I found that I needed to be reminded of some of the "best practices"!

I found a couple of the chapters a harder read. For example, I think I will have to reread the chapter on submission. But I really liked the way the author described what submission means. It was like a light bulb went on in my head!

Overall, a biblically sound book for every Christian woman who wants the best for her marriage.

 

Beautiful Botanical Embroidery

Colorful Projects Inspired by Nature

by Alice Makabe

Pub Date 15 Oct 2021 

Zakka Workshop

I love embroidered flowers and this book is just up my alley! The patterns are so pretty and delicate, more than enough to brighten anything made out of fabric. Clear instructions and diagrams are given to sew the final projects featured here though, so it’s really up to you. Full size templates and diagrams are provided so you won’t go wrong.

Zakka workshop has such wonderful craft books. I’ve come to expect nothing but the loveliest of books with really great diagrams and instructions for making awesome things!

 

Out of the Water

by Ann Marie Stewart

Pub date: 19 Oct 2021

Hidden Shelf Publishing House

Ann  Marie Stewart has done the impossible - made me interested and invested in all her main characters in a split time story. I love her writing style. It’s pretty much how I like my fiction! 

The second half did drag a little bit for me but the story was compelling enough to keep me reading. The ending and the twist was totally unexpected! I wish there was more about Antonio so I finished the book with a slight disappointment. 

Whatever the case, I can’t wait to see what this new favourite author of mine will come up with next!

 

Mooncakes and Milk Bread

Sweet and Savory Recipes Inspired by Chinese Bakeries

by Kristina Cho

Pub Date 12 Oct 2021

Really, if you’ve ever wanted to make those mouthwatering Chinese buns and pastries, this is the book to get. The  author is a recipe developer who dedicate her days cooking up a good variety of foods which are then taste tested by friends and family. The recipes are very detailed and are always accompanied by at least a photo of the finished product so you know how yours should look. I like that step by step pictorial instructions or diagrams are given whenever they’re called for, such as how to mold your moon cake or fold your rose siu mai.

I enjoyed  Ms Cho’s nostalgic and well written food stories of her family and friends and her features of the indomitable Chinese community of bakeries.

I’m on a therapeutic low carb diet and so can’t eat almost all the food here. I’ll admit to requesting for this book to see if I can tweak the recipes so that they are compliant to my way of eating!

 

Feels Like Home

Transforming Your Space from Uninspiring to Uniquely Yours

by Marian Parsons

12 Oct 2021

Plenty of tips, tricks, techniques, and some DIY to transform your home to feel just like your home. I liked that a lot of the information are presented in bulleted points making it very easy to read, digest and use for decorating your house. I also enjoyed the author’s stories about how she worked on her own place, sharing her wisdom and experiences.

I loved many of the ideas including using fabric starched to walls instead of applying wallpaper, and I spotted a picture frame for hanging art work that I want to copy right away!

The photos of the interiors are all beautiful especially when compared to the before photos at the back of the book! 

This would make a really useful gift for someone about to move into a new house or someone planning on some redecorating.

 

7 Ways to Pray

Time-Tested Practices for Encountering God

by Amy Boucher Pye

Pub Date 14 Sep 2021

I love many of the prayer practices presented in this book and am going to do a mindmap so I don't forget any of them!  Some are new to me such as writing a Scripture poem (really love this idea!) and some are reminders. There are a couple that may be a bit controversial  (such as the lectio divina) and I definitely will be reading up on them to keep myself better informed before starting anything.

Suggestions for personal as well as group practices are given. A really helpful and practical book for anyone who wants a better prayer life.

 

The Secrets of Art

Uncovering the mysteries and messages of great works of art

by Debra N. Mancoff

Pub Date 21 Sep 2021

I’ve been to a few of the galleries and museums that display the 45 paintings or other types of masterpieces featured in this book. To think that I might have walked past without appreciating the secrets or stories that each of them hold!

What a well-written and fascinating book this is! I think it has changed forever the way that I’ll look at any major works of art. I loved the cropped and zoomed-in photos that focus on points of interest. Bravo, well done! Anyone with even just a passing interest in art will be intrigued.

 

The Speckled Beauty

A Dog and His People by Rick Bragg

Pub Date 21 Sep 2021

What a dog! I chuckled at his wild antics and cringed at his bloody, painful ones. Rick Bragg has written a fabulous book which I often couldn't put down. I also loved the sensitive stories about his mother and brother.

This was my first book by the author and I definitely will be looking out for more. I really enjoyed his style of writing and am happy to have discovered him.

 

All The Colors of Life

by Lisa Aisato. Pub date: 5 Oct 2021

And just like that, Lisa Aisato has become one of my favourite artists. You know the saying - a picture paints a thousand words? Well, Ms Aisato's paintings do just that! She has such a gift of presenting expressive and meaningful paintings that they do not even need words to make a story. I am in awe of her imagination, creativity and talent, and went to follow her social media account right away!

This, then, makes for a wonderful picture book for adults where only a few words are needed. The words are thought provoking and will stir up your memories. There are pages that are not suitable for little eyes, Also, a few pages featuring lifestyles that not everyone would support.

I will be looking out for more books by this artist!

 

Where the Light Fell

A Memoir by Philip Yancey

Pub Date: 5 Oct., 2021

I read Where the Light Fell in a few sittings and looked forward to reading it again whenever I had to put it down. Having known the author's writing for many years now and having bought many of his books for the church library, I knew that this would be a very well written memoir and I was not wrong. 

You do get some glimpses of humour but the story is often depressing and sometimes even difficult to read. After having finished the book, I found myself wishing that we could have more things seen from the mother's point of view. If I were in her shoes, would I have done any better? Why was she the way she was? As for the church that Yancey went as a young boy and where his mother served, you certainly hope that the churches of today preach more about God's love and salvation instead of hell and eternal damnation week after week.

I did wish that he included more about his adult life here though he may have covered it in his other books,  I couldn't help but be glad and encouraged that grace still found him inspite of his difficult childhood.

All in all, a memoir worth reading especially if you are familiar with his other books.

 Engaging and Charming

Autumn by the Sea

Muir Harbor Series, Book 1

by Melissa Tagg

Pub Date 28 Sep 2021

I just love it when I discover an author who writes the way I like my books to read.  Melissa Tagg sure writes well! 

Autumn by the Sea is a most engaging and charming book, with likeable, believable characters, a loving family, sweet romance, beautiful setting (yellow house by the blue blue sea, wild blueberry farm and tree house!) and humor dotted here and there.

The spiritual elements are very very light here. But it's all right with me since I don't much read fiction for inspiration.

This title is the beginning of a series. Expect a twist at the end! We are introduced to some of the characters who will be the stars in the following books and I am looking forward to reading their stories!

4 stars. 

 Gorgeous Patterns and Colours for Your Home

Love Pattern and Colour

The essential guide

by Charlotte Abrahams

Publication Date: 28 Sept, 2021

We tend to see a lot of totally white interior decorating these days and it can get boring. This book sets out to convince you to do otherwise and include lots of patterns (mostly colorful) and textures instead, To me, the author did a wonderful job. Not only Is the book chock full of gorgeous photographs showcasing a comprehensive range of patterns, there are accompanying color panels to show you what colors have been used to make it work. My artist heart sang! Whether you’re starting from scratch in decorating your abode or just wanting to add some accent by the use of patterned cushions or rugs or furniture, this book will equip you with ideas and know-how. 

5 full stars. Love it!

 How to Draw Everyday Things Step by Step

Ten-Step Drawing: Everyday Things

Learn to draw 60 ordinary items in ten easy steps!

by Justine Lecouffe

Now that we’re all mostly staying at home, this book is very timely for anyone who wants to start drawing. What better to put on our sketchbooks or journals than the things right before our eyes in our abode.

I’m really liking this series as there are 10 steps given for each object, so pretty detailed with nothing skipped or rushed through. The drawings are nice too. Useful too are the colour suggestions with the completed sketch.

Great for a beginner or intermediate artist.

4 stars.

 Draw and Paint Stunning Panoramas and Vistas in Your Sketchbook

The Urban Sketching Handbook Panoramas and Vertical Vistas

Techniques for Drawing on Location from Unexpected Perspectives

by Mario Linhares

Panoramas and vertical vistas are stunning whether on canvas or in a sketchbook. Urban sketchers include these in their sketchbooks to capture the vastness or height of city or country scenes, using both pages of a spread or accordion books that can go on forever!

This installment is another great one for the Urban Sketching Handbook series. You won't find any step-by-step instructions but the author and other contributors give many tips and techniques to paint or draw a successful panorama or vista. All the drawings and paintings, which form the bulk of this book, are great for ideas and inspiration.

As always, it was great to see so many contributors from all over the world -many whose names you will recognize if you are into urban sketching. 

All in all, a must-have especially if you already have the other volumes in the series.

4 stars

 Great Step by Step on Drawing Buildings

Draw Like an Artist: 100 Buildings and Architectural Forms

Step-by-Step Realistic Line Drawing - A Sourcebook for Aspiring Artists and Designers

by David Drazil

What a fabulous idea to have a step-by-step on how to draw well-known buildings from around the world. This is a must-have for me as I find I still have a lot to learn when it comes to drawing buildings accurately. It really helps to see how to even start the first few lines. With enough practice, I should be able to assess and start sketching accurate lines for any building. Can't wait to get started.

4 stars.