The Love Goddess’ Cooking School by: Melissa Senate

Book #75 for #ReadMyOwnDamnBooks

Can you see a theme for this month’s book picks?  I am really into the food genre this month and this was my next pick.

In this novel, Holly moves in with her grandmother after a tough breakup.  Her grandmother owns Camilla’s Cucinotta, an old school Italian style cooking school and store.  When her grandmother passes away, Holly inherits this place and all of the memories and stories that goes with it.

This was a sweet story of growth and acceptance as well as a story of love, friendship and food.  The cover art is gorgeous and story line was endearing.

I gave this book 3 crowns.

Evelyn, After by: Victoria Helen Stone

Description from the publisher through Netgalley

Evelyn Tester is sleepwalking through her suburban life—until a late-night phone call startles her awake. Her husband, a prestigious psychiatrist, has been in an accident. And he isn’t alone.

Suddenly Evelyn’s world isn’t as tidy as she thought. And in the midst of it all is Juliette, not only her husband’s secret lover but also his patient. If news of the affair were to get out, it would ruin more than just Evelyn’s marriage. Although it’s a bitter pill for Evelyn to swallow, protecting her family means staying silent—even if, as she begins to discover, the night of the accident has consequences far more dangerous than the unmasking of an affair.

But the more Evelyn learns about Juliette’s picture-perfect life—complete with a handsome, unsuspecting husband—the more she yearns for revenge…and satisfaction. Her growing obsession fuels her rage, burning away her complacency. What will be left of her after it flames out?

My Review:

This book was great!  I couldn’t put it down.  The whole book is about infidelity and that is a horrible thing to go through but this book was so much more then that.  I found the plot riveting.  The narrative fluctuates between Evelyn life before and after this one night’s events.  It flowed smoothly and nothing felt left out.

I received this from the publishers through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.  I will be on the lookout for more books by this author.

I gave this book 4 crowns.

  

Julia’s Chocolates by: Cathy Lamb

Book #74 for #ReadMyOwnDamnBooks

Julia leaves her wedding dress hanging from a tree as she runs runs away from her abusive fiance on their wedding day.  That is how this story opens and things become more intriguing from there.  She goes to live with her eccentric aunt and everyday she learns more and more about that neighborhood of people and ultimately herself.

There are some crazy situations that she gets involved in but those lead her to self growth and essentially creating her own family.  This was a good story and it kept my interested.

I gave this book 3 crowns.

Life of the Party by: Bob Kealing

I won an ARC of this book from the publishers through Read It Forward.

I listened to this book on audio.  This is the story of Brownie Wise who is known to be the woman who lead the way for other women into the home sales business.  Brownie had to figure out a way to make enough money to live comfortably and raise her son after her divorce.

At the same time, Earl Tupper was about to revolutionize the way the households kept and preserved their food.  Tupper created Tupperware and Brownie Wise brought it into homes across America.  This was a powerhouse of a team.  However, like the saying goes: “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”  The power went to Brownie’s head and that eventually led to her complete disappearance from the home party world.  This is her story.

I thought this book had potential.  I never really knew of the story behind the Tupperware home parties although I am very attuned to the home party sales industry.  The book itself was a bit slow and may have had a bit to much unnecessary details for my liking.

I gave this book 2 crowns.

#RIFWinner

Cookbook Review Skinnytaste Fast and Slow by: GINA HOMOLKA and HEATHER K. JONES

ABOUT SKINNYTASTE FAST AND SLOW from Penguinrandomhouse.com

80+ Under 30 Minute Dishes and 60 Slow Cooker Recipes

The easiest, tastiest, most convenient healthy recipes—ever!

With Skinnytaste Fast and Slow, you can get a nutritious, flavor-packed, figure-friendly meal—complete with a flourless chocolate brownie made in a slow cooker—on the table any night of the week. Gina Homolka, founder of the widely adored blog Skinnytaste, shares 140 dishes that come together in a snap—whether in a slow cooker or in the oven or on the stovetop. Favorites include:

Slow Cooker
Chicken and Dumpling Soup
Korean-Style Beef Tacos
Spicy Harissa Lamb Ragu
Peach-Strawberry Crumble

Under 30 Minutes
Zucchini Noodles with Shrimp and Feta
Pizza-Stuffed Chicken Roll-Ups
Grilled Cheese with Havarti, Brussels Sprouts, and Apple
Cauliflower “Fried” Rice

Each recipe includes nutritional information, which can help you take steps toward weight and health goals, and many dishes are vegetarian, gluten-free, and freezer-friendly—all called out with helpful icons. Gina’s practical advice for eating well and 120 color photos round out this indispensable cookbook.

My Review:

I am always on the lookout for recipes that allow my to cook delicious meals with less calories.  This newest release from the Skinnytaste franchise does not disappoint.  I love that there are recipes for the slow cooker, one of my favorite kitchen appliances, and recipes that are for standard cooking.

The recipes range from easy appetizers like avocado toast options to Korean Beef Taco to desserts like Chocolate Banana crock pot loaf.  I can not wait to really get into this recipes and have my house smelling like a delicious dinner has been cooking while everyone was at work.  An added bonus:  the pictures are gorgeous!

I give this book 5 crowns.

 I received this book from the publisher through Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

IQ by: Joe Ide

Description from the Publisher through Netgalley

A resident of one of LA’s toughest neighborhoods uses his blistering intellect to solve the crimes the LAPD ignores.

East Long Beach. The LAPD is barely keeping up with the neighborhood’s high crime rate. Murders go unsolved, lost children unrecovered. But someone from the neighborhood has taken it upon himself to help solve the cases the police can’t or won’t touch.

They call him IQ. He’s a loner and a high school dropout, his unassuming nature disguising a relentless determination and a fierce intelligence. He charges his clients whatever they can afford, which might be a set of tires or a homemade casserole. To get by, he’s forced to take on clients that can pay.

This time, it’s a rap mogul whose life is in danger. As Isaiah investigates, he encounters a vengeful ex-wife, a crew of notorious cutthroats, a monstrous attack dog, and a hit man who even other hit men say is a lunatic. The deeper Isaiah digs, the more far reaching and dangerous the case becomes.

My Review:

I normally like to read mystery/ thriller books and was delighted to received an E-ARC from the publisher through Netgalley.  However, I am not sure how I feel about this book.  The stylized writing wasn’t really doing much for me.  I felt as if I was talking with someone who who trying to hard to sounds as if they fit into the persona of living life like a thug on the street.  I get that that was also part of the story line but it was a bit frustrating  to me.

I did read this book fairly quickly so it was somewhat interesting but I can’t say that I would pick up anything else y this author or really recommend it.  It was very middle of the road; take it or leave it for me.

I give this book 2 1/2 crowns.

The Cookbook Collector by: Allegra Goodman

Book #73 for #ReadMyOwnDamnBooks

I picked this book up on a whim from a Library book sale that I went to last month.  I really didn’t know much about it but the title caught my attention.  I was able to find this book on audio from my OverDrive app and listen to it on my commute.

I really enjoyed this book.  It had a little to do with food, a little to do with books and a lot to do with relationships.  The combination of all three led to a wonderful read.  I highly recommend this book and don’t want to give you any details about it.

I gave this book 5 crowns.

Tender at the Bone by: Ruth Reichl

Book #72 for #ReadMyOwnDamnBooks

If you have read my other reviews, you know how much I love Ruth Reichl’s writing.  She pays such incredible attention to detail and takes the reader into her story.  Added bonus: recipes are included.  This is a nonfiction book that takes us back in time to when Ruth was growing up and had to protect house guests from her mother’s cooking.

We hear about how food became such an integral part of Ruth’s life.  This is a coming of age story that only Ruth Reichl could tell.  I encourage everyone to pick up her books.  I only have two more to go before I have read what is currently published and I am taking my time to get through them because I know I will love them.

I gave this 5 crowns.

 

Sweetbitter by: Stephanie Danler

Book #71 for #ReadMyOwnDamnBooks

Ok, so this was a super-hyped book when it was released earlier this year and I was so excited to get it.  It stood on my shelf for a few months but I finally picked it up.  I was so incredibly disappointed.

When I first started it, all I could think about was that it was more of a stream of consciousness style then a novel.  I also don’t know what I was thinking, but I thought that this was a memoir and not a novelization.  However, even if it was a memoir, it still would have been bad.  I don’t know who hyped this book up or how it became a National Bestseller.

I had a very hard time trying to figure out what I was reading but I thought it would get better so I continued to read it instead of DNF’ing it…it didn’t.  I also refused to put it down because I paid full price for it. That just makes me mad!

I gave this book 1 crown.

The Art of Baking Blind by:Sarah Vaughan

Book # 70 for #ReadMyOwnDamnBooks

The second book that I picked up this month was another book about cooking.  I have this book on my shelf for a while as well, but picked this book up on audio to listen to during my commute.  I absolutely loved this book.

The search is on for the new Mrs. Eaden, the famous chef behind the grocery chain that was established by her husband.  This is a contest in which several contestants compete in a culinary competition to gain the recognition that they crave.  We learn about each of their lives as well as the life of the esteemed Mrs. Eaden.

This was a enchanting, soul wrenching story about a group of people who lead their own lives but are looking for the same thing: recognition.  All they ever wanted was a bit of attention being shown to them.  This is a story that is very easy to read.

I gave this book 5 crowns.