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Taste of Beirut by Joumana Accad is an incredibly comprehensive introduction to preparing Lebanese cuisine. Taste of Beirut is a love story of history, culture, and food simply blossoming chapter after chapter, after chapter. The passion for the food, culture, and people left me with the deep desire to whip out my passport and take a trip across the world.
By reading this book, I learned a lot about the Lebanese cuisine. With each recipe there is a high quality picture that accompanies it. Throughout the book there are explanations and translation of ingredients, essential do's and don'ts, helpful notes included with nearly every recipe. Also included is how to prepare and store commonly used ingredients to make cooking quicker and easier. Recipes are straightforward, and dishes look very flavorful.
I received this book from HCI Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
By reading this book, I learned a lot about the Lebanese cuisine. With each recipe there is a high quality picture that accompanies it. Throughout the book there are explanations and translation of ingredients, essential do's and don'ts, helpful notes included with nearly every recipe. Also included is how to prepare and store commonly used ingredients to make cooking quicker and easier. Recipes are straightforward, and dishes look very flavorful.
I received this book from HCI Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated ISIS: A History in Books
Jul 12, 2018
Okay, I will admit, I am not the most knowledgeable individual in the world which is exactly why I decided to read/listen to this book.
ISIS is a scary group that can keep you up at night if you think about it too much. With that said, this was an enlightening book that was filled with great information. I think that anyone who cannot tell the difference between muslims & ISIS should read this book. It will hopefully change your view.
This was probably one of the most dry books I have ever read. If it weren't for it being an audiobook I am sure that I would have put it down. I was bored through a lot of the book but I will say that it was interesting to learn the history of ISIS.
This is definitely dry, but it has a lot of good information.
ISIS is a scary group that can keep you up at night if you think about it too much. With that said, this was an enlightening book that was filled with great information. I think that anyone who cannot tell the difference between muslims & ISIS should read this book. It will hopefully change your view.
This was probably one of the most dry books I have ever read. If it weren't for it being an audiobook I am sure that I would have put it down. I was bored through a lot of the book but I will say that it was interesting to learn the history of ISIS.
This is definitely dry, but it has a lot of good information.

Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated Nobody's Daughter in Books
Jul 12, 2018
This is a depressing book for younger children. I found myself remembering the time that I read this book in 7th grade. The book is definitely written for children. It is definitely an emotional book. I remember crying in class while I was reading it.
This is one of the most depressing books that I have ever read. I felt the need to reread it to see if it really was as depressing as I remembered it, it was.
I finally decided that I needed to reread the book. Though the book did not give me the emotional reaction I had in middle school I did feel sorrow for the main character.
This is an anti-bullying book but it seems that it is more about how the rich will rule the world and the poor will be forced to walk in the streets.
This is one of the most depressing books that I have ever read. I felt the need to reread it to see if it really was as depressing as I remembered it, it was.
I finally decided that I needed to reread the book. Though the book did not give me the emotional reaction I had in middle school I did feel sorrow for the main character.
This is an anti-bullying book but it seems that it is more about how the rich will rule the world and the poor will be forced to walk in the streets.

Becka (82 KP) rated Vampire Academy Blood Sisters (2014) in Movies
Jul 6, 2018
Vampire Academy Blood Sisters
Contains spoilers, click to show
The movie was fantastic. The actors chosen for the characters that I already loved from reading the book, were perfect. Danila Kozlovsky was great as Dimitri and Zoey was exactly as I imagined Rose Hathaway. The action could have been a little better and there were some things I felt we're important that weren't included. But, I know that just because I felt the things left out were important, doesn't mean that they actually we're important. I loved the ending very much, it definitely felt like a Rose thing to do and I appreciate that the movie stayed true to the characterization of each character. The script seemed natural, and the graphics were great as well. And despite hating them in books, the cliff hanger at the end was great!

Roxanne (13 KP) rated One For The Money (Stephanie Plum, #1) in Books
Nov 14, 2018
I got swallowed up in the hype with this one, a friend wouldn't let it go until I agreed to take this out of the library. It's not my usual type of read so I didn't want to buy it. I'm glad I agreed to pick this one up as I did enjoy it. It wasn't as 'amazing' as it was made out to be but it was a humorous page-turner. The MC was a bit annoying and whiny, she also put herself into some situations that were a bit far-fetched but I liked the other characters. Unfortunately, the library doesn't have the second instalment and I'm not going to buy it so I'm not sure if I'll get to read the rest. I'm pretty sure there's about 15 books so far in this series, that's a bit too much of a challenge for me.

Merissa (13162 KP) rated Lady of Light and Shadows (Tairen Soul, #2) in Books
Dec 17, 2018
An absolute stunner of a sequel to the first book that picks up exactly where the first book finished. You will learn more about the characters that you already have heard of but one character in particular is introduced that has such a pivotal role in this and the rest of the books. There is more character "layering" in this book although Ellie's fey quintet actually play a smaller role than in the first. This is all to the good though.
C L Wilson is able to describe the peoples and the lands that they inhabit with such precision that you will be able to see it in your mind's eye without any difficulty. All of the characters weave together so well and each enhances the other.
<blockquote>“If honor were reserved only for those who never err, none of us would be worthy,”</blockquote>
C L Wilson is able to describe the peoples and the lands that they inhabit with such precision that you will be able to see it in your mind's eye without any difficulty. All of the characters weave together so well and each enhances the other.
<blockquote>“If honor were reserved only for those who never err, none of us would be worthy,”</blockquote>

Merissa (13162 KP) rated Revision is a Process--how to take the frustration out of self-editing in Books
Dec 17, 2018
Revision is a Process is a well-thought out, easy-to-read, informative book, that gives plenty of examples and descriptions on just how you can tighten up a manuscript. There is plenty of knowledge within the pages, plus shortcuts that the author is happy to share. In bite-sized chunks, you could either read it in one go, or focus on the particular chapter that will help you currently. Personally, I found it very helpful, and will certainly be putting into practice some of the recommended routines.
I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who is self-editing, and wants to know more about what they should do, and how they should do it.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who is self-editing, and wants to know more about what they should do, and how they should do it.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!

David McK (3600 KP) rated Arrows of Fury (Empire, #2) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
I had read 'Wounds of Honour' a few years back, but wasn't really all that sold on it so never picked up (this) the sequel. That changed, however, when it was on sale for about £2 in my local bargain books.
Truth be told, however, I found this to actually be rather dry: it never really held my attention, or seemed to me that the plot took off in any shape or form. It probably doesn't help that all the characters seem very generic (I got the impression that the novel was more concerned with the minutiae of the Roman Legions than with characterization), with similar-sounding names: so much so, that half the time you have to keep flicking back through the book to find out who is who!
All-in-all: I doubt I'll be picking up the third book in the series anytime soon.
Truth be told, however, I found this to actually be rather dry: it never really held my attention, or seemed to me that the plot took off in any shape or form. It probably doesn't help that all the characters seem very generic (I got the impression that the novel was more concerned with the minutiae of the Roman Legions than with characterization), with similar-sounding names: so much so, that half the time you have to keep flicking back through the book to find out who is who!
All-in-all: I doubt I'll be picking up the third book in the series anytime soon.

David McK (3600 KP) rated Day of the Caesars (Eagle #16) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
The latest (#16) entry in [a:Simon Scarrow|60636|Simon Scarrow|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1240832197p2/60636.jpg]'s 'Eagle' series of books, with this one taking place just after the death of Emperor Claudius and the ascension of his heir Nero to the Imperial throne.
Despite his best efforts, it's not long before Prefect Cato - and, by extension, Macro - is drawn into the tangled web of conspiracy around that ascension, in particular by a faction that support the claim of Nero's half-brother Britannicus to that throne.
With further reveals around Cato's deceased wife Julia - was she really unfaithful to him? - and with a little bit of further character development for Macro (who is now even beginning to think about settling down!) this I found to be less action-orientated that many of the previous entries in the series, but still an enjoyable read.
Despite his best efforts, it's not long before Prefect Cato - and, by extension, Macro - is drawn into the tangled web of conspiracy around that ascension, in particular by a faction that support the claim of Nero's half-brother Britannicus to that throne.
With further reveals around Cato's deceased wife Julia - was she really unfaithful to him? - and with a little bit of further character development for Macro (who is now even beginning to think about settling down!) this I found to be less action-orientated that many of the previous entries in the series, but still an enjoyable read.

BookwormLea (3034 KP) rated The Iron Butterfly (Iron Butterfly #1) in Books
Jun 23, 2019
In my top 5 favourite series'
I've read this book, and series so many times and I never get sick of it! I love Talia and Kael and their whole journey together. I love that I can be right there along with them and watch how the romance blossoms and get the butterflies along the way. Talia is such a strong character that I haven't really seen in any other books before. I love how she just transforms into the strong and beautiful woman we see in the last book. The twists and turns throughout the book are fantastic! Everytime we learn something new about a character we are suprised and no matter how many times I read it I will continue to be suprised! Chanda is a fantastic writer and I love her other series' too but this is by far my favourite.