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The Art of Baking Bread: What You Really Need to Know to Make Great Bread
Book
Sidestep years of unwarranted trial and error and learn to bake like a professional without having...

The Gluten-Free Revolution: A Balanced Guide to a Gluten-Free Lifestyle Through Healthy Recipes, Green Smoothies, Yoga, Pilates, and Easy Desserts!
Book
An accessible healthy lifestyle should be the rule, not the exception. Who said pricey kitchen...

ClareR (5950 KP) rated Unsettled Ground in Books
Feb 21, 2021
I make no secret of the fact that I’m a huge Claire Fuller fan, and Unsettled Ground gave me no reason at all to think otherwise - it’s a beautiful book.
The characters Jeanie and Julius are vulnerable people who just need someone to guide them when their mother dies, even though they are fiercely independent. This is a family that has always lived on the edge of their community - both their actual geographical location and socially. They live hand to mouth, and when Doris their mother dies, the twins have to go without food at times, when it transpires that Doris has left them with no money and debts. The cost of her funeral is the least of their problems (and they overcome that problem reasonably easily anyway).
There is a feeling that the twins are trapped by circumstance and by each other. Jeanie has never recovered from a childhood illness and is illiterate, and Julius is not only expected to look after her, but is trapped in their local area because he has severe travel sickness linked to their fathers terrible death. Their one comfort is their joint love of folk music (I wish I could have actually listened to these songs - I shall have to google them, and I hope they really exist!).
Claire Fullers use of language makes the everyday seem more lifelike in her books. I read most, if not all, of this with my heart in my mouth. How could I not? Jeanie and Julius are people who are shunned by society, taken advantage of and treated terribly. I feel I can’t leave this quite like this though: there are the good people, the ones that help.
I don’t want to spoil the story, so I’ll stop here, but what I will say is that this is another gorgeously written novel by Claire Fuller, and you should most definitely read it!
Many thanks to the publisher for providing me with an e-copy of this book through NetGalley to read and review.
The characters Jeanie and Julius are vulnerable people who just need someone to guide them when their mother dies, even though they are fiercely independent. This is a family that has always lived on the edge of their community - both their actual geographical location and socially. They live hand to mouth, and when Doris their mother dies, the twins have to go without food at times, when it transpires that Doris has left them with no money and debts. The cost of her funeral is the least of their problems (and they overcome that problem reasonably easily anyway).
There is a feeling that the twins are trapped by circumstance and by each other. Jeanie has never recovered from a childhood illness and is illiterate, and Julius is not only expected to look after her, but is trapped in their local area because he has severe travel sickness linked to their fathers terrible death. Their one comfort is their joint love of folk music (I wish I could have actually listened to these songs - I shall have to google them, and I hope they really exist!).
Claire Fullers use of language makes the everyday seem more lifelike in her books. I read most, if not all, of this with my heart in my mouth. How could I not? Jeanie and Julius are people who are shunned by society, taken advantage of and treated terribly. I feel I can’t leave this quite like this though: there are the good people, the ones that help.
I don’t want to spoil the story, so I’ll stop here, but what I will say is that this is another gorgeously written novel by Claire Fuller, and you should most definitely read it!
Many thanks to the publisher for providing me with an e-copy of this book through NetGalley to read and review.

TravelersWife4Life (31 KP) rated Katherine's Arrangement (Shenandoah Brides #1) in Books
Feb 23, 2021
https://travelingwife4life.wordpress.com/2020/08/05/katherines-arrangement-book-spotlight
Katherine’s Arrangement
by Blossom Turner reminds me very much of a twist on Gone with the Wind for some reason. It is a the first book in a five book series :)
“The reason you feel so close to nature is because God uses creation to speak to people”
After reading the book, I went back and reread it. I liked the book, I really did. I thought that Blossom Turner did a great job showing some of the hardships of life after the Civil War and that her characters show TRUE genuine feelings rather than dumbing them down; It made the book all the more believable. I thought that Katherine shows strength and fortitude to do what was right for her family even though she was not quite happy about it. I also really felt for all that Blossom Turner put Josiah through. I thought he handled everything quite well (mostly) and I liked his maturity in contrast to Katherines. Both characters grew throughout the story and I thought the ending gave a good redeeming quality to both characters.
“The majestic flight of an eagle caught her eye, and she imagined what it would be like to soar high above the complexities of this life – to escape duty and obligation and fly far away from the weight of this decision.”
Blossom Turner writes with detail and imagination that is fun and engaging to read. However, the pace of the story appeared a bit slow and repetitive in places, and things were drawn out a bit more than I thought was necessary. But overall, the story was an interesting read filled with drama, scandal, and forgiveness.
I give this book a 3 out of 5 stars for the creative storyline, the real portrayal of the character's feelings, and for the redemptive story of Christ's forgiveness. I loved Blossom Turner's first book (Anna's Secret) and I will continue to read her books
Katherine’s Arrangement
by Blossom Turner reminds me very much of a twist on Gone with the Wind for some reason. It is a the first book in a five book series :)
“The reason you feel so close to nature is because God uses creation to speak to people”
After reading the book, I went back and reread it. I liked the book, I really did. I thought that Blossom Turner did a great job showing some of the hardships of life after the Civil War and that her characters show TRUE genuine feelings rather than dumbing them down; It made the book all the more believable. I thought that Katherine shows strength and fortitude to do what was right for her family even though she was not quite happy about it. I also really felt for all that Blossom Turner put Josiah through. I thought he handled everything quite well (mostly) and I liked his maturity in contrast to Katherines. Both characters grew throughout the story and I thought the ending gave a good redeeming quality to both characters.
“The majestic flight of an eagle caught her eye, and she imagined what it would be like to soar high above the complexities of this life – to escape duty and obligation and fly far away from the weight of this decision.”
Blossom Turner writes with detail and imagination that is fun and engaging to read. However, the pace of the story appeared a bit slow and repetitive in places, and things were drawn out a bit more than I thought was necessary. But overall, the story was an interesting read filled with drama, scandal, and forgiveness.
I give this book a 3 out of 5 stars for the creative storyline, the real portrayal of the character's feelings, and for the redemptive story of Christ's forgiveness. I loved Blossom Turner's first book (Anna's Secret) and I will continue to read her books

LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives (1986) in Movies
Dec 30, 2020
If you were to show someone who had never watched a Friday the 13th movie, one single film from the franchise, then Part VI would surely be the one. It does everything that this series aims to do so well - it's easy to see why it's such a fan favourite.
Part VI marks the turning point into supernatural territory. Jason is back properly this time, risen from the grave, essentially a zombie, and even more unkillable than he was before. In the entries preceding this one, Jason has always been an imposing figure sure, but this time around C.J. Graham makes him feel like a proper tank (something that would be carried on wholeheartedly by Kane Hodder).
Most of the cast are typical slasher types purely here to up the kill count, but Tommy Jarvis appear once again to round off his trilogy of films, this time played by Thom Mathews, easily the most recognisable and iconic portrayal of the character.
The kills come thick and fast, and although certainly not the bloodiest of the series, it still has some memorable moments (a dude gets folded in half like a deckchair, which is suitably ridiculous) and the general pacing of the movie is well realised.
The comedic tone is just right as well. It's not quite as goofy as Part V, and the humourous parts are genuinely funny. The dumb script just adds to this. The paintball scene is a little too much though, silly music and all.
Talking of music, Harry Manfredini returns to score, and his work continues to be one of the best parts about the franchise.
Jason Lives is a good time, through and through. It's a shining example of what can be great about 80s slashers - it's fun, it's violent, just the right amount of hammy, and is simply one of the best Friday the 13th films out there.
Part VI marks the turning point into supernatural territory. Jason is back properly this time, risen from the grave, essentially a zombie, and even more unkillable than he was before. In the entries preceding this one, Jason has always been an imposing figure sure, but this time around C.J. Graham makes him feel like a proper tank (something that would be carried on wholeheartedly by Kane Hodder).
Most of the cast are typical slasher types purely here to up the kill count, but Tommy Jarvis appear once again to round off his trilogy of films, this time played by Thom Mathews, easily the most recognisable and iconic portrayal of the character.
The kills come thick and fast, and although certainly not the bloodiest of the series, it still has some memorable moments (a dude gets folded in half like a deckchair, which is suitably ridiculous) and the general pacing of the movie is well realised.
The comedic tone is just right as well. It's not quite as goofy as Part V, and the humourous parts are genuinely funny. The dumb script just adds to this. The paintball scene is a little too much though, silly music and all.
Talking of music, Harry Manfredini returns to score, and his work continues to be one of the best parts about the franchise.
Jason Lives is a good time, through and through. It's a shining example of what can be great about 80s slashers - it's fun, it's violent, just the right amount of hammy, and is simply one of the best Friday the 13th films out there.

Olivia Sudjic recommended Wide Sargasso Sea in Books (curated)

Hideo Kojima recommended Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1982) in Movies (curated)

Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Therapist in Books
Jul 29, 2021
An average locked neighborhood thriller
Alice and Leo have been in a long distance relationship for eighteen months when they finally move in together and buy a house in the The Circle, a development in the middle of London. It's a gated estate made up of twelves house designed to be especially safe and secure. But Alice soon discovers a horrible secret about her new home and becomes obsessed with Nina, the therapist who lived there before her. She starts trying to figure out what happened to Nina--at the expense of her relationship with Leo and her neighbors.
"It's only as I stand there, shrouded in perfect stillness that a thought slams into my head. I don't like this house."
This thriller was slow to start and was one of several locked neighborhood books I've read lately. I'm sort of over the trend of average folks up in everyone's business thinking they can solve murders. I didn't quite buy why Alice cared so much, even though there's supposed to be a "reason" for her attachment to Nina (she shares a name with Alice's late sister).
As with many of these types of thrillers, there's a cast full of mostly unlikable characters and a bunch of somewhat interchangeable neighbors. Alice forms an odd bond with a Private Investigator, Thomas, who is quickly added to the mix. She seems fast to accuse basically everyone she meets of nearly anything, so I suppose that added to the suspense/red herrings. The book does have a slightly ominous feel, though I think many of her problems would have been solved by simply changing the darn locks!
There are some good twists and the story held my interest once it picked up the pace. However, I'm afraid it will get lost in the swirl of recent locked neighborhood books and not stand out in a few months. 3 stars.
I received a copy of this book from St. Martin's Press and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.
"It's only as I stand there, shrouded in perfect stillness that a thought slams into my head. I don't like this house."
This thriller was slow to start and was one of several locked neighborhood books I've read lately. I'm sort of over the trend of average folks up in everyone's business thinking they can solve murders. I didn't quite buy why Alice cared so much, even though there's supposed to be a "reason" for her attachment to Nina (she shares a name with Alice's late sister).
As with many of these types of thrillers, there's a cast full of mostly unlikable characters and a bunch of somewhat interchangeable neighbors. Alice forms an odd bond with a Private Investigator, Thomas, who is quickly added to the mix. She seems fast to accuse basically everyone she meets of nearly anything, so I suppose that added to the suspense/red herrings. The book does have a slightly ominous feel, though I think many of her problems would have been solved by simply changing the darn locks!
There are some good twists and the story held my interest once it picked up the pace. However, I'm afraid it will get lost in the swirl of recent locked neighborhood books and not stand out in a few months. 3 stars.
I received a copy of this book from St. Martin's Press and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.

Faris Badwan recommended track Eternal Source of Light by Kathleen Battle in Classic Kathleen Battle by Kathleen Battle in Music (curated)

ClareR (5950 KP) rated The End of Men in Books
Jun 8, 2021
Oh. My. Goodness. This book is totally my cup of tea (unlike in this book, it has both tea and milk in it). I’ve always been drawn to science fiction, dystopian and apocalyptic styles of novels ever since I read Stephen Kings The Stand as a teenager. The End of Men drew me in and had me checking the news outlets, just to check that Covid-19 hadn’t taken a turn for the even worse - and I’m not joking here. I did question whether reading a book about a global pandemic during a global pandemic was a good idea, and then I told myself to shut up, sit back and just enjoy it (much the same as when I read Last One at The Party by Bethany Clift!). And I really did!
This is told from multiple perspectives. There are mostly recurring characters, such as Dr Maclean, some scientists, the anthropologist, intelligence and government types, interspersed with ‘ordinary’ people who were also affected and lost friends and family. We see perspectives from all over the world. The voices of these people all seem so real: their pain, confusion and determination coming through in their own voices, as their stories are all told in journal form.
The End of Men had pretty much the same effect on me as World War Z: I was checking the news and the windows (just in case), completely preoccupied with the book whilst I was reading it, and I predictably experienced a stonking book-hangover when it ended.
This is science fiction for people who wouldn’t normally pick up science fiction (a bit like a gateway drug!). It reads like contemporary fiction - the here and now.
This novel had me on the edge of my seat and in tears - and a bit angry at times, truth be told. This doesn’t feel like you’re reading science-fiction, it has a tinge of the non-fiction about it. Perhaps that’s because of the times we’re living in...
Would I recommend it? You’d better believe I would!
This is told from multiple perspectives. There are mostly recurring characters, such as Dr Maclean, some scientists, the anthropologist, intelligence and government types, interspersed with ‘ordinary’ people who were also affected and lost friends and family. We see perspectives from all over the world. The voices of these people all seem so real: their pain, confusion and determination coming through in their own voices, as their stories are all told in journal form.
The End of Men had pretty much the same effect on me as World War Z: I was checking the news and the windows (just in case), completely preoccupied with the book whilst I was reading it, and I predictably experienced a stonking book-hangover when it ended.
This is science fiction for people who wouldn’t normally pick up science fiction (a bit like a gateway drug!). It reads like contemporary fiction - the here and now.
This novel had me on the edge of my seat and in tears - and a bit angry at times, truth be told. This doesn’t feel like you’re reading science-fiction, it has a tinge of the non-fiction about it. Perhaps that’s because of the times we’re living in...
Would I recommend it? You’d better believe I would!