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So, it is always really had to write a review of a cookbook for me. One, I cannot consider it read without thinking that it is kind of cheating if I haven't made all of the recipes. So... I'm not marking this as fully read nor will I have it as a book read in 2017.

I really enjoyed the author of this book and her narration. It was quirky and fun. Honestly, I was laughing through the descriptions and her random graphics thrown in.

I loved the concept of this book but I have to wonder if the author knew her stuff when it comes to creating recipes. I cooked "You're a Total Monster" cookies and they were okay. The addition of Nacho Cheese Doritos was weird yet fun. My one complaint though was the fact that the cooking time was completely wrong and I mean completely wrong. Luckily, I was able to figure out that it should be 5 minutes and then turn for 5 more minutes. This reduced the cooking time by 8 minutes. My first batches were burnt to a crisp which annoyed me.

All in all, if you're looking for a cookbook with attitude, this is a fun one. The recipes are weird and will surely be the talk of the gathering you bring them too. Just make sure that you change cooking times if they come out burnt.

I received this book from Bookish First in Exchange for an honest review.
  
Project Dogway
Project Dogway
Sparkle Abbey | 2021 | Mystery
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Dogging a Killer
Cousins Caro Lamont and Mel Langston are both in attendance at a dog fashion show fundraiser to help raise awareness for heartworm (in dogs, that is). Mel’s boutique is providing fashion for the dogs that are walking the catwalk, er dogwalk, for the show. However, the show ends early when Phil Tawney drops dead after eating some shellfish. While Caro searches for Phil’s missing award-winning beagle, Mel attempts to comfort the not quite grieving almost ex-wife. Will they wind up gathering the clues needed to catch the killer?

As a fan of this series, I was delighted to see the characters return, even if only in a short story. Caro and Mel and still feuding here, so we get the story told in short chapters to make it easier to switch between the cousins as the focal point of the story. The authors do a great job of giving us clues without repeating themselves so that both cousins can solve the crime. We don’t see many of the series regulars, but we had to have time for new characters and the plot in this short story. The mystery is well thought out with a logical solution. We also get the fun of the over-the-top world these books brought to life. Make no mistake, this is a short story I read in about 45 minutes, but as long as you keep that in mind, you’ll be fine. As a series fan, it was fun to revisit the characters. If you are new to the series, it might be a good way to meet the characters. You’ll be hooked and looking for the first book before you know it.
  
The Giver
The Giver
Lois Lowry | 2012 | Children
5
8.5 (84 Ratings)
Book Rating
A strange book.
So, I know The Giver has been out for a long time, and I know they made a movie, but somehow I’d never read or watched it. But on the recommendation of a friend, I finally have. What a strange little book! It definitely belongs in the same realm as Brave New World, Fahrenheit 451, 1984, and The Handmaid’s Tale – which are among my favorite books – but the ending was tremendously unsatisfying. It’s the first book in a quartet, though, so I’m hoping the other three, which I have requested from the library, will tie up the loose ends. It definitely feels like it’s only the first installment of a story.

The dystopian society in this book has effectively banished most feelings. But to get rid of hate and war and prejudice, they also had to banish the memories and feelings of individuality and difference. With everyone and everything the same, they’re mostly incapable of feeling true love or happiness. So they all live in peace – but it’s a complacent, uncaring peace. It’s not peace because of love, it’s peace because of the absence of passionate feelings. Whether this is good or not, well, that’s up to the reader to decide for themselves. The actions of the main character, who aims to disrupt that peace, could be seen as good or bad.

I’m not actually entirely sure how I feel about this book. After reading the next three – Gathering Blue (2000), Messenger (2004), and Son (2012), I'm still at a bit of a loss. These were just...odd.


You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com