Bookblog of the Bristol Library: The Southern Mirror: Stories and Reflections on Life in the South by Brenda Gantt

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: The Southern Mirror: Stories and Reflections on L...:   Brenda Gantt has made quite a name for herself on social media for her cooking videos.   People just couldn’t get enough of her downhome...

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Found Recipes: Beloved Vintage Recipes Worth Sharing by Betty Crocker

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Found Recipes: Beloved Vintage Recipes Worth Shari...:   Reviewed by Kristin Opening this book was like opening a box of recipes from my grandma. These “vintage” recipes run from the 1920s to...

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Preserving Family Recipes: How to Save and Celebrate your Food Traditions by Valerie J. Frey

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Preserving Family Recipes: How to Save and Celebr...:  Reviewed by Jeanne Every family has its own special dishes.   Some appear mainly at festive get-togethers like Fourth of July where Aunt ...

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Sandwiches and Sweets: Cookbook Roundup!

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Sandwiches and Sweets: Cookbook Roundup!:   Smashed: 60 Epic Smash Burgers & Sandwiches for Dinner, for Lunch, and Even for Breakfast by The Waltwins Adam and Brett Walton  S...

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: The Adventurous Eaters Club: Mastering the Art of Family Mealtime by Misha and Vicki Collins

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: The Adventurous Eaters Club: Mastering the Art of ...:   A conversation between Ashley and Kristin Kristin: I picked up this really cool looking cookbook and I think I might do a review on it...

Lesa's Book Critiques: LOVE AND SAFFRON: A NOVEL OF FRIENDSHIP, FOOD, AND LOVE BY KIM FAY

Lesa's Book Critiques: LOVE AND SAFFRON: A NOVEL OF FRIENDSHIP, FOOD, AND LOVE BY KIM FAY

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Aunty Lee’s Deadly Specials by Ovidia Yu

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Aunty Lee’s Deadly Specials by Ovidia Yu: Reviewed by Jeanne Rosie Lee, better known as Aunty Lee, runs her own restaurant in Singapore where she specializes in traditional Peranakan...

In Reference To Murder: Mystery Melange for 2/11/2021

 In Reference To Murder: Mystery Melange for 2/11/2021

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: The American Plate: A Culinary History in 100 Bites by Libby H. O’Connell

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: The American Plate: A Culinary History in 100 Bite...: Reviewed by Christy               In The American Plate , Libby H. O’Connell travels throughout America’s history to tell our ...

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Pie Squared by Cathy Barrow

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Pie Squared by Cathy Barrow: Reviewed by Jeanne Most people seem to get frazzled over Christmas shopping.   I don’t, but that’s only because I shop all year rou...

Only days left to win books and more from KRL

Only days left to win a copy of "Death of a Wedding Cake Baker" by Lee

Hollis and while there check out some fun recipes perfect for a wedding or

a summer afternoon provided by Lee

http://kingsriverlife.com/06/01/death-of-a-wedding-cake-baker-by-lee-hollis/

And to win an ebook copy of "Final Cycle" by Elaine L. Orr and while there

check out an interesting interview with Elaine

http://kingsriverlife.com/06/01/final-cycle-by-elaine-l-orr/

Also to win a copy of "Sifting Through Clues" by Daryl Wood Gerber

https://www.krlnews.com/2019/05/sifting-through-clues-by-daryl-wood-gerber.html

And to win a copy of "Doom and Bloom" by H.Y. Hanna

https://www.krlnews.com/2019/05/doom-and-bloom-by-hy-hanna.html

And to win a copy of "Diggin' Up the Dirt" by Tonya Kappes

https://www.krlnews.com/2019/05/diggin-up-dirt-by-tonya-kappes.html

And to win a copy of "A Risky Undertaking For Loretta Singletary" by Terry

Shames

https://www.krlnews.com/2019/05/a-risky-undertaking-by-terry-shames.html

Happy reading,

Lorie

Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers: #COOKING WITH CLORIS--GUEST MYSTERY AUTHOR TERRY S...

Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers: #COOKING WITH CLORIS--GUEST MYSTERY AUTHOR TERRY S...: Multi-award winning mystery author Terry Shames writes the Samuel Craddock series, set in small town Texas. Along with her numerous other...

KRL This Week Update for 1/26/19

Up in KRL this morning reviews and giveaways of another great bunch of food

and wine mysteries-"Batter Off Dead": A Southern Cake Baker Mystery by

Maymee Bell, "One Taste Too Many": Sarah Blair Mystery by Debra H. Goldstein,

"Steamed Open": A Maine Clambake Mystery by Barbara Ross, "Wine and

Punishment": A Literary Pub Mystery by Sarah Fox, "Live and Let Pie": A

Bakeshop Mystery by Ellie Alexander aka Kate Dyer-Seeley, "Kappy King and

the Pie Kaper": An Amish Mystery by Amy Lillard

http://kingsriverlife.com/01/26/more-fun-food-wine-mysteries-for-your-reading-appetite/ 

And a review and giveaway of "Crewel and Unusual" by Molly MacRae along

with a fun craft guest post from Molly

http://kingsriverlife.com/01/26/crewel-and-unusual-by-molly-macrae/ 

And a review and ebook giveaway of "Marriage Vow Murder" by Leslie Langtry

along with an interesting interview with Leslie 

http://kingsriverlife.com/01/26/marriage-vow-murder-by-leslie-langtry/ 

Also up, the latest mystery Coming Attractions, along with a chance to win

books by Alexis Morgan and Diane Kelly

http://kingsriverlife.com/01/26/coming-attractions-hearts-and-flowers-edition/ 

Up in KRL News and Reviews this week a review and ebook giveaway of "A

Display of Death" by Gin Jones

https://www.krlnews.com/2019/01/a-display-of-death-by-gin-jones.html 

And a review and ebook giveaway of "A Cold Brew Killing" by Lena Gregory

https://www.krlnews.com/2019/01/a-cold-brew-killing-by-lena-gregory.html 

Up on KRL News and Reviews this morning a review and ebook giveaway of

"Murder at the Harbor Village" by GP Gardner

https://www.krlnews.com/2019/01/murder-at-harbor-village-by-gp-gardner.html

For those who prefer to listen to the podcast directly on KRL, a player for

the latest episode is up here! It's "When Pigs Fly" by Lesley Diehl

http://kingsriverlife.com/01/26/up-on-krl-news-mysteryrats-maze-podcast-featuring-lesley-diehl/

Happy reading,

Lorie

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Taste of Home Annual Recipes 2019

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Taste of Home Annual Recipes 2019: Reviewed by Kristin I love nothing more than reading a book that appears to be ahead of its time, and I found that joy in rea...

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Dinner Made Simple

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Dinner Made Simple: Reviewed by Ambrea I decided to read Dinner Made Simple by Real Simple, a cookbook which shares the same name as the magazine, a...

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: My Prairie Cookbook: Memories and Frontier Food fr...

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: My Prairie Cookbook: Memories and Frontier Food fr...: Reviewed by Kristin Whether you’re craving a dose of nostalgia or a helping of comfort food, My Prairie Cookbook by Melissa G...

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: The Glass Kitchen by Linda Francis Lee

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: The Glass Kitchen by Linda Francis Lee: Reviewed by Ambrea Portia Cuthcart always dreamed of running the Glass Kitchen.   Like her grandmother, who founded the rest...

Mystery Fanfare: Barbecue Mysteries for Memorial Day!

Mystery Fanfare: Barbecue Mysteries for Memorial Day!: Hope you're having a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend. I posted my updated  Memorial Day Crime Fiction list the other day , so I thou...

Review: "Garlic, An Edible Biography: The History, Politics, and Mythology behind the World’s Most Pungent Food with over 100 Recipes" by Robin Cherry

If you ever wanted to know more about garlic the book Garlic, An Edible Biography might be the book for you. As the subtitle makes clear the book is about The History, Politics, and Mythology behind the World’s Most Pungent Food with over 100 Recipes. Written by Robin Cherry, travel writer and historian, the book is split into two sections regarding history and recipes.  

After an introduction from author Robin Cherry on how important and meaningful garlic has been to her, it is on to “Part One: The Story Of Garlic.” The four chapters in this section of over 100 pages explain the history of garlic in food, health, and literature, modern uses, and how to grow your own. Also included in this section are short bios of all the various garlic types which number far more than what you will ever find in your local store or produce market.

“Part Two: Recipes” begins on page 117 with a 4 page recipe list of all the recipes and their corresponding page numbers. That is followed by three pages on how to properly handle garlic before one moves on to “Dips, Sauces and Condiments” on page 125-130.  All of that prepares you for “Bread, Pizza, and Pasta” (pages 141-146), “Beef” (pages 197-202), “Side Dishes” (pages 227-232) and more. Each recipe has an intro that often features a cooking tip or other advice that might include another history lesson, a list of ingredients needed, and instructions that include information on number of servings.

An acknowledgement page, a two page bibliography, an 11 page index, and a one page short author bio bring this 265 page book to a close.

While Garlic, An Edible Biography is interesting it suffers from two significant drawbacks. Surprising it does not contain any pictures of the various garlic types the book covers nor does it contain any pictures of the finished dishes. In addition to the lack of pictures that would have helped break up the bland and very dry text, there is zero nutritional information regarding fat/salt content or other possible dietary restrictions or needs.

Garlic, An Edible Biography is quite the garlic resource. With the noted forgoing limitations, if you want to know quite a lot more about garlic and how to use it, this is a book worthy of your consideration.

Garlic, An Edible Biography: The History, Politics, and Mythology behind the World’s Most Pungent Food with over 100 Recipes

Robin Cherry

Roost Books (Imprint of Shambhala publications, Inc.)

http://www.roostbooks.com

2014

ISBN #978-1-61180-160-6

Paperback (also available in e-book form)

$16.95

Material was picked up to read and review via the good folks of the Haggard Branch of the Plano Public Library System.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2015

Senior News Newspaper Book Review Column---June 2014

For my monthly newspaper book review column in the Senior News Newspaper, I try to make sure to choose one fiction and one nonfiction book in the hopes of interesting more readers. Cookbooks are very popular so I included one as well as the latest mystery in a very good series. Included below are the relevant book covers for my June 2014 column…

Stuffed: The Ultimate Comfort Food Book-- Taking Your Favorite Foods And Stuffing Them To Make New, Different And Delicious Meals

Dan Whalen

ISBN# 978-1-62414-011-2

Paperback

208 Pages

Have you ever thought about combining two different foods into one super food? Like putting a cheeseburger inside a ravioli? “Cheeseburger Ravioli Burger” looks really good and the recipe is here on pages 84-85. Or, maybe you have a craving for something like “Lobster Stuffed Fried Mac and Cheese Balls” (pages 94-95) or a “Mac and Cheese Stuffed Burger” (pages 100-101). The culinary possibilities are intriguing and quite varied in Stuffed: The Ultimate Comfort Food Book by Dan Whalen.

After a brief and interesting introduction the book is broken into six chapters featuring lots of possibilities. Each recipe has an ingredient list and directions, the number of portions it makes, a heat scale as to flavor, and a “Pig-Out” scale as how gluttonous you feel. There are not any specifics regarding fats, salts, etc., as the ratings are more of an unspecified personal scale. Some recipes have pictures, but most do not. This same format continues throughout the book and features recipes that are designed for those who do not have dietary restrictions and are open to experimentation.

Wrecked

Tricia Fields

Minotaur Books (Thomas Dunne Book)

ISBN# 978-1-250-02137-3

Hardback (also available in e-book and audio)

320 Pages

The series that began with the award winning, The Territory, and continued in Scratchgravel Road, continues in the recently released Wrecked. While this novel could be read as a standalone, because of the numerous and often spoiler references to the two prior books scattered throughout this novel, readers who have not read this series would be prudent to start at the beginning.

Deep in southwest Texas in the Big Bend region sits the small town of Artemis, Texas. A small border town where folks struggle to survive despite the economy of the region as well as the violence that occasionally spills across the border into Texas. Chief of Police Josie Gray knows firsthand about the violence that comes across the border and is about to again as her boyfriend, Dillon Reese, will be taken.

While the previous books were more police procedural oriented, this one is considerably more psychological suspense as it shifts through the various character viewpoints. The primary focus is on what Dillon’s disappearance does to Chief Gray and others as well as what being kidnapped does to Dillon. Despite the occasionally travelogue feel to the series, the reads are complex and feature realistic characters and multiple interesting storylines. As noted, this is one of those series best read in order from the beginning.

Kevin R Tipple ©2014

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