REVIEW: How to Try Again

How to Try Again
Author: Steve Kamb

I have to say from the start that I am not a huge fan of self-help books. I have read too many that offered only blanket old-hat advice or that had an opposite effect on my thoughts/feelings than I intended. 

But....I enjoyed this book. 

My life took a sudden upheaval a few years ago when I left a 20+ year marriage to a narcissistic and psychologically abusive person. It took months of prep to plan my "escape"....and I executed a cross-country move to a new life. But....starting over doesn't heal the damage or quiet intrusive thoughts from 20 years of gaslighting. I had a fight on my hands to start my life over in my 50s. 

Therapy is great. I'm 100% in favor of it, and use it monthly as a tool to help me on my journey. But I also needed something more......reading some good books to help me stop being so hard on myself and really dig into getting my life, my joy and my physical/mental fitness back. I did not need self help books with toxic positivity, empty advice and nonsense. I needed THIS book. Common sense and real strategies to start over and try again. :) 

When this book popped up for review, I immediately grabbed an early copy and got to reading. I handled this a bit differently than my usual review reading. I read this book chapter by chapter, taking my time. My goal wasn't only to get the word out about a new book, but also to help myself along the way. So I slowed down and really digested this book. 

One of the hardest things about starting all over after an abusive situation is learning which voices/thoughts in my head are ME and which ones are a product of the past abuse. And, what decisions and obstacles are self-inflicted because I'm afraid of failing. 

This book took me on a journey through my own head ---- and helped me get past some real obstacles to my re-building my life and grabbing my joy back. 

I have this book on my wish list to buy a physical copy so I can go back through it again....and take more steps towards meeting my new life goals. 

To anyone who finds themselves starting all over again -- the journey isn't easy, but it's so wonderful!! Starting over is rough, but the rewards far outweigh the challenges!  

REVIEW: An Ordinary Sort of Evil

 An Ordinary Sort of Evil
Author: Kelley Armstrong

I first discovered this author when I started reading her Rockton series. I have since branched out and read other titles by her, including this time-travel meets detective story series. The Rip Through Time series has quickly become one of my favorites! 

Former modern day homicide detective Mallory Mitchell was sent back in time 150 years, and now finds Victorian Scotland her new home. Over time she has become used to her new time and found her niche working alongside a forensic scientist and a detective. In this 5th book in the series, things get a little spooky. A ghost, supposedly summoned during a seance, requests an investigation into her murder. 

This book is my favorite in the series so far. I loved how they were skeptical....looking into the medium as a fake while still investigating to see if a murder had actually occurred. I found myself wondering many times how I would feel being put into such a position. Very entertaining story!! 

This is the second book with a bit of a supernatural/haunted vibe to it that I've read recently. It's put me in the mood for spooky season reading.  And yep -- I'm going to push the season again this year. Even earlier. June.  ha ha  I might as well just declare my spooky season reading goes all year! 

I can't wait for the next book in this series! They keep getting better!!  

 

REVIEW: For Better or Murder

 For Better or Murder
Author: Simon R. Green

Simon R. Green has been one of my favorite authors since I first read his Nightside series. That series is still one of my favorite urban fantasy storylines and the books have a permanent place on my shelves. 

The Nightside series concluded in 2012. Luckily, this author has published a couple of new series since then. I read everything that he publishes. If he wrote A History of Paperclips....I would have the physical book on my shelves and the audio on my phone. Immediately.  :) 

The Holy Terrors is one of his newer endeavors. This is the 4th book. And, I'm loving it! 

This time -- Television celebrity and bishop Alastair Kincaid is marrying his sidekick, Actress Diana Hunt. They have been through many mysteries and strange situations together so of course their plans manage to go sideways.....in a ghostly manner. A guest at the hotel where the wedding party is staying is found dead in the hallway. Their idyllic Cornwall wedding plans immediately take a bit of a spooky detour. Given the Bride and Groom involved....this isn't really a surprise. 

Very entertaining story!! Eagerly awaiting the next book!! 

REVIEW: Famous Mysteries of the Sea

 Famous Mysteries of the Sea
Author: Patricia Lauber

Back when I was in grade school, once or twice a year we would get to take home order forms for books. I was usually allowed to buy one or two. I'd eagerly wait that 6-8 weeks for our teacher to get the order....then run home as fast as I could to read my new books. Weekly Reader and Scholastic. Just seeing those two names sends me into instant nostalgia!

I usually bought mysteries, ghost stories or books featuring animals. So when I see these old paperbacks in thrift stores, garage sales or library sales.....I bring home several and spend a happy evening or two completely immersed in nostalgia. :)  And I bounce back into my old reading habit from yesteryear -- pajamas, propped up on my pillow in bed, with a cup of cocoa, my dog......and a entertaining book! 

When I found this book to read online, it created the same nostalgic feel for me. I eagerly spent an hour or so reading these 10 stories of famous disappearances and ship wrecks at sea. Although along the same theme, the stories range from very famous and well known mysteries like the ghost ship Mary Celeste and the disappearance of Amelia Earhart to lesser known incidents like the disappearance of the steamer Waratah in 1909. 

The tales are short and have simple black/white illustrations. I read this book on OpenLibrary as this book is long out of print and I would be lucky to find a copy to purchase at a sale. 

These stories are perfect for a quick entertaining read for anyone who loves mysteries and the sea. Children and adults alike. They are a perfect, short length for having students read aloud or for speech/theater practice. The tales are age appropriate....no spurting blood, graphic mayhem or horror elements. 

Patricia Lauber passed away in 2010. She wrote more than 100 books for children. I'm sure I bought one
or more of them on those lovely order sheets back in the day!!  

The illustrations and cover art are by  Lewis Zacks.He passed away in 2014, but worked many years as an artist for ad agencies and publishers. His art depicting east coast locations is wonderful. Just search him online - you won't regret it! :) 

 A very entertaining read!! I'm glad I was able to enjoy this book!

REVIEW: Easy Indian Vegetarian - Delicious Recipes for Every Day

 Easy Indian Vegetarian: Delicious Recipes for Every Day
Author: Chetna Makan

I am on a culinary quest.  While seeking more work/life balance, I am also looking to vary my diet and cooking skills. I have lived in a large metro region for 4 years now. It's time to take advantage of the many different markets and grocery options there are here for cooking just about any international cuisine. 

I started with Indian food because I enjoy it. Love the ingredients and the spices. But....I want to learn every day options, not the fussy, fancy stuff served in restaurants. I want food that I can cook at home while juggling my busy work life. Relaxing.....not stressful. 

So I grabbed this basic Indian vegetarian cookbook and one other one from my local library to try some recipes. I'm not looking to cook to impress.....but to cook for happiness and fun. Has to be simple.....and not fussy. 

This book delivered just that!! Everything from flatbreads and snacks to side dishes and desserts! Yum!

The dishes are relatively simple and use normal ingredients. The instructions are straight forward. There are also many color photos in the book. 

This is a great starting place for me! I can make some tasty flatbread to accompany meals, a lovely main course or just try out a new vegetarian side dish. Most of the ingredients I already have in my pantry, or know right where to go locally to buy what I need.  

I enjoyed the variety of recipes in this book. Recipe types are organized by chapter and there is also an index in the back of the book. 

Yum!! I forsee many happy hours in my kitchen!  

REVIEW: The Delicious Book of Dhal

 The Delicious Book of Dhal
Author: Nitisha Patel

I am trying to improve my work/life balance so coming up with new hobbies and ways to enrich my state of being. I enjoy cooking. It's useful, but relaxing and interesting for me at the same time. Because I live in a large metro region now, I can easily find nearly any ingredient I need or branch out into any sort of cuisine. 

I chose Indian food first. Mostly because...well.....yum! 

I grabbed this book at my local library and sat down to just read, browse through the recipes and look at the full color photos. 

I generally check out a cookbook.....find some recipes to save and try.....review the book....and return it to the library. I enjoyed this one so much I added an extra step. I put the book on my wish list to buy a copy. 

There are more than 50 vegetarian or vegan dhal recipes in this book. The ingredients are simple and the instructions are clear. And -- the food is amazing!! 

For anyone who doesn't know what dhal is....  Dhal refers to dried lentils, peas and beans. The word is used both for the dried ingredients and a dish made from them. It is surprising just how varied cooking with dhal can be.....everything from side dishes and soups to main courses and desserts. There are so many different kinds of lentils, peas and beans. Very colorful and they store like magic! 

I didn't find a single recipe in this book that made me pause and think...."Ohhhh this is just too complex for me to want to try it" or the dreaded "I don't even know what these ingredients are"   Nope -- instructions are straightforward, and there is also an Introduction that has details about the different types of dhal and a list of spices. Most of the ingredients I already had in my pantry! 

The recipes are varied. Several different types of dhal and also paste and chutney, plus desserts! The choices are vegan and vegetarian. If someone wanted to add meat, they could. And the vegetarian recipes could easily be changed to vegan by switching out milk and cheese ingredients to vegan options. 

I have a finite amount of space for physical cook books, but this book earns a spot on my shelf! 

Yum!! An excellent place to start.....great basic book to have on hand.   

REVIEW: Dead as a Doornail

 Dead As a Doornail
Author: Charlaine Harris

Dead as a Doornail is the 5th book in the Southern Vampire/Sookie Stackhouse series. 

Sookie finds herself pulled further into were/shifter concerns when someone starts shooting shifters. As the attacks multiply, Sookie works to uncover the identity of the sniper. 

This is another book in the series that really isn't my favorite. I'm glad the story lines expanded into more than just vampire culture/politics/events, but the shifter stories just aren't my favorites. I think that's mainly because I don't like how the weres/shifters treat Sookie. They continually seek out her help, and then treat her poorly when the outcome isn't exactly what they wanted. But I guess that makes sense....pack mentality and all that. 

I read my paperback copy of this book while listening to the audio book [Recorded Books, 2005, 9 hours 34 minutes, narrated by Johanna Parker] 

I first read this series as each book came out starting back in the early 2000s. I've had the full series on my bookshelf for years and have re-visited Bon Temps and Sookie multiple times over the years. I like the characters, the setting and story. The subplots keep things from getting stale. 

This time, I'm reading all the books again and the short stories too. First time I've read the short stories. Most of them were printed in fantasy/urban fantasy story anthologies along with tales by other authors. I found a reading order list online, and I'm stopping to read stories as they pop up in the order. So far, I've read Fairy Dust and Dracula Night. Both were enjoyable! 

I enjoyed re-reading this book, despite not really liking the more shifter-centric story lines. I'm glad I decided to re-read this series. It's like visiting old friends. :) 

I'm re-reading my physical copies of the series one last time and will donate the books when I'm finished. Shelf space is at a premium and I need to downsize over the next year before I move into a smaller apartment.  Next time I want to revisit these books, I will just get them from the library. :) 

Moving on to the next book!