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.