bookshelves: other
It reads like fiction but is historically accurate.
This is a very interesting recounting of two significant tales (and a few ancillary tendrils) related to the World's Fair in Chicago in the late 1800's. The book is filled with historical tidbits (how Pabst Blue Ribbon came to be known by that name) and more significant revelations (how did we end up with alternating current in the US). This is all relevant and given in an engaging fashion without making the reader feel as though she is suffering because the author wants to point out all the research he did.
The two primary plot lines surround Daniel Burnham, the man largely responsible for the success of the fair, and H.H. Holmes, America's first known serial killer.
While Larson does an excellent job 'showing' the settings, he tends to do more 'telling' with the characters. Normally I would find this problematic, but in this book it worked. I still found the characters engaging, fascinating or disturbing (as appropriate).
My only real complaint has to do with the heavy-handed foreshadowing that occurs in about every other chapter. Many details are put in and highlighted with an air of "this will be important later!" Some of these left me feeling like the only child at a dinner party of adults; unclear on the reference and feeling stupid. Others were unnecessary and suggested a lack of confidence in the reader's ability to remember and follow. I started to think I should keep a list of all the details I was supposed to "remember for later." This might have caused me to drop the book to a four star rating, but the other strengths overpower this overused literary device. ]]>
bookshelves: fantasy-and-science-ficiton
This is not your mother's princess tale! With strong, active female characters, nobody is waiting around for the prince to save the day.
This is a fun tale of three princesses (Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and Cinderella) following Cinderella's "happily ever after" wedding. Her new husband has been kidnapped, and it's up to these three to rescue him.
There's magic, romance and intrigue. Most importantly the main characters are well-developed and believable. All are flawed in the way real people are, rather than by a construct simply to prevent perfection. Often, strong female characters who kick butt, can do so because of divine right or magically granted power. For a nice change of pace, these ladies aren't entirely in that boat, which means those of us lacking divine right can have a hero we can relate to. ]]>
bookshelves: childrens
I picked up this book on a whim. I'd never heard of it before, and I'm not sure why. This is easily as engaging and entertaining to the picture book crowd as Don't Let The Pigeon Ride the Bus, I'd Really Like to Eat A Child, and Green Eggs and Ham.
The book can be read simply as a silly tale, or it can be used to guide and direct behavior. As we see the wild boars exhibiting enormous social faux pas, young children can relate and see why you wouldn't want to be around someone behaving as they do. When my 3 year old son starts to get unruly (rude, obnoxious or mean), I ask him if he's a wild boar. This alone often corrects the behavior. No need for threats, counting or time outs. What could be better than that? ]]>
bookshelves: childrens
This picture book is fun and engaging. It really captures the essence of dog and the essence of child. I look forward to Jeff's next title (as does my three year old). ]]>
S.N.Arly Arly
read and liked
Joy's
review of Putting Food By (Plume):
"I actually owned an old version of this book and sold it on Amazon a while back when I wasn't canning and my gf made fun of the title and I took it personally! Yes, I'm ridiculous. Anyway, we have it from the library now and it's great. Each section...more "
"I actually owned an old version of this book and sold it on Amazon a while back when I wasn't canning and my gf made fun of the title and I took it personally! Yes, I'm ridiculous. Anyway, we have it from the library now and it's great. Each section...more "
S.N.Arly Arly
read and liked
Junio's
review of Putting Food By (Plume):
"This book is the go to book for all of Katie's jams and preserves. If you want the tastiest local foods year round, you need to put food by. It includes information, on caning, pickling, freezing, and drying so it can fit your preferences very well. ...more "
"This book is the go to book for all of Katie's jams and preserves. If you want the tastiest local foods year round, you need to put food by. It includes information, on caning, pickling, freezing, and drying so it can fit your preferences very well. ...more "
S.N.Arly Arly
read and liked
David's
review of Putting Food By (Plume):
"Though it is hard in the urban environment to execute the food preservation program in full (there being little need for, say, canned pork knuckles in a kosher home) - having the ability to control what you eat, and preserve what you make, is a great...more "
"Though it is hard in the urban environment to execute the food preservation program in full (there being little need for, say, canned pork knuckles in a kosher home) - having the ability to control what you eat, and preserve what you make, is a great...more "
bookshelves: other
Caution! This book is potentially life changing.
Pollan's in depth approach to following three different types of meals (and two subsets of one) on their way from origin to our plate was fascinating and informative. Some of the information was new to me and some wasn't. I was never bored, either way.
While the views of the author (and the folks he interviewed) were pretty clear, the tone of the book was not judgemental or elitist. The reader is left to make her/his own conclusions about what to do with the omnivore's dilemma (what should I eat?). And if the reader decides to make some changes in eating habits, starting points were included. ]]>