Here are the great books I read in January that were four stars and higher. Click on the book titles for the Amazon link.
I have seen Ms. Taylor’s posts about food and her recipes, so I was excited to read through her cookbook. This collection focuses on Christmas and family traditions. The book is split into sections that start with Christmas starters and end with Christmas Leftovers. It all starts with a note from the author explaining that the recipes come not only from her grandmothers and mother but also from some of her friends or her travels. These are more than ways to cook food. They bring back wonderful memories, but they also are healthy and made from scratch. Holiday tradition remains important; however, incorporating novel elements enhances the experience. I especially like the chapter on making gifts to give. Memories and cooking notes were helpfully added. Here are a few recipes I want to try: Prawn Cocktail, Spiced Red Cabbage, Red Wine Vegetarian Gravy, A Honey Jar Ferment with Garlic, Pickled Garlic, Homemade Mustard, and Gluten-free Christmas Pudding. I was excited to see a couple of gluten-free options included. At the end is a helpful US-UK Conversion Chart to help with measurements. Plus, there are nice images throughout. A great gift, ideal year-round, expanding our traditions; some I’ll experiment with beyond Christmas. I can easily recommend this festive cookbook.
“Story Chat Vol. II” is a collection of short stories in all genres, including nonfiction. There are six sections, and the last one includes Horror and Science fiction, which is always a go-to for me, but I had many favorites outside that category. With the unique differences it was hard to pick a favorite but here are some that I’m still thinking about: “A Cautionary Tale on the Dangers of Allowing Your Characters to Take Over Your Story” by Geoff Le Pard, “The Grand Adventure” by Diana Peach, and “Anxious About Sea Horses,” by Gary A. Wilson. However, the exceptional nature of this collection did not stem solely from the great stories. It was the Questions for YOUR Story Chat Group that followed, and the best part was the Discussion Excerpts that many had. The other authors gave valuable story advice. Tips on improving writing were also included in the nonfiction. This had it all, and I found some favorite authors, along with new ones that I will be reading. This group appears both supportive and talented. I can easily recommend this collection.
This collection of poetry is like its title, “Gasp! Poetry!” is a fun and introspective read. There are eighty-eight poems with a wide variety of topics like unicorns, human nature, history, and science. Written in free verse with some rhyming included. I highly enjoyed the humor that poked fun at many subjects, along with the whimsical and serious side. Here are some of the ones I highlighted: “I lift a handful of sand,/watch the grains/cascade in the spaces/between my fingers,/thinking there’s/got to be metaphors/for time, uniqueness, perseverance—/maybe insignificance…”—Is a Poem about Grains of Sand on a Beach Too Pretentious? or “He felt bad/that she thought/their relationship/wouldn’t work/because she thought/his ventriloquist doll/was so creepy…”—Buddy’s Secrets or “The leaves dropping/could be said to be/eaves dropping on us,/walking as we are on this forest trail…”—Leaves Dropping or “In this busy blurry/hurly burly world,/she likes to slide/into the lines…”—Under the Covers and “The drive from their house/to the parking lot seemed/to take a long time to Joe,/as did the walk…”—Unicorn Migration. A group of poems that I can easily recommend!
Sunflower Tanka: An Anthology of Tanka, Tanka Prose, & Experimental Tanka
Colleen M. Chesebro, Robbie Cheadle (editors)
By Suzanne Brace, Yvette Calleiro, Kay Castenada, Luanne Castle, Robbie Cheadle, Colleen M. Chesebro, E.A. Colquitt, Melissa Davilio, Destiny, Tamiko Dooley, Lisa Fox, Cindy Georgakas, Chris Hall, Franci Hoffman, Marsha Ingrao, Jude Itakali, JulesPaige, Kenneth, MJ Mallon, Brenda Marie, Selma Martin, Michelle Ayon Navajas, Lisa Nelson, D. Wallace Peach, Freya Pickard, Dawn Pisturino, Gwen M. Plano, Jennifer Russo, Aishwarya Saby, Reena Saxena, Merril D. Smith, Nicole Smith, Ivor Steven, Ben Tonkin, Trilce Marsh Vazquez, and Cheryl Wood.
“Sunflower Tanka” is the first annual anthology with contributions from over thirty-five talented poets. Many I recognized and already was a fan of their poetry, but the rest were new to me. Meeting both new and known poets under the theme “into the light” was wonderful. The editors offered their insight into sunflowers at the beginning of the book. It was enlightening to understand the importance of the flowers to them. Then the great poetry started and kept coming. There was no way I could choose my favorite lines or poems; I enjoyed them all. I love all forms of tanka poetry, but I think the garland tanka fascinated me the most. This is a collection meant to reread, especially with its uplifting messages. I can easily recommend this to all poetry lovers!
A Peril in the Vines: A Medium’s Peril Book 3
By Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene
Daphne, Clover, and Phineas continue their story set in the 1920s. Daphne is a medium who has seen a massacre in her visions, which somehow link the pumpkins and vines that grow everywhere in the new town they end up in. Clover has a vivid dream that refers to tarot cards and a message. It all seems to center on a young girl and a doctor looking after her. Additionally, some matchmaking is happening. I love the setting and era and all the little details that bring it alive. Besides the paranormal, there is a mystery to figure out, along with some humor. I have been enjoying this series and, like all the characters, there’s a special place in my heart for Clover, Daphne’s assistant. I can easily recommend this quick read that can be a standalone, but I have preferred reading it from the beginning.
Note: Next week is the Creative Perspective Challenge and also a new release post!
Embrace your inner child with a good read! D. L. Finn