Colorways: Watercolor Flowers by Bley Hack

Colorways: Watercolor Flowers by Bley Hack ISBN-13: 9781633226128 Paperback: 18 pages Publisher: Walter Foster Publishing Released: December 18, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Calling all aspiring artists! Grab your paints because it's time to explore key watercolor techniques, including washes, painting wet-into-wet, glazing, and understanding the color wheel to create harmony in your art. With Colorways: Watercolor Flowers, you will create vibrant and colorful floral paintings while mastering how to use color for maximum effect. You'll also learn where to find artistic inspiration, how to become a “visual collector,” and how to add fauna to your floral paintings.

Colorways is a brand-new series. Focusing on creating expressive pieces over realistic scenes, Colorways shows artists how to break the "rules" of color and let their imaginations and artwork soar to new heights.


My Review:
Colorways: Watercolor Flowers is aimed at crafters and DIYers rather than fine artists. The author uses stamps, the side of her brushes, and similar objects to create some of her flowers, so no initial painting skill is really needed. She goes more for the impression of flowers rather than accurate depictions, so there's no pressure on beginners. Her interest is more in how the colors look together, so we do get some color theory and some basic watercolor techniques. Her included projects were things like making patterns of flowers on DIY wrapping paper or cards, cutting out watercolor flowers and making them into a collage, or creating a frame of watercolor flowers to put around a photograph. It was not difficult to understand her step-by-step directions. It's a good book if this is the type of thing you're looking for, but it may come across as very basic if you already have some skill with watercolor painting.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Complete Wellness by Neal's Yard Remedies

Complete Wellness by Neal's Yard Remedies ISBN-13: Hardcover: 304 pages Publisher: DK Publishing Released: Sept. 18, 2018

Source: Review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description from Goodreads:
Enjoy long-lasting holistic health and prepare natural health remedies for common ailments with essential oils, herbal remedies, and pure foods.

Complete Wellness delivers a head-to-toe guide to healing for every part of your body. Targeted instructions allow you to tap into the restorative powers of herbs and plants and their therapeutic essential oils and use tried-and-true, centuries-old herbal remedies to treat a host of common ailments.

In addition to healing remedies, the book explores the key building blocks for optimizing health and well-being in each part of the body, pointing you to the top herbs, nutrients, and essential oils each area needs not only to stay well, but to reach the very peak of wellness--whether to boost circulation, enjoy glowing skin, balance gut flora, or maximize energy levels. Guidance is given on incorporating ingredients into everyday regimens, helping you to stay in optimal health.

Follow step-by-step demonstrations on how to blend your own teas and tinctures; concoct all-natural-ingredient creams; create therapeutic aromatherapy oil blends; discover delicious recipes for wellness; and master a variety of other practical techniques and tips for lifelong well-being. Make the most of nature's resources with Complete Wellness.


My Review:
Complete Wellness provides information on natural remedies for different health problems. They take the different problems--like stress or toothache or carpal tunnel syndrome--and suggest possible remedies under several subsections: herbs, essential oils, food, supplements, and other therapies. Under each section, they briefly named the remedy and explained what it does, when to avoid using it, and how to use it. For example, under essential oils, "Basil strengthens resistance to stress. Avoid during pregnancy. Add three drops to a diffuser." There is not a lot of information for each remedy. I would've liked information on how long one can take the remedy as I know that some should not be taken long-term.

They covered problems with moods, different parts of your body, immunity and intolerances, women's health, men's health, and children's health. They also explained step-by-step how to make a herbal infusion, extract, macerated oil, decoction, syrup, herbal capsule, poultice, essential oil blend, balm, cream, and essential oil compress. Again, there wasn't a lot of depth to the information provided, but they do provide the basic information on how to do these things. They also included a few recipes for things like smoothies, soups, and salads.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

101 Textures in Oil and Acrylic by Mia Tavonatti

101 Textures in Oil and Acrylic by Mia Tavonatti ISBN-13: 9781633226869 Paperback: 128 pages Publisher: Walter Foster Publishing Released: Dec. 25, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
101 Textures in Oil & Acrylic features step-by-step instructions for mastering a variety of the most common surfaces—sand, water, metals, foliage, wood, bark, fabrics, stone, grass, and many more—in oil and acrylic paint.

Although many art instruction books focus on learning to paint specific subjects, many fall short when it comes to offering instruction on techniques that help one capture textures adequately. Experienced and talented artist Mia Tavonatti provides artists with the essential skills required to render realistic surfaces in oil and acrylic. Artists will discover tips and tricks for working with both mediums, as well as a variety of techniques, including blending, layering, working with oil and acrylic mediums, creating an underpainting, and more. In addition to valuable step-by-step instructions, general color recommendations offer a quick start guide. This helpful guide includes an index for fast and easy reference, while a short gallery at the end of the book represents various textures in finished works of art.


My Review:
101 Textures in Oil and Acrylic provides instructions on how to produce 101 textures using oil or acrylic paint. The author assumed that the reader knows the basics of painting in oil and acrylic, so she jumped into the step-by-step demonstrations after a brief introduction. The instructions were not specific to either oil or acrylic paint, so you have to know how to adapt her general instructions to the type of paint you're using. She also never described exactly what she meant by "impressionistic" or "painterly" (and different artists mean different things by these terms). However, the pictures for the different steps did a good job of showing what she meant. She didn't usually say if you should let a layer dry or not before going to the next step, which would have been useful information.

The step-by-step demonstrations were basically "use these colors in this order with these techniques to create this texture." She did not describe how to choose the best colors to create a certain texture. But she did use different colors for the demonstrations of similar textures (like the different types of hair), so you can get an idea of how to choose colors from that. Also, she only demonstrated how to do a small section of texture, like fur or skin, and left it up to the reader to correctly apply it to the whole body. While this book is helpful in teaching how to create different textures, it probably wouldn't be as helpful for a beginner as for someone who has some experience already with oil or acrylic paint.

You can see exactly what's covered in the table of contents, but she basically covered people (hair, skin, eye), animals (fur, mane, feathers, etc.), fabrics (tweed, silk, leather, lace, etc.), woven basket, glass, stone, ceramic, wood, metal, various food textures, and nature textures (bark, fern, grass, rain, etc.).


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Rethinking Acrylic by Patti Brady

Rethinking Acrylic by Patti Brady ISBN-13: 9781440354137 Paperback: 160 pages Publisher: North Light Books Released: Dec. 11, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Tradition is out, experimentation is in with this cutting-edge how-to sampler of techniques to use with acrylic, the world's most versatile medium. Inside, you'll find inventive, non-traditional, downright inspirational ways to paint with acrylic (pour, scrape, squirt, roll, layer and excavate). Includes 18 step-by-step demonstrations that illustrate a wide variety of techniques including engraving acrylic, intarsia, pouring acrylic objects and more. Studio visits profile 10 artists and their personal approaches to painting with acrylics. And more!

Watermedia Effects * Creating Texture Gels * Subtractive Techniques * Collage and Acrylic Skins * Acrylic Transfers and the Printed Image * Pours * Acrylic Encaustic * Metallic and Reflective Paints * Drawing and Resists with Acrylic * Traditional Techniques with Acrylic * Varnishing


My Review:
Rethinking Acrylic looked at using acrylic paint in creative, unusual ways and how to use various mediums, specialized acrylic paints, etc. The various demonstrations were for modern style (usually 'unique mark-making' abstract style) and experimental acrylic painting. The artists explained how to do various techniques, like pouring acrylic in various ways, or using acrylic to mimic other painting styles, like watercolor or encaustic. The book covered multiple ways to use the wide variety of acrylic mediums. If you want to better understand how acrylic can be used and the great variety of choices that are available in acrylic, then I'd recommend this book.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Draw and Paint Super Cute Animals by Jane Maday

Draw and Paint Super Cute Animals by Jane Maday ISBN-13: 9781440353321 Paperback: 112 pages Publisher: North Light Books Released: Dec. 4, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
In her newest instructional book Jane Maday, queen of cuteness, teaches you how to draw cute animal friends. After you draw the animal from photo references using the grid method, Jane will guide you through simple techniques for adding colored pencil, watercolor and pen and ink. 35 step-by-step demonstrations cover the gamut of the cute animal kingdom from cats and kittens, dogs and puppies, chipmunks, songbird and ducklings, and even flamingos and frogs!


My Review:
Draw and Paint Super Cute Animals is an art instruction book about coloring and texturing cute animals. The author uses mixed media, including graphite pencils, colored pencils, ink pens, and watercolor. She has you use the grid method and transfer paper to get the animal drawing onto your final piece of paper. She provided 35 step-by-step demonstrations that started at this point and then detailed what colors she used, what type of paint or pencil she used, and basically described how to add color and texture (like fur) to the animals. Each demonstration consisted of 3 to 5 steps per an animal.

The demonstrations were: two of bunnies, three of cats, three of dogs, and a wolf, fox, baby skunk, fawn, chipmunk, squirrel, mouse, fall leaf, lamb, duckling, donkey, pig, titmice (birds), flamingo, Chickadee, Goldfinch, owl, dolphin, puffin, seal, panda, Brown bear, polar bear, otter, turtle, frog, and butterfly. Many of her demonstration animals were baby animals. She also talked about posing the animal and backgrounds for the scene. Overall, I'd recommend this book to those focused on the coloring and texturing of animals rather than those needing step-by-step drawing instructions.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Life Drawing in 15 Minutes by Jake Spicer

Life Drawing in 15 Minutes by Jake Spicer ISBN-13: 9781781576267 Paperback: 128 pages Publisher: Ilex Press Released: Sept. 4, 2018

Source: Review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Drawing expert Jake Spicer introduces you to life drawing. From understanding relationships and proportions and considering basic anatomy, to learning about mark-making and tonal values, Jake takes you through the process of drawing the most rewarding of subjects. With step-by-steps and techniques derived from his proven life-class methods, Jake gives you the skills to create beautiful life drawings quickly, successfully and, ultimately, in only 15 minutes.


My Review:
Life Drawing in 15 Minutes is about how to draw the human figure quickly during a live, life drawing session. While most life drawing is of the nude human figure, I liked that many of the drawings in the book were of clothed people drawing the model. Anyway, he briefly covered the basics--what is life drawing, possible tools and materials that you can use, how to best to position yourself at a live session, and such. At the end, he also talked about setting things up to hold your own life drawing session.

He mainly talked about different ways of seeing the figure (outline, tones, etc.) and some methods for quickly getting the human figure on the paper and in the correct proportions. If you have trouble with the traditional "stick figure first" approach, then you might find his methods easier. I find the idea of marking the outer boundaries and "carving away" to create the correct human proportions and pose to be much easier. He suggested some exercises to prepare for a session and went through the steps for drawing a pose that is held, for example, for 15 minutes. He also focused on the details of several body parts and gave tips for things like foreshortening.

The instructions were easy to understand (even, I think, for non-artists), and he was always encouraging. Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants to improve their skill at drawing the human figure.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

The Nature Instinct by Tristan Gooley

The Nature Instinct by Tristan Gooley ISBN-13: 9781615194797 Hardcover: 400 pages Publisher: The Experiment Released: Nov. 20, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Master outdoorsman Tristan Gooley has long encouraged his readers to look closely at the world to discover its hidden clues. Through careful cultivation of our senses, we can use the Big Dipper to tell time, for example, and a budding flower to find south. In The Nature Instinct, we learn how to train ourselves through slow observation so that, ultimately, we can intuit the inner workings of the world around us without having to stop to think about it. Discover how Gooley and other expert observers—from hunters in the English countryside to the Pygmy people in the African Congo—have recovered this lost sixth sense that unlocks a subconscious, deeper understanding of our surroundings.


My Review:
The Nature Instinct is about how the author learned to be more aware of nature, especially about how animals act. He started each short chapter by describing a time when he observed a certain thing or used a skill. In the case of learning to navigate by using the sun or stars or becoming more aware of the wind direction, he described how the reader can learn to do this (even if you don't live in England). In the chapters about animal behavior, he talked about how certain animals--mostly wild animals--act and why.

I had thought the book would be more about practical skills rather than things like how to anticipate which tree a squirrel will run up when it feels threatened. It seemed like most of the book was either about anticipating animal behavior or why we should take the time to closely observe nature. I already enjoy observing nature, and it felt like the book was more trying to intrigue and educate people who normally don't spend much time doing so.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Art Studio: Faces & Features by Walter Foster Creative Team

Art Studio: Faces & Features by Walter Foster Creative Team ISBN-13: 9781633226432 Paperback: 114 pages Publisher: Walter Foster Publishing Released: Nov. 6, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Drawing and painting heads, faces, and expressions can be an intimidating prospect for a beginning artist. Art Studio: Faces & Features is here to help with more than 50 tips, techniques, and step-by-step projects. This intuitive guide shows you how to work with graphite and colored pencils; acrylic, oil, and watercolor paints; pastel. This range of mediums is the perfect way to experiment, build artistic confidence, and define your own unique style. The Art Studio series is designed to give an overview of each art medium to help beginning artists delve into fine art and determine which media they like the best.


My Review:
Art Studio: Faces & Features explorers drawing human faces in graphite pencil, oil and acrylic, watercolor, and pastel. They started by talking about the tools, materials, and techniques used in different mediums (though this is more a definition of terms than teaching a beginner how to use the medium). Since so many mediums are covered, none are talked about in depth. They then talked about facial anatomy, proportions, and how to draw the various features on the face. There were many tips about common errors that would be useful for anyone having trouble making realistic faces.

They then gave step-by-step demonstrations of drawing several portraits in each medium (graphite, oil and acrylic, watercolor, and pastel) and included many different types of faces (baby, child, adult, old, male, female, plus different skin tones and hair types). The instructions were basically what colors the artist used and what order they did the features. The graphite pencil section was the most useful, in my opinion. They did provide some tips specific to drawing portraits in each medium. This book would probably be most useful to an artist who is interested in drawing portraits but who has not yet settled on a medium that they prefer.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

The Atlas of Disease by Sandra Hempel

The Atlas of Disease by Sandra Hempel ISBN-13: 9781781317907 Hardback: 224 pages Publisher: White Lion Publishing Released: Oct. 30, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Behind every disease is a story, a complex narrative woven of multiple threads, from the natural history of the disease, to the tale of its discovery and its place in history.


My Review:
The Atlas of Disease explores major diseases and epidemics. The author looked at diphtheria, influenza, leprosy, measles, scarlet fever, SARS, smallpox, tuberculosis, cholera, dysentery, typhoid, malaria, plague, typhus, yellow fever, Zika, polio, Ebola, AIDS, and syphilis. She talked about the history of the disease, including quotes from historical people talking about what the disease was like during normal, local appearances or during epidemics or in perhaps the first recorded mentions of a disease. She talked about what may have caused a disease to turn into an epidemic (like war, trade, etc.) and also where the disease is currently still a problem.

While adequate, I had expected more maps and more detailed maps in an atlas. There was usually one or two maps per disease, showing things like the spread of the disease during a certain outbreak. They were usually either color-coded chunks on a map or color-coded arrows indicating the general spread of the disease. While the author did talk about how maps were used to identify the source of the cholera during an epidemic, maps were not the focus of the text but illustrations of what was stated in the text. I found the information about how the diseases were treated and viewed in the past and the present to be interesting.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

What Would Mrs. Astor Do? by Cecelia Tichi

What Would Mrs. Astor Do? by Cecelia Tichi ISBN-13: 9781479826858 Hardcover: 352 pages Publisher: NYU Press Released: Nov. 6, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from NetGalley:
Mark Twain called it the Gilded Age. Between 1870 and 1900, the United States’ population doubled, accompanied by an unparalleled industrial expansion, and an explosion of wealth unlike any the world had ever seen. America was the foremost nation of the world, and New York City was its beating heart. There, the richest and most influential became icons, whose comings and goings were breathlessly reported in the papers of Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst.

As the Old Money titans found themselves besieged by a vanguard of New Money interlopers, Mrs. Astor, an Old Money heiress, dictated proper behavior and demeanor, men’s and women’s codes of dress, acceptable patterns of speech and movements of the body, and what and when to eat and drink. An invitation to her annual ball was a golden ticket into the ranks of New York’s upper crust.

This work serves as a guide to manners as well as everything from the perfect table setting to the array of outfits the elite wore at the time. Cecelia Tichi paints a portrait of New York’s social elite, from the schools to which they sent their children, to their lavish mansions and even their reactions to the political and personal scandals of the day.


My Review:
What Would Mrs. Astor Do? talked about upper class society in New York during the 1870 to 1900 period. The author provided brief biographies of the people who set the trends (like Mrs. Astor), quoted people who lived during that period talking about what it was like, quoted etiquette manuals as to proper behavior (for dining, funerals, etc.), and quoted magazine or newspaper articles talking about what the fashionable set wore or did. She also talked about how people reacted to new inventions, like electricity and telephones, or new trends, like eating lobsters or department stores.

Some of the topics covered were: fashionable house furnishing, lady's department stores, where men got their clothing, gentlemen's clubs, lady's clubs, dining out, hat styles, walking canes, cars, horseback riding, sports, bicycles, fashionable color combinations for clothing, what to wear for many different occasions, street etiquette, letter writing, calling cards, what the fashionable ate and drank, theaters, restaurants, Central Park, Newport, the Bowery, sailing, train travel, ocean liners, Wall Street, schools, views on divorce, and funerals.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Magnificent Fantasy Creatures and How to Draw Them by Kev Walker

Magnificent Fantasy Creatures and How to Draw Them by Kev Walker ISBN-13: 9781440354601 Paperback: 160 pages Publisher: Impact Released: Oct. 9, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Discover how to draw 30 fantastical beasts from folklore, literature and the farthest reaches of your imagination in this how-to-draw guide. As you explore each magnificent creature you'll not only discover a detailed finished illustration along with exciting ideas, hints and practical lessons for how to recreate it. Blank practice pages built into the book ensure you have plenty of space for practicing techniques like adding movement and texture to your beasts of lore.


My Review:
Magnificent Fantasy Creatures is about finding inspiration for and the process of deciding what your fantasy creatures will look like. It's not a step-by-step to drawing his fantasy creatures. The intent of the book is to help you come up with your own fantasy creature designs.

He talked about real animals that inspired him, hints about posing the creature, and various ways you might draw the claws, teeth, etc., and what impression these variations might give (like longer claws make them look more dangerous). Each page had a matching "now you practice it" or "now draw your water dragon" blank page, so half the book was blank practice pages. He made up lore about and gave suggestions for 29 fantasy creatures that live in the night, sea, desert, swamp, forest, and snow.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

The Golden Ratio by Gary Meisner

The Golden Ratio by Gary Meisner ISBN-13: 9781631064869 Hardback: 224 pages Publisher: Race Point Publishing Released: October 23, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
The Golden Ratio examines the presence of this divine number in art and architecture throughout history, as well as its ubiquity among plants, animals, and even the cosmos. This gorgeous book features clear, entertaining, and enlightening commentary alongside stunning full-color illustrations by Venezuelan artist and architect Rafael Araujo.

From the pyramids of Giza, to quasicrystals, to the proportions of the human face, the golden ratio has an infinite capacity to generate shapes with exquisite properties.

With its layflat dimensions that closely approximate the golden ratio, this is the ultimate coffee table book for math enthusiasts, architects, designers, and fans of sacred geometry.


My Review:
The Golden Ratio is a look at phi and if it really is found in art, architecture, and nature as much as is claimed. The author started with a history of the development of phi and how it relates to pi. I enjoy math, but the author didn't spend much time explaining phi at a common person's level, so his points and formulas were sometimes lost on me. I assume the target audience is mathematicians and such who already understand how phi is used.

The author then talked about how the Golden Ratio has been used and can be found in things like art, architecture, nature, logos and even at a molecular level. He talked about his Golden Ratio finding software and how this has been used to examine art, architecture, etc., to see if the Golden Ratio really is found. He would show a picture of the object with these ratios overlaid as outline-only boxes of different colors.

Unfortunately, the boxes often weren't clear either due to overlaps (several boxes starting along the same line but only one color being shown) or the box's line color blending in with the background color. He strongly made the point that the Golden Ratio was found in these things. But unless he explained the starting and ratio points in the text (and sometimes he did), I often couldn't clearly see what the boxes were showing and so couldn't appreciate the full impact. Perhaps these boxes will be easier to see in the printed book. While a lovely book, I felt like I wasn't understanding enough of what was explained or shown in the book.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Wanamaker's Temple by Nicole C. Kirk

Wanamaker's Temple by Nicole C. Kirk ISBN-13: 9781479835935 Hardback: 288 pages Publisher: NYU Press Released: Oct. 23, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
How a pioneering merchant blended religion and business to create a unique American shopping experience. Remembered for his store’s extravagant holiday decorations and displays, Wanamaker built one of the largest retailing businesses in the world and helped to define the American retail shopping experience. From the freedom to browse without purchase and the institution of one price for all customers to generous return policies, he helped to implement retailing conventions that continue to define American retail to this day.

Wanamaker was also a leading Christian leader, participating in the major Protestant moral reform movements from his youth until his death in 1922. But most notably, he found ways to bring his religious commitments into the life of his store. He focused on the religious and moral development of his employees, developing training programs and summer camps to build their character, while among his clientele he sought to cultivate a Christian morality through decorum and taste.

Wanamaker’s Temple examines how and why Wanamaker blended business and religion in his Philadelphia store, offering a historical exploration of the relationships between religion, commerce, and urban life in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century and illuminating how they merged in unexpected and public ways.


My Review:
Wanamaker's Temple talked about John Wanamaker's business career, some things that influenced him and he cared about, and the new business practices that he instituted. The author also looked at how Wanamaker changed his business practices to reflect his religious beliefs. In addition to teaching Sunday school and donating money to Protestant causes, he wanted to influence people through his stores. He believed he could lift people up through beautiful architecture, music and religious art on display at his stores, decorating his stores for religious holidays, and educating his young, poor employees who had to work rather than go to school. This education included the basics as well as manners, fitness, and a work ethic. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting look at the time period, though I got the feeling that the author mildly disapproved of Wanamaker.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

The Sustainable Home by Christine Liu

The Sustainable Home by Christine Liu ISBN-13: 9780711239692 Hardcover: 160 pages Publisher: White Lion Publishing Released: Oct. 16, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
An inspirational and practical guidebook to maintaining a more environmentally friendly household. Christine Liu takes you on a tour through the rooms of your home – kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, living area, garden – offering tips, tricks and step-by-step projects designed to help you lead a more low-impact lifestyle. Whether its by making your own toothpowder, growing your own herb garden or upcycling old pieces of furniture, there are numerous ways – both big and small – to make a difference. Make small changes on an individual level to make a difference.


My Review:
The Sustainable Home is aimed at people who want to be more environmentally friendly in their behavior but don't know where to start. It's basically a collection of suggestions about simple ways to reduce how much waste you produce, minimize what you buy, and support more sustainable practices. The author went through the main rooms in a house plus briefly discussed work and eating out. She talked about things like buying food at a farmer's market, using natural light when you can, unplugging electronics when you aren't using them, growing house plants or a garden, recycling, buying used, and composting. I had expected more DIY projects from the book description, but there were only a few recipes and DIY instructions. While a decent book if you're new to this and don't want to be overwhelmed, it was much too basic for me. I've been doing most of her suggestions for years.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Paint, Play, Explore by Rae Missigman

Paint, Play, Explore by Rae Missigman ISBN-13: 9781440350283 Paperback: 160 pages Publisher: North Light Books Released: Sept. 4, 2018

Source: Review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Mixed-media artist Rae Missigman identifies herself as a "mark-maker." With an adventurous, anything-goes attitude to expressing herself, she is just as likely to use a celery stem, a sewing machine or a cardboard tube as she is a brush, a palette knife or her own hands. Missigman helps you discover those marks that define you as an artist, and weave them into your art in new and interesting ways. Through page after page of creative exploration, you'll become a collector of tools--traditional and unconventional mark-makers that will become an extension of your unique voice.

You'll become a tinkerer as you recycle and repurpose, striving to turn something ordinary into something extraordinary. You'll become an explorer as you draw with your non-dominant hand, create "blindly" using resists, stamp with your own handcrafted organic ink, and follow other creative prompts to widen and shape your artistic world.


My Review:
Paint, Play, Explore is an art book where the author encourages the reader to try a large variety of tools, mediums, and materials to make unique marks. She suggests a variety of tools to try (from brushes and pencils to leaves and cardboard tubes) and marks to make (finger marks, circles, dots, lines, and more). But she basically tells people to experiment on your own and record your observations in a journal. There wasn't a lot of guidance--or, as another reviewer described it, she provides exercises in chaos. It's more suggestions to stimulate you to think of new things to try in your own painting play and exploration.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

When Your Kid Is Hurting by Dr Kevin Leman

When Your Kid Is Hurting by Dr Kevin Leman ISBN-13: 9780800723064 Hardcover: 273 pages Publisher: Revell Released: Sept. 4, 2018

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Children today live in an unpredictable, disruptive, and often violent world. Whether your child is dealing with a difficult family situation, bullies, the loss of friends, the death of a loved one, discrimination, abuse, a teen pregnancy, or even just trying to make sense of what they see in the news, this compassionate and practical book will help parents equip them to process, learn from, and rise above their situation.

Rather than seek to save them from the hard things, parents must teach their kids how to cope with and rise above their problems. Internationally known psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Kevin Leman shows parents how to be good listeners, tell the truth even when it's difficult, find balance between being protective and being overprotective, approach hurt and injustice as a learning experience rather than fostering a victim mentality, and much more.


My Review:
When Your Kid Is Hurting is a parenting advice book. The first half of the book looked at some things that parents should and shouldn't do when their kids are facing tough situations. The author also briefly covered issues that your child might hear and worry about (like a school shooting, rape, gang violence, discrimination, etc.) or might face (like divorce, adoption, abuse, pregnancy, bullying and cyber bullying, betrayal by a best friend, grief, etc.) and suggested some things you might say to help your child.

The second half of the book was Q&A: questions that people have asked the author regarding their specific situations and his responses. They were about common situations that you may also deal with. If you've read some of the author's other books, the advice might sound familiar, or at least similar. The advice was generally was good.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Painting with Bob Ross by Bob Ross Inc

Painting with Bob Ross by Bob Ross Inc. ISBN-13: 9781633226524 Paperback: 128 pages Publisher: Walter Foster Publishing Released: Oct. 9, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
In 1982, The Joy of Painting made its debut on public television. The unrehearsed, unedited show soon became a favorite among aspiring artists and painters. Almost 40 years and 403 episodes after his on-air debut, and decades after his untimely passing, Bob Ross still has enormous global popularity.

Painting with Bob Ross introduces you to the tools and materials you need to paint beautiful landscapes, as well as basic painting techniques, such as how to load your brush and how to paint with a knife. Following the introduction are 16 painting projects, each with a complete list of tools and materials needed and instructions for preparing the canvas. Jump into painting with step one, then follow the full-color painting progressions and clearly written instructions until you’ve reached the final step. This is the only Bob Ross book with all-color images.

Throughout this book, Bob’s quotes encourage you to keep going. You can paint graceful mountains, ocean waves crashing onto rocks, a winter cabin, a lakeside path, a deep forest river, and many more breathtaking views.


My Review:
I grew up watching The Joy of Painting. Bob Ross made oil painting look so magical. His encouraging words have stuck with me. He's the reason that I started painting (though not just oil painting) as an adult. I'd highly recommend his videos, though I'll mention his system requires that you buy his brand of paint and tools if you want to follow his methods exactly.

Painting with Bob Ross shows how to paint 16 of Bob Ross' paintings. The book started by describing the basic techniques of how to load the brush and such and then how to paint a basic tree, mountain, etc. This section was clearly explained, though it's even easier to follow if you can watch Bob Ross do it on a video. The 16 paintings are signed Bob Ross paintings, which suggested to me that there might be videos showing Ross painting them. Yup. I put several of the painting's titles into YouTube (like "Bob Ross Forest River") and it pulled up the original PBS video showing Bob Ross painting the scene. You can watch every step fully explained and demonstrated in real time on the video. Happiness!

So is the book still useful? It tended to have steps like, "Use these colors to make a dark green and follow the tree technique to create a line of trees at the base of the mountain." The accompanying illustration showed what the end result should approximately look like. Basically, if you're familiar with Bob Ross' method, this book should be fairly easy to follow and will help you produce a wide variety of landscapes. If you're a complete beginner or have no idea who Bob Ross is, you might be better off watching the videos.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Kumihimo Wirework Made Easy by Christina Larsen

Kumihimo Wirework Made Easy by Christina Larsen ISBN-13: 9781632506351 Paperback: 114 pages Publisher: Interweave Released: Sept. 11, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Whether new to kumihimo or looking to take your skill to the next level, Kumihimo Wirework Made Easy is the companion you need. Author Christina Larsen will show you how easy it can be to transition from traditional kumihimo materials to wirework with her expert guidance, comprehensive instruction, and inspiring designs. In this must-have resource, you'll find:

A complete guide to understanding wireworking tools and materials specific to kumihimo wirework.

Full step-by-step tutorials for 3 basic kumihimo braid structures perfect for wirework jewelry designs.

Project instructions for 20 inspiring kumihimo wirework designs including earrings, bracelets, and pendants.


My Review:
Kumihimo Wirework Made Easy describes how to create wirework jewelry using a kumihimo square. I've done kumihimo using thread or cords, and the beautiful pictures tempted me into reading this book. However, I think the actual weaving of the wire will be too hard on my arthritic hand...though there's one beginner project I intend to try.

The author described the basic equipment you need--basically, a kumihimo foam square, some soft, thinner wire, and some jewelry making tools and materials. She described her method of making the wire weave neatly and how to do the three basic braid patterns that she uses in the 21 projects. She also described how to finish the jewelry when you complete the wire weaving.

The projects detail what materials you need and the steps you take to make the project. There were pictures demonstrating each step. There were 7 beginner projects, 12 intermediate projects, and 2 advanced projects. The projects were mainly for making bracelets and earrings. There were 9 projects for making bracelets, 7 for making earrings, 4 for necklaces, and 1 ring. Seven of the projects used beads (plus some "variations" on other projects also added beads), and four projects wove leather as well as wire into the braid.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Foundations of Classical Oil Painting by Lea Colie Wight

Foundations of Classical Oil Painting by Lea Colie Wight ISBN-13: 9781440352423 Paperback: 144 pages Publisher: North Light Books Released: Sept. 25, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
Professional painting instructor Lea Colie Wight demystifies the formulaic process of oil painting into a simple approach to help you paint confidently and accurately in full color. Develop a core foundational skill set to develop your paintings and discover a signature way of working from life that can be applied to figure painting, portraits, landscapes and still life. Though the focus is on oils, the methods in this book can be applied to all painting mediums including as acrylic, pastel and watercolor.

Informative lessons and simple exercises help to build confidence and lay the foundations for successful oil painting

Learn a straightforward system for painting realistically with a focus on accurate color.

4 full-length step-by-step demonstrations show how to paint a figure, a portrait, a still life and a landscape


My Review:
Foundations of Classical Oil Painting covered some basic, foundational principles behind painting that can be used to create still lifes, landscapes, and portraits. The author worked in oils, but the focus was more on the principles than specifically how to paint using oils. Also, she talked a lot about painting live scenes and how to work with models or changing light for stills and landscapes.

She first explained value and composition. She briefly covered anatomy and how to use it to draw people accurately. She also talked about three basic steps to get the proportions right and the values on the objects correct. She then talked about a way to add color to the scene so that the colors are accurate and so you don't gray out colors that need to be vibrant. She ended with some step-by-step demonstrations on how to do this entire process for figures, portraits, landscapes, and still lifes. I would recommend this book to painters who have trouble with these basics.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

How to Grow Mushrooms from Scratch by Magdalena Wurth; Herbert Wurth

How to Grow Mushrooms from Scratch by Magdalena Wurth; Herbert Wurth ISBN-13: 9781615194919 Hardcover: 144 pages Publisher: The Experiment Released: Sept. 18, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Yes, you can grow mushrooms from scratch! How to Grow Mushrooms from Scratch covers 19 varieties, from button (always versatile) to reishi (a medicinal powerhouse). Plus, here are delicious recipes, preserving methods, and more. Mushrooms will thrive in your garden, on your windowsill, and even in your basement. The key is to pick the right growing medium for your mushroom—a log, a bale of hay, or a simple pot of dirt—and give it a little shade.

Experts Magdalena and Herbert Wurth explain every step of cultivation—whether starting from a kit, a culture, or a grown mushroom you’d like to propagate. From protecting mushrooms in extreme weather, to troubleshooting pests, here is expert advice for beginners and experienced growers alike!


My Review:
How to Grow Mushrooms from Scratch explains how to grow 19 varieties of mushrooms, like button, several types of oyster, reishi, lion's mane, and more. The authors started by explaining how to grow mushrooms outside on logs or on straw bales. They explained what mushrooms do best with each method. They provided step-by-step instructions and photographs on how to use grain or plug spawn and logs or straw bales.

They also talked about how to grow mushrooms indoors on mushroom kits, use straw pellets, grow truffles in woodlands, grow mushrooms outdoors on a bed of hardwood chips or on freshly-made tree stumps (still in the ground). They talked about growing mushrooms on your patio in containers with companion plants or creating mushroom greenhouses. They discussed how to prevent or deal with various pests or diseases that might trouble your mushrooms. They explained how even amateurs can grow spore to spawn to propagate mushrooms.

They talked about 8 mushrooms that have known medicinal uses. They also included several recipes each for the most common mushroom types. The recipes were for things like breaded mushrooms, mushroom sauces, or powdering dried mushrooms for use as a tea. They also talked about selling your mushrooms at a farmer's market. Overall, this book was very informative, but I was left feeling overwhelmed by the process. It sounds more labor intensive than I'd thought.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Thomas W. Schaller, Architect of Light by Thomas Schaller

Thomas W. Schaller, Architect of Light by Thomas Schaller ISBN-13: 9781440350726 Hardcover: 208 pages Publisher: North Light Books Released: Sept. 11, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Twenty years into a career as architect and architectural illustrator, Thomas Schaller embarked upon a bold new path as a fine artist. Today he is one of the world's most accomplished watercolor artists, celebrated for his poignant treatment of light and its dynamic interplay with the natural and manmade landscape.

The first and only collection of work from this popular contemporary artist, Thomas W. Schaller: Architect of Light features 150 of his finest paintings--buildings, bridges, boats, people and other scenes from around the world. In a series of essays, Schaller ruminates on his journey as an artist, what drives him, and the "truths" he's discovered along the way. He offers not only sage insight on composition, color and other technical aspects of painting, but also provocative perspective on more fundamental struggles for the artist, such as overcoming self-doubt and honing one's own, unique voice.


My Review:
This book is mainly a large collection of watercolor paintings by the artist. Each chapter had some text where the artist explained how he got into watercolor painting and his journey as an artist. He did explain how he composed his paintings and how he developed his unique style. He encouraged the reader to find your own style and pursue what you enjoy painting. This book is not about watercolor techniques, but I did learn some things about composition that I hadn't thought about before. I enjoyed studying his paintings. I'd recommend this book to those interested in Schaller's paintings and style, especially if you're looking for insights into his work.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Natural Antibiotics and Antivirals by Christopher Vasey

Natural Antibiotics and Antivirals by Christopher Vasey ISBN-13: 9781620557358 Paperback: 208 pages Publisher: Healing Arts Press Released: Sept. 11, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
In this practical guide, Christopher Vasey presents 18 of the most potent antibiotic and antiviral herbs from around the world and one beehive remedy, propolis. He details how to use them effectively as mother tinctures and essential oils as well as what illnesses each is best suited to treat. Drawing on the latest research, he explains how microbes can’t build resistance against these natural substances due to the many molecules in their make-up and their large spectrum of action in the body, which makes them effective against viruses as well.

He reveals that, unlike pharmaceutical antibiotics and antivirals whose list of side effects grows in proportion to their strength, natural antibiotics generally lack any malignant side effects and have no adverse effects on non-targeted bacteria, such as intestinal flora. The author also includes information on probiotics to restore gut health after the use of pharmaceutical antibiotics, ways to strengthen your immune system and become less receptive to infections, and guidance on detox treatments to support the natural antibiotics as they work. He also provides an index of more than 50 common ailments and diseases with the most effective medicinal plants and essential oils to use in each case.


My Review:
Natural Antibiotics and Antivirals talked about the history of natural and pharmaceutical antibiotics, what germs are and how your immune system fights them, and 18 natural antibiotics and how to use them to treat 50 common illnesses.

The author did a good job of explaining complex biological processes (the immune system, etc.) at a level that I think most adults can understand. Some scientific terms were used, though. The author explained how the essential oils, mother tinctures, etc., work to support your body, stop the germs, and not harm the beneficial bacteria. He also talked about detoxing and things you can do to support your beneficial microbiome. Overall, I felt that this was an informative and useful guide.

He talked about the essential oils of basil, English lavender, eucalyptus, niaouli, oregano, palmrosa, ravintsara, savory, tea tree, and thyme. He talked about the mother tinctures of bearberry, burdock, common barberry, mouse-ear hawkweed, and purple coneflower. Also, grapefruit seed extract, lapacho, and bee propolis.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

The Art and Craft of Chocolate by Nathan Hodge

The Art and Craft of Chocolate by Nathan Hodge ISBN-13: 9781631594663 Paperback: 160 pages Publisher: Quarry Books Released: Aug. 21, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
In The Art and Craft of Chocolate, world-renowned chocolatier Nathan Hodge takes you on a grand tour of chocolate—from its processing, history, and trade to how it's made, bean to bar. The book includes the basic principles of chocolate-making at home and recipes for traditional moles, drinks, baked goods, rubs, and more.

An expert in the bean-to-bar movement and a leader in sustainable chocolate sourcing, Hodge introduces the concept of bean to bar chocolate—a process that starts with whole cocoa beans, which are roasted, ground, and smoothed into chocolate—and discusses sustainability and social consciousness, along with his own chocolate making philosophy.


My Review:
The Art and Craft of Chocolate provided a brief history of chocolate and an overview of how chocolate bars are made, from growing the tree to the finished product. There were photographs showing the various stages of processing the bean and the equipment that's used. In side boxes, the author suggested some ways that a person could process cocoa beans in their home to create their own chocolate. However, it sounds very time intensive and unlikely to provide good results unless you buy some specialized equipment. At the end, the author provided 25 recipes which add cocoa powder or nibs to various dishes. Overall, I'd recommend this book to those interested in learning about how chocolate is made.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Wildlife Scenes in Acrylic by Jerry Yarnell

Wildlife Scenes in Acrylic by Jerry Yarnell ISBN-13: 9781440350214 Paperback: 114 pages Publisher: North Light Books Released: Aug. 14, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Bring landscapes to life with popular workshop instructor, best-selling author and television personality Jerry Yarnell! Jerry has made painting a pleasure--and a success--for thousands of artists, both beginner and experienced alike. In this book, he delivers eight new, fun-to-create wildlife scenes in his signature teaching style. Following Yarnell's clear and friendly instructions, readers will learn how to pant a variety of animals, landscapes and seasons--from horses in a spring pasture, to tropical ocean sunsets, to winter birds nestled amid snow-laden pines.


My Review:
Wildlife Scenes in Acrylic is an art instruction book on using acrylic paints to create landscapes that include animals. This is a good book for beginners, though perhaps not complete beginners since he didn't include much advice specific to acrylics or on creating realistically proportioned animals. His focus was more on painting techniques. He started by describing the specific tools and materials that he recommended and which you will need to complete the demonstration paintings. He defined some painting terms, described various techniques, talked about color, and provided formulas for mixing common colors that will be used in the demonstrations.

He provided step-by-step instructions for 8 landscape paintings: Yellowstone waterfall, swamp sunrise, desert path, night owl against the moon, horses in a spring pasture, ocean beach sunset, deer along an autumn creek, and birds among snowy pines. The instructions and illustrations were clear and easy to follow. Each painting had some new challenges, but the basics of how to achieve each effect was described so it can be achieved with practice. Overall, I'd recommend this book to acrylic painters interested in learning his style of painting landscapes.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Travels with Foxfire by Foxfire Fund Inc

Travels with Foxfire by Foxfire Fund Inc ISBN-13: 9780525436294 Paperback: 336 pages Publisher: Anchor Books Released: Aug. 14, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
The new volume in the classic, million-copy-selling series celebrates the stories of men and women from across Appalachia. Since 1972, the Foxfire books have brought Appalachia to hundreds of thousands of readers. Travels with Foxfire, the sixteenth book in the series, once again captures the music, the history, and the food (and drink!) of the region, through the stories of men and women from throughout the region. Across more than thirty entries, we discover the secret history of NASCAR (it involves bootleggers), hear from perhaps the world's foremost expert on privies, and uncover old family recipes for Buttermilk Corn Bread, Apple Fritters, barbeque sauce, and more. A rich compendium of the collected wisdom of the artists, craftsmen, musicians, and moonshiners who call Appalachia home, Travels with Foxfire is a joyful celebration of a distinctly American culture.


My Review:
Travels with Foxfire is a collection of interviews with people who live in the Appalachia region. Most of these people were in their 60s or 70s, though some were younger. We're given a short biography of their life plus some stories they shared about a certain topic. The speaker often assumed that the reader was already familiar with what they were talking about. For example, the Southern Gospel performers never really explained what that type of music was, they just debated if its popularity was waning and told some funny stories from their performances. This book is more for people who want to reminisce about "You remember when...?" than for people interested in learning details about how people used to live.

The book included some people with odd hobbies, successful authors (including cookbook authors), hunters, herbal gatherers, artists, singers/writers, and people who had been involved in moonshine production, stock car racing, drive-in movie theaters, and water dowsing. Overall, the stories were interesting and amusing, but I'd hoped for something a bit more informative as well.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Essential Techniques of Landscape Drawing by Suzanne Brooker

Essential Techniques of Landscape Drawing by Suzanne Brooker ISBN-13: 9780399580666 Hardcover: 208 pages Publisher: Watson-Guptill Released: August 7, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
This beginner's guide to drawing in graphite pencil uses step-by-step exercises to teach fundamental methods for rendering all aspects of the natural landscape, with additional lessons on using charcoal, colored pencil, pastel, and other media.

This book pairs the most universally-pursued topic for artists (drawing) with the popular subject matter of the natural landscape. Brooker breaks down landscapes into their various elements--including the terrain, water, sky, and trees--to convey how the fundamentals of drawing are applied to capture each aspect. Using the graphite pencil as her baseline instrument, Brooker provides you with step-by-step lessons that help you improve your rendering skills.


My Review:
Essential Techniques of Landscape Drawing teaches the basic techniques of drawing and how to apply them to landscape drawing. The author started by talking about the different tools and materials for drawing. She explained various terms and techniques, like foreshortening, perspective, proportion, and such. She also covered the basics like how to hold a pencil, the grid method, composition, light and shading. She talked about how to apply these concepts to a drawing when you begin a drawing.

Then she specifically talked about how to draw sky, terrain, trees, and water. In each section, she provided several step-by-step demonstrations showing how to draw different types of clouds, trees, etc. The first part of the book focused on pencil drawing, but she did cover charcoal pencils, colored pencils, and pastel pencils at the end and included one demonstration for each. Overall, I'd recommend this informative book.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Practical Landscape Painting by David Hollis

Practical Landscape Painting by David Hollis ISBN-13: 9781782402800 Paperback: 96 pages Publisher: Ivy Press Released: April 5, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Watercolour offers both portability and gorgeous, rich, mutable colours. This is the perfect introduction for anyone who has thought about painting in watercolour but isn't sure where to start. Unintimidating and accessible, it will help you to get the pictures in your head onto the page.


My Review:
Practical Landscape Painting teaches beginners some of the basics of watercolor painting. It will appeal most to those who like to jump right in to the painting. The author explained what materials you need to do the projects in the book. He kept the materials pretty basic: 7 colors, a suitable round brush or two, and cold-pressed watercolor paper.

Most of the book focused on learning landscape painting through doing 7 projects. He started each project with a description of the technique or concept. He then described how to use this to create a simple landscape watercolor scene. There were step-by-step pictures to illustrate the text. The projects were used to explain types of washes and how to do them, painting skies using the wet-in-wet technique, tonal contrast, texture and patterns, color theory and composition, shapes and forms of trees, and perspective and shadows. At the end, there were a series of watercolor sketches which he did in Ireland. He described the techniques and process that he used to create each of them.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Your Brain on Plants by Nicolette Perry; Elaine Perry

Your Brain on Plants by Nicolette Perry; Elaine Perry ISBN-13: 9781615194469 Paperback: 204 pages Publisher: The Experiment Released: Aug. 7, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
As scientists come to better understand how the brain works, the gap between traditional and alternative medicine is narrowing fast. Botanical Brain Balms, cowritten by a neuroscientist and an expert in medicinal plants, describes the beneficial effects of more than 56 plants on memory, mind, and mood—think St. John’s wort for depression, lavender for stress, and sage for cognitive function.

Expert authors Elaine and Nicolette Perry share insights into their own research into how plants can help us sleep, reduce stress, improve memory, and simply feel better. Botanical Brain Balms is organized to allow those experiencing anxiety, sleeplessness, or even pain to go directly to the appropriate chapter, where they’ll find orienting info about appropriate medicinal plants, including how plant compounds work on different parts of the brain.

Make-at-home recipes and remedies for teas, tinctures, balms, cordials, and even foods featuring ingredients proven to alleviate symptoms appear throughout, as do complementary exercises such as meditating on a chamomile lawn, qi gong in a wildflower meadow, and walking in woodland. An appendix includes the scientific documentation.


My Review:
Your Brain on Plants talked about 56 plants that affect your mind or emotions. The authors covered 7 calming plants, 8 memory boosters, 8 plants that lift spirits and relieve mild depression, 7 plants that promote sleep, 7 plants that relieve pain, 7 plants that combat mental fatigue and restore vitality, 5 plants that alter your consciousness, and 5 plants that help in several ways at once. Many of these plants are easy to find, like sage, peppermint, cat mint, garlic, ginger, turmeric, green tea, blueberries, rosemary, and walnuts. Others were less common and may be more difficult to find, though I've seen many of them at my health food store.

For each plant, there's a picture of the plant plus general information about what it looks like and where it grows, historical uses and folklore, a summary of scientific studies, the bioactive ingredients, uses and how to take it, and safety warnings. There were also some recipes for foods, drinks, lotions, and such that used the plant. While this is a very pretty and informative book, I'd hoped for more information about the scientific studies. These were summarized in a small paragraph or two while the history and folklore was usually two to three times as long.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Vegan Yack Attack on the Go! by Jackie Sobon

Vegan Yack Attack on the Go! by Jackie Sobon ISBN-13: 9781631594229 Hardcover: 208 pages Publisher: Fair Winds Press Released: July 3, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Vegan Yack Attack on the Go! has options you can make in advance, take with you, or prepare quickly and easily once you get home. Packed with everything from car breakfasts and work lunches, to airplane snacks and potluck fare, you'll feel confident knowing you can go anywhere, do anything, and still eat delicious food. Beautifully photographed recipes you not only want to eat, but can whip up in any slice of time you can carve out, whether it’s at night, in the morning, or on a lazy Sunday. Recipes include:

No-Bake Apricot Almond Bars
Beastly Cauliflower Breakfast Burrito
Acorn Squash Chips
Bagel Hummus Veggie Sandwich
Whole Wheat Empanadas
Sheet Pan Squash Tacos
Pressure Cooker Pesto Spaghetti Squash
Chickpea Tendies & Waffles
Lentil Balls with Zesty Rice
Peanut Butter S’mores Dip



My Review:
Vegan Yack Attack on the Go! is a cookbook focused on quick, portable, vegan (no meat, dairy, eggs) snacks and meals. There were just over 100 recipes, and most of the recipes were less than 30 minutes (or 10 minutes) to make. The author used things like store-bought "vegan cheese" or "vegan yogurt," probably to save time and effort. She even used a gluten-based meat substitute in some of the recipes. She indicated if a recipe was safe for people with certain allergies, but she did use soy products in a number of recipes and tree nuts in others. The recipes also used added oil (usually sunflower oil) and added sugar (usually agave nectar). While the recipes looked simple enough to do and generally used common ingredients, there just weren't many recipes that looked interesting to me.

The recipes were grouped as breakfast and snacks (including smoothies, bars, cookies, a scramble, etc.), prepare ahead of time food (bars, veggie chips, granola, crackers, etc.), lunch (sandwiches, a wrap, salads, etc.), meals and sides that take less than 30 minutes to make and serve about four people (chili, burgers, pasta, cornbread, etc.), main dish recipes that are easy to double or triple, campfire and grill recipes, and sauces and jams.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Winslow Homer and the Camera by Frank H. Goodyear, Dana E. Byrd

Winslow Homer and the Camera: Photography and the Art of Painting by Frank H. Goodyear, Dana E. Byrd ISBN-13: 9780300214550 Hardcover: 208 pages Publisher: Yale University Press Released: July 10, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
One of the greatest American painters of the 19th century, Winslow Homer (1836–1910) also maintained a deep engagement with photography throughout his career. Focusing on the important, yet often-overlooked, role that photography played in Homer’s art, this volume exposes Homer’s own experiments with the camera (he first bought one in 1882). It also explores how the medium of photography and the larger visual economy influenced his work as a painter, watercolorist, and printmaker at a moment when new print technologies inundated the public with images.

Frank Goodyear and Dana Byrd demonstrate that photography offered Homer new ways of seeing and representing the world, from his early commercial engravings sourced from contemporary photographs to the complex relationship between his late-career paintings of life in the Bahamas, Florida, and Cuba and the emergent trend of tourist photography. The authors argue that Homer’s understanding of the camera’s ability to create an image that is simultaneously accurate and capable of deception was vitally important to his artistic practice in all media. Richly illustrated and full of exciting new discoveries, Winslow Homer and the Camera is a long-overdue examination of the ways in which photography shaped the vision of one of America’s most original painters.


My Review:
Winslow Homer and the Camera is basically two essays about Winslow Homer. The first was by Frank Goodyear, who looked at Homer's entire career with a focus on what influenced his artwork and especially at how photography influenced his art. The second essay was by Dana Byrd, who looked at how Homer captured the Bahamas, Cuba, and Florida in his art during his vacations in 1884-1886. She compared and contrasted his art with others who were painting or photographing these areas at that time. There were pages of pictures along with each essay showing the photographs and artwork that were mentioned in the essays.

The essays were informative and will probably be of most interest to fans of Homer's artwork. I was curious about how photography influenced American artwork at that time, and now I know as much as I care to. However, the authors assumed a previous knowledge of Homer's overall body of artwork, which I didn't have. While I could follow the specific references since pictures were provided, I couldn't fully appreciate their comments about his work in general.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

A Victorian Lady's Guide to Fashion and Beauty by Mimi Matthews

A Victorian Lady's Guide to Fashion and Beauty by Mimi Matthews ISBN-13: 9781526705044 Paperback: 152 pages Publisher: Pen & Sword History Released: July 2, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
What did a Victorian lady wear for a walk in the park? How did she style her hair for an evening at the theatre? And what products might she have used to soothe a sunburn or treat an unsightly blemish? Mimi Matthews answers these questions and more as she takes readers on a decade-by-decade journey through Victorian fashion and beauty history.

Women's clothing changed dramatically during the course of the Victorian era. Necklines rose, waistlines dropped, and Gothic severity gave way to flounces, frills, and an abundance of trimmings. Sleeves ballooned up and skirts billowed out. The crinoline morphed into the bustle and steam-moulded corsets cinched women's waists ever tighter.

As fashion was evolving, so too were trends in ladies' hair care and cosmetics. An era which began by prizing natural, barefaced beauty ended with women purchasing lip and cheek rouge, false hairpieces and pomades, and fashionable perfumes made with expensive spice oils and animal essences.

Using research from nineteenth century beauty books, fashion magazines, and lady's journals, Mimi Matthews brings the intricacies of a Victorian lady's toilette into modern day focus. In the process, she gives readers a glimpse of the social issues that influenced women's clothing and the societal outrage that was an all too frequent response to those bold females who used fashion and beauty as a means of asserting their individuality and independence.


My Review:
A Victorian Lady's Guide to Fashion and Beauty provides an overview of women's fashion in England between 1840 to 1900. The author used information and quotes from 19th century beauty books, fashion magazines, and lady's journals. She also included some fashion plates. I'm not familiar with the fashion terms of the period. I would have enjoyed more illustrations or more detailed descriptions for commonly used words describing parts of the dress or accessories, but I still found the book very interesting and informative.

The first part of the book described the fashionable dress styles (and their underpinnings), hats, shoes, cloaks, gloves, jewelry, and such during each decade and how the fashions changed. The author also talked about how changes in society and technology caused changes in fashions.

Then the author discussed the various dresses that were worn: the morning dress, walking dress, afternoon dress, dinner dress, evening dress or ball gown. She talked about changes in riding habits, seaside holiday dresses, bathing costumes, sports wear (for lawn tennis, golf, and cycling), wedding dresses, maternity dress, and mourning dresses during the Victorian period. She also described beauty advice and attitudes, from soap and cold creams for the face to hair care and hairstyles to cosmetic usage (face powder, cheek rouge, lip rouge, perfumes, etc.).


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

The Complete Book of Arts Crafts, Grades K - 4 by Thinking Kids

The Complete Book of Arts Crafts, Grades K - 4 by Thinking Kids ISBN-13: 9781483826929 Paperback: 416 pages Publisher: Thinking Kids Released: July 27, 2017

Source: Review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
The Complete Book of Arts & Crafts for kindergarten to fourth grade helps your child explore creative outlets in the following areas: painting, sculpting, drama, handmade toys, mixed materials, and holiday projects. This standards-based activity book builds a solid foundation in fun, hands-on learning! Filled with fun projects and detailed instructions, The Complete Book of Arts & Crafts engages children as they develop important creative skills. This child-friendly workbook promotes independent study by offering exciting and artistic projects.

Each comprehensive workbook engages children with full-color photographs and illustrations that hold their attention while they learn important concepts for success.


My Review:
The Complete Book of Arts Crafts, Grades K - 4 contains art and craft projects for grades kindergarten through 4th grade. The book "supports current state standards" according to a seal on the cover. Each project has a page that briefly describes what you're going to make and what you will need. Most of the things you need are easy to find around the house, like a cardboard roll, wax paper, rubber bands, crayons or markers, and scissors. The next page or two describes in simple steps how to make the project and has illustrations of the process.

The art projects use tempura or watercolor paint, markers, or pencils. The book includes several recipes for finger paint, air-drying or oven-drying clay, kid-safe playdough, and bubble solution for blowing bubbles. The book includes projects like: Tie-dying. Making musical instruments like a drum, kazoo, shakers, tambourine, etc. Making puppets of various sorts and costume masks. Making homemade toys and games, like a spider, a pine cone owl, or a tic-tac-toe board. Using pasta or yarn in making art. A pine cone bird feeder, bulletin board, treasure box, plate mirror, and pop-up cards. Making holiday-related crafts, like a felt wreath, snowman puppet, or craft stick snowflake. The projects are pretty easy to do, with some being easier than others for the younger kids.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Father of the Modern Circus 'Billy Buttons' by Steve Ward

Father of the Modern Circus 'Billy Buttons' by Steve Ward ISBN-13: 9781526706874 Paperback: 128 pages Publisher: Pen and Sword History Released: June 29, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from NetGalley:
The ‘modern’ circus was founded by Philip Astley. In April 1768, he pegged out a circular ride on the banks of the river Thames and gave performances of trick riding to a paying audience. He was an accomplished horseman, a military hero and an instinctive showman. Above all, he was an entrepreneur who realised that people would pay good money to be entertained. He created the comic character of Billy Buttons, and other acts were added to his performances: clowns, rope dancers, tumblers and strongmen. The circus, as we might recognise it today, was born.

From his early days as an apprentice cabinetmaker and his military exploits in the 15th Dragoons to the trials and tribulations of establishing himself as a respected performer and his international successes in France and Ireland, this book gives a detailed account of the larger than life figure that was Philip Astley.


My Review:
Father of the Modern Circus 'Billy Buttons' is basically a biography about Philip Astley. The author started with a chapter about how the skills we think of as circus skills have been around for thousands of years. They were used to entertain in courts and at fairs. He then talked about the birth and marriage records he found for Philip Astley and about his military service. Not much is known about his personal life, though.

Most of the book covered 1768 to 1801 and focused on the start and development of his circus. The author quoted the newspaper articles, court records, and advertisements that he found about Astley and then commented on the various entertainments at his shows, the legal battles he faced, etc. The author also talked about Astley's competitors and how things developed into what is typical of a modern circus. Overall, I'd recommend this book to circus fans. The entertainments were usually referred to rather than described in detail, so it may be more enlightening if you've seen similar acts.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Paint Watercolor Flowers by Birgit O'Connor

Paint Watercolor Flowers by Birgit O'Connor ISBN-13: 9781440349966 Paperback: 144 pages Publisher: North Light Books Released: June 26, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Sunflowers, orchids, daffodils, lilies...your brush can bring these and more to life with Paint Watercolor Flowers. Master watercolorist Birgit O'Connor guides you every step of the way, from selecting essential watercolor supplies, to practicing basic painting techniques, to capturing the unique details of a variety of flowers, to showing them off in striking, color-rich compositions. Learn how to paint nine different flowers, with each demonstration covering important concepts you need for successful results. Friendly, easy-to-follow instructions make flower painting fun and doable for any artist, whether you are new to the medium or simply want to try a subject you haven't painted before.

Detailed instruction on color, value, creating shadows, composition and more
3 negative painting demonstrations
9 start-to-finish flower painting demonstrations exploring topics such as creating backgrounds, layering color, values in white flowers, values in colored flowers and much more
Learn to play with gorgeous color and water effects, expressing yourself with the unparalleled beauty of nature's bouquet


My Review:
Paint Watercolor Flowers teaches beginners how to use watercolor plus how to paint flowers. I wish I had this book back when I first decided to try watercolor because it would have saved me a great deal of frustration. The author not only covered the different watercolor tools and materials, but she explained their characteristics so that the reader can understand why certain materials are more suited to different styles of painting. The text clearly explained the information, and the pictures clearly demonstrated the information or technique. The steps in the demonstrations were clearly explained so that you can successfully follow them. Overall, I'd highly recommend this useful book.

The author started by talking about the various tools and materials. She then talked about watercolor techniques and troubleshooting tips, color theory, and composition (including how to use pictures of flowers to create or inspire a composition). She included 9 step-by-step flower demonstrations, each building upon skills practiced in the previous demonstrations. She's an excellent art teacher.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.