Bittman Bread by Mark Bittman

Bittman Bread
by Mark Bittman

ISBN-13: 9780358539339
Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Mariner Books
Released: November 16th 2021

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
75 to 85 recipes plus essential information and advice for making delicious and nourishing whole-grain bread (and more!) from best-selling author Mark Bittman

From best-selling author Mark Bittman comes the ultimate guide to perfect homemade bread—starting with a wholesome, nourishing, no-knead recipe that’s actually easy for the at-home baker (and also happens to set you up with a sourdough starter for future loaves). Plus, recipes for every taste and any grain, with all the techniques and tips to bake delicious bread at home. You’ll also find baguettes, mixed-grain loaves, sandwich bread, soft pretzels, cinnamon rolls, focaccia, pizza, waffles, and much more. Like all of Bittman’s cookbooks, these recipes are straightforward—no frills or overcomplications—and get right to the heart of how to make bread, making it great for beginners, but also, with Bittman's innovative techniques and unique insights, essential for bakers of all skill levels.


My Review:
Bittman Bread explains his techniques for making whole-grain bread using a variation on no-knead bread and a sourdough starter started from commercial bread yeast. He explained his no-knead technique and how to make the sourdough starter and keep it alive. There were step-by-step pictures showing the process. He also included other bread recipes that use this starter. He explained the process with enough detail and troubleshooting tips that I feel confident that I can make this starter and bread. However, it takes a lot of time and effort. I was also somewhat confused by why the sourdough starter was done with white flour. It seemed based on the assumption that you're currently using white flour, but I don't have any in the house, so hopefully whole grain will work well. Overall, I'd recommend this to fans of whole wheat bread and/or no-knead bread.


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.

Southeast Medicinal Plants by CoreyPine Shane

Southeast Medicinal Plants
by CoreyPine Shane

ISBN-13: 9781643260075
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Timber Press
Released: November 9th 2021

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
In Southeast Medicinal Plants, herbalist CoreyPine Shane is your trusted guide to finding, identifying, harvesting, and using 106 of the region’s most powerful wild plants. Readers will learn how to safely and ethically forage, and how to use wild plants in herbal medicines, including teas, tinctures, and salves. Plant profiles include clear, color photographs, identification tips, medicinal uses and herbal preparations, and harvesting suggestions. Lists of what to forage for each season makes the guide useful year-round. Thorough, comprehensive, and safe, this is a must-have for foragers, naturalists, and herbalists in West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana.


My Review:
Southeast Medicinal Plants is a guide to foraging wild medicinal plants in the Southeast states. The author started by explaining how to identify and harvest a plant for medicinal use, how to process them, and how to make infusions, decoctions, tinctures, glycerites, oil infusions, and mushroom extracts. The main part of the book was an alphabetically organized list of 106 plants found in the region. For each listing, we're given the common names, the Latin name, the parts of the plant used, a description of how to identify the plant, where, when and how to gather the plant, the medicinal uses of the different parts the plant, how to ensure a future harvest, any safety cautions, and details about how to use the plant (the proportions used in a tincture, etc.). For each plant, there was a picture of the plant (often including its natural habitat) and usually a picture or two of distinguishing details, like the flower or a close-up of the leaf. Overall, this is an excellent resource for anyone interested in gathering and using medicinal plants from this area. It's very informative and provided practical information.


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.

Drawing and Painting Expressive Little Animals by Amarilys Henderson

Drawing and Painting Expressive Little Animals
by Amarilys Henderson

ISBN-13: 9781464214905
Paperback: 144 pages
Publisher: Quarry Books
Released: July 6th 2021

Source: review copy from the publisher through Amazon.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Author, artist, and popular Skillshare instructor Amarylis Henderson presents her practical and creative techniques for drawing and painting animals in a variety of mediums and styles, from realistic to cartoon. Learn about the sketching and painting mediums you’ll use in your work, including watercolor, inks, and markers. Discover the scope of sizes and shapes of animal features from nose to tail. Basic shapes, postures, and poses to convey a range of animal emotions and expressions, from sly and sneaky to angry to curious. Draw and paint more than 30 animals--from dogs, cats, and horses to cheetah, bison, and platypus--and investigate 18 different styles and treatments, including using color in unique ways, enhancing cuteness, and combining watercolor with other mediums.

As you explore your creative options, you’ll find that working small is an easy way to relieve pressure and open yourself to play as well as to learning the techniques and approaches that Amarilys shares in this book.


My Review:
Drawing and Painting Expressive Little Animals shows how the author draws and watercolor paints 33 different animals, including some birds, marine animals, and reptiles. She started with a few pages providing tips about observing how different animals have different legs, eyes, etc. The "expressive" part seemed to be two pages pointing out how sloths and dogs appear happy while snakes and foxes look sly.

She then provided step-by-step instructions for drawing and painting an animal, with illustrations (about 8-10 steps per animal) along with some very basic text instructions like "add the front legs." Some of the painting illustrations were taken at an angle (showing her working), so the example we're supposed to mimic is not quite in correct proportion. The author assumed that you already knew how to draw and watercolor paint as she'd tell you to do certain techniques but never explained how to do them. She did point out some tips when painting animals, like make the spots random.

Contrary to most art instructors, she had you start with drawing the animals face (including eyes and mouth) before adding the neck, body, legs, and tail. For painting, she skipped sketching the basic proportions and just painted the body shape in step one. I used to do this, but my animals never were in proportion. I finally realized why most instructors have you start with basic body shapes (in proportion) for the entire animal before refining the details. So her instructions don't really work for me.


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.

Immune by Philipp Dettmer

Immune
by Philipp Dettmer

ISBN-13: 9780593241318
Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: Random House
Released: November 2nd 2021

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Second only to the human brain in its complexity, your immune system is one of the oldest and most critical facets of life on Earth. Without it, you would die within days. In Immune, Philipp Dettmer, the brains behind the most popular science channel on YouTube, takes readers on a journey through the fortress of the human body and its defenses. There is a constant battle of staggering scale raging within us, full of stories of invasion, strategy, defeat, and noble self-sacrifice. In fact, in the time you've been reading this, your immune system has probably identified and eradicated a cancer cell that started to grow in your body.

Each chapter delves into an element of the immune system, including defenses like antibodies and inflammation as well as threats like bacteria, allergies, and cancer, as Dettmer reveals why boosting your immune system is actually nonsense, how parasites sneak their way past your body's defenses, how viruses work, and what goes on in your wounds when you cut yourself.

Enlivened by engaging graphics and immersive descriptions, Immune turns one of the most intricate, interconnected, and confusing subjects—immunology—into a gripping adventure through an astonishing alien landscape. Immune is a vital and remarkably fun crash course in what is arguably, and increasingly, the most important system in the body.


My Review:
Immune explains how the different parts of the innate and adaptive immune systems work. This was written by a science writer rather than someone who actively studies the immune system, so it's written for the average person. He used memorable analogies to explain what goes on, then explained it in "science talk" and finally summarized it all again to make sure the reader understood. I have some science background, and I thought the author did a good job of explaining this complex subject without simplifying to much. (His chapter on the lymph system included more information than a whole book on lymph that I recently read. It wasn't more difficult to understand, just more thorough.)

The author started by speculating about when the various parts of the immune system evolved. Throughout the book, he marveled at the complex, amazing immune system and how it evolved. He next talked about how the skin protects you and how the innate and adaptive immune system react when you're wounded. He then talked about mucus membranes and explained how the immune system fights a viral (flu) infection starting in your nose. He explained the individual parts of your immune defenses and how they work together. He also talked about allergies, autoimmunity, cancer, and how you don't actually want to boost your immune system (you want it in balance) and things you can do to support proper immune function (quit smoking and reduce stress). There were occasional graphics showing parts of the immune system or how it worked, but they're difficult to read on my Kindle. Overall, I'd recommend this informative, easy to follow 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.

Mixed Media Color Studio by Kellee Wynne Conrad

Mixed Media Color Studio
by Kellee Wynne Conrad

ISBN-13: 9781631599965
Paperback: 128 pages
Publisher: Quarry Books
Released: August 24th 2021

Source: review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Based on Kellee Wynne Conrad's popular former online True Colors Art Program, the lessons in Mixed Media Color Studio include color explorations designed to strengthen skills and confidence. You’ll learn how to develop your own unique style using acrylic paint, pastels, graphite, ink, and more. See how to mix colors to make signature palettes and get inspired to try new, exciting combinations of colors, materials, and methods that will take your artwork and imagination further.

The imaginative projects include expert information on how to work with colors to evoke moods, emotions, and energy for dynamic landscapes, calming seascapes, vibrant abstract florals, layered architectural pieces, and much more. Discover easy techniques that add texture, details, and interest to your artwork.


My Review:
Mixed Media Color Studio explores color theory while creating abstract, mixed media art. The author started by briefly covering tools and materials, the basic terms and ideas of color theory, and how to create a unique, signature color palette. She prefers using primary cyan, magenta, and yellow but did cover other combinations (some of which weren't really primary colors). She then had a series of step-by-step projects that explored color theory: making a color wheel using primary colors, acrylic painting with complementary colors, high-key/low-key schemes, grays and browns, contrasts, and then green, blue, orange, purple, red, black, and finally yellow as a focal color.

The painting was done in acrylic with inks, graphite, and pastels used along with other mixed media elements to create the finished project. The steps were more about explaining the actions and intent of each step rather than detailing how to make an exact replica of her painting. There were useful pictures illustrating each step. This book will appeal to abstract, mixed media artists who want to explore color theory.


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.

Lymph & Longevity by Gerald Lemole

Lymph & Longevity
by Gerald Lemole

ISBN-13: 9781982180256
Hardcover: 160 pages
Publisher: Scribner
Released: October 5th 2021

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Learn how you can boost your immune system and help prevent virtually every major medical condition—including cancer, heart disease, neurological disorders, GI issues, and obesity—by keeping your lymph system healthy, as explained by renowned cardiologist Gerald Lemole.

The lymphatic system serves as our body’s maintenance department and has a direct effect on our cardiovascular, neurological, and immune systems. At last, renowned cardiothoracic surgeon and pioneer in the study of lymph Gerald Lemole explains in straightforward language why the lymphatic system is the key factor in longevity and disease prevention, and how improving lymphatic flow can help our bodies eliminate the toxins and waste products that contribute to injury, inflammation, and disease.

In ten short chapters he demystifies the lymphatic system, describes how powerful it is, and shows how to maintain a healthy lymph system to combat specific diseases and health problems—from heart disease to cognitive function to weight management. Featuring sidebars with charts and graphs that illustrate basic principles, The Healing Power of Flow also includes flow-friendly menus, recipes, and information on supplements, as well as basic yoga and meditation guides.


My Review:
Lymph & Longevity is an overview of how the lymphatic system works, why good lymph flow is important to long-term health, and ways to get your lymph moving. He talked about using food, supplements, exercise, and different relaxation techniques to help improve lymph flow. He even included recipes and described a yoga-pose sequence for improving lymph flow. He initially talked about how poor lymph flow can cause chronic health problems, like heart and brain problems. He didn't get very technical, and it's written in a conversation tone that's easy to read and understand. Overall, I'd recommend this book to those who don't know much about the lymphatic system and why it's important.


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.

Encyclopedia of the Ordinary Things by Stepanka Sekaninova

Encyclopedia of the Ordinary Things
by Stepanka Sekaninova

ISBN-13: 9788000061283
Hardcover: 96 pages
Publisher: Albatros Media
Released: October 5th 2021

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
We use them daily, pass them by, and it never occurs to us to stop and think about where they came from. Shoes, umbrellas, toothbrushes, toothpicks, socks, dolls, and so on and so forth. How did they come to be? Who invented them? How did they develop and change over time?


My Review:
Encyclopedia of the Ordinary Things is about the history of ten common items and is targeted at ages 6-12 years old. The author covered skates, umbrellas, glasses, dolls, perfume, horse toys, toilets, toothbrushes, beds, and tights. Each item had several pages describing how the item changed throughout history and appeared in different cultures. It's not a lot of information, though, since illustrations took up half of the page space. These illustrations were stylistic rather than highly accurate. Each section concluded with two pages of related items, usually focusing on the inventor of the item (Velcro, zippers, skies, etc.). These were very brief so that several items would fit on each page.

I was disappointed that the author put in speculation when I would have preferred facts. For example, when explaining: "The soles of some prehistoric shoes were made from bear skin....Our ancestors believed that bear skin would give them the strength of the feared animal and protect them." How do we know what they believed? We don't. Prehistory means they didn't leave writing saying this. It's just a guess. I felt like it was misleading to call this book an encyclopedia due to how few items were covered, the speculation included, and the stylistic illustrations. The items weren't even listed in alphabetical order. If you just want a brief overview on these objects, though, it did have some interesting trivia.


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 Story of the Country House by Clive Aslet

The Story of the Country House
by Clive Aslet

ISBN-13: 9780300255058
Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Yale University Press
Released: September 28th 2021

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
The Story of the Country House is an authoritative and vivid account of the British country house, exploring how they have evolved with the changing political and economic landscape. Clive Aslet reveals the captivating stories behind individual houses, their architects, and occupants, and paints a vivid picture of the wider context in which the country house in Britain flourished and subsequently fell into decline before enjoying a renaissance in the twenty-first century.

The genesis, style, and purpose of architectural masterpieces such as Hardwick Hall, Hatfield House, and Chatsworth are explored, alongside the numerous country houses lost to war and economic decline. We also meet a cavalcade of characters, owners with all their dynastic obsessions and diverse sources of wealth, and architects such as Inigo Jones, Sir John Vanbrugh, Robert Adam, Sir John Soane and A.W.N. Pugin, who dazzled or in some cases outraged their contemporaries.


My Review:
The Story of the Country House talked about the changes in the British country house (as found throughout the United Kingdom) from the Roman villa and Medieval manor house to modern times. The author broke the subject into time periods and talked about the social customs and developing technologies that influenced the layout and look of the houses. He talked about the people who built country houses (the owners and the architects) and about specific houses (including a picture, usually of the outside). He also talked about the different architectural styles and briefly about trends in landscaping styles, location selection, house size, etc. I'd recommend this book to those interested in the people who built and wider social context of British country houses.


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.

Garden Allies by Frederique Lavoipierre

Garden Allies
by Frederique Lavoipierre

ISBN-13: 9781643260082
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Timber Press
Released: Sept. 28, 2021

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
The birds, mammals, reptiles, and insects that inhabit our yards and gardens are overwhelmingly on our side—they are not our enemies, but instead our allies. They pollinate our flowers and vegetable crops, and they keep pests in check.

In Garden Allies, Frédérique Lavoipierre shares fascinating portraits of these creatures, describing their life cycles and showing how they keep the garden’s ecology in balance. Also included is helpful information on how to nurture and welcome these valuable creatures into your garden. With beautiful pen-and-ink drawings by Craig Latker, Garden Allies invites you to make friends with the creatures that fill your garden.


My Review:
Garden Allies talks about the different types of insects and animals that you might find in a garden. It's not really a practical, how-to gardening guide since the focus wasn't really on the garden but on the animals that you might find there (and elsewhere). The author talked about various categories of animals and wrote a few pages about each category (like worms, bees, wasps, flies, beetles, etc.). It covered things like nesting habits, what they eat, social behavior, and why gardeners might appreciate having them in the garden. Each section ended with profile-type information: their official names, what they look like, etc. Black and white drawings of the mentioned critters were sometimes included, but I didn't find them particularly helpful in terms of insect identification. Overall, I'd recommend this book to those interested in learning more about garden animals.


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.

Pain Erasers by Michelle Schoffro Cook

Pain Erasers
by Michelle Schoffro Cook

ISBN-13: 9781953295514
Kindle: 272 pages
Publisher: BenBella Books
Released: September 21st 2021

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
If you’re struggling with chronic or acute pain, you may find that commonly prescribed medications are often expensive, and often ineffective. They can also lead to unwanted side-effects or serious drug interactions. That’s where Pain Erasers can help. This long-awaited guide to drug-free pain relief offers a wide variety of natural alternatives to help you take control of your pain—and ultimately, your life.

Dr. Michelle Schoffro Cook, PhD, DNM, a trusted natural medicine expert, will reveal new ways to naturally erase your pain, often permanently! You’ll discover dozens of natural painkillers, from a little-known but highly effective resin from the rainforest, along with such standbys as ginger and turmeric. And to boost the effects of these remedies, you’ll get helpful tips on how to change your diet and lifestyle for optimal health and pain and inflammation management.

Because not every remedy works on every type of pain, Dr. Schoffro Cook guides readers through the best methods for specific conditions, such as back pain, fibromyalgia, joint pain, migraines and headaches, neck pain, plantar fasciitis, temporomandibular joint syndrome, tendonitis, trigeminal neuralgia, whiplash, and more.


My Review:
Pain Erasers talked about some natural remedies for pain. She focused mostly on using essential oils and strongly favored using the doTerra brand. However, she did have an informative section at the end which talked about making changes in your diet to promote anti-inflammatory foods and remove inflammatory foods as well as suggested some useful supplements. She started by telling her story and then doing short profiles on different types of pain. In these profiles, she briefly described the problem and listed the best remedies for that type of pain. For most of the problems, there was a lot of overlap on which were the best remedies (which is probably good news).

She then went into greater depth about each of these remedies. For each profile, she gave the common name as well as the Latin name, a brief history about the herb's use, some scientific information about how it works and how effective it is, information on how to use it as an herb or essential oil, and safety considerations like whether it's safe to ingest and how to safely do that. She also briefly explained other things the herb is good for.

In the safety section, she seemed to start with the exact same warning with only the herb's name changed. I thought it was odd that she was so concerned with dangerous solvent residues in the essential oils. Almost all of her suggested essential oils are steam distilled, so the solvent is water. Also, oregano oil is usually the herb steeped in an oil for some time, the herb strained out, and the oil ingested with food. This is not meant to be deceptive (as she implies) as they don't claim it's an ESSENTIAL oil. Even if an essential oil comes diluted in a carrier oil, they should clearly list that on the bottle.

I've already been using a number of these remedies for my rheumatoid arthritis pain. I generally felt like I knew more about the essential oils than she did. However, this is a good source of information for someone new to the topic of using essential oils and diet for pain relief.


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.

Herbal Antivirals, 2nd Edition by Stephen Harrod Buhner

Herbal Antivirals, 2nd Edition
by Stephen Harrod Buhner

ISBN-13: 9781635864175
Paperback: 480 pages
Publisher: Storey Publishing
Released: August 31st 2021

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Viruses are smart, mutating, and becoming resistant to antiviral pharmaceuticals. Global crises such as COVID-19, SARS, and dengue feaver spread more quickly than we can develop medicines to fight them. Herbalist and best-selling author Stephen Harrod Buhner has studied the antiviral properties of plants for many years. In this comprehensive guide, he profiles the plants that have proven most effective in fighting viral infections and provides in-depth instructions for preparing and using formulations to address the most common infections and strengthen immunity, safely and naturally. The updated 2nd edition includes an expanded guide to COVID-19, including a review of the most up-to-date medical research and the plant medicines that have been found to be most potent in preventing infection, lessening the impact of the virus on the body, and addressing longer-term effects and co-infections.


My Review:
Herbal Antivirals, 2nd Edition describes the mode of action of different types of viral infections and how different herbs work to prevent these viral infections. The author began with a look at several types of viruses (influenza, coronaviruses, viral encephalitis, etc.). He provided some history about the disease, very detailed information about how that type of viral infection acts on the body, how different herbs block specific modes of action by the virus (thus helping stop the virus), and the dosing and herbs used for different stages of infection. He strongly suggested the use of tinctures as the best way to get a high enough dosing to be effective.

The information on COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 was written in August 2020, over a year ago, and much of what was predicted (and included in this book) hasn't turn out to be as bad a predicted. I don't know if this section will be further updated before the publish date, but I didn't find a long section of what felt like panic propaganda to be very useful. He did include information about how the virus acted on the body and what herbs should help treat it.

The main, second section profiled several of the most useful antiviral herbs. The author described the common and Latin names of the medicinal herbs, the parts used for antiviral action, the dosage (usually as tinctures, but also powder or decoction), potential side effects, contraindications, herb/drug or herb/herb interactions, a list of medicinal actions, what it can be used to treat, the plant's chemistry, traditional uses, and scientific research on the herbs effectiveness against viruses and such. He also provided information about the plant in general, the habitat where the plant naturally grows and can be harvested, how to grow it, and where to buy it. He ended by describing some other ways (nutrition, some other herbs, etc.) to support the immune system and fight viral infections.


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.

Toxic Legacy by Stephanie Seneff

Toxic Legacy
by Stephanie Seneff

ISBN-13: 9781603589307
Hardcover: 262 pages
Publisher: Chelsea Green Publishing Company
Released: June 1st 2021

Source: Bought.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
From an MIT scientist, mounting evidence that the active ingredient in the world’s most commonly used weedkiller is contributing to skyrocketing rates of chronic disease.

Glyphosate is the active ingredient in Roundup, the most commonly used weedkiller in the world. Nearly 300 million pounds of glyphosate-based herbicide are sprayed on farms―and food―every year. Agrochemical companies claim that glyphosate is safe for humans, animals, and the environment. But emerging scientific research on glyphosate’s deadly disruption of the gut microbiome, its crippling effect on protein synthesis, and its impact on the body’s ability to use and transport sulfur―not to mention several landmark legal cases― tells a very different story.

In Toxic Legacy, senior research scientist Stephanie Seneff, PhD, delivers compelling evidence based on countless published, peer-reviewed studies. Readers will discover the uniquely toxic nature of glyphosate; how glyphosate disrupts the microbiome, leading to gut dysbiosis, autoimmunity, neurodegeneration, and more; why we’re seeing a rise in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, infertility, depression, and anxiety; glyphosate’s role in soil degeneration, water contamination, and threats to wildlife and biodiversity; and important nutritional guidance for conscientious consumers who want to avoid glyphosate-contaminated foods and improve their health.

As Rachel Carson did with DDT in the 1960’s, Stephanie Seneff sounds the alarm on glyphosate, giving you guidance on simple, powerful changes you can make right now and essential information you need to protect your health, your family’s health, and the planet on which we all depend.


My Review:
Toxic Legacy describes how glyphosate is harmful to human health. The book is suitable both for scientists and non-scientists, but it can get technical. The author described in detail the mechanisms for how glyphosate does it's damage in a way that will convince scientists. She tried to describe the detailed scientific information in a way that the common person can follow (especially if you have some science background), but she also summarized her main points at the end of each section in a way that anyone can understand. The first few chapters and the last one are the easiest to understand, and the last chapter focused on what you can do to avoid the harm caused by glyphosate. Many of these suggestions are diet related, like buy Certified Organic food to minimalize glyphosate residue. While not the easiest read, I'd still highly recommend this important book to everyone and I've bought some additional copies to give to family members.


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.

The Plant Propagator's Bible by Miranda Smith

The Plant Propagator's Bible
by Miranda Smith

ISBN-13: 9780760369791
Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Cool Springs Press
Released: June 29th 2021

Source: Review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
With easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions, veteran horticulture teacher Miranda Smith provides a complete reference showing every step for cultivating new plants—whether from seed or cuttings or with techniques such as layering, grafting, and budding.

Propagating new plants from existing ones is not only sustainable but also rewarding for gardeners of all skill levels. The Plant Propagator's Bible offers a solid and complete, go-to reference for expert gardeners but is also a perfect primer for the novice plant lover and horticulturalist. Smith teaches readers, with the support of hundreds of full-color photos and detailed illustrations, the natural process and conditions in which plants grow and reproduce, and shows gardeners how to use these systems to propagate any plant that grows in their garden or greenhouse—or even on their windowsill.

The book features a detailed, step-by-step illustrations and annotated photographs, "What Can Go Wrong" advice explaining potential problems and how to prevent or fix them, and an A to Z directory of more than 1,000 individual plant species—with appropriate propagation techniques for aquatics, ornamental plants, houseplants, shrubs, trees, vegetables, and wildflowers.


My Review:
The Plant Propagator's Bible described many different plant propagation techniques. The first part of the book detailed these various techniques and included a general description of each technique, a list of plants that it works on, step-by-step instructions and illustrations showing how to do the technique, and brief advice about how to handle what can go wrong. The techniques included starting from seeds (including soaking, scarification, stratification, etc.), dividing plants, taking cuttings, layering, and grafting. The book also contained a plant directory for flowering plants and ornamentals, which included information on where the plant is grown, the easiest way to propagate it, other methods that can be used, and potential problems specific to that plant.

I thought that the step-by-step section did a good job of showing how to do the technique. I've done some of these in the past, and I'll try some new ones in the future. I was a little disappointed that the focus seemed to be on non-food plants since the subtitle mentioned "every plant in your garden." I also sometimes felt that the author made propagation sound more difficult than it is. For example, years ago I bought morning glory seeds, simply planted them, and the resulting morning glories have been reseeding themselves in the same spot for years without any action on my part. According to this book, though, you need to scarify the seeds in order to get them to sprout. Overall, I recommend this informative book to anyone interested in learning new plant propagation techniques.


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.

The Zero Waste Garden by Ben Raskin

The Zero Waste Garden
by Ben Raskin

ISBN-13: 9780711262331
Hardcover: 176 pages
Publisher: White Lion Publishing
Released: April 20th 2021

Source: Review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Organic gardening expert, Ben Raskin, shares over 60 unique planning-for-yield guides for key crops. Work out how to make the most of the green space you have got, what to grow easily in it, and how much you will harvest seasonally for zero waste.

Learn how to plant waste-free for any size plot, from balcony containers to 5-metre-square yards. Peppered with root-to-stalk cooking tips, including which crops you can eat straight away, this is a plot-to-plate book for everyone with a green-thumb. Perfect for new and experienced growers, vegans, zero-food waste followers, city gardeners, and the ecologically minded.


My Review:
Hot Button focused on how to make the most of your gardening space and minimalize the waste when using the plants. The author very briefly covered a lot of different gardening techniques. It's enough to get you interested but you'd have to read other books to really learn how to do these techniques. He talked about crop rotation, green manure, interplanting, undersowing, choosing efficient crops, and correct spacing for the crops (including estimates of how closely they can be planted and still give a good yield). He also talked about ways to store the plants after harvest (freezing, drying, fermenting). He then gave profiles on a lot of common garden plants and included information on how much space each plant takes, how much food you get off the plant, growing tips, when do harvest, how to use every useful part of the plant, and how to store the excess harvest for future use. I felt like this was more for a beginner gardener, especially one with limited space, but it doesn't really go into pest or disease control. Its strength is information on minimalizing food waste.


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.

A Mudlark's Treasures by Ted Sandling

A Mudlark's Treasures
by Ted Sandling

ISBN-13: 9780593197882
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Aurum Press
Released: June 22nd 2021

Source: review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Mudlarking, the act of searching the Thames foreshore for items of value, has a long tradition in England's capital. In the late 18th and 19th centuries, mudlarks were small boys grubbing a living from scrap. Today’s mudlarks unearth relics of the past from the banks of the Thames which tell stories of Londoners throughout history. From Roman tiles to elegant Georgian pottery, presented here are modern-day mudlark Ted Sandling's most evocative finds, gorgeously photographed. Together they create a mosaic of everyday London life through the centuries, touching on the journeys, pleasures, vices, industries, adornments and comforts of a world city. This unique and stunning book celebrates the beauty of small things, and makes sense of the intangible connection that found objects give us to the individuals who lost them.


My Review:
A Mudlark's Treasures is about the types of things that can be found on the banks of the Thames, specifically the finds that the author has made. These objects span a long period of time, from before the founding of London to nearly present day. He focused on historical objects. After an introduction describing what mudlarking was in the past and is in the present, he talked about his finds. He put them in groupings of similar types. He briefly described the object found and then gave about a page and a half of information about it and when it was made. The only pictures were those on the cover, and they were small and not very high definition. Numbers labeled what they were and when they were made, and these were later described in the book. However, these were only about half of the total finds that he talked about. Part of the reason I got the book was because I was interested in actually seeing what these objects look like (even in a broken state), so I was disappointed. However, I did enjoy learning the history behind these objects.


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.

Social Skills for Kids by Keri K. Powers

Social Skills for Kids
by Keri K. Powers

ISBN-13: 9781507215753
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Adams Media
Released: June 15th 2021

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Help your children develop essential social skills—including groups, one-on-one interactions, and virtual communication—with these 150 easy, fun activities to teach your kids how to socially succeed.

From taking turns to making eye contact to staying engaged during conversations, developing appropriate social skills is an important factor for kids to be able to succeed in school and life in general. But how can you tell if your child is really making progress while you read the same stories, have the same conversations, and chaperone the same playdates? The answer is to add some variety to your child’s daily activities with these 150 exercises specially designed to keep your child (and their friends) entertained, all while teaching them effective social skills.

In Social Skills for Kids, you’ll learn everything you need to know about how social skills develop in children and what you can do to support their growth. In this book, you’ll find games to encourage them in group settings, activities that you (or another caregiver) can do alone with your child, and ways to make the most of virtual interactions for social skill development.


My Review:
Social Skills for Kids describes fun activities that teach social skills like active listening, understanding body language, and effective communication. The author started by explaining what social skills are usually present at different ages. She then described some activities suitable for young kids (3+) and worked up to activities for progressively older kids (6- or 7-year-olds). There were also a few things suggested that you can do with 1-2-year-olds to help them develop. There were activities like teaching how loud to talk in different situations, using descriptive language, and giving affective instructions to someone else. For each activity, the author explained the purpose, targeted age, how many people were needed, how to do the activity, and some questions to ask afterward to help the child process what they learned. The directions were easy to understand. These activities were either fun games or interesting activities that kids will probably be willing to try and aren't too tricky to do. Overall, I'd recommend this book to people wanting creative ways to teach social skills.


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.

Human Anatomy for Kids by Kristie Wagner

Human Anatomy for Kids
by Kristie Wagner

ISBN-13: 978-1648768637
Paperback: 80 pages
Publisher: Rockridge Press
Released: May 25th 2021

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Learn what makes our bodies move with the Junior Scientists series for kids ages 6 to 9

Are you curious about what your body looks like under your skin? Do you wonder where your food goes after you eat it? Check out what’s happening inside your body with this kid’s anatomy book. You’ll take a tour of your tissues, organs, muscles, and bones, and find out how they work together to help you move, think, and grow.

Explore a kid’s anatomy book that includes colorful pictures and diagrams show you the names of all your body parts, how your body fights off germs, how snacks become energy, and more. This kid’s anatomy book is packed full of fascinating tidbits, like why your body grows hair and what causes freckles. Try hands-on activities like pulling the DNA out of strawberries!


My Review:
Human Anatomy for Kids provides basic information about human anatomy at a level suitable for kids. It covered various systems in the body (respiratory, digestive, reproductive, etc.). At the start of each chapter, it had a nice photo of a human anatomy model. In the chapter, there were simple diagrams showing the location of the various organs in that system. There were also some activities for the kids to do relating to anatomy. The information didn't get very in-depth. For example, the book listed some different tissue types but only gave a brief, one sentence description of what they did and how they differed. This book was more of a nice introduction to the topic rather than actual teaching text (like for homeschooling).


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.

Plant-Based Bean Cookbook by Katherine Green

Plant-Based Bean Cookbook
by Katherine Green

ISBN-13: 978-1648769726
Paperback: 126 pages
Publisher: Rockridge Press
Released: May 18th 2021

Source: review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Beans are an adaptable, inexpensive protein you can integrate into almost any meal. This bean cookbook is full of nutritious recipes that highlight black beans, pinto beans, green beans, chickpeas, split peas, and more. Whether you already follow a plant-based diet or are looking to add more plant-based dishes to your rotation, you’ll discover the health benefits of enjoying beans and learn to easily prepare dishes from scratch with just a few varieties of canned or dry beans in your pantry.

Check out profiles for the most popular beans, along with a chart of cooking guidelines for making beans on the stovetop, or in a pressure cooker or slow cooker. Explore a bean cookbook that includes recipes for snacks and spreads, sides and salads, soups and stews, suppers, and even sweets. Nutritional information is included for each recipe, along with tips for adapting recipes for vegetarian and omnivorous diets.


My Review:
Plant-Based Bean Cookbook is a vegan cookbook that focuses on using a variety of different beans. She explained the basics about cooking and using 18 different common types of beans. In the recipes, she mainly used whole foods or minimally processed foods (like pasta, tofu, plant-based milk). The recipes were healthy and didn't contain a lot of oil or sweetening but used spices to add flavor. Many recipes were not overly hot/spicy, but some did use hot sauce, jalapeno peppers, or other hot peppers.

Most of the recipes served between 4 to 6 people and took around 20-60 minutes to make. Most of the ingredients in the recipes should be easy to get. She included 12 recipes for snacks and spreads, 15 recipes for sides and salads, 16 recipes for soups and stews, 20 recipes for bean suppers, 7 recipes for staples and sweets.

The recipes provided the preparation time, cooking time, how much is made, ingredients, instructions, and cooking tips. Recipes were labeled if gluten-free, oil-free, quick, no cook, five ingredients, freezable, nut-free, soy-free. Each recipe included "per serving" information on calories, total fat, protein, carbohydrates, fiber. There was only one picture of a finished recipe per each section of recipes.


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.

Understanding Body Language by Scott Rouse

Understanding Body Language
by Scott Rouse

ISBN-13: 9781647390983
Paperback: 172 pages
Publisher: Rockridge Press
Released: January 5th 2021

Source: Review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Scientific studies show that people use body language to express their true feelings about a given situation or topic. With Understanding Body Language, you’ll discover essential information and how-to guidance for deciphering nonverbal communication so you can make better decisions about the people and situations you approach every day.

Start by learning how to properly observe people so you can uncover their subtle nonverbal cues without drawing attention to yourself. Then, practice on your friends and family with practical advice to help you better read social gatherings and telltale signs of disagreement. Finally, dive deeper with real-life scenarios you’ll likely encounter, such as dating, job interviews, and workplace interactions.

Explore the science and driving forces behind body language, best practices for your own expression, and tips for successful interpretation of others. Learn setting-specific how-tos to help you feel physically assured in difficult situations, such as using positive body language while on a date and projecting confidence within the workplace. Discover the link between specific emotions and the associated body language so you can apply that vital knowledge in real time and use it to your advantage.


My Review:
Understanding Body Language is a guide to understanding what body language means, with examples of common body language cues as seen in specific circumstances. For example, the author took a situation like a date and broke down some common body language cues and what they mean. There's a drawn picture showing people using this body language to help show what it looks like. He described what the body language looks like, what it (probably) means in that situation, and how to use that information in how you approach that person. The author started by pointing out body language commonly seen in situations like news reports or talkshow hosts, then he talked about social gatherings, signs of disagreement, a date, a job interview, and situations at the workplace. The author also talked about when body language might be different due to a different cultural background or other reasons. Overall, I'd recommend this book, especially to someone who doesn't feel confident around other people. I'm comfortable in social situations and I knew many of the body language signals and what they meant, but I did learn some new ones.


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.

Perimenopause Power by Maisie Hill

Perimenopause Power
by Maisie Hill

ISBN-13: 9781472978875
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Green Tree
Released: May 4th 2021

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Empowering guide to menopause that all women need, packed with advice on dealing with symptoms and understanding the most effective treatment options.

Three-quarters of women reaching menopause experience symptoms such as mood changes, insomnia, hot flushes, and night sweats. This is a book for women experiencing perimenopause and menopause who want to understand what's going on with their bodies and how to deal with troublesome symptoms, but also gain valuable insights into making menopause a positive and powerful experience.

Maisie Hill, the celebrated author of Period Power, delves into the science of menopause in an accessible way and provides a whole slew of tips to see women through the challenge of wildly fluctuating hormones.


My Review:
Perimenopause Power is a women's health book focused on the changes that come with perimenopause. The author started by repeating some of the basics about the menstrual cycle found in her book "Period Power." It has some useful information about the changes that happen hormonally and how that causes changes in our bodies and emotions. She talked a lot about each and every thing that can go wrong (mild to serious) and things that you can do about them. This included advice on exercise, nutrition, herbs, and supplements as well as medication. While I agree with a lot of what she recommended, some of the nutritional advice seemed skewed in favor of eating massive amounts of eggs...like 3 eggs per meal. And she seemed to believe the only vegetable source of protein is tofu. Hardly. She tried to be gender-neutral (referring to "people with a womb" rather than "women," for example). While she provided useful information, I felt like this book would be most useful for women who are having problems since she spent a frighteningly long time on that.


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.

Herbal Houseplants by Susan Betz

Herbal Houseplants
by Susan Betz

ISBN-13: 9780760369555
Hardcover: 176 pages
Publisher: Cool Springs Press
Released: April 27th 2021

Source: review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Inside the beautifully illustrated pages, author and expert herbalist Susan Betz lets you in on a little secret: Herbs make great houseplants. And, you don’t need fancy grow lights, expensive potting soil, or high-end equipment to grow them. All you need is a sunny windowsill and the right plant. Learn which herbs perform best as houseplants, how to care for them, and even how to harvest and use your homegrown herbs for culinary creations, household cleaning products, herbal teas, handmade crafts, and more. In Herbal Houseplants you’ll learn the basics of caring for herbs indoors, how to keep indoor herbs productive and pest free, tips for choosing the best herbs for indoor growing, and essential advice for watering, fertilizing, and harvesting. How to grow exotic herbs, like patchouli, tulsi, and Corsican mint. From parsley and thyme to sage and lemongrass—and many herbs in between—tending and enjoying herbal houseplants pays big rewards for little effort.


My Review:
Herbal Houseplants provides some tips about growing herbs indoors in containers. The author started by briefly describing how to take care of herbs in general (how much light, temperature, humidity, watering, fertilizing, pruning, dealing with pests, and how to propagate them). She then provided herbal profiles for various herbs that do well indoors. The profiles included the common name, Latin name, a quote about that herb, a description of the herb and how it is used, good varieties for indoor growing, what it means in floral language, what growing conditions are needed, the best way to propagate it, what plant parts are used, how to harvest and store it, and what pests might be a problem. She talked about herbs for use in the kitchen, for fragrance and beauty, and a bunch of varieties of geraniums. She also talked about preserving and storing your herbs. Overall, I recommend this as a guide to what herbs grow well indoors.


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.

The Vegetable Garden Pest Handbook by Susan Mulvihill

The Vegetable Garden Pest Handbook
by Susan Mulvihill

ISBN-13: 9780760370063
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Cool Springs Press
Released: April 27th 2021

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
In The Vegetable Garden Pest Handbook, you’ll find the simple, straightforward resources and tools you need to identify common pests of edible gardens and manage them without the use of synthetic chemical pesticides.

Climate change and newly introduced insect pests are changing the world of gardening. Pests that once produced a single generation per year are now producing two or even three, and accidentally imported pest insects have no natural predators to keep them in check. These leaf-munching critters can cause significant damage in short order, reducing your yields and costing you time and money, especially if your garden is out of balance or your plants are stressed and vulnerable.

Whether you’re a new or seasoned gardener, author and garden pro Susan Mulvihill shows you how to handle pest issues by growing healthier plants, properly identifying the culprit, and nurturing the overall ecosystem of the garden. With easy-to-use charts, you’ll learn how to identify common vegetable garden pests based on both the damage they cause and their physical appearance.

DIY pest-control projects, coupled with up-to-date info on the best natural products, physical pest-control tricks, and tips for managing pests with the use of traps and barriers, all lead to a garden where beneficial insects and pollinators are preserved while pest populations are kept in check.


My Review:
The Vegetable Garden Pest Handbook explains various organic gardening approaches to pest management. The author started by describing how to create an environment that encourages beneficial insects and plant health. She then provided charts showing which insects might bother which garden plants and the damage that you'll see for each type of insect. Next were the insect profiles, describing each insect: their life cycle, what plants they attack, what type of damage they cause, their natural predators, and tips on how to control them. Each profile also had a close-up illustration of the insect as well as color photographs of the insect and the damage they do to a plant (to help with identification). She also provided shorter profiles on the beneficial insects: a picture, what it looks like, what it eats, and how to encourage it to stay near your garden.

Then she described various organic pest control methods: what they're good for and how to use them. She also included instructions on how to make relatively simple DIY traps or protective barriers (though some require more construction skill than others). Overall, I'd highly recommend this resource for those gardeners who want to stop pests without using synthetic chemical pesticides.


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.

The New Oil Painting by Kimberly Brooks

The New Oil Painting
by Kimberly Brooks

ISBN-13: 9781452184791
Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Released: May 18th 2021

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Oil painting is an exciting and adventurous medium, but aspiring artists can feel daunted by complex setups and the thought of using harsh chemicals. The New Oil Painting walks you step-by-step through oil painting fundamentals—which materials you actually need, how to mix paint, how to set up your painting space—and, most revolutionary of all, how to eliminate harmful solvents from your work and replace them with safe, effective substitutes. This instructional handbook is organized into chapters with helpful diagrams throughout illustrating various techniques and tools. Whether you're a true beginner or have been painting with oils for years, you will find that this book has everything you need to build a new, thriving, toxin-free practice.


My Review:
The New Oil Painting explains how you can do oil painting without needing harmful chemicals or solvents. Much of the book focused on supplies and materials rather than on painting techniques. The author explained how to thin colors, glaze, and clean brushes without needing harmful chemicals. She provided lists of where to find the supplies you need. She provided step-by-step instructions along with pictures showing the process of cleaning a brush, for example. She provided a lot of interesting information about how artists historically did these things before resins were added to paints, meaning solvents were then needed. The author also discussed things like why you paint with fat over lean (and what that means), layering, and color mixing as well as briefly talking about storing paintings, painting the sides for display, varnishing paintings, and safety measures. If you're interested in oil painting but have been been deterred by concerns about harmful fumes and chemicals, then I'd recommend this very useful and informative book. However, a complete beginner to painting might feel at a loss on how to apply the information since the author assumed a certain amount of familiarity with 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.

How Our Ancestors Died by Dr Simon Wills

How Our Ancestors Died
by Dr Simon Wills

ISBN-13: 9781781590386
Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Pen & Sword Family History
Released: January 19th 2014

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
What were the principal causes of death in the past? Could your ancestor have been affected? How was disease investigated and treated and what did our ancestors think about the illnesses and the accidents that might befall them? Simon Wills fascinating survey of the diseases that had an impact on their lives seeks to answer these questions. His graphic, detailed account offers an unusual and informative view of the threats that our ancestors lived with and died of. He describes the common causes of death - cancer, cholera, dysentery, influenza, malaria, scurvy, smallpox, stroke, tuberculosis, typhus, yellow fever, venereal disease and the afflictions of old age. Alcoholism is included, as are childbirth and childhood infections, heart disease, mental illness and dementia. Accidents feature prominently road and rail accidents, accidents at work and death through addiction and abuse is covered as well as death through violence and war.

Simon Wills work reveals how life and death have changed over the centuries, how medical science has advanced so that some once-mortal illnesses are now curable while others are just as deadly now as they were then. In addition to describing causes of death and setting them in the context of the times, his book shows readers how to find and interpret patient records, death certificates and other documents in order to gain an accurate impression of how their ancestors died.


My Review:
How Our Ancestors Died explains how to find out how your British ancestors died and what the various medical terms mean. The focus seemed mostly on the late 1700s to modern day, though he did comment on occurrences (of plague, etc.) further back in history. The author started by explaining the basic medical practices of the time and how to find death reports. He then talked about specific, common ways that people died, including basic information about the disease or examples of common fatal accidents as well as explaining the words that were used to describe that disease at the time. He covered accidents, childhood diseases, cholera, chest infections, bowel infections, influenza, plague, smallpox, tropical diseases, tuberculosis, typhus, venereal disease, heart problems, epilepsy, stroke, war, wounds, childbirth, suicide, scurvy, execution, murder, starvation, food poisoning, other poisoning, and more. He also talked about historical problems like dietary deficiencies, alcoholism, mental illness, pregnancy, etc. This book contained useful information on finding out how your ancestors died: both where to look for documentation and for understanding what's on the documents.


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.

En Plein Air: Light & Color by Iain Stewart

En Plein Air: Light & Color
by Iain Stewart

ISBN-13: 9781633228344
Paperback: 128 pages
Publisher: Walter Foster Publishing
Released: April 13th 2021


Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Geared for beginning artists, En Plein Air: Light & Color introduces a variety of techniques for on-location watercolor painting. Following a brief introduction to the basics of painting en plein air and an overview of the necessary tools and materials, you will learn how to choose a subject and paint a compelling outdoor composition using the subtleties of watercolor to create beautifully expressive subjects and themes.

Other important topics include perspective, rendering the background and foreground, capturing both urban and pastoral landscapes, mastering color to convey weather and time of day, and much more. From choosing just the right subject to awaiting the perfect time of day, let En Plein Air: Light & Color guide you in your artistic travels as you explore this daring and expressive medium.


My Review:
En Plein Air: Light & Color is an art instruction book on watercolor painting. The author focused on urban landscapes and painting outside while viewing your subject. He provided useful tips on these topics (including useful tools and materials) and on watercolor painting in general. He provided several step-by-step exercises to teach various techniques, including perspective, creating good contrasts in value, and how to paint people, cars, and boats with minimal detail so that they don't distract the viewer from your focal point. He talked about choosing colors and creating a sense of light and dark to draw focus and create mood. I felt like he was able to clearly convey information and describe techniques. Overall, I'd recommend this book to watercolor painters who want to learn how to paint on location, urban 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.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

The Natural Medicine Handbook by Walt Larimore MD

The Natural Medicine Handbook
by Walt Larimore MD

ISBN-13: 9780593197882
Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Fleming H. Revell Company
Released: April 6th 2021

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
When it comes to natural medicines, such as herbs, vitamins, and dietary supplements, you want to make sure you're getting the truth about what works, what is safe, and what is a waste of money. You need evidence-based, trustworthy sources and studies so that you can make wise decisions for yourself and your family.

In consultation with the experts at ConsumerLab.com and Natural MedicinesTM, Dr. Walt Larimore has combed the available research from around the globe to evaluate about 1300 natural medicines or interventions for more than 500 conditions or indications summarized in helpful charts and tables. This highly readable and reliable guide will tell you what natural medicines have proven to be both safe and effective while suggesting the best-value "Top Picks" for health issues such as brain and heart health, digestive and immune health, energy and fatigue, losing weight, keeping hair, skin, and nails young, increasing the quality and length of your life, and many more.


My Review:
The Natural Medicine Handbook talked about the dangers of dietary supplements and how to find safe and effective ones. The author has more confidence in pharmaceuticals than dietary supplements and herbs. He'd prefer that supplements undergo similar testing for safety and effectiveness as prescription drugs and doesn't recommend any that lack testing like this. Which isn't really fair for herbs that have been used safely for centuries, but, hey, he doesn't talk about very many herbs. However, I do agree that supplements should contain what they say they contain and in the amounts claimed and not contain contaminants or undeclared additives. I already knew about services like Consumerlab.com and Labdoor.com and have used them. I also approve of his emphasis on changes of lifestyle, like eating more fruits and vegetables, exercising more, quitting smoking, etc.

The first part of the book covered information like this, but the rest looked at different categories of supplements, like multivitamins, supplements for brain health, hearth health, losing weight, immune boosters, energy boosters, high cholesterol, digestive problems, hair and nail problems, etc. He named certain products that are approved of by Consumerlab and talked about some supplements that he doesn't recommend, explaining the problems with them. I'd recommend this book to those who aren't aware of the potential problems with dietary supplements.


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.

Castle Builders by Malcolm Hislop

Castle Builders
by Malcolm Hislop

ISBN-13: 9781526796615
Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Pen and Sword Archaeology
Released: April 30th 2021


Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
In Castle Builders, Malcolm Hislop looks at the hugely popular subject of castles from the unusual perspective of design and construction. We discover something of the personalities behind their creation - the architects and craftsmen - and, furthermore, the techniques they employed, and how style and technology was disseminated. Castle Builders takes both a thematic and a chronological approach to the design and construction of castles, providing the reader with clear lines of development. Themes include earth, timber and stone construction techniques, the evolution of the great tower, the development of military engineering, the progression of domestic accommodation, and the degree to which aesthetics contributed to castle design.


My Review:
Castle Builders is a detailed look at the archaeological evidence for how castles were built in Great Britian, from manors on raised earthworks to carpentry walls, floors, and roofs, to masonry fortification, buildings, and plumbing issues. The author spent a lot of time providing details, from the exact dimensions of the moats to the name of the engineer that headed the building project to the apparent spread and development of different architectural features based on when different castles were built. Some pictures of the described features were included and were very interesting, illustrating his points. If you want to know the layers of subsoil found mounded next to the moat and the implications for how both were created, you'll find that information in this book. Architectural and castle-related terms were rarely defined in the text, though there's a glossary in the back. However, this is probably too detailed to be of interest if you don't know the basic terms already. While the book provided a great deal of information and analysis, it's probably too technical to interest someone with only a casual interest in castles.


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.

The Art of Paint Marbling by Rene Eisenbart

The Art of Paint Marbling
by Rene Eisenbart

ISBN-13: 9781600588761
Paperback: 128 pages
Publisher: Walter Foster Publishing
Released: March 9th 2021

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Paint marbling uses a base of thickened water, onto which paint is poured and then swirled. Dipping paper directly into the paint creates beautiful, abstract art that’s easy to do at home using minimal, affordable supplies. Using step-by-step projects with thorough instructions, artists can use a variety of techniques to manipulate colored paint into intricate patterns and create marbled artwork on a variety of surfaces, including paper, cloth, and wood panels. Large, beautiful, and colorful photos accompany all of the projects and techniques. Paint marbling serves as a fun hobby for beginners, a new art form for more advanced artists looking for alternative techniques, and a family activity perfect for artists young and old.


My Review:
The Art of Paint Marbling is an acrylic paint art instruction book. I had thought paint marbling was relatively simple. The author made it sound like there were a number of challenging aspects and skills that took some practice before you got good results. You also need specialized ingredients and specific paints in order to get the correct buoyancy in the thickened water. If you're ready to buy a completely new set up to try it out, this book seems to thoroughly cover paint marbling.

She talked about the equipment, materials, and ingredients you'll need, the basic steps, and step-by-step demonstrations on how to do different techniques to get different marbled effects. She started with the easiest techniques and then built on those to create more elaborate designs. She also talked about troubleshooting problems and how to fix them as well as how to use abstract marbling with multimedia art (watercolor, collage, etc.) I'd recommend this book to anyone seriously interested in trying out paint marbling.


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.

A Visitor's Guide to Victorian England by Michelle Higgs

A Visitor's Guide to Victorian England
by Michelle Higgs

ISBN-13: 9781781592830
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Pen & Sword
Released: February 28th 2014

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from NetGalley:
HAVE YOU EVER IMAGINED what it would be like to visit the Victorian era? How would you find the best seat on an omnibus, deal with unwanted insects and vermin, get in and out of a vehicle while wearing a crinoline, and avoid catching an infectious disease? Michelle Higgs answers all these questions. Drawing on a wide range of sources, this book blends accurate historical details with compelling stories to bring the period to life.


My Review:
A Visitor's Guide to Victorian England is an overview of various aspects of life in Victorian England. It's written as if you're going to time travel back to visit England and need advice on how to fit in. The author covered various topics like temporary lodgings (inns, hotels, etc.), men's and women's clothing, food and drink (from street vendors, inns, etc.), transportation (taking the stagecoach, railway, etc.), shopping and making up clothes, hazards to the health (from food, disease, etc.), courting customs and marriage laws, sports and entertainment (theater, horse racing, etc.), and customs around mourning the dead, going to church, different holidays, and such. At the end, she also gave a timeline of significant events and examples of costs and of wages.

There were some quotes from people who lived during that time period (especially from the late 1800s). The author also referred to information found in other books about life in Victorian England. I've read many in-depth books about the period, so not a lot of this information was new to me. This book was more of a survey of a variety of topics about the time period and would be a good introduction to the subject.


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.

Christopher Hobbs's Medicinal Mushrooms by Christopher Hobbs

Christopher Hobbs's Medicinal Mushrooms by Christopher Hobbs ISBN-13: 9781635861679 Paperback: 272 pages Publisher: Storey Publishing Released: March 30, 2021

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
Mushrooms have been used as medicine for thousands of years and their value in boosting immunity, improving memory, and even fighting cancer is being recognized and documented in scientific research. Christopher Hobbs, a mycologist and herbalist at the forefront of contemporary research, profiles the most powerful medicinal mushrooms and explains the nutritional and medicinal compounds in each one. Detailed instructions cover how to select, store, and prepare each variety for use. Whether readers are growing or foraging their own mushrooms, or sourcing them from a local provider, this essential handbook will guide them in making health-boosting medicine.


My Review:
Christopher Hobbs's Medicinal Mushrooms is a detailed guide about foraging, buying, and using medicinal mushrooms. The author included information about how to identify medicinal mushrooms in the wild (including information about dangerous look-alike mushrooms) and how to harvest and process them. He also talked about buying medicinal mushrooms as fresh or dried fruit bodies, powdered extracts, and tinctures, and what to look for in these products. He described the different ways to use them, like in food or as a tea, and provided step-by-step, illustrated directions on how to make your own extracts, powders, and tinctures. He covered details about the different health benefits of the most popular medical mushrooms as well as some lesser known mushrooms and psychedelic mushrooms. In each mushroom's profile, he talked about health-related research findings, gave a summary of traditional uses, provided suggested dosages, and what to look for in commercial products. He also described how to cultivate various mushrooms at home. Overall, I'd recommend this very informative book to anyone interested in medicinal mushrooms.


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.

Simply Quantum Physics by DK

Simply Quantum Physics
by DK

ISBN-13: 9780744028485
Hardcover: 160 pages
Publisher: DK Publishing
Released: February 23rd, 2021


Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Discovering quantum physics has never been easier. Combining bold graphics with easy-to-understand text, Simply Quantum Physics is an essential introduction to the subject for those who are short on time but hungry for knowledge. It's a perfect beginner's guide to a strange and fascinating world that at times seems to conflict with common sense. Covering more than 80 key ideas from the uncertainty principle to quantum tunneling, it is divided into pared-back, single- or double-page entries that explain concepts simply and visually. Assuming no previous knowledge of physics, it demystifies some of the most groundbreaking ideas in modern science and introduces the work of some of the most famous physicists of the 20th and 21st centuries, including Albert Einstein, Neils Bohr, Erwin Schrdinger, and Richard Feynman. Whether you are studying physics at school or college, or simply want a jargon-free overview of the subject, this essential guide is packed with everything you need to understand the basics quickly and easily.


My Review:
Simply Quantum Physics provides an overview of various quantum physics ideas using graphics and a brief text aimed at beginners. The book started out by describing the makeup of an atom and described some of the various particles that make up everything else. This was similar to the material I'd studied in college, so I was able to follow it. However, while they did a good job of trying to describe the ideas of quantum physics, it seemed like the further I read into the book, the less the people studying the phenomenon even understood what they were trying to describe. The book was a quick read and informative, but it's really only a basic overview. I would have enjoyed a little more detail about how quantum physics is used in current devices. Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone looking for a basic understanding of quantum physics.


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.