Mipham's Dialectics and the Debates on Emptiness: To Be, Not to Be or Neither (Routledgecurzon Critical Studies in Buddhism) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a useful and sometimes-challenging overview of Mipham's views on Madhyamaka with some big revelations for me, particularly pertaining to his basic posture with regards to the shentong or "emptiness-of-other" doctrine.
This book tries to have it both ways in that it treats a highly specialized topic but also shoots for a broad audience, giving a lot of introductory information on Madhyamaka and its history in India and Tibet. My hunch is that the people who are drawn to this book (like me) aren't going to need the review and are going to get impatient digging through that part of it (like I did).
We need more on Mipham in English. More, more, more. He may be the greatest Tibetan exegete of the last 200 years, an inspiring scholar of staggering genius.
Hey, you! Scholar! I see you working on yet another damned translation of Nagarjuna's Mulamadhyamakakarika -- put it down! Translate some Mipham instead!

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This is an introduction to the Buddhist philosophy of Emptinesswhichexplores a number of themes in connection with the concept of Emptiness, a highly technical but very central notion in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism. It examines the critique by the leading Nyingma school philosopher Mipham (1846-1912) formulated in his diverse writings. The book focuses on related issues such as what is negated by the doctrine of emptiness, the nature of ultimate reality, and the difference between 'extrinsic' and 'intrinsic' emptiness. Karma Phuntsho's book aptly undertakes a thematic and selective discussion of these debates and Mipham's qualms about the Gelukpa understanding of Emptiness in a mixture of narrative and analytic style.

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The Big Book of Preserving the Harvest: 150 Recipes for Freezing, Canning, Drying and Pickling Fruits and Vegetables Review

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(More customer reviews)Being a beginner canner, I have picked up many canning books, this is an excellent book. The book is organized well, and has great tips in each section. It offers information on all types of preserving and storing, from the canning to root cellering, it has been an extremly helpfull book. I know it is a reference I will use forever. Also includes many great recipes.I suggest this for anyone who is interested in canning.

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Remember how grandmother's cellar shelves were packed with jars of tomato sauce and stewed tomatoes, pickled beets and cauliflower, and pickles both sweet and dill? Learn how to save a summer day - in batches - from the classic primer, now updated and rejacketed. Use the latest inexpensive, time-saving techniques for drying, freezing, canning, and pickling. Anyone can capture the delicate flavors of fresh foods for year-round enjoyment and create a well-stocked pantry of fruits, vegetables, herbs, meats, flavored vinegars, and seasonings. The Big Book of Preserving the Harvest introduces the basic technique for all preserving methods, with step-by-step illustration, informative charts and tips throughout, and more than 150 recipes for the new or experienced home preserver. Among the step-by-step tested recipes: Green Chile Salsa, Tomato Leather, Spiced Pear Butter, Eggplant Caviar, Blueberry Marmalade, Yellow Tomato Jam, Cranberry-Lime Curd, Preserved Lemons, Chicken Liver Pate, and more.

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Banjo For Dummies Review

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(More customer reviews)A little personal background: I've been playing the 5-string banjo since 1979. Started with Scruggs-style Bluegrass, dabbled with Melodics, discovered the joy of Clawhammer (and antique banjos) and then found my `calling' in Classic style (1870-1920). Lately I've been playing a lot of the very earliest ("Minstrel") style. Yes, I also play some Tenor...
I bought this book because I'm an inveterate banjo-tutor collector; part of this is because I just love all things banjo and part is that I've always wanted to find the "perfect" banjo tutor.
I've been reading thru it for a week now, playing some of the examples, etc. (esp. the Minstrel and Classic stuff, as that's what I've been playing mostly of late). I'm very impressed!
I guess I can't really say what I expected of this book. I've had a couple of the computer related ones over the years and, quite frankly, they didn't help me out much. A lot of that was pure 'lack of interest' in the subject matter (boss sez, you gotta learn Mickysoft XXXX but we're not going to really use it...). Of course, there's the negative cachet of "For Dummies"...even though I qualify when it comes to the computer.
Still, I expect great things from great banjoists and the track record is a tough one to live up to. Tony T. has all those great banjo books out there, Sonny O. builds awesome banjos, Bill K. makes them tuner things, Alan M. teaches college for gawd sakes. What will poor Bill E. come up with?
I can tell you in quite succinct terms: he's come up with a great book. The really scary part is that he's come up with a great book that deals with 5-string playing across the board...Minstrel, Classic, Clawhammer, Scruggs, Melodic, Single-string...its all there, clearly and cleanly discussed, excellent examples and well thought out progressions from simple to complex...and there's a CD included that is jam-packed with slowly and clearly played examples.
To cap that, he covers choosing a banjo (and then upgrading later on), setting it up, buying strings, bridges, tuners. travelling with a banjo, etc, etc,...all up to date, web links included. How cool is that?
No, it ain't the alpha/omega of banjo books and it doesn't cover everything you ever wanted to know about XXX style. However, it provides an awesome introduction into the world of the 5-string banjo.
Quirks: interestingly, he has chosen to interlace the clawhammer and three-finger basic instruction. It was disconcerting at first for me to be playing thru the CH tab for "Red River Valley" and then look at the next page where it starts again...to find out it is bluegrass tab (after I'd tried to CH it). Well, that's really my fault for not READING along and just grabbing tab out of the book. Once I had figured that out, I found it really interesting to play the two versions back to back. Makes you think about how the styles are laid around the same framework.
Another quirk (for the OFs like myself) is that the tab is quite small. This is not to say that I couldn't read it with my glasses on...just that I'm getting to where I appreciate large print more and more...
Outstanding things (the whole book qualifies, but these are just things that jumped out at me): page 88. What a great picture of how to bend your fingerpicks! The chapter on networking is worth the price of admission all by itself. The 'gear guide' is awesome...and who ever thought of teaching somebody how to use an electronic tuner? It is one of the first questions that I get from beginners...
Great work Bill! I think this one will be a huge success. I know I will be using it as a teaching aide for years to come.

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A complete guide to the world of the five-string banjo written for both beginners and more experienced players.
Packed with over 120 how-to photos and 130 musical examples.
94 track CD included - hear and play along with every exercise and song.
The only book to offer instruction in clawhammer, bluegrass, melodic, single-string, minstrel and classic styles.

From Earl Scruggs’ driving bluegrass picking to the genre-busting jazz fusion of Béla Fleck and the multi-million selling movie soundtrack O Brother Where Are Thou?, the five-string banjo can be heard just about everywhere in American music these days.
Banjo For Dummies is the most complete guide to the five-string banjo ever written. It covers everything you need to get into the banjo: including how to choose, tune and care for your instrument, developing a good playing posture, fretting your first chords and getting comfortable with the left and right hand picking patterns used for clawhammer and bluegrass playing techniques. You’ll then add the left hand, spicing up your playing with slides, hammer-ons, pull-offs, and chokes for an authentic five-string banjo sound.
From there, you’ll move on the play 19th century minstrel style, early 20th century classic style as well as try your hand at more advanced examples of bluegrass style. An in-depth chapter on bluegrass music explores Scruggs licks and techniques as well as melodic and single-string styles, with song examples. Also included is a banjo buyer’s guide, a section on music theory as applied to bluegrass and old-time music, an accessories guide (advice on cases, picks, straps, metronomes, computer aids and much more), information on how to find a good teacher, banjo camp or festival, chord charts, bios of twelve influential players, practice tips and much, much more!
Banjo For Dummies is accessible and fun to read and it’s easy to locate just what you’re interested in playing. Included are 20 songs including several new compositions written by the author just for this book, including Reno Rag (single-string style), "Winston’s Jig” (Irish three-finger), and "Everyday Breakdown” (Scruggs style). All musical examples are played slowly on the accompanying CD, many with guitar and mandolin accompaniment.
Bill Evans is one of the world’s most celebrated banjo players and teachers. He has taught thousands of people to play the five-string banjo in private lessons and group workshops literally all over the world. In addition to leading the Bill Evans String Summit, Bill has performed with Dry Branch Fire Squad, David Grisman, Peter Rowan, Tony Trischka and many others and he hosts his own acclaimed banjo camp, the NashCamp Fall Banjo Retreat in the Nashville area. As an American music historian, he has taught at San Francisco State University, the University Virginia and Duke University. He has written a popular instructional column for Banjo Newsletter magazine for the last fifteen years and hosts three popular instructional DVDs for AcuTab Publications. To learn more about Bill, visit his homepage at www.nativeandfine.com.

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The Complete Book of Small-Batch Preserving: Over 300 Recipes to Use Year-Round Review

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(More customer reviews)This book is a great idea but not very well executed. The recipes are smaller which is nice but I was disappointed that many of them are supposed to be stored in the refrigerator. That's leftovers NOT food preservation. There are several better books out there--The new Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving is absolutely the best and most reliable book and has many small batch recipes included. If you can find copies of Sunset Home Canning (1993), The Food Lover's Guide to Canning (1997) or Canning by Sue and Bill Deeming (1983) you will have a wealth of reliable, creative canning recipes.

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The easiest and safest methods for making delectable preserves in small batches -- all year long.

"Takes the pressure off cooks who don't have much time... but still want to savor the season's bounty."-Chicago Tribune (Review of the prior edition)

The Complete Book of Small-Batch Preserving takes the guesswork out of home preserving. Both beginners and pros can make the most of fresh fruits and vegetables when these are readily available and inexpensive. Because these recipes require a minimum of time and fuss, home cooks will enjoy creating the preserves almost as much as everyone will enjoy tasting them.

Included are both traditional and new recipes. Detailed instructions provide the safest and latest processing methods. Some recipes are suitable for microwaves. A brand new chapter features freezer preserving as an alternative to the traditional methods. The more than 300 enticing recipes include:

Jams, jellies and low-sugar spreads
Conserves, butters and curds
Pickles, relishes and chutneys
Salsas, mustards and marinades
Flavored oils
Dessert sauces, syrups and liqueurs.

With delectable recipes and professional tips, The Complete Book of Small-Batch Preserving is the ideal guide for anyone who craves home-made preserves but doesn't want to spend all day in the kitchen.
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The Three Furies (Erec Rex) Review

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(More customer reviews)In The Three Furies, the fourth book of the Erec Rex series, Bethany Cleary has been kidnapped by Thanatos Argus Baskania, the Shadow Prince who is after the Great Secret, which will lead him to the Final Magic. Now Erec has to return to the Kingdoms of the Keepers for a third time to face all sorts of new challenges, like confronting the Nightmare King, finding to missing Clown Fairy, and dealing with the all-encompassing problem of the three Furies. The Good:
-- Erec's family goes with him to the Kingdoms. His siblings get more scene time than in any previous book.
-- Erec seems just a little more observant that before. For example, he notes that it's quite jarring to use port-o-doors; you're suddenly far, far beneath the earth, but you could be back home in a flash if you wanted. It's an observation he's never made before, and it makes him a little more believable.
-- The plot feels more organic compared to The Search for Truth. Erec's new quests don't conveniently start just as he returns to the Kingdoms.
-- The plot moves forward quickly.
-- The writing and detail is better than in the previous books. The charm that was sometimes present in The Dragon's Eye is sometimes present here.
-- The Hermit is at his funniest and deconstructs Erec's role as the hero.
-- We learn a little more about Jam Crinklecut, so his awesomeness is now enough.
-- Erec learns a little more magic.
-- Mrs. Smith is back.
-- Spartacus Kilroy is back.
-- Queen Posey is back.
-- Bette Noir is back.
-- Ajax Hunter is back.
-- Baskania is seen very little.
-- Bethany's quirky side from early in the first book briefly resurfaces due to magic.
-- We get to see Aorth. The Bad:
-- Erec, Bethany, Jack, and Melody are SO boring (!).
-- Since Erec's family spends the book in the Kingdoms, the Vulcan furniture is never really seen.
-- When Erec's family leaves for the Kingdoms, apparently, the dogs Tutt and King get left behind. I'm beginning to wonder if their existence is even canon anymore, because they haven't been mentioned since the first book.
-- We get no information on Erec's past friends.
-- Characters like Jam and the Hermit get the best lines; most of the dialogue is pretty mediocre. It also flows awkwardly a lot, there were places where it seemed like there really should have been contractions.
-- Oh man, poor Danny and Sammy. Wait `till you see what happens to them. They had such potential, and they were becoming ever more important to the series. But all of that has been destroyed by a stupid plot twist that comes out of nowhere.
-- Ah, poor Oscar, his character goes through forced and ham-fisted changes. He'll never be the same.
-- What became of Spartacus Kilroy didn't make any sense and only serves to magnify the flimsiness of author Kaza Kingsley's fictional world.
-- No Damon and Dollick Stain. Not that they're good characters, but they are important, and it seems weird for them to be absent for an entire book.
-- No Balthazar Ugry.
-- No King Pluto.
-- Just when you think Wolfboy is going to get to do something important, he gets left out.
-- Melody tags along for the adventure again. It didn't feel right in The Search for Truth, it doesn't feel right in The Three Furies.

-- The plot is cluttered with what are either dues ex machinas or Chekhov's gun's gone bad, particularly with the climax/ending.
-- Why is the good side so weak? Don't they have any accomplished sorcerers on their side or...something?! I mean, you know you've hit rock-bottom when the kingdom is counting on a bunch of kids who don't know what they're doing.

-- Baskania's fortress doesn't have very good security, does it?
-- Thought the auctioning of items on the MagicNet was silly? Now Erec goes on the MagicNet to ask people for INFORMATION.

-- There's this ridiculous rip-off of the Arachne/Athena story from Greek mythology. Oh, but of course, here Athena is replaced with the jealous sorceress Minerva.
-- The twist about the Cleary family isn't a twist because it was already revealed in the epilogue of the first book.
-- None of the big questions have been answered, or even foreshadowed for that matter. What does The Three Furies accomplish anyway? Okay, there are some bits and pieces here and there, but it's meager for the half-way point of the series.
-- A lot of the stuff happening feels like it should've happened much earlier in the series rather than at the half-way point. It takes away from The Three Furies and coats it with a disagreeable feeling.
-- This time, Peter Mohrbacher does the illustrations. While he's better than Tim Jacobus was, he's not better than Melvyn Grant. I still miss Grant. My verdict is that The Three Furies is better than The Search for Truth and is enjoyable as The Monsters of Otherness. It does things I've been clamoring for, and some things that surprised me. But like the previous two books, The Three Furies doesn't live up to The Dragon's Eye.
6 out of 9

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Erec Rex continues his quest to become king in Kaza Kingsley's The Three Furies.

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The definitive guide for the D.O. seeking an M.D. residency: (D.O.s eat their young) Review

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(More customer reviews)This book is a simplified and accessible version of Iserson's "Getting into a Residency." Excellent ideas on organizing your applications and interviews, and a cogent explanation of the match make this book useful whether you decide to go AOA or ACGME. Double check the licensing information in the back of the book, as I believe no update has been published since 1996. No information on ERAS, but that is easily obtained on the net. Iserson's book has more info on medical specialties and which one best suits you. This book is its equal as far as prepping you for applying, interviewing and follow-up.

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Raw Family Signature Dishes: A Step-by-Step Guide to Essential Live-Food Recipes Review

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(More customer reviews)This book is filled with recipes that the Boutenkos would present during their workshops. "Core recipes," they have been retested and refined over many years.
Have you ever made a recipe and found that it just didn't turn out nearly as nice as the stunning color photo in the book? One thing that makes this uncook book unique is its step -by-step guide with photos of each step in the process.
Arguably, even an illiterate or non English reader could prepare these recipes! It makes you feel almost as though you are at a raw food demo workshop. (Incidentally, this was done because of complaints from readers that their recipes didn't turn out as good as the Boutenkos'.)
Years ago I paid $15 for a recipe booklet with photos of each step for Igor's bread--and it was worth it for just that one recipe! Now you can get ALL their core recipes in a sturdy book for nearly the same price! These mouthwatering recipes are sure to become staples in your diet, demanded routinely by family members, regardless of whether you "go raw" or not. Healthy alternatives to chocolate cake, bread, chocolate truffles, etc! Guilt free desserts, such as scones like they serve at Starbuck's, but without the constipating, mind-fogging wheat! Some of the recipes are simple, some more complex, yet the photos make even the complex ones seem easy. We learn that raw jams have half the calories as their cooked counterparts, and the sensational mousse cake recipe has only 1/6 as many calories as the traditional one! Yet, no taste is compromised, and in fact, the raw stuff actually leaves the cooked way behind in flavor.
There is even a guide (complete with daily photos) on how to make sprouts. With this book, no one can use the excuse that the learning curve for making raw is too hard; indeed, Victoria may put many of us that give raw food workshops out of business!
Sprinkled throughout the book are some essays, including a list of the benefits of green smoothies, and a story about how Victoria's husband got involved in the food prep. The back of the book has a complete listing and description of the kitchen tools and where to get them, as well as how much to expect to pay.
I have dozens of raw food recipe books, but this one is destined to become a classic---removing the mystique and fear of creating raw gourmet food once and for all!

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While the raw food diet is the fastest growing alternative approach to eating because of its health benefits, preparing raw food dishes is so new that many people don’t know where to start. With 500 color photos, this friendly, step-by-step guide gently walks readers through recipes to create amazingly delicious and nutritious meals. Victoria Boutenko and her family are known worldwide as the Raw Family, living on a raw diet and teaching classes since 1994. Throughout the years they have perfected scores of scrumptious recipes with the idea of not only spreading the gospel of the diet’s health benefits, but also making the raw foods lifestyle realistically possible and enjoyable.Mouth-watering rather than medicinal, simple rather than complicated, the recipes presented here include jams, scones, soup, crackers, nut milk, truffles, chocolate cake, mousse cake, and more. Complete, illustrated directions make it simple for both avid raw foodists and novice cooks alike to embrace the diet favored by Woody Harrelson, Demi Moore, Donna Karan, and other celebrities.

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Baking: From My Home to Yours Review

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(More customer reviews)Now here's a baker after my own heart - Dorie Greenspan writes, "Some woman collect diamonds, I collect mixing bowls." After achieving a Doctorate in Gerontology some thirty years ago, Greenspan decided that she really wanted to bake - and bake, and bake, and bake - and bake she did - and still does, almost every day.
This is a marvelous book (I give it 4.5 stars) - cogently written with great style and clarity. Greenspan walks you through each step as if she were standing with you in the kitchen - and there's not a hint of pretense. So many cookbooks - pastry volumes in particular - have an almost punitive tone: "NEVER do this"; "ALWAYS do that". While the chemistry of baking must be respected, I have never seen the benefits of terrifying the reader or quashing one's creativity. You'll find none of that in this tome (save for the admonishments regarding the purity of butter). Greenspan is friendly, approachable, and forgiving. Her own fearlessness, mistakes, and inventiveness have inevitably led to better results. No knuckle-rapping here! You'll feel as if you're baking with an old friend. If you're a fan of the great Maida Heatter, you'll appreciate Dorie Greenspan.
The recipes are more comfort desserts than elegant showstoppers (although the "Peppermint Cream Puff Ring, based on the famous "Paris-Brest" pastry certainly has the glam factor) - but any of them would be welcome at almost any gathering - from a family picnic to a black-tie celebration. The text fonts are readable, the layout friendly and navigable, and the photographs gorgeous (although some are titled and others are not). The permanent hard cover is identical to the dust cover and can be wiped clean. Many of the recipes contain a handy sidebar entitled "Playing Around", giving alternative presentations and flavor variations, and serving and storing instructions are always included. The page on "Mastering Meringue" will help assure success every time. A "Glossary of Ingredients, Tools, and Techniques" appears at the end of the book that even seasoned bakers will find helpful.
There are a few inconsistencies. The "Table of Contents" is too broad (although the "Index" is easy on the eyes). A book on home baking ought to include at least some basic yeast bread recipes. Outside of "Brioche", "Raisin Bread", "Sticky Buns", and "Kugelhoph", there are none. This is really a "Dessert" book (including recipes for ice cream), not an all-purpose baking book, although there appears to be something for everyone in this collection of more than 300 recipes. No mention is made of the value of Magic-Cake strips, which eliminate the doming problem so often associated with layer cakes. In the instructions for "Lavender Madeleines", Greenspan does not specify whether the tablespoon of edible lavender should be dried or fresh. In her recipe for "Perfect Party Cake", the accompanying Buttercream frosting does not mention the need for the egg whites to reach 160 degrees. Although an explanation is given in the back of the book, redundancy is a plus when food safety is an issue. Overall, this is just nitpicking, however. This is really one nifty book written by a pro who loves to bake - and teach it as well.
With rare exception (edible gold dust, chestnut puree) recipe ingredients are easy-to-find items already in your pantry. Chestnuts and chestnut puree can be had in large metropolitan areas (Whole Foods, Sur la Table, Williams-Sonoma, Trader Joe's, King Arthur Catalogue) at holiday time and edible gold dust (an optional component) can be mail-ordered through the Internet. One obvious miss: there's no "List of Sources" for equipment and ingredients - unusual for a volume of this heft and depth. Greenspan refers to "bakers' supply shops" but doesn't list them.
Whether you're a beginner or an old-hand in the kitchen, you'll love this volume of goodies. My own cookbook collection is substantial, but there are many books and authors I reject. This baby is a keeper and would make a wonderful and much appreciated shower, wedding, birthday, or Christmas gift.
One caveat: This is a big, heavy book. The trend these days is to manufacture books that can double as doorstops. Baby boomers who are developing arthritis don't seem to be a consideration with today's publishers. Gloss and semi-gloss enamel papers are heavy, too. Beautiful as they are, these Goliaths ought to be saved for the coffee table. I like to actually use my cookbooks - and lugging them around is getting to be a chore.

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Rock Climbing: Mastering Basic Skills (Mountaineers Outdoor Expert) Review

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(More customer reviews)Craig Luebben's new book represents a huge leap forward in climbing skills manuals. Though many excellent skills manuals exist (including Luebben's past works and the vaunted but unweildy Freedom of the Hills which goes beyond rock climbing into aplinism and mountaineering) this manual really sepetrates itself with its patient explanations and particularly with its photo instructions with added graphics for clarity. Many books of this genre have struggled with the clarity involved with diagramming knots and sysytems and Craig obviously went to great lengths to rectify this issue. The book is organized well and is easy to follow. It is nice to have these smaller manuals which focus on a specific discipline in the sport. As a climbing guide and instructor I am frequently asked to suggest learning manuals. This one will now be at the top of the list.

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New in the Mountaineers Outdoor Expert series: instruction for the beginning to intermediate rock climber by an internationally known guide.
*Author is an American Mountain Guide Association (AMGA) certified rock guide and instructor *Learning exercises reinforce key skills *Step-by-step technique illustrated in over 150 photos Craig Luebben has taught rock climbing basics to hundreds of clients and has conducted self-rescue clinics across the U.S. Here he presents the most common foot positions, hand grips, and body positions and how to use them precisely, from the smear to the crimp to the twistlock. Going beyond static moves, he emphasizes a dynamic style of movement for the greatest climbing efficiency--a style that makes the most of your strength and your time on the rock.
With an emphasis on safety and how to stay within your abilities, Luebben teaches how to evaluate potential hazards and then avoid them. Topics addressed include: risk management, face climbing, crack climbing, gear, knots, anchors, belaying, toproping, sport climbing, trad climbing, multi-pitch free climbs, rappelling, aid climbing, bouldering, training, and self-rescue.

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Jolie Blon's Bounce Review

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(More customer reviews)To categorize this book as a mystery is like clumping Haagen-Daz in the same category as cheap sherbet. Sorry. Not the same thing. These characters are alive and fresh and memorable. The settings resonate with sights and sounds and smells. The beauty of Louisiana juxtapositioned with the evil of the criminal world is a heady mix. As always, I'm impressed by Burke's ability. I feel like I'm repeating myself: James Lee Burke is a master of imagery, be it violent and dark, or moving and poetic. I can't help myself. To read his work is to fall in love with the language. With this in mind, it's true that I tend to overlook his meandering plots and psychological side-trips. For me, they make his books much more real and down to earth than the general formulaic mysteries.
In this particular story, we see Dave Robicheaux dealing with his inner demons, as always--this time in the form of pills. But it's the same white worm eating at him and driving anger to the surface. As usual, his emotions boil over into his job and cause trouble. The difference this time is that Robicheaux is dealing with other demons than his own. He's dealing with Legion, an old man, hard as nails and full of darkness. The supernatural aspects that come into play, particularly at the conclusion were, for me, very satisfying and remarkably well handled. Other reviewers have derided these elements; I found them to be the original touch this series needed. Others complained of sexual situations that were unnecessary; I was moved to tears by Bootsie's tenderness to her man in need of assurance. Robicheaux, behind his tough exterior, is a man of flesh and blood and emotion. Thankfully, James Lee Burke is too. It's the reason I keep reading his stuff. After "Purple Cane Road," I'd rate this near the top of the series.

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Farm Fresh Murder (Wheeler Large Print Cozy Mystery) Review

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(More customer reviews)There's a lot to love about this book. It's a new cozy with small town charm and enough farm fresh goodness to delight all fans of the genre. The jam lady, Becca, proves to be a strong female sleuth. She finds herself in sticky situations trying to solve the murder of the peach vendor. Secrets from the past have to be outed and someone wants to stop Becca before the jam thickens on the stove. In the end she lives to make preserves another day and preserve the market before it's too late. It's a strong story line, with well developed characters, and includes recipes from the farmers' market vendors. I highly recommend.

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First in the Farmer's Market Mystery Series.Becca Robins leads a simple life, making jams and preserves on her very own farm. But when there's a murder in her quaint little town, she puts herself in the line of fire to defend her friend's innocence-and goes from making jam to being in one.--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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How to Store Your Garden Produce: The Key to Self-Sufficiency Review

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(More customer reviews)Piers Warren starts off with basic instructions for storage methods: clamping (storing large quantities of roots outside) and other methods of dry storage, freezing, drying (from oven to dehydrator), vacuum-packing, salting, bottling/canning, pickling, relishes & sauces, jams & jellies, and fermenting. This volume isn't meant as a full-blown wine-making or jam-making resource, so these are only the most basic instructions.
The rest of the book covers individual types of produce in alphabetical order. Since the focus of this book is supporting yourself on your own produce, Warren discusses some topics you might not expect. For instance, how best to harvest a vegetable so as to encourage further harvest throughout the season. He discusses varieties that will have longer harvest times, or that will produce during different times of the year. He talks about how some plants can be started at different times so as to result in a longer harvest period as well.
One potentially useful feature is the section of recommended varieties. For example, the apples section lists out two good varieties of cooking apples, a crab apple, and a handful of eating apples, noting which ones keep particularly well or work best for wine-making or the like. However, in some cases this won't be as useful outside of Britain (the book was written & published in Britain but is also being distributed in other countries). For instance, I don't recognize many of the apple or tomato varieties. However, I do recognize a number of the carrot and chard varieties. It just depends on whether a particular type is available & grows well where you are.
The one other small potential snag is a couple of terminology issues. Most of them aren't a big deal (what US readers call canning, Brits call bottling, but the author notes this). One or two types of produce might be listed under a name unfamiliar to you (plenty of people have heard eggplants called aubergines, but not everyone in the US knows them by that term). Don't let this deter you from buying this book if you're in the US, however---the information is incredibly useful, and in most cases there are enough informative notes included that you can substitute varieties as appropriate or easily figure out the terminology differences. Also, all measurements for recipes and such are given in both metric and English measurements.
If you want to become more self-sufficient, or you just want to make better and less wasteful use of your garden produce, I definitely recommend this book.

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How to Store Your Garden Produce: The Key to Self-Sufficiency has been completely revised and is the modern guide to storing and preserving your garden produce, enabling you to eat home-grown goodness all year round. The easy-to-use reference section provides applicable storage and preservation techniques for the majority of plant produce grown commonly in home gardens. Why is storing your garden produce the key to self-sufficiency? Because with less than an acre of garden you can grow enough produce to feed a family of four for a year. But without proper storage, most of it will go to waste since much of the produce ripens simultaneously in the summer. Learn simple and enjoyable techniques for storing your produce and embrace the wonderful world of self-sufficiency. In the A-Z list of produce, each entry includes recommended varieties, suggested methods of storage, and a number of recipes. Everything from how to make your own cider and pickled gherkins to how to string onions and dry your own apple rings. You will know where your food has come from, you will save money, there will be no packaging, and you'll be eating tasty local food while feeling very good about it!

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Camp Rock The Junior Novel (Junior Novelization) Review

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(More customer reviews)Contrary to what the other reviewer said, I did not buy this just to have a " piece of Camp Rock merchandise". No, I bought this because I rather like reading books based on movies and/or TV shows.
This junior novel is pretty good and has maybe a few scenes that weren't in the movie. Though I have to admit, I was a little disappointed that the '3 months later' bit from the very end of the movie wasn't in the novel.
When reading it, I did notice that the author had gotten Sander's last name wrong. The author had it as Loya but it's Lawyer. Though I can understand why the author may have thought it was Loya since (if I remember correctly) it sounded like Brown didn't say the 'R' when he said it.

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Mitchie, a stage shy fourteen year old, loves to sing. So when her mom takes a job as a cook at a summer camp for aspiring rock stars, Mitchie is thrilled. But to get in with Tess, the most popular camper, Mitchie pretends her mother is high up in the music biz. Will her act put her singing in jeopardy? Or will all the high-volume drama make for a summer to remember?

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The Rocky Mountain Berry Book (Berry Books) Review

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(More customer reviews)The amount of information packed into this little paperback book is incredible! This is not the usual vague, dry field guide since Bob Krumm writes about wild berries from his own personal experience. The descriptions of the plants, info on where to find them, color pictures, and cautions about poisonous plants and wild animals make it possible for even the most inexperienced berry pickers to safely find these little treasures. The hints and recipes from diverse sources make this book unique - it's more than a field guide,and more than a cookbook. I love this book.

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Wild berry lovers, here is your book!The Rocky Mountain Berry Book is the only book that combines the information of a field guide and the fun of a cookbook. Author Bob Krumm tells you in a friendly, non-technical way, how to identify fifteen edible fruits and berries.Chokecherry, elderberry, wild raspberry, huckleberry-all your favorites are here.Plus several you might not have known were edible and delicious, such as wild rose and hawthorn. You'll learn what these plants look like and where they grow.You'll learn when they ripen.And you'll learn the best methods of picking and preserving these luscious wild fruits at their peak of flavor. And that's not all.The Rocky Mountain Berry Book includes 148 delicious recipes, from jellies and preserves, to pies and cakes, to Native American favorites such as pemmican. So stock your pantry while you savor the beauty of the Rockies.The Rocky Mountain Berry Book tells you how!

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Good to the Grain: Baking with Whole-Grain Flours Review

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(More customer reviews)This book is gorgeous, and a great choice for those who are trying to add variety to their baking and sneak in some whole grain goodness. I admit to being disappointed though when I got it and realized that the majority of recipes call for a significant amount of all-purpose white flour. After all the glowing reviews I had hoped that somehow (miraculously!) someone had finally figured out how to make these delicious treats without it. She addresses this head-on at the start of the book and talks about the compromises she's had to make to retain the texture and loft of the baked goods, but I hadn't seen it mentioned in any reviews so I wasn't aware of it when I purchased it online. I'll still enjoy it, and look forward to happily making many of these delicious recipes. I'll just make them less frequently than if they were "of" whole grain rather than "with" whole grain.

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Baking with whole-grain flours used to be about making food that was good for you, not food that necessarily tasted good, too. But Kim Boyce truly has reinvented the wheel with this collection of 75 recipes that feature 12 different kinds of whole-grain flours, from amaranth to teff, proving that whole-grain baking is more about incredible flavors and textures than anything else.

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Until Today : Daily Devotions for Spiritual Growth and Peace of Mind Review

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(More customer reviews)This was so moving for me. I am just recently out of a bad relationship, one of many. A friend shared with me a copy of this book before I bought it myself. Iyanla touches on the deepest parts of my heart, and shows me that I am not alone. Coming from a not so good childhood...and thinking as I grew up that men were always going to hurt me in the end, therefore never allowing myself to honestly open up and trust one, I have just been going through the motions of a relationship for years. Never understanding why it is that I just cant seem to find "happiness". And she, very vividly, explains that we all have a past but we can't allow it to ruin our future! And only now in retrospect, with the aid of this book showing me and allowing me to really understand, can I see that I was doing just that. If you are not sure about where to go for help, or unsure of how you can get beyond your "skeletons in the closet", like many of us, than this is definitely for you! She is helping me to find myself all over again from the inside out....Healing the mind, body and soul.

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Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving Review

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(More customer reviews)I got this book about three weeks ago, having never canned or preserved, and I was completely impressed. Using the recipes inside, I've made pickled ocra, green beans, brandied cherries, sweet asparagus, and the hands down best pickle relish I've ever had in my life. It has hundreds of recipes, and they are all wonderful. If you're into fruit preserves or jams, sweet or dill pickles, slasas, relishes, chutneys, condiments, you name it, there are dozens of recipes of each type of food. I'll be tackling some home made wine and cranberry mustard next week. The first batches of pickles I made were with utensils I already had on hand. All you need is the mason jars if you have a well stocked kitchen. I've sense bought some bottle clamps to get the jars out of the hot water, but that's about it.
Here are the pros:
*) Thorough discussion of the steps of preserving.
*) Discussion on foodborne illness and how to kill it through preserving.
*) A look at high acid versus low acid canning.
*) A handy guide of produce weight and volume (for example, one pound of cherries equals 2 1/2 cups of cherries, so you know exactly what to get at the store).
*) Amazing, easy recipes for all levels of skill and tastes.
*) Dozens of variations on recipes (not just one type of cucumber pickle, but several!)
Buy this book if you're thinking of starting or even an old time pro. It's great fun, and it can produce pickles, ketchups, and preserves where you controll all the ingredients (and can even go organic!).

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From the experts, the definitive book on home preserving.Ball Home Canning Products are the gold standard in home preserving supplies, the trademark jars on display in stores every summer from coast to coast. Now the experts at Ball have written a book destined to become the "bible" of home preserving.As nutrition and food quality has become more important, home canning and preserving has increased in popularity for the benefits it offers:- Cooks gain control of the ingredients, including organic fruits and vegetables- Preserving foods at their freshest point locks in nutrition- The final product is free of chemical additives and preservatives- Store-bought brands cannot match the wonderful flavor of homemade- Only a few hours are needed to put up a batch of jam or relish- Home preserves make a great personal gift any time of yearThese 400 innovative and enticing recipes include everything from salsas and savory sauces to pickling, chutneys, relishes and of course, jams, jellies, and fruit spreads, such as:- Mango-Raspberry Jam, Damson Plum Jam- Crab Apple Jelly, Green Pepper Jelly- Spiced Red Cabbage, Pickled Asparagus- Roasted Red Pepper Spread, Tomatillo Salsa- Brandied Apple Rings, Apricot-Date ChutneyThe book includes comprehensive directions on safe canning and preserving methods plus lists of required equipment and utensils. Specific instructions for first-timers and handy tips for the experienced make the Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving a valuable addition to any kitchen library.

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