Around the Fire

This book is a food lover's dream. Grilling season is in full swing, and after this book, I kinda want to cook everything outdoors now. Granted, some of these recipes call for ingredients that are hard to source at your standard grocery - i.e. foie gras or lamb heart - however, most are easily achievable for the home cook.

The book itself is beautifully designed. I've actually got it sitting out on my coffee table because it's just so lovely. All of the photos are beautiful as well, and both the text and the recipes are really well written.

If you're looking to go beyond burgers and brats this summer, this might be the best book to add to your arsenal.

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

Raising the Perfectly Imperfect Child

I really didn't know what to expect with this book; however, I figured Boris Vujicic must have some worthwhile stuff to say on the topic. After all, he raised a child with extreme disability - and that child not only became a positive, productive adult, but one who has positively impacted thousands.

I'm actually amazed at how much is packed into this slim volume. The author touches on every aspect - from the physical to the practical to the emotional and spiritual. He discusses some tough subjects (for example, how to grieve without guilt), and he does so from a place of true, unique understanding.

This isn't just a book for parents of disabled children. I would recommend this to any parent, because so many of the topics can be applied to any child.

Disclaimer: I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

Shylock is my Name - by Howard Jacobson

They say you can't judge a book by it's cover... but I generally do. This one is really quite beautifully done, and it cleverly captures the tone of the book.

The story itself was surprisingly clever. It's a bit dry, true, and perhaps a bit predictable; but the author did quite a good job nonetheless. The prose is awfully good, many lines are snappy and funny, and if you're looking for some smart laughs, you'll certainly find them.

I'm often wary of these modern adaptations of classical works, but this one was a pleasant surprise. Of course, others in the series are written by other authors, so who knows how well I'll like them. My interest is piqued though, and I'll probably pick up another book or two in the Hogarth series.

I received this book from Blogging for Books as a review copy.

Eleanor - by Jason Gurley

I picked this book up because of the cover. It's beautifully designed.

Fortunately, the story is equally beautiful. Jason Gurley's writing is certainly genre-defying, which makes reviewing his books rather challenging.

It's a slow read - heavy on the gloom. It'll make you feel like you're sitting in a grey, rainy, sleepy seaside town the whole time. If you're looking for a quick, easy, light read, look elsewhere. I do recommend this one though. It's wrenching, emotional, moving, and powerful.

I think this one will stick with me for quite some time.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

(Un) Qualified - by Steven Furtick

This was a good book to wrap up the year with. I've been thrust into a number of situations that I feel supremely unqualified for, and I wrap myself up in crazy expectations of perfection. If nothing else, this book was encouraging.

I'm a "fixer" by nature. I scramble to fix whatever I can (in myself and in others), and what I can't fix, I cover up. I'm all about flawless performance, and it causes a lot of problems in my life and in my relationships.

This book was yet another reminder to find my identity in God. When I do so, then it's ok to be broken, to be flawed, to be unqualified.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber

I squirm when someone proudly declares themselves a Liberal. Of course, staunch Conservatives tend to bring the same reaction out of me. I just can’t see things in such a black and white way, so when an author adopts one label or the other, it makes me wonder if they’re really considering all sides. And mixing political affiliation with religious belief just tends to make things worse.

But it’s hard to find fault with someone who so honestly bares their soul. I’ve seen more than one pastor/preacher flaunting one adopted persona or another in order to appeal to the masses. There are the super-liberal, cussing, tattooed pastors. There are the uber-conservative, Bible-thumping types. And there are all the in-betweens. I was rather surprised to find that Nadia didn’t fall into this category. She seems truly genuine as a person, and you can’t help but love that.

She reminds me a whole lot of Anne Lamott. She’s full of snark, sarcasm, and plain old humanness. With each new chapter, I found myself nodding along, recognizing my own ugly traits and inclinations. It’s a lot easier to find help from someone who’s been where you are – and that’s something that I loved about this book.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Apartment Therapy - Complete + Happy Home

This is a great primer for anyone new to interior design. If you’ve just moved into your first apartment or you’re gearing up to buy your first home, this book has some pretty solid tips and advice.

Unfortunately, the title is a bit of a misnomer. I understand that the title is based off of the website, however, there’s not a lot of “therapy” in here for apartment dwellers. A lot of space is dedicated to choosing the right floor plan for your lifestyle – something that isn’t really realistic if you’re renting an apartment.  In most cases, an apartment dweller actually needs some “therapy” to help them utilize the space that they have available.

That being said, the advice does come in handy if you’re looking to buy a home (or an apartment, for that matter).  There’s some practical advice on the various types of homes, basic floor plans, etc. and how to choose the right style for your lifestyle and preference.

I also quite enjoyed the practical approach to addressing each area of the home. There wasn’t anything particularly groundbreaking, but for the average homeowner, the advice is concise, clear, and easy to follow. Unless you’re aiming for a serious career in interior design, you’ll find plenty in here that’s helpful.

From a design standpoint, the cover is absolutely gorgeous. The letterpress title, the cover imagery, and the binding are all really beautiful. Unfortunately, there are some fairly significant flaws in the interior layout (i.e. cut off text, etc.). I did receive an advance copy, so hopefully these issues will be addressed before the retail copy is released.

I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.