The Alice Network

The Alice Network
by Kate Quinn
HarperCollins, 2017,  528 pgs. Historical Fiction

This historical fiction book is a dual chronology about Charlie St. Clair and Eve Gardiner. Charlie St. Clair’s chronology starts in 1947 during the aftermath of WWII, travelling with her mother to Switzerland to get an abortion because she is not married. She decides to leave her mother, and instead find Eve Gardiner, a woman who could be the key to finding her cousin who was never found after the war.  Eve Gardiner’s chronology takes us back to 1915 during the first war when she was recruited to be a spy in France for the Alice Network. As the story progresses you learn more about how these two strong women’s lives are connected by Eve’s past.

I enjoyed this book a lot, and had a difficult time not skipping ahead to see what would happen next in Eve’s dangerous situation as a spy for England. It is great to watch how much Charlie changes, and Eve opens up throughout the plot. Some parts are also deeply emotional, and devastating to go through each main character to see how their life was changed by the war. There was a great balance of reality and difficulties of war, but I wasn’t overwhelmed since there were happy moments of change too.

Content advisory: this book does have some stronger language, and as it is about a war contains violence. There are also some PG-13 sex scenes.

MM

Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death

Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death
By M.C. Beaton
St. Martin's Paperbacks, 1992. 272 pages. Mystery

Agatha Raisin has spent her life building a successful PR business in London from the ground up.  Now she has sold it for a pretty sum and decided to take an early retirement, buying a quaint cottage in the Cotswalds of the English countryside.  Trying to ingratiate herself into the village, she decides to enter the local baking competition, but having absolutely no knowledge of cooking, decides to bend the rules by purchasing her entry from a bakeshop in London.  Trouble finds Agatha when the judge who tastes her quiche turns up dead, and to keep herself out of trouble she decides to do some investigating.

Agatha Raisin is a strong, clever, and capable woman who is humanized by sometimes embarrassing but endearing mistakes.  This is the beginning of a long but classic series by popular author M.C. Beaton.

BHG

Soulful Simplicity: how living with less can lead to so much more

Soulful Simplicity: how living with less can lead to so much more
by Courtney Carver
Penguin Random House, 2017, 234 pgs. Nonfiction

Courtney Carver recollects her journey of change after she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). This was her wake-up call to start changing her life to a simpler and more meaningful way of life. She provides steps and guideposts to make a plan with your loved ones to figure out what you want to change and accomplish. As she takes you through these steps, she talks about some of her personal things she changed. One of the major things she and her husband wanted to do was pay off all debt, so they downsized significantly. Although this book is not just about simplifying objects, she addresses the why behind letting go of so much and dressing with less items made her life better.

There was a period in my life when I also became really sick and when my job and responsibilities were too much. Carver’s belief that these moments are wake up calls really spoke to me, and reading her experience was very helpful and enjoyable. There are many ideas in here to slow down, simplify, and enjoy life. One we attempted at our home was to take as long to enjoy the dinner at the table as you took to make it. I had not done that since being in Europe, and it was a treat for our friends and family! I will revisit this book again later when I feel myself getting too caught up in things and being busy rather than spending time with my loved ones.

MM

A Study in Scarlet

A Study in Scarlet 
by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
BBC Books, 2011, 212 pgs, Mystery.

 Dr. John Watson meets Mr. Sherlock Holmes for the first time in A Study in Scarlet. Recently returned from the war due to injury and illness, Dr. Watson happens across an acquaintance who knows of a man looking for someone to share lodgings with at 221B Baker Street in London. Dr. Watson tries and fails to figure out the strange Mr. Holmes. Eventually Sherlock tells him that he is a consulting detective, and when a note from Scotland Yard arrives about a strange apparent murder, Dr. Watson convinces Sherlock to go investigate. Together they visit the crime scene at an abandoned house. The scene is covered in blood, but the deceased has no wounds, only a grotesque look of horror on his face. A woman’s wedding ring is found near the body, and the German word for revenge written on the wall in blood. The best detectives in Scotland Yard, Inspectors Lestrade and Gregson, are stumped. But after a look around the crime scene, Sherlock Holmes knows nearly everything about the murderer and how he committed the crime. But will he be able to catch the man?

 I have seen a lot of different film adaptations of Sherlock Holmes so it was quite fascinating to read the original source material to compare. I feel like the book and TV shows/movies didn’t ruin each other, which seldom happens. I got the impression that the author didn’t much care for the Mormon settlers, but it worked really well with the plot. I definitely will be reading the rest of the Sherlock Holmes novels.

ER

Martin Luther

Martin Luther: The Man Who Rediscovered God and Changed the World
by Eric Metaxas
Viking, 2017, 480 pgs.  Biography

Metaxas begins his carefully researched and thoroughly readable biography of Martin Luther by telling the reader that most of what they think they know about this great man of faith is not true.  Then he lays out the truth behind Luther’s life, actions, and cause.  Luther emerges as a courageous man who never intended to change the world but, when faced with adversity, stood firmly and fought for the God he felt was being abandoned by Western Christendom.

This biography was as gripping to me as many thrillers.  Though I thought I knew the story, Metaxas presents Luther in vivid color as a man searching for his own salvation despite real dangers and violent opposition.  His war was mainly waged with words in an age when the power of print was just taking hold thanks to the printing press.  I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about history, religion, or fascinating individuals (or even those who just enjoy a great story).

CG

The Great Alone

The Great Alone
by Kristin Hannah
St. Martin’s Press, 2018. 440 pgs. Fiction

Leni Allbright is a thirteen-year-old just trying to fit in.  Her father, a form Vietnam POW, is constantly moving his family from place to place promising with each move that things will be better.  Thanks to a surprise inheritance, Leni and her parents move to the Alaska wild.  Completely unprepared for survival during the long brutal winter, the Allbrights need the help of the close knit community.  Initially,Leni’s father seems to be thriving in the wide open wilderness, but with winter comes darkness and his own dark past starts to emerge.

Watching Leni grow up in a home threatened by domestic violence is definitely not easy, but her courage and loyalty keep the narrative from becoming too oppressive.  I loved everything about this novel.  The writing was as beautiful as the Alaskan landscapes it describes.  The characters are wonderfully complex and the plot unexpected and engaging. 

CG

A World Ablaze: the Rise of Martin Luther and the Birth of the Reformation

A World Ablaze: the Rise of Martin Luther and the Birth of the Reformation
By Craig Harline
Oxford University Press, 2017. 300 pgs. Biography

BYU professor Harline's well-written biography of Martin Luther brings Luther to life for the reader.  Scholarly, yet very readable and interesting, Harline mainly covers the years 1515 to 1522 and the controversy generated in Catholic Europe by the 95 theses.  Harline helps the reader understand how Luther's preoccupation with his own personal salvation led to his understanding of justification by grace, ultimately leading him to write numerous books and theses. Though the sale of indulgences was already unpopular in many places, nonetheless, his ideas would place him in conflict with the religious and secular powers of his day.  This book deserves to be high on the reading list for people who are staying abreast of the numerous new books published about Luther and the Reformation for the 500th anniversary in 2017 of the posting of the 95 theses.  SH

When Dimple Met Rishi

When Dimple Met Rishi
by Sandhya Menon
Simon Pulse, 2017. 380 pages. Young Adult

Dimple Shah has big plans for her life, and they don't include arranged marriage and becoming the perfect Indian housewife. She thinks she's finally getting through to her parents when they agree to send her to a summer program for teen coders - until she meets Rishi.
Rishi Patel is the poster child of the ideal Indian son; creative and romantic, he loves the traditions and structure of his culture. When his and Dimple's parents suggest that she and Rishi would make a great match, he needs no persuasion. Better yet, they're going to the same summer program. They'll have all summer to get to know each other; he couldn't have planned it better himself. Except the part where Dimple's parents don't tell her about Rishi or their proposed match.
Dimple can't believe her parents would deceive her this way. Rishi can't believe his parents would think such an unconventional person would be a good match for him. And yet, the two aren't quite so different as they think, and despite the way they met, there might be something between them after all...

This book is delightful! I'm pretty picky about reading romances, and this one had me charmed from the start. First, it's a great execution of the "opposites attract" concept. Let's be honest, the trope works, and for reasons - namely tension. Right from the get-go we get fantastic tension between Dimple and Rishi, and unlike weaker romances where chemistry and attraction magically erase deep differences in the couple's values and opinions, Dimple and Rishi just have different perspectives. It's fun to see them come to understand each other, and themselves. This story is so relatable too - you might not know much about Indian culture, but I'd bet that at some point in life you've felt at odds with your parents, unsure about the future, or both scared and thrilled about chasing your dreams (and maybe all three). Now if you are familiar with Indian culture, or at least Bollywood, you're in for a treat. This book pays homage to while also providing some parody on Bollywood cliches. It's subtle, almost like an inside joke, but explained enough that anyone can join in on the laughs. For my fellow movie nerds, think Edgar Wright & Simon Pegg's films comedic nods to genre tropes rather than Mel Brooks' outright parodies. Lastly, this book is nerdy, ever so nerdy, and I mean characters and what they do (they are at an app summer camp after all), so the nerd culture is just one more element that makes this book so fun. And smart. And yes, romantic.

MW

The Upside of Stress

The Upside of Stress: Why Stress is Good for You, and How to Get Good at It
By Kelly McGonigal Avery, 2015. 279 pages. Nonfiction

If you’ve ever complained about being stressed, then you need to read this book. We all experience stress, and we’ve been indoctrinated that it is destructive to our health. Most of us do everything we can to reduce or avoid stress. But Stanford psychologist Kelly McGonigal, PhD, using cutting-edge research and examples, teaches us that stress isn’t all bad. This new research reveals that if we can learn how to embrace it and accept it in our lives, stress can, in fact, make us stronger, smarter, and more fulfilled.

I picked up this book after watching McGonigal’s TED Talk on the same topic. I was intrigued but a bit skeptical about how to embrace stress in my life. I’m pleased to report that this is a fascinating book as well as an empowering guide teaching us how to cultivate a mind-set that embraces stress, why stress can help us be more focused, and how stress even helps us connect with the people around us and strengthens our relationships. It has shaped the way I now think about stress. I would highly recommend you read it.

AJ

The Prince and the Dressmaker

The Prince and the Dressmaker
By Jen Wang
First Second, 2018. 288 pages. Young Adult Graphic Novels

The Prince and the Dressmaker starts on a hilarious note as Frances, working as a seamstress in a shop, designs a gown for a young lady looking to make quite a statement and a bit of payback to her overbearing mother. The dress causes such a splash that Frances is in the process of being fired from her job when she is snapped up by a mysterious but obviously high-ranking aristocratic client. She soon discovers that her employer is none other than Prince Sebastian, the most eligible bachelor in Paris that summer, who wants Frances to create gowns for him to wear! Sebastian asks Frances to keep his love of wearing dresses a secret as she designs gown after brilliant gown for him, but keeping his secret also means keeping herself a secret from the world.

Jen Wang is a talented author and illustrator whose work you may have seen in the graphic novel In Real Life (co-authored with Cory Doctorow).  She has outdone herself with this delightful story about forging your own identity, being true to yourself, and accepting others. In addition to her insightful storytelling, this graphic novel is beautifully illustrated and the flow from panel to panel is intuitive and dramatic. I haven't been so delighted with a graphic novel since Roller's Girls' meaningful and moving storytelling.  Although this may challenge some conventions, reading this book can help build empathy and is a great pick for young adult audiences.

BHG

A Lady in the Smoke

A Lady in the Smoke
By Karen Odden
Penguin Random House, 2016. 411 pages. Mystery

Set in Victorian England, Lady Elizabeth Fraser, the only child of the late Earl of Kellham, and who is said to have a dowry worth £10,000 per anum, is set to return home after a disappointing fourth Season in London. At the ball held the previous evening, Lady Elizabeth was shocked to overhear two ladies discussing the loss of her fortune, but when she confronts her mother, Lady Fraser is enraged and blames Elizabeth for not getting hitched sooner.

The next day, they board a train to return to their ancestral country estate, but a short time later the train careens off the rails and bursts into flames. Lady Elizabeth is thrown forward and hits her head and is knocked unconscious. After coming to, she manages to drag herself and her unconscious mother out of the wreckage but is unable to do more. Amid the chaos, a handsome young railway surgeon arrives, attends to their wounds and gets them moved to a local hotel. Elizabeth feels an immediate connection with Paul Wilcox though society would never accept a match between the daughter of an earl and a medical man. But headstrong Elizabeth refuses to let society’s strictures get in the way of helping him attend to the wounded. While helping, Elizabeth learns that the train wreck was no accident and the inspector who tried to prevent it died under mysterious circumstances.

As Elizabeth begins her own investigation, she discovers that the loss of her fortune may somehow be connected and is soon plunged into a dangerous conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of political power in England.

This is an enjoyable debut novel by Karen Odden about a headstrong young noblewoman unafraid to navigate a man’s world and reach for what she most desires. There is plenty of intrigue like family secrets, political conspiracies, lovers who are kept apart and more. I also enjoyed the historical details especially about the railway system in England. Fans of Anne Perry’s Victorian mysteries will likely enjoy this novel as well.

AJ

Food Anatomy

Food Anatomy
By Julia Rothman
Storey Publishing, 2016. 221 pgs. Nonfiction

Have you ever wondered what all of those forks are for when you see a formal place setting? Rothman starts her book showing place settings from around the world and the evolution of the oven before delving into the "curious parts and pieces of our edible world" as the subtitle states.

She gives a brief history of food and then goes on to illustrate fruits, vegetables, meats, grains, spices, street foods, and finally desserts that can be found the world over. In hand drawn and colored illustrations this book is a visual treat. I found this book to be completely captivating! This was a such a quick read, due to the sparse text and interesting pictures, that I read it in a matter of hours.

AMM

Maisie Dobbs

Maisie Dobbs
By Jacqueline Winspear
Soho Crime, 2014. 304 pages. Mystery


Maisie Dobbs does not confine herself to the expectation of what a 1920s London woman should be: she is naturally intelligent, a college-graduate, and has just recently opened a private detective agency in the city. But when her first client hires her to investigate his wife’s suspected infidelity, Maisie uncovers a much more sinister plot that forces her to relive the horrors of her past history during World War I.

If you enjoy both Downton Abbey and classic, Miss Marple-type whodunits, then you need to give Maisie Dobbs a go. This book is the first of many in the series, and as such focuses less on the main mystery and more on Maisie Dobbs’s personal history. If you are a newbie to the mystery genre, but enjoy a good British period drama, this first installment is a great gateway. Need a good book for your next book club meeting? You can reserve this book as a set for your club.

ALL

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue
by Mackenzi Lee
Katherine Tegen Books, 2017,528 pgs. Young Adult

Henry Montague “Monty” is going touring with his best friend Percy on one last hurrah before he is forced to stay home and manage his family’s estate. The only flaws in this tour is his father is threatening him to be on his best behavior or else he will disinherit Monty and give the estate to his baby brother, and he has to take his fifteen year old sister Felicity along and drop her off at finishing school along the way. After a tedious beginning the company find themselves running for their lives when some highway men try and kill them. This road trip is one of the most compelling teen novels set in Victorian Europe.

I loved this book. First thing is first I would not say this book is for everyone. I would recommend that this book be read by older teens. This book covers a lot of social issues that I feel are really important and topics that are currently gaining ground as being things to take into consideration. First off Monty is bisexual his best friend is homosexual and as you can imagine in Victorian Europe how well that went over. After talking about what people may struggle with I really want to talk about what I loved. Now my favorite character was his little sister Felicity she is amazing! I loved that they talk about consent when one person says no all making out stops. Period. I also loved the Conclusion. That is all I will say on that one and I am so excited to read Felicity’s novel next year when it comes out.

 MH

Adulthood is a Myth

Adulthood is a Myth
by Sarah Andersen Andrews
McMeel Publishing, 2016. 106 pgs. Graphic Novels


Sarah Andersen is a graphic novel artist who depicts life for all those in transition from childhood to this mythical stage called adulthood we have all heard about. Her art style portrays the thoughts that go through people’s head as we deal with the social anxiety of talking to other people, and just navigating through a life where more often than not it feels like we are making it up as we go along.

This graphic novel had me rolling I was laughing the entire time as I was going through each of the pictures. I love Sarah’s perspective and comedic way she tells stories of daily life.

MH

Becoming Kareem: Growing Up On and Off the Court

Becoming Kareem: Growing Up On and Off the Court
By Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Little, Brown and Co, 289 pages, Young Adult Nonfiction

An autobiography about Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and his life growing up in New York, becoming the basketball star he's known to be, and getting involved in the world around him as an activist for social change.

Although not as focused on basketball as I was expecting this to be, Abdul-Jabbar has some interesting things to say about his experience growing up as a young black man in Harlem during the days of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. Unfortunately, most of the points he raises are still concerns that exist today. I thought this was a good companion piece to The Hate U Give, with the bonus of not having as much sensitive content. Plus, the story of Abdul-Jabbar's rise to basketball fame, and the work he put in to get there, is an interesting addition to the story.

MB

I Believe in a Thing Called Love

I Believe in a Thing Called Love
By Maurene Goo
Farrar Straus Giroux, 2017. 325 pgs. Young Adult

High school senior Desi Lee is good at everything, except flirting. Her flirting failures are legendary, and when the new guy at school, Luca Drakos, catches her attention, she develops a crazy plan to win him over... Korean drama style. Desi had ignored the K-dramas her dad watches every night of her life, where the hapless heroine always ends up in the arms of her true-love by episode ten, but suddenly she sees their formulaic approach to love in a new light. After studiously binge watching several dramas, Desi is armed with a list of steps that always work in K-drama world, and she sets her plan into motion. A boat rescue, love triangle, and staged car crash are all fit into her master plan, but she will learn that true love is more than just drama.

As an avid Korean drama fan, I loved this book, and not just because it referenced several K-dramas that I was familiar with, but also because it read like a rom-com K-drama. It was fun, quirky, heart-warming, and sometimes a little cringe worthy (it’s not a good idea to have your friends throw nails on the road so that you and your crush get to experience a crisis together). If you enjoy light-hearted young-adult romance, this is an easy recommendation from me. If you enjoy Korean dramas, this is a must read.

ACS

Eyes of the World: Robert Capa, Gerda Taro, and the Invention of Modern Photojournalism

Eyes of the World: Robert Capa, Gerda Taro, and the Invention of Modern Photojournalism
By Marc Aronson
Henry Holt and Co, 294 pages, Young Adult Nonfiction

Robert Capa and Gerda Taro were young Jewish refugees, idealistic and in love. As photographers in the 1930s, they set off to capture their generation's most important struggle--the fight against Fascism. Among the first to depict modern warfare, Capa, Taro, and their friend Chim took powerful photographs of the Spanish Civil War that went straight from the action to news magazines. They brought a human face to war with their iconic shots of people driven from their homes by bombs, guns, and planes. Today, our screens are flooded with images from around the world. But Capa and Taro were pioneers, bringing home the crises and dramas of their time--and helping give birth to the idea of bearing witness through technology.

The story of Robert Capa and Gerda Taro is somewhat romantic since it’s the story of two young lovers, but this is mostly the story of the birth of photojournalism and the events leading up to World War II. While the market is not lacking in World War II era nonfiction, this different perspective brought up events that I probably learned in high school, but had completely forgotten about. I ended up doing a few Internet deep dives to learn more about some of the surrounding events because I was so interested in the time period. The book is a little unwieldy since it’s a little larger than normal, and printed on heavy high quality paper, but every page contains at least one of Capa, Taro, or Chim’s photos illustrating the topic covered on the page, and the book is very well-written. I highly recommend this book, and am glad to say that this book was a finalist in this year’s Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) award for Excellence in Nonfiction.

MB

Orphan Train: a Novel

Orphan Train: a Novel
by Christina Baker Kline
William Morrow, 2013. 278 pgs. Fiction

A memorable novel of two women: Molly, a teenager in foster care and Vivian, a nonagenarian who in 1929 at age nine was sent West on an orphan train after her parents died in a fire. When Molly is assigned to do community service to avoid a term in juvenile detention, her boyfriend arranges for her to help widowed Vivian organize her attic.  Seemingly very different, these two women find that they have much to offer one another and much to learn from each other.  Vivian's life and memories seem to have stagnated along with the trunks full of possessions gathering dust in her attic.  As Molly helps her organize and sort the attic, Vivian's stories come tumbling out.

This is a wonderful novel that would be appropriate for adult or young adult readers. SH

Warm Bodies

Warm Bodies 
by Isaac Marion
Emily Bestler Books, 2011. 241 pages.

Romeo and Juliet’s love story get a paranormal makeover in this surprisingly poignant and funny zombie romance. Meet R, a brain-eating zombie with no memories, no identity, and no pulse. But he has thoughts. He dreams of a better life. He enjoys collecting things and listening to old records (mostly Frank Sinatra). And he hopes to one day find meaning to his otherwise lifeless existence.

Enter Julie. Julie is a living human being, and the most interesting person R has ever met. When R rescues Julie from a zombie attack, the two form a special friendship. Through this relationship, R becomes more human, leading the couple to believe that maybe there is a cure that can transform their lifeless world.

What really makes this story work is the inner dialogue of the endearingly adorable R. Often funny and witty, sometimes bordering on the existential, this is a perfect heart-warming romance for those that like a little gory side-action. If you enjoyed the 2013 John Malkovich movie of this story, the book will give you all the same happy and lovey feels, just in time for Valentine’s Day!

ALL

Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet

Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet
By Ta-Nehisi Coates
Marvel, 2016, 144 pgs. Graphic Novel.

When a superhuman terrorist group that calls itself The People sparks a violent uprising, the land famed for its incredible technology and proud warrior traditions will be thrown into turmoil. If Wakanda is to survive, it must adapt - but can its monarch survive the necessary change?

Before I start my praise for this book, there is one thing you need to remember before reading it. This is a comic, with lots of history and future issues to be released. As such, when I started reading this, I very much felt that I had dropped into the middle of a story. However, this is a fantastically rich and well written comic. The characters are given real depth, and the history and culture of the country of Wakanda is emphasized in both the writing and artwork. The Black Panther is shown as a vulnerable person, not just a superhero, and there are real moral dilemmas for him to handle. The supporting characters are interesting and cool in their own right and the story has plenty of action and adventure. I'm excited to see where the series goes during Ta-Nehisi Coates tenure and can't wait to see how the problems of this series are wrapped up. It's also a good tie-in to characters if you are preparing to see the new movie coming out and want to have some more knowledge of them.

The Girl in the Tower

The Girl in the Tower
by Katherine Arden
Del Rey, 2018, 362 pgs.  Fantasy

The Girl in the Tower is book two of the Winternight Trilogy.  The first in the series, The Bear and the Nightingale, introduces readers to Vasya, a young girl torn between an emerging modern Christian world and the legends and magic of the deep Russian forests where she lives.  In this second installment, Vanya travels beyond her small village to the huge city of Moscow where dark magic threatens to destroy the peace of the kingdom.

I can’t praise this series enough.  It’s dark fairy magic captivates me on every page.  The characters are engaging, the action is exhilarating, and the writing is simply lovely.  I am very excited that, unlike many trilogies, I don’t have to wait a whole year for the final volume.  The Winter of the Witch will be released in August and I am anxious to learn where Vasya’s adventures  lead her. 

CG

Irresistible

Irresistible: The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked
by Adam L. Alter
Penguin Press, 2017. 354 pgs. Nonfiction

Adam Alter, a professor of psychology and marketing at NYU, writes in Irresistible about the damage being done by the technology you just can’t seem put down.  Think about the number of times you pick up your cell phone each day and ask yourself if you are addicted.  It’s very likely that you are and Alter explains why this is so dangerous and why those addictive behaviors are so hard to overcome.  He argues that technology isn’t all bad, but it does need to be harnessed and used in a way that enriches our lives instead of consuming our every waking moment.

I really enjoyed this book and, while he did scare me straight a little bit, he didn’t do it in a sensationalized way.  It is nearly impossible to live a life without technology and why give up so much that all our little apps have to offer?  But we need to be very conscious about how we interact with technology, especially as we teach the rising generation by our examples.  This is a wonderful book that can help almost anyone become more aware of their technology consumption.

CG

365 Days of Slow Cooking

365 Days of Slow Cooking 
by Karen Bellessa Petersen
Covenant Communications, 2012. 265 pgs. Nonfiction

Slow cooking is a great way to make dinner preparation less of a burden and take pleasure in more freedom around dinnertime. This volume of slow cooker recipes is full of delicious, easy to prepare recipes for the whole family to enjoy. Icons indicate recipes that take two minutes or less to prepare, recipes that are good to use if you’ll be gone all day, and Karen’s personal favorites.

I loved this recipe book! We actually have two different editions, one from 2010 and the other from 2012. My favorite thing about the 2010 edition is it has a 3 to 5 star rating for each recipe. The 2012 edition doesn’t have the ratings, but I really like the icons and pictures in the later edition. The best overall feature of this cookbook is that the recipes are simple.

ER