Heartstopper

Heartstopper (Heartsopper, #1)
Por Alice Oseman 

V&R Editoras, 2020. 558 páginas. Ficción Juvenil

¡La novela gráfica que conquistó al mundo! Un chico conoce a otro. Los chicos se vuelven amigos. Y luego se enamoran...

Charlie y Nick van al mismo colegio, aunque nunca se habían cruzado hasta el día en que los hacen sentarse juntos en su grupo de estudio. Muy pronto se vuelven amigos y más pronto aún Charlie comienza a sentir cosas por Nick... aunque sabe que es un imposible. Pero el amor obra de formas inesperadas, y Nick está más interesado en Charlie de lo que ninguno de los dos puede llegar a creer.

Si le gusta «Heartstopper» le recomendamos:

Karma al Instante
Por Marissa Meyer

V&R Editoras, 2021. 517 páginas. Ficción

Sedienta de perfección, está segura de que nadie puede hacer nada mejor que ella. Especialmente el flojo e irresponsable de su compañero de Biología: Quint. Y el universo parece estar de acuerdo con ella, porque luego de un hilarante accidente despierta con la capacidad de provocar karma al instante a las personas y comienza a castigar toda mala acción a su alrededor: de actos de vandalismo a chismes maliciosos. Todos reciben su merecido. Todos ... excepto Quint. Que parece ser inmune a sus poderes.

Gótico
Por Silvia Moreno-García

Two Rivers Distribution, 2021. 352 páginas. Ficción

Tras recibir una extraña carta de su prima recién casada, Noemí Taboada se dirige a High Place, una casa en el campo en México, sin saber qué encontrará allí. Noemí no parece tener dotes de salvadora: es glamurosa, más acostumbrada a asistir a cócteles que a las tareas de detective. Pero también es fuerte, inteligente y no tiene miedo: ni del nuevo marido de su prima, un inglés amenazante y seductor; ni de su padre, el antiguo patriarca que parece fascinado por Noemí; ni de la casa, que empieza a invadir los sueños de Noemí con visiones de sangre y fatalidad. 

El único amigo que Noemí encontrará es el hijo menor de la familia, quien también da la impresión de estar tapando secretos oscuros. Porque hay muchos secretos escondidos en las pareces de High Place, como descubrirá Noemí cuando empiece a desenterrar historias de violencia y locura. Cautivada por este mundo aterrador a la par que seductor, a Noemí le resultará difícil salvar a su prima... O incluso escapar de esa enigmática casa. Una novela terroríficamente brillante.

MEB

Etiquetas: Español, Ficción, Ficción Juvenil, Novela Gráfica, Romántico, LGBTQIA

The Personal Librarian

The Personal Librarian
By Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray
Berkley, 2021. 336 pgs. Historical Fiction

In 1906, J.P. Morgan hired Belle da Costa Greene to run the Pierpont Morgan Library and its fabulous collection of rare manuscripts, books, and artwork.  Belle has thousands of dollars at her disposal as she participates in high-stakes auctions, while also navigating the tenuous social world of New York's elite and the volatile personality of Mr. Morgan himself.  As she attains international renown for her success, she hides a dangerous secret: she was born Belle Marion Greener, a black woman, the daughter of prominent African American parents.  Born with fair skin, Belle must keep her heritage a secret or risk all that she has accomplished, along with her family's safety.  Maintaining her secret drives every decision she makes and word she utters, as she rises through the ranks of an all-white, all-male world of curators and dealers, as well as a society that would love a good scandal.

This book was based on the true story of Belle da Costa Greene, a fascinating historical figure who seemingly did the impossible in a time when the stakes were incredibly high.  The real Belle left almost no records of her personal thoughts and correspondence, so the authors have taken the known facts of her life and inferred or made educated guesses as they filled in the rest.  The closeness of Belle's relationship with Mr. Morgan himself is one of the most astonishing aspects of the novel.  Supported by true details, it's clear that the two were close, although how close is left to conjecture.  It's a pleasure to come to know Belle better through this book, as such a remarkable life needs to be remembered and celebrated.

If you enjoy The Personal Librarian, then you may also like...

Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker 
By Jennifer Chiaverini
Dutton, 2013. 356 pgs. Historical Fiction

Elizabeth Keckley was born a slave, but thanks to her skills as a dressmaker she was able to purchase her freedom. Eventually she worked her way to Washington D.C. and becomes one of the most sought after ‘modistes’ in the city. After Lincoln’s election, Elizabeth was hired by First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln. The two women began their relationship on a professional level, but Mrs. Lincoln comes to rely heavily on Elizabeth’s calming influence and steady support as she navigates the trials of being the First Lady during a civil war, grieves over the loss of her son,and later as she survives the horrors of her husband’s assassination.

All That Makes Life Bright: The Life and Love of Harriet Beecher Stowe
By Josi Kilpack
Shadow Mountain, 2017. 336 pages. Historical Fiction

Resolving to pursue her literary life and retain her identity after marrying the supportive, deeply religious Calvin Stowe, Harriet Beecher is overwhelmed by a pregnancy while her husband travels in Europe, a situation that makes her question her place in her husband's heart.

 

BHG

56 Days

56 Days
by Catherine Ryan Howard
Blackstone Publishing, 2021.
Fiction 

No one even knew they were together. Now one of them is dead. 56 days ago, Ciara and Oliver meet in a supermarket queue in Dublin and start dating the same week COVID-19 reaches Irish shores.35 days ago, when lockdown threatens to keep them apart, Oliver suggests they move in together. Ciara sees a unique opportunity for a relationship to flourish without the scrutiny of family and friends. Oliver sees a chance to hide who—and what—he really is. Today, Detectives arrive at Oliver's apartment to discover a decomposing body inside. Can they determine what really happened, or has lockdown created an opportunity for someone to commit the perfect crime?

What if you didn't know if you could trust your quarantine pod, what if you didn't know if you could trust yourself? Set in a modern day COVID afflicted Ireland, 56 days is an understated thriller mystery with plot twists and character developments around every corner. Howard provides an incredibly entertaining trust exercise in which the reader is constantly compelled to re-evaluate which of the narrators they find most believable, if any of them at all. This mystery kept me guessing till the end, and I was satisfied with how Howard tied up loose ends. I should admit that I am a huge sucker for all literature involving Ireland; that being said, I do truly believe this book will be an enjoyable read for anyone interested in mystery even if they are not a Hibernophile! 

If you enjoy 56 Days , then you may also like....

Rock Paper Scissors
by Alice Feeney
Flatiron Books, 2021. 294 pages. 
Fiction

Think you know the person you married? Think again ... Things have been wrong with Mr and Mrs Wright for a long time. When Adam and Amelia win a weekend away to Scotland, it might be just what their marriage needs. Self-confessed workaholic and screenwriter Adam Wright has lived with face blindness his whole life. He can't recognize friends or family, or even his own wife. Every anniversary the couple exchange traditional gifts--paper, cotton, pottery, tin--and each year Adam's wife writes him a letter that she never lets him read. Until now. They both know this weekend will make or break their marriage, but they didn't randomly win this trip. One of them is lying, and someone doesn't want them to live happily ever after. Ten years of marriage. Ten years of secrets. And an anniversary they will never forget.

The Last Thing He Told Me 
by Laura Dave 
Simon & Shuster, 2021. 306 pages. 
Fiction

Despite her confusion and fear, Hannah Hall knows exactly to whom the note refers: Owen’s sixteen-year-old daughter, Bailey. Bailey, who lost her mother tragically as a child. Bailey, who wants absolutely nothing to do with her new stepmother.
As Hannah’s increasingly desperate calls to Owen go unanswered; as the FBI arrests Owen’s boss; as a US Marshal and FBI agents arrive at her Sausalito home unannounced, Hannah quickly realizes her husband isn’t who he said he was. And that Bailey just may hold the key to figuring out Owen’s true identity—and why he really disappeared.
Hannah and Bailey set out to discover the truth, together. But as they start putting together the pieces of Owen’s past, they soon realize they are also building a new future. One neither Hannah nor Bailey could have anticipated.

In the Woods
by Tana French
Viking, 2007. 429 pages. 
Fiction

As dusk approaches a small Dublin suburb in the summer of 1984, mothers begin to call their children home. But on this warm evening, three children do not return from the dark and silent woods. When the police arrive, they find only one of the children. He is gripping a tree trunk in terror, wearing blood-filled sneakers and unable to recall a single detail of the previous hours.

Twenty years later, the found boy, Rob Ryan, is a detective on the Dublin Murder Squad and keeps his past a secret. But when a 12-year-old girl is found murdered in the same woods, he and Detective Cassie Maddox (his partner and closest friend) find themselves investigating a case chillingly similar to the previous unsolved mystery. Now, with only snippets of long-buried memories to guide him, Ryan has the chance to uncover both the mystery of the case before him and that of his own shadowy past.

A gorgeously written novel that marks the debut of an astonishing new voice in psychological suspense.

MES

Hooked: How crafting saved my life

 Hooked: How crafting saved my life

by Sutton Foster

Grand Central Publishing, 2021. 235 pages. Nonfiction

In these intimate stories and reflections about how crafting has kept her sane while navigating the highs and lows of family, love, and show business, Tony Award-winner and the star of TV's Younger Sutton Foster shares memorable moments - including her fraught relationship with her agoraphobic mother; a painful divorce splashed on the pages of the tabloids; her struggles with fertility; the thrills she found on the stage; her breakout TV role in Younger; and the joy of adopting her daughter, Emily. Accompanying the stories, Sutton has included crochet patterns, recipes, and so much more.

This book is like having a cup of tea with a good friend. The conversation is great. The crafts are great. The food is great. Knowing the behind-the-scenes of some of my favorite shows is so fun. I was especially touched by Foster’s discussion of her infertility and ultimate adoption of her daughter Emily. I cried. I did. You might too.

If you like Hooked: How crafting saved my life, you may also like:

Talking as fast as I can: from Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls (and everything in between)

by Lauren Graham

Ballantine Books, 2016. 209 pages. Nonfiction

A collection of essays about the author's experiences on the set of Gilmore Girls and her decision to reprise her role for Netflix's upcoming limited-series revival also shares insights into the realities of being an actress in Hollywood and New York.

Home work: a memoir of my Hollywood years

by Julie Andrews

Hachette Books, 2019. 340 pages. Nonfiction

In a follow-up to the critically acclaimed Home, the beloved performing artist reflects on her Hollywood career and the creations of three of her most iconic films, Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music and Victor/Victoria.

 

This is me: Loving the person you are today

by Chrissy Metz

Dey St., 2018. 308 pages. Nonfiction

As Kate Pearson on the television show This Is Us, Metz presents a character that viewers see themselves in, no matter what they look like or where they come from. Now she shares her story, and shows how she has applied the lessons she learned from both setbacks and successes. She offers practical applications of her insights, blending love and experience. Metz encourages us all to claim our rightful place in a world that may be trying to knock us down, find our own unique gifts, and pursue our dreams.

AG

Miracle Creek Christmas

Miracle Creek Christmas

by Krista Lynne Jensen 

Shadow Mountain, 2020. 363 pages. Romance. 

Riley Madigan escapes to the sleepy mountain town of Miracle Creek after her relationship with an A-list actor ends badly. At least for a time, she hopes her new job as a high school art teacher will bring her the peace and quiet she is looking for. The last thing on her mind is love. 

Mark Rivers was a firefighter until he got trapped in a wildfire and suffered third-degree burns on his face and body. After a year of recovering, Mark is trying to piece his life back together but struggles both emotionally and psychologically. He's been a recluse until he forces himself to attend his niece's school play and sees Riley, the school's art teacher. Immediately, Mark feels a connection to her. Maybe it's the kind way she greets his niece or the way the art she created for the school play is reminiscent of his late mom's artwork. Either way, Mark feels driven to get to know her, but first he'll need to build up the courage to talk to her. 

When Mark asks Riley to work on a special nativity, he finds himself falling for her, particularly because Riley doesn't seem bothered by his scars. Is her affection for him real or is she simply overcompensating, pretending he's not different? One thing's for certain, in a small town that views Mark as a fragile hero, it's hard to pursue a relationship without everyone in his business. And although Riley has sincere feelings for Mark, is she really ready to risk her heart? 

Broken hearts and lives are mended as the town of Miracle Creek comes together to celebrate a Christmas to remember. 

This is such a cozy Christmas book that will give you all the warm feels that a cute Hallmark Christmas movie would. The setting is picturesque with characters that are not perfect and have deep scars that need to be healed making the story more fascinating as you root for the characters. This is a great book to read to get you in the Christmas spirit or if you just need a feel-good story. 

 If you like Miracle Creek Christmas, you may also like: 

For Sale By Owner 

by Marlene Bateman 

Covenant Communications, 2016. 260 pages. Romance. 

McKenzie Forsberg is headed home. She's quit her big-city job to return to her roots in the small town of Lake Forest. Kenzie hopes to buy her childhood home from her brother, Tom, as a way of revisiting the peace and security she's been missing in her life. But soon she is shocked to discover that the house has a pending sale, and Tom won't budge from the sale--not even for his sister. Handsome widower Jared Rawlins catches Kenzie's eye until she realizes that he's the one who is buyin her house--but he can only cose the deal if he sells his own house by Christmas Eve. Jared is more than a little interested in Kenzie but has second thoughts when it seems that she may be sabotaging the sale of his home. Slippery feelings of animosity and distrust ensue, with both Jared and Kenzie denying the chemistry between them. But then an unexpected discovery about their connected past puts a new twist in the dynamic. Now, can they set their differences aside and come to terms on a relationship that could last forever? 

The Doctor and the Midwife 

by Sarah Alva 

Covenant Communications, 2020. 239 pages. Romance. 

As a midwife running her own home birth practice, Audrey Novak deals with pressure like a superhuman. Until, that is, she meets her handsome and arrogant neighbor, Dr. Ammon Parker. Ammon, who believes only in modern medicine, is just as unprepared for the infuriating--and inconveniently beautiful--midwife. When the two are repeatedly called to the same labor and delivery unit, their clashing ideals and fiercely independent personalities threaten to derail both their professional goals and their pride. Outside of work, Audrey is a passionate rock climber, tantalized by a secret route she's heard about in an online forum. Her hunt for the climb's location leads her to the intriguing BelayingonofHands, a man who claims to have set the route. Soon their anonymous virtual flirtation and witty exchanges deepen into a true connection. But when Audrey discovers the man from online is actually Ammon, she's blindsided. It seems they have more in common than she could have imagined, but will their differences keep them from making the climb to true love together? 

ME

You Feel it Just Below the Ribs

You Feel it Just Below the Ribs

by Jeffrey Cranor

Harper Collins, 2021. 352 pages. Fiction

A haunting, provocative novel, You Feel It Just Below the Ribs is a fictional autobiography in an alternate twentieth century that chronicles one woman's unusual life, including the price she pays to survive and the cost her choices hold for the society she is trying to save. An alternate reality, unreliable narrator, and a suspenseful slow-burn story; I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this book. The novel explores the question of what sacrifices should be made for peace, and whether or not those sacrifices are worth it.

If you like You Feel it Just Below the Ribs, you may also like:

Shutter Island

by Dennis Lehane

Morrow, 2003. 325 pages. Fiction

U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels and his partner, Chuck Aule, come to Shutter Island's Ashcliffe Hospital in search of an escaped mental patient, but uncover true wickedness as Ashcliffe's mysterious patient treatments propel them to the brink of insanity.

A History of What Comes Next

by Sylvain Neuvel

Tom Doherty Associates Book, 2021. 302 pages. Science Fiction

For generations, Mia's family has shaped human history to push them to the stars. The year is 1945 and now it is her turn. Her mission: to lure scientist Wernher Von Braun away from the Nazi party and into the American rocket program, securing the future of the space race.

ALL

The Silver Blonde

The Silver Blonde 
By Elizabeth Ross
Delacorte Press, 2021. 388 pages. Young Adult Fiction 

In 1946 Hollywood, 18-year-old Clara Berg dreams of becoming a film editor and going on a real date with handsome yet unpredictable screenwriter Gil, until she stumbles upon a murder mystery. 

This was a really engaging historical mystery. It was fast-paced, and the setting was entwined thoroughly with the story. I felt like I learned quite a bit about old Hollywood both in terms of setting, and behind the scene dynamics. This is an easy recommendation for anyone who likes historical mysteries, Hollywood behind the scenes, or old Hollywood glamour. 

 If you liked The Silver Blonde, you might also like: 

Dead to Me 

By Mary McCoy 

Hyperion, 2015. 297 pages. Young Adult Fiction 

In 1948 Hollywood, a treacherous world of tough-talking private eyes, psychopathic movie stars, and troubled starlets, 16-year-old Alice tries to find a young runaway who is the sole witness to a beating that put her sister, Annie, in a coma. 

Chasing Starlight 

By Teri Bailey Black 

Tor Teen, 2020. 313 pages. Young Adult Fiction 

When society girl and aspiring astronomer Kate Hildebrand has to move to Hollywood to live with her washed-up silent film star grandfather, she walks into a murder scene and finds herself on the front page again. 

 ACS

When No One Is Watching

When No One is Watching
by Alyssa Cole
William Morrow Paperback, 2020. 352 pages
Fiction

Sydney Green is Brooklyn born and raised, but her beloved neighborhood seems to change every time she blinks. Condos are sprouting like weeds, FOR SALE signs are popping up overnight, and the neighbors she's known all her life are disappearing. To hold onto her community's past and present, Sydney channels her frustration into a walking tour and finds an unlikely and unwanted assistant in one of the new arrivals to the block—her neighbor Theo. But Sydney and Theo's deep dive into history quickly becomes a dizzying descent into paranoia and fear. Their neighbors may not have moved to the suburbs after all, and the push to revitalize the community may be more deadly than advertised. When does coincidence become conspiracy? Where do people go when gentrification pushes them out? Can Sydney and Theo trust each other—or themselves—long enough to find out before they too disappear?

As a long time fan of the thriller/mystery genre, I am often able to perfectly predict the ending to even the most perplexing plots. Cole not only surprised me but impressed me with her perfectly planned twists and turns. Though I never truly knew where I, the reader, would be twirled off to next, I found that each twist was well supported and easy to trace once I knew what to look for. This is the kind of book that you could read over and over again and catch a new detail; something you had initially written off as an inconspicuous character detail could reveal itself as clue. While the plot was impressive, I would identify the character work as the real star of this story. Each character had a distinct voice that added a unique element to the story. If you've ever finished a book and thought, "wow, I might actually miss these people" be prepared to feel that way about this book. Luckily for us, this story had high re-readability potential. Last but not least, this novel provides not only a captivating thrill but also an important perspective on systemic racism against Black people in the United States. 

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The Other Black Girl
by Zakiya Dalila Harris 
Atria Books, 2021. 357 pages. 
Fiction

Get Out meets The Devil Wears Prada in this electric debut about the tension that unfurls when two young Black women meet against the starkly white backdrop of New York City book publishing. Twenty-six-year-old editorial assistant Nella Rogers is tired of being the only Black employee at Wagner Books. Fed up with the isolation and microaggressions, she's thrilled when Harlem-born and bred Hazel starts working in the cubicle beside hers. They've only just started comparing natural hair care regimens, though, when a string of uncomfortable events elevates Hazel to Office Darling, and Nella is left in the dust. Then the notes begin to appear on Nella's desk: LEAVE WAGNER. NOW. It's hard to believe Hazel is behind these hostile messages. But as Nella starts to spiral and obsess over the sinister forces at play, she soon realizes that there's a lot more at stake than just her career. A whip-smart and dynamic thriller and sly social commentary that is perfect for anyone who has ever felt manipulated, threatened, or overlooked in the workplace, The Other Black Girl will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last twist

Mexican Gothic 
by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Del Rey, 2020. 301 pages. 
Fiction

After receiving a frantic letter from her newly-wed cousin begging for someone to save her from a mysterious doom, Noem̕ Taboada heads to High Place, a distant house in the Mexican countryside. Noem̕ is an unlikely rescuer: She's a glamorous debutante, and her chic gowns and perfect red lipstick are more suited for cocktail parties than amateur sleuthing. But she's also tough and smart, and she is not afraid: Not of her cousin's new husband, who is both menacing and alluring; not of his father, the ancient patriarch who seems to be fascinated by Noem̕; and not even of the house itself, which begins to invade Noemi's dreams with visions of blood and doom. Her only ally in this inhospitable abode is the family's youngest son. Shy and gentle, he seems to want to help Noem̕, but might also be hiding dark knowledge of his family's past. As Noem̕ digs deeper she unearths stories of violence and madness, and may soon find it impossible to ever leave this enigmatic house behind.

The Sun Down Motel 
by Simone St. James
Berkey, 2020. 327 pages. 
Mystery 

Upstate NY, 1982. Every small town like Fell, New York, has a place like the Sun Down Motel. Some customers are from out of town, passing through on their way to someplace better. Some are locals, trying to hide their secrets. Viv Delaney works as the night clerk to pay for her move to New York City. But something isn't right at the Sun Down, and before long she's determined to uncover all of the secrets hidden there. Upstate NY, 2017. Carly Kirk has always been fascinated by her aunt Viv who disappeared from the Sun Down before Carly was born. Using a small inheritance from when her mom dies, Carly leaves college to go to Fell to figure out what happened to her aunt thirty-five years ago. Soon, Carly is mirroring her aunt's life, working as the night clerk at the motel, which hasn't changed since 1982. The guest book is still handwritten, the rooms still have actual keys, and a haunting presence still lingers. Carly discovers that Viv had been trying to unravel mysteries of her own--including a possible serial killer working in Fell. If Carly can find the answers Viv was searching for, she might be able to solve the mystery that has haunted her family for years.

MES

How to Make an Apple Pie from Scratch

How to Make an Apple Pie from Scratch: In Search of the Recipe for our Universe, from the Origins of Atoms to the Big Bang 

by Harry Cliff

Doubleday, 2021. 385 pages. Nonfiction

Carl Sagan famously said, "If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe." But what fundamental matter is the universe made of? What banged in the Big Bang? And how did that matter arise from nothing into the world we now know? In How to Make an Apple Pie from Scratch, Harry Cliff—a University of Cambridge particle physicist, researcher on the Large Hadron Collider, and acclaimed science presenter--sets out in pursuit of answers. Cliff illuminates the history of physics and chemistry that brought us to our present understanding—and misunderstandings—of the world, while offering readers a front row seat to the dramatically unfolding quest to unlock, at long last, the secrets of our universe.

Harry Cliff's deep understanding of particle physics shows in the way he can summarize complex theories so that anyone can understand them.  Part science lesson, part history lesson, and part travelogue, the thing I liked best about this book was Cliff's obvious love of physics, shown in the way he stops to marvel at life-changing ideas, or at the sight of the Milky Way on a particularly clear night.  I also appreciated that Cliff doesn't get too bogged down in the details; he uses relatable (and sometimes humorous) examples that kept me intrigued, and helped me follow along with the complex ideas he was explaining.  I am now closer to understanding what a Higgs boson is than I've ever been before.

If you like How to Make an Apple Pie from Scratch you might also like:

The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements

by Sam Kean

Little, Brown & Co., 2010, 391 pages, Nonfiction

In this book dedicated to telling the most fascinating discovery stories related to the periodic table of elements, Kean uses a bevy of unusual facts and unforgettable anecdotes to trace their influence on history, ranging from the Manhattan Project to Silicon Valley to the "disappearing spoon," a theoretical utensil made from gallium (atomic number 31), which has a melting point just over room temperature.

Astrophysics for People in a Hurry

by Neil deGrasse Tyson

W.W. Norton & Co., 2017. 222 pages. Nonfiction

What is the nature of space and time? How do we fit within the universe? How does the universe fit within us? There's no better guide through these mind-expanding questions than acclaimed astrophysicist and best-selling author Neil deGrasse Tyson. But today, few of us have time to contemplate the cosmos. So Tyson brings the universe down to Earth succinctly and clearly, with sparkling wit, in tasty chapters consumable anytime and anywhere in your busy day.

Cosmos

by Carl Sagan

Ballantine Books, 2013, 396 pages. Nonfiction

Cosmos retraces the fourteen billion years of cosmic evolution that have transformed matter into consciousness, exploring such topics as the origin of life, the human brain, Egyptian hieroglyphics, spacecraft missions, the death of the Sun, the evolution of galaxies, and the forces and individuals who helped to shape modern science.

MB

Allergy-Friendly Food for Families

Allergy-Friendly Food for Families

by Kiwi Magazine

Andrews McMEel, 2012. 240 p. Nonfiction. Cookbook.

Feeding a family with food allergies doesn't have to be boring or tasteless. Kiwi, the premier magazine about raising families the natural and organic way, presents 120 great recipes to keep your family happy, healthy and sane. Speaking from experience, it is very stressful when you find out a family member has a food-allergy. Some of your normal, go-to meals are no longer an option, but don't worry, this book will help you find new go-to meals that everyone can enjoy. I'd recommend this book to those who suffer from food-allergies or know someone with a food-allergy and those who enjoy cooking.

If you like Allergy-Friendly Food for Families you might also like... 

The Kid-Friendly Food Allergy Cookbook

by Leslie Hammond

Fair Winds Press, 2004. 224 p. Nonfiction. Cookbook.

The book's recipes take into account all of the most common food sensitivities like wheat and gluten, peanuts, or dairy. Each recipe can be modified to fit the dietary needs to the child. It's divided into three sections -- snacks, main dishes, and treats. Leslie and co-author Lynne Rominger also provide information about how to find what you need in a regular grocery store, instead of requiring a separate trip to the natural foods store. She writes from the perspective of an ordinary working mom, and doesn't design eating regimes that would take all day in the kitchen to satisfy. With the recipes in this book, even the most sensitive child will get a cookie too.

No Peanuts, No Problem!

by Katrina Jorgensen

Captsone Press 2017. 32p. Nonfiction. Cookbook. 

Can't consume tree nuts or peanuts? Check out these reaction-free recipes! Terrifically peanut and tree nut-free recipes from breakfast to dessert and everything inbetween. Discover delicious food you can make and eat with a peanut and tree-nut allergy.

NS

Taste: My Life Through Food

Taste: My Life Through Food
By Stanley Tucci
Gallery Books 2021. 320 pages. Biography/Memoir

The food-obsessed, award-winning actor reflects on the intersection of food, life, and loved ones and presents a heartfelt and delicious memoir of life in and out of the kitchen that takes readers on a gastronomic journey through the good times and bad.

Tucci's delightful personality shines in this memoir lovingly recounting the significant food experiences of his life.  From a childhood in a food-loving family with a talented cook for a mother, to adventures as an adult exploring new regions and the tastes they have to offer, Tucci's stories are as charmed as they are charming.  Recipes are included with almost every story, described not in dry instructions but with all the flavor of sitting around a table with the author as he conversationally describes the process to you ("Drain the potatoes and return them to the pan.  Put a lid on the pan and shake the hell out of it...").  The book also offers more depth than expected when he describes a recent brush with cancer that left him unable to eat anything for several months, and the importance and centrality of food in his life became more meaningful to him than ever.  Told with charm, heart, humor, and chatty familiarity, this book will appeal to fans of food and memoirs, and those who don't mind a few swear words here and there.  The audiobook, read by the author, is particularly recommended as his personality shines more than ever through his delivery.

 

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Eat a Peach
By David Chang
Clarkson Potter Publishers, 2020. 288 pgs. Biography 

David Chang is best known as the chef and owner of Momofuku Noodle Bar in Manhattan's East Village, although he has by now opened several more restaurants in addition to Momofuku.  Chang is surprisingly open about challenges he has faced, including serious struggles with mental health that nearly cost him his life.  Chang isn't afraid to admit when he was wrong or made mistakes, and what it cost him to learn those lessons.  What he has learned along the way is relatable and even inspiring, and his journey as a chef becomes almost secondary to the description of his growth as a person.  

My Life in France
By Julia Child
Alfred A. Knopf, 2006. 317 pages. Biography/Memoir

A memoir begun just months before Child's death describes the legendary food expert's years in Paris, Marseille, and Provence and her journey from a young woman from Pasadena who cannot cook or speak any French to the publication of her legendary Mastering cookbooks and her winning the hearts of America as "The French Chef." 

 

 

BHG 

Women and Leadership

Women and Leadership: Real Lives, Real Lessons
by Julia Gilliard and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

MIT Press, 2021. eBook. Nonfiction

Women make up fewer than ten per cent of national leaders worldwide, and behind this eye-opening statistic lies a pattern of unequal access to power. Through conversations with some of the world's most powerful and interesting women, Women and Leadership explores gender bias and asks why there aren't more women in leadership roles.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a pivotal moment in history for women in global and local leadership roles. Women and Leadership is anchored in this massive global change and provides the much-needed update on women leadership in a changed world. With humor and solid strategy pulled from eight real-world stories, Women and Leadership shows the inequalities faced by women leaders and provides steps to rise above.

If you liked Women and Leadership, then you may also like:

Called to Lead: Success Strategies for Women
by Pegine Echevarria

Palnoma Press, Ltd., 2021. 214 pages. Nonfiction

Leadership is calling. The world needs women who say "YES!" and lead. Is this you? Gain actionable insights from diverse women worldwide who share their wisdom and advice for your multifaceted life.

She Represents: 44 Women Who are Changing Politics...and the World
by Caitlin Donahue

Zest Books, 2020. 214 pages. YA Nonfiction

Each of the forty women profiled in this illustrated YA book demonstrates how women are capable of political and community leadership and activism. Readers will be inspired to pursue their own goals of social change.

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Firekeeper's Daughter

Firekeeper's Daughter

by Angeline Boulley

Henry Holt and Co, 2021. 494 pages. YA Mystery Fiction

In the wake of a family tragedy, Daunis is debating whether to attend the University of Michigan to get a degree in medicine, or to stay in her Ojibwe community on Sault Ste Marie to help her mother. Daunis' decision is made for her when she is approached by undercover FBI agents who ask for her help assimilating into the community. An especially destructive strain of meth is being sold among tribal members, and Daunis, with her tribal connections and her interest in science, could be just the secret agent they need to help solve the case. But as Daunis gets closer to the truth, she discovers secrets that could tear apart her beloved community.

This highly acclaimed novel has been listed on many "Best YA of 2021" lists. While Daunis' age and status as a college student lead me to personally classify this as a New Adult novel instead, I do agree that this book is not to be missed, and older teens will likely enjoy it. Daunis is a strong, determined, intelligent woman who readers will love to root for. While the novel's mystery and action would keep readers hooked on their own, the main appeal of this book is in its #OwnVoices depiction of modern life in the Ojibwe tribe, which directly affects the way some of the plot points unfold and resolve. I listened to the audiobook version of this book, which was excellently narrated and especially useful when it came to deciphering Ojibwe words and phrases used.

If you like Firekeeper's Daughter you might also like:

Found

by Joseph Bruchac

7th Generation, 2020. 107 pages. YA Fiction

On his way to teach at Camp Seven Generations, a Native outdoor school, Nick, who is Abenaki, witnesses a murder and then is thrown off a train. Although his pursuers have modern technology to help them, Nick has something even more useful: he knows he has an ally in the natural world around him. 

This is My America

by Kim Johnson

Random House, 2020. 406 pages. YA Fiction

Tracy has been writing letters to Innocence X for years, asking them to use their resources as a justice-seeking organization to help her father, an innocent black man on death row. But when her brother is accused of killing his white girlfriend, Tracy decides it's time to take action herself in order to make sure her brother doesn't fall to the same fate. 

The Sentence

by Louise Erdrich

Harper, 2021. 386 pages. Fiction

Adults who enjoy Firekeeper's Daughter might want to explore the works of Louise Erdrich, who also writes fiction about the Ojibwa people. In this book, a small independent bookstore in Minneapolis is haunted from November 2019 to November 2020 by Flora, the store's most annoying customer. Bookstore employee Tookie must solve the mystery of this haunting while at the same time trying to understand all that occurs in Minneapolis during a year of grief, astonishment, isolation, and furious reckoning.

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