Business and Creative Womens Forum: gifts

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Putting Books on My Christmas List

Book Blogger Holiday Blog Hop

Welcome to my blog She-Writers and Happy Holidays. Do come in an take a look around. I hope you enjoy your visit.

Again this year, I will be giving some of my closest friends and relatives books for Christmas gifts. Most of them are avid readers and appreciate a thoughtful choice for their library. I decided to give my two emergent writer friends, Stephen King’s On Writing, a wonderful book that should be in every writer’s library. Although it’s been around for a while, it’s the kind of book you can re-read and enjoy time and time again. It is so funny, honest, and downright enjoyable…nothing stuffy about Mr. King. I know both recipients will be delighted.

For those interested in culinary endeavors, I've chosen Rachel Ray's new cookbook, My Year in Meals, written with her husband, John Cusimano. It's filled with recipes cooked while the camera was rolling in her own kitchen. It also includes personal stories, notes about her travels, and wonderful photos of her creations.

The third book I'm giving is also a cookbook. It's a beautiful little book based on the new TV show The Chew, hosted by 5 award winning cooks, two of them Iron chefs. The book, filled with colorful photos of food and great recipes, is titled The Chew, Food, Life, Fun and is I believe a perfect selection for my 14 year old grand daughter who loves to cook.

Courage of Fear by Barbara Boyer

Courage of Fear by Barbara Boyer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When I first picked up this book for review, I thought that I would be getting an inspirational romance. How wrong I was. And, I am in no way, disappointed. Romance is my preferred genre, but I do dabble in others. I’m glad I got this one. I was also a little put off by the title, but once I read the book I understood and think it was a great choice for her to use it.
Courage of Fear is a hauntingly powerful inspirational fiction novel that will toy with your emotions in ways you cannot fathom. Cleverly written and deftly portrayed, Barbara Boyer creates unforgettable characters with an intense plot-line. Her extensive vocabulary and understanding of the human condition makes for a great read.
The main character in the book, Angela, at one time was an author. At the beginning of each chapter was a segment from her book the character supposedly wrote. I thought this to be an excellent choice. It made the book stand apart from the rest and only added to the potency of the story. The ending, (don’t worry- I won’t spoil it), was phenomenal. I wasn’t expecting that at all. If you’re in the mood for a good laugh, cry, or intellectually stimulating read, I suggest you pick up Courage of Fear.
Reviewer: Kelly Moran, Author

Review of Tender At The Bone by Ruth Reichl

Tender at the Bone: Growing Up at the Table by Ruth Reichl
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wonderful book...can't put it down. I'm writing a memoir and reading as many memoirs as I can. This one is great...she's such a good writer. This book has been very helpful to me as a memoir writer, especially in that it is a wonderful example of a writer infusing their memoir with their honest and authentic voice. That has been a challenge for me, but with thought and time and also with lots of blogging I have opened up and have been able to fill the written page with my true voice...not always...but I'm working on it.

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Book Review

Orion You Came and You Took All My Marbles by Kira Henehan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

So far I find the book wildly imaginative, entertaining and somewhat laborious to read. It's not the kind of book you can skim through or completely relax with, while reading. You have to be alert and ready for twists and turns and an extremely creative story line. Neither is it the kind of book you read in bed at night to make you sleepy. It's like very contemporary modern art...intriguing and original. Henehan plays around with and has great fun with the language, which at times becomes somewhat tedious.

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