Review: The Second Half Of Life

The Second Half Of Life
By: Sionna Cailey
ASIN: B0043M4NX6

Summary as per Amazon Digital Services:
Tequila, magic and rock and roll set the stage for midlife rebellion when the Committee for the Disaffected decides that the ancient art of witchcraft is the only way to rev up their boring small-town lives. Aidan, Kathy and Diana soon discover they’re not the only witches in town, and the local coven holds the secret to a cursed stone, inhabited by a demon that will grant your heart’s desire. This demon is a sultry succubus that wants to know what’s in it for her, and she doesn't give you what you wish for; she gives you what she thinks you deserve.

Aidan desires the attentions of a handsome young musician, only to discover that he was already in love – with his bandmate. Kathy longs for financial security, but when fortune strikes, it reveals her husband’s true nature. Longing to be a respected author, Diana becomes an overnight success – but it’s her kinky erotica that everyone wants, and her humiliated husband decides to put his foot down.

Magical wishes always come with a high price tag – and they’re just not sure they can afford it.

Review:
The Committee for the Disaffected is described as a search for personal growth and enlightenment usually in the company of tequila and debates. Their story begins with how Aidan, Kathy and Diana came to their disaffected status and how they have previously tried to grow beyond it. Each of these women definitely personify how many people either feel or have felt at some time or another in certain situations. The trials and tribulations of the characters lives are all real situations that people have dealt with which makes the characters more real as well.

This book is the first in a long while that has had to do with fictional witchcraft that I have enjoyed. Most often these type of books fall into the The Craft sort which is purely stereotypical and fun, but doesn't make a story that will stick with you. The much more down to earth Practical Magic sort makes the story more believable and this makes it stick with you. 

Sionna Cailey did such an amazing job subtly crafting common themes in an unique way. The magic in this story was actually the realization that even in what seems to be drab existence there is still a spark of the unusual. I also enjoyed how Sionna Cailey seemed to tell the story through the secondary characters instead of the main characters. The main characters instead of being the driving force they only occasionally made great leaps. The secondary characters kept the story moving and helped the characters grow. Overall, I give this story a high three due to it being more reminiscent of Practical Magic and the unusual story telling.

Review: The Geometry of Pasta

The Geometry of Pasta
By: Caz Hildebrand & Jacob Kenedy
ISBN: 9781594744952

Summary from the back of the book:
Wheels and tubes, twists and folds and grooves - pasta comes in hundreds of shapes, each with its own unique history, beauty, and place on the dinner table. For centuries these shapes have evolved alongside Italy's cornucopia of local ingredients; if you know how the flavours relate to the forms, you hold the secret formula to good taste. 

THE GEOMETRY OF PASTA pairs over 100 authentic recipes from acclaimed chef Jacob Kenedy with award-winning designer Caz Hildebrand's stunning black-and-white designs to reveal the science, culture, and philosophy behind spectacular pasta dishes from throughout Italian history.

A triumphant fusion of food and design, THE GEOMETRY OF PASTA invites us to unlock the hidden properties of Italy's most mathematically perfect deliciousness.

Review:
Little known fact about your favorite reviewer: I love to cook and I adore pasta. When I found that Quirk Books had put this up for review I couldn't be more excited. I always wondered why there were so many types of pasta and what each one was used for technically. This book did not disappoint at all.

For every type of pasta I knew and even some I didn't the authors included a history of it's creation and how you would prepare it. This isn't just the case of which pasta you use with which sauce but actually how to make the pasta! Learning how to make pasta has been on my bucket list for eons and now I have the tools to actually do it! The recipes are clear and precise unlike many which are a pinch of this or that. Included in the history was also an explanation of its name which was really fun.

The recipes are also paired with really neat designs which is cute and pretty but I would have liked a couple of color pictures as well. The reason for this is that although I knew some of the pastas I didn't know them all and some of the designs weren't clear enough for me to be able to pick out the pasta in a store. My only other negative criticism about this book is the inclusion of stelline (stars) in broth and alfabeto (alphabets) with ketchup in the recipes. The reason I am not thrilled about these additions is because the space they used could have been used for other not so common uses of these pastas which I would have liked.

All in all, great cookbook with many new and classic recipes. I rate this book at a high three for it was entirely enjoyable and fun addition to my cookbook library. And since it is the season of gifts this is a great pre-holiday gift (that way the cook you give this to might make one of these yummy recipes for their holiday party!).

Reason I Read This Book: The publisher requested a review and I was interested in the idea of the shape of pasta affecting recipes. What a curious notion!

Review: How To Survive A Horror Movie: All the Skills to Dodge the Kills

How To Survive A Horror Movie: All the Skills to Dodge the Kills
By: Seth Grahame-Smith with a foreword by Wes Craven
ISBN: 9781594741791

Summary:
Every month or so, a new horror movie hits #1 at the box office-no wonder there are dozens of new fright films slated for release. But should you find yourself trapped in one of these movies, there’s no need to be afraid. How to Survive a Horror Movie will teach you how to cope with every kind of horror movie obstacle, from ax-wielding psychopaths to haunted Japanese VHS tapes. Chapters include:

• How to Survive a Night of Babysitting 
• How to Convince the Skeptical Local Sheriff
• How to Perform an Exorcism
• How to Tell If You’ve Been Dead Since the Beginning of the Movie
• How to Vanquish a Murderous Doll 

Full of illustrated instructions on avoiding ghosts, serial killers, haunted cars, murderous pets, telekinetic prom queens, and countless other hazards, How to Survive a Horror Movie is essential reading for movie buffs of all ages!

Review:
How To Survive A Horror Movie is a great companion book to a dark and stormy night. This is a fun yet serious guide to the horror movie universe. It even has a foreword by Wes Craven, one of the great creators in this genre. Seth Grahame-Smith took the rules we hear about in Scream a great step forward. This book describes all the different types of horror as well as what isn't horror. Not only are the different types recognized but they are also dissected in a very comical way.

As a horror aficionado I was even amazed to learn a new thing or two that I had never considered before. Overall, this guide is a fun addition to any movie lover's library. I rate this book at a high three, for as much as I enjoy this book I would have liked a little more depth.