Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Prodigious Savant: A Fascinating Thriller by J.J. White: 5 out of 5 stars.

Prodigious Savant by J.J. White:

A Fascinating Thriller by J.J. White:  Five out of five stars! Pages fly by quickly...
This thriller by J.J. White is a page turner. From the very first sentence the reader is drawn into the world of Burlington, Vermont in 1962. Once you start reading you won’t want to put it down. I read it all in one night. It is a very quick read. Teenager Gavin Weaver is injured in an explosion all because of one small act of teenage stupidity. Because of that act, his life is changed forever, and not necessarily all for the better. Waking up from a thirty-day coma, not only does he not suffer the usual disabilities from a head injury, he wakes up possessing several savant talents in music, art, math and memory. At the same time, his personality changes for the worst. He leans toward the dark side. Can Gavin survive the internal and external conflicts which keep him from the one thing he wants most, the girl he’s love since childhood? You’ll have to read it to find out. I promise you won’t be disappointed. I wasn’t.
Overall, Prodigious Savant is a worthwhile read, for any avid book reader and especially for the thriller lover. I highly recommend it.

Until next review, stay safe. Smile! Show compassion to others. Be nice to one another. Read a book and pass it on. Review it. Cheers!
Regards,

S.J. Francis
In Shattered Lies: "It's All About Family."  Coming in 2015 from Black Opal Books.
My Black Opal Books Author Page:
View My ShoutOut:  http://bit.ly/1r3oynM
A Book Review 4 U: abookreview4u.blogspot.com
A Consumer's View: aconsumersview.blogspot.com
OnefortheAnimals:    onefortheanimals.blogspot.com
 
 
 
Good Reads:       https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/33550975-s-j


Copyright 2015 by S.J. Francis. No portion of this blog post may be reprinted, modified or used without written permission of the author.

Opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, S. J. Francis and are meant to entertain, inform and enlighten, and intend to offend no one.

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

5 out of 5 stars for A Kitchen in France A Year of Cooking in My Farmhouse Mimi Thorisson

Five out of Five stars for this gastronomic look at French Cooking:
Front Cover
 

From Publisher: With beguiling recipes and sumptuous photography, A Kitchen in France transports readers to the French countryside and marks the debut of a captivating new voice in cooking.
When Mimi Thorisson and her family moved from Paris to a small town in out-of-the-way Médoc, she did not quite know what was in store for them. She found wonderful ingredients—from local farmers and the neighboring woods—and, most important, time to cook. Her cookbook chronicles the family’s seasonal meals and life in an old farmhouse, all photographed by her husband, Oddur. Mimi’s convivial recipes—such as Roast Chicken with Herbs and Crème Fraîche, Cèpe and Parsley Tartlets, Winter Vegetable Cocotte, Apple Tart with Orange Flower Water, and Salted Butter Crème Caramel—will bring the warmth of rural France into your home.

About the Author: MIMI THORISSON is the author of Manger, a blog devoted to French cooking that was named Saveur’s Best Regional Food Blog in April 2013. After a career in television and having lived in Hong Kong, Singapore, London, Reykjavik, and Paris, she settled with her photographer husband, their five young children, her two older stepchildren, and the family’s fourteen dogs in a farmhouse in Médoc. She is the star of the cooking shows La Table de Mimi and the upcoming Les Desserts de Mimi, both on Canal+ in France.
Table of Contents
 
“When Mimi Thorisson, the author of this book and her family moved from Paris to a small town in out-of-the-way Medoc, she did not quite know what was in store for them.” What she experienced is this cookbook.
    Having a French background myself, and having visited this wonderful country of known for its beauty, culture, food and history, more than once, I’m always interested when I find a new book on French cooking.  When I saw this one, I knew I had to get it. It intrigued me. When I received it, I wasn’t prepared for the sheer size of it. It is a big, heavy book and at 304pgs beautiful photography, many of them are of the prepared dishes. Some are of the author shopping of preparing the dishes. Some of the photos are delicious enough to eat right off the page. The chapters are broken down into the four seasons and the recipes are set off into seasonal cooking. Mimi has the background to write this book. At the urging of her friends and family, before she left Paris, she began a food blog which contained recipes for French home cooking in English. Being half-Chinese and half French, she grew up in Hong Kong. Her mother is French. She spent her holidays in Paris or in the south of France with her mother’s family.  There with them, she was introduced to French cooking. Her maternal grandmother and aunt were terrific cooks, and “every day meant a feast.”  
Recipes and photos inside make up the book.
 
The recipes are many and varied from the starters to the main course and ending with dessert. There are soups, and meats with chicken, duck, and lamb, fish and the list goes on. There are dishes for the vegetarian and vegan or those that can easily be modified. Some are easy while others are time consuming. Overall, there isn’t any recipe in this book that can’t be made by anyone, even someone that never cooked before. Some of the recipes call for a dozen items or more, while some call for half that. Her recipes are clear and easy to follow. You can tell that she wrote it with the reader in mind.
Ready to get your mouth watering and follow it up with a meal that will have your taste buds applauding and you stomach yelling that it’s fantastic, but please I can’t handle anymore. Then grab a copy of this book for yourself or as a gift for someone you know. It is sure to be enjoyed by readers, cooks, and diners alike. Take a trip through the French countryside without leaving the comfort of your home. You’ll be glad you did. This is the first trip I didn’t have to pay for and I loved it!  
  
The author and her dogs and a delicious recipe. Is your mouth watering yet?


Until next review, stay safe. Smile! Show compassion to others. Be nice to one another. Read a book and pass it on. Review it. Cheers!
Regards,
S.J. Francis

In Shattered Lies: "It's All About Family."  Coming in 2015 from Black Opal Books.
FTC Disclaimer: I received this book at no charge in exchange for an honest and fair review.
 
Copyright 2015 by S.J. Francis. No portion of this blog post may be reprinted, modified or used without written permission of the author.

Opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, S. J. Francis and are meant to entertain, inform and enlighten, and intend to offend no one.


Wednesday, November 19, 2014

A Book Review for Early American Dollhouse Miniatures (Paperback) 4 Out of 5 stars.



Early American Dollhouse Miniatures (Paperback) by Gerald Jensen, June 1, 1981 First Edition.
 

My Review: Dollhouse miniatures are a fascination in my household. I had to say that outright in order for my review to be evenly weighed. I bought this to add to my miniaturist book collection. Perhaps, in time it will be useful for one or two items I might construct, but for now, it isn't for me. This is an interesting read for those interested in Early America. If you are into miniatures of Early America, this book isn't bad. Be forewarned, 98% of the book is black and white photos: there are only about a dozen color photos. It is an old book from 1981 and poorly constructed. Again, for this time period, there are lots of diagrams for making this period of items for your dollhouse, shop or diorama. I give it four stars for the wealth of information in it.
Overall, not a bad book. It just isn't for me.

Until next review, stay safe. Smile! Show compassion to others. Be nice to one another. Read a book and pass it on. Review it. Cheers!
Regards,
S.J. Francis

In Shattered Lies: "It's All About Family."  Coming in 2015 from Black Opal Books.


Copyright 2015 by S.J. Francis. No portion of this blog post may be reprinted, modified or used without written permission of the author.

Opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, S. J. Francis and are meant to entertain, inform and enlighten, and intend to offend no one.

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

The Hot Zone: The Terrifying True Story of the Origins of the Ebola Virus by Richard Preston 5 out of 5 stars.

5 out of 5 stars: The Hot Zone: The Terrifying True Story of the Origins of the Ebola Virus by Richard Preston

From Amazon.com:  The bestselling landmark account of the first emergence of the Ebola virus. A highly infectious, deadly virus from the central African rain forest suddenly appears in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. There is no cure. In a few days 90 percent of its victims are dead. A secret military SWAT team of soldiers and scientists is mobilized to stop the outbreak of this exotic "hot" virus. The Hot Zone tells this dramatic story, giving a hair-raising account of the appearance of rare and lethal viruses and their "crashes" into the human race. Shocking, frightening, and impossible to ignore, The Hot Zone proves that truth really is scarier than fiction.



My Review: This is one scary book! Stephen King said that it was the scariest book he ever read and I agree. It is certainly the scariest book I ever read. It's about the Ebola outbreak in 1976. It literally describes in vivid detail about how the body attacks and destroys the human body. What makes it most scary is that it is a TRUE story and so fits the time we are living in now. Did you know that the U.S. kept a monkey house near D.C., and in that house monkeys brought from the Phillipines had Ebola. It is so easy to see why this is a NY Times bestseller. It is a definite page turner. I started reading and couldn't put it down. I read it in a total of four hours.
If you enjoy thrillers, especially those of the non-fiction variety, you'll absolutely enjoy this one and learn a great deal about Ebola along the way. This one is definitely a page turner.
CAUTION: Not for the squeamish of weak of heart. If you're prone to nightmares, don't read this at bedtime. The World governments seem intent to downplay Ebola. I can't figure out why. After you read this book, I'm confident you won't downplay Ebola.

Background on the Reston Ebola Virus: From Wikipedia:

     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reston_virus


Reston virus (RESTV) is one of five known viruses within the genus Ebolavirus. Reston virus causes Ebola virus disease in non-human primates; unlike the other four ebolaviruses, it is not known to cause disease in humans, but has caused asymptomatic infections.[1][2][3] Reston virus was first described in 1990 as a new "strain" of Ebola virus (EBOV).[4] It is the single member of the species Reston ebolavirus, which is included into the genus Ebolavirus, family Filoviridae, order Mononegavirales.[5] Reston virus is named after Reston, Virginia, US, where the virus was first discovered.
RESTV was discovered in crab-eating macaques from Hazleton Laboratories (now Covance) in 1989. This attracted significant media attention due to the proximity of Reston to the Washington, DC, metro area and the lethality of a closely related Ebola virus. Despite its status as a level-4 organism, Reston virus is non-pathogenic to humans, though hazardous to monkeys;[6][7] the perception of its lethality was compounded by the monkey's coinfection with Simian hemorrhagic fever virus (SHFV).

Richard Preston's 1995 best-selling book, The Hot Zone aboe, dramatized this Ebola virus disease outbreak in Reston, Virginia.[27

Until next review, stay safe. Smile! Show compassion to others. Be nice to one another. Read a book and pass it on. Review it. Cheers!
Regards,
S.J. Francis

Regards,
S. J. Francis
 
In Shattered Lies: "It's All About Family."  Coming in 2015 from Black Opal Books.

My Black Opal Books Author Page:

View My ShoutOut:  http://bit.ly/1r3oynM
 
A Book Review 4 U: abookreview4u.blogspot.com
A Consumer's View: aconsumersview.blogspot.com
OnefortheAnimals:    onefortheanimals.blogspot.com
 
 
 

Good Reads:       https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/33550975-s-j


Copyright 2015 by S.J. Francis. No portion of this blog post may be reprinted, modified or used without written permission of the author.

Opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, S. J. Francis and are meant to entertain, inform and enlighten, and intend to offend no one.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

A Book Review for Down South: Bourbon, Pork, Gulf Shrimp & Second Helpings of Everything by Donald Link

Down South: Bourbon, Pork, Gulf Shrimp & Second Helpings of Everything by Donald Link
4 out of 5 stars.
My Review:
What can I say about this cook book? Plenty. It is more than a cook book. It’s a book about down south and more. Take a trip down south without leaving home. Indulge your senses while taking in a bit of southern history. Most of the recipes can be made by anyone at any time, but not all. Some are a bit more involved and better reserved for a special occasion or dinner party. Think ‘hoity toity’.

Inside, learn how to make some tasty and easy drinks in the chapter entitled, let’s start with a drink. Enjoy some decadent starters with old-school southern cocktail parties. Do a little barbequing in the chapter: Cook It Outside. Roast, Braise, simmer and fry in the chapter of the same name. Indulge in the unusual in Heads, feet, neck and bones with such dishes as Fried fish collars with Chile vinegar or pork trillions. Do you have a taste for seafood, then you’ll find the chapter, Seafood from the gulf and south Atlantic of particular interest with recipes for crab and spinach dumplings, crisp fried frog legs or salt-crusted red snapper. Top off the recipes with Fresh Seasonal Southern sides and Southern-Style Sweets. 

With this cookbook, and most of the recipes, there’s simply no reason why anyone anywhere can’t cook as if they’re down south. A word of warning: This is not a cookbook for Vegans or those with small appetites.  This is definitely a meat lover’s paradise and those with time to prepare the meals.

 

Caveats as to why I give it just 4 stars instead of 5: It is not a healthy cookbook, vegan or everyday simple to make cookbook. If you’re looking to make a simple, quick to eat meal after work, this is not a cookbook for you. Neither is this a true ‘southern food’ cookbook. Unfortunately, this isn’t exactly the cookbook I was expecting. I expected a cookbook on ‘southern food’ recipes. There are some fabulous recipes here, and most are from the south, but not all. I counted at least twelve that originated elsewhere. If you are looking for a true ‘Down South’ cookbook about nothing but ‘southern food’, this isn’t it.  Not all recipes are from down south. Link takes recipes he likes and adds them to the book with a bit of southern flavor. I live down south, in the Mississippi Delta and wanted a ‘real southern’ cookbook and though, this is a fantastic cookbook, it isn’t what this former Yankee hoped for. 

Overall, an excellent cookbook for food lovers, especially meat and seafood, and those who love southern food, or those with a hankering to learn how to do so.
About the Authors:
DONALD LINK is the chef-owner of Herbsaint, Cochon, Cochon Butcher, Pêche, and Calcasieu in New Orleans. He won the James Beard award for Best Chef South in 2007 and his first book, Real Cajun, won the James Beard award for Best American Cookbook. 
“Perhaps best known as the James Beard Award-winning chef behind some of New Orlean’s most beloved restaurants, Link also has a knack for sniffing out a backyard barbecue wherever he travels and scoring an invitation to sample some of the best fare around.”
PAULA DISBROWE is the author of Cowgirl Cuisine and co-author of Real Cajun and Susan Spicer’s Crescent City Cooking. She lives in Austin, TX.
 
FTC Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for a honest review from Blogging for Books. 


Until next review, stay safe. Smile! Show compassion to others. Be nice to one another. Read a book and pass it on. Review it. Cheers!
Regards,
S.J. Francis
In Shattered Lies: "It's All About Family."  Coming in 2015 from Black Opal Books.
My Black Opal Books Author Page:
View My ShoutOut:  http://bit.ly/1r3oynM
A Book Review 4 U: abookreview4u.blogspot.com
A Consumer's View: aconsumersview.blogspot.com
OnefortheAnimals:    onefortheanimals.blogspot.com
 
 
 

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

A Review for Deer: The Animal answer Guide by George A. Feldhamer and William J. McShea

A Review for Deer: The Animal answer Guide  by George A. Feldhamer and William J. McShea

Wonderful and informative book about all species of deer in the world. 5 out of 5 stars.
My Review:
This is a wonderful book for the animal enthusiast, hunter etc. If you want to know about the habits of deer and the different breeds, this is the book for you to read. I’m so glad that I purchased it. At 163 pages, there is an index, black and white sketches and color photos. There is so much for one to learn here. Examine a deer’s form and function, their behavior, ecology, reproduction, foods and feeding, interaction between deer and humans and more. Learn how many kinds of deer there are in existence. What is the difference between bucks, stags and bulls? How high can deer jump? How fast can deer run? Why do female caribou usually have antlers? Are deer social? If deer interest you and you want to learn more without reading several books or doing a search on the internet, this is the one for you.
Overall, this is an excellent book about deer and I highly recommend it without hesitation. Did you know that elk and caribou are deer? Neither did I. Well written and filled with lots of information in such a few pages, you couldn’t find a better resource.
About the Authors:
George A. Feldhamer is a professor of zoology at Southern Illinois University. He is coeditor of Mammalogy: Adaptation, Diversity, Ecology and Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, and Conservation; and coauthor of Mammals of the National Parks, all published by Johns Hopkins.
William J. McShea is a research scientist at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park and senior editor of The Science of Overabundance: Deer Ecology and Population Management and Oak Forest Ecosystems: Ecology and Management for Wildlife, the latter also published by Johns Hopkins.
 
 

Synopsis:   From Amazon.com:

Think of deer and the image that pops into most American's minds is that of a white-tailed deer, the most common large mammal in North America. Most Europeans are more familiar with red deer. It may surprise many people to know that there are actually about 50 species of deer found throughout the world. Here, readers will find nontechnical, expert information about the wide range of diverse deer species.

Did you know that elk and caribou are deer? Or that the earliest fossils of deer are 15 to 20 million years old? Have you ever wondered whether deer swim, play, or see color? How do deer avoid predators and survive the winter? Do deer make good pets or carry contagious diseases? George A. Feldhamer and William J. McShea answer these and other intriguing questions about members of the deer family Cervidae.
From the diminutive pudu of South America that weighs 17 pounds to male moose that weigh close to 2,000 pounds, Feldhamer and McShea explore the biology, evolution, ecology, feeding habits, reproduction, and behavior of deer. They chronicle the relationships between humans and deer—both positive and negative—and discuss the challenges of deer conservation and management.
With vivid color photographs and an accessible and engaging question-and-answer format, this easy-to-read book is the go-to resource on deer. Nature lovers, hunters, and anyone curious about deer will find this fact-filled book both fascinating and full of surprises.
 
Until next review, stay safe. Smile! Show compassion to others. Be nice to one another. Read a book and pass it on. Review it. Cheers!
Regards,
S.J. Francis
In Shattered Lies: "It's All About Family."  Coming in 2015 from Black Opal Books.
My Black Opal Books Author Page:
View My ShoutOut:  http://bit.ly/1r3oynM
A Book Review 4 U: abookreview4u.blogspot.com
A Consumer's View: aconsumersview.blogspot.com
OnefortheAnimals:    onefortheanimals.blogspot.com
 
 
 

Friday, September 19, 2014

Urban Watercolor Sketching: A Guide to Drawing, Painting, and Storytelling in Color Paperback

5 Out of 5 stars:


Urban Watercolor Sketching: A Guide to Drawing, Painting, and Storytelling in Color Paperback
Outstanding Book on Perfecting the Use of Watercolors in Your Art 
COLOR YOUR LIFE with this Informative book:
Bring new energy to your sketches of urban scenes with this fresh and simple approach to watercolor painting. Whether you’re an amateur artist, drawer, doodler, or sketcher, watercolor is a versatile sketching medium that’s perfect for people on the go—much like pen or pencil. Accomplished designer and illustrator Felix Scheinberger offers a solid foundation in color theory and countless lessons on all aspects of watercolor sketching 
My review:
I’m an art lover from way back when. I love to draw, but I’m no expert, but this is an excellent book to help one obtain their dreams in art. This is a beautiful and colorful book with lots of sketches and instructions about how to draw and paint with color. The author, Felix Sheinberger, an illustrator, artist and designer discusses the fundamentals like wet-on-wet, glazes and washer; Materials and supplies to bring on your travels and little know tips and tricks, like painting when water isn’t handy and seeking out inspiration. There is a great deal of discussion on the use of colors. If you are into learning or refining or just interested in drawing or painting with watercolors, this is the book for you. It is valuable and informative and excellent book to keep on your artist bookshelf.  This is a valuable guide that shows one how to bring paintings and drawings to life with colorful, bold, yet accessible painting methods.
Overall, I highly recommend this book without hesitation. Some of the topics covered in depth are: the ins and outs of watercolors, introducing color to sketches, first attempts with shadows and light, discussing the effects and use of colors, tools to use, painting outdoors, and tips and tricks used with watercolor. This is a fabulous book you will no doubt be referring to more than once. “Vibrant watercolor paintings grace each page, and light-hearted anecdotes (why do fish make great subjects to paint, you may be wondering...) make this a lively guide to the medium. With an open mind and sketchbook, you will be ready to capture the moments around you in luminous color with confidence, creativity, and ease—no matter what your skill level may be.”

About the Book's Author:

FELIX SCHEINBERGER is an illustrator, artist, and designer. He is the author and illustrator of two other books on watercolors and has illustrated more than fifty children’s books in the last decade. His work has appeared in magazines including Harvard Business Manager and Psychology Today. He lives in Berlin, Germany.


FTC Disclaimer: "I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."

Until next review, stay safe. Smile! Show compassion to others. Be nice to one another. Read a book and pass it on. Review it. Cheers!
Regards,
S.J. Francis
In Shattered Lies: "It's All About Family."  Coming in 2015 from Black Opal Books.
My Black Opal Books Author Page:
View My ShoutOut:  http://bit.ly/1r3oynM
A Book Review 4 U: abookreview4u.blogspot.com
A Consumer's View: aconsumersview.blogspot.com
OnefortheAnimals:    onefortheanimals.blogspot.com
 
 
 

Saturday, September 6, 2014

Foundations in Comic Book Art Fundamental Tools and Techniques for Sequential Artists by John Paul Lowe

A Book Review for you…5 out of 5 stars:
Foundations in Comic Book Art Fundamental Tools and Techniques for Sequential Artists by John Paul Lowe:
The Title Says It All:
I love this book! Fantastic! Awesome. It is fast reading, so fast that I read it in all of two hours, and that was taking it slow. I‘ve always enjoyed reading comic books and even now, I still read a couple now and then. I may be getting older, but I refuse to grow up. If you love comic books or know someone that does, I can recommend you purchase this without hesitation. The title says it all: Comic Book Art Fundamental Tools and techniques for sequential artists. Comic book artists will easily and quickly benefit from this book, but so can any other artist. The book is in full color with sample sketches and step by step instructions.

 
Written by John Paul Lowe, a teacher at the Savannah College of Art and Design, his career in comics began with DC comics in 1991. Flipping through the nearly heavy stock of this book, you know right away that this author knows what he is talking about.
Examples from the works of SCAD faculty, alumni and students are paired with Lowe’s easy to follow step by step lessons with exercises for readers.

 
Contents include: Anyone Can Draw, Learning to See, Perspective Basics, The Figure, Visual Problem Solving and Inking.
Overall, a fantastic book that any comic book lover, enthusiast or visual artist will enjoy.  This is a treasure.
 
Remember my book reviews can also be found at amazon.com, goodreads.com, bloggingforbooks.org and my website blog: sjfranciswriter.com.
Thanks so much for visiting. It is greatly appreciated! Stay safe and happy! :)
 
 
"I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."
 
 
Until next review, stay safe. Smile! Show compassion to others. Be nice to one another. Read a book and pass it on. Review it. Cheers!
Regards,
S.J. Francis
In Shattered Lies: "It's All About Family."  Coming in 2015 from Black Opal Books.
My Black Opal Books Author Page:
View My ShoutOut:  http://bit.ly/1r3oynM
A Book Review 4 U: abookreview4u.blogspot.com
A Consumer's View: aconsumersview.blogspot.com
OnefortheAnimals:    onefortheanimals.blogspot.com
 
 
 

Sunday, August 24, 2014

A Book Review for You: Toyota FJ Cruiser Hardcover by Larry Edsall 5 out of 5 stars.


Toyota FJ Cruiser Hardcover        by Larry Edsall   5 Out of 5 stars

Synopsis from Amazon.com: 


"Toyota’s legendary FJ40, the rugged off-road two-door Landcruiser introduced in 1960, sold more than one million models in its lifetime—and is still in service in the roughest parts of the world, nearly a quarter of a century after the last one rolled off the assembly line. As Toyota prepares to roll out its new version of this classic, this book offers a close-up, behind-the-scenes look at the development and production of the new FJ Cruiser, a retro 4x4 that combines its famous predecessor’s unparalleled style with solid off-road capabilities and all the convenience and comfort that today's technology offers.                          
                                             With interviews from the designers, engineers, and executives involved in making the FJ Cruiser, as well as more than 150 photos of the new vehicle and details on the 4x4’s specifications, this book puts readers into the driver’s seat of Toyota’s next classic Cruiser.” 

 
  My Review:  Five Stars out of Five. This book is a treasure for the 4x4 and/or Toyota FJ enthusiast. There are lots of color photos and diagrams to peruse. This is a great book on the Cruiser. It's a bit dated from 2006, but contains a wealth of information. There are a lot of great photos and schematics of the original concept vehicle.
This is a great book for the Cruiser enthusiast. I have no hesitation is recommending it to others.


 
 
Until next review, stay safe. Smile! Show compassion to others. Be nice to one another. Read a book and pass it on. Review it. Cheers!
Regards,
S.J. Francis
In Shattered Lies: "It's All About Family."  Coming in 2015 from Black Opal Books.
My Black Opal Books Author Page:
View My ShoutOut:  http://bit.ly/1r3oynM
A Book Review 4 U: abookreview4u.blogspot.com
A Consumer's View: aconsumersview.blogspot.com
OnefortheAnimals:    onefortheanimals.blogspot.com
 
 
 
 

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

I blog for books; do you?




             Hello! Love Books? Have a blog? I do too, which is why I just signed up to join blogging for books. It's easy to do.

Blog for books: Pick a book for free and write a review. No strings, just free books. And no, I don't and you won't receive any money for the reviews: Just free books for a review on your blog. First come, first served in all genres, fiction and non-fiction-e-books and paper books
.
I blog for books-You can too!
Check out the website www.bloggingforbooks.com.

Let me know what you think of it.

So  far I've received (3) books and reviewed to date.


Regards,
S. J. Francis
 
In Shattered Lies: "It's All About Family."  Coming in 2015 from Black Opal Books.
My Black Opal Books Author Page:
View My ShoutOut:  http://bit.ly/1r3oynM
A Book Review 4 U: abookreview4u.blogspot.com
A Consumer's View: aconsumersview.blogspot.com
OnefortheAnimals:    onefortheanimals.blogspot.com
 
 
 

Monday, August 4, 2014





Here is the first book review for you: Out of five stars, I give it just three (3).


Book Reviewed:  America's Doll House: The Miniature World of Faith Bradford (Paperback)

Sorry, but I was disappointed with this book & can't recommend it!!,

Dollhouse miniatures are a fascination in my household. I had to say that outright in order for my review to be evenly weighed. I ordered this book with great anticipation because I had heard good things about it, "great example of dollhouse miniatures," "a must read". The book is okay. It is nothing fancy. There are lots of other books on dollhouse miniatures that delve into the subject more thoroughly and make the subject worth reading about. Though, the dollhouse of the title is a nice house, it is nothing special to warrant such a book. There are, even back then when Bradford made her donation, other nicer, better dollhouses. At just 127 pages, including references, credits and acknowledgments, this book leaves a great deal to be desired. It is nowhere worth the cover price of $24.95, nor the much cheaper Amazon price of $14 I paid.

Faith Bradford is purported to have been a librarian that donated her unique dollhouse of 23 rooms, that she designed and decorated, to the Smithsonian Museum. In fact, she was recently retired from the Library of Congress, where in fact, she was more of an archivist than a librarian, and who no doubt had contacts to get her dollhouse into the Smithsonian, so her effort was really no big achievement.

The dollhouse she donated, never really made it to the museum, as it was no longer presentable, but the miniatures inside did, into a replica that the Museum paid for and had made for her in order to accept her dollhouse donation.

This book had promise, especially since it was written by the Smithsonian Curator, but it lost a great deal in execution. There are color photos along with black and white. There should have been a large overleaf, perhaps, one oversized color page of the whole house in order for the reader to delve into it. There is not. There is just one color photo of 8x10, which ones needs a magnifying glass to view the innards of the house. There is mention of another more modern house that Bradford also donated, but no digging into either. There is also a bit of history about the Smithsonian that wastes space.
Overall, this was a disappointing purchase and unless you are a serious miniaturist, whom enjoys keeping varied books on the subject on your book shelf, I can not recommend this one. See if you can locate it in your library instead and spend your money on a better book.
Product Details:
  • Paperback: 128 pages
  • Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press (October 6, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1568989741
  • ISBN-13: 978-1568989747

Until next review, stay safe. Smile! Show compassion to others. Be nice to one another. Read a book and pass it on, review it. Cheers!
Regards,
S.J. Francis
In Shattered Lies: "It's All About Family."  Coming in 2015 from Black Opal Books.
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