A couple of blog readers recommended this and a local homeschool mom friend is reading it so I picked it up. Just started it. From the back cover: "do less, live more, get accepted" and "Newport explores the world of relaxed superstars -- students who scored spots at the nation's top colleges by leading unclutterd, low stress and authentic lives". Can't wait to see what this has in store. If anything is learned it will have been worth the $8 that it costs to buy new from Amazon.
Disclosure: I purchased this at Amazon.com.
The Idea Factory Learning How to Think at MIT by Pepper White
I read this cover to cover and it is still on my mind. I wanted to write a full review but keep procrastinating. This is written in journal style a few years after he graduated from MIT with a masters in a field in engineering. To sum it up I learned that to attend MIT is a lot of hard work and crazy studying. It takes hard work and determination, it's no joke, as evidenced by the suicides.
After I finished the book I looked on Amazon.com at some of the customer reviews and the most interesting are angry at the book for not being true to the school in the last couple of years. People, this is a memoir, and it reflects the time the student was there, the early 1980s. Readers also must understand that a memoir is a person's experience and viewpoint. People each have their own unique lens they see life through and even two people who experience the same thing together can tell two very different stories about what went on.
Disclosure: I purchased the book at the MIT campus bookstore, The Coop.
Fannie's Last Supper Recreating One Amazing Meal From Fannie Farmer's 1896 Cookbook by Chris Kimball
I have learned a lot about cooking from Cook's Illustrated and I have respect for Chris Kimball. In this book he discusses cooking in the Victorian Era, how they did it, on what equipment and about life in Boston then, such things as what was available to buy in the market and what it was like to cook and bake on a coal cookstove. He also worked for two years to recreate a twelve course gourmet meal.
The book is a disappointment for me. It is boring and seems uneven. In an attempt to be thorough by talking about all the different things with explaining daily life in Boston back then he bored me to death. The book is organized by chapers around a course but often the majority of the thing discussed in that chapter has nothing to do with the meal associated with that chapter.
It's boring and dry. Here and there are elitist comments that I hate to hear.
I'm really disappointed and feel guilty to give the book a negative review since I respect Chris Kimball and have learned so much from Cook's Illustrated that have helped me and my husband become better home cooks.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from Amazon Vine product review program.
Twain's Feast Searching for America's Lost Foods in the Foodsteps of Samuel Clements by Andrew Beahrs
Now this is the book I was looking for in Kimball's book. Beahrs, whose writing I have never read before, was engaging. When I read this I have that experience of feeling sucked into the book and it's an effective escape read for me. This is a book that I relax to by reading before bed. It has served as as escape read on weekends.
The book has a good pace and it never gets boring. Somehow, Beahrs infuses history and facts in the story without it ever getting dry or boring.
Highly recommended for foodies or those interested in food history or to a lesser degree, the food history of the United States, or someone who must read anything having to do with Mark Twain - Samuel Clements who also cares about food and cooking.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from Amazon Vine's product review program.
Muslim Women Reformers: Inspiring Voices Against Oppression by Ida Lichter
This thick book is filled with stories and essays to explain the issues facing Muslim women in different places around the world. The chapters are organized by country.
Many thoughts and emotions flow as I read this book. I think I will start a little notebook to write down reactions to the different chapters. There is so much in this book that the thoughts can start to swirl and begin to get muddled.
I'm thinking this would be an excellent book to read with others such as for a book club but it would have to be divided up. Perhaps it is perfect for a college course with discussion if it could somehow be sectioned so as to have the students discuss things in some kind of an organized manner.
This book makes me realize I have been taking some of my freedoms as an American citizen and as a woman for granted.
This book makes me feel sad and angry that a huge topic like this was never taught to me in public school or in college. I have a feeling most Americans are really ignorant about this topic.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from a publicist.
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