Killer Style: How Fashion Has Injured, Maimed, and Murdered Through History by Serah-Marie McMahon & Alison Matthews David

 Killer Style: How Fashion Has Injured, Maimed, and Murdered Through History by Serah-Marie McMahon & Alison Matthews David -- 48 pages

I read this book as preparation for a homeschool class. It was fascinating.  It covered various style choices that proved to be hazardous and/or dangerous throughout history.  I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in nonfiction.  The kids enjoyed learning about the different fashions as did the adults.

What Was the Great Molasses Flood of 1919? by Kirsten Anderson

What Was the Great Molasses Flood of 1919? by Kirsten Anderson -- 107 pages

I listened to this on audio as I don't really know anything about the event.  It was interesting to learn to about.  It is typical of the books in the series in that it goes off on tangents every once in while but I found it more interesting than the last couple I listened to.

What Was the Children's Blizzard of 1888? by Steve Korte

 What Was the Children's Blizzard of 1888? by Steve Korte -- 112 pages

I've always wanted to know more about this catastrophe so decided to listen to the book on Spotify.  I don't think this was the strongest book in the series.  The first half of the book shared information about the time period, the Midwest, and westward expansion.  It was a very surface level treatment of the issues -- especially the Native American relocation.  Most of the information about the blizzard was actually stories of heroic teachers that helped save the lives of their students.  The stories actually became a little repetitive as there were 2-3 chapters of them.  While it was interesting I would definitely prefer to read something with a little more substance.

Who Is Dolly Parton? by True Kelley

Who Is Dolly Parton? by True Kelley -- 105 pages

I listened to the audio version of this book.  I enjoy these short biographies for kids and usually learn some new information about the subject.  This book was interesting.  However, I found it confusing as it kept jumping around through time.  It would flit between from the 60s to the 80s and then back to the 70s.  I also didn't realize when I started listening that it was written back in 2014 so there was quite a bit left out.  Overall, not the best book in the series but still interesting for those who like Dolly Parton.

What Are Taylor Swift's Eras? by Niki Catherine

What Are Taylor Swift's Eras? by Niki Catherine - 107 pages

I listened to the audiobook of this.  It was interesting how the author broke down the eras into styles of music, symbols, and colors.  I thought it interesting that seemed to focus more on music that wasn't necessarily played on the radio as I didn't recognize a lot of the song titles.  This would definitely be a book for a Swiftie fan.

Mysterious World by Laura Knowles

Mysterious World by Laura Knowles -- 191 pages

I read this book in preparation for a homeschool class I'm teaching.  It was very interesting.  It contained information on various mysterious creatures, places, events, etc.  I've read several other similar books yet this one contained a lot of things I have not heard of before. I would definitely recommend this book to kids.

One Pot, One Portion by Eleanor Wilkinson

One Pot, One Portion: 100 Simple Recipes Just for You by Eleanor Wilkinson -- 223 pages

I picked up this cookbook to read as I'm always looking for smaller recipes for just one person.  This was a great cookbook for that.  However, I did not realize that it was a British cookbook.  While I like British food, there were several recipes that had odd combinations that I would not particularly like to try.  It also used ingredients (especially cuts of meat) that are expensive in the US.  I did find a few recipes to try out.  
 

The Big, Fun Book of Fake-Out Cakes by Food Network Magazine

The Big, Fun Book of Fake-Out Cakes by Food Network Magazine -- 175 pages

This is a new cookbook that came into the library.  It was very interesting to see the various cakes made to look like other things.  Some of them were very realistic.  I also liked that it used easy to make cake recipes or pre-made cakes and other ingredients.  However, I think that a lot of the fake out cakes are not necessarily geared towards children -- either in looks or difficulty of decorating.

 

Of Course It's Good! by Jessica Secrest

Of Course It's Good! Aggressively Delicious Meals ANYONE Can Make and EVERYONE Will Love by Jessica Secrest -- 176 pages

I was excited when I saw this cookbook was being published.  I love Jessica Secrest's cooking videos.  So I put this book on hold back in January and I finally got it to read.  I was not disappointed.  This was one of the better cookbooks I have read.  It has recipes that regular people might actually make on a regular night.  The ingredients are staples you normally have without having to make a special trip to the grocery store.  The directions are in normal conversational tone  I would highly recommend this cookbook to anyone.
 

Everything's Good by Toni Chapman

Everything's Good: Cozy Classics You'll Cook Always & Forever by Toni Chapman -- 255 pages

I was not very impressed with this cookbook.  The description made it seem like it would contain easy to make home cooking.  However, I found most of the recipes called for multiple ingredients you wouldn't normally have.  I only found 1-2 recipes I would even consider making.  Unfortunately, this was not the cookbook for me.

 

The Sheet Pan by America's Test Kitchen

 

The Sheet Pan by America's Test Kitchen -- 326 pages

I really liked this cookbook.  It had a lot of great recipes using just a sheet pan -- including things I never would have thought of.  I would definitely recommend this book.

 

Nights and Weekends by Alexis de Boschnek

Nights and Weekends by Alexis de Boschnek - 272 pages

I thought this cookbook would give recipes to make on the weekend and then more recipes using the leftovers to make on weeknights.  However, instead it gave what it considered time-friendly recipes to make during weeknights and then recipes that you could savor making on weekends.  I didn't actually see much difference between the two types of recipes other the weekend recipes usually required baking rather than stove top cooking.
 

Spooky Lakes by Geo Rutherford

Spooky Lakes: 25 Strange and Mysterious Lakes That Dot Our Planet by Geo Rutherford -- 96 pages

This book was fascinating to read.  It contains information about 25 different lakes (or other bodies of water) that are different including lava lakes, nuclear lakes, and lightning lakes.  I would highly recommend this book to anyone.
 

Mary Blair Treasury of Golden Books by Mary Blair

 

Mary Blair Treasury of Golden Books by Mary Blair -- 145 pages

I read this book after finding out that the artist Mary Blair had illustrated several Little Golden Books.  I love her artwork so wanted to see what the books were like.  While the text was not all that exciting for me I did enjoy her artwork for the stories.  I especially enjoyed seeing how she interpreted the songs in the Golden Song Book.  

Totally Random Questions, volume 3 by Melina Gerosa Bellows

 

Totally Random Questions, Volume 3 by Melina Gerosa Bellows -- 216 pages

I read this book in preparation for a homeschool class.  I love these books!  They are a lot of fun.  You find out lots of strange, random information that you wouldn't normally have any reason to learn.  I would definitely recommend this series to all kids.

Salt Pepper Season Spice by Jacques Pasquet

 

Salt, Pepper, Season, Spice: All the Flavors of the World by Jacques Pasquet -- 48 pages

I read this book in preparation for a homeschool class.  It was very interesting.  It gave the history, uses, and process of making eleven different seasonings and spices.  It would be great for kids who like food or just random information.

Astonishing and Extinct Professions by Markus Rottman

Astonishing and Extinct Professions: 89 Jobs You Will Never Do by Markus Rottman - 88 pages

I read this book in preparation for a homeschool class I was teaching.  It was very interesting.  It covered a range of professions that you really don't see any more.  I would definitely recommend this informational book to children.

Weird and Wonderful Nature by Ben Hoare

 

Weird and Wonderful Nature by Ben Hoare - 192 pages

I read this book in preparation for one of my homeschool classes.  It was a really interesting book.  I learned quite a bit about various unusual plants, animals, and fungi. I would definitely recommend this book to kids.

Lost Cities by Giles Laroche

Lost Cities by Giles Laroche -- 40 pages

I read this book as preparation for a homeschool class.  It gives information on several "lost" cities.  I found the book to be interesting.  It didn't give a lot of information -- just enough to whet your appetite and lead you to learn more about the different cities.

How to Survive in the Age of Pirates by Crispin Boyer

How to Survive in the Age of Pirates by Crispin Boyer -- 96 pages

This book gives a lot of information about pirates and piracy during the 17th and 18th centuries in the Caribbean.  It is given through the lens of someone from modern day being thrown back in time and having to survive.
I read this book in preparation for the homeschool class.  While I found it gave a lot of information, I did find the premise of a modern person being stuck back in time a little annoying.  Instead of focusing on the pirates' time it would instead give a present-day view of things -- such as when talking about common diseases and how to cure them.  Half of the time it talked about the historical issues and then the other half it talked about the diseases in modern times.  It was a little confusing.  Still, I would recommend this book to anyone wanting more information about pirates.