M.A. Kropp: Writer, Blogger, GeekGirl. My Life. My Words. My Way.
My rating: 4 of 5 starsEric Ripert is a well-known, Michelin-starred chef at one of New York's best restaurants, Le Bernardin. He grew up in the Andorra region of France, where his mother was an excellent cook, but insisted that the kitchen was no place for a boy. He adored his father and was devastated … Continue reading Friday Review: 32 Yolks: From My Mother’s Table to Working the Line by Eric Ripert
My rating: 3 of 5 starsI like food. I like to eat good food (perhaps a bit too much!). So, I generally enjoy reading the stories of the people who have worked their way through the difficult journey to professional chef. And if that chef happens to be woman, all the better, because the food … Continue reading Blood, Bones, and Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef by Gabrielle Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 starsThis is the second book in the Witcher series by Sapkowski, and once again, it is a collection of short stories. The longer novels begin with the next book in the series. There are six stories in this one, and like many collections, some are better than others. They draw … Continue reading Friday Review: Sword of Destiny (Witcher #2) by Andrzej Sapkowski
My rating: 4 of 5 starsAmanda is 23, gifted at mathematics, teaching at the local university, and living with her fiancé. She has an obsession with astronomy and what some call an overactive imagination. When she and her fiancé break up, she decides to move to a family cabin that she has loved her whole … Continue reading Friday Review: Sleepwalking Backwards by Catherine Zebrowski
My rating: 4 of 5 starsNadia Moran is a thief, and a very good one, at that. Her employer, an elven lord, keeps her in his service because Nadia's younger brother is victim of a rare disease that only the elves can cure. And if Nadia doesn't do what Morvillind wants, he will not give … Continue reading Friday Review: The Thief Trap (Cloak Games #1) by Jonathan Moeller
My rating: 4 of 5 stars(Disclaimer: I like the Clintons. I think they have been subject to unrelenting scrutiny and dislike that I never understood. I am trying to be honest in this review despite that.)"Living History" is Hilary Clinton's autobiography covering her life from childhood through her husband's two terms as President of the … Continue reading Friday Review: Living History by Hilary Rodham Clinton
My rating: 3 of 5 starsThis third entry in the Defender's of Shannara trilogy finds Paxon Leah and Leofur Rai together again after their separation in the first two books. They are living at Paranor which allows Paxon to continue to function as the High Druid's Blade, protector of the order. Leofur is, well, not … Continue reading Friday Review: The Sorcerer’s Daughter (Defender’s of Shannara #3) by Terry Brooks
My rating: 4 of 5 starsJohn Perry just turned 75, so he did what any self-respecting 75-year-old would: he visited his wife's grave, and joined the army. Technically, he joined the Colonial Defense Force (CDF). In this Earth future universe, the CDF doesn't want young, inexperienced recruits. They want those with the knowledge, experience, and … Continue reading Friday Review: Old Man’s War (Old Man’s War #1) by John Scalzi
My rating: 4 of 5 starsNew York city boy and recent heart transplant recipient Tony Battaglia is a reality-TV editor for one of the hottest reality TV shows around, the Cajun Louisiana based "Gator Guys". When it becomes known that Tony's new heart belonged to a recently deceased cast member of the show, he finds … Continue reading Friday Review: Duck Duck Gator by Ken Wheaton
My rating: 4 of 5 starsSet five years after the first book in the Defenders trilogy, we find Paxon Leah more comfortable in his role as paladin of the Druid order. He has settled in to his life at Paranor and his duties to protect and defend the Druids from any and all danger. But … Continue reading Friday Review: The Darkling Child (Defenders of Shannara #2) by Terry Brooks
And So On... 