#23 - Stir: Mixing It Up in the Italian Tradition

I picked up Stir: Mixing It Up in the Italian Tradition by Barbara Lynch simply because I have a fascination with what I term "food porn" books. These are often the overly showy "cookbooks" showcasing a renown chef's work and then offering a recipe so complex and expensive that it is only present to solidify the reader's reverence and fear. I have a love-hate relationship with such books. I often pick up a single technique or idea rather than any whole recipe, and it does serve as a bit of inspiration, but they often leave me feeling a bit inadequate and hollow. So when the striking black cover with just two spoons showcasing a bit of Bolognese and a twirl of fresh pasta, I thought I was in for more of the same, only possibly worse because Italian food is my core and heritage. I don't believe it should be made into overly-expensive tiny portions and foams and whatnot. Thankfully I was completely surprised. This book is completely approachable, offers wit and humor, and is just stunning. There are still a few unapproachable dishes, and some that just don't appeal to me, but over half of the book are recipes I will make... and look very much forward to enjoying. This is a winner. Highly Recommended!

#22 - The Call of Cthulhu

I'm a geek, I've played games with the Cthulhu theme, it's referenced all the time, so I figured it was time to read the original work. I do have to add the disclaimer that I'm a high fantasy-favoring geek, I'm not into Sci-Fi or Horror or the more supernatural sides of geekness. As such, this wasn't really my bag. It's OK, I think the writing style is awkward at times... for me it was much ado about nothing. I read the Kindle version which omits the other stories. YMMV. Not Recommended.

#21 - The Artist's Guide: How to Make a Living Doing what You Love

My grandfather was an artist and sign painter, and owned an art shop with which he and my grandmother raised a family of five children. I love art and making art but I have always taken the safe road of technology and a steady paycheck, however my grandfather's passion and ability to do what he loved always nags at me to just go for it. Being the logical and safe creature that I am, and sadly without his guidance any longer, I sought out information online and in books to get some insight on how it is done today. I gleaned a few tidbits here and there but nothing covered the full spectrum, until I stumbled upon this book. It comes highly praised by working artists and for good reason, it covers all of the bases and gives great examples, advice, and templates along the way. Easily the best resource I have found so far in my research. Highly Recommended.

#20 - Where The Wild Things Are

With the upcoming film adaptation I figured I should try re-reading this book again. Admission: I've never seen what all the fuss is about, even when I was a child. I'd take The Berenstain Bears any day. I've revisited it a few times through the years to see if my opinion had changed, it hasn't. I think it is a completely empty tale that is far too short and basic to actually capture the imagination of a child and tells a story that has been told many ways before. Maybe I was a complex kid, but get angry, get sent to bed, have a fantastical dream, wake up, and then the "oh it was just a dream"/"was it a dream?" question just doesn't do it for me. Still doesn't. Not for me.

#19 - The Metamorphosis

A true classic work by Kafka. When you can all-too-well relate with the drudgery of a life of monotonous work and being cooped up in a small room, few books capture the feeling as well as The Metamorphosis. I know this feeling. However, as with most works by Kafka, it is very wide open to interpretation and you can find your own message and relationship within the tale of a man who wakes up one day as an insect and the ensuing trials. Works like this can't be "reviewed" I won't even try, just read it. Even if you were forced to read it for school at some point, read it again without the pressure and with new insight and experiences and see if the story itself doesn't take on a new meaning and look. Highly Recommended!

#18 - The Way of Shadows

Brent Weeks' Night Angel Trilogy is one of those series that caught my eye and I just couldn't resist. In a sea of dark, grim, looking covers, the bright white of this series stands out too much to be ignored. I'm not normally one for assassin tales because I find them a bit boring with all the slinking about and cover of darkness business, but these seemed filled with enough action to keep my interest. And they sort of did. The author lacks creativity and imagination and it shows through terribly all over the place, so much that it made me cringe more times than I could count. Everything is cribbed from the heavy handed use of Japanese words to the alphabet being "Hyrillic" which is a barely altered name of the real "Cyrillic" alphabet. C'mon. Maybe the average target audience wouldn't pick up on any/many of these but there are a lot who will and it is just lame. There's some confusing lore and a bit too much of the author's attempts at dramatic plot twists (hint: none are). The book was actually hard to get through because while it does have a lot of action, there isn't enough substance. It's light fantasy work that drags on a bit too long for what it is. Recommended but not highly and only if you accept what you're getting into before cracking the cover.

#17 - World of Warcraft Master Guide, Second Edition

World of Warcraft is the juggernaut of the MMO world. Millions of players in a virtual world that has defied all odds and continues to eclipse any who dare to enter the market. I had actually played WoW when it first came out for about a year and got annoyed by some aspects and left for other games. After working through a number of other games and MMOs I decided to come back and see how things have progressed in my absence. Completely would be the answer. It is much easier now which can go both ways, but it also so much bigger and more complex in a few areas. I decided to turn to the strategy guide for those times when online help doesn't cut it. A great strategy guide that will help piece together some of the confusing or new bits. Highly Recommended.