Spent: Exposing Our Complicated Relationship with Shopping, Edited byKerry Cohen

It's not really any surprise that the essays contained within the aptly named anthology, Spent: Exposing Our Complicated Relationship with Shopping (Edited by Kerry Cohen) are all penned by women. Not to feed into sexist stereotypes, but in the immortal words of Chris Rock, "women be shoppin'". And that's kind of where the whole "ha, a book about women liking to shop" notion ends. Because this isn't really that kind of book at all. As matter of fact, not a single one of the 31 essays in this book really falls into the "I-like-shopping-because-I'm-a-woman-and-that's-what-I'm-supposed-to-like-to-do-for-fun" category. On the contrary, there are a surprising amount of essays about just the opposite, women who loathe having to shop, at least for the traditional feminine staples (shoes, clothes, bags, makeup).

Spent: Exposing Our Complicated Relationship with Shopping, edited by Kerry Cohen

I found all of these essays fascinating and widely differing. It's a book that begins with the universal-enough topic of shopping and branches out into our always complicated relationships with other people and ourselves. What we shop for, what we are really trying to obtain when we buy things, the meaning behind why we hate shopping, how shopping in our childhood helped to cement memories and further carve out our pro/con shopping mentality, shopping for others versus shopping for ourselves, the price point of the things we buy, where we shop, shoplifting...it's all thought-provoking and perfect fodder for this anthology.

A quick read that really gets to the core of a problem most of us have, and explores it from honest and often relatable ways.

Never Can Say Goodbye: Writers on Their Unshakable Love for NY

Here's the thing about New York: It touches you. It's really that simple and basic. Whether its touch compels you to spend a lifetime in its grip or the touch results in a momentary-lapse-of-logic-temporary sojourn, it doesn't matter. Once you have set foot on its gum-sticky concrete, you have been affected. That's the theme that comes across loud and clear in the anthology, Never Can Say Goodbye: Writers on Their Unshakable Love for New York, edited by Sari Botton. This anthology comes on the heels of its antithesis predecessor, Goodbye to All That: Writers on Loving and Leaving New York.

Never Can Say Goodbye: Writers on Their Unshakable Love for New York. Edited by Sari Button

While there are a few prevailing similarities in some of these essays (think: Woody Allen movies, the ever-changing dining establishments), for the most part each writer contributes their own voice and New York experience to this anthology. From the opener by Roseanne Cash, filled in nicely with pieces from Amy Sohn, Whoppi Goldberg, Elizabeth Gilbert, Susan Orlean, Phillip Lopate, Nick Flynn and my personal favorite essay of the group, Stephen Elliott's But Why Did You Move Here?.

These 25 essays read equally as love letters and break up letters, writers in love with the New York embedded in their memories, the New York that shaped them from childhood, the New York that offered itself up for school field trips, the New York that held promises of THE only college experience that mattered, the New York where working and living and essentially being an adult was the holy grail and the New York that could not hold them forever. The essays are full of the writer's feelings of New York, whether a particular experience or in general. You can't help but nod along in agreement when you hear descriptions of the fifth floor walk up or the signs on the corner bodega, or the early morning back up noises from the garbage truck. But much like any relationship, the one we have with New York is gripping and lifelong. You can leave for a weekend, a year, the rest of your life, but once you have been there it stays with you forever. That's the New York way.

Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book for review. The opinions stated within this review were my own and were provided without compensation.

Martha Stewart Living's One Pot Cookbook is THE Answer to What's ForDinner Question

You need to know something about me from the get-go: I am not domestic. As in, me and Martha Stewart exist on the polar opposite ends of the domesticity spectrum. However, I have to give her new cookbook, One Pot, an infinite amount of stars in this review solely because everything inside is EASY to cook and is equally delicious.

One Pot by Martha Stewart

Most of the time when you are recipe surfing and you want an easy to prepare meal, you are also knowingly resigning yourself to not the best tasting meal. It's a tradeoff, you have to sacrifice some of the flavor for convenience. Well that notion is no longer valid, thanks to who else (??!!) but Martha Stewart, Goddess of all that is Good. She packed this book with over 120 one pot recipes you can make in your stockpot, crockpot, skillet, pressure cooker, dutch oven, baking dish and even left room for dessert!

Most Pinterest aficionados are familiar with Martha's One Pot Pasta that still reigns supreme as the easiest and most delicious pasta recipe hands down. And for me, that's only the beginning. This book has an endless array of meal ideas that don't require much more than chopping, slicing and tossing into a pan. The Macaroni & Cheese (original plus three variations) is enough to satisfy any comfort food junky's urge, The Pasta with Farm Stand Vegetables is a great use of all those left over summer veggies you may still have hanging out in the kitchen and the Chicken Soup (original plus three additional variations) will become your winter favorite (it's already mine!). Finish your meal off with the Rustic Apple Tart (go pick those apples now!) and you can thank me later.

There isn't anyone who wouldn't enjoy this book. I'm a picky eater/almost vegetarian (I eat chicken) and I found plenty of filling meal ideas, but Martha has something for everyone so don't overlook this gem, even if you fall on the pickier edge of the spectrum.

Blogger note: I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review. This review is entirely based on my opinion and contains my honest evaluation.

DIY Type: Stencil Your Heart Out the Easy and Fun Way

Despite my best efforts, crafty is not a word I would use to describe myself. But that has never stopped me from testing the waters of different artsy-medium with varying degrees of success. I've been a big fan of typography, so snagging a copy of DIY Type: 50+ Typographic Stencils for Decorating, Crafting and Gifting by Dana Tanamachi with the intention of trying out some of the typographic projects was a no-brainer.

DIY Type by Dana Tanamachi

The Good: Typography really doesn't get much easier than what is presented in this book. Tanamachi has set this up basically as a book of alphabet stencils with 2 sizes for each letter, and then a short overview of ideas for projects ranging from home decor, wardrobe and entertaining. Simply trace the stencil on your desired medium, fill in with your stylistic preference and voila!

The Bad: I was hoping for more projects to inspire me. While the stencils alone are a great starting out point, as someone with little innate creativity, I need more visual examples of what I can do with them. This book, paired with another that includes specific project ideas would have been a perfect match.

All in all, this book provides the starting point for some fun projects (or just rainy day doodling), considering you have a bit more of a creative jumping off point than I do. Grab a sketch pad, some sharpies and just act like a kid again. It's fun!

Blogger note: I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review. This review is entirely based on my opinion and contains my honest evaluation.