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.

Extra Virgin: The Cookbook Your Italian Grandmother Would Be Proud toSee in Your Kitchen

This cookbook can easily be confused as a coffee table book. The photography is stunning! Gabriele Corcos and Debi Mazar transport the flavors and family atmosphere to your home through their book, Extra Virgin: Recipes and Love from Our Tuscan Kitchen.

Extra Virgin by Gabriele Corcos and Debi Mazar

Beautifully presented, Extra Virgin provides the recipes that are authentically Tuscan and will impress even your picky Italian Grandmother! There is something for every occasion, season or craving, from your pasta to your soups and even Tiramisu. All of the ingredients were easily accessible and the recipes were clear and easy to follow.

My favorite thing about this book though had to be the was that Corcos and Mazar infuse this book with their personal stories. It comes across as a mix of cookbook/family album that just adds to the authentic Tuscan vibe.

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.

It's Easier Than You Think to Be the Mom That Makes the Crafty Goodies,Thanks to Candy Aisle Crafts

You've seen those moms. The ones with all the carefully crafted goodies for every occasion. You've tried and failed to master the art of the infamous snowman cupcake. You are more familiar with Pintrest fails than you are with bragable success stories of treats gone right. Well let me stop you right there and let you in on a little secret. Come closer. Ready? Candy Aisle Crafts by Jodi Levine.

Candy Aisle Crafts by Jodi Levine. Photo courtesy of Crown Publishing

I know what you are thinking: You've tried to master the easy treats and you fail miserably. Cut yourself some slack. It's not you. It's that the instructions you were trying to follow were way too convoluted and overly-complex. This book is the answer. You will impress all the Moms at the PTA when you craft the coolest cookie castle cake for your son's party! Your daughter will love the snowman cupcakes for her Frozen-themed soiree! There are really adorable (and super-easy Halloween and Christmas) cake toppers! Specialty lollipops! Do you like marshmallows? Then there is a whole chapter devoted to the amazing and easy-peasy treats you can make with 'em!

This book is for the Mom who wants to give her kids fun treats without spending all day in the kitchen. The ingredients are all things you can pick up at the local grocery store and the directions are easy to follow, with gorgeous photos. Totally fool-proof, tasty and adorable treats are just a book away.

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.

A Love Story Plus The History of Skyjacking Equals a FascinatinglyUn-put-down-able Read

As someone with a lifelong fear of flying, it always surprises people that I am fascinated by books, movies and documentaries about airplane hijacking. It's almost a question of "which came first?" the fear or was the fear a result of all the skyjacking media consumed at a slightly overdone rate?

In any case, The Skies Belong to Us: Love and Terror in the Golden Age of Hijacking by Brendan I. Koerner was a wild ride of a book. Half the book serves as a primer about the beginnings of airplane hijacking in the United States, circa early 1960s through the 1970s. A time when air travel had just become a viable option on par with trains and automobiles. A time when the word "lax" didn't quite pin the atmosphere of what the experience of traveling was like in domestic airports. The rampant freedom of anyone wandering anywhere in an airport, nobody asking you to remove your shoes and all metal objects from your person. This was absolutely fascinating to me, to imagine a time where there was no screening process to board a flight and the worst that could happen was that you happened to find yourself on a hijacked plane making a detour to Cuba. When all was said and done, no one was worse for the wear. Hijackings in the early days of air travel were such a frequent occurrences (with days when there was multiple hijackings happening simultaneously!). It baffled me to read how hijacking went from being an almost harmless crime (mild, legal prosecution, no harm to passengers/crew), to being the nightmare that it is today.

Koerner manages to intertwine the fascinating history of skyjacking along an even more fascinating recount of infamous hijacking couple, Roger Holder and Cathy Kerkow. Holder represented the most common and potentially dangerous kind of hijacker: one who was disillusioned by the government (in Holder's case, the military) and desires to become a man to right all the social injustices he perceives. His method of changing the world? Hijacking a domestic plane and taking refuge in Algiers. Unheard of in 1972, sadly a common fact of life in our post 9/11 world.

While the story of Holder and Kerkow was interesting, I found the historical context of the book much more enjoyable. A fast read that leaves you nostalgic for a time when air travel was innocent.

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.

Photo Courtesy of: Random House