Tag Archives: Travel

Taste and See

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Feinberg, Margaret. Taste and See: Discovering God Among Butchers, Bakers, & Fresh Food Makers. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. 2019.

SUMMARY:
Taking a naturally connected spiritual and culinary journey, author Margaret Feinberg and her husband, Leif, explore different cuisines and associate them with scriptures. With food being a pleasure, as well as sacred and symbolic, our tour guides provide food for nourishment both physically and spiritually. Complete with recipes and side notes, Taste and See fulfills completely in a friendly and relatable manner. Figs, bread, olives, and many more delectable dishes provide good food for thought…

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Part devotional, part cookbook, part self-guidance and part story, Taste and See made connections for me I hadn’t previously envisioned. Fruits, veggies, meat and bread combined with the Bible to create a beautiful book. So easy to read and picture, at times, I felt like I was conversing with the author directly. Interesting and essential while also packed with savory recipes, I found this book to be more than I expected. A book I truly enjoyed and read cover-to-cover, I cannot wait to try some of the recipes. With my interest piqued just enough, I will now search out this author to see what else she has written, along with hoping she writes another book quite soon.

*RATING: 4.5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of Taste and See from BookLook Bloggers for my honest review*

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Nourished

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Huber, Lia. Nourished: A Memoir of Food, Faith & Enduring Love with Recipes. New York, USA: Convergent Books. 2017.

SUMMARY:
Part travel guide, part cookbook, and part personal exploration, Nourished is a memoir of a life surrounded by food. As a food writer. recipe developer, consultant, entrepreneur and blogger, author Lia Huber shares a recount of her journey to faith, food, and community. Written in an easy, more conversational manner, she chronicles portions of her life, ending each section with a related recipe. Finding her purpose through food and faith, Lia eventually made the connection though her adventures are far from over.

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Expecting more of a cookbook than a memoir, I actually was not disappointed but found the book, Nourished, to be quite interesting. Liking her style of writing, I found myself immersed in pieces of the book though I only intended to scan it at first. Drawn into her life experiences, I enjoyed the travel aspects as well as the family, food, faith and community elements. Perhaps some of the included recipes are a bit out of my grasp but are appealing non-the-less. A perfect book for a reader compelled by travel and food; this is a book I am actually glad I read.

RATING:
4 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of Nourished from Blogging For Books for my honest review*

Hello, Bicycle

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Brones, Anna. Hello, Bicycle: An Inspired Guide To The Two-Wheeled Life. New York, USA: Ten Speed Press. 2016.

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SUMMARY:
As the bicycle craze catches on, bicyclist, author and foodie, Anna Brones, shares her knowledge, love and enthusiasm of bike riding with readers. Whether biking seriously, cycling for recreation, commuting to places or leisurely pedaling, Hello, Bicycle offers lots of information on the subject of bicycling. With the history of bicycles, recipes for the road, accessories for the bike, maintenance of the vehicle, safety for the street and resources/ hacks for cyclists, this sturdy little book packed with useful ideas and cute illustrations will get you on two-wheels fast…

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
As an avid recreational biker for most of my life, I loved this book. Full of required information but lots of creative ideas too, Hello, Bicycle is perfect for the experienced or new biker. The included recipes gave me some new options for our protein-packed jar meals on those longer rides, and the nostalgia of inserting playing cards in the spokes for that added clicking noise was so fun! (I am sure my kids will love it when I put some in my wheels for the next ride, LOL). Great as a gift or wonderful for your own use, this book is certainly a necessity in the world of biking.

RATING:
5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of Hello, Bicycle from Blogging For Books for my honest review*

Bandelier National Monument

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Secord, Paul R. Bandelier National Monument: Images of America. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing. 2016.

bandeliernationalmonument

SUMMARY:
Through many black and white images, photographs and sketches, author Paul Secord presents the history, archeology and anthropology of Bandelier National Monument.  Found just outside Santa Fe, New Mexico, the history of the area and people are explained and linked to the present day ruins. With precious ancestral preservation, named for anthropologist Adolph Bandelier, Bandelier National Monument received national recognition in 1916. Depicting the social environments of Native Americans, the book also shares pictures of the cave dwellings, area topography, tourist experiences and visitors. Part of the Images of America series which celebrates history across the country, this latest addition truly educates and inspires…

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Having visited, experienced and researched Bandelier National Monument, I was thrilled to see this newest book in the series. Loaded with interesting, relevant and unique history, tidbits, pictures and people, I devoured this book cover to cover. Perfect for anyone visiting the area, a school library or a history buff, Bandelier National Monument was outstanding. Planning on keeping this book for my own collection yet also sharing with family, I also hope to discover other books by this author.

RATING:
5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of Bandelier National Monument from The History Press for my honest review*

Madison Food

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Fromm, Nichole. Rasmus, Jonmichael. Madison Food: A History Of Capital Cuisine. Charleston, SC: American Palate. 2015.

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SUMMARY:
A useful and resourceful book on the history of Madison cuisine, Madison Food is a well-written, well-researched and well-enjoyed book on food found in the capital city of Wisconsin. From shacks to fine restaurants and every place in-between, authors Nichole Fromm and Jonmichael Rasmus provide a foodie tour of Madison, Wisconsin. Intriguing history, amusing stories, interesting antidotes, delicious suggestions and driving directions all fuse together for a delectable book. Full color pictures, black and white vintage photographs and appendices of eateries grouped by various categories complete the piece.

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
For anyone spending a day or merely passing through Madison, Wisconsin, Madison Food is definitely a book to have on-hand. With plenty of available food choices from bakeries, delis, restaurants and markets, ranging from quick, historical, contemporary and cultural, the city of Madison offers something for everyone. Not only did I learn a bit of history within a capital city, I also gleaned some interesting, tasty places to try for lunch. Hopefully part of a series, I certainly will watch for similar types of books while traveling.

RATING:
4.5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of Madison Food from The History Press for my honest review*

Hidden History of Milwaukee

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Tanzilo, Robert. Hidden History of Milwaukee. Charleston, SC: The History Press. 2014.

SUMMARY:
hiddenhistoryofmilwaukeeTouring behind the scenes of many famous landmarks in Milwaukee, author Robert Tanzilo (of OnMilwaukee.com) shares many secrets of this old German-heritage city. An old Milwaukee brewery, a basement indoor running track at Juneau High School, the famous Wisconsin Gas flame, the Soldiers’ Home near Miller Park (home of the Brewers baseball team), the Dome of the Basilica of St. Josaphat and the Pabst Theatre are just a few of the many monuments visited in the book, Hidden History of Milwaukee. Full of interesting information, older black-and-white pictures and personal accounts of the author’s excursions, it makes a visit to the city even more informative and enjoyable.

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Reading books on the history of a city can be so engrossing and educational, especially when it includes behind-the-scenes pictures and information not always available to the general public. A wonderful way to “visit” a place, sometimes the information leads to further investigation and even more knowledge gained. This book would make a great tour-guide to the city of Milwaukee, especially if read before the trip. One of the several books in the Hidden History series, I plan on reading the others now as well.

RATING:
4.5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of Hidden History of Milwaukee from The History Press for my honest review*

Anna’s Crossing

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Fisher, Suzanne Woods. Anna’s Crossing: An Amish Beginnings Novel. Grand Rapids, MI: Revell Publishing. 2015.

SUMMARY:
annaSince she is the only one from her community who can speak English, Anna Konig feels she must make the trip across the Atlantic aboard the merchant ship, Charming Nancy, to Pennsylvania where her father awaits. Determined to make the journey and return home, Anna experiences hardship, illness and terrible conditions below deck on the ship. Meeting Bairn, the ship’s carpenter, changes not only Anna but Bairn as well. With in-depth discussion questions and the author’s well researched information included at the end, Anna’s Crossing is an interesting beginning to a unique Amish series…

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Having read and enjoyed previous Amish novels from Suzanne Woods Fisher, I was excited to start her new series An Amish Beginnings. Taking place on a ship almost exclusively throughout the novel, I was intrigued yet also educated on the Charming Nancy. The history lesson which was gleaned from this fictional novel was recognized and welcomed, especially that which was meticulously researched and provided in the author’s note at the end. Well written with interesting information, suspenseful twists, credible characters and God’s faithfulness and forgiveness all intertwined.

RATING:
4.5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of Anna’s Crossing from Revell for my honest review*

In Her Kitchen

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Galimberti, Gabriele. In Her Kitchen: Stories and Recipes From Grandmas around The World. USA: Clarkson Potter/ Publishers. 2014.

SUMMARY:
kitchenUpon finishing his degree in photography, Gabriele Galimberti lands a job with an Italian magazine chronicling his travels of fifty countries with only a camera, computer and journal. Gone for the next two years, he takes the time to say good-bye to his family, including his Nonna who worries what he will eat. Full of beautiful photographs, food, stories and travel, In Her Kitchen is visually stunning as well as heartwarming.

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Sensational! Grandmas, food and travel…who doesn’t love that combination? Meeting grandmas from all over the world through a glimpse into their kitchens, personal stories shared, favorite recipes explained and pictures encompassing each, In Her Kitchen is almost a coffee-table style book. More than merely a cookbook, the book celebrates grandmas, food, traditions and humanity. Absolutely a book everyone needs to experience; I am thankful for the opportunity to have done so.  I feel as if I visited each grandma personally in her own home. Wonderful concept!

RATING:
5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of In Her Kitchen from Blogging For Books for my honest review*

A Lady in France

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Goutet, Jennie. A Lady in France. Printed in the USA. 2013.

SUMMARY:
franceWritten as a memoir, A Lady in France takes you on a life-journey laced with hope, loss, love, addiction, determination, faith and spirit. What starts out as a dream soon escalates into so much more, much of what was unseen as well as unpredictable. A beautiful book filled with life lessons and learning to accept yourself…

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Not my usual genre of a book to read but I am actually glad I did! Beautifully written, author Jennie Goutet has a strong command of the English written language and it shines through in her memoir. Through achievements, loss, travel and experiencing faith, she shares her story which will make you consider your own course of life. Uniquely individual, I appreciated the honesty with which she conveys her story which is her own. The only problem I had with the novel occurred with the hard copy as the font was too small but it was easily fixable on my eReader version. I am not sure if the author has future writing plans, but if she does, I would definitely consider reading more of her work as I admire her manner of prose.

RATING:
4.5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of A Lady In France from the author, Jennie Goutet, for my honest review*

Roadfood

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Stern, Jane and Michael. Roadfood (Diner Guide). NY: Clarkson Potter/ Publishers. 2014.

SUMMARY:
roadfoodMuch like a travel guide is necessary for a vacation, Roadfood is a must when planning a visit to another city. With over 900 suggestions for places to eat, you are sure to find one that satisfies your palate. From BBQ shacks to pastry parlors to cozy cafeterias to lobster boils, each restaurant includes directions, hours, phone numbers, price guides and websites to make a trip even more enjoyable and easy…

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Just in time for a planned trip to the Midwest, Roadfood provided the personal experience we hoped to include. Obviously packed with lots of information from firsthand adventures, Jane and Michael Stern share their expertise and experiences in one large book. With 900 places included and a “Roadfood Honor Roll” of 100, each unique dining destination includes a bit of history, the house-specials, and the authors’ knowledgeable opinions all arranged by location. I found it especially engaging to discover a few of my own favorites included as well as several to incorporate into my next road trip. Definitely a book I will leave in my suitcase…

RATING:
5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of Roadfood from Blogging for Books and Clarkson Potter/ Publishers for my honest review*