The Disappearing Spoon by Sam Kean

The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements by Sam Kean is quite possibly the most interesting book about chemistry and the periodic elements.


Book Description
The Periodic Table is one of man's crowning scientific achievements. But it's also a treasure trove of stories of passion, adventure, betrayal, and obsession. The infectious tales and astounding details in THE DISAPPEARING SPOON follow carbon, neon, silicon, and gold as they play out their parts in human history, finance, mythology, war, the arts, poison, and the lives of the (frequently) mad scientists who discovered them.
We learn that Marie Curie used to provoke jealousy in colleagues' wives when she'd invite them into closets to see her glow-in-the-dark experiments. And that Lewis and Clark swallowed mercury capsules across the country and their campsites are still detectable by the poison in the ground. Why did Gandhi hate iodine? Why did the Japanese kill Godzilla with missiles made of cadmium? And why did tellurium lead to the most bizarre gold rush in history?

From the Big Bang to the end of time, it's all in THE DISAPPEARING SPOON.


My Thoughts
Chemistry is really not my thing. I hated it in high school and in college too. In fact I may have to still take one more course of it (not something I’m looking forward to). The periodic table of elements always seemed like such a big thing to grasp and understand. I never really was one of those students who cared to memorize the properties and their symbols. Just the basic ones for me, thanks.

The Disappearing Spoon is however a book about my dreaded subject to study. This book is quite different from a textbook though, and no test is required – so that makes reading it a bit easier.

The book is divided into different sections of the elements of the periodic table. The stories told in each section are about interesting facts about those elements such as Lewis and Clark carrying mercury and how people can find where they camped by the mercury deposits in the soil to this day. It makes for learning about the elements more fun and less conventional.

Overall, I have to say that I do in fact recommend this book for those interested in Chemistry. Even though this is not going to be required reading for most taking Chemistry, it should perhaps be suggested. Those who learn about the elements from The Disappearing Spoon will have great tales in which to remember them, and this would definitely be a good thing for test day, at least one can hope. High school teachers would also benefit greatly from reading this book and incorporating some of the stories into their lectures – trust me, the students wouldn’t even fall asleep as much!


* Thank you to the publisher of The Disappearing Spoon, Little Brown, part of the Hachette Book Group for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Dangerous Desires by Dee Davis

Dangerous Desires by Dee Davis is an action romance that takes place in a Columbian jungle. Madeline is trying to escape Columbian drug lords and arms dealers and finds herself in more trouble than she ever imagined while escaping with the man who rescues her, Drake – working off records for the CIA.

Book Description
“As the extractions expert for A-Tac, an elite CIA black ops unit masquerading as faculty at an Ivy League college, Drake Flynn knows how to survive behind enemy lines. But he's about to meet one adversary he can't subdue . . . or resist.

A RACE FOR SURVIVAL

Stranded in the Colombian jungle after a mission goes bad, Drake has only one objective: evade the mercenaries hot on his trail and deliver "the package" to U.S. officials. But "the package" has a mind of her own, and she has no intention of trading one set of captors for another. Madeline Reynard is beautiful, headstrong, and hell-bent on escape after years as a crime lord's pawn. She'll risk everything for freedom, even if it means deceiving the dark, handsome operative who now holds her life in his hands.

Drake has been burned too many times to let a woman manipulate him, especially a secretive one like Madeline. Even so, they cannot deny the attraction between them. Now as enemy forces close in, Drake and Madeline must trust each other with their lives-or face certain death.” – Dangerous Desires


My Thoughts
Pretty hot cover. Pretty hot book, and not just because it takes place in a jungle either. This is a “romance” book but not quite like ones that are just about sex scenes and such. This one is full of adventure than really about the sex, which to me is a good thing.

Madeline and Drake are both hot for each other, even though they don’t really realize it until much later. Madeline is annoying and does really stupid things which put her in even more danger, and riskier for Drake to save her. She becomes more of an annoyance, but a likeable one at that.

Dangerous Desires is full of twists and turns, which some are predictable, while others weren’t quite so obvious. The big one at the end (no spoilers) is really a great way to leave the story.

If you like action and romance, this is a great book to read for the summer. Bring it to the pool, read in a cozy spot with the A/C, on a plane when traveling, etc. You’ll be glad you did!



* Thank you to the publisher of Dangerous Desires, Grand Central Publishing, part of the Hachette Book Group for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Pellinor Series – The Crow by Alison Croggan

The third book in the Pellinor Series, The Crow by Alison Croggan is told mainly by the perspective of Hem, Maerad’s long-lost brother. Hem was sent there with Saliman to study the ways of the Bard. However, in these times nowhere is safe from the Dark forces seeking to destroy the Light.

Hem and Saliman are in Turbansk when they are attacked by the forces of the Dark, only barely fleeing their capture. This story is an impressive tale of how Hem is able to help the Light and also explains his big part in finding the Treesong as well.

Book Description
“Hem is a weary orphan whose struggle for survival ends when he is reunited with his lost sister, Maerad. But Maerad has a destiny to fulfill, and Hem is sent to the golden city of Turbansk, where he learns the ways of the Bards and befriends a mysterious white crow. When the forces of the Dark threaten, Hem flees with his protector, Saliman, and an orphan girl named Zelika to join the Light’s resistance forces. It is there that Hem has a vision and learns that he, too, has a part to play in Maerad’s quest to solve the Riddle of the Treesong. As THE CROW continues the epic tale begun with THE NAMING and THE RIDDLE, Alison Croggon creates a world of astounding beauty overshadowed by a terrifying darkness, a world where Maerad and Hem must prepare to wage their final battle for the Light.

As this enthralling epic nears its climax, the young heroine’s brother discovers his own hidden gift -- and the role he must play in battling the Dark.” – The Crow


My Thoughts
The Pellinor Series is a fantastic fantasy story which captures all those who read it. The Crow is no exception. At first I was a bit sad that the story was told from Hem, because the first two books were told from Maerad’s point of view. However, after fully reading the book and seeing how much Hem’s character advances throughout this book, I quite enjoyed it.

Another new character in this book is Zelika. She is not a bard, and her family was murdered by the Dark, which ravaged the South before going to Turbansk. While she seemed a bit more annoying, she had reason enough to be. Her friendship with Hem helped them both grow vastly in just a short amount of time.

I highly recommend all those who enjoy this type of fantasy book to read The Crow. I again also advise reading The Naming and The Riddle before The Crow. Reading a series like this in order really helps to understand what is going on throughout the story.


* Thank you to the publisher of The Crow, Candlewick Press for providing me with a copy for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Good Stuff Cookbook by Spike Mendelsohn

When looking for a cookbook, we want good stuff that isn’t too hard to make, right? The Good Stuff Cookbook by Spike Mendelsohn aims to do just that. Spike’s philosophy of “taking classic American comfort foods made from local, farm-fresh ingredients, and giving them the good stuff twist” accomplishes his goal of making “good stuff.”


Cookbook Description
“One of the most popular contestants ever on the hit television show Top Chef, Chef Spike Mendelsohn is one of the hottest celebrity chefs on the scene. His new restaurant in Washington, D.C., Good Stuff Eatery, has been a resounding success and even claims First Lady Michelle Obama as a fan. In The Good Stuff Cookbook, he serves up fast, fun, and fresh recipes for classic fare like burgers, sides, shakes, and desserts, as well as menu suggestions for all types of events, from big parties to casual family dinners.

You'll find old favorites with a twist: unique and tasty sauces and mayonnaises like Good Stuff Sauce and Curry Mayonnaise; fan-favorite sides like Baked Sweet Potato Fries and Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus; the famous Toasted Marshmallow Milkshake, malts, and floats; and, of course, Chef Spike's crowd-pleasing burgers made with beef, turkey, chicken, pork, and even lamb.

• The book features 120 fresh and delicious recipes and 140 full-color photos
• Mendelsohn is one of the hottest up-and-coming chefs on the food scene with two new restaurants, a new web-based show on Food2.com called "By The Book, Off The Hook," and a number of other projects in the works
• This is the perfect all-American cookbook for anyone who loves great casual comfort food like burgers, fries, and shakes, but wants to shake things up with a gourmet touch

Just in time for Independence Day barbecues and summertime cookouts, The Good Stuff Cookbook offers a fresh and inventive take on classic American food.” – The Good Stuff Cookbook


My Thoughts
I love eating good stuff, who doesn’t? So, I was happy to get to try out some of Spike’s recipes included in this cookbook. I couldn’t eat some because they contain gluten, and some beef (which I don’t eat out of choice, but the gluten isn’t negotiable). All of the pictures included did make everything look very, very appetizing and almost had me giving in on both food issues of mine.

I first started simple, something I knew I couldn’t screw up. I’m not the best chef in the world, though I do try my best. The “Very Berry Shake” looked really appetizing (and easy). Mine didn’t look quite as good as the picture, but it was yummy nevertheless and quite easy to make.

“Michelle’s Melt” was named after Michelle Obama, is a turkey burger inspired by the First Lady’s garden at The White House. I love turkey burgers, so I insisted on trying this (on gluten-free bread). Mine actually looked similar to Spike’s, and tasted amazing! Seriously, try this if getting this cookbook – right away!

“Spike’s Village Fries” are handmade French fries that are amazing! I did bake them though instead of frying, and I used olive oil instead of canola oil, but the spices used were the same, and I loved it!

The Good Stuff Cookbook is quite possibly the perfect American good stuff cookbook. It includes so many recipes that people of all ages and palates enjoy in America. This wouldn’t be a cookbook that would go unused, and is perfect for summer barbecues and cookouts.


* Thank you to the publisher of The Good Stuff Cookbook, Wiley, for providing me with a review copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Giveaway Winner: Cascadian FarmVille Fan Pack

The giveaway for the Cascadian FarmVille Fan Pack is now officially over. I used randomizer to determine the winner, and the winner is T! I will be contacting you right now to get the details on where to send your prize.

If you didn’t win, don’t be discouraged. I have more contests coming your way soon!


Thank you to MyBlogSpark and Cascadian Farms for allowing me to review and giveaway this prize pack. The products, prize pack, information and additional prize pack to give away were all given to me from Cascadian Farm through MyBlogSpark.

The Impostor’s Daughter by Laurie Sandell

The Impostor’s Daughter is written and illustrated by Laurie Sandell. This is not your typical book. It is fully colored and reads like a well written comic book for adults. It is humorous and witty, and leaves you wanting more.


Book Description
“Laurie Sandell grew up in awe (and sometimes in terror) of her larger-than-life father, who told jaw-dropping tales of a privileged childhood in Buenos Aires, academic triumphs, heroism during Vietnam, friendships with Kissinger and the Pope. As a young woman, Laurie unconsciously mirrors her dad, trying on several outsized personalities (Tokyo stripper, lesbian seductress, Ambien addict). Later, she lucks into the perfect job--interviewing celebrities for a top women's magazine. Growing up with her extraordinary father has given Laurie a knack for relating to the stars.” – The Impostor’s Daughter


My Thoughts
The Impostor’s Daughter is a true memoir of the author’s life. Most of us have some parental issues that we have hopefully sorted out by the time we reach our thirties. However, that isn’t always the case and this book is a fun read about the author’s life with her father, the impostor.

I haven’t read a comic book for years, and even though this is the style of the book – it reads like a well written graphic memoir. You feel the awe that Laurie felt for her father when she was a child and still looked up to him. You feel the pain and anger that she felt when she discovered how he really is and the true magnitude of what happened in his life, which affected hers.

All of Laurie Sandell’s adventures in life, love, work and exotic experiences have led to this perfect memoir of her life. I hope she comes out with one later in life too, because I for one want to see what happens next for her.

I found The Impostor’s Daughter to be a truly fun and enjoyable read. I finished it in one sitting and couldn’t put it down. I loved every illustrated page of the author’s memoir, and I think you will too. I highly recommend this book.



* Thank you to the publisher of The Impostor’s Daughter, Back Bay Books, part of the Hachette Book Group for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Artist Within by Whitney Ferre

The Artist Within by Whitney Ferre is a creativity workbook which is packed full with exercises which encourage creative growth and can be done over and over again.

Creativity is something I believe that everyone has. I’ve always thought I was creative – I was just brought up being told I was, and so I am! Not everyone is so lucky though. Maybe you’ve been discouraged somewhere along the line and gave up on that “creative gene” that you think you may be lacking. Well, I’m here to tell you that you in fact are more creative than you think. The Artist Within will help bring that out in you if you think you lack creativity, and even make you more creative you already know you are!

Book Description
“If you can spill paint, this book will help you turn your creative potential into reality. Whether you are looking to be a writer, architect, entrepreneur, painter, or business leader, developing creative ideas is the factor that differentiates the extraordinary from the common. Based on principles that underlie the aesthetics of design, this book shows you how to strengthen your own creative ability and how to turn that ability into reality. So, if you ever felt that you have creative potential, or even if you don’t, but you want to be more creative, pick up this book and start unlocking your own Artist Within.” – The Artist Within

My Thoughts
There are so many ways to be creative and artistic that everyone can find something that is sure to inspire and speak to their creative side – you just have to give it a try and listen. The daily life tasks of work, school, family and so much more can put people into a funk that they just don’t create. I am also at fault on this. However, I want to do something about that. The Artist Within was just the answer.

The book covers the eight principles of design and is used throughout the book. There is even a test you can take in the book which shows which areas you need to focus more on to bring your scores up to help you in each aspect of the design principles. My favorite test though was the shapes test where we had to list “doodles” in order of most to least favorite. This explains what your conscious and unconscious is seeking and pushing away. I found it to be quite true with myself, and really did help me see areas I need to be more open with.

The exercises in the book cover easy things like doodling and leaf rubbings to dream collages (or vision boards as I call them), paper weaving, abstract tiles, magazine mosaics and much more.

My favorite though was the abstract canvas. I love to paint but often found myself just staring at a blank canvas and afraid to put the brush in the paint and do it. I’m not sure why. I guess I was afraid I’d not be good at it if I didn’t know exactly how it would turn out. I’m a planner. Well, this exercise let me throw that thinking out the window.

Here is what I created:


Overall, I think The Artist Within is the perfect book for everyone who wants to be more creative – even if you think you already are creative or not. This is the book to get you painting and trying out new creative things you never could have imagined until reading this book. It really is like going to take an art class (but much cheaper).


Thank you to the publisher of The Artist Within, Turner Publishing for providing me with a copy for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Beauty Review: Yes to Carrots Facial Kit

Clean and acne free skin is something that women (not just teenagers) are after too. With all of the products out there that say they clear acne, you would think that we’d all be free of this problem, right? Unfortunately, that is not the case.

I’ve tried everything from ProActiv, Acne Free, Noxema, Clearasil, Aveeno, etc. Sure, some work a little. Some make it worse. Some don’t do anything at all. I’ve found that ones that contain all of those harsh chemicals make my skin worse. So, I’ve stopped using those.

Yes to Tomatoes: Perfect Balance Facial
For Oily to Combination Skin
MSRP: $19.99


The Yes to Tomatoes Perfect Balance Facial is formulated for oily to combination skin. It harnesses the oil and balancing power of red organic fruits and vegetables as well as the exfoliating Dead Sea Minerals.

The kit contains:
Yes To Tomatoes Facial Wash - 100ml/3.38 fl. oz
Yes To Tomatoes Facial Hydrating Lotion - 50ml/1.7 fl. oz.
Yes To Tomatoes Facial Mask - 30ml/1.01 fl. oz
Yes To! Spa headband

I used this kit for two weeks straight. I didn’t use the facial mask each day, but the facial wash and lotion I used two times a day. After my two weeks were up - I noticed a big difference. My skin wasn’t as “troublesome” and the acne I had is starting to clear up. My face also feels perfectly hydrated and I don’t worry about what is going on my face anymore. It never turned my face red and blotchy or was left irritated.

I am completely happy with this kit and will be buying this as my facial set from now on. I highly recommend it to everyone wanting to go natural. If you are lucky and have normal skin, they have other kits available for you too.

I also suggest buying it in the kit package because it is a $30 value for only $19.99. I also suggest finding a few more things you’d like (or go ahead and stock up on two kits and a lip balm) and you’ll get free shipping (for orders $50 or over).

Enjoy your beautiful skin!


* Thank you to Yes To Carrots for sending me the products reviewed for the purpose of the review. All opinions and experiences expressed are my own.

WTF? The Russian Mafia and Penis Enlargement Advertising

While approving comments for my Blog, I came across one today that involved the Russian Mafia and Penis Enlargement. Oh yes, you read that correctly.



The comment read something like this:

“HELP I’m being held prisoner by the Russian Mafia and being forced to post spam on blogs and forums! They’re coming back… please send help!”

I obviously did not accept such a comment as it linked to websites that provide said enlargements and probably also sends lots of viruses and malware your way too.

I know it isn’t real, but it is quite funny. Imagine the girl being held hostage thinking this:



Almost makes you want to help her.

The I Hate to Cook Book – Updated and Revised, by Peg Bracken

The 50th Anniversary edition of The I Hate to Cook Book by Peg Bracken has been updated and revised. It includes a new forward by the author’s daughter, Jo Bracken. The cookbook is written for those who don’t love cooking, but even those who do can enjoy the good humor and good recipes included in this retro cookbook.


Book Description
"There are two kinds of people in this world: the ones who don't cook out of and have NEVER cooked out of THE I HATE TO COOK BOOK, and the other kind...The I HATE TO COOK people consist mainly of those who find other things more interesting and less fattening, and so they do it as seldom as possible. Today there is an Annual Culinary Olympics, with hundreds of cooks from many countries ardently competing. But we who hate to cook have had our own Olympics for years, seeing who can get out of the kitchen the fastest and stay out the longest." - Peg Bracken

Philosopher's Chowder. Skinny Meatloaf. Fat Man's Shrimp. Immediate Fudge Cake. These are just a few of the beloved recipes from Peg Bracken's classic I HATE TO COOK BOOK. Written in a time when women were expected to have full, delicious meals on the table for their families every night, Peg Bracken offered women who didn't revel in this obligation an alternative: quick, simple meals that took minimal effort but would still satisfy.

50 years later, times have certainly changed - but the appeal of THE I HATE TO COOK BOOK hasn't.

This book is for everyone, men and women alike, who wants to get from cooking hour to cocktail hour in as little time as possible. – The I Hate to Cook Book


My Thoughts
I always am on the lookout for fun new recipes and ways to cook things. If the cookbook has some good humor thrown in, that is added bonus of sweetness – with no extra calories even.

I have to honestly say that I never heard of this cookbook until recently. I was however pleasantly surprised by the unique humor that emerged from the pages – and to think this was written 50 years ago! That was an era where most women were stay at home moms and had dinner on the table at 5:30 when their husbands came home from work. It isn’t like that now, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t look back to some of these recipes.

Among some of my favorites:
• “Sherryburger” it does have the same name as me, but I switched the hamburger out with ground turkey (I don’t eat beef).
• “Anthony’s Shrimp” this quick meal can be done in five minutes!
• “Parmesan Potatoes” this is a very yummy side dish, especially with some garlic chicken!
• “A-1 Chocolate Sundae” a chocolate sundae with sherry? I’m in!

Overall, I found The I Hate to Cook Book to be a nice retro addition to recipes that really aren’t that hard to achieve. It does use ingredients that aren’t so healthy though, so you can feel free to exchange some of the less healthy ones out with some of the newer healthier ingredients available now.


* Thank you to the publisher of The I Hate to Cook Book, Grand Central Publishing, part of the Hachette Book Group for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.