Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus More


Apr 11

29

The Grammar Girl Devotional by Mignon Fogarty

Posted by Teddyrose@1 on April 29, 2011
Posted in Books Read in 2011 • Grammar  | 1 Comment

Back on December 31, 2008 I reviewed Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips by Mignon Fogarty.

I loved it.  Who knew how much grammar could be?  Last year I received The Grammar Girl Devotional from Henry Holt and Company. I feel bad that it has taken me this long to write my review.

This book was meant to be read daily, one tip a day for 365 days.  I don’t know why I had such a hard time sticking to that.  I read a day, then forget about it.  Then I picked it up again.  There are some great tips in this book but it isn’t as fun as her first book.

There are a few tips on using the words “less” and “fewer” I found very helpful.  Here’s an example:

Week 17 Sunday- I Wish There Were Fewer Things to Remember: Less Versus Fewer.
“Less and fewer are easy to mix up.  They mean the same thing- the opposite of more- but you use them differently: you use less with mass nouns and fewer with count nouns.
A count noun is something you can count.  On my desk, I see books and M&M’s.  I can count those things, so they are count nouns and the right word to use is fewer.
I should eat fewer M&M’s.
Mass nouns are things you can’t count individually.  Again, on my desk I see tape and clutter.  These things can’t be counted, so the right word to use is less.

If I had less clutter, my desk would be cleaner.”

Then two days latter, there were exceptions to using “less” and “fewer”.  There were also some facts about grammar and famous people who made grammar what it is today.  These facts didn’t help me with grammar but they were interest.

This book is a great reference book.  Mignon Fogarty made her grammar tips easy to understand and there is an easy to navigate, index at the end of the book to look up grammar tips.  Since I have a poor memory, this really comes in handy.  I really enjoyed learning more about grammar with this book. 

4/5

Did you review this book?  Please leave a link in the comments so I can post it here.

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Copyright 2007-2010: All the posts within this blog were originally posted by Teddy Rose and should not be reproduced without express written permission.

Apr 11

27

Sweet Tooth: In Captivity by Jeff Lemire (Volume 2)

Posted by Teddyrose@1 on April 27, 2011
Posted in Books Read in 2011 • graphic novels  | 6 Comments

I read Sweet Tooth: Out of the Deep Woods back in February and really enjoyed it. With volume two out, I had to read it.
It takes up where the first book ended, with poor Gus, locked up in a concentration like camp for hybid kids.  There they are used for science experiments to try to find a cure for the virus that is quickly wiping out the adults.  We also find out the history of Jepperd and how he became so mean.
As with other Jeff Lemire graphic novels, the writing was sparse with great graphics.  It really captures the true feelings of the characters and captures the readers imagination.  This is a dark and disturbing story.  I didn’t like it quite as much as the first volume but it was still worthwhile.  The third volume is due out in June, 2011.  My library already has it on order and I have placed a hold on it.
3.5/5
Did you review this book?  Please leave your link in the comments and I will post it here.


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Copyright 2007-2010: All the posts within this blog were originally posted by Teddy Rose and should not be reproduced without express written permission.

Apr 11

13

Fresh and Fast Vegetarian: Recipes That Make a Meal by Marie Simmons

Posted by Teddyrose@1 on April 13, 2011
Posted in Books Read in 2011 • Cooking  | 7 Comments

When I saw this cookbook on Net Galley I couldn’t resisting.  I love cookbooks and I love to cook.  The description said that a number of the recipes are vegan, so of course I was intrigued.

This cookbook is packed with useful tips such as preheating the roasting pan in the oven before you put the vegetables in, to cut down on cooking time.  It also has over 150 recipes.  I have tried 4 recipes so far.
The first recipe I tried was the Roasted Tomato Soup with Avocado.   It was a very simple soup that Bill and I have with my home made baguette and mixed green salad.  The avocado added texture and color to the soup but it could be left out easily.  I served it hot but it can also be served cold.  We both gave this recipe and 4/5.

Next I made the Tofu “Steaks” With Spicy Almond Butter Sauce and Baby Bok Choy.  I used organic peanut butter because that is what I had on hand.  This recipe is so delicious that I have already made it twice.  The second time I served it over rice noodles and it was awesome. Bill and I gave this a 5/5
Then I made Winter Vegetable Stew With Moroccan Flavors.  I served it with my home made focaccia bread and a mixed green salad.  It was probably my least favorite dish but it was still good.  Bill gave it a 4/5 and I gave it a 3/5.

I also made the Tomato White Bean Soup with Pesto.  It was said to leave the Parmesan cheese out to make it vegan but I used Soyco Parmesan as a vegan substitute.  This soup was divine!  It’s the pesto that really makes it special.   We both gave it a 5/5.

The last recipe I made before writing this review was the Double Corn and Jalapeno Polenta Agratin.  This recipe was not vegan at all and there were no vegan options but I was able to make it vegan, easily.  Instead of cream, I used Silk Non-Dairy Creamer and for the cheddar cheese, I used Dayia cheddar shreds.   One of the serving suggestions was to top in with Black Bean Chilli and that’s what I did.  It was delicious.  Bill and I gave it a 4.5/5.

The only thing missing from Fresh and Fast Vegetarian was the dessert.  Bill and I have a real sweet tooth.  I had to use my own recipes for that.  Over all I think this book delivers.  The description claims that most recipes can be made in a half hour or less.  The only one that I made that took longer was the Polenta A gratin, but that was because it had to bake for 30 minutes.  Prep time took about 30 minutes as well because you have to cook the polenta on the stove-top first.  All of the recipes were easy to follow.

4/5

Thanks to Net Galley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for this galley.

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Copyright 2007-2010: All the posts within this blog were originally posted by Teddy Rose and should not be reproduced without express written permission.

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