The Husbands Secret by Liane Moriatry

To tell you the truth this book has been on my "To Read" list since it was in the top ten bestsellers on Amazon. But I always found some reason not to buy it, whether it was because I had a pile of "free books to review" just sent to me or life was hectic. It just happened a couple of weeks ago at a children's fair I heard of the announcement of last call for $1 a bag books at the book sale. I love to read so you can understand my excitement. With my two grocery bags in hand, I went over to the Non-Fiction section and to my amazement this book was sitting on the top shelf. Thinking that this was a sign (I am a little superstitious) I immediately put it in my bag and continued to fill my bags. Upon returning home I indulged myself by diving right into this story.

AMAZON SYNOPSIS:

Imagine that your husband wrote you a letter, to be opened after his death. Imagine, too, that the letter contains his deepest, darkest secret—something with the potential to destroy not just the life you built together, but the lives of others as well. Imagine, then, that you stumble across that letter while your husband is still very much alive. . . .

Cecilia Fitzpatrick has achieved it all—she’s an incredibly successful businesswoman, a pillar of her small community, and a devoted wife and mother. Her life is as orderly and spotless as her home. But that letter is about to change everything, and not just for her: Rachel and Tess barely know Cecilia—or each other—but they too are about to feel the earth-shattering repercussions of her husband’s secret.



Acclaimed author Liane Moriarty has written a gripping, thought-provoking novel about how well it is really possible to know our spouses—and, ultimately, ourselves. 

REVIEW:

Usually I am one to write my review right after I have finished a book. That way all the information is still fresh in my mind as well as my impression of the book. But with this book I am glad I got to busy right after I finished (my kids started school) because I had sometime to obsorb the story and the lesson behind it more.  

Originally I was going to give this book only three stars because the book was good, I couldn't put it down but I usually don't give a five star rating unless I liked it some much I would gladly read it again or I know of anyone who would like it enough to put it on their "To Read Again" shelf. But I digress. 

Originally I was going to give it three stars because though I liked the story, the characters, and could relate to some of the characters feelings on a personal level I felt that it wasn't quite all there. But having more time to reflect on this book and plot I realized this is not a book that is to be devoured in one sitting. This is a book that needs to be nibbled on and chewed slowly. There is a lot more to the story then whats on the page, there is a deeper meaning and lesson that is hidden a little more deeply then on the surface. The author explains some of this deeper meaning and thoughts in her epilogue at the back of the book. 

So after thoroughly digesting the story, plot and lesson I happily give this book a HUGE thumbs up and its well deserved 5 stars.  

Little Book of Book Making by Charlotte Rivers

Amazon Book Description

Publication Date: August 12, 2014

Making books by hand has never been cooler, with this inspiring guide to 30 top bookmakers working today, plus 21 tutorials for essential techniques to make your own books.

Crafters, artists, writers, and book lovers can't resist a beautifully handbound book. Packed with wonderfully eclectic examples, this book explores the intriguing creative possibilities of bookmaking as a modern art form, including a wide range of bindings, materials, and embellishments. Featured techniques include everything from Coptic to concertina binding, as well as experimental page treatments such as sumi-e ink marbling and wheat paste. In addition to page after page of inspiration from leading contemporary binderies, Little Book of Bookmaking includes a practical section of 21 easy-to-follow illustrated tutorials.

My Review:

A book of inspiration for all those with creative minds. This book shows that there is more to a book than a normal layout. The author spends 107 or more pages showing different folding of the signature papers making these books more works of art as well as functional books. There is information for MANY different book designers all over the world giving the reader many forms of inspiration.

This book isn't just about the history or how creative one can be with book making but the author also gives the reader vocabulary and how to's. Making this a "DYI on how to make your own books". There is also a section of resources on where to find the materials you need. 

I give this book a solid 5 stars, for the interesting information and how to's in one little book. I have been trying to find the inspiration to repair some old books that need new spins or covers and I found it in this book. 

DISCLAIMER: I received this book free from Blogging for books for this review. I pride myself on an honest review. Therefor just because I received this book for free for my review, I review these books unbiased.

Inamorata by Megan Chance

The Official Website of author Megan Chance ~Inamorata

Amazon Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2014

American artist Joseph Hannigan and his alluring sister, Sophie, have arrived in enchanting nineteenth-century Venice with a single-minded goal. The twins, who have fled scandal in New York, are determined to break into Venice’s expatriate set and find a wealthy patron to support Joseph’s work.
But the enigmatic Hannigans are not the only ones with a secret agenda. Joseph’s talent soon attracts the attention of the magnificent Odilé Leon, a celebrated courtesan and muse who has inspired many artists to greatness. But her inspiration comes with a devastatingly steep price.
As Joseph falls under the courtesan’s spell, Sophie joins forces with Nicholas Dane, the one man who knows Odilé’s dark secret, and her sworn enemy. When the seductive muse offers Joseph the path to eternal fame, the twins must decide who to believe—and just how much they are willing to sacrifice for fame.

Review

I found this story one of my harder ones to review. You see, I switched back and forth between the ebook and the audio, all depending on where and what I was doing at the time. The author told this story between four different characters. Each chapter announced who was speaking. Each character bringing their own unique view to the story. I don't think the story would have been as complete or as interesting if it was told only by one point of view. And yet, had I not had the audio to give me voices to distinguish the characters I think I would have been confused and lost jumping from character to character. Though, again I reiterate, if it had been told from one point of view the story itself would be greatly lacking. 

Once I had those voices of each character in my head, I was totally lost in this story. Coming back to it greedily, reading at every opportunity I had. Even listening to it while I cooked, gardened or watch my children play. 

The author easily calling up pictures of Venice in my head, though I have never been there and have only seen a few picture to use as reference. I also I found my curiosity of what secrets the characters were holding, utterly striking that I had a hard time putting the book down or even to press pause on the audio version. 

All in all great characters, plot and description. But I HIGHLY recommend the audio version, because it gives the story something that it is lacking in the written form. 

Preserving Everything by Leda Meredith

Amazon Synopsis:

The ultimate guide to putting up food.

How many ways can you preserve a strawberry? You can freeze it, dry it, pickle it, or can it. Milk gets cultured, or fermented, and is preserved as cheese or yogurt. Fish can be smoked, salted, dehydrated, and preserved in oil. Pork becomes jerky. Cucumbers become pickles. There is no end to the magic of food preservation, and in Preserving Everything, Leda Meredith leads readers—both newbies and old hands—in every sort of preservation technique imaginable.

Review:

I read this book cover to cover. At first I thought it would be impossible to include every way to preserve in one book. I was amazingly surprised .
The Author divides the ways to preserve one for each way, from dehydrating to canning to yogurts & cheese and everything in between. Each chapter includes guidelines that must be met insure food safety. It is these guidelines that the author makes the reader aware and comfortable to process anything as long as follow the guidelines. The author also includes recipes that pertain to the chapter giving the reader even more confidence to tackle preserving on their own.
I have found, being very close to harvest seasons, that I have been using this as my preserving bible, as a reference as it may, for all my preserving needs.

The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert

Review:

                This is intriguing fictional book of the world of botany and the introduction of the Darwin theory, as seen through a female botanist in the 1800’s. “The Signature of all Things” by Elizabeth Gilbert starts of following Henry Whittaker, the father of the main character Alma Whittaker, as Henry goes from a thief to a well-known botanist with his own successful business.

                Approximately 50 pages later arrives Alma into the world, from whom, the reader follows from birth to the old age of ninety. Throughout these years the reader encounters love, adventure, rejection, and meet botanist, publishers, mad-minded and misunderstood characters. Traveling through Philadelphia, Boston, Tahiti, Holland and more in the 1700-1800’s all in the process.

                The characters have a depth to them that makes you believe that they really could have existed in that time. Though some did, like Captain Cook the captain of the ship of Henry’s first expedition and Darwin and Wallace introducing the theories of Evolution.

                I found this book to be quite interesting with new twist, and unexpected turn of events. I can see how this might not be a book for everyone, as I found some parts hard to get through (mostly the first section). I didn't give up and was in the end glad I pursued finishing it. This story also leaves you thing long after you have finished reading it.

                A must read or at very least an attempt should be made to read it, for it is filled with thought provoking ideas.