Modern Potluck | Uncover the best dish- Book Review

                          

{About the book}

Modern Potluck is a cookbook and guide for today’s potlucks that delivers Instagram-worthy dishes packed with exciting, bold flavors. This 100 make-ahead recipes are perfect for a crowd and navigate carnivore, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and vegan preferences gracefully. With beautiful color photographs and lots of practical information such as how to pack foods to travel, Modern Potluck is the ultimate book for gathering friends and family around an abundant, delicious meal.

{My Thoughts}

I know that I say this with every cookbook that I review, but this is my new favorite! I finally have a book that doesn't suggest tired dishes that we've all had one too many time, but instead has dishes that everyone can eat buffet-style and still feel like we are getting  fresh, local, and slow-cooked meals.

I think EVERYONE should own a copy of this book in their home, it will be our go to book for when we have friends and family over. 

Disclaimer: I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. All thoughts are my own.

BookReview- The Drawing Lesson: A Graphic Novel That Teaches You How to Draw| Read This Comic and Start Drawing Today

For the first time ever, drawing instructor and graphic novelist Mark Crilley brings his easy-to-follow artistic instruction to aspiring artists in the form of a comic book, providing you with a one-of-a-kind how-to experience. In The Drawing Lesson, you’ll meet David—a young boy who wants nothing more than to learn how to draw. Luckily for David, he’s just met Becky—his helpful drawing mentor. Page by page, Becky teaches David (and you!) about the essential fundamentals that artists need in order to master drawing, all in a unique visual format. In panel after panel, Crilley provides lessons on shading, negative space, creating compositions, and more, with accompanying exercises that you can try for yourself. Are you ready to start your drawing lesson today?


"The Drawing Lesson" is witty, clever and simple.  The Drawing Lesson presents itself as a drawing book within a graphic novel.  I am always happy to see more authors dressing up non-fiction with narrative.  Because this book is serving two purposes, neither the story nor the drawing assistance goes into much depth, but overall this is a fine addition to our collection of drawing books my my 13 year old.

-Disclaimer-
I received this book free in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions posted are my own

Book Review: Doodletopia: Manga: Draw, Design, and Color Your Own Super-Cute Manga Characters and More (Includes Bonus Manga Crafts and Cut-Outs)

The world's bestselling author of drawing and cartooning books, Christopher Hart, will show you all the interactive, artistic possibilities offered by doodling, designing, and coloring using characters, scenes, and crafts from the world of manga in Doodletopia: Manga.

Unlike other doodle books that leave you stranded, with no help at all, Doodletopia: Manga pairs fun doodle-based activities with the sort of insightful (and laugh-out-loud funny) advice and tips that countless readers have come to expect from cartooning master Christopher Hart. 

From dressing up super-cute chibis to designing your own manga mazes to completing manga scenes and making manga-inspired crafts like bookmarks, stationery, and more, the opportunities for creative expression are endless. So what are you waiting for? Pick up your pencils, pens, markers, or crayons, and start doodling!

*My Thoughts*
I personally LOVE this book. It is for my 13 year old daughter. Doodletopia: Manga by Christopher Hart is a book full of cute drawings you can do like, Chibi animals and more. You can even create your own manga crafts! Hart makes drawing fun. I would recommend this book for people of all ages who love to doodle!

Disclaimer:
I received this book free in exchange for my honest opinion.

This newly revised edition of Bryan Peterson's most popular book demystifies the complex concepts of exposure in photography, allowing readers to capture the images they want.

Understanding Exposure has taught generations of photographers how to shoot the images they want by demystifying the complex concepts of exposure in photography. In this newly updated edition, veteran photographer Bryan Peterson explains the fundamentals of light, aperture, and shutter speed and how they interact with and influence one another. With an emphasis on finding the right exposure even in tricky situations, Understanding Exposure shows you how to get (or lose) sharpness and contrast in images, freeze action, and take the best meter readings, while also exploring filters, flash, and light. With all new images, as well as an expanded section on flash, tips for using colored gels, and advice on shooting star trails, this revised edition will clarify exposure for photographers of all levels.

My Thoughts:

I would say that this book is *THE* book for learning photography. I would give this book 100 stars if possible. I highly recommend this book. I love this book for the inspiring set of updates to an already excellent resource. 

"Understanding Exposure" should be a MUST for every person who owns a DSLR or a camera with an "M" (manual) mode. Since this book was first published, Understanding Exposure has provided a friendly, easy, and accessible way for everyone to learn to use their cameras to create beautiful images. I've dabbled in photography a bit and this book will always be my first recommendation when asked for help with cameras. It really is that impressive of a resource and now has been completely revised and updated with all new pictures and new information.

*Disclaimer*

I received this book free in exchange for my honest opinion.

Book Review: Plated: Weeknight Dinners, Weekend Feasts, and Everything in Between

The more than 125 inventive, repertoire-building recipes in Plated will help you cook and eat food you love without having to think so hard about it. Every dish here will work no matter how much (or little) time you have to cook, whether it’s quick dinner on a Monday for two or a backyard barbecue for a crowd.  The recipes are all rooted in a core technique—think One-Pan Roasted Chicken, Slow-Simmered Turkey Chili, or Cheesy Baked Penne—but can also be customized according to peak produce and just what you’re in the mood for. Step-by-step prep instructions and menu ideas take the stress out of cooking, so you know exactly what to do and when. Here, too, are ways for you to stretch these recipes, like basic marinades and spice rubs that can be used on almost anything, reinventions for leftovers, big-batch make-aheads, company-worthy feasts, and perfect sides. Plated is sure to become a well-loved, sauce-splattered staple in your kitchen.


My Thoughts:
This cookbook is absolutely amazing! It was written for any type of cook from beginner to well seasoned cooks who want to give something new a try. 

It's no surprise that I love to cook, but I also love the ability to change up recipes by season. The photos are breathtakingly beautiful.Thought I've never heard of "Plated", but after researching and reading other reviews I have found this book to be very consistent with their easy to follow recipes. 

I plan to add this book to my collection of cookbooks, but also purchase a copy to give as a gift to a friend. 

Disclaimer- I received this book free in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Wonderland: A Coloring Book Inspired by Alice's Adventures

Follow the White Rabbit into this imaginative coloring book inspired by Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, featuring intricate pen-and-ink drawings by acclaimed artist Amily Shen. Meet the Cheshire Cat, attend the Mad Hatter's tea party, and play croquet with the Queen of Hearts in this evocative tale that invites you into a strange and beautiful new world of coloring.

My Thoughts-

My oldest daugter is a big fan of Alice in Wonderland, so I thought this coloring book would be a nice "just because" gift for her.  “Wonderland” has a really fun and different take on the illustrations compared to other Adult coloring books I've seen. In this book, Alice has an updated and trendy look...which I found a bit weird, but my daughter said she is cute, so I suppose it's "cute". The artist (Amily Shen) has put her spin on the story.

The book is both a coloring book (in chapters) and an activity book. 

"Wonderland" has 76 pages of coloring and activity & is broken into 9 chapters and each of the chapter title pages has a decorated china plate for coloring

*Disclaimer*

I received this book free from blogging for books in exchange for my honest review. 

Book Review: Malibu Farm Cookbook: Recipes from the California Coast |One of my new favorite Cookbooks, can't wait to cook my way through it!

Situated at the end of the pier, Malibu Farm is a restaurant beloved for its spectacular Pacific Ocean views, the freshly sourced ingredients on its ever-changing menu, and its warm vibe. Chef-owner Helene Henderson opened the space after the once-intimate dinners she hosted on the grounds of her home grew too large. Now, in Malibu Farm Cookbook, she invites you celebrate the coast and mountains of Southern California with dishes like Ricotta and Pea Frittata, Butterfly Beef Tenderloin with Horseradish, Seared Fava Beans, and Grilled Chocolate Cake with Caramel Sauce. Helene captures the spirit of her own farm with recipes using the morning’s fresh eggs, the catch of the day, the luscious vegetables that grow all around, honey harvested steps from where it’s enjoyed, and olive oil straight from her grove.  Punctuated with luscious, vibrant photography, Malibu Farm Cookbook is a stunning sensory experience that transports you right to the edge of the Pacific.


My Thoughts:

I love this cookbook, oh who am I kidding...I love just about ALL cookbooks. I couldwan't it for the “Malibu Farm Cookbook” to arrive. I must say it has quickly become one of my favorite cookbooks.  I have read this book cover to cover and I am really inspired..and hungry. Every recipe in this book is simple yet gourmet,using the freshest of ingredients from Southern California.

Disclaimer:
I received this book free from bloggingforbooks.org in exchange for my honest opinion.