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writerrhiannon's Reviews (1.1k)
This novel will transport readers to Renaissance Venice with canals and a bustling city life. A bildungsroman fraught with class tensions, THE GONDOLA MAKER is a story of young love. Luca Vianello loves Giuliana Zanchi the moment he sets eyes on her. But as gondolier for local artist Master Trevisan, Luca is not of noble birth and therefore not an acceptable match for Giuliana. However, Giuliana needs privacy for a few errands and Luca is more than happy to be her personal servant.
Read my full review here (as well as my interview with the author): http://www.ivoryowlreviews.blogspot.com/2014/05/iread-book-tour-gondola-maker-by-laura.html
Read my full review here (as well as my interview with the author): http://www.ivoryowlreviews.blogspot.com/2014/05/iread-book-tour-gondola-maker-by-laura.html
Read my full review on my website, Ivory Owl Reviews : http://ivoryowlreviews.blogspot.com/2015/02/foodie-friday-sheet-pan-suppers-by.html
I love my slow cooker and despite the fact there are thousands of slow cooker recipes out there, there are only so many that I like. Sheet pan cooking allows for crispier outcomes versus softer outcomes from a slow cooker. These recipes are perfect for winter when I don't mind (and actually enjoy) having my oven on. I also like the idea of pulling supper out of the oven and everyone serving themselves from one sheet versus plating for the family or us all reaching over each other to make our plates from several dishes on the counter (we're not big kitchen table eaters.) This cookbook's layout and photos are beautiful! I had never heard of Molly Gilbert or her blog Dunk and Crumble before reading this cookbook, but I've added her to my blog roll. I would buy this book for myself, for a new cook, or as a housewarming gift. I definitely recommend this as an addition to everyone's cookbook library.
** I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review **
I love my slow cooker and despite the fact there are thousands of slow cooker recipes out there, there are only so many that I like. Sheet pan cooking allows for crispier outcomes versus softer outcomes from a slow cooker. These recipes are perfect for winter when I don't mind (and actually enjoy) having my oven on. I also like the idea of pulling supper out of the oven and everyone serving themselves from one sheet versus plating for the family or us all reaching over each other to make our plates from several dishes on the counter (we're not big kitchen table eaters.) This cookbook's layout and photos are beautiful! I had never heard of Molly Gilbert or her blog Dunk and Crumble before reading this cookbook, but I've added her to my blog roll. I would buy this book for myself, for a new cook, or as a housewarming gift. I definitely recommend this as an addition to everyone's cookbook library.
** I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review **
I was in nerd heaven when I read this book! The author is the lead historian at the History Channel and the information presentation is comparable to an Alton Brown cooking program. Think of your high school history book (I know *groan*) and think what were people eating during various decades?
Read my full review here: http://ivoryowlreviews.blogspot.com/2015/02/foodie-friday-american-plate-history-of.html
Read my full review here: http://ivoryowlreviews.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-other-shakespeare-by-lea-rachel.html
I love books like this, alternate histories that position women into the story. Author Lea Rachel is able to weave Virginia Woolf's struggle with being taken seriously as a female writer into her character, Judith. She points out the strict gender roles restricting women from most pursuits outside the home as well as the scoffing at of "unnecessary" skills, such as reading. As a strong, independent woman myself, I always wonder how I would have survived such stagnant conformity. It is easy to empathize with Judith and when a traveling play mesmerizes Judith, readers will feel their hearts ache as she yearns to be one of the players. A perfect combination of Shakespeare, Virginia Woolf, and example of how society's gender roles have thwarted all but the greatest and most stubborn minds, Lea Rachel's "The Other Shakespeare" is a must-read for any historical and women's fiction lover.
** I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review **
I love books like this, alternate histories that position women into the story. Author Lea Rachel is able to weave Virginia Woolf's struggle with being taken seriously as a female writer into her character, Judith. She points out the strict gender roles restricting women from most pursuits outside the home as well as the scoffing at of "unnecessary" skills, such as reading. As a strong, independent woman myself, I always wonder how I would have survived such stagnant conformity. It is easy to empathize with Judith and when a traveling play mesmerizes Judith, readers will feel their hearts ache as she yearns to be one of the players. A perfect combination of Shakespeare, Virginia Woolf, and example of how society's gender roles have thwarted all but the greatest and most stubborn minds, Lea Rachel's "The Other Shakespeare" is a must-read for any historical and women's fiction lover.
** I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review **
For the last fifty years Aaliya Saleh has begun a new translation every January first. Now she is seventy-two years old and has chosen a 900 page unfinished book to translate this year. As Aaliya tells readers why she has chosen which books to translate, we begin to see inside her little world. Any book loving hermit can understand the contentment she feels where others see a hermit. She doesn't produce the translations for the public or for pay, she simple does them because the words make her happy. The stories around her apartment are interesting in that she is in the middle of a war, has a gossipy group of neighbors, and is outcast from her family. As a bookworm, she's a very lovable character:
I walk myself back to my bedroom, back to the stack of books on my mirrorless vanity, unread books that I intend to read, a large stack. Choosing which book isn't difficult. The choice is typically the last one I brought home. I acquire books constantly and place them in the to-read pile. When I finish with whatever book I'm reading, I begin the last book I bought, the one that caught my attention last. Of course, the pile grows and grows until I decide that I'm not going to buy a single book until I read my stack. Sometimes that works.
I mean what book lover can't relate to that? This book is a wonderful microcosm of daily life and Aaliya is a lovingly relatable character. I will be recommending this, especially to women's fiction lovers looking for a bit of diversity.
Read my full review here: http://ivoryowlreviews.blogspot.com/2014/09/an-unnecessary-woman-by-rahih-alameddine.html
I walk myself back to my bedroom, back to the stack of books on my mirrorless vanity, unread books that I intend to read, a large stack. Choosing which book isn't difficult. The choice is typically the last one I brought home. I acquire books constantly and place them in the to-read pile. When I finish with whatever book I'm reading, I begin the last book I bought, the one that caught my attention last. Of course, the pile grows and grows until I decide that I'm not going to buy a single book until I read my stack. Sometimes that works.
I mean what book lover can't relate to that? This book is a wonderful microcosm of daily life and Aaliya is a lovingly relatable character. I will be recommending this, especially to women's fiction lovers looking for a bit of diversity.
Read my full review here: http://ivoryowlreviews.blogspot.com/2014/09/an-unnecessary-woman-by-rahih-alameddine.html
