Review: If the Oceans Were Ink: An Unlikely Friendship and a Journey to the Heart of the Quran

If the Oceans Were Ink: An Unlikely Friendship and a Journey to the Heart of the Quran by Carla Power
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If the Oceans Were Ink is about secular author / journalist Carla Power's yearlong journey to study the Quran with renown Islamic scholar Sheikh Mohammad Akram Nadwi. Power grew up living between St. Louis, Missouri and Afghanistan, and eventually landed in Oxford, UK where she met Akram. They struck up a friendship and she decided to learn more about the Quran and Islam, a religion she was often exposed to during her travels abroad. Akram, being a Quran purist scholar, introduced her to the text and its message(s) from a purist standpoint. Touching on many points of the Islamic faith such as traditional dress, fatwas, Islamic women scholars, the home, trips to Mecca, and freedom, the Shiekh offers his view based strictly on the scripture of the Quran.

I think this should be required reading for everyone. As with many religions, followers often quote scriptures from their faith's spiritual text, so is true with Muslims and followers of Islam. What the reader ends up with at the conclusion of the book is a different view of Islam than what is portrayed in the media and from those who either are not part of the faith or from those that use Islam for a political agenda. I think the book is not without its flaws. I don't think that Akram was always consistent with his beliefs and was at times contradictory. However, the book offers a lot to think about and allows for a great discussion. It is a great book for people of all faiths, as well as Agnostics and Atheists, to get a better idea of Islam and the Quran. It may inspire you to full read and understand your own faith based text and to consider reading the Quran for comparison / contrast.

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Review: The Food of a Younger Land: The WPA's Portrait of Food in Pre-World War II America

The Food of a Younger Land: The WPA's Portrait of Food in Pre-World War II America by Mark Kurlansky
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Food of a Younger Land is a look at pre-WWII regional food in the United States. Kurlansky took a series of articles and recipes written under the Works Progress Administration's (WPA) Federal Writers’ Project (FWP) and compiled them into this gem of a book. These were articles and recipes intended for a project called America Eats but was abandoned around the time World War II broke out. The book is regionalized into the Northeast, South, Middle West, Far West, and Southwest areas of the US and has stories gathered through oral history as well as some old recipes you won't find in modern cookbooks like Nebraska Lamb and Pig Fries, Georgia Possum and Taters, and Montana Fried Beaver Tail. What you end up with is a wonderful look at life in the 30s and 40s, as well as details around the writers of the FWP, many who went on to have successful writing careers, like Eudora Welty and Zora Neale Hurston.

I particularly enjoyed the Introduction to the book that goes into details about the Works Progress Administration and the FWP. Kurlansky does a wonderful job of giving detailed background into the program and how he came upon the collection of writings. He also introduces each section to give you an idea of how the regional foods have changed over the years and what may still be used today.

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Review: Zombie Club 3

Zombie Club 3 by Sonia Rogers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In the final installment of the Zombie Club series, the sixth grade students of the Military Club, now known as the Zombie Club, continue to battle the undead as they make their way to safer zones. The group and their families (the ones that are left) start to make their home at Fort Leonard Wood until the zombies take over. Their best bet for survival has them back on the road and on the run. They'll have to battle more of the monsters and pick up more survivors along the way. How will they survive?

Sonia Rogers continues her new series aimed at youngsters in Zombie Club 2. This is a great series for kids looking for adventures with the undead.

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Review: Invincible Louisa

Invincible Louisa by Cornelia Meigs
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a short biography of the life of Louisa May Alcott. The book begins with an introduction to her parents and their life growing up until they meet and marry. It then covers the span of Alcott's life and her work as a nurse, teacher and writer. The reader gets to know all of the real life people behind the beloved characters of Little Women and what inspired Alcott to write the book.

This is not a riveting book but for those who loved any of Alcott's books growing up will enjoy getting to know the writer who was the real Jo March. I am one of those fans and was thoroughly entertained. It has inspired me to re-read the Little Women and her other works.

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Review: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - Parts One and Two

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - Parts One and Two by J.K. Rowling
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It is important to note that this book is a play script and it was not exclusively written by J.K. Rowling. I'm not sure how much of it is by Rowling herself. The story follows Harry and Ginny Potter's son, Albus, nineteen years after the final installment of the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Albus and Harry have a strained father / son relationship that seems to be exacerbated by Albus being placed in the Slytherin house at Hogwarts, along with Draco Malfoy's son Scorpius. The two boys become fast friends while their fathers remain enemies. After an argument with his father and overhearing a special request from an old family friend, Albus goes off to school and recruits his friend Scorpius to right a past wrong. In near Harry Potter fashion, the boys cause more problems than fix, causing the whole cast of original Potter characters to intervene.

I consider myself a Potter fan, but not an uber-fan. I enjoyed the script, but something seemed to be off. It doesn't quite hold the same excitement and it seems like the script writers are just trying to recreate Potter with a new generation. I would go see the show. Maybe the appeal would be better in person. Personally, I'd be good with the series ending as it did and see a new series for kids (and adults!). Uber-fans will likely enjoy this script. For others, it will probably only garner an "okay" rating.

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Review: Library of Souls

Library of Souls by Ransom Riggs
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Library of Souls is the final installment of the Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children series. Separated from their peculiar friends, Jacob and Emma are on a race to find them and return them to a time loop. They quickly learn that they have been taken to a fortress in Devil's Acre, a most horrible slum area of Victorian England. They must battle some foes and encounter even more peculiar people along the way, and learn the secret behind the Library of Souls. The history behind Jacob's peculiar grandfather and his contribution to the Panloopticon are also explained.

I loved this series and I think book was my favorite. I just love the idea of the author taking some bizarre photos he has found in places like rummage sales and antique shops, and building a whole series of books around these picture. How creative! It's a little bit history, a lot of fantasy, and a bit of horror wrapped up into a very...peculiar...story.

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Review: The Gray Whale Inn Kitchen: A Collection of Recipes from the Bestselling Gray Whale Inn Mysteries

The Gray Whale Inn Kitchen: A Collection of Recipes from the Bestselling Gray Whale Inn Mysteries by Karen MacInerney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Readers of Karen MacInerney's Gray Whale Inn mysteries will love this little gem of a cookbook. It is full of recipes from her first six books in the series, two of her short stories and one from her upcoming installment. The book concludes with a teaser chapter from Whale of a Crime to help hold you over until its release.

Looking forward to stirring up some of these comfy foods, like Rustic Sausage and Cheese Lasagna and Caramel Glazed Buttermilk Bundt Cake.

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