(November) Middle Grade Book Challenge

**This is a sticky post so please scroll down to see all new posts**


Are you reading middle grade books this month? If so, which titles and from which authors?

The rules again are really simply all you have to do is commit to reading 12+ Middle Grade books and posting your review and then coming back and sharing your link in this post. You have from now until August 2011 to complete this challenge.

Just add your blog link/name to the MckLinky below. Your blog name and book titles will be fine.

Just to let everyone know I have given it some thought and I think I am going to go ahead and do a monthly giveaway. Please note it won't be a big prize just because I will be mailing it so some ideas will be a gift card for coffee, a bookmark etc.

So the only rules are in order to qualify all you have to do is come back and link your reviews and for everyone you add for the month of October will count for one entry into the bowl.

Have fun and happy reading.

(Review) A Secret In Salem

TITLE: A Secret in Salem
AUTHOR: Sheri Anderson
PUB DATE: November 2010
PUBLISHER: Soourcebooks
PAGES: 309
SOURCE: Received from publisher

ABOUT THE BOOK:
On the winding roads leading to Monaco, a convertible careens off the road and over the cliffs-killing a mother and leaving her distraught daughter Amelia in critical condition. Amelia's accident reveals that she is not truly her father's daughter. Against her aristocratic fiance's wishes, Amelia sets out on a quest to find her biological parents that leads her to Salem. She begins a determined investigation of the denizens of the city and tracks down the possibilities- Patch and Kayla, Bo and Hope, John and Marlena-gobbling up every bit of history she can find. As she uncovers secrets and scandals, she finds herself growing dangerously close to the truth. (From Good Reads)

Marlena & John have never been so close, and yet so far apart...

Marlena's love, John, has been paralyzed for two years, and she is becoming desperate. Although her love for him has never waned, she must find a cure before they drift too far apart as man and wife. But John's illness may not be all that it seems, and the truth could tear them apart forever.

On the winding roads leading to Monte Carlo...

Charlotte Gaines, daughter of one of the world's richest men and one of the hottest fashion designers, discovers a hidden truth about her family that she never suspected. It sets her on a quest that will uncover long-buried secrets, hidden passions, and dangerous mysteries...all leading to a city called Salem, and a revelation that will change all of their lives forever. (From Publisher's Website)

MY THOUGHTS:
I have to send out a huge THANK YOU to Liz from Sourcebooks (who I got to meet at BEA and when I was in Naperville this summer) who emailed to ask if I would be interested in reading A Secret In Salem. She didn't have to ask me twice. I think that might have been one of the fastest email replies.

Days of Our Lives is one of my favorite all time Soap Operas and I started watching it back in 1988. I watch it all the time and its sad to see your favorite characters leave the show either by death (Alice Horton on the show and in real life) or their contracts expire.

The reason I started to watch it back in 1988 was because of Mathew Ashford, who played Jack Devereaux. I thought I would include this picture taken roughly around 1990 or so when I got to meet him when he came to Montreal. He was so sweet.



Anyways, back to my review. I LOVED, LOVED this book. You don't have to be a fan of Days to read this but if you are you will realize that the book takes off where the characters left such as John and Marlena, Belle, Shawn and Claire, and Abby and Chelsea. Do you remember when John and Marlena left? Well we find out that they are living in Switzerland and John was paralized when he left and no idea why. Well the answers will be revealed. Plus John has a few secrets of his own that as your reading the book you wonder what John is up too and could it possibly ruin his relationship with Marlena. I mean what man makes his workers sign a confidentally agreement about his treatment and Marlena isn't to know? Well John Black does. I was curious to see what John was doing.

Belle, Shawn and Claire left Salem and decided to see the world aboard the Fancy Face IV. They are in Monte Carlo when life changes from them. Belle has a secret that could possibly tear up hers and Shawn's relationship. Plus she has some good news to share with Shawn which the reader can almost guess right away what it is but then as you are reading you wonder more about it.

WE are introduced to some new characters, siblings Charlotte, Chance and Jackson, their rich parents Olivia and Richie. They are the couple behind OMG a fashion design label.

I was curious to see how they would play into the storyline and it kept me reading and turning the pages to find out plus a few late late nights.

When Olivia suddenly dies in a car crash The Gaines secrets are revealed and they especially hurt Olivia the most because she begins to question her life and changes her world as she knows it.

So, if your a fan of Days then I have to say you must read this. You won't be disappointed. I am already looking forward to the next book in the series called A Stirring in Salem (February 2011) and A Scandel in Salem (May 2011). I am not sure if all the books are linked together but from the sounds of it A Stirring in Salem might pick up where this one finished.

The Mailbox Post

As you know Mailbox Monday is originally hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page. Marcia has decided to put Mailbox Monday on a blog tour and for the month of November Mailbox Monday is being hosted by Julie from Knitting and Sundries. So be sure to hop over to Julie's blog to see what she and others got and while your there leave a link for your own Mailbox Monday post.

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house during the previous week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists!

Is it just me or has the year just seem to zip by? I can't believe we are almost at the end of 2010. There is only a month left of Mailbox posts in 2010.

Next month's host is Jenny from Let Them Read Books. Jenny is a new blogger to me and I am looking forward to reading more of her blog.


I received Gone from Marci at Serendipitous Readings. My series is now complete. Looking forward to reading this over the holidays.

This past week I received two books for review.


-Arranged by Catherine McKenzie (I will be part of a blog tour in January for Catherine's newest book. Check back for alot of great things happening in the blogging world for this book.) Thanks Harper Collins for sending the book and asking me to be a part of the tour.


-The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson

This past week I got a few egalleys to review. All of which I am excited to read. Thanks Simon & Schuster for them.





-The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa (ARC pub date: January 25th, 2011) (Don't you just love the cover of this book?)
-Populazzi by Elise Allen (ARC pub date: August 1st, 2011)
-Mystify by Artist Arthur (ARC pub date: January 25, 2011) This is book two from Artist Arthur.
-Lost Voices by Sarah Porter (ARC pub date: July 4th, 2011) Love the cover of this one
-Here Lies Bridget by Paige Harbison (ARC pub date: Feb 2nd, 2011)

This is what came to my mailbox, what about you?

An Awesome Contest

I got this email today and I thought I would share this with my Canadian readers. I unfortunately can't enter it because its void in my lovely province of Quebec which is kind of sad since its only a book.

There will be one prize awarded, consisting of a copy of Something Old, Something New.

To enter the sweepstakes visit this link.

I went over board...

This past week I downloaded a bunch of egalleys from NetGalley and Simon & Schuster's. Thanks NetGalley and Simon & Schuster.




This is just the first 21 Chapters:
-Witch & Wizard The Gift by James Patterson (book 2)PUB DATE: December 13/10
-Cross Fire by James Patterson (This is part of the Alex Cross Series) PUB DATE: November 15/10




-A Compendium of Kisses PUB DATE: January 1/11
-Midway Monkey Madness PUB DATE: January 2011







-The Poison Eaters PUB DATE: April 1/11
-The Hot List PUB DATE: March 8/11







-Odd Girl In PUB DATE: March 22/11
-Evercrossed PUB DATE: March 8/11






-Eliza's Freedom PUB DATE: January 4th/11
-Over The Moon PUB DATE: January 4th/11






-Choker PUB DATE: January 4th/11
-Darkness Becomes Her PUB DATE: Febuary 22/11






-Wither PUB DATE: March 22/11
-Fairy Tale in New York PUB DATE: November2009



-Cryer's Cross PUB DATE: Febuary 8th/11



I am really excited to read all of these great titles. Any of these appeal to you?

The Mailbox Post & Books Bought

As you know Mailbox Monday is originally hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page. Marcia has decided to put Mailbox Monday on a blog tour and for the month of November Mailbox Monday is being hosted by Julie from Knitting and Sundries. So be sure to hop over to Julie's blog to see what she and others got and while your there leave a link for your own Mailbox Monday post.

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house during the previous week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists!


FOR REVIEW:
-The Pony Whisperer- Team Challenge by Janet Rising (This is book 2 in The Pony Whisperer series. Thanks goes to Sourcebooks for sending me this.)

WON:
In October I stumbled upon The Crossroads Tour where 16 YA bloggers and 16 YA paranormal authors joined together for 16 days and the authors did guest posts, interviews and the bloggers hosted them and did reviews of the books etc and books were being given away. The Crossroads Tour was organized by Judith Graves a Canadian YA author.

From Aly's blog Kid Lit Frenzy I was suppose to win Vamped by Lucienne Diver but Lucienne couldn't remember what book was offered so she sent me her second book Revamped which came out this year to me as well. Both are signed copies. Thank you Aly for hosting this give away and to Lucienne for sending be both books.

I know I haven't done a Magazine Monday post in awhile but I thought I would show you what magazines showed up at my door this week:

The magazines pictured are:
-People Magazine (which has actually two different versions out. Both are with Ryan Reynolds on the cover.)
-December issues of Today's Parent(subscription), Woman's Day, Family Circle and two copies of Chatelaine (one I bought and one was a subscription. For some reason my subscription always comes in late and there was some recipes I wanted in it so I bought it. I only paid $2 for it.) Also not pictured was my weekly Woman's World magazine.

SALON DU LIVRE (book event) & BOOKS BOUGHT:
On Friday I went to the Salon du Livre to see Nikole from Scholastic Canada. It was really great to see Nikole again. We talked about books, the salon and so much more. I have a posted that I am working on about the Salon Du Livre and hoping to have that up this week.

Of course I couldn't leave the scholastic booth without buying some books. I mean that would just be rude right? Upon Nikole's recommendation I picked up:
-Smile by Raine Telgemeier
-Knights of the Lunch Table: The Dodge ball Chronicles by Frank Cammuso (book 1)
-Knights of the Lunch Table: The Dragon Players by Frank Cammuso (book 2)
All three books are graphic novels and they will be appearing in my Middle Grade Challenge very soon. Thanks Nikole for the recommendation they sound really good.

BOOKS BOUGHT:

This past week I went to Chapters because I wanted to pick up Kissed by an Angel by Elizabeth Chandler because I got an egalley of her newest book which I think is a series. While I was looking around I spotted the new V.C Andrews book Daughter of Darkness. I am a big V.C Andrews fan but have to admit that over the past few years I haven't enjoyed the books as much as I use to but I still read them in hopes they will be good.

As you can see I bought the Glee Christmas cd. I am a huge Glee fan and couldn't pass this up.

This is what came my way this past week, what about you?

Check back later because I got some egalleys that I downloaded onto my Kobo. I wanted to make a separate post because there was some really good ones I got that I want to share and highlight.

(Review) iDrakula

TITLE: iDrakula
AUTHOR: Becca Black
PUB DATE: October 2010
PAGES: 160
PUBLISHER: Sourcebooks Fire

SOURCE: I bought this book at Chapters.

ABOUT THE BOOK:
The classic vampire story that started it all gets new life for a generation of connected teens

18-year-old Jonathan Harker is diagnosed with a rare blood disorder after visiting a Romanian Count. His girlfriend Mina and a pre-med student named Van Helsing team up to investigate the source of the disease. The teenagers discover a horrifying truth: the Count is a vampire. The harrowing events unfold through emails, text messages, web pages, Twitter feeds, and instant messaging-the natural modernization of Bram Stoker''s original Dracula, which was written in letters, diary entries, and news clippings.

MY THOUGHTS:
I have never read Drakula by Bram Stoker but I heard that Bram did it in diary and letters form.

Bekka Black brings a modern twist to this classic story by doing it in the form of text messages, emails and browser pages. Bekka also included pictures of various things such as the Castle the count lives in, the gates to Bellevue Hospital and the back of a gown that Mina wore.

Having not read Drakula I have to say I wasnt' worried about not knowing what was going on because this is a book that covers it all in a short amount of time. After finishing the book I thought all the key points were touched on and the story wasn't lost.

I picked this up when I was at Chapters the other night because I have had this on my wishlist for awhile since I first heard about it. It was a quick and easy read and I actually read this in about an hour last night.

I think this might appeal to the younger crowd and it just might make them pick up the classic to read. As for me I don't see me reading Drakula anytime soon.

One of my favorite text messages was early in the book (page 14) was one Jonathan sent to Mina and it was:

Ate paprika hendl aka chicken paprikash. Tasty. U should get recipe.

I have eaten chicken paprikash many times and love it. My in laws are hungarian so its a staple for them.

Here is the recipe from the book:
Paprika Hendl

3 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 pounds of chicken cooked and cut into strips (my mother in law does chunks)
1/2 cup butter
1 onion diced (mother in laws chops)
3 tablespoons of paprika
1 clove of garlic
2 tablespoons flour
1 cup sour cream
4 cups of spatzle noodles cooked (mother in law uses egg noodles)

Saute onion, garlic and chicken in butter. Add the broth and paprika to pan. Slowly add flour to the pan to thicken. Simmer 30 minutes and then add half the sour cream. Serve over cooked noodles and dallop sour cream on top. (You don't have to add the dallop of sour cream if you don't want. I never do.)

When I was on Bekka Black's website I discovered that there is an app for iDrakula for your iPhone/iPad which apparently adds to the book even more. Sadly I don't have an iphone or iPad so I can't be sure on this.

(Review) ABC is For Circus

TITLE: ABC is for Circus
AUTHOR: Patrick Hruby
PAGES: 56 (chunky board book)
PUBLISHER: AMMO Books
PUB DATE: November 15, 2010
SOURCE: I received an ARC of the book from NETGALLEY. I downloaded it onto my KOBO.

ABOUT THE BOOK:
ABC IS FOR CIRCUS celebrates the colorful and festive world of the circus through each letter of the alphabet. Young children will enjoy memorizing letters and words like A is for Acrobats, B is for Big Top, and C is for Calliope in this imaginative chunky board book. ABC IS FOR CIRCUS is an awesome addition to our artist-centric line of ABC books and is sure to delight an audience of children and adults alike

.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Los Angeles-based illustrator Patrick Hruby grew up in a log cabin within an Idaho forest. As a young boy he dreamt of running away to join the circus and become a trapeze artist. Eventually, however, he grew up to study math and physics before attending the renowned Art Center College of Design and pursuing a career as an illustrator. His interest in the geometry of nature is central to his work. Influenced by artists and designers such as Charley Harper, Paul Rand, and Mary Blair, Hruby has gone on to develop his own stunning and modern aesthetic.

MY THOUGHTS:
When I saw this on Netgalley I just wanted to get it and share with Michael. Sadly the only one thing I don't like about the book on the KOBO is that is black and white and this is a book you really need to see in color.

We went back to the computer and read the book. The illustrations are absolutely stunning in color. Michael thought that they were simple, colorful and attention grabbing. (his words)

What a great book for young kids who love the circus and want to learn the alphabet. I think the illustrations will draw them in.

I have to say that Michael is now reading on his own and I absolutely love listening to him read. While he was reading this one he did an amazing job.

Even though we are sort of passed the board book stage I think I would actually pick up this book to add to our collection.

This book is out today.

The Mailbox Post & Books Bought

As you know Mailbox Monday is originally hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page. Marcia has decided to put Mailbox Monday on a blog tour and for the month of November Mailbox Monday is being hosted by Julie from Knitting and Sundries. So be sure to hop over to Julie's blog to see what she and others got and while your there leave a link for your own Mailbox Monday post.

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house during the previous week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists!


FOR REVIEW:
-The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore Ill by Robert Ingpen (Thanks Sterling for sending this. Look for my review in December.)
-A Secret in Salem by Sheri Anderson (Thanks Sourcebooks for sending this.)

BOOKS BOUGHT:
-Nevermore by Kelly Creagh (Love the cover! This is an early bday present from my mother)
-Jealousy by Lili St. Crow (this is book 3 in the Strange Angels series)
-The Last Good Place of Lily Odilon by Sara Beitia
-Pluto's Ghost by Sheree Fitch
-The Gravesavers by Sheree Fitch
-iDrakula by Bekka Black


I also bought these two over the weekend at the book signing I went to:
-Mabel Murple by Sheree Fitch and Illustrated by Sydney Smith
-Sleeping Dragons All Around by Sheree Fitch and Illustrated by Michele Nidenoff

Last week I got a coupon from Heather Reisman from Chapters/Indigo for a free gift as a token of their appreciation for me shopping there and the chooses were tea (which they didn't have) or a mole skin notebook (I got to choose the color). I was surprised when I got home and opened it to discover that the note book sells for $39.99. Wow so I think that the journal was the better deal.


This is what came to my door the past week, how about you?

Author(s) Meet Up and Books Bought

If you remember my post from yesterday saying that there was going to be an author event happening near me and that I was pretty sure I was going to go, well I did make it to the 2pm reading and signing.

Quite a few people turned up and I think there was more adults(6-7)then kids(3)who came to listen to Sheree read from her book Mabel Murple. I believe it originally came out in 1995. Then when Sheree was informed that the then publisher of the books would no longer be printing children books she got the rights back to her books and went shopping around for a new publisher. Thankfully Nimbus Publishing from the East Coast (Halifax) picked her up.

Mabel Murple got a new make over from the original book and I have to say that I really love this new version of the book so much better. The illustrations are perfect and suit the book to a tee. Of course I have to say that the man behind the illustrations is Sydney Smith (no relation to me) and he is a fellow East Coaster still living in Halifax.

Listening to Sheree read her book was so much fun she did it like a sing song way. The story was very catchy. I think this will be a new found favorite in our house. I know I have read it several times since I have been home.


(I found this video on Youtube and I thought I would share it with you.)Aren't the illustrations awesome?

After the reading she signed everyone's books. I picked up Mabel Murple and Sleeping Dragons All Around and got them signed to Michael. Michael wasn't able to come with me because he was about two streets over at his curling lesson.

I want to thank Sheree for coming to Babar to do a reading and signing. I truly loved discovering a new author especially one from my original neck of the woods. I just wish I could have been there for here teen reading of Pluto's Ghost at 3pm.

Thanks Sheree for graciously posing for this photo with me.



I am really looking forward to reading The Gravesavers and Pluto's Ghost. I am currently reading them right now (yes both at the same time) and hopefully will have both of those reviews up this week. Also check back this week for my reviews of the two children books.

Local Happenings

Yesterday while I was reading my local newspaper I came across this little ad in there for my local indie bookstore:

As any book blogger will say they love going to author events and I am no exception especially when they are super close to where I live.

I have to say that before this I have never heard of Sheree Fitch and I have to admit that I am a little ashamed since she is an East Coaster just like me. My Canadian readers will know what I am taking about when I say East Coasters, right guys? For everyone else its referred to as the Atlantic provinces. I grew up in New Brunswick and Sheree was raised in Miramichi (which is actually about 45 minutes to an hour from where I grew up), Moncton, Fredericton New Brunswick. Sheree now lives in Nova Scotia.

She is going to be at Babar promoting two of her books Mable Murple and Pluto's Ghost. Sheree's written two adult novels, three young adult books, several children's books, and much more.

I will be going to the 2pm showing to hear her read Mable Murple because I will be in the village at that time and I am hoping to pick up a copy of Mable Murple and get it signed for Michael and hopefully I will be able to get my copies of Pluto's Ghost and The Gravesavers signed as well along with some photos. Fingers crossed.



A children’s classic now back in print with new illustrations What if there was a purple planet with purple people on it? Sheree Fitch answers this question with a zany tongue-twister of a poem featuring Mabel Murple, a daredevil who rides a purple motorbike through purple puddles, skis on purple snow, and on her pancakes pours maple syrple. With a rich and vivid purple palette, Sydney Smith’s brand-new illustrations reflect the wild joy in this classic poem.Originally published in 1995, Mabel Murple won the Ann Connor Brimer award for children’s literature.



"Murderer. It's one kick in the belly of a word isn't it? Has a taste, too. It tastes like barbed wire and has wild hyena eyes. Murderer. Murder-her. Did he? Did I? That's when I remember what I want to forget."

Jake Upshore has loved Skye Derucci since before he can remember. Volatile, complex and frustrated (he's got a label disorder from all the labels he's been given) at the best of times, Jake's on a desperate quest to find Skye before she aborts the baby he believes is his. As he hurtles headlong toward certain tragedy, Jake relives the fatal choices he's made and the powerful forces that have led him to this to end. A gripping thriller and a heart-wrenching love story, Pluto's Ghost is a raw and powerful novel about anger, escape, and redemptive love.

You can check out Sheree's website by clicking on her name.

(Review) A Scary Tale

TITLE: RBI Fact or Fiction A Scary Tale
PAGES: 128
PUBLISHER: Ripley's Books
PUB DATE: May 2010

SOURCE: I picked up a ARC of this book when I was at BEA in May/10.

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Mission: Believe it or not, sightings of a strange reptilian creature have been reported by witnesses in the Florida Everglades. Investigate the accuracy of these accounts and collect factual information for the Ripley database.

Location: Florida, USA

The Florida swamplands are home to hungry gators, wild electrical storms, and a most unusual creature. Sightings of a strange lizard-like animal reach Ripley High and the RBI are sent to investigate. During their search, the RBI agents find themselves in the middle of a high-speed air boat chase, a swarm of rats, a mysterious treasure hunt, and DUL agents in disguise. But then, that’s nothing unusual when you’re a member of the RBI!

MY THOUGHTS:
This is the first book in a ten book series. I think this would be a great series of books for the middle graders.

The main characters Kobe, Zia, Max, Kate, Alek, Li, and Jack all attend Ripley High which is a school for kids with special abilities as we discovery slowly in the books. In this first book A Scary Tale we see that three of the characters (Zia, Kobe and Jack) have special abilities which are talking to animals, and dealing with the weather. I think that the kids with the most powerful abilities are granted permission to take part in missions because at the beginning of the book Max is talking about wishing he was on another mission and Zia tells him to be quiet so no one will hear him.

In each of the books the kids will travel all over the world to investigate strange sightings.

In A Scary Tale, Zia, Kobe and Jack all travel to Florida to go to the Everglades to investigate a sighting of a lizard like creature. While there they encounter some problems with another school called the DUL (Department of Unbelievable Lies). They are out to show and prove that all the strange sightings are all lies.

Before the kids leave for their mission they research their location and get as much info as they can. One teacher will provide the geography and another will be their electronic expert providing them with night vision goggles and thermal imager. Once there they will ride an air boat. Its the only way into the Everglades.

Upon interviewing some witnesses they team realizes something isn't right and quickly realize that DUL is behind it. Will they be able to find this lizard like creature before DUL can prove that there is nothing there?

I managed to read this book rather quickly because at the end of every chapter there was a little cliff hanger and for me it left me wanting to read more to find out what was going to happen next.

Another thing I loved about the book was through out the book there was a drawing of the R-phone and it gave strange facts along the way such as:

The Florida Everglades are home to over 1 million alligators! The longest recorded length for an alligator in that area is 17 feet 6 inches that as long as a giraffe is tall. It is estimated that there are also 500 rare American crocodiles living in the Everglades.

Lightening strikes Florida more than any other state in the US about 12 strikes per square kilometer per year. Of all the US recorded hurricanes 36% hit Florida.

At the end of the book there is a section called Enter the Strange World of Ripley's and there is information about the Everglades and the real people behind the story. There is also some collector cards included. Which Michael loved.

Green Books Campaign: Canning & Preserving

This review is part of the Green Books campaign.Today 200 bloggers take a stand to support books printed in an eco-friendly manner by simultaneously publishing reviews of 200 books printed on recycled or FSC-certified paper. By turning a spotlight on books printed using eco- friendly paper, we hope to raise the awareness of book buyers and encourage everyone to take the environment into consideration when purchasing books.

The campaign is organized for the second time by Eco-Libris, a green company working to make reading more sustainable. We invite you to join the discussion on "green" books and support books printed in an eco-friendly manner! A full list of participating blogs and links to their reviews is available on Eco-Libris website.


TITLE: Homemade Living Canning and Preserving: All you need to know to make Jams, Jellies, Pickles, Chutneys and more
AUTHOR: Ashley English
PUB DATE: April 2010
PAGES: 136

SOURCE: Sterling Publishing

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Yes, you CAN! More and more people have discovered what grandma always knew: canning and preserving supplies you with wholesome, tasty treats year round. And this Homemade Living guide provides all the practical, hold-your-hand basics along with plenty of step-by-step photos, and 20 unique seasonal recipes created by the author.

Learn about the necessary tools of the trade, crucial safety tips, and hot water bath processing and pressure canning. Discover the all-important science of salt and sugar, and how to select the best possible ingredients, favoring seasonal, organic, and local options. Three topic-specific primers cover pickles, relishes and chutneys; jams, jellies, butters and curds; and whole fruits and veggies—and each offers at least two “Canning Classic” recipes with variation ideas.

MY THOUGHTS:
This book is FSC Chain-of-Custody certified and has been printed and bound in a responsible manner using recycled materials and agri-based inks.

(While most inks are still petroleum-based, some ink manufacturers now substitute renewable and biodegradable resources (such as soy, linseed, and corn oils) for most or all of the petroleum. Vegetable oil replacement ink meets the same specifications as petroleum-based ink, and it does not release a significant volume of VOCs into the air when it dries. Agri-based inks are produced without toxins and biodegrade, effectively eliminating environmental, health and safety hazards.)

As a book blogger getting a list of 200 books to choose from is rather hard. What to choose? Scrolling the list my decision became easy once I spotted the Home Made Living Canning and Preserving book.

I love the idea of canning and preserving food. Sadly every year it seems like I say "Oh I really should start" but the farthest I get is pickling beets (our favorite). I have to admit though I think the reason I only get as far as the beets is because honestly I don't know alot about canning and preserving. Growing up my mother attempted to can but they never turned out and I think I am afraid to put all the effort into it and it not turning out but I think after reading this book I am determined to do it next year.

I was extremely impressed with this book and its inspired me to want to can now. Not only does Ashley take the mystery out of canning but she explains everything so well and makes it easy to understand that it makes you want to run out and start canning.

Another great think about the book apart from the great photos is that she showcases Portraits of a Canner and they are every day people who can and come from all walks of life. You realize how diverse canning really is and how important it is.

In the first half of the book Ashley talks about equipment and the process of canning safely in detail. The second half of the book is filled with delicious recipes that are typical canning recipes like: strawberry jam, grape jelly, crushed tomatoes or pickles. There is also the seasonal recipe section which is interesting and contains recipes like: Strawberry and Vanilla Sauce, Cherry and Lemon Thyme Marmalade, Tomato Basil Sauce, and Cardamom Apple Cider Butter. I love that the recipes are easy to follow.

I think this is a great book for the first time or beginners who are interested in canning. I know personally for me since having a child I am more aware of the things that go into foods and honestly its a little scary when you can't pronounce half of whats in them. I want a healthy alternative to that and I think canning and preserving the summer and fall harvest are the way to go.

You can check out Ashley's blog by clicking on Small Measure.

I preserve beets every year and we love them. Do you can?

My Beet Recipe
-Wash beets and boil whole. Boil until soft. This could take up to two hours.
-Prepare mason jars and put two whole cloves in each jar.
-to make brine: In a pot boil 1 cup vinegar with 1 cup sugar and bring to a boil. Stirring constantly.
-When beets are cooked run under cold water and peel of the skin. Cut beets into chunks (or how ever you want to cut them)
-Pour the brine over the beets and seal.

Lids will pop when they are sealed.