Jenn’s Books

Title: Comfort Food Makeovers Author: Elaine Magee Format: Spiral Bound

Let me start off by saying that I have high cholesterol. Now some of you may think this is too much information, but let me tell you why I share this. Before Elaine came to me with her book, I thought all hope was lost of ever having chicken pot pie again. Well, Elaine showed me that I was dead wrong. I love the layout of this book. It doesn’t have many pictures, but it does have a side by side comparison of the original full fat, full sugar, full etc. version to the healthier and just as tasty version. It is spiral bound, which is a huge plus as I have a tiny kitchen. And when she said comfort food, she meant it. There is a full chapter of desserts, not just a page or three like most recipe books of this nature. There are 208 pages filled with flavorful classics that your doctor wouldn’t scold you for. And for everything that is in this book, it is perfectly priced (list price is only $12.95). It is perfect for that someone whose doctor has told them to be on a diet, and thinks that they will have to live on celery and water for the rest of their lives.

If you would like more reviews of this title, please visit the Amazon website.

Title: I Am Legend Author: Richard Matheson Format: Trade Paperbound

So I love new twists on old tales. If you like or liked CSI: Las Vegas, Stephen King’s The Stand, or any of the old vampire legends, you have found the perfect book. A world wide epidemic hits causing almost all of the inhabitants to turn into vampires. The few remaining live individuals are left to be hunted by loved ones and neighbors. One man makes it his quest to fight for his right to live. He goes back through all of his old books on vampires to find wards against them and then takes them one step further. What is the chemical in garlic that vampires are allergic to? Why are they so afraid of holy images? I have yet to find anything quite like this, and Matheson’s writing style is completely unique. Also, there are rumors of a new movie based on this novel. Will Smith is to play our hero, and Johnny Depp to play the lead male vampire antagonist. With both Smith and Depp showing themselves to be more then capable actors, it should be an interesting film. This book is a beautifully dark take on science and gives a whole new light on the legends of vampires. I would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys tales with a twist and horror to not leave you with the “brain must be scrubbed with bleach now” feeling. This book will leave you satisfied that the hero may have a chance at winning.

If you would like more reviews of this title, please visit the Amazon site.

P.S. I gave a copy of this to my mom who loved it. I also sold a copy to Kate Beckinsale’s mother-in-law for Kate. She sent back a very gleeful “does this man have anything else!?!” Just to let you know who is reading this book.

Title: American Gods Author: Neil Gaiman Format: Hardbound/Trade Paperbound/mass market

This book is, in my humble bookseller opinion, Neil Gaiman’s most brilliant piece of work. Set in America, you travel the globe through mythology. As I have told people in the past, the premise is as people migrate from the old world to the new, they bring their gods with them. And the gods are not just ideas, they are real people. As mortals turn away from the old gods, the gods need jobs. They become butchers and taxi drivers, with the power of gods. You get to ride along with Shadow, a young man with a dark past trying to find his way in this newly discovered world. Mentoring him along the way is Mr. Wednesday, a strange fellow who keeps telling Shadow that he “is here to help.” All and all, American Gods is a delightful twist on some old classic tales. I would recommend this title to anyone who is looking for something outside of dragons and spaceships from the science fiction and fantasy section of their local bookstore.

If you would like more reviews of this title, please go to the Amazon site.

Title: The Little Red Book of Selling Author: Jeffery Gitomer Format: Hardbound

This is a wonderful book no matter where you are in the business world. In essence we are all in sales. We all have to sell our idea or project to someone else, even in our own office. This book explains Jeffery’s philosophy on selling and how to get it done best. He is very open and honest in his writing. For those that are sensitive about some words, he does use the “A” word frequently in one chapter titles “kick your own *ss”. Outside of that, he writes in such a way as to relate to you and get you thinking. With in 10 pages I had one new idea. In twenty, I was determined to buy this book. I am rereading it currently.

For more reviews of this title, please visit the Amazon site.