Empire of Sin: A Story of Sex, Jazz, Murder, and the Battle for Modern New Orleans by Gary Krist

What a wonderful read. Gary Krist has put as much history into one book than I have ever read in my life! I remember learning about the Louisiana Purchase in school but the details I learned were amazing. 

The book starts out with a murder mystery, but with all the history he has researched and included I felt like the murders were an extra story.

I think my favorite character in the history of Louisiana is Tom Anderson. Seems he had a finger in everything. With his political career, his restaurant and his partnership with Josie Arlington, he was all over New Orleans. And speaking of Josie, I had no idea about the brothels and madams all over the city. I would have loved to see the inside (not as a customer!) of Josie or Lulu White's business. The rich details Krist gives you makes you feel as though you are inside.

I can't say enough of the historical facts that are in the book. From jazz, brothels, Jim Crow, food and culture, you will find it all.

I read this book over Christmas break and had to make myself put it down to spend time with my sister and her family who flew in to stay with me. And then I wanted to talk about it with everyone at our holiday party. I'd call that a win, Mr. Krist!

"I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."

Inside the Criminal Mind by Stanton E. Samenow, Ph.D.

What a book! It's very well written and organized! After reading other books about criminals, this was a great change to the norm. Dr. Samenow gives multiple examples on how a criminal goes throughout their lives from childhood, to school, peer pressure, the work force and basically when and if they end up in jail.

My ex-husband is the poster child for a sociopath. Dr. Samenow describes him to perfect detail in his pages. He is sneaky, a loner, a thief, a cheater, has killed several pets and is now a police officer. How fitting. According to Dr. Samenow, the criminal tries to blend in so their acts won't be noticed. How I wish he could spend some time with the ex.

I also admire the way Dr. Samenow has spent time with youth offenders. As a law assistant, I am fascinated with how or why our clients chose this life when their sibling has the same upbringing and chose a very different path.  With all his years of research and hands on experience, he knows his stuff.

I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to know how or why criminals behave the way they do.  It's very interesting and the examples of patients give an insight you may never have.

"I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."

Furry Logic, 10th Anniversary Edition by Jane Seabrook

If you are looking for a cute, uplifting, beautifully illustrated book, this is it! I'd never heard of this book before ordering it and I was pleasantly surprised.

This would make a perfect book for a graduating student or someone who is going through a rough patch. I'm gifting it to a friend who is going through one right now. 

The lines are funny and uplifting, and being an animal lover I can totally see my cat and dogs using those lines on me.

Big things come in small packages and this is a small package of happiness. I would recommend this to everyone from the ages of 0-100!

"I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."

The 13th Gift by Joanne Huist Smith

I was a little uneasy reading a holiday book this early, but I cannot tell you how glad I am! The 13th gift is a story of sadness and grief, memories and heartache; but becomes a story of hope and happiness.  With her husband's sudden death, Joanne Smith struggles to keep her life in order. Her kids and her house are turned upside down and it takes a tiny act of kindness to put it mostly back on track.

This book was just wonderful and the exact thing I needed to read. I ALWAYS have little projects during the holidays and this book has inspired me to start my own tradition of The Twelve Days of Christmas. Not only will I find a family, I will also pass the book on.


If you are looking for a pick me up or to get ready for the holiday season, I strongly suggest this amazing little book. I hope it also inspires you to start your own tradition of small acts of kindness!  Now, back to ninja training!

"I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review."

your family in pictures Me Ra Koh

I am nothing more than a hobby photographer. I don't charge family and friends for photos because I'm not good enough to make any money off them. But this book, "your family in pictures" may change all that. Not only does Me Ra Koh take wonderful photos, she gives you the actual DSLR settings on each of the photos she shares. That is awesome. I cannot learn by just going out and putting my camera on Manual. I can't even learn through my camera's owners manual. It's all gibberish to me. Me Ra Koh teaches you by giving examples. Clear, concise examples.

Adding inspirational quotes throughout the book and wonderful, USEFUL tips, she has made me realize how easy it is to use the manual setting! Over the weekend I used her tips at a Halloween event in my small town. I even turned my camera off auto and onto the Aperture setting. I was afraid of the low light and movement of the kids but most of my photos turned out fantastic and worthy of the local PTA facebook page.

I will definitely buy her other books. My family will be especially grateful since holiday family portrait time is approaching. It usually ends with the kids in tears, my husband's blood pressure sky high and me hitting the bottle of wine and an empty, dark corner in the closet.

Here are a few of the photos I took over the weekend!

"I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review."

www.bloggingforbooks.org

A Spy Among Friends

I had such high hopes for this book after reading The Good Spy. Not so. It was not a smooth read, very choppy in some parts. There was a lot of information and it seemed to be scattered about through out the book.  I struggled through this book! I did enjoy the history but maybe it was because Philby was such a dirty double agent. His actions cost so many lives and his attitude was so flippant about it, like they didn't matter one bit. I do appreciate the book, but I guess the book before was so smooth, I expected the same with this one.


I received this book from Blogging for Books.

The Good Spy, The Life and Death of Robert Ames by Kai Bird

I cannot say enough good things about this book. I'm a total history nerd to begin with, and now I know at least something about the Beirut bombing.  I'd never heard of Robert Ames before, as I was only 8 years old in 1983 when the embassy was bombed. I had always listened to my parents about how terrible Yassar Arafat was. I never knew he was not the terrorist I thought he was. This book told about the relationship Mr. Ames had with the PLO  and how they helped in the release of the hostages in Iran.  I can still remember in the first grade writing about the release. It's so funny how it puts it all into perspective.


Mr. Ames had a wonderful marriage, a beautiful wife (which I saw with the pictures in the book, still my favorite part when I can put a face with a name), and six great kids. One of whom, Andrew, my husband grew up with. None of the kids knew what their dad really did. They all thought he worked for the State Department. Only the oldest daughter knew about his work in the CIA and that wasn't until she was an adult.

I have laughed and cried and was so angry with Mr. Ames' story. I have learned so much about people and places that I will never meet or see. The detailed description of the towns he walked in are so vivid I feel like I've been there myself. Kai Bird sets the scene and allows you to come along.  I definitely have a different view of the Arab people and the struggle they have had. It's a very sad world we live in and Robert Ames lost his life trying to put some peace and independence in the Arab peoples hands.

"I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review."

http://www.bloggingforbooks.org/

Book review of: A Curious Man, The Strange & Beautiful Life of Robert "Believe It or Not!" Ripley, by Neal Thompson

What a wonderful book!  I took this book to St. Augustine with me last week not knowing the very first Odditorium was in St. Augustine.  The book was a literary form of the Pop Up Video show from VH1. I loved the way Mr. Thompson weaved interesting tidbits through out in the form of Believe Its. 

I was very surprised with the personal information about Ripley, things I never knew.  Honestly, being 40 years old, I didn't know he started out as a newspaper cartoonist. I had no idea of his fascination of all things China either. I would never have guessed Ripley was such a ladies man by no means!                                                                                                                     
Mr. Thompson sets the story up so well from the fantastic, descriptive details, I felt like I was with Ripley though out his life. I can see the bucktoothed, bare foot boy running through Chinatown. I am looking over his shoulder as he draws cartoon after cartoon for the newspaper. I'm beside him as he is now a celebrity and parties like a rock star!   
                                               
My favorite part of Ripley's story is that he cared so much for the place he grew up and took his front door. A close second is the way he felt about his teacher who encouraged him to succeed, I think everyone needs a teacher like that in their life! I can't wait to read more of Neal Thompson, his story of Robert Ripley was full of information and true facts that I soaked up every word.  

in the gift shop...

Look! It's Ripley and I!