Category Archives: Non-Fiction
Top Ten Fiction and Top Five Non-Fiction Books of 2010
A confession before we get started: I didn’t track the books I read in 2010 or 2009, and I didn’t do any best-of lists for 2009, so these lists are mostly pulled from 2010 reads, but there are some books I read in 2009 sprinkled in. 2009 and 2010 were a rough couple of years […]
The Flavor Bible by Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg
Reviewed by L.D.Y. Hardcover, 380 pages, 2008 Rating: 10/10 Reason for Reading: I love to cook but I rarely use recipes. When I do use recipes, they’re more starting points than strict guidelines, so this looked like something I need in my kitchen. Synopsis: What herbs should you put on your lamb? What would taste […]
Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris
Reviewed by L.D.Y. Hardcover, 168 pages, 1997, 2008 Rating: 8/10 Reason for Reading: Sedaris is good for my inner cynic. Synopsis: Sedaris has added to his 1997 collection of holiday-themed essays and humorous pieces with a few works that were originally published elsewhere since that time, and one entirely new piece. The topics range from […]
An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination by Elizabeth McCracken
Reviewed by L.D.Y. Hardcover, 192 pages, 2008 Rating: 9/10 Reason for Reading: I was drawn in by a line in the blurb: ‘This is the happiest story in the world with the saddest ending.’ I wasn’t sure what I was getting into, but that’s certainly a promise to a reader that you won’t stop turning […]
When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris
Reviewed by L.D.Y. Hardcover, 325 pages, 2008 Rating: 9/10 Reason for Reading: I’ve read Sedaris’ books Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim and Me Talk Pretty One Day and enjoyed them both. Synopsis: David Sedaris is back with another collection of humorous essays, with topics ranging from buying a human skeleton, to quitting smoking […]
1968: The Year That Rocked the World by Mark Kurlansky
Reviewed by L.D.Y. Trade, 441 pages, 2004 Rating: 9/10 Reason for Reading: I picked this up at the used bookstore because I figured anything about the 1960s tends to be interesting, and if a man could write entire (and popular) books on things like salt and cod fish, it was a good bet. Synopsis: In […]
Stiff by Mary Roach
Reviewed by L.D.Y. Trade, 304 pages, 2003 Rating: 10/10 Reason for Reading: I kept seeing it mentioned on BookCrazy, so I finally scored myself a copy at a boxing day sale. Synopsis: When we die, what happens to us…physically? Roach explores the lives of cadavers, varying from medical uses to human crash test dummies to […]
The Bridal Wave by Erin Torneo and Valerie Cabrera Krause
Reviewed by L.D.Y. Trade, 231 pages, 2007 Rating: 9/10 Reason for Reading: My bridal wave started last year. Synopsis: The subtitle of this book is A Survival Guide to the Everyone-I-Know- is-Getting-Married Years, and when you need this book, you will absolutely know. The Bridal Wave offers up tips on everything from dealing with your […]
Allure: Confessions of a Beauty Editor by Linda Wells
Reviewed by L.D.Y. Hardcover, 192 pages, 2006 Rating: 8/10 Reason for Reading: Like many women, make-up and hair-care products tend to be one of my favourite cheerful (but usually cheap) pick-me-up purchases. It’s fun, but good advice from actual pros is always welcome. Synopsis: Every woman deserves to feel like she looks good, or has […]