The Healing Power of Essential Oil by Eric Zielinski, D.C.

My wife got into essential oil a couple of years ago and has been using it ever since.  At times I am not sure how real this is but she swears by it.  She mixes her own oil for headaches, stomach aches, muscle aches, etc.



This book is great because it gives her reference to what more she can use the essential oil for.  The different mixes she can use the oils for.

All I know is that essential oil are great for massages and smells great, especially in our boy's room.

I got this book from Blogging for Books.

All the Pieces Matter by Jonathan Abraham

When I heard Jonathan Abraham, who I have read his sports writing, was coming out with a book about The Wire, I couldn't believe it.

Finally, an oral history about one of the best TV series ever shown.  Of course that is up to debate among if it's one of the best but for me, it was one of the best TV series I ever watched.  My wife, she will be to differ but this is my review not hers.



For fans of The Wire, this book is a must have.  Such a fascinating read on how Ed Burns and David Simon conceived of this series, based on their own personal experience and living in city of Baltimore.  The casting of the actors/actresses, various plot lines and scenes (it was great to read about the "F*&K" scene with Bunk and McNaulty) and the significance of this show on the society as well as for those who have participated in it.

Many of the actors/actresses have now become household names, such as Idris Elba.

This is a great book about a great show and after reading the book, I want to re-watch the show and this time with new insight.

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

Sweet Potato Soul by Jenne Clairborne

Soul Food and Vegan...to me is like water and oil. They just don't mix together.

So when I saw the detail of this book "100 Easy Vegan Recipes" I said "No Way." How can you have Vegan Soul Food. But then no one ever thought of Korean Tacos until Roy Choi did it.

I picked up this book and read it and am sold that Soul Food and Vegan can go together.  I love how Jenne wrote this not only as a cookbook but also a book that tells stories of some of these iconic recipes.



For fans of soul food, also food lovers, this is a good book for your collection. Jenne's twist on make Soul Food into vegan (and somewhat healthier) version really does work.

By the way, great pictures.

Here is more information about Jenne Clairborne.

Jenne Clairborne


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

The Air I Breathe by Louie Giglio

So I have heard Louie Giglio on the radio many times and I really like what he says  His talk/sermons are very easy to understand and hits to the heart.

When I saw this book, I had to read it. It talks about a subject "worship" that resonates with me as a Christian.  It has taken me a while but worship has become very important to my spiritual journey and the fact that this book is advocating that worship should be incorporated in every aspect of my life is very appealing to me.

This isn't a very long book, in fact it's short and concise, which I really like.  Louis focuses on what worship is and how we can take steps to worship God in all areas.

I would highly recommend this book for those who are fans of Louie Giglio and worship.















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

A Force So Swift by Kevin Peraino

If you are a student of history, you will love this book.  This is interesting in how the author has noted that the rise of Mao shaped the China of today. I guess in a way it did but there's much more to China today then the rise of Mao.

The author, Kevin Peraino, has meticulously researched this book and consolidated all the facts from various sources, including unclassified US government documents and put together a riveting story of the importance of the year 1949 played in rise of Mao and the downfall of the Nationalist (Chiang Kai Shek) government.

This is definitely a recommendation for history buff, especially for those interested in the recent rise of China in the world spotlight




I received this book from Blogging for Books for review

Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo

As a father with a daughter so loves to read, I am always looking for quality books with strong female characters and books with good value for my daughter to read.

When I saw the Wonder Woman book I was intrigued because of the character.  From my youth of reading comic books and watching the TV series (go Lynda Carter) I remembers how strong the character of WW was.




I love this story by Leigh Bardugo of how Diana, became Wonder Woman. But it's not just about her being Wonder Woman, but making decisions that were difficult to make in order to save a mortal, not just a mortal but a Warbinger.

The story covers all spectrum from being action packed to making choices in life that's big picture choices and friendship.

I highly recommend this book for girls/woman seeking a book that showcase woman as strong, not only physically, but mentally and emotionally.  Woman who are not afraid to risk it all for the betterment of the world.

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

The Grand Central Market Cookbook by Adele Yellin and Kevin West

Ask any Angelenos about the Grand Central Market (note, not Grand Central Station) and most people will have some type of fond memory of frequenting GCM.

Having been in LA for over 20 years, I have to say that the GCM is to LA what Street Food vendors are to Singapore.  The Grand Central Market is a vital part of LA, a link to the past as well as a view of the future.

For those who are not familiar with the Grand Central Market, it's in the heart of downtown LA and are filled with produce and food vendors of all ethnicity.  I think in simpler times, it served a lot of the community with it's produce and food, but recently as downtown as gentrified, some has part of the market as also gentrified.  Whether that's good or bad, that's not for me to say, there are different points of view for that. That is a discussion for another time.

The GCM,  still have a mix of old time food vendors as well as food vendors gears more toward foodies.  There are some delicious food that are available and cater to all ethnicity groups.

If you live in LA, this book is for you. There is a good recap of history of the Grand Central Market, from it's beginning to where it is today.  It's a great read of one man's vision, Ira Yellin for GCM and how his widow wife has the great foresight that in order for GCM, it must adapt to the changes in it's environment.  Great pictures, past and present.  And most of all, recipes from some of the current food vendors.

I like how they broke the book out into different sections:
Breakfast
Tacocs, Etc
Carbs
Happy Hour
Meat & Fish
Veg
Sweets

Plus an index of recipes based on the vendors. I like how the recipes have been adapted to be used for home cooks.

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