Kitty Hawk and the Curse of the Yukon Gold by Iain Reading is the first book in new middle grade adventure series about a gutsy and independent young pilot. The adventure in this book comes from gold, thieves, a kidnapping, and an old curse rooted in Alaskan history. My favorite aspects of the book are the historical and natural descriptions of Alaska and the gold rush.

Broth & Stock from the Nourished Kitchen by Jennifer McGruther is a beautiful book. I look for three things in its content. The first is new ingredient combinations. The second is techniques by which to improve my cooking. The third is innovative ways in which to use this flavorful base. While the photographs look tempting, the grouping of recipes and the book does not follow what it sets out to deliver.

Happy birthday Harry Potter. Let the new adventure begin!

Don't Tell Me You're Afraid by Giuseppe Catozzella is a fictionalized account of the true story of Samia Yusuf Omar, a Somali girl who has one dream - to run. The book is a fictionalized account dramatically told. You may agree or disagree with that approach. However, strip away all the drama, and the story itself is still an amazing one. I find myself lost in the emotional story and the dramatic storytelling.

The City Baker's Guide to Country Living by Louise Miller has no shocking twists, no unpredictable turns. Just a feel good book perfect for a summer afternoon. It works in its simplicity. It sets out to tell a story of home, family, and community with its laughter and tears, and it succeeds.

The House Between Tides by Sarah Maine is about an old house & its secrets. The premise & structure remind me of Kate Morton's books and Natasha Solomons' The Song of Hartgrove Hall. I love the atmospheric setting and the descriptions of the nature; I just find myself less engaged in the story.

The Book That Matters Most by Ann Hood is less about books than I expected. I love the idea of a book club where members pick “the book that matters most” to them. This story, however, introduces other side stories and a mystery about Ava's childhood. I wish it stayed closer to its main premise.

Vera Bellington lives a life of wealth but with constraints. A Fine Imitation by Amber Brock is her story in a world of art and the 1920s. This book is Vera's story and remains true to the narrow focus. A static main character? Yes. Predictable? Yes. Entertaining? Yes. Memorable? Probably not.

Wonderful premise of a coming of age story in a 1950s racially divided South. Entertaining but not compelling.

Part coffee table book. Part journalism. Part philosophy. All food. Love the cover especially!