Aesop's Mirror - A Love Story

Aesop's Mirror

A Love Story

by

Maryalice Huggins

Copyright 2009 by Maryalice Huggins

Sarah Crichton Books

Farrar, Straus and Giroux

New York

ISBN: 978-0-374-10103-9

I purchased this book from the Dollar Tree at our local shopping center as something that looked a little interesting. I did not realize at the time I purchased it that it was a non-fiction account. When I got into the story, I was so pleasantly surprised by the story itself, and the content, that I could not put it down until I had devoured it!

As a "semi-professional" genealogist, I was enamored with the tale of a furniture gilder who finds an unusual mirror that depicts Aesop's infamous tale of the fox and the grapes. Buying the mirror at auction, without really knowing what she had, Maryalice Huggins goes on to prove that this monstrous mirror was something more than expected. Through serious genealogical pursuit and proving provenance, she more than accomplished her task.

This book touched me on so many levels, I could scarce begin to explain them all to you!

I am a lover of antiques. Especially those that require a little digging to clearly define their provenance. And I am in love with the pursuit of genealogy. Huggins covers both in this well written work!

I highly recommend this work for anyone interested in antiques, pursuit of provenance, and genealogy!

I give Aesop's Mirror ...

FIVE STARS and....

a Big THUMBS UP!!!

****DISCLOSURE: This book was a private purchase and as such was under no obligation for review.

The Shroud Codex - Jerome R. Corsi, PH.D.

The Shroud Codex

Jerome R. Corsi, PH.D.

copyright 2010 Jerome R. Corsi

Threshold Editions

When Fr. Bartholomew begins to show the stigmata of Christ, he becomes a revered individual. The world watches him closely. His story is told over and over.

A near-death experience, and a promise of deciphering the shroud codex, brings Fr. Bartholomew back to this life.

A well written book, full of intrigue and mystery. I read this through in a single day, simply not able to put it down. But then, the Shroud of Turin has always held strong fascination for me, so this fun read held me fast!

It helped that I am a fan of Corsi's investigative writing as well!

I highly recommend this read to anyone who enjoys a good fictional read that is very loosely based on fact.

I give this book

...five stars and....

...a big thumbs up!

****DISCLOSURE: This book was a private purchase, and as such I was under no obligation for reviewing it. All opinions in this post are my own and under no obligation.

The Secrets of Mary Bowser by Lois Leveen

 

The Secrets of Mary Bowser

Lois Leveen

copyright 2012 Lois Leveen

HarperCollins publisher

ISBN 978-0-06-210790-9

 

A fantastic tale of a young slave girl in Civil War era Richmond, who is freed by her mistress. She is sent north for an education.

 

Mary then becomes a part of the infamous underground railroad, helping to liberate those less fortunate than herself. But when the Civil War breaks out things are going to change for this heroine.

 

Based on the life of a real person, and upon real events, The Secrets of Mary Bowser brings home the tragedy that slavery was. And brings to light both black and white individuals who assisted in bringing about freedom for those whom it had been denied for far too long.

 

I give this book....

...Five Stars and.....

 

 

 

...a big Thumbs Up!

 

 

 

****DISCLOSURE: This book was provided by Amazon Vine in exchange for an independent and non-biased review.

 

Beyond Sugar Shock - Connie Bennett

Beyond Sugar Shock

The 6 - Week Plan to Break Free of Your Sugar Addiction & Get

Slimmer, Sexier & Sweeter

by - Connie Bennett, CHHC, CPC, ACC

Foreward by Joshua Rosenthall, MScEd

Copright 2012 by Connie Bennett

Hay House, Inc.

ISBN 978=1-4019-3189-6

 

It isn't for me to admit this....however, I feel I must.

 

This book has been sitting on my shelf for a few months now. Why?

 

I couldn't face up to my own sugar addiction.

 

Yep. I am a sugar addict. [Why is it I feel I need to say this in some kind SA [sugar addict] support meeting?]

 

Hello, my name is Texicanwife, and I am a sugar addict!

 

I was prepared for a lot of "Blah, blah, blah.... Yackety, yack, yack".

 

You know what I mean. The same ol' same ol'!

 

Instead, I got insight. Truth. And honesty.

 

The reasons "why" we become addicted to the stuff [sugar], and why it's so hard to break the addiction are first and foremost addressed. Then the reasons why we should attempt to break that hold the white stuff has over us.

 

I was impressed with the many exercises included in the text that assist us in seeing why we are addicted; what triggers our need; and none of it is "sugar coated". Straight to the point.

 

I found this one of the best health related books I've read in a long while.

 

I give this book Five Stars and a big Thumbs Up!

 

 

****DISCLOSURE: This book was provided by Amazon Vine in exchange for a non-biased and fair review.

90 Days Thru the Bible - with Chris Tiegreen

90 Days Thru the Bible

A Devotional Journey From Walk Thru the Bible

with Chris Tiegreen

Copyright 2012 Walk Thru the Bible, Inc.

Tyndale Momentum

ISBN 978-1-4143-5309-8

233 pages of daily encouragement, sessions, to get you to challenge yourself to not only read through the entire Bible in only 90 days, but to also understand its deeper meaning. Start to finish.

Discussions and lessons that challenge you, encourage you, and teach you of the true meaning of the Scriptures.

Not for the weary or faint of heart, but for the person who truly wants to challenge themselves to a complete read. But not to a speed reading session! Anyone can do that! But to 90 days that will improve you and enlighten you.

I am so heartened to have found this book! Encouraged to fight the fight and finish the race with greater understanding of what has past, and what is to come.

I give this book Five Stars and a big Thumbs Up!

****DISCLOSURE: This book was provided by Tyndale in exchange for an independent and non-biased review.

The Science of Good Cooking - Cook's Illustrated

The Science of Good Cooking

by Cook's Illustrated

copyright 2012 by the Editors at America's Test Kitchen

Brookline, MA

ISBN 978-1-933615-98-1

I am a connoisseur of good food, and good cookbooks. I am of the opinion, one can never have too many good cookbooks!

However, this one, this marvellous piece of cooking knowledge, I so wish I'd had those 30+ years ago when I first started out on my own! Do they still teach 'Home Ec' in high schools? [If so, this should be required curriculum!]

Not only is this book filled with fabulous recipes, but the science that makes the recipe work! Yes, you read that right.... the "science" behind the recipe that makes it a success. [I was in my 40's before that light bulb moment of realizing that cooking was science and chemistry, before my real love for it took off!]

Different areas of science are spelled out, followed by several recipes in which that particular area of science makes the recipe such a successful dish. And there is no shortage of recipes to try out! [400-plus!]

By 'Cook's Illustrated' so it's a trusted book to be sure! This would be a wonderful addition for every newlywed, as well as anyone just moving out on their own for the first time. And it's making a grand addition to this 'old-timer's' kitchen shelf as well!

I give this book FIVE STARS and a big THUMBS UP!

Highly recommended!
****DISCLOSURE: This book was provided by Amazon Vine in exchange for an independent and non-biased review.

The Lincoln Conspiracy - Timothy L. O'Brien

The Lincoln Conspiracy

Timothy L. O'Brien

copyright 2012 by Timothy L. O'Brien

Ballantine Books

ISBN 978-0-345-49677-5

 

When Temple McFadden ends up with some rather odd diaries, he is immediately thrown into a series of (mis)adaventurs that will take him to, and through, some of the most notorious people of the 19th century, and surrounding the assassintion of one of America's most beloved presidents.

 

Just who really was behind the murder of the man known as "Honest Abe"?

 

McFadden is the man, with a little help from his wife and many friends, that is going to find out.

 

I found this book a joy to read, if one can see uncovering the plot to kill a president a joy to read! But O'Brien's writing is definitely a treat!

 

I found this work of fiction one that kept me wanting to hurry and get to the next street corner, through the next corridor, beyond the next door, to see what lay beyond.

 

And most importantly, when the book came to a rousing climax and completion, I simply didn't want it to end!

 

I give The Lincoln Consiracy  a big

 

...Five Stars and...

 

 

 

...a big Thumbs Up!

 

 

****DISCLOSURE: This book was provided through the Early Reviewers of the Library Thing in exchange for an independent and non-biased revew.