Flavor Flours by Alice Medrich, $35 I went to a demonstration by Alice Medrich last week for her book Flavor Flours. Wow! She's been a shero of mine for a long time, yes because of Cocolat the shops and, well, chocolate, in general, but also because I think she's one of the best cookbook writers around. And now I know that she's a great speaker and possesses a really creative food mind. Why go at something for what it is not? Rather than create "gluten free" recipes, she is showcasing non-wheat flours that are fabulous and figures out how to use them for baked goods that are really yummy. I love to bake so this appealed to me a great deal. If you want to kick up your baking skills a notch and also make the gluten intolerant in your life happy, this is the book for you. -Luan
Against the Grain by Nancy Cain $27.50 is no slouch either. Beautiful photos, a wide range of recipes, and easy to obtain ingredients make this book one I want to try out. The best line so far "Gluten-free baking is kind of like having a new baby: There is no lack of unsolicited opinions about what you
should be doing." Plenty of instruction on the basics will help novices as well as seasoned bakers.
It must be lunch time.
Trigger Warning by Neil Gaiman $26.99 is a collection of short fictions and disturbances. Really, it says so on the cover.
This third collection of short fiction by Gaiman includes previously published pieces of short fiction -- stories, verse, and a very special Doctor Who story that was written for the fiftieth anniversary of the beloved series in 2013 -- as well "Black Dog," a new tale that revisits the world of American Gods. Tales from Both Sides of the Brain; A Life in Neuroscience by Michael S. Gazzania $28.99 The brain is hot! In the mid-twentieth century, Michael S. Gazzaniga, "the father of cognitive neuroscience," was part of a team of pioneering neuroscientists who developed the now foundational split-brain brain theory: the notion that the right and left hemispheres of the brain can act independently from one another and have different strengths. In this book, Gazzaniga tells the impassioned story of his life in science and his decades-long journey to understand how the separate spheres of our brains communicate and miscommunicate with their separate agendas. By turns humorous and moving, Tales from Both Sides of the Brain interweaves Gazzaniga's scientific achievements with his reflections on the challenges and thrills of working as a scientist. In his engaging and accessible style, he paints a vivid portrait not only of his discovery of split-brain theory, but also of his comrades in arms-the many patients, friends, and family who have accompanied him on this wild ride of intellectual discovery.
A Memory of Violets; A Novel of London's Flower Sellers by Hazel Gaynor $14.99
In 1912, twenty-year-old Tilly Harper leaves the peace and beauty of her native Lake District for London, to become assistant housemother at Mr. Shaw's Home for Watercress and Flower Girls. For years, the home has cared for London's flower girls-orphaned and crippled children living on the grimy streets and selling posies of violets and watercress to survive. Soon after she arrives, Tilly discovers a diary written by an orphan named Florrie-a young Irish flower girl who died of a broken heart after she and her sister, Rosie, were separated. Moved by Florrie's pain and all she endured in her brief life, Tilly sets out to discover what happened to Rosie. But the search will not be easy. Full of twists and surprises, it leads the caring and determined young woman into unexpected places, including the depths of her own heart. Commuter book don't you think? Cruising along on BART but your heart is in London......
I Am Not a Slut; Slut Shaming in the Age of the Internet by Leora Tanenbaum $15.99
The author of the groundbreaking work Slut! explores the phenomenon of slut-shaming in the age of sexting, tweeting, and "liking." She shows that the sexual double standard is more dangerous than ever before and offers wisdom and strategies for alleviating its destructive effects on young women's lives.
Young women are encouraged to express themselves sexually. Yet when they do, they are derided as "sluts." Caught in a double bind of mixed sexual messages, young women are confused. This is an important issue that needs to be addressed in the larger context of attitudes toward women.
Kid President's Guide to being Awesome by Brad Montague & Robby Novak $21.99 An inspirational first book by the 10-year-old YouTube sensation discusses his dedication to kindness, corn dogs and the everyday joys of life. And really, what else is there?
Red; A Crayon's Story by Michael Hall $17.99 Red's factory-applied label clearly says that he is red, but despite the best efforts of his teacher, fellow crayons and art supplies, and family members, he cannot seem to do what's expected of him until a new friend offers a fresh perspective. And we can all use a fresh perspective every now and then.
Picture book for 5 and up.