A Tree, A Book, and A Breeze

Whatever is Lovely Various Authors/Artists Waterbrook Multnomah       The adult coloring book craze is still going strong, apparently- or at least, publishers are still churning them out. Of course, I don't mind coloring. I think it's fun and relaxing, and I was interested in this one, not only because it is faith-oriented, but because it was done by 12 different artists. I enjoy coloring if there's a lot of variety in the designs, so the idea of a book done by several different artists appealed to me.      Each page in Whatever is Lovely includes a lovely hand-lettered quote or Bible verse, with various types of designs (most of them including flowers or animals) surrounding it. They are very pretty, and fittingly enough, the word that came to mind most often as I was flipping through it was "lovely."      Unlike a lot of other adult coloring books, while the designs are sophisticated, they are not overly complicated, rep...

The Homemade Kitchen Alana Chernila Clarkson Potter      This is just a pretty cookbook. It makes everything look good. Not only are the recipes appealing--even the ones that, let's face it, sound weird-- but the whole book feels homey and comforting. This is the type of cookbook that makes people want to be natural and organic and downright domestic. It's lovely. I'm especially excited about the recipes for homemade goat cheese and feta cheese. Also, the popovers are calling my name. :)      It's written in a friendly, engaging style that's not intimidating for a beginner, and overall I love how many from-scratch recipes there are.      My only real complaint is that that order of the recipes can be a little confusing, since they're not ordered in sections that I'm used to (such as "soup," "desserts," "meat," etc.) which can make it difficult to find what you're looking for. Rating: 8 I received this bo...

Until the Dawn Elizabeth Camden Bethany House Publishers A volunteer for the newly established Weather Bureau, Sophie van Riijn needs access to the highest spot in her village to report the most accurate readings. Fascinated by Dierenpark, an abandoned mansion high atop a windswept cliff in the Hudson River Valley, Sophie knows no better option despite a lack of permission from the absent owners. The first Vandermark to return to the area in sixty years, Quentin intends to put an end to the shadowy rumors about the property that has brought nothing but trouble upon his family. Ready to tear down the mansion, he is furious to discover a local woman has been trespassing on his land. Instantly at odds, Quentin and Sophie find common ground when she is the only one who can reach his troubled son. There's a light within Sophie that Quentin has never known, and a small spark of the hope that left him years ago begins to grow. But when the secrets of Dierenpark and the Vanderm...