Summer Reading Picks

Of the three summer reading books that you were required to read, which one did you like the best? Why did you like it the best? Would you recommend it to others even if they didn't go to Burroughs and had to read books over the summer? If you could add a title or two to your grade's summer reading list, what would it/they be?

Blogging for a Good Book: a book-a-day blog!

This blog provides a book (and sometimes a movie) review every weekday from librarians at the Williamsburg Regional Library (Virginia). You can browse for past reviews by reviewer, by subject, and by genres such as literary fiction, nonfiction, science fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, mysteries, young adult, and thrillers. Enjoy!

My new favorite topic....what's yrs?

Cooking, chefs, & professional kitchens

I have been reading books about chefs and cooks, and restaurant kitchen culture. I'm not sure why I started, but I'm hooked. I started with Kitchen Confidential; Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly by Anthony Bourdain and moved on to Heat by Bill Buford. Both are about the very strange and twisted world of the professional kitchen. Both books are fascinating, enlightening, and funny. For me, they didn't just offer a small view into a world I would otherwise never know, but they made me take a closer look at how I cooked! And it wasn't just cooking; it was watering the plants, cutting the herbs and flowers in my garden, and even folding laundry. Weird, I know. I'd recommend reading these if you have even the slightest interest in food, eating, travel, or going out. I do have a warning however....there is rather rough language in both books, particularly in Bourdain's book. Chefs don't mince words! (No pun intended.)