Book Fifty-Two: Bargain Fever

The subtitle of this book from author Mark Ellwood is 'How to Shop in a Discounted World'.  I find the subtitle a little misleading as it's only in the afterword that the author gives tricks for truly shopping in a discounted world.  However, that doesn't take away from the book.  Here you will find a fascinating and often statistical look behind the retail world.  The author explores how the consumer shopping experience has evolved from merchant-driven to truly customer-powered. 

For better or worse, he outlines the 'exclusivity' that has become the trademark of most shopping today.  From Apple to Hermes and Macy's to Target, Ellwood may not change how you shop but he will definitely make you think before you do.  He examines the 'underhandedness' of personal shopping, how real-estate staging works, and how American Girl has become a multimillion dollar industry complete with restaurants and doll hospitals.
 
In addition, Ellwood explains how our brain reacts to bargains and demystifies 'the shopper's high'.  He takes a closer look at those 'extreme couponers' who I deem legitimized hoarders.  He makes a solid case that you really don't have to pay a MSRP ever again.  While I agree with him, I don't know that I agree with how he or those profiled herein go about it.  He skims the top of addressing the evasiveness of corporations and glorifies the 'tailoring of the shopping experience' that continues to be more prevalent in our shopping society.  Highly disquieting!

As I see it, Bargain Fever, will get you inside the mind of merchants and shoppers alike.  It exposes weaknesses within the system but it also reflects the rabid consumerism that infects our society.  For those willing to learn a few tricks, you could easily parlay the knowledge to your benefit.

Book Fifty-One: The Little Paris Kitchen Cookbook

This delightful French cookbook was a birthday gift back in the summer.  Recipes here are uniquely French and simple.  Author Rachel Khoo has an easy approach to her cooking that eliminates the intimidation often felt with French cuisine.  Although some of the recipes may be far fetched for the American palate, even the novice home cook will find something to try herein.  Gorgeously illustrated by the author and stunning photography, the cookbook is equally at home on the coffee table.  Khoo includes beautiful and educational notes throughout the book, again, helping you apply the recipes to what you might have more readily available.

I appreciate that the cookbook isn't stuffy. No, I probably will never serve a fig and liver pate salad or steak tartare.  However, I look forward to serving a shepard's pie and trying my hand at pain brie.  As I see it, The Little Paris Kitchen Cookbook is a welcomed addition to my kitchen bookshelf.

Book Fifty: Shakespeare Insult Generator

For self-professed wordsmiths such as myself, the Shakespeare Insult Generator by Barry Kraft is a fun, raunchy and entertaining good read.  As the introduction proclaims "The usage of the F-word; however, is more akin to the pre-linguistic banality of dogs barking at one another than it is to any inventiveness of human wordsmithery."  In a day and age when 'overshare' can join the dictionary but 'dullard' is unheard of, the Shakespeare Insult Generator is welcomed.

Of further interest is the 22% of the word herein were unknown before Shakespeare used them in print.  While I jest to think that I could single-handedly bring back 'motley-minded pig-nut', I am pleased to think I shall enjoy calling someone 'lubberly rampallian.'  (Spell-check is very unhappy with me right now.)

As I see it, the Shakespeare Insult Generator is both obscene and educational.  These aren't your everyday insults and as such, articulation and enunciation are a must.  Highly enjoyable read, indeed.

Book Forty-Nine: A Christmas Carol and other Christmas Writings

My annual favorite for the past few years, I never get tired of Dickens' Christmas writings.  It is clear that Dickens has an affinity for the down-trodden and thanks to Alistair Sims for bringing my Ebenezer Scrooge to life.  This novella had done so much to shape our thinking of the holiday both past and present.

How Dickens relates issues of the 19th Century such as classes, poverty, and industrial advancements housed within a holiday story is fascinating.  He is unabashed in his opinions and a careful reader will notice how these 'pet-peeves' of Dickens were woven into and subsequently eradicated in his story.

In this collection, you'll also find the original story that would be the blueprint for 'A Christmas Carol', you'll find 'A Christmas Tree' and a personal favorite 'What Christmas Is, As We Grow Older'. 

As I see it, A Christmas Carol never gets old.  Every year, the story rekindles compassion and hope for humanity.

Book Forty-Eight: Festivus

Ah... Festivus... The holiday celebrated by Frank Costanza and everyone's favorite Lord of the Idiots.  Festivus is the antithesis of the holiday season.  Lacking tinsel and well-wishing, it's the bluntly honest approach to dealing with family and friends. 

In this little humorous book, author Allen Salkin, explores the genesis of the holiday that transcended television.  He explores the history, food and drink of Festivus as well as sharing Festivus-inspired recipes, stories, and people.  Guidelines are provided to those new to the holiday.  We wouldn't want you to go about the airing of greivances incorrectly, now would we?

Festivus has taken on a new meeting in these past two years as it comes with a little sadness having lost a dear friend unexpectedly. Each year, I now air my greivances with more thought--being sure to leave nothing left unsaid--as time is fleeting for us all.

As I see it, Festivus, the holiday, is the perfect day to step outside the holiday trappings and just 'be'.  Festivus, the book by Allen Salkin, is a fun read.

Book Forty-Seven: The Neighbor

Janey is a marriage with a cheating husband.  He's got a great job and on his way to becoming partner.  He works late because he prefers to stay in the office to bang his secretary instead of his wife.  Please.

Not smart enough to be called erotic fiction; not smutty enough to be called porn... so what do you call it?!  Utterly forgettable.   

As I see it, how in the @#$!? does crap like this get published?!  More disconcerting... why the @#^!? did I read it?!

Book Forty-Six: The Hangman's Daughter

A dying boy is pulled from a river and found with a crude symbol on his shoulder.  When the local midwife is accused of witchcraft and the boy's death, hangman Jakob Kuisl is called upon to torture the woman.  He teams with a local doctor determined to prove her innocence.  But can he do it before the townspeople demand her head on a pike?

Set in 1600s, The Hangman's Daughter, is a cross between Brother Cadfael and Sherlock Holmes.  It's historically detailed and can sometimes drag between events because of the author's commitment to accuracy.  Author Oliver Pötzsch writes a beautiful thriller that manages to intrigue and educate.  Tracing his lineage from a famous Bavarian executioner clan, Pötzsch's love of the source material is obvious.

The hangman's daughter, Magdelina, featured somewhat prominently, is sure to be the heroine of the series.  However, I can't say that this book is compelling enough to make me want to continue with it.  The exhaustive nature of the author--endlessly describing dressage and fleshing out every detail--the book becomes laborious.  As I see it, The Hangman's Daughter is a solid bit of historical fiction and fans of the genre will, no doubt, enjoy!