The Little Library Cookbook by Kate Young

100 Recipes from Your Favorite Books
Ms. Young, who grew up in Australia but now resides in England, pairs recipes with her favorite books.  She divides the recipes into categories-before noon, around noon, after noon (tea), the dinner table, midnight feasts, parties & celebrations and Christmas. 

I did not try any of the recipes.  The recipes seemed a bit involved at times.  But when cooking and baking from scratch, final outcomes will require time and effort!  My main reason for reading it was to enjoy the food and book pairings.  Once reading it, I was pleasantly surprised to discover how much I enjoyed reading about Ms. Young and her love for food and books. 
Photography is delightful and creative. 
-Borrowed from the library.

China Through Time illustrated by Dufei*

2,500 -Year Journey  Along the World's Greatest Canal
Exquisite, detailed illustrations of various cities along the canal that covers 1, 115 miles. 
A brief description of what is happening in each two-page illustration is contained in a text box.  Along the illustration's edges are suggestions of what to find in that specific illustration.
A time traveling cat, Lihua, is hidden in each illustration.  Younger readers will enjoy trying to find her.
A great book to pore over while studying the history of China.
-Over-sized.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Bookman's Tale by Charlie Lovett

Mr. Lovett is a superb storyteller.  I found myself wanting to read this book outside my "normal reading time". 
The story takes place during three different time periods & locations: 1995 Kingham, Oxfordshire/England,  1983-1994 Ridgefield, North Carolina,  & 1592-1800's various places in England.
Peter Byerly has just lost his beloved wife to brain cancer.  He moves to Kingham, Oxfordshire to a cottage they had just renovated to escape his grief.  When he discovers a painting in a bookshop in Wales, he begins a journey that permits him to heal, to find love and to solve a centuries old literary mystery.  As he uncovers secrets, he realizes he and his new friend Liz are not safe.
Individuals who love books and Shakespeare will relish reading this literary mystery.
I loved how Mr. Lovett wove in historical individuals whose actions affect the main character. 
Although I enjoyed the plot, I am not highly recommending it because of the below "warnings".   

Warnings: Peter communicates with Amanda's spirit-he sees her and talks with her.  The writers, booksellers, collectors, librarians in the 1500's-1800's participate in lewd activities with prostitutes.  I also did not like how some love making scenes were described in detail (Peter/Amanda and then also  characters in the past).  Some characters participate in adultery, and Peter and Amanda have premarital intimacy.  Peter also curses God in an offensive manner.  I almost stopped reading this novel when I read it.  It offended me greatly.   Liz uses some vulgar language when she thinks they will be trapped in a tunnel.
-Borrowed from the library.

Fever Year written and illustrated by Don Brown*

The Killer Flu of 1918
Little did Don Brown know when he was creating this book how relevant it would be this year!  It was just published in early September,  2019.  A little over a hundred years later we have a virus, coronavirus,  shutting down countries around the world.
Divided into three Acts according to time-frames, this graphic novel reveals its origins, its spread, and its effects.  At the end Mr. Brown shares how in 1995 the flu virus was recreated to research it further.  Various viewpoints on this resurrection were expressed.
This book offers a thorough overview of the disease/history of it plus an understanding of viruses and their impact.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Lost Words by Robert MacFarlane and Jackie Morris*

I love this over-sized book!  This team has collected words that are no longer included in the most recent edition of the Oxford Junior Dictionary and created acrostic poems for each word.
Very creative, descriptive poems.
The illustrations are breath-taking and fill two pages.
I shared a poem a day from this book with my boys.
*Highly recommend.
-I own this book.

Mutiny on the Bounty DVD

This week we have been studying a bit of Australian/New Zealand/British history.  One piece of history we studied was how men mutinied against Captain Bligh upon leaving Tahiti. 
This 1935 film features Clark Gable as Fletcher Christian.  In 1935 it was the "Best Picture Academy Award". 
The film brought to life the realities of being a sailor and how the law was enforced at the time.  Since they watched this engaging movie, my boys will not forget this part of history. 
Warnings:  It did not shy away from the violent nature of the career so sensitive viewers should be cautious.  There is also a scene where men swim with the natives.
Although the DVD cover was colored, the actual film was black/white.
-Borrowed from the library.

A Secret Garden by Katie Fforde

I was in the mood for something light,  so I revisited an author whom I enjoyed in my twenties.  Her stories are very light and end happily!  Most of her protagonists are women who are trying a new venture and who also discover a sweet romance.
Two females are featured in this novel. Young Philly, who is an Irish lass, resides with her grandfather in the Cotswolds in a run-down home and property.  She grows plants and flowers while he bakes cakes.  Together they sell their items at an outside market stand. 
Philly's older friend, Lorna, has been tirelessly reviving a garden of her wealthy, childhood friend, Peter.  When Peter's new girlfriend decides to open up Peter's massive garden to the general public for a fundraiser, Lorna enlists Philly's help. 
As the story unfolds, both women begin romances. 
Not much of the book is devoted to the actual "secret garden", which was a bit disappointing.
Differing worldview- I did not like that both Philly and Lorna participate in premarital sex.  No description is included (which I appreciate), but the reader knows it has happened.  A few swear words are included.
-Borrowed from the library.