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We want to thank everyone who has supported our site this past year, but we are going to have to stop reviews this month.

We hope you have enjoyed the books we have featured here. Thanks so much and enjoy your summer!

June Book of the Month! Lithuanian Chicago by Justin J. Riskus

Lithuanian Chicago by Justin G. Riskus

Link to buy Lithuanian Chicago (Images of America)

Story Rating: 5 out of 5

Blurb:

Today, there are more than 100,000 Lithuanians in Chicago, making the city home to the greatest concentration of Lithuanians outside of the country itself. Their presence in Chicago began in 1834 and drastically increased during the 20th century as immigrants and their descendants sought work in the stockyards and other industries. Lithuanians in Chicago were dedicated to celebrating and preserving their unique culture, evident in its churches, schools, museums, and community centers in neighborhoods such as Bridgeport and Marquette Park. They also maintained ties to the homeland and played an important role in Lithuanias struggles for independence throughout the 20th century. Many prominent Lithuanian Americans are from the City of the Big Shoulders, including football great Dick Butkus, actor John C. Reilly, and director Robert Zemeckis. The former president of Lithuania, Valdas Adamkus, was a resident of Chicagoland for nearly 50 years.

Review:

As a Lithuanian living in Chicago I found this book to be absolutely fascinating. There were so many topics in this book that I was familiar with while growing up in the Marquette Park area. The photos were a complete blast from the past and I even recognized people I knew as a teenager in high school in some of the dance photos. I found the history of the Sisters of Saint Casimir very interesting since I myself  am a graduate of Maria High School. I was thrilled to see Racine Bakery making it into the book since I think it is fantastic bakery that I visit often. So, all in all I was impressed with the history and culture that was presented in this book and I would recommend it highly to anyone interested in getting a look at Lithuanians in Chicago.

Reviewed by Annmarie

Review: The Addictocarb Diet: Avoid The 9 Highly Addictive Carbs While Eating Anything Else You Want by Bruce Roseman, M.D.

The Addictocarb Diet: Avoid The 9 Highly Addictive Carbs While Eating Anything Else You Want by Bruce Roseman, M.D.

Link to buy The Addictocarb Diet: Avoid the 9 Highly Addictive Carbs While Eating Anything Else You Want

Story Rating: 2 out of 5

Review:

The Addictocarb Diet is based on the idea that some types of carbohydrates are physically addictive, and if a person wants to lose weight, he/she must overcome that addiction and swear off those foods forever. Author Bruce Roseman believes that not all carbs are Addictocarbs, so it's okay to eat the non-addictive variety. In fact, he says that for the first three days of this diet, the only things that a person can consume are shakes made with milk, fruit, and flavoring powder like Slim Fast. Fruit juice isn't allowed because it's an Addictocarb. But fruits like berries and bananas are okay.

After the first three days of all shakes, all the time, Roseman says the addiction to bad carbs will be broken. At that point, it's acceptable to expand one's food alternatives to include vegetables, meat, cheese, etc. The only off-limits foods are the 9 evil Addictocarbs, which are bread, potatoes, pasta, flour, rice, sugar, high fructose corn syrup, fruit juice, and soda pop. Kiss these foods goodbye because this diet is intended to help people lose weight immediately, then keep it off by avoiding the 9 addictive carbs forever.

This book was similar to other low-carb diets, with some key exceptions. For one thing, Roseman is a huge fan of fruit, which is often restricted under low carb plans. This diet also allows people to substitute some of the off-limits Addictocarbs with other items that will serve the same purpose as so-called addictive varieties. For instance, pasta is a no-no, but Roseman allows dieters to eat a brand of pasta called Dreamfields. And while flour is off-limits, it's alright to eat Wasa Crisp & Light 7 Grain Crackerbreads, which are made from wheat.  They can even be crushed and used as bread crumbs in recipes.

Although this diet program seems like the familiar low-carb regimen, it's more confusing than regular low-carb. The book didn't provide a satisfactory explanation for why Dreamfields brand pasta is non-addictive and safe to eat, while other pastas are terrible. Roseman points out that one serving of Dreamfields contains 5 grams of fiber and 7 g of protein, which apparently makes it superior to other pastas. Out of curiosity, I checked my kitchen cabinet and found a package of Fresh Market organic whole wheat penne. It also has 5 g of fiber and 7 g of protein, just like Dreamfields. It's made out of durum wheat just like Dreamfields. Both pastas contain 41 g of total carbs. What's so special about Dreamfields? He does say at one point that if you must eat pasta, you can eat whole wheat, so why specifically mention a brand that doesn't appear to be whole wheat?

Another problem was that you aren't supposed to consume sugar because it's one of the Addictocarbs. At the same time, the author says that Slim Fast and other meal replacement powders can be added to the shakes that make up a central component of the diet. These meal replacement powders are often high in sugar. I went back to my kitchen and pulled out a can of Slim Fast powder. Sugar is the second ingredient on the label, yet sugar is one of the 9 forbidden Addictocarbs that I must avoid forever? What's the difference between the sugar in Slim Fast and the sugar in my sugar bowl that I want to put in my coffee? Which, by the way, is also confusing because Roseman says we can put a scoop of Slim Fast in a cup of coffee, but no sugar. Huh?

And speaking of the shakes that are supposed to break dieters' Addictocarb addiction, Roseman says that regular milk can be used in them, as well as nondairy alternatives like almond or soy milk. I ran back to my trusty kitchen and checked the label on a container of Silk soy milk. Cane sugar is the second ingredient. One cup contains 16 g of sugar.

Overall, this diet plan doesn't seem to add much to the world of low-carb eating, except for a few of its recipes. There were some in the back of the book that sounded good, and which I intend to try. There's even a guacamole that's garlic-free, apparently created for those of us who would like to both eat guacamole and have a love life. But beyond some recipes, this version of low-carb eating left me confused and frustrated. While it would be nice to enjoy a low-carb diet that still includes pasta, wheat crackers, and processed sugar, it's bizarre that those items are simultaneously forbidden and encouraged in Addictocarbs.

Reviewed by Peter 

Review: The Art of EatingThrough the Zombie Apocalypse by Lauren Wilson

The Art of Eating Through the Zombie Apocalypse by Lauren Wilson

Story Rating: 3 out of 5

Link to buy The Art of Eating through the Zombie Apocalypse: A Cookbook and Culinary Survival Guide

Blurb:

Just because the undead’s taste buds are atrophying doesn’t mean yours have to!

You duck into the safest-looking abandoned house you can find and hold your breath as you listen for the approaching zombie horde you’ve been running from all day. You hear a gurgling sound. Is it the undead? No—it’s your stomach.

When the zombie apocalypse tears down life and society as we know it, it will mean no more take out, no more brightly lit, immaculately organized aisles of food just waiting to be plucked effortlessly off the shelves. No more trips down to the local farmers’ market. No more microwaved meals in front of the TV or intimate dinner parties. No, when the undead rise, eating will be hard, and doing it successfully will become an art.

The Art of Eating through the Zombie Apocalypse is a cookbook and culinary field guide for the busy zpoc survivor. With more than 80 recipes (from Overnight of the Living Dead French Toast and It’s Not Easy Growing Greens Salad to Down & Out Sauerkraut, Honey & Blackberry Mead, and Twinkie Trifle), scads of gastronomic survival tips, and dozens of diagrams and illustrations that help you scavenge, forage, and improvise your way to an artful post-apocalypse meal. The Art of Eating is the ideal handbook for efficient food sourcing and inventive meal preparation in the event of an undead uprising.

Whether you decide to hole up in your own home or bug out into the wilderness, whether you prefer to scavenge the dregs of society or try your hand at apocalyptic agriculture, and regardless of your level of skill or preparation, The Art of Eating will help you navigate the wasteland and make the most of what you eat.

Review:

This is the type of book that is best skipping around instead of trying to read straight thru. The author has taken a popular cultural theme and has attached it to a humorous version of “live off the land” survival book. To someone not into the zombie apocalypse, the material gets old fast. I do commend the author for combining the two themes and coming up with a book that rides the current zombie wave.

Reviewed by Joseph

Review: Lithuanian Chicago by Justin G. Riskus

Lithuanian Chicago by Justin G. Riskus

Link to buy Lithuanian Chicago (Images of America)

Story Rating: 5 out of 5

Blurb:

Today, there are more than 100,000 Lithuanians in Chicago, making the city home to the greatest concentration of Lithuanians outside of the country itself. Their presence in Chicago began in 1834 and drastically increased during the 20th century as immigrants and their descendants sought work in the stockyards and other industries. Lithuanians in Chicago were dedicated to celebrating and preserving their unique culture, evident in its churches, schools, museums, and community centers in neighborhoods such as Bridgeport and Marquette Park. They also maintained ties to the homeland and played an important role in Lithuanias struggles for independence throughout the 20th century. Many prominent Lithuanian Americans are from the City of the Big Shoulders, including football great Dick Butkus, actor John C. Reilly, and director Robert Zemeckis. The former president of Lithuania, Valdas Adamkus, was a resident of Chicagoland for nearly 50 years.

Review:

As a Lithuanian living in Chicago I found this book to be absolutely fascinating. There were so many topics in this book that I was familiar with while growing up in the Marquette Park area. The photos were a complete blast from the past and I even recognized people I knew as a teenager in high school in some of the dance photos. I found the history of the Sisters of Saint Casimir very interesting since I myself  am a graduate of Maria High School. I was thrilled to see Racine Bakery making it into the book since I think it is fantastic bakery that I visit often. So, all in all I was impressed with the history and culture that was presented in this book and I would recommend it highly to anyone interested in getting a look at Lithuanians in Chicago.

Reviewed by Annmarie

Review: Toasts: The Perfect Words to Celebrate Every Occasion by Nancy Tupper Ling and June Cotner

Toasts: The Perfect Words to Celebrate Every Occasion by Nancy Tupper Ling and June Cotner

Link to buy Toasts: The Perfect Words to Celebrate Every Occasion

Story Rating: 5 out of 5

Review:

            Over the teeth and through the gums,

            look out stomach,

            here it comes!

Toasts have come a long way since that classic was written. It might still work fine for a frat party – if you're living in 1955 – but if you're living in 2015 and your social activities extend beyond standing around a keg with a bunch of guys in bedsheets-turned-togas, you might need a more refined sentiment. In which case, June Cotner and Nancy Tupper Ling, the authors of Toasts: The Perfect Words to Celebrate Every Occasion, have got you covered.

This book is full of toast ideas for every conceivable occasion. They include weddings, embarking on adventures, celebrating holidays, mourning losses, and everything in between. It's important to note that there's a fine line between toasts and prayers in this book, and certainly some offerings cross into prayer territory. Prayers are the appropriate choice for some occasions, like baptisms and Christmas celebrations, though, so it makes sense that they're available.

This book's toasts come from a variety of sources. Some are sentiments taken from the works of well-known authors like William Faulkner and Mark Twain, while others are original material presumably written for this book. Each of the two authors makes at least one contribution. What this all means is that you can find a well-known piece or something brand new, depending on your preference. If there's one particular author you don't like, then there are literally dozens of others to pick from instead.

The toasts offered here come in a variety of lengths and tones, which means there's literally something for every occasion and taste. For instance, in the Business Events section on page 45, this short, tongue-in-cheek toast is offered from Mary Lenore Quigley:

            At our meeting's end,

            May we still be friends!

Meanwhile, in the Graduations section on page 114, a lengthy toast from Joan Stephen is far weightier and offers a host of advice to new graduates.

In addition to the toasts themselves, this book offers a little etiquette lesson in its opening pages. For instance, before offering a toast to the person being honored at an event, the toaster (Can that be correct? Would he/she really be called a toaster?) is supposed to publically thank the host of the event for holding it.

Overall, this is an excellent resource for finding appropriate toasts for every occasion. The "toaster" (giggle) doesn't necessarily have to memorize the selected sentiment, but can find something that fits the occasion and modify it at will. If you're going to be best man at a wedding and don't know where to look for the right toast, start here. If you're going to be a godfather or godmother and wish to toast the baby at a baptism, here's a solution to your problem. If you're anyone who has to offer a toast of any sort at any event, but you're afraid of putting your foot in your mouth, then please do yourself and all the people at the event a favor and let this book give you some much-needed help. The cost of this volume is a small price to pay to avoid alienating your family and friends by saying the wrong thing in front of them all.

Cheers!

Reviewed by Amanda

How I Celebrated Earth Day

How I Celebrated Earth Day with Baking Soda 

by Peter

A few months ago, I reviewed a book called All You Need is Less: The Eco-Friendly Guide to Guilt-Free Green Living and Stress-Free Simplicity by Madeleine Somerville. It's a good book that offers ideas for greening every aspect of your life, from personal care products to cat litter to cleaning solutions. At the time, I tried some of the tips. Some worked for me, while others didn't.

I put the book away after finishing the review, but frequently thought about some of the ideas. Finally, in honor of Earth Day this year, I decided to try another idea from the book that I hadn't used before. It was time to go wild and try baking soda and apple cider vinegar to wash my hair. The fear of having a head that smells like vinaigrette dressing had been a turnoff before. However, if we're not willing to smell like a salad bar in order to help out the earth, then what kind of people are we?

So I mixed up the concoction of baking soda in water and rubbed it into my scalp for a few minutes before rinsing. Then I combined more water with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and poured it over my head. And promptly screeched when some of it ran into my eyes. The recipe should have carried a warning label. After my hair dried, it was nice and silky and tangle-free. It didn't even smell like vinegar, just as the book promised. Under normal circumstances, this recipe would have made it into my regular shower regime since it's cheap and worked great. But fear of pouring vinegar in my eyes changed my mind. Use at your own risk. Maybe wear swim goggles.

Then I decided to branch out in the deodorant realm. Some natural health gurus, like Dr. Mercola for instance, claim that commercial antiperspirants are bad for us because they contain lots of potentially harmful chemicals, including aluminum, that might contribute to breast cancer risk. They're also often tested on animals.

I bought a stick of natural deodorant (not antiperspirant) that doesn't have aluminum in it. The natural stuff smells good and it's not tested on animals (bonus!) but nothing in it prevents wetness. So I combined equal parts of corn starch, which absorbs moisture, with baking soda, which prevents odor, and put them into one of those shakers that they use for parmesan cheese at Italian restaurants. The holes were too big, though, and powder spilled everywhere. Feeling like MacGyver, I stuck a piece of packing tape over the top and poked small holes in it with a needle. That offered far better control when shaking the powder under my arms.

This combo, together with the natural deodorant seems to be working well. People don't tell me I smell – and I ask them. I've told friends and family about this experiment to get away from antiperspirants and instructed them to tell me if I start to stink. The other day, I went to my chiropractor – who's a natural deodorant hippie herself – and she asked how my antiperspirant experiment was going. I said, "You tell me. Do I smell?" She assured me I didn't. I'm not sweating through my shirts, either, but it's not July in the heart of Georgia yet, either. That will be the true test.

The next experiment will be natural cleaning products. This weekend I plan to scrub my shower with baking soda and vinegar. There might be some castile soap in my future. Maybe I'll work up a sweat while cleaning and it will also be a test of the natural deodorant. 

Review: The Setup: A True Story of Dirty Cops, Soccer Moms, and Reality TV by Pete Crooks

The Setup: A True Story of Dirty Cops, Soccer Moms, and Reality TV by Pete Crooks

Link to buy The Setup: A True Story of Dirty Cops, Soccer Moms, and Reality TV

Story Rating: 2 out of 5

Review:

This book has a long title that sounds like it is going to be full of all sorts of action, but I found this was not the case. In fact, this book moved so slowly I found myself putting it down for a while before I could continue on with the story. The people in this book were not the most likeable and it was difficult to find any redeeming qualities in them.

The best part about this book is the introduction written by Joe Kenda. I found myself wishing he had written the rest of the book as well. Mr Crooks has a rough writing style that was too bad because I was interested in the book and really wanted to like it more than I did.

Reviewed by Joseph