Book Review: Freelance Writing Guide

Katie October 22, 2013 0 Comments

Freelance Writing Guide: What To Expect In Your First Year as a Freelance Writer is full of everything you need to know to become successful at freelance writing.  The book isn’t that long, only 60 or so pages, but it is chock full of so much great information! I’ve always wanted to be a writer and aside from this blog, I’m never really sure how to go about getting my work out there.  Now I know where I should be looking and what I should be doing to put together a portfolio and to get started looking for opportunities.  I also know I need to be patient and to expect rejections.  And there’s even a list of courses that you can take to help better your writing skills.  Considering I am still working on some computer classes, I’ll have to get my act together and finish those first – then I’ll look in to some writing related ones!

If you are even the slightest bit interested in being a freelance writer, be sure to check out this book. It will definitely get you prepared to figure out if it is something you definitely want to pursue or not.  I am looking forward to the next book – what to expect in your second year as a freelance writer!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

About the Book

Freelance Writing Guide: What to Expect in Your First Year as a Freelance Writer is a resourceful book that informs readers what they can expect during the first year of a freelance writing career. The information is presented honestly and directly, covering everything the author experienced in her first year as a freelance writer in an informational and insightful manner.

Book Review: All The Songs

Katie October 22, 2013 0 Comments

All The Songs is a book that compiles the stories because ALL of the Beatles songs. Yes, ALL the songs.  The book was actually so huge that they had to have reviewers download it as two separate files because it is just enormous.  Book 1 had 336 pages and Book 2, 337!  It is honestly probably the only compilation any Beatles fan would need.  In addition to the stories of all the songs it also has a lot of photos mixed in throughout as well and the first song even has a post it note included that there is uncertainty on the date for the very first recording – which was “My Bonnie” – this song was done before Ringo had joined the band and Pete Best was still the drummer.

Each song is listed in chronological order from when it was written/recorded (as best known.)  It also includes how long the song was, who wrote it, what musicians were on it, where and when it was recorded (and even sometimes what studio), how many takes it took, the mixing studio and date and the technical team.  And there are also some post-it notes with some interesting facts about the songs for Beatles fanatics.

Interesting on the song  “Boys” – it was done in just one take however it mentions that Ringo isn’t consistent with the tempo throughout the song.  Also notable – Hey Jude was done in 1 take as well.

Most Takes?  Sexy Sadie (117)  (I must note that in the first half, the most takes was just under 30.  Second half, there were a handful over 50!)

While the book may be super long it is also super interesting and must have taken FOREVER to compile so much information. (Which is code for… Katie don’t get any ideas.) Honestly, every Beatles fan should check this out. And for you fanatics – there will be notes for you throughout!

About the Book

Every album and every song ever released by the Beatles—from “Please Please Me” (U.S. 1963) to “The Long and Winding Road” (U.S. 1970)—is dissected, discussed, and analyzed by two music historians in this lively and fully illustrated work.

All the Songs delves deep into the history and origins of the Beatles and their music. This first-of-its-kind book draws upon decades of research, as music historians Margotin and Guesdon recount the circumstances that led to the composition of every song, the recording process, and the instruments used.

Here, we learn that one of John Lennon’s favorite guitars was a 1958 Rickenbacker 325 Capri, which he bought for £100 in 1960 in Hamburg, Germany. We also learn that “Love Me Do,” recorded in Abbey Road Studios in September 1962, took 18 takes to get right, even though it was one of the first songs John and Paul ever wrote together. And the authors reveal that when the Beatles performed “I Want to Hold Your Hand” on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964, John’s microphone wasn’t turned on, so viewers heard only Paul singing.

The hundreds of photographs throughout the book include rare black-and-white publicity stills, images of Beatles instruments, and engaging shots of the musicians in-studio.

All the Songs is the must-have Beatles book for the any true Beatles fan.

Book Review: Puddin’

Katie October 21, 2013 0 Comments

Puddin’ is a book all about… you guessed it… pudding.  It contains recipes from one of New York City’s hottest dessert shops so you know it’s going to be G-O-O-D.  The book is broken down into 6 chapters – The Classics, New Favorites, Toppings, Pudding Parfaits, Pudding Cakes and Pies and last but certainly not least – Pudding Pops!  Each chapter has at least 6 recipes and some chapters have sub sections as well.

I started reading this on an empty stomach which was probably a bad idea.  We’re going out to dinner soon and now all I want is some pudding…

The concept of making pudding is really quite simple, maybe I can master something in the kitchen after all!  (And yes there is some Vegan options in the book if that is what you are looking for!)

Rather than have me gush about every. single. item. in this book, I’ll make a list of some of my favorites as I go along. (Which will also sort of act as my e-bookmark so I can come back and decide to make some of these later!)

Butterscotch Pudding!, Peanut Butter Pudding!!, Boston Cream Pudding, Eggnog Pudding, Birthday Cake Parfait,

About the Book

The classic American treat finally gets its due: foolproof pudding recipes, from irresistible standards to inventive modern twists, by the chef and owner of New York City’s popular pudding destination.

Puddin’ shares Clio Goodman’s secrets for re-creating—and improving on—your sweetest childhood memories. From grown-up renditions of snack-time favorites like Butterscotch Pudding (spiked with whiskey) to party-ready showstoppers like Banana Upside-Down Cake with Malted Pudding and summertime crowd-pleasers like Peanut Butter Fudge Pops and Peach Melba Parfaits, Puddin’ serves up luscious and decadent recipes for your every dessert whim. Along the way, Clio offers suggestions for adapting her pudding recipes—all of which are naturally gluten-free—for vegan and low-fat variations. And because creamy pudding just begs for a companion, Puddin’ also includes recipes for homemade toppings, such as Salted Caramel Sauce, Marshmallow Crème, and Brownie Crumbs, that can be mixed and matched with the puddings of your choice or incorporated into one of Clio’s signature parfaits.

These surprisingly easy-to-execute pudding creations are destined to become staples of your dessert repertoire. Puddin’ is a celebration of an American classic.

Book Review: Pizza Breads & More

Katie October 20, 2013 0 Comments

For some reason I have a habit of reading these cooking books when I am hungry! And today was no different when I started reading Pizza, Bread & More!  While the book features mostly pizza recipes, it also has a chapter for focaccia and other flat breads, breads & rolls, breadsticks & crackers and ends up with some specialties.

There are some gluten-free recipes included in the book if you have dietary restrictions.

The book starts off with the history of bread, which was actually pretty interesting.  Did you know Mother yeast symbolizes the romantic side of the art of bread-making? I didn’t!  It also tells a little bit about the history of pizza too before it goes into the recipes.

Each recipe also has a photo along with it – beautifully photographed and I just want to reach in the page and grab myself a couple of slices!   Seriously though, the photos of the food in this book are amazing.  I don’t know if it is because I need to get lunch or what. But everything looks so wonderful.

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

Direct from Italy’s best chefs, here are authentic recipes from every province of the countryside, all featuring easy-to-follow cooking instructions. Traditional bakery favorites such as rolls, focaccia, and flatbreads are all included, with tried-and-true techniques for great results—even if this is your first try at making bread. There are also recipes for a mouthwatering range of calzones, and pizzas of every shape and size: Savor the fresh flavors of the Buffalo Mozzarella-topped Pizza, sample the light, tangy Arugula and Parmigiano-Reggiano Pizza, or revel in recipes for such classics as Four-Cheese, Pepperoni, and Neapolitan-style pizza. Each recipe is developed and tested in the test kitchens of the Academia Barilla’s own cooking institute, and each wonderful dish is bursting with the rich, sunny flavors of Italy.

Book Review: Scaredy Squirrel prepares for Halloween

Katie October 19, 2013 0 Comments

Scaredy Squirrel is back! I learned all about how to prepare for Christmas from him last year and now he is back to tell me all about how to prepare for Halloween in his safety guide for scaredies. (I am definitely a scaredy squirrel about Halloween!)

Just a note – it is recommended that you not read this book during a full moon. (I wonder what would happen if I did… hmm)

Also a note – there are spiders illustrated in this book. So… if you’re a scaredy about that like me -beware!

This is a super cute book for kids about how to prepare for Halloween and what you need to get your house ready, yourself ready, etc.  If you have a kid who is a bit nervous about the holiday, you might want to check this out with him or her to try and ease their mind a little bit so that they will be prepared for what is to come!  And I might be posting this a bit late because he recommends starting to think about your costume options in JUNE! Sorry!

I absolutely loved all the pages with the different themed costumes with the squirrel wearing each outfit.  The gnome is my favorite!  Maybe I should go as a gnome this year? I don’t know…

Overall a super cute book, great illustrations and definitely a fun series of books!

I received a free e-copy of this book from the publisher in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.