Book Review: The City of Dreaming Books by Walter Moers

Walter Moers’ The City of Dreaming Books is a novel-length declaration of adoration to the writing craft and all its creative possibilities. This fantasy, written in a humorous spirit reminiscent of Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams, takes us to the vast world of Zamonia, and follows a young Lindworm (basically a dinosaur-like being) named Optimus

Wolfwalkers: The Graphic Novel (A Short Book Review)

Based on the film by: Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart Adapted by: Sam Sattin Published by: Little, Brown Books (Hachette Book Group) Trailer for the animated movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_Z_tybgPgg The Cartoon Saloon animation studio has achieved a great deal of acclaim with their beautifully drawn movies in recent years, focused around stories and legends from Ireland

Book Review: Giant Bones by Peter S. Beagle

Published by: Roc Fantasy Release Date: 1997 Number of Pages: 269 Peter S. Beagle’s Giant Bones is a collection of six short stories set within the same universe as his novel, The Innkeeper’s Song. I must admit, right now, that I’ve only read The Innkeeper’s Song once, many years ago (although now I definitely plan

Game Review: Psychonauts 2

Studio: Double Fine Released: August 25, 2021 Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liJTZfJhOcs In this game by Double Fine, 10-year-old Razputin Aquato works to achieve his dream of joining the Psychonauts, a secret agent taskforce of psychics who use their abilities to jump into minds and accomplish various missions. I got my introduction to this series a little bit

Recipe: Banana Bread

One of my favorite recipes since childhood comes from a Dutch cookbook, Eet Smakelijk, passed along through my mother’s side of the family. I’ve always found banana bread to be more than a sweet dessert–it makes a great snack after a long day hard at work, especially when combined with a nice glass of milk.

A Simple Recipe: Basic Noodle Dough

The gas oven in my parents’ home stopped working the other day. It was likely due to an old igniter, the part that helps to heat the food, finally giving out after many years of faithful service. However, the nearest shop with a replacement part was more than half an hour away, and already closed

Book Review: More Short & Shivery

More Short & Shivery, retold by Robert Sans Souci, features a collection of thirty folktales from around the world. It belongs to the same literary tradition as works like Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, aimed at drawing in younger audiences through spooky twists and turns. They offer clever ways to enchant children with

Game Review: Cozy Grove

Studio: Spry Fox Released: April 7, 2021 Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35nCCbXBhw8 A young spirit scout looking to earn her final merit badge becomes stranded at her destination–an island inhabited by the lost souls of bears. She must then help them to reclaim their memories, expanding the island in the process and creating a comfortable space to live

Game Review of Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery

Studio: Silver Lining Studio Released: August 25, 2021 Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQjQc3UbkvU “Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery” follows a young woman painter as she prepares for an exhibition of her works, who becomes increasingly curious about her neighbor, an old gentleman artist, in the room just beyond her window and his mischievous cat. As the story

Recipe: Easter Egg Bread

As part of our Easter celebrations every year, my family would set out an Easter tree (a small artificial tree with even smaller, plastic Easter Eggs attached to its branches) and bake Easter Bread. They were traditions my mom learned about during her time in the Air Force, when she got stationed over in Germany