Vegan Mac and Cheese - More than 50 Delicious Plant-Based Recipes for the Ultimate Comfort Food

Vegan Mac and Cheese is a new collection of vegan recipes and techniques featuring plant based riffs on the perennial favorite, by Robin Robertson. Released 17th Sept by Quarto on their Harvard Common Press imprint, it's 144 pages and available in hardcover and ebook formats.

Mac & cheese is probably my number one go-to comfort food. It's warming and filling and wonderful. I had never found a good substitute vegan friendly cheese or cheese sauce that really came close to replicating the 'real' thing, and to tell the truth I hadn't looked exhaustively because my family isn't vegan.  This year, however, we are incorporating a lot more plant based meals with an eye to a paradigm shift sometime in the next couple of years for both health and philosophical reasons.

According to the publisher, this is the first entirely vegan friendly book dedicated to mac & cheese dishes. The book has an easy to follow, logical format. An introduction (~15% of the content) follows the evolution of vegan friendly alternatives to cheese and dairy and includes an intriguing mention of the Baltimore Vegan Mac & Cheese Smackdown. It's unclear if the annual event is still ongoing, but I'm definitely going to attend next year if it's happening, since I'm (fairly) local. The intro also includes a fun timeline of the development of vegan mac&cheese starting in 1200s Italy and culminating in 2019 with the publication of Vegan Mac & Cheese.

The following chapters provide variations on the basic recipes in chapter 1. These are intriguing and varied. I'm still sourcing some ingredients, so we haven't tried many of these, but there are German, Thai, Caribbean, North African and other variations. In addition to the different spiced up variations on the basic dish, there are chapters devoted to combinations featuring vegetables, 'meaty' dishes, and unusual twists including waffles, hors d'oeuvre, soup, quesadillas, and even a couple of desserts. 

The author's style is upbeat, conversational, and easy to follow. The recipes are varied and complete. Each recipe has a descriptive paragraph, serving yields, and step by step instructions.  Ingredients are listed in a sidebar. Many (most?) of the recipes are photographed with serving suggestions. The book is well photographed with clear and appealing pics of the dishes themselves. There are not really any cooking process pics, but most all of the recipes are straightforward, so process pics would have been superfluous anyhow. 

Many of the ingredients will already be available in the average (non-vegan) household. The different pastas and vegetable ingredients will be very familiar to anyone. There are some specialty ingredients such as vegan butter, nutritional yeast, white miso, and a variety of nut butters which will require access to a large grocery or vegan friendly retailer. 

The book also concludes with an author statement and cross referenced index (including photos). 

All in all, I can't think of anything in my imagination that this book could have included. It's a great niche addition to any mac & cheese lover's library. There are some recipes here which are destined to become family favorites in our household.

Five stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes  

Americana: Farmhouses and Manors of Long Island

Americana is a well curated in-depth look at 15 stately Long Island homes and farms. The author, Kyle Marshall, has a design background as well as experience and in depth knowledge of the subject matter and his enthusiasm shines through in the text.

Released 28th Sept 2019 by Schiffer, it's 208 pages and available in hardcover.

Whilst this is certainly a niche book, in that it is limited to a specific geographical location, the gorgeous photography, architectural detailing, interior shots, structural layouts (including historical renovation notes), and broad choice of house subjects will make this an appealing choice for any historical home enthusiast.

These are really gorgeous homes, some brought back from disrepair, some owned, well-loved, and maintained throughout their history. The history and architecture of each of the houses is detailed by the author, interspersed with coordinated exterior and interior room shots. The details are well elucidated by the author, many of which I would have missed without the 'guided tour'. At least some of the included properties are privately held and not (generally) open to the public, so the inside looks are rarefied and exclusive.

I loved seeing the interiors as well as the garden shots. There are wonderful period details, leaded glass windows, beautiful carpets, wonderful antique furniture and more.

This would make a lovely coffee table book as well as an inspiration book for anyone who enjoys interior design. Approximately half of the houses have included floorplans which were enlightening for me, especially seeing where the original structures had been changed and rearranged and rebuilt.

Four stars, some breathtaking photography and masses of detail here (included a further reading list and links which made me swoon).

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes  

Hack Your Cupboard

Hack Your Cupboard is a tutorial guide for cooks who are learning their way around the kitchen as well as for readers who want to change up their standard 'what should I cook tonight' menus to make them a little less boring, with the ingredients available on hand.

Due out 1st Oct 2019 from Lerner on their Zest Books imprint, it's 208 pages and will be available in ebook, paperback, and library bound formats.

There were several really neat features here. First, no matter what skill level the reader has currently (including 'cereal for dinner' as they say in the book), there is usable information here. More advanced cooks can move on to relevant information for their skill level. The authors presuppose no familiarity with cooking, and whether you are learning at the beginning (scrambled eggs, tossing a salad, making vinaigrette) or more advanced, there are tips and suggestions.

I loved the suggested pantry staples lists. They're useful basic and bare bones. I remember when I moved into my first apartment alone and found a pantry list (from a library book), it included things I'd never used, like capers. I've lived decades without looking at a caper or pickled artichoke heart. This book includes no-nonsense sensible ingredients lists which are easily sourced, inexpensive (except potentially the -good- balsamic vinegar which is a staple and quality counts), and easy to use.

There are sections for dorm cooking, food safety (important!), first apartment pantry, cooking (with recipes), and a simple celebratory dinner menu, for a date night or convincing one's mother that nobody is in danger of starving to death since they moved away from home.

Each of the recipes provides serving sizes, ingredients lists, step by step simple instructions as well as sidebar graphics with alternate preparation and ingredients to add some variation. None of the recipes include nutritional information (outside the scope of the book). Most of the recipes are pictured with serving suggestions such as dips, sides, etc. There are sidebars scattered throughout with 'hacks' for things like crushing garlic, spicing up your ramen with other seasonings (sambal oelek, gochujang, or harissa, all available at a well stocked international grocery store), and more. 

This would make a superlative addition to a 'moving out' care package for newly independent youngsters/singles/newlyweds, etc. I was impressed enough with the book that I am planning on buying one for each of my kids who are moving (or have moved) out on their own.

Five stars. There's a lot to love here.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes  

Geo Detectives: Water Cycle

Geo Detectives: Water Cycle is a new book aimed at younger readers in the Geo Detectives series. Released 17th Sep. 2019 by Quarto on their QEB imprint, it's 32 pages and available in hardback and paperback formats.

I've long been an advocate of STEAM education and books like this, which stimulate kids' natural interest in science and nature can be a fun and useful part of focusing that interest. Earth science is cool and this book provides an accessible and factual introduction to the water cycle as well as some other geo-science including the different types of clouds, some basic weather systems and beginning conservation ideas.

Each of the pages is full of colorful graphics with sidebars including some photographs along with explanatory text. There are short labs with exercises using safe and easily sourced materials to illustrate the theory. The DIY sections are short and do a good job of showing how fun and interesting science can be.

The geo detective narrators, Ava and George, are appealing and friendly. I liked the inclusiveness of having both girl and boy, as well as that Ava is a person of color. It's a subtle little bonus in a book that's scientifically and factually correct. The book includes a question quiz at the end as well as a glossary, links list for further reading, and some notes for resource people (primarily aimed at parents and teachers).

This would make a superlative school or home library book as well as a good support text for geo-science core units in a classroom setting.

Five stars, very well done.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes  

Geo Detectives: Volcanoes & Earthquakes

Geo Detectives: Volcanoes & Earthquakes is a new book aimed at younger readers in the Geo Detectives series. Released 17th Sep. 2019 by Quarto on their QEB imprint, it's 32 pages and available in hardback and paperback formats.

I've long been an advocate of STEAM education and books like this, which stimulate kids' natural interest in science and nature can be a fun and useful part of focusing that interest. Earth science is cool and this book provides an accessible and factual introduction to volcanoes and earthquakes along with other geo-science.

Each of the pages is full of colorful graphics with sidebars including some photographs along with explanatory text. There are short labs with exercises using safe and easily sourced materials to illustrate the theory. The DIY sections are short and do a good job of showing how fun and interesting science can be.

The geo detective narrators, Ava and George, are appealing and friendly. I liked the inclusiveness of having both girl and boy, as well as that Ava is a person of color. It's a subtle little bonus in a book that's scientifically and factually correct. The book includes a question quiz at the end as well as a glossary, links list for further reading, and some notes for resource people (primarily aimed at parents and teachers).

This would make a superlative school or home library book as well as a good support text for geo-science core units in a classroom setting.

Five stars, very well done.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes  

The Liberty Hyde Bailey Gardener's Companion: Essential Writings

The Liberty Hyde Bailey Gardener's Companion: Essential Writings is a collection of essays by Liberty Hyde Bailey, edited and curated by Johns Stempien and Linstrom. Released 15th Sep. 2019 by Cornell University on their Comstock imprint, it's 320 pages and available in hardcover and ebook formats.

I was previously unfamiliar with the writer of the enclosed essays, Liberty Hyde Bailey, though his legacy will be familiar to most readers. He was a co-founder of the American Society for Horticultural Science, helped establish the network of extension agencies which still provide advice and training to local gardeners across the USA, helped start the 4-H movement, parcel post, and rural electrification. He was also a gifted writer on themes of conservation, nature, and the outdoors.

The editors provide an entertaining preface and introduction. For readers who are unfamiliar with Liberty Hyde Bailey, the introduction and preface gives some background and context. The remaining 300+ pages are arranged thematically: the garden in the mind, the growing of the plants, flowers, fruits and vegetables, spring to winter, and an epilogue which includes appendices, notes, a really good bibliography for further reading, and an index.

This is a cozy book full of anecdotes and gently written expository essays about relevant topics close to gardeners' hearts. I tried to read it slowly and savor the writing (and LHB was a gifted and accessible writer with a passion for nature to rival Muir, Thoreau, or Whitman).

This would make a wonderful gift for a garden or nature enthusiast as well as a nice addition to the home library. Fans of Muir, Hubbell, White, Bertram and the like will find a wealth of material for cozy garden reading here. It's a treasure of a book and I enjoyed it very much.

Five stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes 

Elements of Fiction

Elements of Fiction is a guide/tutorial/master-class on elements of writing aimed at writers (or would-be writers) by well known author Walter Mosley. Released 3rd Sept. 2019 by Grove Atlantic on their Grove Press imprint, it's a concise 128 pages and available in hardcover, ebook, and audio formats.

I've been a fan of Mr. Mosley's crime- and science- fiction for many years and although I don't really have any definite desires to be a writer myself, it's always enlightening to get to see some of the nuts-and-bolts of the process going on behind the scenes. I was hoping for some step-by-step tutorials or hand holding 'start HERE and do this or that' type teaching.  This is emphatically not that book.  What it is, however, is a conversational treatise on the philosophy of the craft and scattered nuggets of real salient wisdom about what makes a good novel good and sometimes great.

As an almost(?) neurotically active reader, I've often experienced having positive or negative feelings about a narrative and not easily being able to articulate precisely why.  There were several gut-punch moments in this book which, for me, shone a light on some of those visceral reactions. I'm tempted to go back and re-read some of those books which confused me with an eye toward deconstructing them in terms of the information in this book.

As a straight up how-to-write-a-novel tutorial, this isn't This Year You Write Your Novel. This book is much less focused on the writing process and more a long conversational essay on writing philosophy. The chapters are very loosely tied together, some of them segueing into the next chapter, some exploring a theme and then petering out. This is not a book with a logical layout and bullet point lists of information. Readers who are looking for easily found info-points, graphs, marketing or any related items will be disappointed. Those who are open to guidance from a lifetime of experience by a gifted writer will find much to assimilate in this book.

Four stars. This is an information rich book, but in a philosophical manner. There are no easy opt-ins for the wisdom Mosley shares, we have to think about what he writes.  I recommend it for readers who want to know the 'why' more than the 'how-to' of writing fiction.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes 

10-Minute Declutter: Hundreds of Tips to Organize Every Room of Your House

10-Minute Declutter is a new release in a series of how-to books (10-minute series). This content was previously released in 2004 as 10-minute Clutter Control by Skye Alexander. This re-format and re-release by Quarto on their Fair Winds Press imprint came out 17th Sept 2019, is 208 pages and is available in ebook and hardcover formats.

The author is well known for her alternate philosophy books and readers should expect a book in accord with those alternative thoughts. There -are- a number of common sense reasonable bits of advice to glean here which will help all readers with streamlining and simplifying their day to day lives; keeping track of tools and supplies, throwing away outdated medicines and food items, keeping the house and yard tidy and other similar good habits to cultivate.  There is also a fair bit of 'woo-woo' which can be implemented or selectively ignored for some readers.

I am a fairly logical, rational, 'left-brain' engineer and despite that, I found the first section of the book describing and explaining some basic feng shui concepts interesting. I don't expect to be ringing a bell every time I come into my lab at work, or rebuilding my house (even symbolically) to acquire a better bagua profile, but reading about the concepts was informational.  Some readers will enjoy and implement the suggestions from this section, but there are also other good bits of common sense advice to be gleaned here.

The author's style of writing is chatty and conversational. She's easy to follow and has a very upbeat, positive style. If I can be forgiven for saying so, the book has a good 'vibe', and I enjoyed reading it. There are some high-contrast simplified graphics and illustrations, but no photography.  It's word-dense with a simple layout.

Three stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes

Raising Animals for Fiber

Raising Animals for Fiber is a tutorial guide for suburban and rural landowners who want to raise their own animals for fiber. The book is aimed at the hobbyist/smallholder and emphasizes the keeping of fewer animals rather than large production type setups.

Released10th Sept. 2019 by Fox Chapel on their CompanionHouse imprint, it's 176 pages and available in paperback format.

The book concentrates primarily on 4 different species of fibre animals: sheep, angora goats, alpacas, and angora rabbits. There certainly are (as the author states) other animals (highland cattle, llamas, dogs, cats, musk oxen, etc) which are kept for fibre in addition to their other uses, but they're not primarily fibre animals and aren't kept primarily for their fibre production, so they're somewhat beyond the scope of this book.

The book is split into an introduction which covers the basics of sourcing and acquiring good quality animals as well as deciding which animals to keep based on space limitations, practicalities, desired outcome and more. I liked that the author includes some cold hard facts about time and money realities along with the appealing pictures of happy healthy fibre animals. The introduction contains about 10% of the book's content. The following 4 sections (one for each animal: sheep, angora goats, alpacas, angora rabbits) contain an introduction, followed by subchapters covering some of the jargon for each type of animal, a discussion of the fibre they produce, breeds, collecting and processing the fibres, housing/fencing/feeding, breeding, and other important considerations and some troubleshooting.

The chapters obviously aren't as comprehensive as a species specific book, but they give a good solid basic general overview and enough information to get started on the quest to acquire basic stock (and hopefully not get taken advantage of).

I can honestly say that this is a book I -wish- I had had access to when I started owning sheep (and to a lesser degree rabbits).

The photography is mostly stock, but well presented and clear and supports the text well. The author's style is very informal, accessible, and friendly. I enjoyed reading the book, it's one I could see readers keeping as a home resource. This would make a superlative gift for smallholders or fibercrafters wanting/dreaming of expanding into producing their own fibres.

Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Molten Mud Murder

Molten Mud Murder is the first book in a new forensic crime series by Sara E. Johnson. Set in New Zealand, main character Alexa Glock has to navigate differing cultures (both aboriginal and white) and try to find her place in a murder investigation in which she has inserted herself as a needed professional in forensic odontology.

Released 3rd Sept 2019 by Poisoned Pen Press, it's 320 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats.

This is a strong start to a new series by a debut author who was previously unknown to me.The setting, in the Rotorua area of the north island in New Zealand, is spectacular geographically and culturally, and the author gives it a starring role. The characterizations are slightly archetypal and standardized (smart female professional protagonist with tragic past, hunky but prickly male police detective, lots of smoldering looks) but the author manages the plotting and dialogue very well and the result is a solidly enjoyable read. I did have one hang-up with the plotting (a majorly unsubtle foreshadowing about 3/4s of the way into the book), but taken altogether it wasn't a deal breaker for me.

The language is PG, some mild cursing, nothing graphic. There is some slow-burn sexual tension between the main character and the aforementioned hunky detective. Readers who prefer their mysteries with light romance will likely enjoy this one.

Four stars, a promising start to a new forensic procedural.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Modern Sourdough: Sweet and Savoury Recipes from Margot Bakery

Modern Sourdough: Sweet and Savoury Recipes from Margot Bakery is a tutorial cookbook by professional baker Michelle Eshkeri. Despite the author being a professional (albeit self-taught) baker, this is a layman accessible real cookbook full of satisfying sourdough breads, both savory and sweet. The ingredients are easily sourced.

Released 10th Sept 2019 by Quarto on their White Lion imprint, it's 224 pages and available in hardcover format. My criteria when reviewing (most) cookery books is fairly simple: is it neatly and logically presented, does it contain usable recipes (for the book's intended audience), are the ingredients reasonably easily sourced, does it contain wildly expensive specialist equipment which I can't borrow, and are the recipes appealingly photographed? This book honestly ticks all the boxes for me.

The book starts with a short and interesting artist's statement including a little bit of what the author brings to the conversation in terms of gender, background, ethnicity, culture, and philosophy. The sidebar section includes numerous clear photographic still life action snapshots of the bakery and bakers.  The author talks briefly about leavening sweet breads and vienoisserie with sourdough alone and that it's a worthwhile process, despite being more time and logistics intensive.  Frankly, before reading this book, I didn't even know it was possible to leaven sweet breads with sourdough.

The recipe chapter begins with a solid introductory tutorial on how to make a sourdough starter.  Everything is clearly and simply explained including time estimates for a finished culture from scratch. This section also includes very general information about loaf types and how to shape different traditional loaves.

The recipes themselves are varied and include many standard types: focaccia, light rye, challah, brioche, flatbreads, bagels, and many many more. The only small quibble I found was that there is not a comprehensive table of contents in the eARC I recieved, and that the recipes aren't arranged to be found quickly. There are chapters covering basic bread, pastry, sweet and savoury bakes, specialities of Margot bakery, and jams and spreads to accompany the breads. There is a comprehensive index included, but this remains a book to browse through to find recipes to try (and I think that was a conscious editorial/authorial decision).

There is also a pictorial tutorial which is frankly the best I've found for braiding a traditional challah. Clear photos and simple to follow. More generally speaking, the photography throughout is delightful and beautifully presented. Each recipe is photographed in colour and reading through the recipes themselves made me hungry and left my fingers itching to recreate them in my own kitchen.

The author has a wonderful sense of humor, wit, and honest love for her craft and it shines through clearly in the text.

Wonderful book and the ideal book for sourdough enthusiasts. Five stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Gallows Court

Gallows Court is a new standalone mystery by Martin Edwards. Due out 17th Sept 2018 from Poison Pen Press, it's 368 pages and will be available in paperback format. Other editions are available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Mr. Edwards will be known to most classic mystery fans as a consultant for the British Library Crime Classics series as well as for his authorship of the modern Lake District series published by Poisoned Pen Press.

Despite being set in the interwar London period of classic mysteries, this book had a lot more of a noir thriller vibe for me than a classic golden age 'Christie' feel.  The bad guys are archetypal, the plot devices rather devious.  It was unclear for much of the book whether the female lead character, Rachel, is evil, manipulative, devious, crazy or a combination of the above. The male protagonist, and indeed the supporting characters are well written and follow their internal motivations.  The dialogue is very well written and never clunky or distracting.

This is an intricate and very well plotted mystery which follows the rules of detective fiction for readers who enjoy racing against the fictional detective. The pacing is incredibly finely tuned and there are twists and turns aplenty. This is a solidly well written entertaining book from a gifted author.  It's not a classic golden age country house mystery, but it's a perfect satisfying (and edgy) read nonetheless.

It's definitely good enough for a reread, which is my benchmark for buying my own copy (and I intend to do so).

Five stars

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

The Long Call (Two Rivers #1)

The Long Call is the first book in a new procedural series by Ann Cleeves. Set in North Devon, Detective Matthew Venn has returned to the area where he grew up and is involved in solving a murder which keeps threatening to become entangled in his difficult past as well as his present life.

Ms. Cleeves is a masterful storyteller and her characterizations are nuanced and deftly rendered. The dialogue is pitch perfect but never intrusive to my ears (and it could so easily have been over the top).  The plotline revolves around a community centre for the county which hosts programs for people struggling with mental illness, depression, and developmental delays as well as functioning as an arts instruction and social centre for the members of the community.  The author's characterizations are sensitive and non-judgemental. The sense of place and atmosphere are so well done. It's a characteristic of her work that the setting actually becomes a significant character in the narrative and this series is no exception.

This was a joy to read, despite the potentially sad themes of mental illness and exploitation. The author is an exceedingly gifted craftsman and the plotting and pacing here are things of beauty. For non-UK readers, the slang and language are British idiom, but there's nothing undecipherable in context. The language is PG, there's no graphic sexual content.

Five stars. A strong start to a new series with an appealing procedural unit set in an interesting area of the English coastal countryside. I'm very much looking forward to more in this series.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes

Who Was Jack the Ripper?

Who Was Jack the Ripper?: All the Suspects Revealed is a semi-scholarly look at the possible identity of Jack the Ripper examining the 11 most likely persons of interest using modern forensic and detection techniques.

Due out 19th Nov 2019 by Pen & Sword on their True Crime imprint, it's 208 pages and will be available in hardcover format.

This is a dense, fact-heavy book written by acknowledged 'Ripperologists'. The 11 potential real identities of Jack the Ripper are elucidated one by one with verifiable historical facts and with a (mostly) logical progression. I found myself reading each chapter and thinking that the author/essayists made a darned good case for every one of the candidates.

The essays themselves are a variable lot. All are well written and enjoyable (if that can be said of the sometimes graphic descriptions of the crimes themselves). The stark reality of existence for the poorer classes in London (especially women without the protection of a family) is a red thread throughout the essays and the authors don't mince words.

I would recommend that readers not try to binge read the book, since the variable voices and information loading were sometimes overwhelming. (I kept having to look up which of the historical players was which).

Especially for historical true-crime aficionados, these essays will make a diverting read. (Spoiler alert, this is a treatise of 11 identified possible culprits, there are no eye-searing 100% incontrovertible denouements presented here). 

Very enjoyable.  Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes

The Little Book of Drawing Dragons & Fantasy Characters

The Little Book of Drawing Dragons & Fantasy Characters is a tutorial book aimed at artists of all levels of experience. Released 3rd Sept by Quarto on their Walter Foster imprint, it's 128 pages and available in paperback format.

The book follows a logical, easy progression. The general introduction covers tools and materials, along with a short treatment of breaking subjects down into geometric shapes and refining them, adding details, shading and texture. It separates the drawing process into technical elements which can be studied and mastered by any student with practice.

The next couple of chapters are full of tutorials for dragons (western and eastern), wyverns, wyrms, centaurs, fairies, and 8 more.

The fourth and final section gives a short tutorial with projects for adding color with markers, colored pencils, and watercolors. There is a small amount of filler in the page content with 'practice pages' scattered throughout, but there is a lot of good instructional content here. I found a lot of useful information and added a couple of sketches to my sketchbook based on the siu riu (Japanese water dragon).

This would make a super gift with a set of pencils or drawing materials for learning realistic anatomy based graphic fantasy art.

Five stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes

Zentangle Dingbatz: Patterns & Projects for Dynamic Tangled Ornaments & Decorations

Zentangle Dingbatz is a new tutorial guide for alternative and additional Zentangle techniques by Brian Crimmins. Released 11th June 2019 by Fox Chapel on their Design Originals imprint, it's 160 pages and available in paperback format.

Zentangle is an accessible, fun, and valuable creativity exercise which packs a lot of mindfulness and stimulation into a very short time commitment. They're also really really fun to do. These extra techniques can be used on a variety of surfaces and in a variety of sizes. For readers who are previously unfamiliar with the process, the introductory chapter in this book explains the process including a step by step visual tutorial.

The book has an easily accessible and logical layout. The introduction (~17% of the page content) introduces basic Zentangle concepts, starting instructions, and supplies for doing the projects. The next chapter provides the reader with a thorough tutorial showing the differences between the basic Zentangle tile art and 'Dingbatz' alternatives.

The next chapters include specific project tutorials and inspiration including stationery, a handwritten 'zine, place cards, nametags, gift tags, journals, and several more.  Each of the chapters include a self-practice workbook area.

The final chapter includes a tangle gallery with tutorials for some of the tangle elements used in the book. There is also a brief acknowledgement section with some references for further reading (including the facebook group mention), as well as an author statement and a short index.

This is a useful, energetic, and accessible tutorial for all things Dingbatz.  The author has a refreshingly encouraging voice and readers of all levels of expertise can use this guide to produce beautifully useful finished objects. The style of zentangle art makes them organic and structured at the same time. I really love the look of them.

This would make a superlative gift along with some pens and tiles or a journal for a drawing friend (or oneself).

Five stars.  Well written, superbly photographed, accessible, and complete.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.