Diana Lamb

“Murder is the unique crime, the only one for which we can never make reparation to the victim.”   – P.D. James

On a chilly evening in late December, 2011, Russ Faria returned home to discover a shocking and unforgettable scene. There on the living room floor, lay his wife, Betsy. A dark stain of blood covered her face and pooled around her head. The blade of a black-handled kitchen knife was embedded in Betsy’s neck. She had been stabbed 55 times. The Troy, Missouri police, a judge, and jury believed Russ Faria was guilty of the crime. However, four days before her death, Betsy changed the beneficiary on her life insurance policy from Russ to her friend, Pamela Hupp. Did Russ Faria murder his wife or did Pam Hupp kill her for money? Find out the details in “Bone Deep: Untangling the Betsy Faria Murder Case,” by Charles Bosworth Jr. and Joel J. Schwartz.

Brynhild Storset began life as a poor Norwegian farm girl in 1859. As a young girl, she dreamed of escaping poverty by marrying a wealthy man and having children. When this dream died, Brynhild crossed the Atlantic to start a new life in America, and she changed her name to Belle. Along the way, Belle’s dreams and ambitions turned dark. During her lifetime, Belle would become a dangerous serial killer, who murdered at least 40 men, women, and children. “America’s Femme Fatale,” by Jane Simon Ammeson, chronicles the macabre yet fascinating life of Belle Storset Sorenson Gunness.

“The Doomsday Mother,” by John Glatt, centers around the troubling story of Lori Vallow Daybell and the murder of her two children. Lori was raised in Rialto, Calif., and graduated from Eisenhower High School in 1991. How could a devoted wife and mother end up being indicted on first-degree murder charges of her own children? Evil spirits, zombies, doomsday visions, past lives, light and dark spirits, brainwashing, and the end of the world all play a role in this national attention-grabbing story. Currently, Lori is awaiting trial in Idaho.

“What I’ve enjoyed most though is meeting people who have a real interest in food and sharing ideas with them. Good food is a global thing and I find that there is always something new and amazing to learn – I love it!” – Jamie Oliver

Have you tried cooking with a wok? If you are at all curious or would like to improve your skills, then check out “The Wok” by J. Kenji Lopez-Alt. This exceptional book is brimming with interesting kitchen-based science, helpful techniques, and a variety of delicious recipes. Soon, you’ll be cooking take-out favorites like Sweet and Sour Pork, Pad Thai, and General Tso’s Chicken at home.

“Learning Korean” by Peter Serpico is a welcome introduction to the variety of flavor profiles found in Korean home cooking. Some of the recipes you may want to try are BBQ Beef Short Ribs, Onion Pancake, Black Bean Noodles, refreshing Jujube Tea, Crab Soup, and Pork Dumplings. Peter also includes over a dozen varieties of Korea’s best-known dish, Kimchi.

Whether you are slurping, scooping, or twisting them, noodles are a fun food to eat. “That Noodle Life” by Mike Le and Stephanie Le give you 75 international pasta-centric recipes for more fun and easy meals. Tomato Lime Shrimp Cold Noodle Salad or The Soba Bowl are refreshing options to enjoy right now. Garlic-Butter Bucatini with Oyster Sauce would be yummy with grilled meats and veggies or on its own with an optional green salad.

Have you ever visited a Chinese Bakery? If not, then let Kristina Cho, in her new book “Mooncakes and Milk Bread,” introduce you to some of her savory and sweet treats inspired by Chinese bakeries. With an abundance of color photos and clear instructions, you may choose to make tender BBQ Pork Buns, flaky Curry Chicken Puffs, Honey Pistachio Mooncakes, or Shiny Fruit Cream Cake to share with family and friends.

“Gardening is medicine for our spirit, mind, and body. When we grow a garden that is in tune with the elements and the earth’s ebbs and flows, we’re cultivating more than meets the eye.”  Juliet Blankespoor

It’s not too late in the season to start growing your own fresh veggies and herbs! In her latest book, “Raised Bed Gardening,” CaliKim shows you how to build, fill, and plant a raised bed garden. Her detailed instructions, helpful tips, and photos make this book a good choice for new gardeners.

A profusion of gorgeous flowers in bold colors await you inside “The Flower Yard” by Arthur Parkinson. Every bloom within this book, from tulips and hyacinths to sweet peas, dahlias, and sunflowers, were grown in a mass of large containers. This is a wonderful book for armchair gardeners as well as for those looking for fresh inspiration.

“The Healing Garden” by Juliet Blankespoor is your entrance into the world of herbal plants. Juliet assists curious gardeners to learn about choosing, growing, harvesting, drying, and using herbs in medicinal and culinary recipes. Juliet profiles 32 easy-to-grow plants including yarrow, hibiscus, calendula, and bee balm.

“How to Garden When You Rent” by Matthew Pottage encourages gardeners living in temporary dwellings to beautify their outdoor surroundings. Any sized space, be it a balcony or a backyard, can benefit from Matthew’s creative ideas and projects. Before you begin, be sure to check with your landlord first.

 

 

“The fork is your most powerful tool to change your health and the planet; food is the most powerful medicine to heal chronic illness.” — Mark Hyman, M.D.

If you are living with an autoimmune condition, avoiding certain foods can help you manage the level of your discomfort. In his book, “Fix It with Food: Every Meal Easy,” Michael Symon identifies common food triggers and provides a host of recipes to help you heal. Some dishes to try might be Corn Pancakes with Maple and Blueberries, Smoked Turkey and Sweet Potato Hash, and Zucchini and Kale Chow Mein.

In 2003, at the age of 26, Chris Wark found out he had stage III colon cancer. After surgery, Chris decided to incorporate the healing power of a whole-food plant-based diet as part of his recovery program. Whether you are healing from cancer or wanting to reduce your risk of developing it, the recipes in “Beat Cancer Kitchen” will help nourish your body and make your mouth happy.

Danielle Walker is the author of several grain-free cookbooks, as a mother of three living with a diagnosis of severe ulcerative colitis. In her memoir “Food Saved Me: My Journey of Finding Health & Hope through the Power of Food,” Danielle shares her pain and struggles with this illness and also her discovery of the pivotal role food plays in managing it.

“The Diabetic Goodie Cookbook: Classic Desserts and Baked Goods to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth” by Kathy Kochan is a collection of nostalgic desserts designed for those who are watching their blood sugar levels. Each recipe displays a nutrition profile and contains no artificial sweeteners.

For those of you who know the heartache and frustration of cycling through multiple diets without a long-term successful solution or who can’t stop eating sugary and highly processed foods, this next book offers hope and help. “Rezoom” by Susan Peirce Thompson, Ph.D., with Everett Considine, explains the science and psychology of food addiction. In addition, it provides the tools you’ll need to overcome self-sabotage and experience fewer relapses on the road to living in your right-sized body.

For more books and information on health-related topics, Smiley Public Library invites you to step inside and explore our collection. We also offer MedlinePlus and Rosen Teen Health & Wellness databases on our website at www.akspl.org.

 

In June of 2018, the world was shocked and saddened by the sudden loss of Anthony Bourdain. For those interested in learning more about him, be sure to check out these two books.

As Tony Bourdain’s longtime director and producer for No Reservations and Parts Unknown, Tom Vitale shares insider details and memorable stories of traveling the world with Tony and crew in his new book, “In the Weeds.” Tom cautions us that, “Incidents included in this book are not intended to glamorize or endorse acts of cannibalism, drug use, smuggling, torture, extortion, bribery, wire fraud, attempted vehicular manslaughter, or the poaching of endangered species.”

“Bourdain: The Definitive Oral Biography” by Laurie Woolever is a thought-provoking collection of interviews to help us see the many facets of this complicated man. Those interviewed include his mother and brother, Gladys and Christopher Bourdain, well-known chefs Eric Ripert and Jose Andres, writers, producers, editors, kitchen colleagues, friends and his daughter, Ariane Busia-Bourdain.

Truffles are not beautiful to behold. However, they are an expensive delicacy that can easily fetch $3,000 a pound. Why are they so expensive and how could something so unattractive be worth all that excitement? Food writer Rowan Jacobsen travels to Europe in search of answers. He meets Matteo and his dogs Artu and Miro in Italy, Zack and his black lab Stanley in England, and Ban with dogs Candy, Betty and Lela in Istria as they hunt for culinary gold. Find out what Rowan discovers in his latest book “Truffle Hound.”

Nestled in the little town of Freedom, Maine stands a restored nineteenth-century gristmill. Housed within its walls is one of the country’s most sought-after restaurants called The Lost Kitchen. Reservations are accepted by postcard only and lucky diners are drawn from a pool that can average 20,000 requests a year! Erin French is the talented owner and chef of this amazing establishment. “Finding Freedom” is Erin’s memoir of survival, perseverance, and the life-changing purpose found in cooking meals for others.

If the above books have whetted your appetite for more food-related memoirs, you may be interested in reading these recent titles: “Eat a Peach” by David Chang, “Dirt: Adventures in Lyon as a chef in training, father, and sleuth looking for the secret of French cooking” by Bill Buford, “Rebel Chef: In search of what matters” by Dominique Crenn and “Save Me the Plums: My Gourmet memoir” by Ruth Reichl.