thelasteast's reviews
317 reviews

Nothing Else But Miracles by Kate Albus is a middle grade book about three siblings in NYC trying to get by while their dad is off fighting in WWII. This is an engaging story that provides a glimpse at what life was like during that tumultuous time. 

This was a very informative microhistory of how people have prepared and consumed food over time. For example, before ovens had thermometers, people would put their hands in the oven to determine its readiness based on the level of pain they felt. Did you know that, to cook something for a specific amount of time, people once used the Lord’s Prayer as a form of measurement? Or that, in Japan, some believe chopsticks—since they go in one’s mouth—can absorb aspects of a person’s personality? As a result, chopsticks are not shared.

This was a very interesting book, and I highly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in food beyond simply eating it.

The Seed Keeper was an emotional story of an indigenous woman who was removed from her culture and spent decades with only childhood memories of the ways of her people. Married to a farmer, she formed a connection with the land by starting her own garden, not realizing her own family's history with seeds and their significance. 

I really enjoyed this story. It was an easy read while also being heartfelt and moving. It's a great book for people interested in indigenous culture, gardening, or farming, especially the way farming has changed from the use of horse-drawn plows to GMOs. This is a book that I would recommend to just about anyone.