I love how-to home books–recipes, projects, organizational tips. I love them so much, that I am a pretty easy shot at the supermarket checkout line…I often thumb through Martha Stewart, Rachel Ray, Real Simple and have to display huge amounts of restraint not to bring them all home 🙂
That being said, I was pretty excited to get the opportunity from the One2One network to preview a copy of Heather Solos's book Home-Ec 101, based on her blog of the same name. I was actually pretty disappointed when, as a result of too much interest in the campaign, I was only given one chapter to read: Meal Planning:Not Just for the Control Freaks. I was even more disappointed that it was the chapter on meal planning, because that it not the area that I really need the most advice.
I did not gain any insight or useful advice from Heather Solos's chapter on menu planning. As a vegetarian who cooks almost every day, there wasn't much for me among the meat-heavy menus and recipes in the chapter. I did, however, enjoy reading it because the author's style is so chatty and self-effacing that it seemed almost like reading a light memoir–complete with admissions of some of her own mishaps. I kind of feel like I would have enjoyed the rest of this book more, and would've glossed over this particular chapter as 'not for me.'
I would certainly be interested in learning more about how to make my own cleaning solutions and to get tips on repairing things around the house. Maybe I'll even go out and get myself a copy of the whole book one of these days 🙂
This book is available for purchase on both BN.com and Amazon.com in paperback as well as for Kindle and as a Nookbook.
**Disclaimer: I received a free download of a chapter of this book in exchange for my honest review**
I am so sorry you didn’t get to read a chapter that was more fitting with your needs. I completely sympathize with your gripe. If you think about it, menu planning for vegetarians would be more of a level 200 class, as would any special diet (Halal, Kosher, gluten free, etc).
On the site itself I’m working to include more meatless and vegetarian options. The recipes included in the book were just a tiny sampling intended for those just looking to find their legs in the kitchen.
On the one hand, I’m happy that there was demand to review the book, on the other I’m very sorry that the demand caused you to get less than you hoped.
Thanks, Heather! As I said in the review, I did enjoy reading your chapter even though I knew from the outset that a chapter on menu planning was probably not what I needed most. I will definitely check out your site to see what meatless and veggie options you come up with…I might even be able to help you out with a few 🙂
Congratulations on the success of the campaign!
I, too, was very disappointed to only get chapter 20 due to overwhelming response. I had so looked forward to using the book as home ec with homeschooling the one daughter I have left at home. However, after just that one chapter, I’m hooked and will be buying the book as soon as I earn enough amazon through some of the sites I do to buy it.
p.s. I’m now your newest follower as well.