Jax's Reviews

What a delight! Waffles and Pancake are two kittens looking to have a fun day with their Dad-cat, and boy does the planetarium deliver. From cool skeletons and exhibits to delicious tots at the cafeteria, this gem is sure to get any kid excited about a day at the museum. I really appreciated how they dealt with what to do if you get lost, and a small nod to the fact that the kitten’s parents live in separate households, normalizing it in a lovely way.—Jax

I’m a huge fan of the New York Times cooking app, so I was excited to delve into more recipes from the Times. What I found was even better: one woman’s wonderful and wry journey through American cooking history. The Essential New York Times Cookbook is an atlas for the cooks who are endlessly curious and are interested in everything from the history of the gin fizz to the countless ways immigrants have shaped the food we eat. Happy cooking!—Jax

Full of mouthwatering pastas and perfect risottos that use fresh ingredients like olives, garlic, and fresh herbs, this is a comprehensive bible on Mediterranean cuisine, written by a culinary legend. With gorgeous photos and classic recipes like salmon tartare and bouillabaisse, this is both a travel book and a lesson on the history of the food. I have so many new ways of preparing chicken, and you have to try the Spicy Roasted Carrot Salad!—Jason

Calling all bartenders, both professional and amateur! In Welcome Home, the founders of Death & Co. give an expert class on creating cocktails and understanding the mindset and habits that make them great. I really enjoyed the pieces where they write about creating a positive work culture, as well as the suggestions for tastings to do at home (or with friends) to refine and expand one’s palate. As complex and delightful as any of their cocktails, this one is sure to please.—Jax

A fascinating and in-depth look at the Covid-19 pandemic, Gupta gives us a look at what is needed to ensure that this doesn’t happen again. He writes with compassion and lively curiosity, so that even those without a science background will be engrossed. I came out of this book with more hope than I expected, and the certainty that if we can only take preventative measures, we have the power to keep future generations safe.—Jax

Some books linger with you after you read them, shifting the way you view the world and making you feel as though you’ve come through the experience changed. Starling’s latest has done just that, haunting, if you will. She’s woven a story of beauty and horror, ghosts and corrupt magicians, that is as much Jane Eyre as it is House on Haunted Hill and I dare say as well crafted as either. Just take care not to read too long in the dark…. —Jax

The legendary creator of Inuyasha and Ranma ½ brings a new series with mystery and a gothic sensibility that surprises and intrigues. Nanoka is an average teen with a tragic past who stumbles through a mysterious arch that leads to 1920’s Japan, where demons roam and where one day Nanoka meets a salty young man named Mao, who complicates everything she knows to be true. Takahashi mixes her elements effortlessly in this fun and funny, creepy and fascinating comic you won’t want to miss. —Jax

Whitehead is one of those authors who seems to always be changing things up on you, keeping you on your toes and eager for what comes next. This is exactly that, an ode to the New York neighborhood dressed up like a string of criminal vignettes with plenty of action and nail-biting close calls. At its heart is Ray Carney, our beleaguered protagonist, and the tension between his desire for stability for his family, and his family, who push him into situations with ever-higher stakes. —Jax

This is an incredibly fun and funny romance that will teach you a lot about the life of a research PhD student and her love life. Olivia has never had much luck with love, and prefers to focus on her work and her friends. But then a dating situation goes awry and she finds herself pretending to date the department’s most ornery (and sexiest) professor. Perfect for someone looking for a little fun—and chemistry!—Jax

In this collection, Jones finds a perfect balance between scary and fascinating as he shares the spooky stories he has collected from tribes all over the country. While I didn’t find any of the stories blood-curdling—which makes sense for a book geared towards kids—they still managed to send a chill up my spine. I think this is the perfect book for a kid who is ready to level up their horror collection or a class learning about Indigenous legends. —Jax