Tiong Bahru, Singapore. This piece of writing introduces readers to a short history of this part of Singapore - more specifically from the Japanese occupation of Singapore in World War Two to communist Singapore. It uses Seng Poh Road as its focal point to demonstrate...

"Northern Utopia: Rebirth of American Dream" is a very insightful and well-written book dealing with the growth boom in North Dakota. Within this state the reader will find that various towns are booming with growth due to the oil industry. There are many towns with...

Z.E. Frey's "Open: Candid Haikus about Everyday Life" is an interesting take on the standard haiku format. The book is divided into seven sections, each devoted to a different theme, including sections on love, work, faith, racism and friendship. Don't expect the old conventions --...

“Gathering Strength: Conversations with Afghan Women” is a comprehensive, non-fiction compilation of the past and present experiences of the women of Afghanistan. The book begins with a detailed account of the history of Afghanistan as well as its geography. The majority of the book is...

Laudea Martin's picture book "Shakespeare's Zoo" illustrates lines from Shakespeare that mention specific animals. The illustrations are created by digitally layering colored textures. The camel, for example, appears to be made of burlap. The robin's back has a woodgrain look. Each page contains a heading...

I was asked to review this book because of the way we Americans are killing ourselves with our intake of fast food, soda, and the amount of meat and diary we eat. The doctors and nutritionists on my radio show, Oprah and now Dr.Oz, have...

"The Long and Whining Road" by Simeon Courtie is one of the best books I’ve read in recent years. The story of how a family of five threw caution to the wind and launched into a trip around the world, busking Beatles beats for UNICEF...

As its title suggests, Manny Pacheco’s “Son of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History” is a treasure trove second volume of little-known facts about the tireless and ubiquitous cast of character actors who helped establish the Hollywood film industry. Readers may not know these actors’ names but...

Paris. Just the word brings to mind history, grace, fine art, literature and gardens. And of course the Eiffel Tower. Ruth Yunker fell in love with Paris and has written a book bringing to life the style and customs of what it is like to...

"Stay loose." This directive early in the book grabbed my thought process and pervaded every word written thereafter. It is definitely an important directive in this guide to how a beer lover can learn to appreciate the mysterious vino and its people, and perhaps help...