Books of November Part 2:

The History of Bread: From Pre-historic to Modern Times by: John Ashton
Non-fiction: History, Food, E-book
This book was written by an Edwardian English man, and you can tell.  It is good about telling the history of bread in Europe (besides the fact that the first bread was likely not made in Europe unlike the author’s opinion.) But it does insist that all bread in India is horrible (except the one region that also happens to be Christian.) And for some reason felt the need to point out that all theology about communion is completely wrong besides that of the low Church of England’s theology. (And also hot cross buns may be a sacrament?!?) But no matter how crazy the myth relating to bread of European background, there is no need to question it. 

Ad Limina: A Novella by: Cyril Jones-Kellett
Fiction: Sci-fi, Religion, 220 pages
If I wasn’t reading this for review on my YouTube channel, I would have stopped reading it on page 2.  But it was not as bad as the start made me think it would be.  It was clear that it was self-published or done by a small likely vanity press, but given that, it was over all an ok read.
This is the story of the 1st bishop of Mars,that was born on Mars.  It is time for his trip back to Rome (called the Ad Limina.) In fact he was way overdue for the trip, but this is the 1st time that the Pope hasn’t let him wait due to the problems with traveling to Earth for him.  He gets a ticket on a ship heading that way, but then things happen that lead him to many places he wouldn’t normally go to. 

Pilfered Promises (A Victorian San Francisco Mystery #5) by: M. Louisa Locke
Fiction: Mystery, History, E-book
This book takes place over Thanksgiving to Christmas, so I read it at the right time.  In this book Annie and Nate have already been married, she is still solving mysteries and he is growing the law firm he is in.  A local major department store hires her to find out who is stealing from the store and how.  And he is hired to be their lawyer.

The Painted Queen (Amelia Peabody #20) by: Elizabeth Peters, & Joan Hess
Fiction: Mystery, History, 544 pages
This is the last book in the series, because the author died before it was done and the other author finished it off based on what was done.  In this book there is a bust of Queen Nefertiti that has gone missing and had been given to a master forger, who is making copies of it.  Also there is a family of people named after famous traitors who are after Amelia.  And there is a missing Egyptologist. 

Books of November Part 1:

In case you didn't read the post below, I am still working on books from Halloween, but also have new books in the mix, plus this year who's to say Halloween is done, I mean it is already Christmas and Thanksgiving hasn't happened yet.

The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper by: Hallie Rubenhold

Non-fiction: History, E-book

This is an interesting look at the victims of Jack the Ripper.  It includes all that the author could find about the women before the events, giving them a chance to speak as people and not just as the ripper's victims. Interestingly most of them were not prostitutes at the time of their death, just that at the time poor, homeless woman and prostitute were considered interchangeable given the belief that they would do anything to survive. At least 1 of them had a common law husband who they would not be let into the overnight lodgings they stayed at with any other male. 2 had at times been considers a prostitute, but one of them likely was the willing or unwilling mistress of someone in the family that they worked for years before the events. It was interesting to see that one of the few things that we thought we knew about the Rippers victims might be wrong, as much of the analyzing of the Ripper's victims and who he might have been is based on this idea.  Also it contained a list of what was one each body at the time of death, which was interesting. 

Old World Cookery, Seafood Recipes from 100 Years Ago  by: Catrina LaNoir

Non-fiction: food, history, e-book

This book is a collection of Victorian/Edwardian seafood recipes.  If you have ever read any recipes from that time, it is what you might expect.  A number of them have info like a vague notation on what the main amount and type of thing should be and then (at the time) exact amounts for other things. So combine a fish with a walnut sized amount of butter, etc.  

Goat Castle: A True Story of Murder, Race, and the Gothic South by: Karen L. Cox

Non-fiction: History, 227 pages

This is the story of a murder that happened in the 1930's in a Southern town that included families that were Southern "royalty" and the ancestors of slaves. As one could expect the African Americans were convicted even if they were not a willing participant, but the white "land owners" got off, but didn't necessary life the life they wanted either. 

The Necronomnomnom: Recipes and Rites from the Lore of H. P. Lovecraft by: Red Duke Games, LLC

Non-fiction: pop culture, classics, food and cooking, 197 pages

This is a cookbook that has recipes based on the works of H.P. Lovecraft, some are normal ones that are in some way connected with the series, and some are more about the look then the taste.  Each one is written first in a very Lovecraften way and then in a normal way. (Which is good, as some are hard to tell what the actual ingredients or directions are.) 

I Love Ranch Dressing: And Other Stuff White Midwesterners Like by: Cara Freie

Non-fiction: humor, pop culture, 192 pages

A book based on things white midwestern people like.  Some that you may agree with some that you might not.  Also in at least 1 entry it is important to state that it was published in 2008.