Review Date: 7/31/2010

I read this book from cover to cover. I enjoyed the authors insights as to the reason behind the ingredients that make up basic cakes and how they work together. It was not hard to follow or understand. I appreciated his explanations about which type of ingredients work best...ie: Madagascar bourbon Vanilla or why not to use water in the recipes...even to mix with the cocoa powder in a chocolate cake. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand the why's and how's of baking a delicious cake. He includes also, some amazing recipes for cakes of several different types, and the genache and fillings as well as the icings. I made a cake the very next day using his tips and methods of mixing. It turned out amazing and got raves from my friends. This book is now my go-to guide for all of my cake baking needs.

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Review Date: 7/22/2010

In her usual style, each character has a voice and the story unwinds and intertwines through each persons perspective. It is a good read but I felt it was a bit unrealistic at times. When telling the story through Jacob's eyes, she has the character make observations about other people's emotions based on what their faces show...something they say he is incapable of doing. I also feel like the story was drawn out a bit long and while you know how it is going to end, it feels like it is never going to actually get there. You just want to scream at times...."Just ask the kid the right questions!" And while I knew it was coming, I was a bit disappointed in the ending. Sort of an unrealistic happily-ever-after-ish kind of finish.
But overall, it is a good book and helps the reader appreciate the hardships of a person with Aspergers/Autism and their families. I would recommend this read even tho I don't believe it is Jodi Picoults best work.

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