Somewhere Between Bitter And Sweet

I'm Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter meets Emergency Contact in this stunning Pura Belpré Honor Book about first love, familial expectations, the power of food, and finding where you belong. Penelope Prado has always dreamed of opening her own pastelería next to her father's restaurant, Nacho's Tacos. But her mom and dad have different plans—leaving Pen to choose between not disappointing her traditional Mexican American parents or following her own path. When she confesses a secret she's been keeping, her world is sent into a tailspin. But then she meets a cute new hire at Nacho's who sees through her hard exterior and asks the questions she's been too afraid to ask herself. Xander Amaro has been searching for home since he was a little boy. For him, a job at Nacho's is an opportunity for just that—a chance at a normal life, to settle in at his abuelo's, and to find the father who left him behind. But when both the restaurant and Xander's immigrant status are threatened, he will do whatever it takes to protect his newfound family and himself. Together, Pen and Xander must navigate first love and discovering where they belong in order to save the place they all call home. This stunning and poignant novel from debut author Laekan Zea Kemp explores identity, found families and the power of food, all nestled within a courageous and intensely loyal Chicanx community.

Hudson Avery gave up a promising competetive ice skating career after her parents divorced when she was fourteen years old and now spends her time baking cupcakes and helping out in her mother's upstate New York diner, but when she gets a chance at a scholarship and starts coaching the boys' hockey team, she realizes that she is not through with ice skating after all.

It's time to diversify your reading list. This richly illustrated and vastly inclusive collection uplifts the works of authors who are often underrepresented in the literary world. Using their keen knowledge and deep love for all things literary, coauthors Jamise Harper (founder of the Diverse Spines book community) and Jane Mount (author of Bibliophile) collaborated to create an essential volume filled with treasures for every reader: • Dozens of themed illustrated book stacks—like Classics, Contemporary Fiction, Mysteries, Cookbooks, and more—all with an emphasis on authors of color and own voices • A look inside beloved bookstores owned by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color • Reading recommendations from leading BIPOC literary influencers Diversify your reading list to expand your world and shift your perspective. Kickstart your next literary adventure now! EASY TO GIFT: This portable guide is packed with more than 150 colorful illustrations is a perfect gift for any booklover. The textured paper cover, gold foil, and ribbon marker make this book a special gift or self-purchase. DISCOVER UNSUNG LITERARY HEROES: The authors dive deep into a wide variety of genres, such as Contemporary Fiction, Classics, Young Adult, Sci-Fi, and more to bring the works of authors of color to the fore. ENDLESS READING INSPIRATION: Themed book stacks and reading suggestions from luminaries of the literary world provide curated book recommendations. Your to-read list will thank you. Perfect for: bookish people; literary lovers; book club members; Mother's Day shoppers; stocking stuffers; followers of #DiverseSpines; Jane Mount and Ideal Bookshelf fans; Reese's Book Club and Oprah's Book Club followers; people who use Goodreads.com; readers wanting to expand/decolonize their book collections; people interested in uplifting BIPOC voices; antiracist activists and educators; grads and students; librarians and library patrons wanting to expand/decolonize their book collections; people interested in uplifting BIPOC voices; antiracist activists and educators; grads and students; librarians and library patrons

Love can be... Sweet. Bittersweet. And a whole helluva lot in between. But it's there, in that space between the two, where you sometimes find a love that stays with you forever. Whether you're a fan of bitter, sweet, or a combination of both, this short story collection is sure to give you a hit of each--in more ways than one. In fact, in three ways. This collection features the following titles: Love in Color, Not Ordinary, In A Perfect World. Each is a must-read tale that will take you on an unforgettable journey. It all begins somewhere between bitter and sweet. So go on, turn to the first page and get started! Note: This collection contains content that is not appropriate for readers under the age of 18.

"Lively and entertaining: a splendid saga for the general reader." -Kirkus Reviews "Covers a tremendous amount of information. . . . [A] lighthearted but serious look." -Choice A chronicle of the discovery and development of sugar around the world.

When young, author Heidi Patullo bought into the labels donned on her: smart, pretty, talented and Miss Perfect, and for several years her choices, both academic and personal, reflected a fierce dedication to this identity. Superficially, it worked. And yet, even as a young adult, Patullo knew it was for show...merely a veneer of perfection and excellence and certainly not her chosen identity. A born pleaser, she dismayed over disappointing those whom she felt counted on her being the woman they believed her to be. And so she maintained the many acts, downplaying and silencing her own personal need to become the truest version of herself. Ultimately, however, when she found the courage to make the heart wrenching choice to split up her perfect young family, she sent a message, loudly and clearly, that all was not as it appeared. Or, certainly, not in her personal world. But shed only just begun. To act out. And to grow up. This middle-aged mother and teacher would need several years to get it right. Nevertheless, she was determined to become the genuine--and genuinely happy--woman she longed to be. Anyone and everyone could see she was imperfect. She handed that to them.

Bitter/Sweet: Surviving the Struggle Within describes my efforts to face the fears and pain of love and self-love, sickness and health, death and spirituality, and forgiveness. It also expresses my hope to find the answers to life’s questions. First I had to acknowledge self, because without self-acknowledgement, every obstacle will magnify. In understanding what makes me tick and how my past could hold me back, I learned to love myself, which allowed me to find true love. Bitter poisons that once flowed through my veins, are now replaced with the sweet taste of honey. My agonies, frustrations, and pain took me on one excursion after another. The only true journey toward growth and fulfillment is tunneling through the many avenues of self. I had to go within before I could move forward. I had to master this expedition. No matter what I seek, everything I need is already inside me. Am I important enough to myself to go within and search for what I want and need? It is what I choose to accept about my life that will make it “Bitter” or “Sweet.” And I realize that I am not alone. Everyone experiences pain and discord. I hope my words reach others so they too can rejoice. I have learned to celebrate the child within to overcome past hurts and all the old “Bitter/Sweet” experiences. This chronicles where I have been, where I am today, and what I have accomplished.

These days, people are accustomed to seeing chocolate labeled 54%, 61%, or 72% on grocery store shelves, but some bakers are still confused by what the labeling means and how to use it. In Seriously Bitter Sweet, Alice Medrich presents 150 meticulously tested, seriously delicious recipes—both savory and sweet—for a wide range of percentage chocolates. “Chocolate notes” appear alongside, so readers can further adapt any recipe using the percentage chocolate on hand. The book is a complete revision of Alice’s 2003 Bittersweet, which was named the 2004 IACP Cookbook of the Year. Since 2003, the world of chocolate has grown exponentially and terms like “bittersweet” and “semisweet” no longer suffice as chocolatiers everywhere are making chocolates that are labeled with specific percentages of cocoa.Alice clearly outlines the qualities of different chocolates as she explains how to cook with them. With tricks, techniques, and answers to every chocolate question, Seriously Bitter Sweet will appeal to a whole new audience of chocolate lovers