National Geographic’s ‘Wild Seas’ Fills Us with Awe [REVIEW]
I am amazed when I talk to people who have never been to the ocean. Then again, I have always felt like a product of the sea myself. From my childhood in Southern California to my time working in Massachusetts as an adult, the sea has beckoned to me like a siren. I love the feel of the sand underfoot and the waves on my toes. Even the briny scent of ocean air is heady to me. But most of all, I am fascinated by the creatures that live beneath the surface in all their technicolor splendor, whether they are breathtakingly beautiful or look like something out of the Alien movies. I love them all, which is exactly why I think everyone needs a copy of photographer Thomas Peschak’s stunning new book, Wild Seas. In it, he captures our imagination with 200 unforgettable photographs you need to see to believe.
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One Family’s Secrets May Put Them in Peril in Tea Cooper’s ‘The Cartographer’s Secret’ [REVIEW]
Two women separated by time, but bound by blood. One set out on an adventure determined to win a prize. The other must solve a decades old puzzle to find redemption for her family. Will either of them truly get what they want? Find out in Tea Cooper’s spellbinding new historical novel set against the majestic Australian landscape, The Cartographer’s Secret.
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Discover Epic New Ski Runs in National Geographic’s ‘100 Slopes of a Lifetime’ [REVIEW]
If you’ve ever been skiing, whether you were learning on the bunny slopes or flying down a black diamond run, you simply have to close your eyes to be transported back to that one unforgettable day on the mountain. If you’re like me, I bet you can still smell the crisp, clean, pine-scented air. Or maybe you even find yourself involuntarily squinting as you recall how the blinding sun reflects off the snow like a million glittering diamonds. Most of all, I’m sure you will never forget the exhilaration you felt as you soared over the powder, the wind rushing up to meet you until you feel like you will simply take flight at any moment. Whether you ski or snowboard, you know that there is nothing quite so magical as being on the side of a mountain, soaking up nature, having fun with your friends. Now, National Geographic wants to ensure you experience plenty more snow days like that one, and with their new book they’re going to show you 100 Slopes of a Lifetime that will leave your mouth gaping open in awe.
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Pan-Seared Flounder with Lemon Caper Sauce [RECIPE]
When we lived in Massachusetts we got spoiled by the easy access to fresh, high-quality fish. After all, we lived in one of the busiest fishing ports in the country! But just because we live inland now doesn’t mean that we can’t still satisfy our craving for delicious seafood. Whether you have access to fish fresh off the dock or fillets from your grocer’s freezer section, this recipe produces mouthwatering results in a matter of minutes. Just remember that if your fish is frozen, you’ll need to remove it from any vacuum-sealed packaging before you defrost it. It can be thawed on a plate in the fridge overnight or in a bowl of cool water. If you use the latter method, just be sure to keep an eye on it so it isn’t out too long before cooking.
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Ancient Egypt Teaches Us a Thing or Two About Modern Politics in National Geographic’s ‘The Good Kings’ [REVIEW]
Every time I visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, which quite literally has so much to see you can spend days wandering around within its labyrinthine halls, I inevitably find my way to the Sackler Wing to stare at the pharaonic Temple of Dendur which was built by Caesar Augustus in 10 B.C. in Lower Nubia. While it is relatively small compared to, say, the Pyramids of Giza, it is still the closest I have ever gotten to actually going to Egypt. And yet I am always compelled to visit it, possibly because I am fascinated by the history, power, architecture, artistry, and mythology of the Egyptian culture. After all, whether you’re an avid Bible reader or merely a fan of classic films like The Ten Commandments, the foundations of our faith all seem to lead back to ancient Egypt. Thankfully, I’m not alone in my fascination with this culture. UCLA’s Professor Kara Cooney is also a “recovering Egyptologist,” and in her latest book for National Geographic, she pulls back the curtain on five of The Good Kings to examine their power and how it continues to touch our lives even now.
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