About

Hi. I’m Christine. I read — this should be obvious or I’ll worry about you.

When I’m not reading, you’ll find me raising two children, organizing events for our community or our neighborhood, writing for or designing monthly magazines (the dreaded day job), gardening or baking. I bake a lot and can regularly be found eating my goodies with tea while – you guessed it! – reading. I also listen to audiobooks while I hike or wander my neighborhood on foot with a very anxious dog.

On this site, you’ll find opinionated yet personable reviews on selected work. If I enjoyed reading it, you’ll find it here.

I’m unable to cover everything, nor am I able to say nice things about everyone. We’ll skirt around this issue by skipping reviews of bad books. (They DO exist!) Negative reviews aren’t fun to write or read. We’ll keep them to an absolute minimum here, though let’s agree that it’s fair to point out weaknesses in books with excellent overall content.

This blog focuses primarily on memoir, food writing, crafting and how-to, health, + cookbooks. You will also find other nonfiction – environmental, graphic design, self-help, motivational, + story compendiums.

Most of the books you’ll see reviewed were provided courtesy of the publisher, but I also review my own purchases and borrowed titles. If it’s printed, it’s fair game.

Want me to review your book?

I welcome reading materials in all genres, though I reserve the right to filter the titles I review. Email me at christine [at] cemming [dot] com to suggest a title or request an address for published work that fits into preferred genres (or something very adjacent): fiction, memoir, food writing, crafting and how-to, health and exercise, cookbooks.

If the book you’ve sent me hasn’t shown up here, sit tight. I may not have gotten around to it yet. The stacks on my desk grow rather precarious now and then. If your book disappears from the “Upcoming Reviews” sidebar without being showcased, I might not have enjoyed it as much as you felt I should. Feel free to ask, but I will offer an honest opinion — even if it’s unflattering. I did mention, above, about not posting negative reviews. You’re welcome.