The Complete Idiot’s Guide To…

Books Even An Idiot Could Understand! 
Dream Dictionary, Meals in 30 Minutes or Less, and Small Space Gardening

2012 Holiday Gift Guide Selection

   Everyone, regardless of IQ, has come across something at some point that they were unfamiliar with, something that they just didn’t fully understand, something that made them feel like, well, like an idiot.   That’s why there is this great series of books called the The Complete Idiot’s Guide to… any and every topic imaginable that anyone could possibly want to learn or learn more about.   Books whose authors have also experienced that feeling, and know how to take the sting out it by writing informative books using simple steps, inside tips, clear information and even the occasional dash of good humor!  Books that cover tons of topics and are written so that, let’s face it, even an idiot could understand it!    There are over 450 titles covering everything from art and photography to automotive, from history to family and relationships, from new age to pets, and so many, many more.  So whether you are completely confused or constantly curious, The Complete Idiot’s Guide is the perfect place to start!

  I had the opportunity to select a few of these books for review, and have found myself using them again and again. They are very well written, detailed and full of information about each specific topic.

The Complete Idiot’s Guide Dream Dictionary

  My husband sometimes completely blows my mind in that he is able to remember almost each and every dream he has upon awakening.  I, on the other hand, can rarely even remember if I even had a dream!  Each morning we will spend a few minutes in bed while fully coming awake and he will tell me about his dreams.  We usually get a good laugh out of his subconscious trying to blend the bizarre with reality.  I have always found dreams and what they possibly could symbolize an interesting topic, though I am not sure how much credence I would truly give to these so called dream interpretations, but it is enough to make me extremely curious about these dream dictionaries of which I have heard so much about.  So when I was given the opportunity to review the Complete Idiot’s Guide Dream Dictionary, I jumped on it!

   This book is set up exactly like a dictionary, with over 1500 entries arranged in A to Z format covering topics of interest for dream interpretation from specifics such as cell phone, lake, best friend to concepts such as fixing something, driving, or breaking an item.  It uses the most up-to-date vocabulary of dream symbols and dream meanings, and each entry is fully defined and its interpretive meaning fully explored.  When necessary, entries are cross-referenced to other related entries to help you further explore every possible interpretation.  One thing I especially like about this Dictionary is that it does not include entries on the science of sleep or the psychology of dreaming, it only focuses on symbols, meanings and interpretations.  This book is very easy to use thanks to the Dream Themes Index and an Appendix.  There is also the Yin/Yang Dream Shadows feature which is based on Jung’s belief that people have a “shadow self”, a darker side to our emotions and experiences, which yearns to be acknowledged.  Since dreams are often confusing, it often is interesting to explore all sides of the interpretation, even the opposite meaning. This feature uses the Yin Yang symbol that you can follow to a list of of opposite or complimentary dream dictionary entries to explore.  This book is perfect for everyone who is interested in dream interpretation; from those who are just curious about the possible interpretations to those for whom interpretation of their dreams is an integral part of their life.  A book that can be both entertaining and educational!

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Meals in 30 Minutes or Less

  I absolutely love to cook. Throughout my adult years I have gone through different phases of seriousness towards cooking, sometimes trying to create my own masterpieces, other just throwing together simple, basic meals, and still others just following a recipe.  Now that I am married, I am much more serious about cooking, and have come to realize just how much I truly enjoy cooking, whether it be from a recipe or not, especially cooking for my family, and wanting to feed my husband filling and healthy meals.  However, reality often asserts its tough self, and I realize that trying to work, keep house, raise a child and do all that a wife and mother do, my time is somewhat limited in the kitchen, and I do not have much room for hours of preparation and creation.  The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Meals in 30 Minutes or Less to the rescue!

   This is the perfect cookbook for the incredibly busy cook! It is filled with delicious, easy-to-follow recipes that take very little time to prepare and finish! It has over 500 recipes for every meal of the day from breakfast to snack to dinner to dessert, recipes using a variety of ingredients from vegetables to meats. It is very easy to use, organized into sections based on the meal. It is divided into 7 sections including one on everything you need to be able to get in and out of the kitchen quickly covering pantry staples to the correct pots and pans. Then there’s a section on breakfast, one on lunch, one on snacks and appetizers, another on dinner, the next on side dishes and finally, a section devoted to desserts. You will find different symbols and icons through out each section which allow you to quickly identify everything from definitions, to tips for quicker cooking, from time wasting alerts to icons that flag the amount of time a particular recipe will take. There is also a Glossary and an Index to further help organize this book and simplify the process. I have prepared several recipes from this book, recipes that were healthy and delicious, and that literally took 30 minutes or less! This is quickly becoming one of my favorite cookbooks to use, especially during the week!

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Small-Space Gardening

  Another past time I truly love, that has been severely limited due to apartment living, is gardening.  A few years ago, a different lifetime, I rented a house that had a wonderful backyard where I would spend the majority of my free time with my hands in the cool moist soil coaxing colorful flowers and delicious vegetables from its depths.  Fast forward to today, I live in an apartment with a pretty good-sized patio, but no yard of green grass to call my own.  Over the years I let myself almost forget how much I loved tending to the plants, nurturing and caring for them. I came close to letting myself completely forget that feeling, and how relaxing and therapeutic gardening can truly be.  Until I had the chance to review The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Small-Space Gardening!

   This book has re-awoken my long dormant, and sorely missed, green thumb!  It is filled with wonderful ideas and intelligent tips for gardening in small spaces.  Whether it be a postage stamp piece of yard or, as in my case, an apartment balcony, this book helps you create and maintain a lush, beautiful garden.  Not only does it cover the basics such as your Hardiness Zone, the amount of sunlight in your “garden” and even managing your own microclimate, but it also focuses on design, color coordinating and fragrance.  There is a section on different types of small space gardens such as fruit, vegetable, flower and herbs, as well as a section on good gardening practices to keep your garden protected and nurtured.  There is even a section on the best types of plants for small spaces.  This book literally tells you everything you need to know to design, plant, grow and tend the perfect small-space garden.  It is very well organized and easy to follow, and it includes many pictures, diagrams and drawings to offer even more inspiration.  Plus there is a Glossary and an Index, as well as a couple of Appendices on additional small-space gardening resources, and common and botanical plant names.  This book is a definite ‘must’ for both the beginner small space gardener and even the expert!

My Verdict

  There is tons of information crammed into each of these books which are written well enough, and simply enough to where anyone could become practically an expert on the chosen topic! The books can be big or small, thick or thin, full of pictures or full of words, but no matter what, each one is written in an easy-to-understand, enjoyable, fun-to-read style. I have found myself constantly reading and re-reading these books, cooking the recipes, interpreting the dreams and designing and planning container gardens for each upcoming season.  As I mentioned above, these books are perfect for anyone from the completely confused to the constantly curious! Keep in mind, the Holidays are almost here, and these books would make an ideal gift for anyone on your list! 

   The Complete Idiot’s Guide books can be purchased directly through the website, and at many stores both online and off.  They are very reasonably priced, and contain a wealth of information; and everyone knows that knowledge is priceless!  Be sure to check them out on both Facebook and Twitter for all the latest releases, deals, promotions and more!  Plus you can also become part of their community through Pinterest, Google Plus, YouTube and other sites, as well as by sharing your knowledge on your specific topic!   The Complete Idiot’s Guide, not just for idiots!