Quick Reviews: Creative Acts for Curious People | The Great Vegan Bean Book

Here are the latest books I’ve read!

Summary

In an era of ambiguous, messy problems–as well as extraordinary opportunities for positive change–it’s vital to have both an inquisitive mind and the ability to act with intention. Creative Acts for Curious People is filled with ways to build those skills with resilience, care, and confidence.

At Stanford University’s world-renowned Hasso Plattner Institute of Design, aka “the d.school,” students and faculty, experts and seekers bring together diverse perspectives to tackle ambitious projects; this book contains the experiences designed to help them do it. A provocative and highly visual companion, it’s a definitive resource for people who aim to draw on their curiosity and creativity in the face of uncertainty. Teeming with ideas about discovery, learning, and leading the way through unknown creative territory, Creative Acts for Curious People includes memorable stories and more than eighty innovative exercises.

Review

DNF. This book uses so many words to get an idea across. I get that it recognizes how different the Stanford d.school’s environment is from the rest of the world and that it wants to create change in common thought processes, but I think its lofty idealism and academese present a barrier for it to truly connect with the average person living in the “real” world. The second assignment about talking to strangers and asking for their phone number is a prime example of this impressive level of detachment.

Summary

Garbanzo. Cannellini. Fava. Black. Red. Pinto. Great Northern. Butter. They’re one of nature’s most perfect foods and certainly one of the most versatile. Packed with protein, nutrients, and flavor, they are the answer (for both vegans and non-vegans) to getting protein into your meals in the most delicious ways possible.

But with so much versatility and variety, where does one begin? Right inside these very pages, that’s where. There are recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts, snacks, and everything in between.

Review

I like the options provided for using canned vs dried beans and the alternate beans for cooks who want to get fancy. The baked good and dessert recipes interest me more than the savory ones.