The Long History of the Future: Why Tomorrow's Tech Still Isn't Here

 The Long History of the Future: Why Tomorrow's Tech Still Isn't Here, Nicole Kobie, Bloomsbury Sigma, 2024

For those who grew up in the 1960s, the 21st century was supposed to usher in an era of automation, robot servants and vacations on the moon. Who remembers the TV show "The Jetsons"? Where is it? Where is my flying car? This book attempts to give an answer.

Driverless cars have gotten a lot of publicity in recent years, both good and bad. It will be a long time before robots can walk and move on their own (whether in a factory or in public) without falling over or walking into a wall.

A couple of smart cities have been built, including one in Malaysia and one in the UAE. They are not exactly a roaring success. Perhaps a more modest, and achievable goal is trash bins that can signal when they are full, or underground pipes that can signal when there is a leak or other problem. Do you remember Google Glass? Enough said about augmented reality.

Many attempts have been made to graft airplane wings onto a car with enough power for liftoff. Once the flying car is in the air, where does it land? Can it land on a suburban street, fold its wings, then pull into the driveway (like an average car)? Probably not. Will it need a dedicated landing area, like a rooftop heliport? If flying cars become popular, it will be necessary to create things like airborne intersections and stop lights and speed limits.

This is an excellent book. It provides an easy-to-understand history of each subject. Where is The Future? Here is a very well-done answer to that question.

 

The Easy Diabetic Cookbook for Beginners

 The Easy Diabetic Cookbook for Beginners, David C Smoot, 2026

You, or a loved one, has just been diagnosed with diabetes. What do you do now?

Healthy eating has suddenly become very important. This book concentrates on colorful produce, high-fiber grains and lean proteins. Instead of restrictive diets that limit the dieter to 3 ounces of this, or 6 ounces of that, visualize the entire plate, and have, for instance, 1/4 plate of protein or 1/2 plate of produce. These meals also promote a slow and steady release of glucose into your bloodstream, avoiding the infamous "sugar spike."

Manufacturers use over 60 different names for sugar. Beware of Maltodextrin, Dextrose, Rice Syrup and Barley Malt. To get the amount of net carbs in an item, subtract fiber from total carbs (the lower the net carbs, the better).

There are recipes for all meals in the day. The instructions are very clear and easy-to-follow. Included is a 30-day meal plan for consistent meal planning. This book is good for individuals and families. For anyone who is dealing with diabetes, or who simply wants to eat healthier, this book deserves serious consideration.

The Homemade Ninja Slushie Alcohol Cookbook for Adults

 The Homemade Ninja Slushie Alcohol Cookbook for Adults, Isemoka Colerike, 2026

The Ninja Slushie blender is a good way to create bold, flavorful drinks for rooftop parties or hot summer days. This book adds alcohol to the mix.

The whole process involves a lot more than just adding some wine to fruit pieces in the machine and press Start. The amount of sugar involved is very important. Fruit juices and concentrates have a known amount of sugar; fruit pieces do not. Too much sugar, or not enough sugar, will cause your mixture to remain a liquid, with no slush happening, or will turn it into a giant ice cube.

The book talks about the individual parts of the machine, including the auger, the reservoir and the evaporator cylinder. If you want to make a "skinny" (diet) drink, skipping the sugar, use a tablespoon or two of real agave or simple syrup, or you will get a block of ice. The Ninja Slushie does not add cold, but removes heat. Putting your mixture in the refrigerator for a couple of hours ahead of time is a very good idea. 

For those who want to raise the sophistication of their entertaining, this book is well worth checking out.

The 21-Day Vocabulary Builder Workbook

The 21-Day Vocabulary Builder Workbook, K Stallone, 2025

This book does more than just provide a bunch of words to memorize.

It gives the pronunciation and the type of word it is (noun, verb, adjective). It also explains the word in a couple of sentences. That is so the reader can understand the difference between (for example) tradition and folklore, metaphor and simile or ambition and drive.

Each of these separate tests is based on a specific subject, like Wealth and Poverty Vocabulary; Social Butterflies, Lone Wolves and Balanced Minds; Making Complex Ideas Sound Simple; The Future of Tech - Robotics and Virtual Reality.

At the end of each section are short exercises to reinforce the new words in your brain. Learning vocabulary can be boring. This book does a very good job of making it not boring. It is a gem of a book. 

Digital PSAT/NMSQT Vocabulary 2100 Volume II

 Digital PSAT/NMSQT Vocabulary 2100 Volume II, K Jonathan, 2026

This book is intended to help students prepare for the vocabulary sections of the Digital Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

There is no mass memorization of words, as in previous tests. Now, the test is all about understanding high-frequency, real-world words in context. This concentrates on things like antonyms, synonyms, homonyms and words in context in larger paragraphs. 

The test is timed, so the individual tests in this book are timed. It will help the student to make quick decisions on test day. It also helps to keep studying from getting overwhelming.

This is very much recommended for any student preparing for the test. It is also worth the time and money for students of any age who need help with their vocabulary.

ATI TEAS 7 English & Language Usage

 ATI TEAS 7 English and Language Usage, JR Morgan, 2026

This book helps to prepare students for the Test of Essential Academic Skills. It's a proctored exam used for admission to nursing and allied health programs. It covers subjects like math, science and reading, and lasts for more than three hours. This book covers the English part of the test.

The actual test is a timed test, so this book is divided into separate tests of about 10 minutes each. This book covers, for example, sentence types and clarity, subject-verb agreement, when and where to use commas, synonyms, antonyms, breaking down unfamiliar words using prefixes and suffixes and identifying topic sentences. As usual, answers are in the back of the book.

The short tests help to cut down on mental fatigue. This book does a very good job at clearly presenting the material in a way that will make it stick. It is recommended for anyone who is taking the test, and for students of any age who need some advanced vocabulary help. 

DSM-5-TR Desk Reference: Diagnostic Criteria Guide

 DSM-5-TR Desk Reference Diagnostic Criteria Guide, Nicholas Strathford, 2026

This is intended as a concise version of the DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria, to be used for diagnosing mental health conditions. It is not intended to replace the full DSM-5-TR manual.

This streamlined book covers all of the major health conditions, including Schizophrenia, Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Feeding and Eating Disorders and Gender Dysphoria. For each disorder, there is a definition, followed by simplified diagnostic criteria and a clinical checklist. These are followed by exclusion notes (do not diagnose this disorder if . . .) and other notes for clinicians.

Start with this book to narrow down a possible diagnosis, then go to the full DSM-5-TR manual to get the right diagnosis. The information in this book is organized and clearly presented. It is recommended for anyone in the mental health field. 

The Complete Mediterranean Diet Cookbook

 The Complete Mediterranean Diet Cookbook, Carol Benoit, 2026

This diet takes a balanced approach to eating. It concentrates on fresh ingredients, like fruits, vegetables and lean proteins that come from the Mediterranean region. There are no rules or restrictions; nothing is forbidden.

The recipes are made with everyday ingredients. The instructions are clear and easy to follow, so that even beginner chefs can be successful. The recipes work very well if you are cooking for one, or for a family. Another important aspect is to eat mindfully, enjoying your food, and enjoying the company of other people. 

There are recipes in this book for all meals in the day, from breakfast to dinner to snacks and desserts. For anyone who wants to eat healthier, here is a very good place to start.

The Easy Mediterranean Diet Cookbook for Beginners

 The Easy Mediterranean Diet Cookbook for Beginners, Rene C. Searcy, 2026

The Mediterranean Diet is not a "diet" in the sense of having to count carbs or calories. It is more of a lifestyle that starts with eating fresh fruits and vegetables, organic if possible, from that part of the world (France, Italy, Greece).

The Diet also encourages the eating of fatty fish, healthy fats, lean meat and the occasional glass of red wine. It also focuses on slowing down when you eat, to enjoy your food, and increasing your interactions with other people.

The instructions in this book are clear and easy to follow, so that even beginner chefs can be successful. There is a 30-day meal plan, to make menu planning very easy. There are plenty of options for different tastes. The book has recipes for all meals in the day, from breakfast to dessert.

For anyone who wants to try a non-restrictive weight loss plan, or just wants to eat healthier, start here. It is an excellent book.

SSAT & ISEE (Upper) Vocabulary 2000 Volume III

 SSAT & ISEE (Upper) Vocabulary 2000 Volume III, James Shaw, 2026

Here is a book to prepare for the Upper portion of the SSAT & ISEE standardized vocabulary tests.

This book is set up as a series of timed tests, because the actual test is a timed test. The individual tests explore analogies, synonyms, antonyms, sentence completion and homophones (two words with the same pronunciation but with different meanings and spellings). As usual, answers are in the back of the book.

It is perfect for whenever a few minutes of free time becomes available. This book is recommended for any student taking the exam, and also for life-long learners of any age.

The Newest Diabetic Diet Cookbook After 60

 The Newest Diabetic Diet Cookbook After 60, Statuley Thomate, 2025

You have just been diagnosed with diabetes. You are also a senior who may have other health issues. Healthy eating is no longer just a good idea; it is now a requirement. This book may be able to help. 

Each of these recipes are designed to balance nutrition levels, reduce inflammation and keep steady blood sugar levels. There is a 30-day meal plan to reduce meal prep guesswork. The instructions are easy-to-read, and the meals are easy on your budget using common ingredients from your supermarket. There are recipes for all times of the day, from breakfast to dessert.

This book is very much recommended for seniors with diabetes, or who just want to eat healthier. It is also recommended for anyone, of any age, with blood sugar issues.

The 30-Minute Mediterranean Diet Cookbook for Seniors

 The 30-Minute Mediterranean Diet Cookbook for Seniors, Nicahole Garohare, 2026

For anyone who is not familiar with it, the Mediterranean Diet is all about eating food from that part of the world (France, Italy, Greece). It emphasizes fresh fruits and vegetables, fatty fish, lean meats and an occasional glass of red wine.

Seniors might have dietary or mobility restrictions, so this book presents one-pot, or one-pan, recipes that have a prep time of less than 30 minutes. Equally important is getting some exercise, even just walking or gardening. Spending time with friends or family will do good things for a person's mental health. 

There are recipes for all meals in the day, from breakfast to sides to snacks. The book also has a 30-day meal plan. If you have a senior parent who needs some nutrition help, or if you are a senior who wants to eat healthier, start here. It is very much recommended.