Weekend Cooking: 9 New Food and Cooking Books

Hello, my friends. Hope that all has been well with you. I'm still cooking and reviewing, but needed a little break.

In today's post, I want to share with you a bunch of food-related books I have on my list to examine more closely. I haven't fully read or cooked from any of them yet, so the following thoughts are gleaned from a combination of skimming through the text, marking dishes I'd like to try, reading bits here and there, and (in some cases) actually trying a recipe. I'll let you know what I think--either here or on GoodReads--after I take the time to read and explore each title.

Thank you to the publishers for providing the review copies. My reactions are purely my own.

What's the Difference? by Brette Warshaw (Harper Wave, June): This handy kitchen reference helps cooks distinguish between similar ingredients, like ale vs. lager, prawns vs. shrimp, and all the different styles of barbecue and types of flour. The information is presented in a straightforward manner and is divided into logical sections, making it easy to find what you're looking for. While it's certainly convenient to have a book that gathers all these kinds of data in one place, my guess is that most readers would simply use Google or the equivalent to figure out the difference, for example, between creme fraiche and sour cream.

At the Chinese Table by Carolyn Phillips (Norton, June 15): This memoir details Phillips's transformation from a food-loving language student in Taipei to eldest daughter-in-law of a traditional Chinese family. She talks about her discovery of the full range of Chinese cuisine, her courtship and marriage to a Chinese scholar, and how she eventually was accepted by her husband's family. Here she shares her almost 50-year love affair with China and its foods, ending each chapter with at least two recipes. Throughout are charming black-and-white drawings.

We Are What We Eat by Alice Waters (Penguin Press, June 1): In her latest book, Waters stays true to her ideals, outlining her philosophy on sustainability, the need to use local products, and the importance of home cooking or slow cooking. She talks about the pressure of advertising and economic issues as well as the effects the fast-food and convenience food industries have on farmers, on the planet, and on our health.

One-Beer Grilling by Mike Lang (Castle Point Books, May): The point of this cookbook is to provide grilling recipes that can be made "before you finish your first cold one." The cookbook is full of easy and very tasty-sounding recipes for sides, meats, sandwiches, appetizers, and even pizza. Almost every recipe is accompanied by a full-page color photo of the finished dish. I like the variety of dishes and the idea of quick grilling, which is perfect for busy families, weeknight dinners, and casual entertaining.

The Maine Farm Table Cookbook by Kate Shaffer (Countryman Press, June): We love Maine, so I was excited to see this cookbook pop up on my list. Here Shaffer introduces us to a wide variety of Maine producers, farmers, and fishermen, located throughout the state. We meet the people, we see gorgeous photos, and learn about Maine's food culture. The recipes are often family dishes provided by the local growers and producers. While the recipes feature local foods, they can be reproduced in any out-of-state kitchen.

What's Good? by Peter Hoffman (Abrams, June): This chef's memoir is one I plan to read a chapter at a time. Hoffman intertwines his journey from childhood to well-known chef with his discovery of specific flavors (maple syrup, garlic, stone fruits, for example), with inside information about the restaurant world, visits to farmers markets, seasonal foodie delights, travel, and the farm to table movement. This is just my kind of foodie memoir, and I'm looking forward to trying out the recipes scattered throughout. In fact, I've already tried one of the cocktails, which is made with a maple syrup simple syrup. Yum.

Cheese, Wine, and Bread by Katie Quinn (William Morrow, April): Though Quinn's new book does include a few recipes, its not really a cookbook. Instead this book is a deep dive into three specific types of food and three countries. In England we learn about all things cheese: how it's make, different types, melt factors, and the people and places that make cheese so delicious. Italy is all about the wine, from harvest to bottle to table. Again, we travel throughout the country and discover all its vast diversity. Finally we head to France to learn about bread, bread starters, baking bread, different kinds of bread, and the boulangeries we want to visit. Beautifully illustrated with drawings, graphics, and photographs.

Technically Food by Larissa Zimberoff (Abrams, June): This expose, written by an investigative journalist, takes a hard look at high-tech foods: those better-than-beef burgers, non-dairy cheeses, and molds and fungi. Zimberoff asks--and answers--the questions many of us have: Are these "foods" safe and nutritious? Are they really environmentally and ethically sound? Is the high-tech food industry just a way for Silicon Valley to make money or is it the answer to food shortages around the world? This book may change the way you shop and read labels.

Cook for Your Gut Health by Alicia A. Romano (America's Test Kitchen, April): I picked up this cookbook for a couple of reasons. First, it's from ATK, and second, it includes recipes specifically for people on gluten free, diary free, and/or low FODMAP diets. Though I don't have any of those restrictions, several of my friends and family do have to watch their diet. I wanted a reliable source of flavorful recipes so I don't have to worry about inviting those people to eat at my table. Not every recipe will fit all three diets, but ATK clearly labels their dishes so you can find exactly the right foods to cook. I've already made several recipes from the book and loved each one. I still need to read the information at the beginning of the book, which goes through gut health, discusses ingredients, and offers tips and suggestions. If you are on a special diet, you might want to buy or borrow this cookbook.

Shared with Weekend Cooking, hosted by Marg at The Intrepid Reader (and Baker)

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6 True Stories for Adult Readers

Happy holiday weekend if you’re celebrating something in your part of the world (it’s Father’s Day for some, Labor Day for others). We don’t have any particular plans, but I sure hope to get in some reading time. I am backed up on my adult nonfiction (I read and reviewed kids’ nonfiction last week), and I’m bummed because there are so many great titles this month. Here are six that remain on my list. If I’m lucky, I’ll have a review for at least one of these on Monday.

Death on the Derwent: Sue Neill-Fraser’s Story by Robin Bowles (Scribe US, Aug. 27). What it’s about: In the summer of 2009, a man disappeared from his yacht on Australia Day. His partner of almost 20 years was convicted of the murder, despite the lack of evidence, including a body and a weapon. Thanks to a change in Tasmanian law, Sue Neill-Fraser has recently been given a chance to prove her innocence. Why I want to read it: The tagline of book caught my attention—“Don’t fool yourself that the innocent never go to jail.” Bowles is a well-known true-crime writer. Reviews: The book hasn’t gotten stellar reviews, though the story is definitely timely, with a potential witness coming forward and Neill-Fraser's new trial on the horizon.

Searching for Family and Traditions at the French Table by Carole Bumpus (She Writes Press, Aug. 27). What it’s about: Part travel writing, part culinary adventure, Bumpus introduces us to the French families who invited her into their homes and to their dining tables to talk about food, life, wine, and cooking. The book is organized by regions and is full of stories and musings on everyday food and kitchens, gathered from more than 70 interviews. Why I want to read it: This is so me and sounds like something I’ll eat up (pun intended). Even better, the book is subtitled “Book One,” so I hope there’s more to come. Oh, and did mention the included maps and recipes? Reviews: This book has gotten universal praise from both everyday readers and professional reviewers.

Five Days Gone by Laura Cumming (Scribner’s, Aug. 27). What it’s about: When the author’s mother was three years old (in the 1920s), she was kidnapped but recovered five days later, apparently unharmed. Her parents sheltered their daughter thereafter but never told her about the incident. Later, however, Betty learns about the kidnapping as well as other secrets concerning her early life. This book is Cumming’s attempt to help her aging mother uncover all the truths. Why I want to read it: It sounds like a fascinating story that is a mix of investigative work, the story of a family, and the story of a mother and daughter. Reviews: Reviewers have good things to say about the way Cummings was able to tease out the facts from the family stories, photographs, documents, and other sources.

Faber & Faber: The Untold Story by Toby Faber (Faber & Faber, Aug. 13). What it’s about: On the 90th anniversary of the publishing house that brought many of the greats—T. S. Eliot, Sylvia Path, Lawrence Durrell, and Marianne Moore among them—to print, the founder’s grandson, Toby Faber, tells us the stories behind the books and authors, including how the company survived the war and which books they rejected. A story of publishing, books, and a changing world. Why I want to read it: As a book lover and a long-time book editor, I must read this. I particularly relish and celebrate what the New Yorker calls “small major” independent publishers. Reviews: The history has been earning many positive reviews for its insights and behind-the-scene stories.

The Mosquito by Timothy C. Winegard (Dutton; Aug. 6). What’s it about: The subtitle explains why you should be interested in the annoying mosquito—“A Human History of Our Deadliest Predator.” You may find it hard to believe, but the mosquito has been a direct driver of human genetics, human migrations, human conflicts, and so much more. It has killed tens of billions of people throughout history and hasn’t stopped yet. The mosquito is much more than a summer annoyance. Why I want to read it: As a former anthropologist and geneticist, I’ve been thinking about the interconnections between humans and mosquitoes for decades. I want to know the newest research. (I’m planning on an audio/eGalley co-read.) Reviews: This book has gotten mixed reviews, the negatives mostly related to its length and style.

Travel Light, Move Fast by Alexandra Fuller (Penguin Press, Aug. 6). What's it about: In her latest memoir, Fuller pays tribute to and tells the story of her father, Tim. Fuller morns her father’s loss while celebrating everything about him that made her life what it is: living in the moment, hanging on to hope, embracing everything life gives you. She writes about how Tim ended up in Africa after he left England, about how he met his wife (Fuller's mother), and about his life in Zambia as a family man. She also writes about what her life has been like without him. Why I want to read it: I’ve read pretty much everything Fuller has written, and I love her observations about her family and life in general. I’ve always wanted to know more about her father. Reviews: Reviewers have nothing but positive reactions to Fuller’s storytelling abilities.

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Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: An Eclectic Reading Week

Happy hot Monday. I know I haven't written a review post in two weeks, but I just haven't been reading all that much. First was July 4, then I took another long weekend (off the grid and with friends), and then had to somehow get all my work done in between.

Oh, and in the meantime, I found a tick embedded in my arm and had to take antibiotics (hope we stopped any Lyme in its tracks) and my washing machine suddenly decided it wasn't going to move past the *fill* cycle. Fortunately, I was in the other room, and the ensuing flood (in my kitchen!) wasn't too horrible.

It took us a couple of hours to clean up the mess. Then we had to research a new washer and run around town trying to find someone who could deliver our top-choice machine this week. Success, and the new washer will be here Wednesday. In the meantime, we had tons of soaking wet dirty laundry (the stuff in the washer, plus the stuff on the floor waiting to go into the washer). It's all dry now and will be washed in a few days. Oh and did I mention it was almost 100F and we don't have central A/C?

Enough of that. No major damage (except to our wallet), so all is fine -- more or less.

Age of Legend by Michael J. Sullivan (Grim Oak Press, July 9). This is the fourth book in the Legends of the First Empire series. In three related series, Sullivan has created a complex, believable world with fully realized characters and a consistent history. I absolutely adore his books, his ability to write a compelling plot with a good mix of action, character interactions, descriptive prose, and flowing dialogue. Sad things and rough things happen, but there's always a touch of humor to keep readers buoyed. In this entry, the war between the humans and elves continues. We see a glimmer of hope for resolution, but can we trust that the plan will end in success? One thing I really loved about Age of Legend is that the story revolves around one of the (up to this point) minor characters, so we get a little different perspective on the greater political, magical, and spiritual aspects of the changing world. What didn't I like? The book ended on a cliff-hanger! Argh!!! The good news is that next installment should be out before the year is over. I need to know what happens to some of my favorite characters. I listened to the unabridged audiobook (Recorded Books; 14 hr, 34 min), read by the fantabulous Tim Gerard Reynolds. Reynolds is THE voice of Sullivan's books and his characterizations are not to be missed. I can't say enough about his sense of pacing, his smooth delivery of the dialogue, his comedic timing . . . Reynolds has it all. (print copy and audiobook copy from my personal library)

Amelia Fang and the Barbaric Ball / Amelia Fang and the Unicorns of Glitteropolis by Laura Ellen Anderson (Delacorte BYR, July 30). I love middle grade fiction, though I'm normally drawn to books written for a tween audience. The Amelia Fang books are geared to somewhat younger readers, but I loved the premise and put them on my review list. Amelia is a young vampire who has a pet pumpkin. Her best friends are Florence Spudwick (a rare breed of Yeti) and Grimaldi Reaperton (a grim reaper in training). In Barbaric Ball Amelia has to be nice to the young prince of Nocturina, but Tangine isn't very nice back. The underlying message of the story is about friendship and how we shouldn't judge others' behavior until we know their background. In Unicorns, the four friends must travel to the terrifying land of light (with its unicorns and fairies) to try to set things right for Tangine and his family. The underlying message here is trying new things, being brave, and learning that different kinds of beings are scary only because we don't know their true nature. It's not all that sappy because there really are some bad guys in Glitteropolis.

Here are some other things that make the Amelia Fang books such fun to read. First and foremost is Anderson's laugh-out-loud sense of humor. For example, in Amelia's dark world of vampires and goblins, insults are terms of endearment. In fact, Amelia's father lovingly calls his wife "Dearest belch-breath." Each book begins with a map and then black and white portraits of the main characters. Each portrait includes the character's likes and dislikes (Tangine hates an empty stomach). Throughout the chapter books, readers are treated to Anderson's expressive illustrations: We see the emotions on the character's faces, drawings of scenery, and busy action scenes. Anderson also uses different fonts to convey different types of text: noises, Florence's dialogue, notes, signs, and so on.

The Amelia Fang books star a girl vampire, but she has female and male friends of different creatures, making it easy for all kinds of readers to find plenty to love in these stories. I'm looking forward to the next books in the series. (Thanks to the publisher for finished review copies)

Burn the Ice by Kevin Alexander (Penguin Press, July 9). In this well-researched book, Alexander takes a look at the American foodie boom, especially in the early twenty-first century. He looks at the role of social media, the "spicing" of American foods, the rise of celebrity chefs, important food cities, the rediscovery of cocktails, the #metoo movement, the #blacklivesmatter movement, NOLA and Katrina, and much more. To tell this story, Alexander focuses on a handful of important restaurant chefs and their establishments: how they came to cooking, what they brought to the scene, and where they set up shop. Some of them you may have heard of--like Tom Colicchio from Gramercy Tavern and Top Chef--and others are much less well known--like Anja Mitra and his wife, Emily, who brought Indian food to the Bay Area. Some people we meet in depth, like Portland's Gabriel Rucker, and others are given short bursts of background info (Guy Fieri and Ree Drummand). I was particularly interested in the history of hot chicken and the story of Indian food in California, both of which reflect on business competition, different levels of personal ambition, and what happens when diners and chefs sense a trend. Be warned: Burn the Ice jumps around a bit and doesn't hold back on adult language. Alexander's examination of the rise and fall of the new millennium's food scene will be most appealing to those of us who are interested in food movements and the interplay between the food world, the economy, and cultural trends. My review of the audiobook edition will be available via AudioFile magazine.

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Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: A Mixed Reading Week

Last week, I mentioned my out-of-hand book stacks. I had truly reached the end of my rope, so I spent the entire weekend taking charge of my library. What a relief.

There are advantages to waiting until you're desperate: I ended up being quite ruthless about what I kept and what I didn't. I still have a few books on the floor, but the piles are no longer a tripping hazard. Even better, I no longer have any double-stacked bookshelves.

It's always a difficult and lengthy chore to cull my personal library, but I reminded myself that every book I donated is still available at my local library and my bookstore. The result? My house is breathing easier, and I'm feeling less stressed.

What I Read Last Week

Death of a Poison Pen by M. C. Beaton (Blackstone Audio; 5 hr, 12 min). This is the 19th book in the Hamish Macbeth cozy mystery series, set in northern Scotland. These books are the perfect escape: they're fun, light, and short. Hamish is a 30-something village constable, who is seen as unambitious and somewhat lazy, but in reality, he just loves the countryside and his village of Lochdubh. Although he's an excellent detective, he has successfully avoided being promoted to a city job. In Death of a Poison Pen, gossip in a nearby town leads to murder. Besides solving the murders, Hamish is dealing with a flirtatious visitor, a sleazy newspaper intern, and police politics. Fans of the series, like me, who are caught up in Hamish's personal life will especially like this installment. Narrator Graeme Malcolm does a fine job with the accents, pacing, and humor. (Personal copy)

Wildcard by Marie Lu (Listening Library; 10 hr, 51 min). Although I was surprised at how much I liked the first book in Lu's sci-fi, cyber punk, high-action series (see my review of Warcross), I was not drawn in by the second installment. There was nothing specifically wrong with the story, which involves a complex virtual reality world and high-stakes gaming, but I wasn't invested in the task our hero, Emika Chen, is given in this book. She and her friends must stop an evil man who is intent on taking over the world through a mind-control app. Perhaps it's the current news cycle or the fact that I'm not a big gamer, but in any case, I was not caught up in Wildcard. Narrator Nancy Wu is great, creating consistent characterizations and good accents. Unfortunately, not even her fine performance was enough to keep me tuned in. This is a DNF (did not finish). Note, however, the book and audiobook have earned many positive reviews. (Review copy provided by the publisher.)

Just Kids: Illustrated Edition by Patti Smith (Ecco; October 3). I listened to the original edition of Just Kids and reviewed it here and for AudioFile magazine in 2011. I believe the new edition contains the same text except for an updated introduction and, of course, the illustrations sprinkled throughout. I did not carefully read the book again; instead I skimmed it, rereading a passage here and there, as I looked at the photographs. I don't have anything new to say about this moving and tender memoir and tribute to Robert Mapplethorpe, except the photographs are striking and add immensely to the emotional impact of Smith's words. I'm glad I took the time to browse the new edition of Just Kids and pause over the visuals. If you choose to listen to the audiobook (HarperAudio; 9 hr, 54 min), read by Smith herself, I recommend that you have a copy of the illustrated edition in hand (you can check it out from the library). If you haven't yet read the memoir, do yourself a favor and seek out this new edition. The book itself won the National Book Award, and Smith has won several prestigious awards for her work. (Review copy provided by the publisher.)

Fashion Climbing by Bill Cunningham (preface by Hilton Als) (Penguin Press, September 4). I've been a Bill Cunningham fan for years, though I know him mostly through his photographs of New York City street style. Cunningham wrote Fashion Climbing, a memoir of his early life and rise in the fashion industry, some time ago but held off sharing it until after his death. Although I loved Bill Cunningham New York (click through for my review), a documentary about him, I ended up only skimming his memoir instead of reading it. There is nothing wrong with Cunningham's writing style, but, frankly, the documentary told me all I really wanted to know. As it happens, I am much more interested in his street photography than I am in the vector of his career and his struggle to find peace between his conservative Catholic family and his personal lifestyle and fluid sense of fashion. Your interests may be different. Note: the memoir ends before Cunningham began working for the New York Times. Another note: the photos described by the subtitle of "A Memoir with Photographs," are of Bill's young life and career, not photos of the fabulous clothing he spotted on the streets of Manhattan. (Personal copy)

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Weekend Cooking: Reading in the Kitchen

As much as I like puttering around the kitchen (and eating and drinking the results), I also like to read about food, cooking, chefs, drink, and culinary history.

Dare I admit that I'm in the middle of four food-related books? Not every book has to be read cover to cover all in one string. In fact, some books are almost better read a chapter a day or in smaller chunks.

That's probably just a personal quirk, but *shrug* that's the way I am. The only problem I have when I read like this is forgetting to share my thoughts on the blog. So, rather than wait until I finish my April foodie books, I'm going to tell you about them now.

First up is Godforsaken Grapes by Jason Wilson (Abrams, April 24), which is part travelogue, part memoir, and part learning about wine. Wilson is no stranger to writing about adult beverages or about travel, and his casual, informal style is easy to read. After learning there were about 1,370 varieties of wine grapes yet the vast majority of the wine we drink is made from only 20 kinds, Wilson decided to seek out the rarer wines by traveling around the United States and Europe, meeting people, tasting wine, attending events, touring vineyards and villas, visiting museums, and so on. The next chapter for me is titled "Is Prosecco a Place or a Grape?" I'll have the answer in a day or two. Read this if you like food memoir, wine, or travel. (Copy provided by Abrams Books and the Abrams Dinner Party.)

If you haven't read any of Maira Kalman's books, then you are truly missing out. I love her illustrations and her perspective on a wide variety of topics. In Cake (Penguin Press, April 10), she teams up with Barbara Scott-Goodman to talk about . . . cake! This celebration of the classic dessert starts with Kalman's memory of her first cake (chocolate, in Tel-Aviv) and of her birthday party cake when she turned nine. The short book includes recipes (by Scott-Goodman), accompanied by Kalman's art and additional stories. The recipes are comfort cakes at their best: white layer cake, gingerbread cake, honey cake, carrot cake, flourless cake, and a plum torte. I've been savoring each page, reading a story here, studying a recipe there, and lingering over the drawings. I don't care if I never make one the desserts in Cake (but why not?), I just love having a new Kalman book to brighten up my day. (Personal copy)

I've long admired Edna Lewis, best known as a chef and cookbook author, and was excited to have a chance to read Sara B. Franklin's Edna Lewis: At the Table with an American Original (University of North Carolina Press, April 13). The book is a collection of essays, interviews, stories, and memories by people who knew Lewis personally. Most of the contributors are in the food business (Alice Waters, Deborah Madison, Nathalie Dupree, Patricia Clark, for example), but there are also pieces by Lewis's family members. If you aren't familiar with Edna Lewis, she wrote Southern cookbooks and promoted African American cooking and food history. She was an early advocate of cooking with homegrown ingredients (before we had the phrase farm to table). She was also, I'm learning, a political activist. Buy or borrow Edna Lewis, but don't miss out on (re)discovering this amazing woman. (Copy provided by the publisher.)

Finally, I'm drinking reading my way through How to Be a Bourbon Badass by Linda Ruffenach (Red Lightning Books, April 1). Bourbon, that all-American whisky, carries with it a lot of stories and legends. We think Kentucky, backwoods distilleries, world-famous blends, and now even craft producers. Ruffenach, the founder of Whisky Chicks, is on a mission to help others learn more about her favorite American spirit. She introduces us to the bourbon kings, gives us bartending tips, and helps us decide which whisky to order or buy. The book is geared to bourbon newbies (or the bourbon naive) and has a refreshing female perspective. I'm not sure how "badass" the book is, but so far I'm enjoying the graphics, the recipes (cocktails and food), and the stories. At this point I'm recommending the book as a good starting place for people who want to learn more about the culture and history of bourbon and how to drink it. (Copy provided by the publisher.)

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Weekend Cooking is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book reviews (novel, nonfiction), cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, quotations, photographs, restaurant reviews, travel information, or fun food facts. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. You do not have to post on the weekend. Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page.

NOTE: Mr. Linky sometimes is mean and will give you an error message. He's usually wrong and your link went through just fine the first time. Grrrr.
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Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: Books I Loved, Books I Didn't

For everyone who lives in Florida or the Caribbean, my thoughts are with you. I hope your homes, your family, and your pets are safe and sound. The photos and videos look so scary. I can't imagine what you all are going through.

Some of you know that I've been on a great organize my books project. My ultimate goal is to put all my unread books--print, e, and audio--into a single database. I've been keeping up with my print books for months now, and as of Sunday morning, I'm totally up to date with my audiobooks. My big stall is the eBooks. I'm not sure why, but I just haven't gotten a handle on them. I'll figure it out one of these days (I hope).

I had an "interesting" workweek getting used to my new computer and Windows 10, but I love my new machine and my productivity is speeding up.

What I Read Last Week

Leigh Bardugo's The Language of Thorns (Macmillan, Sept. 26) is a collection of three dark fairy tales or fables that involve trickery and magic. I loved the stories, the haunting world, and the beautiful illustrations that accompany the text. One story involves a clever fox, another a witch in the woods and a mystery, and the final story is about rich man and his daughter. As all good tales, each one teaches a life lesson. I read a review copy from the publicist and am a little confused because the back cover mentions six stories, although my advanced reader copy contains only three. Regardless, I always like Bardugo's work and can highly recommend this collection to her fans and fans of newly minted fairy tales.

Celeste Ng's Little Fires Everywhere (Penguin Press, Sept. 12) is going to be on everyone's best of 2017 list. Set in the Cleveland-area community of Shaker Heights, the novel exposes the glossed-over underbelly of a small upper-middle-class neighborhood of privilege and expectations. Ng nails the dialogue, the sociocultural mores, and the consequences of meddling in other people's business. Race, class, education, family, dreams, life choices -- so many fires with such far-reaching destruction. A starkly truthful story that grabs you by the collar and pulls you in close. Run out tomorrow and buy this book. I listened to the unabridged audiobook (Penguin Audio, 11 hr, 27 min) read brilliantly by Jennifer Lim, who erased the wall between listener and earbuds. It was near-impossible for me to hit that stop button. (audio review copy from the publisher)

Marta McDowell's The World of Laura Ingalls Wilder (Timber Press, Sept. 20) should be on your holiday gift list for Little House fans of all ages. There is so much to love about McDowell's examination of Wilder's connection to the natural environment. Wilder fills her work with references to the flowers, wild fruits, garden produce, and cash crops that sustained her family on their journeys back and forth across the Great Plains. It's a delight to see the links between episodes in the beloved books with the realities of farming or buying seed or foraging that the Wilders and other families like them contended with. The style is down to earth and respectful and the full-color illustrations (some from various editions of Wilder's novels), maps, and photographs really bring the text to life. Biographical and historical details inform the botanical information, helping us see a fuller picture of Laura Ingalls Wilder's universe. The last part of the book includes information for visiting places where Laura lived, seeing period gardens, and for creating your own little prairie. Plant lists and resources round out the book. I picked up an advanced reader copy at BEA but have preordered a finished copy because this is a book to treasure.

Books I Broke Up With

I had high hopes for Solar Bones by Mike McCormick (Soho, Sept. 12), but the one long mostly unpunctuated sentence was just too much for my editor's brain. I may give it a second try, but I kind of doubt it. Everyone else seems to love this Irish story, and the novel was long-listed for the Booker Prize. The Blade Itself by Joe Abercombie (Orbit, Sept. 2015) has been on my audiobook list for a couple of years. It's billed as epic fantasy with plots of war, politics, and conspiracies. I wanted to love this, but I just didn't. I'm not sure if the issue was Steven Pacey's performance or the book. Or maybe it just suffered from being next after Little Fires Everywhere. I plan to try again in a few months. (both books were provided to me by the publishers)


What I'm Reading Now

I'm currently listening to Ken Follett's newest entry in his Kingsbridge series, A Column of Fire (Penguin Audio; 30 hr, 19 min). I adore this series, which is set in a cathedral town in England. This installment takes place during Mary Tudor's reign, and religious turmoil is coloring our favorite characters' everyday life. Thank goodness the wonderful John Lee has returned to perform the audiobook. I love his characterizations, accents, pacing, and level of expression. I can tell already that this long audio is going to be worth every minute of your time. It comes out tomorrow.

I'm in between print books as I write this post, and I'm not exactly sure what I'll read next. I think I'll pick either a contemporary thriller or a contemporary middle grade novel. I have several books in mind in each category, and I think either would provide a good contrast to Follett's historical fiction.

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Weekend Cooking: 6 Books for Foodies and Cooks (BEA)

Weekend Cooking is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book reviews (novel, nonfiction), cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, quotations, photographs, restaurant reviews, travel information, or fun food facts. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. You do not have to post on the weekend. Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page.

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As many of you know, I was in Chicago last week for Book Expo America. Although I wandered the show floor with no particular agenda, I kept my eyes open for books that would be a good fit for future Weekend Cooking posts.

Here are a six books I picked up or heard about at BEA. Half fall into the category of food writing and the other half are cookbooks. All looked interesting to me and I hope to write full reviews in the weeks to come.

In the meantime, I'm sharing my quick impressions, so you can get a jump on preordering or requesting from your library. Hope you find two or three to add to your list.

Food Writing / Memoirs

• The Food & Wine of France by Edward Behr: This books consists of 32 essays, each one focusing on a different aspect of French cuisine, such as bread, salt, champagne, snails, cheese, and cake. Looks like a good one to read a chapter at a time. (Penguin Press, June)
• Pancakes in Paris by Craig Carlson: The story of how the Connecticut-born author came to open an American-style diner in Paris, the city known for its haute cuisine. The style is fun, light, and conversational. (Sourcebooks, September)
• Truffle Boy by Ian Purkayastha: After tasting his first truffle, this Arkansas native was so instantly a fan he made the fungus his business. Still in his 20s, he now sells one of the world's most expensive ingredients to the most famous chefs in New York City. (Hachette, August)

Cookbooks

• Breaking Breads by Uri Scheft: Hello! It's a cookbook on bread and all its cousins (like babka and doughnuts). You knew I couldn't walk by this one. I have only a pamphlet, but I can already tell I'm going to love the cookbook. (Artisan, October)
• Fast to the Table Freezer Cookbook by Becky Rosenthal: I'm a big fan of using my freezer and this book promises to have be full of tips and advice on both properly storing foods as well as cooking with them later. Can't wait to see the full cookbook. (Countryman Press, May)
• Eat What You Love: Quick & Easy by Marlene Koch: This cookbook really caught my attention with its full-flavored and varied recipes all geared to good health. From a quick look through the book (and see the cover) I doubt I'm going to notice those missing calories. (Running Press, April)

I found other food and cooking books at BEA and made some new contacts, so it looks like I have a good start on my summer Weekend Cooking posts.

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Review: Love in Lowercase by Francesc Miralles

Thoughts before Reading

• After reading that Francesc Miralles's Love in Lowercase was being compared to The Solitude of Prime Numbers by Paolo Giordano, which I really loved, and that it was being billed as "a romantic comedy for language lovers," I thought I'd give the novel a chance.
• For some unplanned and unknown reason, I've been on a books-in-translation kick. Love in Lowercase fits right in; it was originally written and published in Spanish and was translated into English by Julie Wark.

What's it about?

• Love in Lowercase is a sweet story about a young linguistics professor whose world is turned upside down thanks to a cat.
• Samuel likes his quiet life--living alone, grading papers, and sticking to his routine. When a cat shows up at his apartment on New Year's Day, Samuel's immediate plan is to find its owners or arrange a permanent home for it. In the meantime, he feeds the cat. These actions set off a chain of events in which he meets his neighbors, rediscovers a childhood girlfriend, and rejuvenates his relationship with his sister.

Thoughts after Reading

• Love in Lowercase is a charming story of loneliness, love, and friendship set in the beautiful city of Barcelona.
• The novel is infused with a number of literary references; for example, Samuel names the cat Mishima (a favorite author of mine) and describes the hospital as Kafkaesque.
• Not all novels survive translation, but the warmth and fun of Miralles's story are built on a universal foundation.
• Samuel is insecure, quirky, and capable of surprising even himself. I was caught up in his transformation and his discovery of the many sides of love, friendship, and loyalty. As the Kirkus reviewer said, "Samuel, full of awkwardness and good intentions, is an easy protagonist to root for."
• I love the overriding theme that it's never too late to open the door to the unexpected.
• There is a subtheme of finding everyday magic.
• This is a light, quick read for a lazy afternoon. The chapters are only a couple of pages long, so it's also perfect for commutes and travel.
• Will this be the best book you'll read this year? Probably not, but it's bound to make you smile, and you'll have fun with the references to art, music, and books.

Warnings

• After I formulated my own thoughts, I took a look at other reviews. I was surprised that some readers were not as enchanted as I was.
• I think you have to be willing to just go with the flow. Yeah, in real life in the city you probably wouldn't develop an immediate trust with people you hardly know, but Love in Lovercase is meant to be fun, not realistic--like a rom-com on the silver screen.

Published by Penguin Random House / Penguin Books, 2016
ISBN-13: 9780143128212
Source: Review (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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4 Adult Coloring Books with a Twist

I hardly need to introduce you to adult coloring books. They are everywhere, and many grownups have spent countless hours relaxing by coloring in pictures using pen, pencil, or crayon. Here are four recent coloring books, each with a unique twist. Whether you're looking for a new book for yourself or are considering a gift for the holidays, you can't go wrong with any of these. Click on the images to see them full size; each shows the cover of the book and one of my creations.

Lost Ocean by Johanna Basford is subtitled "An Inky Adventure & Coloring Book." Besides having dozens of beautiful pictures to color in, artists will enjoy taking a virtual dive into the ocean, looking at shipwrecks, fish, coral, seaweed, and more. To up the fun factor, Basford has included a treasure hunt within the pictures: As you color, search the pages for watches, keys, rings, jewels, and other treasures that were lost to the depths of the oceans. Can you collect them all? (Penguin Books, October 2015)

The Time Garden by Daria Song is subtitled "A Magical Journey and Coloring Book." The pictures included in this book illustrate the story of a young girl who gets inside a magical cuckoo clock and from there discovers a fantastical world. The first drawings (one is seen here) are simple, but the pictures become more complicated as the girl climbs trees, meets a fairy, flies with an owl, and explores a variety of shops. You'll use your imagination, telling the story in your own way because the words disappear after a couple of pages. Boost several levels of your creativity with this beautiful book. (Watson-Guptill Publications, September 2015)

The Little Prince Coloring Book is just what you think it is. The entire story, complete with the familiar illustrations, is contained within the covers of this book. But you'll also find new drawings to color in. All are inspired by the original artwork and are just as enchanting. This is a must-have book for all Antoine de Saint-Exupery fans and a wonderful way to reacquaint yourself with the beloved classic. Share this coloring book with a young person, and watch him or her light up and fall in love with the Little Prince, as he learns about Earth and tells us about his home. (Harcourt Brace & Co., November 2015)

The Vampire Combat Field Guide by Roger Ma is an informative coloring book from the well-respected "Institute for Undead Combat Studies." Ever wonder how to tell vampire from human? Need to practice your self-defense moves? Unsure about what weapons to have on hand? This coloring book has your back. From basic anatomy to detailed training moves, the pictures in this book will teach you survival skills as you color in the pages. Whether you're young or old, you need to know the correct way to stake that fangy fiend who's trying to drain your body of its vital blood. Perfect for Halloween or for anytime you suspect there's the possibility of a vampire attack. (Berkley Books, October 2015)

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Today's Read & Giveaway: Home Fires by Julie Summers

If you aren't from the UK, have you ever wondered about the WI? The Women's Institute features prominently in many British books and movies (remember Calendar Girls?), but most Americans don't really understand the significance of the institute for women in the early twentieth century and for the whole country during World War II:

Not every woman in the countryside joined her WI, but for those who did it probably presented the only opportunity for them to socialise outside the home and to learn about life beyond their immediate environs. (p. 1)
----
Jam. If you ask someone what they think the WI did in wartime they will probably answer 'They made jam'. It is true. They did and they made a lot of it. As we have seen, it is by no means the only contribution members made to the war effort but it is one of the two images that the general public has of the WI. The other being singing 'Jerusalem'. They have had to live with that cosy couplet 'Jam and Jerusalem' for over half a century and it risks ridiculing the enormous amount of valuable work done by the women of rural Britain. (p. 163)

—Home Fires by Julie Summers (Penguin Group USA / Penguin Books, 2015)

Quick Facts

• Setting: England, World War II
• Circumstances: This is a look at the famous Women's Institute of England and Wales and its multifaceted role in keeping their country cobbled together during some of its darkest days. Based on interviews, archives, and historical documents, this book gives us an intimate view of the WI and of some of the amazing women who worked tirelessly and often thanklessly for their fellow citizens.
• Genre: nonfiction, women's history, social commentary, culture, WWII.
• Themes: Sacrifice, camaraderie, small towns, women's issues, life during wartime 
• Nature of the book: Each chapter covers a different role the WI played during the six years of the war, such as helping evacuees, growing food, supporting the troops, dealing with rations, and bolstering each other. The text is easy to read and is peppered with fascinating (some funny, some sad, many just matter of fact) personal stories and anecdotes. The book also includes some period photographs.
• Some of the WI's activities: The WI did way more than make jam and knit for the troops, but knit and can they did on a mind-boggling scale. The institute also acted as an arm of the government, organizing collections, placing evacuees, and teaching women how to grow food and butcher small animals. But more than just volunteer for the war effort, the women also organized educational programs to better themselves and social activities to promote friendship and offer emotional support. 
• Nature of the organization: There are no religious, class, or political restrictions to joining the WI. Thus, and especially during wartime, the WI acted as a leveler, allowing women of all kinds to interact and work together and develop the deepest of friendships. The women were hardworking and self-sacrificing. They also looked to the future by helping their communities modernize and prepare for the postwar years.
• My thoughts: I haven't finished reading Home Fires, but I'm finding it hard to put down. I'm completely emotionally entangled in the stories of these women who gave so much to others. Many of them were ordinary women just trying to cope as best they could; others became activists for their communities and their countries. Every one of them is a hero.
• Extra, extra! The book has now been made into a six-part series, airing on PBS Masterpiece, starting Sunday October 4. See the very short ad from PBS for a taste.

The Giveaway

Thanks to Penguin Books, I'm able to offer one of my readers with a USA mailing address a copy of Home Fires by Julie Summers. All you have to do to be entered for a chance to win is to fill out the following form. I'll pick a winner on October 9, using a random number generator. Once the winner has been confirmed and I've passed the mailing information on to the publicist, I'll erase all personal information from my computer. Good Luck!

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Sound Recommendations: An Eclectic Mix

This edition of Sound Recommendations is an eclectic mix of history, philosophy, and mystery. Two of the books were written for adults and one for middle grade readers. For my full audiobook reviews of these titles, check out the AudioFile magazine website.

Ali Smith is an author I should have at least heard of (she won the Whitbread Award, was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, and has appeared on best-of-the-year lists), but I was not familiar with her when I agreed to listen to her short book Artful, published early this year. Originally presented as four lectures at Oxford, Artful comes together as a single work. The story is told by an unnamed protagonist, who discusses an amazing range of topics, from Renaissance art to Oliver Twist, from ghosts to music, all the while finding the commonalities among them and tying them neatly into her grief over her recently dead lover. I was surprised by how much I loved this blend of fact and fiction, and Smith's narration is beautifully done. On the other hand, Artful is a book that makes you want to stop and think, to reread paragraphs, and to share with others; thus I suggest reading the print version first or having a copy in hand while you listen. [hardcover: Penguin Press, ISBN-13 9781594204869; audio: Highbridge, 4 hr, 6 min]

Did you know that in 1876 there was plot to steal Abraham Lincoln's body and ransom it to free an infamous counterfeiter from federal prison? I didn't either. Steve Sheinkin's Lincoln's Grave Robbers tells this exciting true story geared for middle grade readers. I was absolutely fascinated with this book and learned quite a bit about counterfeiting, the minting of money, the origins of the secret service, and more. This is one of those stranger-than-fiction stories with double agents, crossed communications, and helpful civilians. Never mind the intended audience for this book, I recommend it for everyone. Actor Will Patton does the narration with impressive skill, bringing just the right amount of drama to his performance. He has a great sense of pacing, amping up the tension and keeping the whole family engaged in the story. [hardcover: Scholastic Press, ISBN-13 9780545405720; audio: Scholastic Audio, 3 hr 16 min]

Sophie Littlefield's Garden of Stones opens in 1978, when Lucy Takeda, a survivor of the U.S. Japanese interment camp Manzanar, hears about a neighborhood murder. That event and her daughter's impending wedding, cause Lucy to remember her transformation from a carefree young teen to a guarded young woman to an eccentric, yet independent single mother. Littlefield exposes some of the worst aspects of the interment camps as well as the few options open to young Lucy when she has the opportunity to reenter the outside world. Garden of Stones is a genre bender, combing elements of mystery with historical fiction and family drama. Emily Woo Zeller's narration is particularly strong in its consistent, yet distinct characterizations. She brings a reserved emotion to her performance, which allows listeners to form their own opinions and conclusions about Lucy's past and present. [paperback: Harlequin MIRA, ISBN-13 9780778313526; audio: Tantor, 8 hr, 25 min]

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Weekend Cooking: Review: Food Rules by Michael Pollan, Illustrated by Maira Kalman

Weekend Cooking is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book (novel, nonfiction) reviews, cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, fabulous quotations, photographs. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up over the weekend. You do not have to post on the weekend. Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page. For more information, see the welcome post.

_______

I can't tell you how excited I was to see the book I'm sharing with you today show up in my mailbox this week. I opened the envelope and sat right down to read the book. Well, actually, to savor the illustrations.

I've been a fan of Michael Pollan's since he wrote The Botany of Desire (2001), and I've been of fan of Maira Kalman's for almost as long. When I heard the two were joining forces to create an updated and illustrated edition of Pollan's Food Rules, I knew I had to own the book.

I haven't written about Pollan here because I absorbed his philosophy in the days before I was blogging. But I raved about Maira Kalman's And the Pursuit of Happiness in a post I wrote last fall.

So what are Pollan's rules and why should you care? Most of you probably know that Pollan has a very simple attitude toward food and good, healthful eating:

Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.

The 83 rules he presents in this new edition of Food Rules are simply ideas, suggestions, or triggers to help you embrace those three sentences. He didn't make up all the rules--some are common sayings, some were solicited from his readers, for example--and he freely admits that many are overlapping. And, in fact, that's the point. His goal is to "simplify your eating life" and he encourages you to "adopt whichever [rules] stick and work best for you."

I like Pollan's rules and have been following them myself for most of my life. Some I picked up years ago:

Rule 13: Shop the peripheries of the supermarket and stay out of the middle.

Others fit my own philosophy, although I hadn't distilled them to a snappy sentence:

Rule 57: If you're not hungry enough to eat an apple, then you're probably not hungry.

When Food Rules first came out, I looked through it at the library and added it to my list of recommended titles to use when friends asked me to help them revamp their eating habits. But when Maira Kalman came onboard, Food Rules became a book I had to own, and I've now added it to my list of great gift ideas.

You won't find 83 illustrations in this short book, but you'll find many and they're all beautiful. Food Rules is printed on glossy, thick paper that makes the paintings pop. The two scans I'm sharing here do not come close to beauty of the book in hand, but they'll help you see why I love Kalman's work. Be sure to click on the images to enlarge them.

Rule 24:
The end:
May your tables always be laden with good, real, healthful food.

Food Rules at an Indie

Food Rules at Powell's

Food Rules at Book Depository
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Published by Penguin Press, November 1, 2011
ISBN-13: 9781594203084
Source: review (see review policy).
Rating: A
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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Review: And the Pursuit of Happiness by Maira Kalman

I first heard about Maira Kalman when she wrote and illustrated a month-long blog for the New York Times five or more years ago. I love her perspective on life, her artwork, and her humor. Her new book, And the Pursuit of Happiness, is a piece of heaven.

In her illustrated collection of essays, Kalman examines people, places, and concepts that influenced and were influenced by the self-evident truth (and promise) Thomas Jefferson wrote about a new nation: " . . . and the pursuit of Happiness."

This is not a philosophy book, though it is full of ideas; it is not a travelogue, but it takes us on a journey. Kalman writes a love song to Lincoln that will leave you breathless, takes a walk across the country that might change your diet, and shows you the Capitol building in a way that leaves you smiling. There is really nothing more to say, except find this book, buy it, read it, and treasure it.

Here are two pages I scanned from And the Pursuit of Happiness. The first is about Sir Thomas More and the second is about how Mt. Vernon (George Washington's estate) was saved for future generations (click to enlarge).

Maria Kalman has a website, where you can learn about her work. And the Pursuit of Happiness is an Indie Next pick for November 2010.

And the Pursuit of Happiness at an Indie

And the Pursuit of Happiness at Powell's

And the Pursuit of Happiness at Book Depository
These links lead to affiliate programs.

Published by Penguin Press, October 2010
ISBN-13: 9781594202674
YTD: 98
Source: Review (see review policy)
Rating: A+
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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