Weekend Cooking: The Artists' and Writers' Cookbook by Natalie Eve Garrett

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Art + favorite authors + food? Yes, please, count me in. Natalie Eve Garrett's The Artists' and Writers' Cookbook has my name written all over it.

This book is a feast for everyone, and I hardly know where to start describing it. It's a collection of personal stories and favorite recipes contributed by all sorts of authors and artists. The amazing line up of people, stories, and illustrations is a feast for your brain, eyes, and stomach.

First, you'll want to know who you'll find within the pages of The Artists' and Writers' Cookbook. Here are just some that you're sure to recognize: Joyce Carol Oats, Neil Gaiman, Alice Hoffman, Jane Smiley, Nelson DeMille, Ruth Reichl, Ruth Ozeki, T. C. Boyle, Lev Grosman, Aimee Bender, and April Gornik. I didn't count, but I'd guess there are close to 50 authors and artists represented in this book!

The Artists' and Writers' Cookbook is one to browse. Read a story here, try a recipe there. Keep it on the table next to your bed or favorite reading spot (like I did) and dip in when the mood strikes. The stories and recipes cover a wide range, from Daniel Wallace's "Love and Eggplant" to Christine Schutt's "Fancy Cake," Ruth Ozeki's "Meat," and Liza Lou's "Feminist Popcorn."

One essay that really caught my eye was Curtis Sittenfeld's "How to Master Food Allergies," which is about her experiences raising a daughter with serious life-threatening allergies. Love pretty much conquers all, and Sunbutter cookies help too.

Besides the recipes for the exotic (goat) and comforting (huckleberry muffins), The Artists' and Writers' Cookbook is also beautiful to look at. Each contribution is accompanied by a colorful illustration by Amy Jean Porter (see the examples in the scans). So, truly, Garrett has put together a book that is easy to connect to on a number of levels.

Recommendation: Natalie Garrett's The Artists' and Writers' Cookbook is for readers, art lovers, foodies, cooks, and -- well -- all of us! Buy, borrow, or otherwise get a copy of this book. Perfect for holiday gift-giving and a lovely addition to your own bookshelves and kitchen.

Image credits: The Artists’ and Writers’ Cookbook: A Collection of Stories with Recipes © 2016, edited by Natalie Eve Garrett, illustrated by Amy Jean Porter, published by powerHouse Books.

Published by powerHouse Books, 2016
ISBN-13: 9781576877883
Source: review (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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