It seems like I go through cycles. I will have a period of time where no PR people contact me about reviews and then all of a sudden I have five books and three products sitting on my table waiting for me to try them or read them or whatever.
Tag Archives: book reviews
Seduction in the Kitchen
A few days before Valentine’s Day I recieved a book for review. It was written by a man, for men, and contains everything a guy needs to know to seduce his lady with the ultimate romantic meal, place setting and napkin folding included.
The name? Sweeping Her Off Her Feet with Food by Eric S. Lee
I guess, being a woman, I was a bit skeptical about the whole premise of the book. I mean, seriously. If I am going to have a romantic evening a heavy meal isn’t something that is going to get me in the mood. Food or romance, but not at the same time.
Keeping the Feast Book Tour
I was blessed to have been asked to review a new book, Keeping the Feast, scheduled to be released in February. The book is more of a memoir than anything, or maybe it is the diary of surviving one of the most difficult periods in a life.
How do you walk through devastation? How do you handle that journey from the moment your life turns upside down until you reach that place where you can say, “I am through it.”? For Paula Butturini it was the daily ritual of food; acquisition, preparation, enjoyment. This is a book about survival and conquest, despair and healing and woven throughout is always the comforting thread of food.
I loved the descriptions of the foods, the markets, the celebrations that Paula sprinkled liberally throughout the chapters of the book. I loved that she was real, like the Velveteen Rabbit, threadbare areas worn like a medal of honor. Keeping the Feast is a deep read, a choking drink out of a fire hydrant of emotions that carry you along with her until the end.
I liked the book a lot. I liked the words and the images and the way that the story carries you along, sometimes dreamy, sometimes hanging on for dear life while the white water roars all around you…taking you finally to the last page of, although certainly not the final one.
I asked Paula for a recipe to share with you Continue reading
You Mean You Need Instructions for That?
Earlier this week I was asked if I wanted to do an interview with Leslie Landis (if you don’t know who that is…be patient, you will in a minute). I really did but the reality is that Thanksgiving week is insanity at my house. It didn’t happen…. BUT I was sent some hysterical information and I am going to try for an interview when things settle down…or when I get more coffee, whichever comes first.
Anyway, I wanted to share about her book because it looks interesting/funny/unique AND because it may be just what you need to pick up today to help you get through the Holidays. What is it?
THE ART OF OVEREATING: A Bellyful of Laughs About Our Food Phobic Culture
Let’s face it, for whatever reason, America is a bunch of food phobes. We like it. We indulge. We get fat. Leslie speaks to that with some great suggestions for taking overeating to a whole new level of cool. And, if you are trying to lose weight? No problem, just do the opposite of what she says. Check out these suggestions:
1. When stacking your plate, use the same method as the Egyptians, lay the foundation with the heaviest foods, then layer with lighter foods. If you make it into a pyramid, you can see all the food groups, too!
2. Eat everything. Remember, food is love. The person who made it cares about you a lot so don’t disappoint them with taking home leftovers.
3. Be a good guest and offer to do the dishes. Alone. This way, you can lick each plate clean. If anyone catches you, say you are trying to be eco-conscious and save water.
With suggestions like that how can you resist? I may have to stop by Barnes and Noble while I am out fighting the crowds today…
image:used by permission Leslie Landis
