book chat

I had the idea a while back to create a virtual book club in which we’d read a book, someone would write up a review on their blog, and we’d “discuss” the book in the comments section of that blog post.  It went pretty well for a while- we read some great books and had some good input and comments- but then participation fell off and I decided to put it on hiatus for a while.  The books we read are listed below along with links to their discussions. 

I may decide to restart the book club at some point, but until then, Iwill continue to post my current reads and reviews, and I welcome anyone who has read any of the same books to leave their comments.  I may also work on getting a local book club going for fans of food-related fiction and nonfiction at some point in the future.  If you’re looking for ideas of food-related books to read, you can also check out my book list on Living Social, which has a bunch of books I’ve read as well as a bunch I haven’t gotten to yet.

Bon appétit et bonne lecture!

Currently Reading: The Cheese Chronicles by Liz Thorpe

I’ve been really into learning about cheese and cheesemaking lately, and was excited to get my hands on this book.  Liz is a true example of “Do what you love, the money will follow”- she quit a “real job” in 2002 to work behind the cheese counter ay Murray’s in New York  for minimum wage, and has worked her way up to Vice President of the company.  The book is about Liz’s journeys tracing the tradition of American cheesemaking. I’m about 1/4 of the way into the book and it’s getting me really excited for my upcoming cheesemaking adventure!

Past Reads:

September 2009 Book Club: Cod: A Biography of the Fish that Changed the World by Mark Kurlansky (view post)

It’s been a while since I read a food history book, and this one promises to be a treat, with ratings of 4 1/2 out of 5 stars on both Amazon and Powell’s.  Kurlansky discusses how cod was a major force in shaping historical  events such as the Europeans setting sail across the Atlantic, and brings us up to the present day, as fish stocks across the world are in crisis.  He also includes recipes from various countries.  I may just be inspired to make bacalao or brandade after reading this… mmmm.

August 2009 Book Club: In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan
Guest Host: Joan of Popcorn Homestead (view post)

I read this last summer, but many book club members wanted to read it and I certainly don’t mind revisiting it.  I’ve loaned this book out at least two or three times so far, and wish I could get everyone I know to read it.  It’s shorter than Pollan’s other books, and his thesis is easily digestible (no pun intended!).  He sums up the premise of his book in three succinct sentences: “Eat real food.  Not too much.  Mostly plants”.  He also discusses diet fads and the “science” behind nutritionism.

July 2009 Book Club: My Life in France by Julia Child (view post)

A couple months ago we had a blogger event featuring foods from Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking. I read Julie & Julia just prior to the event, but have also been wanting to read this book, a memoir of Julia Child’s experiences as a new wife in a new country. The book takes place in the years following WWII, from 1948-1954. This book covers two of my major interests, cooking and France, so I’m really looking forward to it.

June 2009 Book Club: Hungry Monkey by Matthew Amster-Burton (view post)

related posts:
Ants on a Tree (from Noëlle)
Pad Thai (from Christie of Coco Bean)
Hungry Monkey review (from Jen of Jen’s Kitchen)
From the Library Bag: Hungry Monkey (from Mary of Yellow Door Paperie)

I spotted this in the library on the New Releases shelf and it interested me because, although I don’t have kids, I always wondered what the process of feeding them would be like. Matthew Amster-Burton is a Seattle food writer and stay-at-home dad who chronicles his experiences trying to make an “adventurous eater” of his daughter, Iris. The book is laugh-out-loud funny and full of the kind of amusing pronouncements that can only come from a three or four-year-old. Even if you’re not currently a parent of young children, this is still a breezy and very entertaining book with some great recipe ideas.

May 2009 Book Club: How to Pick a Peach by Russ Parsons (view post)

related posts:
asparagus-shrimp risotto & vidalia grilled cheese
(from Noëlle)

I figured what better way to kick off farmers’ market season than to arm yourself with some knowledge of how to select the best produce?   According to Publishers’ Weekly, there’s more to the book than that, though: “Equal parts cookbook, agricultural history, chemistry lesson and produce buying guide, this densely packed book is a food-lover’s delight.”  (Incidentally, because I’m a total nerd who loves food science, I really enjoyed Parsons’ other book, How to Read a French Fry; it’s very Alton Brown-esque, with good recipes.)