We had a few books come to us over the holidays for review and we would like to share them with you. Just make a comment and we will have not just one but all three of these award winning books sent to you. One winner will be chosen Friday morning, and the books will be shipped out the same day. Read on for a short synopsis of each book. We think you will like these.
As Always, Julia: The Letters of Julia Child and Avis DeVoto
Now more than 200 letters exchanged between Julia and Avis DeVoto, her friend and unofficial literary agent memorably introduced in the hit movie Julie & Julia, open the window on Julia’s deepest thoughts and feelings. This riveting correspondence, in print for the first time, chronicles the blossoming of a unique and lifelong friendship between the two women and the turbulent process of Julia’s creation of Mastering the Art of French Cooking, one of the most influential cookbooks ever written.
Frank, bawdy, funny, exuberant, and occasionally agonized, these letters show Julia, first as a new bride in Paris, then becoming increasingly worldly and adventuresome as she follows her diplomat husband in his postings to Nice, Germany, and Norway.
With commentary by the noted food historian Joan Reardon, and covering topics as diverse as the lack of good wine in the United States, McCarthyism, and sexual mores, these astonishing letters show America on the verge of political, social, and gastronomic transformation.
Food Matters: A Guide to Conscious Eating with More Than 75 Recipes by Mark Bittman
From the award-winning champion of culinary simplicity who gave us the bestselling How to Cook Everything and How to Cook Everything Vegetarian comes Food Matters, a plan for responsible eating that’s as good for the planet as it is for your weight and your health.
We are finally starting to acknowledge the threat carbon emissions pose to our ozone layer, but few people have focused on the extent to which our consumption of meat contributes to global warming. Think about it this way: In terms of energy consumption, serving a typical family-of-four steak dinner is the rough equivalent of driving around in an SUV for three hours while leaving all the lights on at home.
Mark Bittman offers a no-nonsense rundown on how government policy, big business marketing, and global economics influence what we choose to put on the table each evening. He demystifies buzzwords like “organic,” “sustainable,” and “local” and offers straightforward, budget-conscious advice that will help you make small changes that will shrink your carbon footprint — and your waistline.
The Winemaker Cooks by Christine Hanna
Over 19 million people visit the California wine country every year to enjoy the area’s renowned wine, food, and landscapes and the casual lifestyle. Christine Hanna award-winning winemaker, mother, and consummate hostess epitomizes the regions laid-back approach to wine and food.
Hanna shares her wine expertise and entertaining savvy with 100 recipes, and 75 color photographs capture her tabletops overflowing with local ingredients and products. A souvenir of the good life, The Winemaker Cooks is sure to be savored by wine lovers everywhere.