Food


Save Me the Plums by Ruth Reichl [Book Review]


Summary

“When Condé Nast offered Ruth Reichl the top position at America’s oldest epicurean magazine, she declined. She was a writer, not a manager, and had no inclination to be anyone’s boss. Yet Reichl had been reading Gourmet since she was eight; it had inspired her career. How could she say no?

This is the story of a former Berkeley hippie entering the corporate world and worrying about losing her soul. It is the story of the moment restaurants became an important part of popular culture, a time when the rise of the farm-to-table movement changed, forever, the way we eat. Readers will meet legendary chefs like David Chang and Eric Ripert, idiosyncratic writers like David Foster Wallace, and a colorful group of editors and art directors who, under Reichl’s leadership, transformed stately Gourmet into a cutting-edge publication. This was the golden age of print media—the last spendthrift gasp before the Internet turned the magazine world upside down.

Complete with recipes, Save Me the Plums is a personal journey of a woman coming to terms with being in charge and making a mark, following a passion and holding on to her dreams—even when she ends up in a place she never expected to be.”

– From Amazon.com


Review

I’ve begun to totally fall in love with books that are about food. Any kind of book about food I’m now drawn to thanks to the book group I’m in reading a book by Anthony Bourdain, Kitchen Confidential. Food, and good home cooked food, has always been very important to me, and reading about the importance to others and their journeys is truly a joy.

Food & Career Journey

This book wasn’t just about food but also was about Ruth Reichl and her career journey of a woman who really didn’t know anything about being an editor, but wanting to make a difference to a magazine that she once loved. I found it comforting as a younger professional to read about someone well into their career feeling so lost and almost having to start again. But reading about Ruth pushing through a very cut throat kind of world, while managing to keep up with her family the best she could, was inspiring to say the least. It was tiring just reading about all the work she had to do!

A Journey of Food Expression

Reading about Ruth’s journey with Gourmet and how they transformed the presentation of food, as well as combatted the creation of the internet and dancing around how they could utilize it. I sometimes forget how new the internet is and reading about these companies who had to suddenly find a way to present their medium in a new way, and a way that would get eyeballs and was worth the money, was kind of interesting to see tackled. Finding ways to balance what publication released what, what articles were posted where, and how it was presented was such a unique insight.

I personally found it interesting to read about the cover of Gourmet and how important the cover of a magazine is. As a consumer I get drawn to certain covers and since I don’t necessarily follow or read a certain magazine religiously, I don’t read too much into what is on a cover. So reading about Ruth’s experiences of the feedback she got on the magazine, like Gourmet’s edition that had cake on the cover, was something I had never even thought about!

A Rich Read with Recipes and Stories of Importance

One “unique” part of the book was the fact that there were recipes in there! You were able to read about various meals and Ruth’s experience with them and then you got to get the recipe to be able to attempt to make it yourself. There were only a handful of recipes written out but they were the ones that were the most important to the story and had an impact on Ruth’s life in some way, or at least that was how it was presented.

I find recipes, or certain meals, have certain important to people or are intrinsically related to certain events. Save Me the Plums definitely pulled out a few that were important to both her story and the story of Gourmet.

Food as a Unifier – Especially after 9/11

The mention of 9/11 took up a section of this book and the horror of that day and the days that followed. It moved me to tears reading about how the food community pulled together after the tragedy and, while they were all hurting, began to cook food to serve to the rescue workers. Reading about Ruth’s experiences going down to the site to deliver the food, seeing how many other restaurants and cooks delivered, and the appreciation people had for something as simple as chili really was impactful.

It made you remember and realize how important food is to people. Food is memories and comfort. Food unifies people and people have been breaking bread to resolve conflict or make connections for millennia.

Save Me the Plums accurately conveyed the importance that food has to people and how personal food is. Food, and a good meal in general, doesn’t need to be super fancy. Something as simple as a piece of chocolate cake, or a bowl of chili, is all you need.

Absolutely a 5/5 teacup read!

Happy Reading!



Literary Gift for the 21 and Older

I know that it’s a little late now, that Christmas is over, but I had to share this fantastic book that I got for my birthday earlier this month! It’s perfect for any time of the year and if you have a book lover in your life that is turning 21 soon, or is an adult and you just need a creative gift, then I have the perfect gift suggestion for you!

Literary Gift for the 21 and Older

The book is called Tequila Mockingbird and it’s all of this different kinds of cocktails with a literary twist! I mean it honestly doesn’t get much more creative than that! It’s perfect with the collection of different kinds of drinks in it!

It has pictures from the books that the drinks are based off of and then besides the ingredients on how to make the drink, there are witty little captions that go alone with the instructions!

The books is broken into a few sections: ladies, gentlemen, non-alcoholic, warm and some food that you can make that is based off of books as well (I believe that is all the sections). There are also drinking games at at the end which are literary based and absolutely fantastic!!

They have drinking games for when you’re alone, such as taking a shot every time that you find that you committed a sin in the bible, starting at Genesis to group drinking games that take place in the library. Whether they are made up or not, it’s still so funny!

I really do suggest this book as a gift for an adult book lover in your life because it’s hilarious and so creative!

It also looks beautiful on your bookself.

Purchase it here or here!

Happy Reading (or drinking)!


Books Around The World (U.K and Poland) 2

So for my spring vacation I headed off to Europe, specifically the U.K. and Poland, for some family  matters however, while I’m so used to going there, this time I looked out for book related stuff. Because you know..book! <3

So near my little house by Manchester Airport, is a Waterstone’s in Wilmslow which is so adorable and very modern!

books of europe

I love visiting Waterstone’s and seeing all of the absolutely beautiful books, wonderfully organized displays, and it’s all so perfect there. Of course, I do love bookstores that are cluttered and smaller as well as they ave a more home-like feel, however Waterstone’s is very European and it’s know for being so precise.

books of europe books of europe books of europe

Additionally, England has this store called John Lewis. It’s kind of like a Lord and Taylor in America or an up-market clothing store, however they also sell things from furniture to cups, wallpaper and more! One thing they sell is this beautiful mug. It says “HURRAY! TIME FOR HOT CHOCOLATE MARSHMALLOWS AND A GOOD BOOK.” You can purchase it here. I’m hoping to get it soon as it’s really big and so perfect!

books of europe

And what’s better than after shopping at Marks and Spencer (another clothing place) than going for tea and coffee and other yummy treats?

books of europe

Finally, when in Poland I stayed at the Hotel Na Polboru, which is a beautiful hotel outside of Sieradz, Poland. I do recommend checking it out if you ever are in that area. the food is fantastic. They also have this bookcase there, which I am assuming, you can borrow books from to go and read. Either way, it was a nice focal point.

books of europe books of europe

Also, there was a small bookstore in a shopping mall that had a nice selection of books. It was quite interesting to see all of your favorite book covers in other languages!

books of europe

And finally, my small home in the U.K. has a room stuffed with books which is always so much fun to go and pursue through. I always seem to find something new. My goal next time I’m there is to go through them all! And also reorganize as it’s a little messy xD

Overall, while there are many similarities between book shops in the U.S. and around the world, there are subtle changes that make each countries book niche unique.

When I head off to Japan this summer, I’m going to be stopping by one of the most famous book shops in Japan (which is just around the corner from where I will be staying), so that will be such an experience. I’ll also be trying to find other shops that sell books and hope to, over time, see many book places around the world and see how ever shop is unique.

(Question of the day) QOTD: What’s the most interesting book place you have visited, and why?


Butterbeer? Starbucks?!

Apparently Starbucks, after J.K. Rowling announced Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, came up with a Butterbeer Frappucino. I don’t know if they’re still selling it in some places, however, you can make it yourself!

Just click here!

How yummy does it look! I’d love to try it.

starbucks butterbeer

From starbuckssecretmenu.net


Amazing Winter Gift for A Book Lover

Are you possibly looking for an amazing winter gift for a book lover? Well look no further!

Emma Bridgewater U.K. is selling a Blast Toast All Over Cocoa Mug!

It says on the front “Hurray! Time for hot chocolate, marshmallows & a good book!”  It is a little pricey at $40.50 however I really do think they’re worth it and if I didn’t have to spend so much on university textbooks, I’d get it! It’s the perfect winter gift or a ‘just-because” gift during the cold season!

This would be a gift I would LOVE to receive!!!

Emma bridgewater black toast mug

From Emmabridgewater.co.uk