Here we are a couple weeks into the Summer Reading Challenge. Post a comment to this message and share what book(s) you've finished so far! (Remember to identify yourself by username or first name last name initial, thanks.)
Finally getting into this -- I've finished one book, "Heat" by Bill Buford, and have started "Kitchen Confidential" by Anthony Bourdain (I'm challenging myself to stay within the genre of kitchen memiors for this challenge.) "Heat" had been on my to-read list for a while, and I'm glad I got around to it! Buford is a journalist who took an internship at celebrity chef Mario Batali's flagship restaurant, Babbo, in NYC to gain insight for a profile, and lost himself in the world of chefs for a few years as a result. He travelled to Italy and France, met other chefs, was trained, and spent significant time in a tiny Italian village learning to be a butcher. If you like to cook and aren't afraid of more than a few profanities, you'll find joy in reading this book. When I finally put it down, I was dying to make pasta from scratch (but stuck with vegan pastry for my brother-in-law's birthday instead -- for now!)
Bourdain's book is pretty good, although even more vulgar, thus far. I expected that from seeing him on TV, though. --carpediemprncss
Jut finished "The Beach House" by Jane Green. Great summer read about an eccentric, old woman on Nantucket who faces financial problems. Rather than sell her big island house, she decides to rent rooms -- and meets some interesting people. Since I love Nantucket, I could relate to the descriptions of the locations, etc. Good book.
Just finished reading Janet Evanovich's Plum Lucky. Very funny and irreverent. It was recommended to me by a friend because she said that she actually laughs out loud while reading Evanovich. The book involves a feisty grandmother, stolen money, a stolen horse, a leprechaun, the mob, Atlantic City and my favorite character: an obese ex-hooker who wants to become a supermodel of lingerie. I DID laugh out loud. It was a quick read and very light. I recommend it to anyone who is too serious most of the time (which is me:)
Finished "Kitchen Confidential" by Anthony Bourdain yesterday, and it was fantastic! A completely different view of the food world from that of Bill Buford, because where he learned Italian food, Bourdain is a classically trained French chef who really detested all things Italian until well into his career. Possibly the most crass, vulgar author I've ever read, but not in a gratuitous way -- you really get the feeling that this is how he talks. Having seen his shows on TV was helpful, as I could hear his voice and inflection in my head as I read, which made his witty, sarcastic style a little easier to understand.
Just finished reading The Yankee Years as told by Joe Torre. You'd probably want to be a Yankees fan, BUT, if you can be open-minded it gives tons of insight into the players and how they think. The most interesting chapter by far explains how the steroid scandal became so prevalent throughout MLB and why the NYY were at the center of the firestorm. If you're a fan of baseball, (regardless of the team) read this book.
I never made it thru Kitchen Confidential, but I'll have to pick it up again one of these days. I didn't know bourdain's personality back then, and like you say, that helps you get the tone better.
Finally getting into this -- I've finished one book, "Heat" by Bill Buford, and have started "Kitchen Confidential" by Anthony Bourdain (I'm challenging myself to stay within the genre of kitchen memiors for this challenge.) "Heat" had been on my to-read list for a while, and I'm glad I got around to it! Buford is a journalist who took an internship at celebrity chef Mario Batali's flagship restaurant, Babbo, in NYC to gain insight for a profile, and lost himself in the world of chefs for a few years as a result. He travelled to Italy and France, met other chefs, was trained, and spent significant time in a tiny Italian village learning to be a butcher. If you like to cook and aren't afraid of more than a few profanities, you'll find joy in reading this book. When I finally put it down, I was dying to make pasta from scratch (but stuck with vegan pastry for my brother-in-law's birthday instead -- for now!)
ReplyDeleteBourdain's book is pretty good, although even more vulgar, thus far. I expected that from seeing him on TV, though. --carpediemprncss
Well, I finished "Two for the Dough" and I would recommend it. It is fun, fast-paced and an easy beach read.
ReplyDeleteJut finished "The Beach House" by Jane Green. Great summer read about an eccentric, old woman on Nantucket who faces financial problems. Rather than sell her big island house, she decides to rent rooms -- and meets some interesting people. Since I love Nantucket, I could relate to the descriptions of the locations, etc. Good book.
ReplyDeleteJust finished reading Janet Evanovich's Plum Lucky. Very funny and irreverent. It was recommended to me by a friend because she said that she actually laughs out loud while reading Evanovich. The book involves a feisty grandmother, stolen money, a stolen horse, a leprechaun, the mob, Atlantic City and my favorite character: an obese ex-hooker who wants to become a supermodel of lingerie. I DID laugh out loud. It was a quick read and very light. I recommend it to anyone who is too serious most of the time (which is me:)
ReplyDeleteFinished "Kitchen Confidential" by Anthony Bourdain yesterday, and it was fantastic! A completely different view of the food world from that of Bill Buford, because where he learned Italian food, Bourdain is a classically trained French chef who really detested all things Italian until well into his career. Possibly the most crass, vulgar author I've ever read, but not in a gratuitous way -- you really get the feeling that this is how he talks. Having seen his shows on TV was helpful, as I could hear his voice and inflection in my head as I read, which made his witty, sarcastic style a little easier to understand.
ReplyDeleteJust finished reading The Yankee Years as told by Joe Torre. You'd probably want to be a Yankees fan, BUT, if you can be open-minded it gives tons of insight into the players and how they think. The most interesting chapter by far explains how the steroid scandal became so prevalent throughout MLB and why the NYY were at the center of the firestorm.
ReplyDeleteIf you're a fan of baseball, (regardless of the team) read this book.
I never made it thru Kitchen Confidential, but I'll have to pick it up again one of these days. I didn't know bourdain's personality back then, and like you say, that helps you get the tone better.
ReplyDelete