A food blogger’s trip to the library

As much I enjoy reading food blogs, and I’m really quite addicted…..there’s nothing quite like the feel of a book in your hand. The instant relaxation you feel when settling down with a book and a cup of tea. The glossy photos inspire, and it’s always a nice break for a blogger to be “unplugged.”

Last Sunday our family made a stop at the library on the way home from church. It’s been great now that my 3 1/2 year old is getting old enough to calm down a bit when at the library. Her walking is still a a bit like running, but between the 4 of us juggling taking turns with her we can all get in a bit of time to browse and select a few books to take home.

I’ve been quite impressed with the cookbook selection since our library reopened last fall (they were closed 1 1/2 years for a major renovation and addition which sent us to a library almost as close, but with a parking lot that was an accident always waiting to happen). Let’s just say I was beyond thrilled when our library reopened!

Last week I picked out many cookbooks and foodie books to peruse over the next few weeks at home, so my plan was to head straight to the kid section with the little one. But I just couldn’t help myself….first a quick stop to look through the “new 14-day book” selection to see what’s new. You know, the newest books published? It’s the section where I checked out As Always, Julia: Letters of Julia Child & Avis DeVoto last month……..

Of course I checked out 3 more books! Take a peek at my choices, I’m sure you’ll agree…

Jamie’s America: Easy Twists on Great American Classics, and More

This book was a pleasant surprise. Though I think highly of Jamie Oliver and his Food Revolution, I’d never picked up or looked through one of his books. What I love about this book is that it’s an “eye on America” from an outsider. Jamie is excited about his trip across America, and takes the reader along with him.

It’s more than a cookbook……we get to travel and learn about the people and food in five distinct areas of our country: New York, Louisiana, Arizona, Los Angeles, Georgia, and the Wildwest (Wyoming). It’s so cool! His enthusiasm throughout the book as he explores other cultures is evident and refreshing! I’ve got a list of recipes I can’t wait to try, and they all seem easy and tasty. How does Jewish Penicillin sound? It’s a chicken matzo ball soup and looks incredible!

Barefoot Contessa: How Easy is That?

What I love about Ina Garten’s books is the “I’m on vacation” feeling I get when I read and browse through them. All the photos are gorgeous, and her food is fresh with simple wholesome ingredients usually straight from the farm. She shares some great ideas for entertaining in this one. And again….I have many recipes I can’t wait to try.

Gluten-Free Girl and the Chef

I was very excited to run into fellow food blogger Gluten-Free Girl Shauna Ahern’s new cookbook! Even if you’re not celiac or have to eat “gluten-free” this cookbook is worth reading. Being diagnosed with celiac did not discourage Shauna in the kitchen…instead her love of food grew as she discovered a new way of life.

I’m thoroughly enjoying learning more about the trials of those that have to live gluten-free, and her love story is fun too! Doesn’t this tagline grab you….”What happens when a successful chef falls in love with a gluten-free girl?” I’ve often been drawn to the science of gluten-free baking, and she describes each of the flours that make up a gluten-free mix in detail.

What are your recent finds at the library? Anything you’d recommend?
 

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13 Responses to A food blogger’s trip to the library

  1. Abiga/Karen says:

    I ordered the gluten free girl book and can’t wait til it comes in. And now your review of Jamie Oliver’s book made me put a hold on that one too. Thanks and blessings!

  2. I love cookbooks. I mean really, really love them. I have several hundred and keep adding more all the time. Haven’t read “As Always, Julia” but I’ll be picking that one up on my next trip to the bookstore!
    Lana @ Never Enough Thyme recently posted..Chicken a la King

  3. ButterYum says:

    Thanks so much for including my blog on your blog roll :). I’m a cookbook junkie – can’t seem to pass them up. I’m constantly buying them, checking them out from the library, or borrowing them from friends. Seriously, I have stacks of them all over the house. Funny thing though, I hardly ever cook from them. My baking books get a lot of use though.

  4. Alison Lewis says:

    I need to check that book out

  5. Emily says:

    I am going to write down Jamie Oliver’s book; that looks great. And b/c of dry eyes/computer vision syndrome, I have seen none of the “real food” documentaries people are shouting about; hopefully, soon…

    I am currently going through a book entitled The Wealthy Freelancer by Steve Slaunwhite, et. al. It has a lot of great info and ideas for Internet Marketers as well as freelancers, so I will heartily recommend it.
    Emily recently posted..Five Unique Ways To Save Money With Kids

  6. Aggie says:

    I do the same at the library…SO FUN! 🙂

    I loved that Barefoot Contessa one, there is a celery salad in there that I wanted to make so bad but never did. I might have to break down and buy it.
    Aggie recently posted..What’s Cooking at Family Kitchen {Roundup}

  7. Anything by Anthony Bourdain.

    Life, on the Line: A Chef’s Story of Chasing Greatness, Facing Death, and Redefining the Way We Eat by Grant Achatz (even though he comes across as a bit of a jerk).

    Heat: An Amateur’s Adventures as Kitchen Slave, Line Cook, Pasta-Maker, and Apprentice to a Dante-Quoting Butcher in Tuscany by Bill Buford (very interesting).

    Blood, Bones & Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef by Gabrielle Hamilton – awesome!

    I just reserved a few Michael Ruhlman books, too, at my library.
    Anne-Marie @ This Mama Cooks! recently posted..Best six ingredient dinners: Chicken with feta and sundried tomatoes {Blue Cash Dinner@6 $600 giveaway}

  8. Jen S. says:

    This looks like my library trips. I recently picked up MFK Fisher’s “Two Towns in Provence.” I have only read one of her books – several years ago – and wanted to try more. I have a more recent author’s novel on my bedside table, but was jonesing for a more classic flavor and voice. I have barely started Fisher’s but like it a lot.
    Jen S. recently posted..Coffee

  9. cool I love the library. Here in NYC we can order books online and they will deliver them to the library of your choice an sen you an email when they arrive. You sometimes have a wait for more popular stuff. But nothing quite beats browsing.
    The Culinary Lens recently posted..Home Alone: Tired And Lazy Chef

  10. Tamar says:

    I’ve had fun checking out cookbooks from our local library: Czech, Filipino and German (the kind of cookbooks a Korean food fanatic probably would not buy but want to read anyway). 🙂
    Tamar recently posted..Koreafornian recipes for National Onion Month

  11. Joanna says:

    Those are some great books! I’ll have to check my library to see if they have the Gluten-Free Girl book.
    Joanna recently posted..39 Weeks Pregnant

  12. Pingback: Homesick Texan Cookbook Spotlight & Cook-off Series ~ Pork tacos & Austin-style black beans | Creative Kitchen

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