Salt Pepper Season Spice by Jacques Pasquet

 

Salt, Pepper, Season, Spice: All the Flavors of the World by Jacques Pasquet -- 48 pages

I read this book in preparation for a homeschool class.  It was very interesting.  It gave the history, uses, and process of making eleven different seasonings and spices.  It would be great for kids who like food or just random information.

Murder By Chocolate

 

Murder By Chocolate by Rosie A. Point  182 pages

What’s the worst that can go wrong on a date? Murder.Ruby Holmes wants to travel, sell delicious baked treats from her food truck, and never stay in one place for too long. Then the unexpected happens: upon arriving in Carmel Springs, Maine, she’s asked on a blind date by a handsome fisherman. When Ruby goes to meet him, she finds his dead body instead. A murderer has struck, and the cunning detective who ‘runs’ the town names her as the prime suspect. Ruby can’t run, but staying might mean falling victim herself. Can she solve the murder in time?

Quick Read. Likable characters

What the World Eats by Faith D'Aluisio

 

What the World Eats by Faith D'Aluisio - 160 pages

Sitting down to a daily family meal has long been a tradition for billions of people. But in every corner of the world this age-old custom is rapidly changing. From increased trade between countries to the expansion of global food corporations like Kraft and Nestlé, current events are having a tremendous impact on our eating habits. Chances are your supermarket is stocking a variety of international foods, and American fast food chains like McDonald’s and Kentucky Fried Chicken are popping up all over the planet.

For the first time in history, more people are overfed than underfed. And while some people still have barely enough to eat, others overeat to the point of illness. To find out how mealtime is changing in real homes, authors Peter Menzel and Faith D’Aluisio visited families around the world to observe and photograph what they eat during the course of one week. They joined parents while they shopped at mega grocery stores and outdoor markets, and participated in a feast where a single goat was shared among many families. They watched moms making dinner in kitchens and over cooking fires, and they sat down to eat with twenty-five families in twenty-one countries--if you’re keeping track, that’s about 525 meals!

The foods dished up ranged from hunted seal and spit-roasted guinea pig to U.N.-rationed grains and gallons of Coca-Cola. As Peter and Faith ate and talked with families, they learned firsthand about food consumption around the world and its corresponding causes and effects. The resulting family portraits offer a fascinating glimpse into the cultural similarities and differences served on dinner plates around the globe.

This is a very interesting book showing what people in different areas of the world eat in a week, plus information about the area in which they live and the family themselves.  It is very eye opening and amazing to learn about.

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner, 256 p.

"A memoir about growing up Korean American, losing her mother, and forging her own identity. Michelle Zauner tells of growing up one of the few Asian American kids at her school in Eugene, Oregon; of struggling with her mother’s particular, high expectations of her; of a painful adolescence; of treasured months spent in her grandmother’s tiny apartment in Seoul, where she and her mother would bond, late at night, over heaping plates of food.

As she grew up, moving to the East Coast for college, finding work in the restaurant industry, and performing gigs with her fledgling band—and meeting the man who would become her husband—her Koreanness began to feel ever more distant, even as she found the life she wanted to live. It was her mother’s diagnosis of terminal cancer, when Michelle was twenty-five, that forced a reckoning with her identity and brought her to reclaim the gifts of taste, language, and history her mother had given her."--Goodreads

What a delight, in a very emotional way, to read about someone growing up from the viewpoint of someone of a different background than myself. It was so interesting to read about the way Michelle was raised, the food she ate, and the feelings she felt about being a Korean in America. The main takeaway I got from this book, though, is the struggles of family cross generations, ethnicities, and the world. A powerful read.

 

The Good Food Revolution by Will Allen

The Good Food Revolution by Will Allen  256 pages

I read this for school and it was pretty boring.  He also got a lot of facts about how to grow things which seems weird for a book about growing things.

The son of a sharecropper, Will Allen had no intention of ever becoming a farmer himself. But after years in professional basketball and as an executive for Kentucky Fried Chicken and Procter & Gamble, Allen cashed in his retirement fund for a two-acre plot a half mile away from Milwaukee’s largest public housing project. The area was a food desert with only convenience stores and fast-food restaurants to serve the needs of local residents.

In the face of financial challenges and daunting odds, Allen built the country’s preeminent urban farm—a food and educational center that now produces enough vegetables and fish year-round to feed thousands of people. Employing young people from the neighboring housing project and community, Growing Power has sought to prove that local food systems can help troubled youths, dismantle racism, create jobs, bring urban and rural communities closer together, and improve public health. Today, Allen’s organization helps develop community food systems across the country.

Great American Eating Experiences by National Geographic

Great American Eating Experiences by National Geographic Society - 286 pages

This book goes through state-by-state and lists the "local favorites" of food.  It gives information on what the food is, the history of the food, local festivals, and what they consider the best places to find the food.
It was an interesting book to read.  I was amazed that I had actually eaten at several of the restaurants listed for other states I had visited.

The Starbucks Experience: 5 Principles for Turning Ordinary Into Extraordinary by Joseph A. Michelli

The Starbucks Experience: 5 Principles for Turning Ordinary Into Extraordinary by Joseph A. Michelli -- 193 pages


How did Starbucks become the leading coffee chain of the nation? By bringing their customers back again and again through interactive, personalized customer service. The Starbucks Experience is about how Starbucks trains their employees, and the principles they have built their company on.

I found this enlightening and empowering. It was an added bonus that I love coffee. :)

Gingerbread Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke, Laura Levine and Leslie Meier

Gingerbread Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke, Laura Levine and Leslie Meier, 361 pages

Gingerbread Cookie Murder is a collection of three Christmas murder mysteries by three bestselling authors.  What could be better this time of year than a cup of cocoa and some Christmas mysteries?  This is a good book to get a sampling of these three popular authors.  I had never read anything by Joanne Fluke, and I found the first story by her quite enjoyable.  An added bonus, mixed between the chapters are Christmas recipes.

Candy Corn Murder by Leslie Meier

Candy Corn Murder by Leslie Meier, 248 pages

This is another Lucy Stone mystery by Leslie Meier.  I love her books because they are just light, cozy mystery reads.  In this latest mystery, it is the annual Pumpkin Fest in Tinker's Cove, Maine, and someone has killed Lucy's husband's friend, Evan.  While managing her job and her duties as mother, as well as volunteering to help with the annual mitten drive and the Pumpkin Fest, Lucy is determined to prove her husband's innocence.  What follows is a revealing look into the past history of the local store, Country Cousins.

Princess Decomposia and Count Spatula by Andi Watson

Princess Decomposia and Count Spatula by Andi Watson - 170 pages

Princess Decomposia is loaded with the work of running her father's kingdom while he is unwell in bed.  Then she has to hire a new cook and chooses the best possible candidate for the job -- Count Spatula.  He's a vampire who loves to bake and feels it is his mission to feed those he cares for.  And that is the start of a wonderful relationship that will change everything.

This was a cute graphic novel.  It's filled with monsters for those who look the creepy.  It deals with family issues.  And it has a sweet romance.  While this book is geared towards teens, I also think older children would like also.

First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen

First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen - 296 pages

In Sarah Addison Allen's sequel to Garden Spells, First Frost begins ten years after Claire Waverly's wild half-sister Sydney returned and Claire met her now-husband Tyler. It is an inspiring story of the trouble with hanging on too long, and the magic that happens when you finally let go. Autumn has arrived in the small town of Bascom, North Carolina, along with a strange old man carrying a beat-up suitcase. He has stories to tell, stories that could change the lives of the Waverley women forever. But the Waverleys have enough trouble on their hands. Quiet Claire Waverley has started a successful new venture, Waverley's Candies (made with natural ingredients like lavender and honey). Unfortunately, it's nothing like she thought it would be, and it's slowly taking over her life. Sydney, still trying to leave her past behind, is about to combust with her desire for another new beginning. And Sydney's fifteen-year-old daughter, Bay, has lost her heart to the boy she knows it belongs to, if only he could see it, too. First Frost is magical realism at its best, taking readers back into the lives of the gifted Waverley women--back to their strange garden and temperamental apple tree, back to their house with a personality of its own, back to the men who love them fiercely--proving that a happily-ever-after is never the real ending to a story. It's where the real story begins.

Dark Shimmer by Donna Jo Napoli

Dark Shimmer by Donna Jo Napoli  353 pages

Dolce has grown up hidden away on an island in a lagoon. She is a giant, a freak, tormented by everyone but her loving mother. She spends her time learning the valuable secret of making mirrors. Following a tragedy, Dolce swims away and lands on an island where people see her as normal, even beautiful. Marin, a kind widower, and his little daughter bring Dolce to live with them in their grand palazzo. Eventually, Dolce and Marin marry. She secretly continues to make mirrors, not realizing that quicksilver endangers her . . . and so evil begins in innocence.

The Sinister Sweetness of Splendid Academy by Nikki Loftin

The Sinister Sweetness of Splendid Academy by Nikki Loftin - 283 pages

Lorelei is going to a new school this fall.  The Splendid Academy is a wonderful school where students study only what they want, two mouth-watering meals a day are served, and the playground is every child's dream.  But Lorelei starts to wonder if the school is too good to be true.  With her new friend Andrew, Lorelei starts to investigate the mysterious teachers Ms. Morrigan, Ms. Threnody, and Principal Trapp.

This was a wonderful blend of several fairy tales into one book.  There were elements of Hansel and Gretel, the Sirens of mythology, and more.  This was one of those books that once you started reading you didn't want to put it down.  A great fantasy novel for kids.

Sweet Revenge by Diane Mott Davidson

Sweet Revenge by Diane Mott Davidson, 359 pages

It's the winter holiday season and caterer Goldy is up to her eyeballs in parties to cater. While setting up for the staff party at the local library, a body is found - one of the local map collectors. And the game is afoot while Goldy tries to figure out who committed the heinous crime.

Of course, more attacks and deaths follow before this crime is solved. Be sure to look for recipes at the back of the book!

The Whole Enchilada by Diane Mott Davidson

The Whole Enchilada by Diane Mott Davidson, 372 pages

Nice mystery story featuring Goldy, a caterer who can't seem to keep herself out of trouble. Goldy is surrounded by her teen son and police officer husband, and many socialite friends.

In this caper, one of Goldy's friends collapses while leaving a birthday thrown for both women's sons. Soon, there are other attacks and while the police are left scratching their heads, Goldy and her troop set out to solve the mystery.

Lots of characters with several intricate story lines, this book will keep you guessing.  Having the main character be a caterer means there are several mentions of food through out. Look for some of those recipes at the back of the book.

Eat It To Beat It! by David Zinczenko

Eat It To Beat It! by David Zinczenko, 357 pages

This book is by the bestseller author of Eat This, Not That! Eat It To Beat It! is full of information on how to eat smart and regain your health while still eating the foods you love.  There is a food additive glossary in back that defines most of the additives in the food we eat.  The book describes how to eat healthy at many chain restaurants and what foods to avoid.  The book contains chapters on such popular foods as breads, burgers, cookies, and sandwiches.  The book reveals that just because a product claims it is lower fat, does not necessarily mean it is healthier.  This book makes sense. We all need to make healthier choices!

The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder

The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder - 334 pages

The Little House on the Prairie books were some of my favorite stories when I was young.  They were the first books I bought on my own.  With all the snow we had earlier in the month I had a sudden urge to read The Long Winter again.  It's probably been at least 20 years since I last read it.  I still enjoyed the book although I did find that Wilder's incredibly detailed descriptions sometimes seemed annoying and caused the book to lose momentum.  Still, I'm looking forward to introducing my niece to the Little House books in a few years.

MSCHMITT-- Snacktime for Confetti, by Kali Stileman, 32 pages

Snacktime for Confetti, by Kali Stileman, 32 pages

***POSTED FOR MOLLY SCHMITT***

Confetti is a cute little bird looking for something yummy to eat.  Really colorful picture book.

Relish: my Life in the Kitchen, by Lucy Knisley, 192 pages

Relish: my Life in the Kitchen, by Lucy Knisley, 192 pages

This graphic memoir was about food and memory and family.  It included some recipes and some stories that were very relatable for me.  It was also mouth-watering.  I really enjoyed it.

100 Unique Eats and Eateries in Missouri by Ann Hazelwood

100 Unique Eats and Eateries in Missouri by Ann M. Hazelwood, 112 pages

This was a very interesting book.  It features 100 unique places to eat all over the state of Missouri.  This book is divided by regions, so it is easy to find places close to home.  Besides being great restaurants, the places the book recommends all have something unique about them.  I also found it fascinating that out of 100 restaurants, I had only been to one of them statewide. That one is the Blue Owl in Kimmswick.  I have made it my goal to sample some of these restaurants, many of them I have never heard of before.  I especially would like to try the one that throws the rolls!!