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Give a Girl a Knife
Give a Girl a Knife: A Memoir | Amy Thielen
A beautifully written food memoir chronicling one womans journey from her rural Midwestern hometown to the intoxicating world of New York City fine diningand back againin search of her culinary roots Before Amy Thielen frantically plated rings of truffled potatoes in some of New York Citys finest kitchensfor chefs David Bouley, Daniel Boulud, and Jean-Georges Vongerichtenshe grew up in a northern Minnesota town home to the nations largest French fry factory, the headwaters of the fast food nation, with a mother whose generous cooking dripped with tenderness, drama, and an overabundance of butter. Inspired by her grandmothers tales of cooking in the family farmhouse, Thielen moves north with her artist husband to a rustic, off-the-grid cabin deep in the woods. There, standing at the stove three times a day, she finds the seed of a growing food obsession that leads her to the sensory madhouse of New Yorks top haute cuisine brigades. But, like a magnet, the foods of her youth draw her back home, where she comes face to face with her past and a curious truth: that beneath every foie gras sauce lies a rural foundation of potatoes and onions. Amy Thielens coming-of-age story pulses with energy, a cooks eye for intimate detail, and a dose of dry Midwestern humor. Give a Girl a Knife offers a fresh, vivid view into New Yorks high-end restaurants before returning Thielen to her roots, where she realizes that the marrow running through her bones is not demi-glace but gravythick with nostalgia and hard to resist.
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review
Megabooks
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Mehso-so

Like @Cinfhen said, this book suffered from a disorganized structure. I enjoyed a lot of the parts - reading more about famous professional kitchens and learning about homesteading - but the whole book is less than the sum of its individual stories.

The more squeamish parts of homesteading (graphic meat, animal control) wasn‘t as weird for me because I know people who live that lifestyle.

Mediocre memoir. #KnifedBuddyRead ⬇️

Megabooks Working on my fall bookshelf rejuvenation! I pull all my books off of all my shelves twice a year to dust and usually I reorganize. 👍🏻 3y
TiredLibrarian I need a bookshelf rejuvenation! 3y
inlovewithmyshelf Bookshelf rejuvenation is awesome! The only problem is then I can‘t find the book I‘m looking for. 😂 3y
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Cinfhen Great review, Meg!! There were some fascinating parts but overall a disappointing memoir 😔happy we read it together xx shelves l👀k awesome 🤩 3y
Megabooks @TiredLibrarian 🤩👍🏻 3y
Megabooks @inlovewithmyshelf I‘m working on that. Right now I‘m doing the by type then alpha by title 3y
Megabooks @Cinfhen thanks! It‘s always more fun reading with you! Thanks re: shelves! I wanted to do something completely different. 3y
81 likes7 comments
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Cinfhen
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Mehso-so

I really vacillated between rooting for Amy & disliking her. I can‘t say why. This memoir had some interesting bits but overall it was #MoreMehThanYeah and I didn‘t care much for the structural choices either. Amy a self taught chef lives off the grid with her boyfriend/ husband Aaron until one day she decides to move to NY to attend culinary school. #TriggerWarning if you don‘t consume meat this book is a hard swallow, even for meat eaters 😉

Cinfhen Curious to hear your thoughts after your done @Megabooks 😘 3y
Cinfhen I feel like I might have bailed but since we were #BuddyListening I stayed with it and I‘m grateful for that, Meg. Thanks xxx @Megabooks 3y
Megabooks It‘s a low pick for me so far. I‘m at 41%. I‘m not sure whether I‘ll finish today or tomorrow. I‘m such a mood reader, and like you said, this isn‘t particularly fantastic. I‘m glad you finished though. She‘s just moving back to MN where I‘m at now, so I think the meat parts are coming up! 3y
TrishB Not for me then! 3y
Cinfhen Definitely NOT for you @TrishB 3y
69 likes5 comments
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Cinfhen
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I never heard of Chef Amy Thielen so her foodie memoir isn‘t quite that captivating for me. I‘m finding it rather bland - how about you @Megabooks ??? I spent about 1.5 hours listening to audio while I helped hubby build & decorate our SUKKAH.Tomorrow evening starts the Sukkot Holiday. Sukkot commemorates the years the Jews spent in the desert after fleeing Egypt, on their way to Israel and celebrates the way in which God protected them.

Megabooks I hadn‘t heard of her either, but I know the chefs she‘s working with so that is interesting. Usually in these memoirs, the author talks about how hard it was to get into a great kitchen, so I‘m a bit surprised that she just walked in during culinary school and got a job. I loved reading about her time in the woods. I have hippie friends who do that whole back to the land kind of stuff. I‘d love to read more about the transition from MN to ⬇️ 3y
Megabooks Brooklyn or about her parents and how her mom knows so much about Michelin starred cuisine although some of my back to the land friends are surprisingly excellent travelers! So far this is a good not great for me. 3y
Megabooks I love your Sukkah. I am unfamiliar with that holiday, but I‘m always excited to learn more about Judaism from you. 💜 I know what the Christian Bible says about the exodus, and now I want to read about how Jewish stories differ!! 3y
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Cinfhen I‘m happy to share more @Megabooks xxx I love how inquisitive you are and your questions are always so well worded and sharp! 3y
Cinfhen Yes, when she listed a bunch of the souse chefs she was on the line with, I was shocked!! There were SOME VERY talented chefs in that restaurant. I agree it‘s good but not great but I‘ll keep listening because it‘s an easy listen 🎧 @Megabooks (edited) 3y
Megabooks Just sent you some questions about Sukkot when you have time! Very curious to learn about it. 💕😘 3y
Cinfhen You‘re awesome @Megabooks 😘 I promise I will respond but it might be a day or two ~ great questions 🙌🏻🤓 3y
Cinfhen I‘m at the part where she & Aaron are living in the woods and they need to protect their home from animal predators….it‘s making me uncomfortable 😣 it‘s a bit graphic @Megabooks 3y
Megabooks Looking forward to learning more when you have time!! 🤓 3y
Megabooks I have not read very much today because I wanted to finish Unbound, which was AMAZING!! I have a bit of a memoir hangover. 😂 I‘m 40% into knife and not to the stuff you mentioned yet. Hopefully I can read more tonight. 3y
Cinfhen I‘m enjoying Knife a bit more but it‘s not going to make my BEST list!! I‘m not even sure which books will!!! I‘ve read so many and I stopped keeping track back in June 🤭I‘ll have to go back through Litsy & refresh my memory @Megabooks (edited) 3y
62 likes11 comments
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Updrifting
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Gonna read this one next, which will be a rare nonfiction foray for me... and I can't wait! Anyone else read it yet? Thoughts?

Christine I love this book (and Amy Thielen in general)!! 4y
19 likes1 comment
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GondorGirl
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I love a good food memoir, especially if it's written by a female chef. Four hours into this audiobook and I'm loving it. Thielen's voice is fresh, knowledgeable, and approachable. As a midwesterner myself I'm enjoying seeing the Minnesota native adjusting to New York kitchens.

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SReed151
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Power‘s out here - and on Oscar Night! 😩At least my Kindle is fully charged & this book‘s quite inviting! #readingbyKindlelight

valeriegeary Oh no! 😨 5y
Crazeedi 2nd post in a row on my feed that said power out! Hope it's back on soon! And you were both using your kindle 5y
SReed151 @Crazeedi Thank goodness for Kindles! 5y
Crazeedi @SReed151 yes!😍 5y
29 likes4 comments
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Christine
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I can name SO many beloved books of food writing, chef/foodie memoirs, and cookbooks (which together may make up my most-loved genre of all). This is a recent-ish favorite. I‘m a fan of Amy Thielen in general, and I thought this book was a perfect combination of descriptive food writing and unique and compelling personal stories. Plus beautifully written, and full of nods to the Midwestern upbringing the author and I share. 🔪🍴❤️ #24in48

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ambam1987
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Pickpick

🍴 love a good foodie memoir!

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Nitpickyabouttrains
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Pickpick

A memoir about a chef in New York. This is a common sort of book that had one unique thing, the author lived in the woods with no power for years with her boyfriend before she started as a chef.

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Lacythebookworm
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Today‘s audiobook for my drive to the state library for a meeting. It makes me want to cook! Though not professionally. 👩🏻‍🍳

tammysue Amy Thielen 💗 6y
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KrystleTheBookSlayer
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1) other than recipe books, I haven't really read any, although Give a Girl a Knife is high on my TBR.
2) So many foods! Oreos, cherries, steak, crab legs, polenta.
3) I hate sun-dried tomatoes, lutefisk, blue cheese, head cheese 😝
4) Christmas!
5) My favorite places are local places. My favorite restaurant chain is probably the Texas Roadhouse.
#ManicMonday @JoScho

JoScho Head cheese 🤢 6y
KrystleTheBookSlayer @JoScho I had it once as a kid and that was enough! So nasty! 6y
32 likes2 comments
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AileenRR
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Pickpick

My 10yo saw the cover and thought it was about murder 🔪
Took me a couple of weeks to finish, but I liked it. Miss her show on Food Network

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BooksForEmpathy
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I am humbled and feel truly “gotten” by you, Becky!

From the tea and chocolates, to the magnets of my hometown and calendar, to the very therapeutic stress cards, to the diverse book selections - you have outdone yourself. I don‘t have ANY of these books and that is impressive. You hit upon all of my interests and made such a special box for me. Thank you with all of my heart.

#wintersolsticebookexchange

Libby1 All the Birds, Singing is amazing! 6y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa That‘s a gorgeous collection! Great job! 6y
Beck9lol Ahhh I'm so happy you like your gifts!!! I definitely added to my TBR list while picking books out for you. 😂 I hope you enjoy and have a wonderful holiday Gianna!!! 🎄❄️🎅🏼🎁 6y
117 likes3 comments
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Christine
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Pickpick

I adore Amy Thielen, and I adored this book! I first learned of her via her short-lived-but-sweet Food Network show Heartland Table; I‘ve enjoyed her social media presence since and love her cookbook. This is a fiercely well-written memoir about her childhood, time as a chef at high-end NYC restaurants, and life off the grid with her artist partner in Northern MN. Please let there be more where this came from, because she is fantastic.

Owlizabeth Sounds excellent! 6y
Christine @Owlizabeth I really loved it! It‘s a bit meandering but that doesn‘t bother me. I just love the way she thinks and writes about food. 6y
bookloo Woo! This picture. 😍👍🏽 And awesome review! 6y
Christine Aww thanks @bookloo ! (edited) 6y
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Lissa00
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Pickpick

Amy Thielen grew up in northern Minnesota with a mother who took pride in her culinary skills. Later as the author rotated through the kitchens of some of New York City‘s finest restaurants, she reflected often on the Midwestern foods of her youth. This memoir often skips around in time and could have been shortened due to repetitions, but overall this is a wonderful tribute to the food we grow up eating.

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Lissa00
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I read a lot of nonfiction but this is my current read. It is a chef memoir about a woman who cooked in popular New York restaurants and then decided to explore her cooking roots. Good so far. #giveawayrealtalk

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Pamwurtzler
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Pickpick

I used to watch her Food Network show so this was a fun read for me. It ended before she got the show though, so that was disappointing. Also, the last couple food memoirs I've read were full of sex and cocaine (I'm really not a prude, but is this real life?) and this one was not.

drbethandherkindle Thinking of Sweetbitter?? It‘s going to be a tv show 7y
20 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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EvieBee
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Dinner is served! Salmon stir fry with Udon noodles! Courtesy of Blue Apron! #bookanddinner

TK421 That looks great! 7y
MicheleinPhilly So happy to see you're still enjoying it! 🍽 7y
MarticaMustRead I love Blue Apron!!😍😋 7y
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EvieBee @TK421 It was! The Furikake spice this came with was out of this world. I need to find an Asian store ASAP. 😊 7y
EvieBee @MicheleinPhilly Definitely! Thank you so much for sending us a free trial. It‘s saved our weekly dinner times. 😘 (edited) 7y
EvieBee @MarticaMustRead It‘s such a good value, right?! 7y
vivastory I'll have some! 🙂 7y
MamaGina That looks amazing!🤓 7y
MicheleinPhilly My pleasure! ☺️ 7y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Looks delicious 😋 7y
hermyknee That looks so good! 7y
[DELETED] 3803335244 Oh hopping on litsy tonight has made me hungry & I'm thankful it's almost dinner time! My husband & I decided we are getting blue apron for date nights! You have inspired me 💙💙💙 We wish we could get it for everyone but 7 people it's a bit pricey. Plus we can cook together after the kids go to bed! Date without leaving the house! Perfect! Plus I'm now a member of BOTM another Evie inspiration 💙 7y
EvieBee @vivastory I saved you a spot! 😊 7y
EvieBee @ForeverNerdy That‘s wonderful! Keep me posted. Can‘t wait to see what your first meal picks are. 😊 Now all you need is Audible! There‘s a free 30-day trial via Levar Burton‘s podcast! www.audible.com/levar Treat yourself to a free audiobook. Cancel at any time! I‘ve been a member for 6 years. I cancel several times a year when I am overwhelmed with audiobooks and then start again when I‘m caught up. (edited) 7y
[DELETED] 3803335244 Haha! Yes I did subscribe to audible. I'm trying audiobook.com now instead. I might go back to audible but I'm trying to use different companies instead of Amazon. ☺️ it's hard when audible has such good pricing! There should be options to skip months on there. 7y
L_auren Looks amazing 😮 7y
EvieBee @L_auren Thank you! ❤️ 7y
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catebutler
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A big thanks to @crownpublishing for sending me these books! A mystery set in the 1920's on a tea plantation, a foodie memoir, a new book by the author of, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas & a biography about a famous portrait photographer who rubbed shoulders with the likes of Victor Hugo, Alexandre Dumas and Charles Baudelaire. My July TBR, is shapely up quite nicely. The only dilemma, which one to start with... #prhpartner #bookstack #booksy #tbr

slategreyskies I love this photo! 💕 7y
catebutler @slategreyskies Oh, thank you Sarah! 😊👋🏼 7y
MyBookBath Beautiful shot! 7y
catebutler @MyBookBath Thank you, Jude! 😘 7y
16 likes4 comments
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halfdesertedstreets
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A memoir. About food and cooking. I'm there.

thebooksatchel Love books about food 7y
MyBookBath 👱‍♀️🔪🥘🥗🥙 7y
halfdesertedstreets @thebooksatchel I feel sure I'm going to eat way too much while I read this! 7y
halfdesertedstreets @MyBookBag 💪🏼🍜🌮🍩 7y
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OffTheBeatenShelf.com
Pickpick

For someone who doesn't like to cook, this was quite enjoyable! I imagine anyone who loves food would like it even more.

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BooksTeasAndBookishThings
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Seriously a lot of titles!!! Enter and share your link ❤️

http://www.readitforward.com/giveaways?rf=13497219adf4c0f736b53fb14b2cbde1

Megabooks Thanks! 7y
89 likes1 comment
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OffTheBeatenShelf.com
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Okay, I had to abandon my last ARC, which I hate hate HATE having to do, so I'm moving on to this one. I don't normally read a lot of food and cooking narratives, but this sounded pretty good. Fingers crossed!

Reviewsbylola I hate abandoning ARCs too but I'll still do it with no hesitation! 7y
Christine I LOVE Amy Thielen!! Hope you enjoy. 7y
BestOfFates That is a great title! 7y
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RealLifeReading You had me at food and cooking! 7y
OffTheBeatenShelf.com @Reviewsbylola For real. I only write positive book reviews, so I have to abandon a book when I can't find anything good to say. 😕 7y
OffTheBeatenShelf.com @Christine She's fantastic! Last night I told myself I was only going to read for 30 more minutes, but I got so sucked in that I didn't look up for an hour. I'm so glad I stepped out of my reading comfort zone with this one. ☺️ 7y
Christine Oh yay, so glad you're loving it! I haven't read it yet and now I'm even more motivated to do so ASAP! 7y
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BethFishReads
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A foodie memoir? I'm so in. But I'm especially curious about the Midwest rural to NYC urban journey

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Alyson_Sinclair
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"It occurred to me briefly that anyone with more sense would have just let the past stay flapping back behind her and move on---like every other small-town girl who had moved to New York to find her people." -#AmyThielen, Give a Girl a Knife #ARC #culinarymemoir May 2017 pub