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A Homemade Life
A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from My Kitchen Table | Molly Wizenberg
54 posts | 42 read | 32 to read
When Molly Wizenberg's father died of cancer, everyone told her to go easy on herself, to hold off on making any major decisions for a while. But when she tried going back to her apartment in Seattle and returning to graduate school, she knew it wasn't possible to resume life as though nothing had happened. So she went to Paris, a city that held vivid memories of a childhood trip with her father, of early morning walks on the cobbled streets of the Latin Quarter and the taste of her first pain au chocolat. She was supposed to be doing research for her dissertation, but more often, she found herself peering through the windows of chocolate shops, trekking across town to try a new ptisserie, or tasting cheeses at outdoor markets, until one evening when she sat in the Luxembourg Gardens reading cookbooks until it was too dark to see, she realized that her heart was not in her studies but in the kitchen. At first, it wasn't clear where this epiphany might lead. Like her long letters home describing the details of every meal and market, Molly's blog Orangette started out merely as a pleasant pastime. But it wasn't long before her writing and recipes developed an international following. Every week, devoted readers logged on to find out what Molly was cooking, eating, reading, and thinking, and it seemed she had finally found her passion. But the story wasn't over: one reader in particular, a curly-haired, food-loving composer from New York, found himself enchanted by the redhead in Seattle, and their email correspondence blossomed into a long-distance romance. In A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from My Kitchen Table, Molly Wizenberg recounts a life with the kitchen at its center. From her mother's pound cake, a staple of summer picnics during her childhood in Oklahoma, to the eggs she cooked for her father during the weeks before his death, food and memories are intimately entwined. You won't be able to decide whether to curl up and sink into the story or to head straight to the market to fill your basket with ingredients for Cider-Glazed Salmon and Pistachio Cake with Honeyed Apricots.
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Bookishlie
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Pickpick

5 Stars - I will visit this again and probably try some of the recipes. She has a nice writing style. If you read her blog (I don‘t) this is probably not new stuff. But I‘m a sucker for a foodie memoir.

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HPBookBug
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This was Spring

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HPBookBug
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HPBookBug
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Top 5 Non Fiction Read so far this year...

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HPBookBug
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Pickpick

Favourite Book Read in March 🍇🍊🍋🍲🥖🥐

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HPBookBug
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There is no problem that cannot be solved with cake.

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AileenRR
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Pickpick

I‘ve read or listened to this one 3 or 4 times. So good! Planning on making the Winning Hearts and Minds Cake for Valentine‘s Day 💖

Nute I love this book! I never got around to reading the other two books as her story continues, but this first book was truly enjoyable. 3y
AileenRR I wasn‘t too into her 2nd book (about opening a restaurant as a newlywed) but I enjoyed her 3rd book (about her sexual fluidity and how it affected her marriage). 3y
13 likes2 comments
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Sapphire
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My neighbor brought over homemade eggnog today.

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SheilaChew
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Scottish Scones (p.174) made with frozen blueberries. Oh yummy!

LiteraryinLawrence These look amazing! 4y
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Cinfhen
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Pickpick

After typing the word “PARIS” into the Scribd search menu box this memoir/cookbook/travelogue appeared. I found the first half more enjoyable than the second half but still an overall pick. Molly has an effervescent personality,her joy& excitement over pastries, chocolate and savory dishes were infectious and her laid back approach to life delightful 🎧 I ordered a copy of the print book so I can try all the recipes.
#ReadingEurope2020 #France

BarbaraBB Nicely done! 4y
Librarybelle Nice! 4y
DebinHawaii This one is a favorite of mine. 🤗 4y
See All 12 Comments
nelehelen You have to post your yummy creations 😉 4y
Cinfhen Thanks @Librarybelle @BarbaraBB my plan is to read 4 books set in Europe this month🤞🏽🤞🏽 4y
Cinfhen Have u made any of her recipes @DebinHawaii ???? I‘m excited to try a bunch @nelehelen but first I need to obtain my copy 💗😁 4y
BarbaraBB I have found a copy of the Iceland book. Would April be okay for you for the buddyread? 4y
DebinHawaii @Cinfhen It‘s been a while but I have made the banana bread with ginger—good although I liked the one from her blog better: http://orangette.net/2007/06/my-kind-of-bridal/ & her mother‘s berry pound cake & I want to say I have made a soup too but can‘t quite remember which one. I have cooked more from her blog which she sadly quit adding to a few years ago. 4y
Cinfhen Yes!!!! Perfect 👌🏾 I look forward @BarbaraBB 4y
Cinfhen Ginger in banana bread didn‘t appeal to me so thanks for tagging this other recipe @DebinHawaii Did u see she has a new memoir coming out which is about her coming out??? It looks really good 4y
DebinHawaii @Cinfhen Oh wow! I didn‘t realize she came out or had a new book coming out. I have the book about her husband & the restaurant on my shelves 👇🏻but never read it. The new one sounds fascinating. Shelved it! 4y
Cinfhen I‘ve stacked Delancey @DebinHawaii I heard it‘s good 4y
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SheilaChew
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Cooking my way through A Homemade Life - today was the butternut squash and pear soup with vanilla bean infused cream. A feel like a full-on rock star - this is so so so good! Made with my own homemade veggie stock and I added a little pumpkin I had left from making muffins. Excuse me while I eat a vat of soup! 😋

KathyWheeler That sounds so delicious! 5y
AileenRR What a fun book to cook through! I enjoyed this book so much 💖 5y
36 likes2 comments
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SheilaChew
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Pickpick

I made the Chana Masala today - first time and it turned out great! Molly‘s directions are specific and easy to follow. Love this book!

Tamra So yummy! 5y
Megabooks Yum! 5y
37 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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bcncookbookclub
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Pickpick

(my impression about it)
Traduzido al castellano UN HOGAR EN LA COCINA | "Está lleno de anécdotas e historias personales, tan profundas como la dulce relación con su padre hasta el momento más intimo de cuando y cómo conoce su pareja para, juntos, seguir su propio camino."

Read the whole spanish review in the blog,
https://www.bcncookbookclub.com/blog/categories/reseñas
#ahomemadelife #mollywizenberg #colandcolediciones #gastromemories #foodoir

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bcncookbookclub
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"La comida nunca es solo comida" | "Con nosotros traemos a nuestros padres, nuestras madres, nuestras comidas familiares y todos los alimentos que hemos probado"
#spanishreading

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LeslieO
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks So pretty ❤️ 5y
vkois88 ❤❤❤ 5y
40 likes2 comments
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parttimedomestic
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I‘m having a peaceful rainy morning getting into this very interestingly structured memoir. Every short chapter ends with a recipe, making me wish I had a slice of banana bread to go with my coffee!

My #ShelfieGiveaway is still open! You can win a handmade shelf and two books, just make a post showing off your shelves, tag me, and use the hashtag! See my last post for details!

Amandajoy The banana bread recipe in this book is my favorite one ever! 🍌🍞 6y
parttimedomestic @Amandajoy I literally just bought the ingredients for that recipe! ❤️ I like my plain banana bread, but I was thinking about it all day, so I have to try it! (edited) 6y
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melrailey
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this one. I didn‘t try any of the recipes and don‘t know if I will but I really connected with her stories especially in dealing with the grief and loss of her dad. Maybe if I wasn‘t reading it so close to my own dad‘s death I‘d feel differently but right now it felt like she echoed a lot of the feelings I have. #24in48

peaKnit I enjoyed this one and I did try some of her recipes👍🏻 thanks for reminding me of this good read. I read Delancey as well, about the creation of her husband‘s Seattle restaurant. 6y
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Dolly
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this little gem but I listened to it on audio so no recipes ☹️. Maybe I‘ll track down the print version. Molly does go into detail about her dad‘s passing so sensitive readers take note.

SaraFair I am finishing it up right now!! Is there a way I could send the recipes to you? I would be glad to! 6y
Dolly That‘s sweet of you. I can easily get a print copy and probably don‘t want ALL the recipes anyway. Thanks anyway❤️ 6y
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SheilaChew
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“They‘re like rubies in fruit form.”
Here is the tomato pesto I made from the roasted tomatoes. (Recipe on page 193)

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SheilaChew
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I‘m slow-roasting tomatoes today. I‘ve been wanting to do this since I read this book, but I needed 4-6 hours to hang out at home while they are in the oven. 🍅🍃😋

BookMaven407 Yummy! 6y
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DrSabrinaMoldenReads
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Pickpick

I did not expect to love Molly and her book as much as I did. Its amazing to again find another author with whom I so closely relate, even down to some quirks that both of us have. I want to call her up and say, “Me,too”. What I love most though is how very inspirational this book is. Its her means of mourning her Dad‘s death but, to me, its mostly a celebration of life and love. Reading it definitely made me smile, lifted my mood. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Laura317 I enjoyed this book. It made me want to quit work. 6y
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DrSabrinaMoldenReads
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Food is never just food. Its also a way of getting at something else: who we are, who we have been, and who we want to be.

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Librarylady
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This foodie memoir has been sitting around in my house since it came out in 2009. Why has it taken me so long to pick it up?! I now have several recipes I want to try out and a great memoir to recommend to other readers.

DrSabrinaMoldenReads I am really enjoying this! 6y
AWahle I think my copy has been around almost as long... I need to find it and read as well. (edited) 6y
DebinHawaii One of my favorite foodie memoirs! 😋📚 6y
18 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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DrSabrinaMoldenReads
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I am trying to do the #EclecticReadathon. Don‘t know how successful I am being or will be. Here‘s a photo of my delightful current read.

EclecticReaders That's a great cover! I hope you enjoy your time no matter how much you read 😊 6y
DrSabrinaMoldenReads Sorry I could not keep up this time @EclecticReaders but happy to learn about the group 6y
EclecticReaders @Joyfulmimi no worries! It's all about having fun and discussing books and bookish things 😊 6y
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Jeanne_S
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Pickpick

Very pleasant

AileenRR Loved this one! 6y
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AileenRR
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Pickpick

Made Molly‘s raspberry ricotta cake from her blog (and added a chocolate glaze). I do love the book though, especially how short the chapters are. Makes it easy to tell yourself “Just one more chapter.”

Lea That sounds yum! 6y
SheilaChew I liked this book so much that I bought it! I want to make the scones and the vanilla bean butternut squash soup. 😋 6y
14 likes2 comments
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SheilaChew
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I checked this book out from the library last year, and about half way through I realized that I wanted my own copy. This doesn‘t happen often - I‘m content to borrow and give back. But this book is special. The next time I post a picture, it will have several post-it notes marking the recipes I want to make.

Tamra I will check it out! 6y
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raelaschoenherr
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Pickpick

Finally finished this beauty of a book, whose colors go so well with the beautiful colors of my current surroundings. I loved it, and felt a little choked up at the end! Lovely to read her story and see how each of her recipes is meaningful to each stage of her life. And now I‘m hungry!
***
Lovely bookmark peeking out courtesy of @Obviousstate

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raelaschoenherr
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Starting off the new year right! #firstbook

Nat_Reads Love your couch! Your home looks so cozy! 6y
Suzze I have had that in the shelf for ages. Looking forward to your thoughts. 6y
Reviewsbylola Starting the NY reading is a must! 6y
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raelaschoenherr @Nat_Reads It is! My roommate has excellent decorating taste! 6y
raelaschoenherr @Suzze I have too! Thanks to @Krissajeldy for the push to finally read it! 6y
raelaschoenherr @Reviewsbylola Best way to spend a frigid New Year‘s Day! 6y
33 likes6 comments
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SheilaChew
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Recipe for butternut squash soup with pear and vanilla - I must try this! Dinner for the next few months = soup, salad, and bread.

heikemarie That sounds amazing. 6y
bookwrm526 That sounds delicious!! (edited) 6y
39 likes2 comments
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SheilaChew
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Pickpick

A fun and endearing book about a family and the recipes that hold fond memories. I need to buy this book so I can make everything!

47 likes1 stack add
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raelaschoenherr
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Day 7 #onmynightstand I‘m not at home so not actually my nightstand and just the books I brought with me. And the apron my grandma made for me all ready for Thanksgiving food prep! 🦃 #12daysofbookstagram #bookstagram

Zelma That apron is adorable! 😍 6y
raelaschoenherr @Zelma I think so too! My grandma knows me well ☺️ 6y
24 likes2 comments
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raelaschoenherr
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Day 6 #flatlay I‘m not much of a bath person, but this gorgeous claw foot tub at the rental we‘re staying at over the holiday might be enough to turn me into one! Complete with book selection and cup of tea. #12daysofbookstagram

Lacythebookworm I loved that book! 6y
raelaschoenherr @Lacythebookworm So far, I‘m liking it too! 6y
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SheilaChew
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The libraries will be closed tomorrow and Friday. I may have panicked a little bit...... #neverenoughbooks

bookcaterpillar_89 Better to have too many than not enough! 😊 6y
TricksyTails Nicely prepared!! 📚📚📚 6y
JennyM 😆😆 6y
35 likes1 stack add3 comments
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SheilaChew
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This is such a fun book - but I want to make everything and just eat.

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jbhops
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Not my favorite food memoir I've read but I'm only.... Oh, I'm halfway through already. Everything I read about this book says she talks about moving to Paris. I'm halfway through and she's still not there. #currentlyreading #lunchatmydesk

JillR I started this too then kept drifting off it... still not finished it several months later! 7y
15 likes1 comment
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perfectlywinged
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Pickpick

Finally got around to reading this memoir/cookbook and I loved the writing and the recipes. Now I need to listen to her podcast Spilled Milk

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howjessicareads
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Pickpick

Well, this isn't exactly a MEAL... but the lemon yogurt cake from A Homemade Life is my go-to cake for a party. It layers beautifully, and with a little fresh fruit and a drizzle of the glaze, it's amaaaaazing. I recently used a Meyer Lemon infused olive oil to make one, and 😋😋😋. #17booklove #bookandmeal

Mommamanzi Oh my gosh. I want to dive into this photo and eat it!!!!! 7y
zsuzsanna_reads Looks so delicious! 7y
Dragon Yummy! Such a pretty cake 🎂 7y
See All 9 Comments
Cinfhen That looks heavenly 😇😇😇 7y
howjessicareads @Cinfhen @Dragon @zsuzsanna_reads - a variation of the recipe is on her blog (Orangette) if you want to make it too! 🍰😋🍰 7y
howjessicareads Oh and @Mommamanzi ^^ meant to tag you. 7y
Cinfhen Thanks! Will definitely check out the recipe/blog 💜 7y
Dragon Thanks @jess.how 👍 7y
zsuzsanna_reads Thanks for the tip about the blog! 7y
48 likes9 comments
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kyraleseberg
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A cold & rainy day calls for bread baking and reading this lovely food memoir (with recipes! 🤗)

Suzze Nothing better than homemade bread! I can almost smell it. 7y
kyraleseberg @Suzze I agree! I stopped buying bread from the store last year once I found a recipe for baking 4 loaves in just 1 hour (plus 10 minutes prep). I'm too lazy for all the kneading and rising 😉 7y
DebinHawaii This book is one of my favorites and bread looks delicious!! 📚❤️ 7y
kyraleseberg @DebinHawaii It is a great book, I'm trying to read it slowly because I'm enjoying it so much. Several recipes I want to try and I may have cried like a baby when she wrote about her father dying 😪 7y
13 likes4 comments
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kyraleseberg
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Preparing for our southern "snow storm" with a warm blanket & this book ?

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kyraleseberg
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Winter is when I daydream about gardening and wear fuzzy socks while puttering around the kitchen so I'm preparing a nice stack of books about food 📚💗🍽

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MPL
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Our Eat.Drink.Read book club discussed A Homemade Life over some delicious dinner and dessert!

scripturient Are these 'Mutzen'? 😊 8y
Graciouswarriorprincess I loved this book and the recipes.❤️ 8y
MPL @scripturient They are the Italian version, Zeppoles! ☺️ 8y
MPL @Graciouswarriorprincess So did we! Haven't tried any recipes yet but the berry pound cake sounds soo good! 8y
Graciouswarriorprincess @MPL I have done the potato salad! So good!! 8y
10 likes1 stack add5 comments
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MPL

Our Eat.Drink.Read book club discussed A Homemade Life over some delicious dinner and dessert!

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MPL

Our Eat.Drink.Read book club discussed A Homemade Life over some delicious dinner and dessert!

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KerriArista
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Mehso-so

For me, this was ok. Liked her writing style, but I'm not so into food that I would rank it as one of my favs. It was lots of short essays followed by recipes, which made for a much quicker read than I originally expected when I first saw the length of the book. If you love cooking and Paris, I bet this would be a great pick.

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AileenRR
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Pickpick

They chose not to read the recipes on the audiobook, which makes sense, but I wish they read out the head notes for them. I always like those. I ended up downloading the ebook so I could see the recipes.

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TheBookHippie
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Pickpick

Reading

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JillD
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Pickpick

Would eat every single meal in this book. & the writing was 😍

Suzze Sounds great! 8y
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MPL
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Pickpick

A delicious food memoir with drool-worthy recipes after each chapter.