Tag: pasta

The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher

~ foodinbooks ~ 9 Comments

Diving into a book by the late Rosamunde Pilcher is akin to wrapping yourself in a thick, soft sweater on a freezing cold day and watching the snow fall while sipping a nice warm cup of mulled wine. Her books are the literary equivalent of comfort food. They take you into a world that maybe … Continue reading The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher

Diavola by Jennifer Thorne

~ foodinbooks ~ 4 Comments

For a supposedly haunted house ghost story, the most terrifying thing in this book was the Pace family. Seriously. Hoo boy were they a big ol' mess. I mean, I have a dysfunctional family. You have a dysfunctional family. Hell, who doesn't have a dysfunctional family? But the Pace family puts the "fun" in dysfunctional. … Continue reading Diavola by Jennifer Thorne

In The Garden of Monsters by Crystal King

~ foodinbooks ~ 8 Comments

I'm back and I missed you all, but my summer hiatus was much needed. I'm rested and refreshed, and have a new stack of books and many new recipes to blog, so let's go! When I was a young girl discovering the joys of books and reading, I was fascinated by Greek mythology. My favorite … Continue reading In The Garden of Monsters by Crystal King

The Sixteen Pleasures by Robert Hellenga

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Un uomo mediterraneo. Doesn't that have the loveliest ring to it? It translates from the Italian to "a Mediterranean man" but it means so much more than that bland phrase. Un uomo mediterraneo is elegant, dapper, romantic, tips his hat to ladies, dresses immaculately, does not rush through life but rather meanders joyfully, enjoys all … Continue reading The Sixteen Pleasures by Robert Hellenga

The Fifth Gospel by Ian Caldwell

~ foodinbooks ~ 35 Comments

I found The Fifth Gospel to be quite a great read, fast-paced and adventurous, but with a fascinating historical and Biblical premise as the storyline. It's simple - a Greek Catholic priest living in The Vatican must defend his brother, also a Greek Catholic priest but one attached to the Pope's staff, who is accused … Continue reading The Fifth Gospel by Ian Caldwell

The Lost Book of the Grail by Charlie Lovett

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I admit to having been a Grail fan since I read Le Morte d'Arthur many years ago. The romance of the Arthurian legend combined with the mysticism of the Cup of Christ is the ultimate story, isn't it? King Arthur courting Guinevere, Sir Lancelot falling in love with Guinevere and his relationship with Elaine, Arthur's … Continue reading The Lost Book of the Grail by Charlie Lovett

A Roman Tale by Carroll Baker

~ foodinbooks ~ 31 Comments

I don't screw up in the kitchen much, so when I do, it's usually in a spectacular fashion. Today was no different, and I think it must be the universe's way of getting back at me for daring to read some total fluffy, smutty trash. But it's set in Italy, I told myself as I … Continue reading A Roman Tale by Carroll Baker

Salt: A World History by Mark Kurlansky

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An interesting microcosm of history, Salt essentially takes us back through the known history of the world, and analyzes how this humble little rock - the only rock humans can eat - and how it has had a transforming effect upon civilization. To be honest, however, there were large chunks of the book that weren't … Continue reading Salt: A World History by Mark Kurlansky

The Vacationers by Emma Straub

~ foodinbooks ~ 4 Comments

This book was previously blogged about by a fellow food blogger, Cara Nicoletti, whose page Yummy Books was one of the inspirations for starting my own food and book blog. The Vacationers is about a family's secrets and dysfunctions that come out over two weeks when they are vacationing in their house in Mallorca. I … Continue reading The Vacationers by Emma Straub

The Apprentice by Jacques Pépin

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There are three celebrity cooks  - Anthony Bourdain, Nigella Lawson and Emeril Lagasse - whom I love, but who are as much shrewd self-marketers as they are cooks. Then there are the three honest-to-God gourmet chefs whose writings have heavily influenced my own cooking and writing. Julia Child, the Goddess; Clarissa Dickson Wright, of Two … Continue reading The Apprentice by Jacques Pépin