Book stuff

Sometime in January I found a link to a food book reading challenge and in my head I joined in right then and there, but I neglected to post about it.  This year I'm committing to myself to read at the Glutton level of more than 12 food themed books.   I  know I'm unlikely to take the time to write more than a few quick sentences about each book but I would like the chance to add my picks.  For a slew of suggestions for food reading please visit the site Foodie's Reading Challenge built by Margot better known as Joyfully Retired. 

This is what I've read so far this year: 

 
Confections of a Closet Master Baker
I know I've mentioned this book before (and it's sorta cheating because I just reread it in Jan) but I really loved her writing style and the recipes are beautifully written.  It's the narrative of a Hollywood exec, who just happens to be Sanda Bullock's sister, who drops out and turns to baking full time.  The author is releasing a cookbook called Sugar Baby next month, which I'm desparately trying to resist buying.


Hungry Monkey
This is a quick read but I liked the author's self effacing attitude and sense of humor.  There are recipes with each chapter and some creative ideas for cooking with your little ones.



The Primal Blueprint Cookbook

 Full of a lot of fairly simple recipes this would be a good introduction book for someone not used to thinking outside the meat, starch, veg/food pyramid way of looking at meals.  There are quite a few slow cooked recipes that are a little time consuming and I was annoyed that despite it's promise there are recipes that call for dairy.  I like looking at it for ideas when I'm drawing a complete blank on what to make for dinner but I don't think it was worth the price.  Do go to Mark's Daily Apple and sign up for his newsletter so you can get the free downloadable recipe ebooks.  They are worth looking through. 


Why We Get Fat: And What to Do About It
A follow up to Good Calories, Bad Calories, this new book by Gary Taubes definitely reads more like a diet book.  If you can't get your family to read his previous epic tome then maybe you can pique their interest and get them asking questions with this book instead.  That being said, I can't help but feel deep down that even if I was supremely healthy and vital, life would just be a little sad without some sugar.

 
Eating Animals
I felt I needed to interject another viewpoint and reassess things if I was really going to try eating lower carb, which inevitably means more meat.  I found this book well written and easy to read but often redundant.  I absolutely agree with his views on factory farmed animals but have a hard time agreeing with much of the rest of his arguments.


The Vegetarian Myth: Food, Justice, and Sustainability
I thought this would be a nice counterpoint argument to the previous book and I'm working on finishing it now.  The personal stories are interesting but I find her presentation of the facts to be a little dry.  It is a perspective that isn't readily found elsewhere and I'm happy to see it out there. 

Request for children's book suggestions

I'm pulling out more and more of our stashed away baby books for Penny now that she is old enough to be interested in them.  That got me thinking about my list of My Favorite Children's Books with Food.  I think it's been long enough since I wrote that post and since it gets a decent amount of traffic I'd like to make a part two.  I know there are many more books to add.   If you haven't checked it out before please do so and add any of your favorites that I have missed to the comments. 

*I came across this fundraiser yesterday and thought I'd pass word along.  I'm not sure if any of the bakers are dairy-free but there are several that are gluten-free.  Bidding is on March 30th at The Tomato Tart.