Book 3: August 2006
This month's selection was chosen by Molly Loomis, who left me a voicemail about this book immediately after reading it. Please join Molly and me in reading Julie & Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously by Julie Powell.
I may be wrong, but it looks like this book is currently only available in hardcover with the paperback edition planned for a September release, so this may be a library only book for those of you who are opposed to purchasing hardcover books.
This month, I encourage you to respond to each other's comments. It's occurred to me that our postings all seem a little one sided as if we're reading the book and writing our thoughts like graffiti on bathroom walls so that others will know what we had to say while we were there.
This month's wine pairing is inspired by Julia herself.
Please note: It is not recommended to handle this month's book club selection after handling poultry in this way without first sanitizing the hands.
Toad Hollow Le Faux Frog Chardonnay - a French chardonnay that goes well with creamy soup, the first recipe our author prepares in this month's selection. If you can't find this wine locally, we recommend any French wine your heart desires (and that you can find).
I may be wrong, but it looks like this book is currently only available in hardcover with the paperback edition planned for a September release, so this may be a library only book for those of you who are opposed to purchasing hardcover books.
This month, I encourage you to respond to each other's comments. It's occurred to me that our postings all seem a little one sided as if we're reading the book and writing our thoughts like graffiti on bathroom walls so that others will know what we had to say while we were there.
This month's wine pairing is inspired by Julia herself.
Please note: It is not recommended to handle this month's book club selection after handling poultry in this way without first sanitizing the hands.
Toad Hollow Le Faux Frog Chardonnay - a French chardonnay that goes well with creamy soup, the first recipe our author prepares in this month's selection. If you can't find this wine locally, we recommend any French wine your heart desires (and that you can find).
Oooh la la! I am excited about this pick. I just finished the biography on Julia 'My life in France' and really enjoyed it. Julia was quite a character and the story made me want to get busy in the kitchen. But its tooo hot right now, so I will settle for reading about other people's escapades in the kitchen until the weather turns a bit cooler. Bon appetit!
Reply to this
Another good kitchen read which Jennie was so nice to lend me ( and also one that I finished in about 2 days)..Kitchen Confidential - very good! Oh wait, was I supposed to put this in the recommended reading file? Well anyways, just pick it up!
Reply to this
I'm going to skip this month to focus on reading "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Kids." Those kids are going to learn how to sleep, damnit! Wish me luck.
Reply to this
If it works let me know. We need it at our house too. If it doesn't, we should look for a book titled "It's 9:00 and everyone's asleep, Happy momma" because that's what I'm looking for.
Reply to this
Well...I don't know about anyone else, but I am really enjoying this one. I am about halfway through the book and continue to find situations that remind me of things in my past that make me laugh. Not cooking...oh no. Well, maybe some cooking. I am known for substituting ingredients and processes and then wondering why things don't turn out so great. I chuckled when she talked about going on a cleaning frenzy(sp?) when she was angry. I had a college roommate who would do that, so sometimes we just plain had to get her mad! Anyway, back to the food. I love French food(most of it anyway), but most of these recipes sound gaggy. Can't imagine pursuing a project like this and sticking to it. At another time I will share my experience of fixing Coquilles St. Jacques from MtAoFC many years ago. Hope no one is trying to read too much into this...that would take the fun out of it!!!
Reply to this
This book club thing is really fun. Am I the only one reading this book? I found a quote that I thought Jennie would enjoy...
p.147...Julie describing her aunt
"Aunt Sukie is a schoolteacher in Waxahachie, Texas, and one of those smart, kind people who nonetheless mystifies you by continuing to vote Republican"
Reply to this
Jennie...wait until you get to page 276...and no, don't look ahead!
Reply to this
Not that I want to learn to extract bone marrow, but I am kind of inspired to follow a whole cook book...maybe one with less butter.
Reply to this
SERIOUSLY????
Reply to this
like maybe in my life...not in a year! Think of all the stuff I could learn. This is coming form the girl who is afraid to veer from the recipe in case I mess it up.
Reply to this
I am about 2/3 done with this book and am enjoying it very much. I'm glad she tried some of this stuff so I don't have to. Parts are LOL funny like when she makes Navarin Printanier and Bitch Rice. Plus I really like her reflections on marriage and love, almost makes me want to cook liver.
Reply to this
I have been procrastinating getting started on this book. 2 reasons: I am not a cook/chef. I am not often inspired by cooking books, so I'm thinking it will not be my cup of tea. I also didn't want to buy the hardcover, see the previous statement.
That has all changed. 2 reasons, the comments make it seem like I really should read this book, and it was available in paperback just this past weekend! So if anyone else has been procrastinating, it just got cheaper to jump into the discussion. I will be vacationing on a sailboat this weekend and plan to read the whole thing while lounging and enjoying the sun.
Reply to this
I started the book late this month, and am just at the point where she tries to remove the marrow from the bone. It reminded me of the time I made this delicious sounding chicken dumpling soup (my very favorite), but it used chicken livers (certainly that CANNOT be the case in all chicken dumpling soups). I was so grossed out by the soup, that I couldn't even taste it once it was finished.
Reply to this