Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Foodie's Reading Challenge for 2011

I am so joining this challenge! If you read my letters often, you'll know I write about food almost as much I write about books, so this is a perfect challenge for me. You may sign up here.

This is what Margot has to say about her challenge:
One thing we all have in common is the need to eat food. Some of us also have a strong need/desire to read about food. I’m one of them, are you? Such people are known as Foodies – people who love to talk, read, watch food tv, or anything else with a food theme.

If that description fits you, I invite you to join me in the Foodie’s Reading Challenge for 2011. Together we’ll explore the world of good food writing. That may take the form of a cookbook or a biography or even a novel centered around food.

Here’s how it works:

Decide how many food books you want to read in 2011 and choose your level of reading. Levels:

Nibbler: 1 to 3 books
Bon Vivant: 4 to 6 books
Epicurean: 7 to 9 books
Gourmet: 10 to 12
Glutton: More than 12

I have chosen the Gourmet level. Some of my books are cookbooks with stories, and I will certainly offer recipes as part of my (cook) book reports. My list in alphabetical order by title:

1. As Always, Julia
The Letters of Julia Child & Avis Devoto
Food, Friendship & the Making of a Masterpiece
edited by Joan Reardon

2. At Grandmother's Table - finished March 22 - book 4
Women Write about Food, Life, and the Enduring Bond between Grandmothers and Granddaughters
edited by Ellen Perry Berkeley
(a gift from a local friend)

3. Consuming Passions - finished January 11 - book 1
A Food-Obsessed Life
by Michael Lee West

4. Joie De Vivre - finished February 20 - book 3
Simple French Style For Everyday Living
by Robert Arbor & Katherine Whiteside

5. Lost Recipes - finished January 23 - book 2
Meals to Share with Friends and Family
by Marion Cunningham
(a gift from Les)

6. My Life in France
by Julia Child
with Alex Prud'homme

7. Perfection Salad
Women and Cooking At the Turn of the Century
by Laura Shapiro

8. The Afternoon Tea Book - finished April 30 - book 5
by Michael Smith

9. The Pooh Cook Book
Inspired by Winnie-The-Pooh and The House At Pooh Corner by A.A. Milne
by Virginia Ellison
Illustrated by Ernest H. Shepard

10. We'll Eat Again - finished May 10 - book 6
A collection of recipes from the war years
selected by Marguerite Patten
(a gift from Maureen)

Four that were not on my original list: 
 Sunset's Kitchen Cabinet Recipes - finished June 30 - book 7
 On What Grounds by Cleo Coyle - finished August 5 - book 8
 Through the Grinder by Cleo Coyle - finished September 4 - book 9
 Death by Gumbo by Phil Edwards - finished September 25 - book 10

If Margot offers the challenge again next year, I'll try and read the others on my list.

14 comments:

  1. Sounds like a yummy Challenge, Nan!
    I will definitely think about it.

    In the meantime, I hope you and your family will have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

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  2. I'm doing this one too. Look forward to hearing about what you read for it, Nan. Your list sounds very interesting.

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  3. I'm so tempted by this challenge, but have decided not to join any for 2011. My Life in France was an excellent audiobook. Your header photo is beautiful, Nan!

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  4. Yvette, I am really looking forward to spending time with all these books. Wishing the same to you.

    Cath, I hope to read each of these, and I will be checking in to see what you are reading!

    JoAnn, the two challenges I've joined are very appealing to me, and I look forward to them. Thank you about the photo. Snow really makes beautiful pictures.:<)

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  5. Oh gosh, I printed out this list. It is amazing. I feel as though I struck GOLD.

    Just wanted to send along my best wishes for a joyous (and peaceful) holiday and reading season.

    Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

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  6. This sounds like just my kind of challenge! I have a few "foodie" books that have been lingering far too long in the stacks, including My Life in France. I'll put together a list this weekend. Hope you enjoy the Cunningham book!

    BTW, I have the Pooh book, too!

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  7. What a delicious recipe for reading enjoyment. If you can find it, give this one a try. It's an all time favorite.

    Mud pies and Other Recipes: a Cookbook for Dolls by Marjorie Winslow

    Merry Christmas!

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  8. Sharon, it sure sounds like fun! Thank you and the same to you.

    Les, I'm thrilled you will be doing this, too.

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  9. +JMJ+

    Hi, Nan! I'm doing this challenge, too, and am enjoying going through other participants' book lists. I'm wimping out at the Nibbler level and sticking with food novels, but I think a cookbook inspired by fiction, like the Winnie-the-Pooh books, would be an interesting option, too. =)

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  10. When I got two huge cookery books for Christmas I remembered your post, Nan, so I decided to join in too. Your list is wonderful - I shall look for the Marguerite Patten one, as I'm interested in wartime recipes.

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  11. Geranium Cat, that's terrific! It should be so much fun.

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  12. I'm so glad you joined the challenge. Your list is super. There are several there I'm interested in. I started to read Perfection Salad and had to return it to the library before I finished. You reminded me I should check it out again. The changes between then and our day were amazing.

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  13. Margot, and I'm so glad you started it!! I bought Perfection Salad used, and there's an interesting inscription that I'll post when I read it and write my book report.

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