I’m catching up on book reviews. For anyone who has followed me here for a while, this is my challenge — I read voraciously however writing the reviews can sometimes take a while. I’m too busy reading!
I’m delighted to report that at the moment my NetGalley review ratio is actually 50%. My goal for this year is to move it closer to the recommended 80%. I’m trying not to request new books until I review more from the neglected pile.
Following are five reviews that I wrote in the fourth quarter of last year.
Sabor Judío: The Jewish Mexican Cookbook
by Ilan Stavans and Margaret E. Boyle
reviewed on 01 October 2024
Sabor Judío is more than just a beautiful cookbook of amazing recipes of Jewish Mexico. It shares with deep respect the history of La Comunidad, its present, and looks to its future.
The research to ensure accurate portrayal of how the unique culinary culture of the Jewish Mexican community has evolved is evident and heartwarming. The recipes blending Mexican flavors with Ashkenazi, Sephardi, and Mizrahi traditions are mouthwatering and approachable for cooks outside of Mexico.
I found the personal stories of critical importance and the most fascinating. It is a cookbook that has earned a place on my book shelf.
Second Generation: Hungarian and Jewish Classics Reimagined for the Modern Table
by Jeremy Salamon
reviewed on 01 October 2024
This is a cookbook that is essentially a love letter to the beloved food influences in Salamon’s life, his grandmothers. Readers should take note of the word choices in the title: Hungarian and Jewish Classics are found within. They’re not Hungarian Jewish Classics, a significant distinction. You will find meat and dairy in the same recipe and even a few for pork.
This book pulls from Salamon’s Hungarian roots and yes, reimagines many of the recipes for the modern day. The photos are enticing, the little extra notes for ingredients, pairings, and other tips make it feel a bit like a family member’s lovingly marked up cookbook than one printed in this year.
Some recipes remind me of summer-time in Budapest and others of my mother-in-law’s favorite dishes. Many dishes are vegetarian (and/or kosher), such as Turnip Schnitzel and I can see myself eating all four servings of Nokedli Cacio e Pepe. Some dishes are likely possible with vegan dairy substitutions (Chicken Paprikash). If the reader has access to Lang’s The Cuisine of Hungary, there are as expected many similarities but fewer mouthwatering photos. Salamon’s book deserves a read, but it may not be the cookbook for every kitchen.
Writing on Empty : A Guide to Finding Your Voice
by Natalie Goldberg
reviewed on 07 October 2024
In Writing on Empty, Goldberg shares her personal journey from creative paralysis due to the disruption of the pandemic and her struggle to return to writing. As one who previously had not struggled to have words flow, she describes why her normal go-to sparks didn’t work. She shares her forays into new routines and making different connections as she tries to return to the practice of writing. Goldberg illustrates how even a prolific writer can become empty.
Writing on Empty ends with a writer’s guide reminiscent of Writing Down the Bones in large part and also similar to those found in her other works. This Road Map echoes Goldberg’s journey.
This is a book useful for those who have had creative lives torn open and emptied. For those who are not sure how to begin again, Writing on Empty is a guide to practice writing and life.
New Adventures in Space Opera
Edited by Jonathan Strahan
reviewed on 27 December 2024
This collection of short stories shows the breadth and width of Space Opera.
Each story fits the following criteria: it takes place primarily in space, a universe that has a significant population, the protagonist experiences an encounter, and the stakes – emotional or physical – are high. Strahan has edited a diverse collection to highlight this.
Not every story may appeal to every reader, but some may be a surprise enjoyable read. There are several authors I know and enjoy (Chambers, Anders, Leckie, Reynolds) found within.
I urge you to be curious and read every story, even the ones that at first seem weird and not among the types that they “generally read”. The conclusions may be a surprise, they were for me.
Feuds
Edited by Mercedes Lackey
reviewed on 27 December 2024
This is a hard review for me to write because in my mid-40s I’m still a fan girl for this world. Feuds is the eighteenth anthology of stories set in Lackey’s beloved Valdemar universe.
I have loved and enjoyed these collections for many years and this newest anthology does not disappoint. For me and many readers, each volume is a chance to catch up and spend time with good friends and meet some new characters.
It’s a feel-good collection, and an anticipated one. Yes, even this year when the general theme of the stories is about feuds.
It’s impossible for me to choose one story, this collection has joined its friends on my bookshelf where all the stories will be reread and enjoyed.
Have any of these caught your eye? Is there a new book you think I should read and review? Please let me know.
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