Weekend Cooking: The Art of Eating In by Cathy Erway

I picked up The Art of Eating In on a whim. I'm always looking for good food related books especially about home cooks. Overall, I enjoyed The Art of Eating Out even though I didn't relate to the author.

One day, Cathy reminisces about a media diet she did in college. The diet gave her a greater appreciation of what she had to choose from. Dining out seemed like a given for Cathy especially since she lives in New York. Cathy decided to not dine out. She didn't put a limit on how long but she wanted to give herself  a challenge to eat at home. I appreciated the spirit of the challenge. Sometimes grabbing takeout or stopping for dinner isn't what I want to do. I'm pressed for time and this is easier. Usually it's not something I'm craving and probably something I could make at home if I had more time. I'd like to save dining out for when I'm craving something or when it would be difficult for me to recreate at home. Sure, I could learn to make sushi at home but I prefer paying someone to do it and eat what I truly want. 

Cathy does use this opportunity to learn to cook foods from other cultures, enter cook offs, and learn to forage for food. I envied the time she had to spend learning to cook new foods and the amount of time she had for trial and error. For part of the challenge she was in a relationship but he didn't seem very supportive of her not dining out. Later on they breakup and she attempts to date without going out to eat. I found that interesting but living in New York there are no shortage of other things to do. 

I've added Cathy's blog, Not Eating Out In New York, in my feed reader. It's good to hear different perspectives. Others who shared their thoughts on The Art of Eating In: Joy's Book Blog and Earthbound Chronicles. 

This is my second read for the Foodies Read Challenge.

Weekend Cooking is hosted by Beth  Fish Reads and is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book reviews (novel, nonfiction), cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, quotations, photographs, restaurant reviews, travel information, or fun food facts. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. You do not have to post on the weekend. Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page.

Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and me that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries.

The Wolf Wilder

I don't remember where I heard about The Wolf Wilder but it sounded good. 

June

For the What's In A Name Challenge.

What did you get this week? Share your loot below!

Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and me that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries.

Out of Africa

I was looking for a memoir for one of my challenges. Never read this one before. Never seen the movie either.

The Art of Eating In

This one looked interesting.

Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children
Ever since I saw the trailer for the movie, I've been wanting to read the book.

What did you get this week? Claire's got the linky this week.

Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and me that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries.

Will In The World

I wanted to read this when it came out awhile ago. I've always been fascinated with William Shakespeare. 

Radio Girls

I love historical fiction like this.

Our Kind Of Traitor

I read The Spy Who Came In From the Cold a long time ago. I want to read more le Carre even if it's a little outside of my comfort zone.

What did you get this week? Claire has the linky this week.

Cheesemonger: A Life on The Wedge by Gordon Edgar

I added Cheesemonger to my library queue because I was looking for a good book written about cheese. Of all the food books I've read, I've never read a book about cheese. Cheesemonger is part history of cheese, part political activism, part memoir. It was all good.

I do have to say Cheesemonger made me hungry. It was all I could do at times not to rush to the store and buy all the cheese. Edgar does talk about some cheeses and man, I wanted that cheese. Edgar talks about his pre-Rainbow, pre-cheese life as a punk activist. Tired of being arrested, he went to work employee owned Rainbow co-op in San Francisco. His political activism followed him and he talked about food politics. At the end of each chapter, he gives a description about one or two cheeses that he mentioned in the chapter. Gives a little more background as well as similar cheeses in case you can't find that one at your local store. Edgar does a great job of making fancy cheeses more accessible. I would love to go to Rainbow and see him work. Check out his blog. Lots of information on cheese!

Cheesemonger was fun look at working retail, selling cheese, finding cheeses that meet your consumer base. Great behind the scenes look. Others who shared their thoughts on Cheesemonger: The Kitchn, Foreword Reviews, and Panorama of the Mountains.
This is my first read for the Foodies Read Challenge.

Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and me that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries.

Sorry! We went to Portland for the weekend. I should have gotten the post ready before we left. Whenever I come back from a trip, it's a whirlwind to get re-established to regular life. 

Kitchens of The Great Midwest

I've heard some positive reviews about this one so I decided to try it out.

Homegoing

Another one I heard a lot of positive things about. 

Share your loot below. I'm excited to hear about what you found at your library!

August Book Tally

The Art of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson
Stiletto by Daniel O'Malley
When Reason Breaks by Cindy L Rodriguez
Marrying Winterborne by Lisa Kleypas
Ash & Bramble by Sarah Prineas
Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
And I Darken by Kiersten White
Batgirl vol 1 by Gail Simone

Just a few books this month but some good ones! I'd been wanting to read Persepolis for ages and a friend prompted me to check it out again. When Reason Breaks was another one I'd gotten from the library numerous times. Stiletto was one of those books I've been looking forward to all year.


Stats:

Graphic Novel Challenge: 2 (Persepolis, Batgirl vol 1)  YTD: 13

Foodies Read Challenge: 0 (none this month)  YTD: 0

What's In A Name Challenge: 0 (none this month)  YTD: 1

LGBTQIA Reading Challenge: 1 (The Art of Being Normal)  YTD: 4

Total: 60

August Graphic Novel Review

Persepolis

Persepolis had long been on my radar but a friend recently encouraged me to read it. I checked it out from the library again and this time made time to read it. I really enjoyed Satrapi's story. I knew a little about Iran and enjoyed learning more especially from someone who was there. The drawing was good and helped illustrate the story. I want to read the sequel.

Batgirl vol 1
I really liked that this one followed the events of the Killing Joke. The first part was good with the Mirror but the second half didn't excite me as much. I'll continue with the series and see how it goes.