Deborah A. (metaphysicalmama) reviewed Julie & Julia : 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen on + 9 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 9
Having just finished reading "My Life in France" by Julia Child, this was a great follow-up. Julie Powell's humorous rendition of her attempt to cook all of JC's recipes in "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" had me howling. But it also cause me to reflect back on when I was 29 going on 30 (more years ago than I care to remember) and making the transition from a young woman just cruising along to one who wanted to make something more of her life. I would not hesitate to recommend this book. In fact, it has been my favorite book so far of my summer reading.
Melody N. (Snick) reviewed Julie & Julia : 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen on + 27 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 9
A fun book with some hilarious adventures (and misadventures) in food. Those with a sensitivity toward strong language beware! Julie has a mouth like a sailor just off a three-day binge.
Helpful Score: 7
My overwhelming feeling when reading this book was that I had no idea how gross French cooking was! I was treated to many laughable moments, a few deep thoughts and even moments of wanting to slap the main character. In the end I admired the quest that Julie took on and the meaning that she etched out of it. It definitely has the potential to inspire one to dream outside of the box.
R B. reviewed Julie & Julia : 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen on + 203 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
Really fun, quick read. I've heard lots of complaints that she didn't follow all the recipes exactly, yada, yada. Well, really the book isn't about the recipes, it's about this woman's search for a purpose in life and how she accidently found it through Julia Child.
Helpful Score: 5
I started reading this book expecting to like it. What's not to like about a tale of someone taking a year to cook every recipe in Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Volume 1? Unfortunately, Julie littered the book with nasty comments about how mean Republicans are while writing things like this from page 170(hardback edition):,"I had to go to the six Democrats in the office and tell them they might want to take a pass since there might be ceramic shards or antifreeze in it." The "it" being a dessert that she left to share in the staff kitchen of the government office where she worked. If the author would have stuck to food and cooking, it might have been an enjoyable book. As it was, it left a bad taste in my mouth. Maybe the author's bitterness is what Julia Child didn't like.
Lisa I. (lrimerman) reviewed Julie & Julia : 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen on + 81 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
At first I didn't think I liked this, but as I read it, I began to really get into the characters and story. I love to cook, so it was very interesting in that regard. I loved the end of the book. Really a good read overall.
Twila M. (tsgnurse) reviewed Julie & Julia : 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen on + 29 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Easy read..lots of profanity scattered throughout but all in all, an okay book.
Pamela S. (scrapperpam) reviewed Julie & Julia : 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen on + 12 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Funny read. I had no idea what all is involved in Julia's classic cookbook...and Julie only did Volume 1! LOL. Hard to put down! If you know your way around a kitchen, you will love it. Heck, even if you don't know how to boil water, you will love it.
Kathleen A. reviewed Julie & Julia : 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen on + 41 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
This book was pretty amusing. As someone who can't (or doesn't) cook I was amused with the authors attempts to cook every recipe in Julia Childs Art of French Cooking. A good read.
Jessica M. (frecklegirl) reviewed Julie & Julia : 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen on + 18 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
This a very funny trip into someones life who resemble myself quite a bit so I found the book very enjoyable
It is a great read especially if you love to cook!
Jessica
It is a great read especially if you love to cook!
Jessica
P. W. (Pdub) reviewed Julie & Julia : 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen on + 34 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Hysterical and delicious book. Granted, some of the recipes that inspired Julie Powell (from Julia Childs' "Mastering the Art of French Cooking") are a little bit out of my league, but what a great book! Powell has a kooky and familiar sense of humor, and her cooking meltdowns really boosted my own self-esteem, since I frequently wig out while taking on complex recipes. She'll make you laugh out loud, and maybe you'll be inspired to whip up something' yummy tonight.
Bonnie F. (harmony85) reviewed Julie & Julia : 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen on + 982 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
A very good read! Not quite what I expected, but still good. I thought there'd be more about the food and cooking experiences, but this was also a memoir of sorts.
Carla H. (Pioneerheart) reviewed Julie & Julia : 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen on + 89 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This was a fun and interesting read. It wasn't so much about the cooking, but about the author wanting to find her sense of direction, to have achieved something and completed a task.
This book is currently being made into a movie starring Meryl Streep, Amy Adams and Chris Messina.
This book is currently being made into a movie starring Meryl Streep, Amy Adams and Chris Messina.
Julie L. (tresjulie) -
Helpful Score: 3
THis audio version IS ABRIDGED which I didn't know when I received it...so I couldn't even finish it. I gave up on the 3rd cd because by then I realised all I was hearing was JULIE's story. Not much at all about Julia. I had intended to listen in the car and read the book at the same time. I'm sure the book is better, but I have a feeling the movie will be best. I think I have only said that about TWILIGHT.
Carol C. (cheswilson) reviewed Julie & Julia : 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen on + 10 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I had a great time reading this book. It will inspire you to think about picking up Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking and trying a couple of recipes yourself. Worth the time.
Sonya K. reviewed Julie & Julia : 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen on + 12 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Honestly, it seemed as if she took the contents of her blog and made it into a book. I did find myself wanting to start cooking during each chapter but that was about it. A sweet and simple read.
H M. (anchovy) reviewed Julie & Julia : 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen on + 296 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
What a fascinating choice of obsession to use to escape one's soul-deadening life! I understand the idea, but I can't cook, so I was fascinated to watch what happened as Julie learned from Julia. Lots of info on Julie's life, as well as what she imagined Julia's might have been like, and then of course there's the food... I really enjoyed this book.
Christina C. (caz426) reviewed Julie & Julia : 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I had not expected this book to be so good. It was funny and there were a lot of things about Julie that I could relate to. LOVED IT!!
Susan E. (SEEJ) reviewed Julie & Julia : 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen on + 48 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Excellent - those who are self taught cooks will identify. Julie is funny, irreverent, and cynical. I love her!
Liz W. (Mtmom) reviewed Julie & Julia : 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen on + 20 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
A funny accounting of a busy New York woman who decides to cook all the recipes in Julia Child's classic cookbook on French cooking. The author uses her humor to tell the tales of trying to cook complex French recipes.
Gail E. (EdugatorPirate) reviewed Julie & Julia : 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen on + 6 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
if you can get past her gratuitous use of the "F word, which she drops frequently into her writing, the book is pretty entertaining...
Christine (luvmygem) -
Helpful Score: 2
I had actually heard some negative reviews of this book before I started reading it - I think that made me put it off for a while, because I liked the movie, and followed that up with Julia Child's "My Life In France", which gave great insight into her early years in cooking. When I finally did put aside my preconceived notions about this book, and Julie Powell herself, I found I actually enjoyed it! Sure, she is far from perfect, but in truth, none of us are. She smokes, drinks, sometimes has the mouth of a truck driver, but so what? To me, I think that's better than being a pretentious,"I'm better than you are" kind of person. I kind of chuckled at one reviewer that complained "all she does is badmouth Republicans"...yeah right, like no Republican has ever done likewise to a Democrat! (I'm neither, by the way - hate 'em both...just in case you were wondering...)
ANYWAY! I liked this book mainly for this reason: I get a feel for exactly what led Julie Powell to attempt "The Project", what it felt like for her to experience the failures, learn from her mistakes and finally win. I felt the heartache of the strain it put on her marriage, as well as Julia Child's response to "The Project". I celebrated her successes right along with her, and while I think the Julie/Julia Project was a brilliant idea and I wish I thought of it first, I know that I would never in a million years have been able to pull it off, and for that this book and this author have earned my respect.
ANYWAY! I liked this book mainly for this reason: I get a feel for exactly what led Julie Powell to attempt "The Project", what it felt like for her to experience the failures, learn from her mistakes and finally win. I felt the heartache of the strain it put on her marriage, as well as Julia Child's response to "The Project". I celebrated her successes right along with her, and while I think the Julie/Julia Project was a brilliant idea and I wish I thought of it first, I know that I would never in a million years have been able to pull it off, and for that this book and this author have earned my respect.
Helpful Score: 1
I started reading this book expecting to like it. What's not to like about a tale of someone taking a year to cook every recipe in Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Volume 1? Unfortunately, Julie littered the book with nasty comments about how mean Republicans are while writing things like this from page 170:,"I had to go to the six Democrats in the office and tell them they might want to take a pass since there might be ceramic shards or antifreeze in it." The "it" being a dessert that she left to share in the staff kitchen of the government office where she worked. If the author would have stuck to food and cooking, it might have been an enjoyable book. As it was, it left a bad taste in my mouth. Maybe the author's bitterness is what Julia Child didn't like.
Peggy C. (Piggyspen) reviewed Julie & Julia : 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I had anticpated reading the book and then seeing the movie. I started the book, but could not really get into it. There was a lot of foul language, unnecessary foul language which turned me off. So, I got about 1/3 through and stopped wasting my time reading it. There are too many good books out there to read to waste my time on such as this. I do not even plan to see the movie now.
Caroline W. (xavemomma) reviewed Julie & Julia : 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I got through half of this book and couldn't push myself to finish it. The only interesting parts (to me) were hearing about her stories of disasters while making Julia's recipes. It began to have that "rambling on" feeling, got boring, and was incredibly liberal. Not my kinda' book.
Beth T. reviewed Julie & Julia : 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Love this book; different from "the movie," not better or worse, a good companion to the film.
Sandra R. reviewed Julie & Julia : 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen on + 21 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Great reading by the author herself. funny and very interesting and I don't even cook. . .yet. Maybe now I will.
Sara W. (mrsfoot) reviewed Julie & Julia : 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
It was cute but I never made it to the end. It didn't inspire me in the kitchen the way Home Cooking or other books have. I did enjoy the movie.
Helpful Score: 1
This is the first book I've ever said -- "I preferred the movie". Author is unnecessarily crass and I didn't feel the need to finish the book. Too bad, I really thought the movie was cute.
John S. (Seajack) reviewed Julie & Julia : 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen on + 347 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I liked the concept - making every single dish listed in Julia Child's famous French cooking book, in one year. Obviously, the author can't tell us about most of them, but the highlights are well-presented, and well integrated into what was going on wuith her own personal life at the time. She reads the audio well.
Helpful Score: 1
Really cute and entertaining book for amateur cooks. I think I gained 5 pounds just reading it.
Mary N. (midnitebutterfly06) -
I have never laughed so much while reading this book. The author certainly has a way with words and her sense of humor is great.
I never saw the movie, but now wondering if the movie could possibly be this funny.
I never saw the movie, but now wondering if the movie could possibly be this funny.
Sonia H. (SoniaH) - , reviewed Julie & Julia : 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen on + 2 more book reviews
Makes me want to learn to cook French! I loved it!
I saw the movie, loved it.Now read the book, enjoyed it very much. It has prompted me to buy "Mastering the art of French cooking", to cook some of the dishes the author talks about. Have not cooked anything yet, but will begin with the Potato and Leek soup.
daedelys -
Have you ever seen a movie and then just wanted to read the book because it seemed like a good idea at the time? That's how I decided to get this book and was then horribly disappointed. I had assumed, as I'm sure many who have seen the movie had, that the parts with Julia and Paul Child were based on actual events. They're not. Instead, the author thought it would be cute to make stuff up based on what she's (again, I'm assuming) read elsewhere. In a way, I felt oddly betrayed that the parts with the Julia and Paul Child were fiction when I was actually hoping for something that the author had researched. Although, the part where the real Julia Child put down the author was probably my favorite part. ;P
I had expected, from seeing the movie, that Julie was a bit of a drama-queen, but she's even more so in the book. I prefer to read a book where I either really like the character because they are someone I can understand or love hate them because they're such great villains. Julie is so self-absorbed and whiny on a consistent basis that I can't help but dislike her.
I mostly tried to keep going in the book just to see her fail (had to find something to keep my interest after all) but even that couldn't keep me going. I guess I'm not impressed by anyone who profits on the work and fame of others while at the same time believing that their writing skills are something worth publishing. This author is just another one of those writers who managed to get lucky and attract someone with no sense in what makes a book great. Powell's writing is not the kind that touches you. Instead it's the kind that makes you want to throw a book across the room because it's such trash.
I had expected, from seeing the movie, that Julie was a bit of a drama-queen, but she's even more so in the book. I prefer to read a book where I either really like the character because they are someone I can understand or love hate them because they're such great villains. Julie is so self-absorbed and whiny on a consistent basis that I can't help but dislike her.
I mostly tried to keep going in the book just to see her fail (had to find something to keep my interest after all) but even that couldn't keep me going. I guess I'm not impressed by anyone who profits on the work and fame of others while at the same time believing that their writing skills are something worth publishing. This author is just another one of those writers who managed to get lucky and attract someone with no sense in what makes a book great. Powell's writing is not the kind that touches you. Instead it's the kind that makes you want to throw a book across the room because it's such trash.
Marcia C. reviewed Julie & Julia : 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen on + 674 more book reviews
Very disappointing. Surprisingly little of it is about cooking! Mostly it's self-deprecating anecdotes about someone with no direction in life, a lot of whining and occasional funny passages. The writing voice is perky, gossipy and vulgar - not my taste at all.
Jane (mahbaar) reviewed Julie & Julia : 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen on + 111 more book reviews
Julie Powell feels like her life is at a dead end, and so she embarks on an attempt to cook every recipe from Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Volume 1" and blog about it. This book does not delve deeply into Julia Child's life, but only addresses the aspects about her that Julie found inspiring. I was surprised at how entertained by her experiences, successes and frustrations at trying to complete this goal. I give it four stars.
Sandy C. (sjclaar) reviewed Julie & Julia : 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen on + 28 more book reviews
I didn't care for this book. Why do so many books today feel they must include 4 letter words on every page. Before I read it, I thought the concept for the book was a good one. Julia Child fans will find it not very much in keeping with Julia's character.
I haven't read the book yet but the movie was fun romp! I loved learning about how Julia Childe got her start! I used to watch Julia Childe when I was a music composition student! She was so funny! She also had the dope on how to make a mean casserole and other entertaining things to cook on my restricted college budget!
Sabrina I. (sabrinalynn) reviewed Julie & Julia : 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen on + 6 more book reviews
So, so much better than the movie. The movie was "cute" and this girl in the real story is truly a mess. I love this character.
Sheila M. reviewed Julie & Julia : 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen on + 10 more book reviews
What a fun and empowering story. A young woman with a passion for cooking decides to cook her way thru "Mastering the Art of French Cooking", by Julia Child. Julies journey is entertaining, moving and very real. I enjoyed this book very much.
R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed Julie & Julia : 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen on + 1453 more book reviews
I love good food and enjoy Julia Childs so very much but this book seemed to make fun of her and her recipes not to mention the horrid use of one unsavory word over and over as well as sharing some oddest aspects of her own life. I guess it's supposed to be a humorous take on living in a tiny New York apartment and trying to cook one's way through Julia Child's classic cookbook. Some may find it humorous. I didn't. I find it strange, too, that cooking supposed to help the author find purpose to her life yet most of the book is devoted to her cooking failures which seem too occur most of the time.
Amy H. (bookwormbella) reviewed Julie & Julia : 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen on + 9 more book reviews
Way better than the movie, as are most books. A great read for anyone who loves all those cooking shows.
Angelic L. (chronicreader) -
A well-written memoir. Very honest and entertaining. I laughed all the way through it - ate and cooked more too! It's inspiring in a REAL way and I enjoyed the writer's 'voice'. I usually find the book better than the movie and I think in this case it is also true. The movie did smooth the writer down around the edges - she uses more expletives in the book and the book has the emotional depth that the movie didn't capture (in my opinion). I plan on reading Julia Child's biography next!
Margaret M. (margaretlee) -
Loved the movie...the book, not as much. Even though it's narrated by the author, I was disappointed. She has a "potty mouth," which completely erased my fond memories of the character in the movie, and she seemed less than content with her very compliant husband, who suffered through her 'project' right along with her. Even so, it was an interesting 'listen.'
Donna M. reviewed Julie & Julia : 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen on + 22 more book reviews
Very enjoyable book.
Carole M. reviewed Julie & Julia : 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen on + 3 more book reviews
Too hard of a read
Meredith S. reviewed Julie & Julia : 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen on + 13 more book reviews
Such a funny book
J.K. K. (JK) reviewed Julie & Julia : 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen on + 139 more book reviews
This is the story behind the blog.
Lydia S. (sharif47170) reviewed Julie & Julia : 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen on + 42 more book reviews
This book is funny and somewhat racey. It is a new book and in excellent condition.
