Wallace reviewed on 7/30/2011 + 12 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 2

Type: {Weekend Read: a book to curl up on the couch with.}
Rating: {Me Likey: Enjoyable! Particularly for fans of this genre.}

Why Youre Reading It:
- You like interwoven short stories made into a novel.
- You love food and the way it relates to our lives.
- You enjoy comforting, sweet stories.

What I Thought:

I started The School of Essential Ingredients in my kitchen; listening while cooking. That was the perfect place to listen to it! The nice rythym of the readers voice, the easy to follow story slow but in a comforting way. However, once I took it on the road with me (either while walking or driving) I found that I always got hungry! So, maybe this is a better one to read curled up on your couch with a glass of wine and a plate of yummy food.

Each character in the cooking school, which is held at a restaurant that I wish actually existed tell me if you dont think it sounds like the most delightful place to have nearby, has a short part featuring their story. Each of these shorter stories leaks into other stories to bring all of the characters together with a well-written thread. Though the plot is not fast moving, Bauermeister takes as much care and thought with her writing as the characters do with their cooking. The book is easy to swallow in one or two gulps. It is the epitome of a comfort read for a slow summer evening. If I could have, I would have read this short, lovely book while sitting on the back porch, wine or sweet tea in my hand a pot of something delicious on the stove and then curled up in a hammock with someone to cuddle with after. That is the kind of book this is. The reading wont require much thought, and youll feel peaceful and hungry afterwards.

Buon appetito!

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