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Voracious
Voracious: A Hungry Reader Cooks Her Way through Great Books | Cara Nicoletti
AN IRRESISTIBLE LITERARY FEAST Stories and recipes inspired by the world's great books As a young bookworm reading in her grandfather's butcher shop, Cara Nicoletti saw how books and food bring people to life. Now a butcher, cook, and talented writer, she serves up stories and recipes inspired by beloved books and the food that gives their characters depth and personality. From the breakfast sausage in Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House in the Big Woods to chocolate cupcakes with peppermint buttercream from Jonathan Franzen's The Corrections, these books and the tasty treats in them put her on the road to happiness. Cooking through the books that changed her life, Nicoletti shares fifty recipes, including: The perfect soft-boiled egg in Jane Austen's Emma Grilled peaches with homemade ricotta in tribute to Joan Didion's "Goodbye to All That" New England clam chowder inspired by Herman Melville's Moby-Dick Fava bean and chicken liver mousse crostini (with a nice Chianti) after Thomas Harris's The Silence of the Lambs Brown butter crpes from Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl Beautifully illustrated, clever, and full of heart, Voracious will satisfy anyone who loves a fantastic meal with family and friends-or curling up with a great novel for dessert.
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Susanita
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1. I think I‘m more of a voracious reader than a bibliophile.
2. To me a bibliophile collects books for their own sake, and because they are beautiful works of art. A voracious reader will happily read the back of a cereal box.
#two4tuesday

kspenmoll Love your differentiation between the two! Can you be both?! 2y
TheSpineView Thanks for playing! Happy Tuesday! 2y
Susanita @kspenmoll Of course! 😀 2y
26 likes3 comments
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LeslieO
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November #BookSpinBingo
Here we go!

fredthemoose Oooh… Empire of Pain is one off the best books I‘ve read this year! A Gentleman in Moscow was great, too! 2y
LeslieO @fredthemoose I‘ve heard good things! I‘m on the library hold list for Empire, but it should come in soon.🤞 2y
TheAromaofBooks Yay!!! Looks great!! 2y
33 likes3 comments
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thatotherlisa
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Pickpick

I love books about books. I love books about food. But what about books about books and food? Nicoletti pairs short essays about books that mattered to her with recipes inspired by the book, her memories, or both. I enjoyed the essays, but the recipes, while often very clever (e.g., a pig‘s head for Lord of the Flies), were beyond my modest abilities as a cook. A fun, fast read that left me wanting to re-read old favorites.

Nute I always wanted to read this book. I thought that the hardback edition was pretty. I enjoy books about cooking, eating and food!😁 3y
5 likes1 comment
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Christinak
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Pickpick

This book is beautiful! I love the literary inspired recipes - Though some of these are higher on the difficulty scale. The molasses butter makes it worth it.

AileenRR I loved this one, too ❤️ 5y
50 likes1 stack add1 comment
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vivastory
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I find cooking relaxing, but it is also time consuming. If you're like me that is time that you would rather be reading. Pour a glass of wine, turn on an audio book & this book of literary inspired recipes might be just the thing to #SpiceUpYourLife
#AnglophileApril
@Mdargusch @Reviewsbylola @emilyhaldi @Cinfhen

Cinfhen Love it 😍 5y
Reviewsbylola I love audio cooking! 5y
Mdargusch Audiocooking is great! 5y
emilyhaldi I always have trouble deciding whether I want to get off the couch and stop reading so I can cook 😜 5y
Suet624 I hate cooking and don‘t eat much as a result. 😀 5y
72 likes5 comments
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MStew
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To anyone who loves cooking like i do and loves books😂 obv! This book is a gem fillled with so many great books and recipes! I can't wait to make this cherry pie! This book is beautiful as well with delightful illustrations!!!

#book
#bookhaul
#cookbook

SW-T A book about books and food? Sounds delightful! Definitely have to check it out. Thanks for posting 😊 5y
Mdargusch Interesting. I need to check this out! 5y
ShyBookOwl Stacking this... I think it will be my first book about food! 5y
87 likes6 stack adds3 comments
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Jeanne_S
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Pickpick

Skimmed more than read. Liked the chapters about books I know.

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mrp27
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#newhogwartsadventure #feast

I do enjoy books that feature recipes, especially ones based on books.

Tamra What a fun idea! 6y
vkois88 Sounds really fun and exciting 🤗🤗 6y
mrp27 @Tamra @vkois88 @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I haven't read it yet, hope it's good! 6y
vkois88 Enjoy when you're able to pick it up and give it a go ❤ 6y
58 likes3 stack adds5 comments
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lynneamch
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Taking the challenge from @AJBowers to post a pic of a book I enjoyed-no explanation, no review. 😋

Christine I really liked this one, too! 6y
49 likes1 stack add1 comment
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EverydayPrincess
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OMG yay!! A book about foods, and books, and foods from books! This might be my new author bff

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StephanieGeiser
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Today‘s #bookmail from #BookOutlet. The spines of the books you can‘t see belong to the people I am sending swap packages out to soon. #sockswap #funinthesunsummerbookswap I hope they like them!!

readinginthedark Voracious is so good!!! 6y
StephanieGeiser @readinginthedark Oh that‘s so good to hear! I‘m really looking forward to reading it. 6y
48 likes2 comments
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RachLovesTV
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Sooooo I stopped by Dollar Tree today to pick something up, and while I was there, I remembered a Litten mentioning they had books there. I think I ended up spending an hour there, digging through the shelves and looking books up on Goodreads. 😅 These are the ones I ended up with, all for under $10! #dollardeal #bookhaul

The tagged book looks especially fun - recipes paired with books!

StephanieGeiser I just ordered Voracious on Book Outlet! I‘ve been wanting to read it for a while so I‘m really excited for it to finally get here! 6y
53 likes1 comment
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Librarybelle
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More books for me today, this time a #bookhaul from Book Outlet. Naturally, I had to pick up a “few” titles while purchasing things for my #JaneAustenSwap recipient! Mostly nonfiction this time.

StephanieGeiser Oooo I‘ve been wanting The tagged one for a while!! That‘s going in the cart I‘m building... 😳😇😂 6y
Reagan Wow, nice haul! 6y
See All 6 Comments
Librarybelle @Reagan-reads Thanks! 6y
Christine Loved Voracious! 6y
Librarybelle @Christine Thanks! I thought it sounded so good! 6y
109 likes6 comments
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MrBook
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Today was our monthly meeting of the #OmnivorousBookClub at one of our branches ???????! The flu and ice have laid low a lot of members, but a few us managed to attend and others sent their "book reports", lol. This months' theme: Comfort Food. Mine was Fried Green Tomatoes, one of my all-time favorite books--read it a handful of times. The cookies were made from a recipe in "Voracious". A wonderful time was had ?! #LitsyLovesLibraries

Traveler13 I love this book. I wish she was still writing her blog though 6y
137 likes4 stack adds1 comment
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LeahBergen
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I‘m inordinately pleased with my first attempt at origami. Who knew I had folding skills? 😂😂
#BookmarkSwap

Oh, and check out this book I bought from Book Outlet about a “hungry reader” who “cooks her way through great books”.

DivineDiana Admirable skills! 6y
Cinfhen Nice! You never cease to amaze me 😍 6y
BarbaraBB Pippi Longstocking 😍 6y
See All 21 Comments
Tamra Very nice! I have been afraid if paper projects since Kindergarten & 1st grade. I was horrible at it, so I admire others‘ skill! 6y
rubyslippersreads Lovely and yummy! 😊 6y
ElishaLovesBooks So pretty! 6y
MicheleinPhilly If I ever mail you your book, will you make me Pippi Longstocking pancakes? 😉 6y
Suet624 💕💕💕 6y
DeborahSmall 😂😂 love it ❤️ 6y
Lmstraubie 👏👏👏 6y
erzascarletbookgasm 😂 such laudable skills. Love the bookmark paper! 👍 6y
LeahBergen @DivineDiana @Cinfhen @Tamra @DeborahSmall @erzascarletbookgasm I figured that using really pretty paper might hide the fact that this is a kid-level origami project. 😂😂 6y
LeahBergen @BarbaraBB I love Pippi, too. 💕 6y
LeahBergen @MicheleinPhilly Most certainly - and a few for Pickles, too. 😉 (edited) 6y
RaimeyGallant I have yet to find a book on this with instructions I can follow. 6y
LeahBergen @RaimeyGallant That‘s why I was so pleased with this very basic bookmark. I could actually follow the instructions! 6y
Tamra @LeahBergen 👍🏾👍🏾 6y
Mdargusch I‘m so impressed! 6y
rockpools So elegant! My attempts at folded bookmarks ended up ...entertaining😑 6y
drokka Love the concept of that book. 6y
111 likes2 stack adds21 comments
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DebinHawaii
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#90sinJuly #BlackOrWhite A quick grab of some (mostly) black or white or black and white covers from my shelves. I have more black covers--at least in non-cookbooks. I think they look even more striking with the black & white photo filter. 🖤🖤🖤

Cinfhen It is absolutely striking 🖤💕🖤 7y
Wife We should do more B&W pics on Litsy. So eye catching and artsy!🌹 7y
122 likes2 comments
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Jamielouise
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#riotgrams #foodthemedbooks this one was easy since it's one of my favorite things to read. These awesome literary cutting boards are one of my favorite things too!

lynneamch ❤ Bookish cutting boards are so neat! Loved Voracious, too. Fun to just pick up and read a few pages between doing other things. 7y
11 likes1 comment
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DebinHawaii
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Day29 #AprilBookShowers #indiebookstore With the # of hours/dollars spent there over the years, I declare Powell's as my fave indie bookstore. Hope to get to the mothership when in PDX the week after next-but I'll at least get to the closest branch (top right). Didn't get to Oahu's indie bookstore today-too busy & long drive-but I was there recently & bought the tagged book & I did get by the thrift shop (bottom left) & shopped their bookshelves📚

RealLifeReading I hope to one day see Powell's for myself! 😍😍 7y
Bookchipmunk I ❤️ Powell's and I'll also be there in a couple weeks! @Powells 7y
97 likes2 comments
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DebinHawaii
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Foodie film inspired soup-although I did spend time #audiocooking to Kindred while making it & I read a couple chapters of the tagged book while eating it.😋This is my adaptation of Turkish (Red Lentil) 'Bride' Soup with a fried egg on top. Made to sustain brides-to-be & soothe them for uncertain futures, 😬 it's inspired by the Greek film 'A Touch of Spice' for Food 'n Flix, a food blogging event. Recipe post link below #soup #litsycooks 🍲📚❤️

Michelle_mck I have just pinned it! 7y
lynneamch Oooh. Thank you. Love hearing about foodie movies. Big Night is still one of my absolute favorites. 7y
See All 6 Comments
Reviewsbylola Looks yummy! 🍳 7y
DebinHawaii @Michelle_mck I hope you enjoy it! 👍😀 @lynneamch I love Big Night! 🍝👍 @Reviewsbylola Thank you! It's a good soup! 😋👍 7y
CherylDeFranceschi Loved your blogpost! And it sounds too yummy! 7y
108 likes6 comments
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SoniaC
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Pickpick

Nice stories about a love for books and food. Has me looking to reach for some books I haven't read. The recipes are hit and miss. Some sound great some I can't see ever trying. I like the format of a paired book and recipe.

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SoniaC
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So I'm not going to say that The Shining got super creepy I'm just suddenly really wanting to read a sweet and pretty book about loving food and books.

AndreaReads 😂 Oh man, I know that feeling! I finally had to stop reading that book at night... 7y
SoniaC @AndreaReads 😂 yes it's more of a broad daylight with plenty of company kind of book. 7y
Graciouswarriorprincess Yes to daylight when reading the Shining. I slept with all the lights on for a week after reading it! 7y
See All 6 Comments
LauraBeth I understand! 🙀😂 7y
SoniaC @Graciouswarriorprincess lol I can definitely understand why. The book is so much better than the movie and really builds the suspense. 7y
SoniaC @LauraBeth lol it's nice to be understood 7y
57 likes1 stack add6 comments
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Carmela77
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Bought for me by my sister @Bambolina_81 for my 40th birthday .....💙 perfect holiday read...I believe she was recommended it from Litsy so thank you!

lynneamch I just have a few pages left of this entertaining read. I've enjoyed reading just a bit at a time whenever I have a few minutes. I'll be trying some recipes. 🖒 7y
6 likes1 comment
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SoniaC
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A very productive trip to Books Inc. and now delicious Chinese food for lunch. I was so happy they had both these books in stock. I walked in fully prepared to have to order them!

MLRio The Bone People is one of my favorite books of all time. Brutal but beautiful. 7y
SoniaC @MLRio I'm really excited about it. 7y
Gissy 😋 7y
50 likes3 comments
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lynneamch
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Pickpick

Airport delay. Oh, what ever will I do? Luckily, I'm prepared with this charming collection of recipes paired with books and memoir. I may be getting ahead of myself with a review, but it's a definite pick for me. Categories of Childhood, Adolescence & College, and Adulthood make it easy to just pick and choose. I love pairing cooking and books, so this is a book I would love to have written. #litsycooks

Moonpa This is a great book - l love the illustrations! 7y
mrp27 I've been wanting to read this and I too love books paired with cooking! 7y
lynneamch @Shemac77 @DebinHawaii @moonpa @mrp27 Yes, sweet illustrations. And, I'm really appreciating the unexpected asides, like the feminist analysis of Nancy Drew. 🤔 Nancy paired with Double Chocolate Walnut Sundae. The milk chocolate ice cream recipe has Guinness in it. Will definitely try that one. 7y
DebinHawaii @lynneamch It totally looks up my ally! 📚👍 7y
46 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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Graciouswarriorprincess
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I went to my local used book store today. This is my haul for $12 of my store credit.

saresmoore Ooh, great choices! 7y
Graciouswarriorprincess @BookishMarginalia 😋 @saresmoore Thank you. The Stephen King book I have wanted for a while now but the others are favorites! 7y
See All 7 Comments
Kathrin I thought about going to my local used book shop today, but then I looked at my TBR pile at home and just kept on reading! 😝😝😝 7y
Graciouswarriorprincess @Kathrin I had some books that I had won and finished reading. I knew that I didn't want to keep them so off I went! 7y
DebinHawaii Great haul! 📚👍👍 7y
49 likes7 comments
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BookishMarginalia
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"Abandon all hope, you silly nineteen-year-old." I love me an unexpected allusion to Dante!

hyacinth This is just the kind of book I want but also don't really have use for. But that won't stop me 😅😜 7y
Graciouswarriorprincess @BookishMarginalia I got this today at my local used book store! I blame you!😜 7y
137 likes12 stack adds3 comments
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BookishMarginalia
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A change of pace! This lovely book mixes memoir, books, and recipes! That's 💜💜💜

KCorter This looks like the book for me! 7y
SoniaC How have I not heard of this book! Looks amazing. Thank you. 7y
Cinfhen Sounds good 😍 7y
MissDodoBrooks I need this! 7y
167 likes30 stack adds4 comments
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MrBook
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#TBRtemptation post! I'm going to rock you all with another absolutely indispensable read you'll realize is required for your homes 😁👏🏻👏🏻! This book goes far beyond my pairings & gives you something to nibble on while you read great literary works, based on her literary supper club. The chef & writer offers stories & recipes for works by Laura Ingalls Wilder, Franzen, Melville, Austen, Didion, Gillian Flynn, etc. #blameLitsy #blameMrBook 😎

Bookworm83 Darn you @MrBook !!! Stacked 😉 7y
Desha Ooooh! Sounds like a must! #BlameitonMrBookAgain 😜😍❤️📚 7y
juliannebenford This sounds amazing! 7y
See All 12 Comments
StephBengtson Sold! 🍽 7y
Moonpa This one is good - love the illustrations and recipes! 7y
BookBabe I love the painting on the cover! 😍 7y
BookBabe Also, this sounds amazing. I must have it! 😃 7y
LeahBergen I want! 7y
MrBook @Bookworm83 @Desha @mom2bugnbee 😂😂😂👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🙌🏻! @juliannebenford It looks amazing 😁! @StephBengtson Sold to the woman with the ready place setting 😎👌🏻! @Moonpa Now, how could I have no known this would be on your read list ☺😉👍🏻🙌🏻! @BookBabe 😍😍😍! @LeahBergen My job here is done 😂👏🏻! 7y
LitsyGoesPostal 😊👍🏻 7y
Emily92Bibliophile Another book i didn't realize existed until now, and after seeing the Anne if Green Gables chapter from another post, I have decided must join my cookbook shelf #blameitonMrBook 7y
106 likes23 stack adds12 comments
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EvieBee
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Here are a few #onewordtitles from my shelves. Every time I take this mug down, I can't help but ? ?: "Don't worry. Be happy." Easier said than done, lol!
#photoadaynov16 #nonfictionnovember

erzascarletbookgasm Nice shot! 📷 7y
EvieBee @erzascarletbookgasm Thank you! 😊 7y
TrishB We can try 😀 7y
See All 9 Comments
EvieBee @TrishB Exactly! I'm such a worrier. 7y
readinginthedark I love this book!!! ❤️ 7y
EvieBee @readinginthedark Yay! I need to get to it. But lately I've been reading library books instead of my own stash. 😒 7y
readinginthedark @EvieBee84 I tore through it last year, strangely enough, when I was really sick and not craving food at all. It was all I felt like reading, and I definitely wanted to eat by the end of it (and cook, but I had to wait for that one)! 7y
readinginthedark @EvieBee84 Also, I do that with library books all the time. Don't feel bad. 😉 7y
EvieBee @readinginthedark I'm so glad to find a book community where we understand reading habits, etc. So grateful! 7y
41 likes9 comments
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Imagineannie
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Taking a break from serious tomes to devour this (pun intended). This is DELIGHTFUL. And for someone like me who is a hardcore cooker and a hardcore reader, it's just...heaven. With beautiful illustrations, even. Read it. Give it as a gift. Trust me.

LeahBergen I've been wanting this one! 7y
Laura317 I love foodie books! This sounds awesome. 7y
KarouBlue Loved this book! 7y
34 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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Crinoline_Laphroaig
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Pickpick

@RealLifeReading #booktober #readingsnacks #booksandwhisky
True friends get you the best presents. A wee dram of Laphroaig, perfect w/ a good book.

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Redheadrambles
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️I was very happy to have this book recommended to me as it combines my two loves - food and books. It reads a little like having a great book club discussion. There are surprising food choices and delightful personal anecdotes from the likes of The Aeneid, Moby Dick, Lord of the Flies and Charlotte's Web.
Highly recommended if you like books about books and especially if you are a literary food fanatic.
#Readharderchallenge

KVanRead Great review. I really enjoyed it too. 8y
Redheadrambles @KVanRead - Thank you so much I am sure you were the recommender 😉 Only 3 more Read Harder Tasks to go now - woohoo 🏁😀 8y
KVanRead @Redheadrambles Well done. I still have 8! 8y
See All 7 Comments
CynCruz23 This books sounds right up my alley 😍 - it's stacked 📚 8y
ReadingEnvy I so love the idea of this book, so dislike how she didn't credit where she found the recipes. While recipes don't have copyright, I still believe credit is due. The first two were familiar to me and I had to quit reading after that. I was disappointed. 8y
Redheadrambles @ReadingEnvy Ah! Ok I had no idea these were not her own. I assumed they had been worked up my her for her blog. 8y
ReadingEnvy @Redheadrambles yeah that's the impression you get since she doesn't otherwise give credit :( 8y
22 likes3 stack adds7 comments
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Redheadrambles
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Dangerous, when you stop 30 pages into a new book to make the "Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie" recipe. A perfect marriage for me a book about books and food. Delightful anecdotes, great selection of books and a recipe that turned out delightfully. #ReadHarderChallenge

Theresa Yum! 🍪 8y
Litlady Consider this stacked and soon to be purchased! A great addition alongside my MFK Fisher, Ruth Reichl (Garlic and Sapphires) Anthoney Bourdain and Gabriellle Hamilton stacks. Great review, BTW!! ❤️🍴🍪 8y
Redheadrambles @Litlady thanks ! Actually I am only about 1/4 into this and I normally don't do food writing but I absolutely love this one 8y
17 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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readinginthedark
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A little less than a year ago, I was in the hospital for complications with my kidney condition and didn't feel like eating anything (which is the exact opposite of how I usually feel). Nicoletti drew me in with her memories of food, family, and books and stirred my hunger again with her recipes. Can't give a higher recommendation than that! #somethingforsept

42 likes1 stack add
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JDR
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Pickpick

Started the #24in48 readathon by finishing Voracious by Cara Nicoletti. I'll never look at food scenes in books the same way again! So good.

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Nuwanda
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Pickpick

For #Recommendsday, a fun food memoir with food recipes inspired by the author's favorite childhood books. This one was a slow savor for me as I love books and food. What is your favorite food memoir? Does it also involve books?

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balletbookworm
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Pickpick

A fun food memoir/cookbook from a bookworm. Nicoletti pulls a recipe out of each book or story that spoke to her. Some the recipes are more complicated than others (you'll need an ice cream maker for several recipes) but I can attest that the gingerbread cake with blood orange syrup is scrumptious.

RealLifeReading Oh yes yes I will have to find this one! 8y
Amandajoy Yep, this has my name written all over it. Thanks for sharing! 8y
44 likes12 stack adds2 comments
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balletbookworm
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Girl...*fist bump*

26 likes5 stack adds
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KVanRead
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Pickpick

For the @bookriot Read Harder Challenge food memoir task. A super fun read for book-loving foodies, it's a collection of essays and recipes celebrating Nicolletti's fave books. Haven't tried any recipes, but I've been using her booklist as another reading challenge, cuz, ya, I really need another.

Redheadrambles I am reading this now as my food memoir for Read Harder and I love it 😀 8y
KVanRead @Redheadrambles Oh yay. I actually just started the Pam Houston one she writes about, Waltzing the Cat, and I quite like it so far. 8y
Redheadrambles @KVanRead I am only through the childhood section so far and now have a nice list of both recipes and children's books - I do feel an urge to use this as a reading list .... 8y
10 likes1 stack add3 comments
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ThatBookishGal
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Pairing food with favorite literature. What more can a reader ask for?? 😜

jessberk13 I love this series!! My 4th grade teacher had us read On the Banks of Plum Creek and I was totally hooked after that! Trying to collect the series so I can read it again! 8y
ThatBookishGal I'm really itching to re-read it as well! I want to find a good single bound collection, first 8y
8 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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girlwithasong
Mehso-so

Food and lit, two of my favorite things. Loved the concept of this book and most of it is well executed. A couple recipes felt off and some essays felt distanced from the stories they described.