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whitmc's review
[DNF]
So painful I finally had to just quit. I hate quitting books, but this was like a bunch of train of thought draft blog posts that accidently got published. And I paid for it. Hungry Monkey was somewhat good and I enjoyed reading it before going to Seattle. Now I am headed to Tokyo and was interested to see that the same author did a book on food in Tokyo. But in Hungry Monkey, he had the expertise of living in Seattle as a food critic. Here, he visited Tokyo for a month and acts like an expert on the Tokyo food scene. I finally stopped at the chapter on tofu. "Asians like Tofu!" WOW.
So painful I finally had to just quit. I hate quitting books, but this was like a bunch of train of thought draft blog posts that accidently got published. And I paid for it. Hungry Monkey was somewhat good and I enjoyed reading it before going to Seattle. Now I am headed to Tokyo and was interested to see that the same author did a book on food in Tokyo. But in Hungry Monkey, he had the expertise of living in Seattle as a food critic. Here, he visited Tokyo for a month and acts like an expert on the Tokyo food scene. I finally stopped at the chapter on tofu. "Asians like Tofu!" WOW.
blueskygreentreesyellowsun's review
5.0
Nick told me this was a great book, so I gave it a try. A few pages in the author is talking about his daughter Iris, food, Seattle, and it hits me - I've read this author before! Awhile ago I read his book "Hungry Monkey" and found it utterly delightful, which boded well for me enjoying this book. Then, a chapter or two into this book, the author mentions his addiction to a manga series called "Oishinbo A la Carte" - I have the first book of the series waiting on my bedside table! All the forces were aligned to bring me to this book, and for me to fall in love with it. Done and done.
rlgreen91's review
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
What a fun read! This travel memoir was charming and funny. I really enjoyed reading the perspective of someone who, like me, would love to visit Japan and also loves to eat and try new foods. Here's to hoping that I can recreate my own version of Pretty Good Number One one day (although it probably won't last a full month.)
mmparker's review
4.0
I'm a toddler dad and casual fan of Japanese food and culture, and I liked this quite well. MAB gets on my nerves now and then, but I think it's just part of his authorial affect - I really appreciate his underlying perspective on parenting, food, and travel.
eling's review against another edition
4.0
This book very strongly reinforced my desire to get back to Japan as soon as possible. I suggest not reading this when not stuffed, as it will immediately make you hungry.
araleith's review
4.0
This book was amazing. Funny, educational, and made me very hungry. (Also, bonus points for how often he mentioned the trains in Japan.)
sighants's review
4.0
A super sweet, easy to read, non-pretentious book. Makes me want to visit Tokyo.
tealmango's review
4.0
Read the full review here: http://newberyandbeyond.com/review-copy-pretty-good-number-one/
I’ve never before had the urge to use that book blurb cliche of describing something as a “love letter,” but there’s no way around it: Pretty Good Number One is a love letter to Japan. I didn’t have much of a special interest in Japan before, but after reading this book, which details the incredible foods and experiences Matthew and his family enjoyed there, I definitely want to go.
Matthew Amster-Burton (food writer and co-host of the Spilled Milk Podcast) takes his family on a month-long vacation to Tokyo, and Pretty Good Number One chronicles their exploits while in Japan. Of course, the book focuses mostly on the foods they ate, from the spectacular to the ridiculous. If the only Japanese food you know is sushi, this book will open up a whole new world to you. Matthew describes the foods he and his family try–and the adventures they have along the way–in a way that is often hilarious and almost always mouthwatering (there were only a few foods described that I think I would have a hard time choking down).
In addition to the book itself, there’s an epilogue about Matthew’s more recent trip back to Tokyo which you can read online, complete with photos of the trip. I’m totally in favor of this. It’s like illustrations for adults.
*Note: I received a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve never before had the urge to use that book blurb cliche of describing something as a “love letter,” but there’s no way around it: Pretty Good Number One is a love letter to Japan. I didn’t have much of a special interest in Japan before, but after reading this book, which details the incredible foods and experiences Matthew and his family enjoyed there, I definitely want to go.
Matthew Amster-Burton (food writer and co-host of the Spilled Milk Podcast) takes his family on a month-long vacation to Tokyo, and Pretty Good Number One chronicles their exploits while in Japan. Of course, the book focuses mostly on the foods they ate, from the spectacular to the ridiculous. If the only Japanese food you know is sushi, this book will open up a whole new world to you. Matthew describes the foods he and his family try–and the adventures they have along the way–in a way that is often hilarious and almost always mouthwatering (there were only a few foods described that I think I would have a hard time choking down).
In addition to the book itself, there’s an epilogue about Matthew’s more recent trip back to Tokyo which you can read online, complete with photos of the trip. I’m totally in favor of this. It’s like illustrations for adults.
*Note: I received a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.