Be My Guest: Reflections on Food, Community and the Meaning of Generosity by Priya Basil

3.55 AVERAGE

merixcil's review against another edition

3.0
Oh man the author SO NEARLY GETS IT on quite a few occasions. She knows that capitalism is Bad but can't quite let go of the liberal label. This was a fun read, more in the region of fist bumping 'hell yeah I agree' than giving me anything new to work with but her perspective is certainly unique and I appreciate the honesty with which she voices some of her more difficult opinions

soumilgupta's review against another edition

3.75
informative reflective relaxing fast-paced

janiswong's review against another edition

4.25
emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced
A beautiful reflection on food, community, and giving. I was not expecting intricate interweavings of identity and race within the book. For me, these conversations made the book more enjoyable but I also see how readers may be expecting something else when picking up the book. Perhaps the title does not fully encapsulate the contents of the book.

fern17's review against another edition

4.0
challenging informative reflective medium-paced

tracydurnell's review against another edition

A series of short reflections, all flowing into each other, not always perfectly, but always in a way that makes sense for a shift in the train of thought. Ideas, sometimes expressed in a couple hundred words, others in a couple pages. She weaves in reflections on the value of hospitality at a societal level, and what it means to welcome others to our communities, especially when they are different than we are. What are the conditions of our welcome? Is unconditional hospitality possible today? Interesting collection that's short but I liked spreading over several days to let it sink in more.
nicolemowry's profile picture

nicolemowry's review against another edition

3.75
informative reflective

beate's review against another edition

3.0
I especially liked the author’s reflections on food and family. However, her opinions of charity and the EU didn’t resonate with me at all.
noragriffin's profile picture

noragriffin's review against another edition

3.0
informative slow-paced

bethmitcham's review against another edition

4.25
challenging informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

howjessicareads's review against another edition

4.0
A collection of thoughtful, philosophical musings on hospitality -- both within a family and within nations. Full review coming for Shelf Awareness.

My first completed book for the social distancing readathon. #stayhome24in48