bookmarksnbreadsticks's reviews
188 reviews

Tiny Moons: A Year of Eating in Shanghai by Nina Mingya Powles

reflective slow-paced

4.25

A short delight. I wanted more stories!

Taste: My Life Through Food by Stanley Tucci

funny medium-paced

5.0

I highly recommend listening to the audiobook because Tucci narrates it himself! Just warning there is a discussion of cancer later in the book 

The Dating Dare by Jayci Lee

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I just feel like there was A LOT of expository dialogue and monologues in their heads. Oh of COURSE I'm a wounded and jaded soul because my first love was emotionally jaded but if I just let myself be VULBERABLE I will reconnect with my ART! (Flails arms in pg-13 romcom, except they have a ton of sex?). Way too fast enemies to lovers. Also we never see her compete at the craft brew championship! For being so career driven we throw her entire subplot away!!!

Garlic, Mint, and Sweet Basil: Essays on Marseilles, The Mediterranean, and Noir Fiction by Jean-Claude Izzo

reflective fast-paced

3.0

A short novella focusing on the Mediterranean. It is beautifully written but it does not spur me to pick up more of this work

Flamin' Hot: The Incredible True Story of One Man's Rise from Janitor to Top Executive by Richard Montanez

inspiring fast-paced

3.0

I had suuuuuch high hopes for this book and honestly I was bored out of my mind. I think this book suffers from structure; this is more of an inspirational business book versus a memoir. 
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As someone who works in CPG, designs and launches products, there's a lot of this book that glosses over the complexities of a large consumer product goods organization. I in no way doubt the racism Montanez faced, but there's a lot here from an organizational structure that isn't covered.
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I also have heard a lot of buzz that Montanez is not the true inventor of Flamin' Hot.

Accidentally Engaged by Farah Heron

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Manifestos on the Future of Food and Seed by Vandana Shiva

informative inspiring slow-paced

4.0

A pocket-sized guide on the future of food and seeds 

Dangerous Tastes: The Story of Spices by Andrew Dalby
Did not finish book. Stopped at 22%.

Is more of an encyclopedia versus non fiction narrative 

The Poison Squad: One Chemist's Single-Minded Crusade for Food Safety at the Turn of the Twentieth Century by Deborah Blum

challenging informative reflective slow-paced

5.0

It's a very specific topic but so thoroughly researched. The Poison Squad sheds light on the political corruption and influence from big corporations to allow harmful chemicals into our food while one chemist and his team tries to defend the consumers in the US. Very informative. Highly recommend

Supper Club by Lara Williams

sad

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I found the protagonist vapid and annoying. The back cover sells this book on the concept of the Supper Club and bringing women together to take up space. I was expecting something more uplifting, challenging, and funny. Instead we're in our protagonist's head, a lot, and she's not that likeable 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape and Adult/minor relationship

Moderate: Eating disorder and Self harm