Thursday, April 25, 2013

Book Review: Bread & Wine




You know how, when you get near the end of a really good book, you start to pace yourself and read just a couple of pages a day because you don't want the book to end? (Surely I'm not the only one who does that.) That's what I found myself doing when approaching the end of my latest book for review, Bread & Wine by Shauna Niequist.

Niequist is a new author to me, but after reading this book I'm eager to read her previous works. (Someone who quotes both G.K. Chesterton and Fifty Cent in the same book is my kind of well-rounded author.) A self-proclaimed foodie, she shares stories of life--the good, the bad and the ugly--lived out around the table. She shares essays on family, friends and faith, all centered around meals shared, some elaborate, some simple, but all meaningful.

She also includes recipes throughout the book, which I, a fellow food lover, was particularly excited to discover. Of course, I'm the type who likes to sit down with a good cookbook and read it like it's a novel, so I enjoyed living vicariously through the meals she described. I do plan to try out at least some of the recipes included.

At the back of the book, Niequist offers some very helpful tips for entertaining, as well as a list of items that she keeps on hand in her pantry, fridge and freezer to make weeknight cooking easier. Also included is a four-part Bible study based on the book, with suggested menus for each session. If anyone in the area decides to do the study (and especially to include the meals with it), feel free to invite me. It's hard to turn down a Bible study when there's food involved.

All in all, I found Bread & Wine to be an enjoyable read with some great spiritual insights along with some practical tips. It's prompted me to get back into a regular habit of entertaining, a habit I've neglected the last couple of years. She reminded me that the food itself really isn't as important as the sentiment expressed in inviting people into my home and welcoming them to my table. This book is definitely a keeper for me.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Handlebar book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255“Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

1 comment:

Carrie from Talking In Space said...

Yay! I just received this book earlier this week but have not started it yet. You make me want to read it even faster. : ) If you need someone to try recipes out on, well, you know I am a helper...