Book Review: The Little Library Cookbook by Kate Young

Saturday, October 14, 2017

Title: The Little Library Cookbook
Author: Kate Young
Publication Date: 1 October 2017

Synopsis: "Paddington Bear's marmalade, a Neapolitan pizza with Elena Ferrante, afternoon tea at Manderley... The Little Library Cookbook provides over 100 delicious recipes inspired by the author's favourite works of fiction.

Beautifully photographed and divided into chapters to take you through the day - from Before Noon breakfasts and Around Noon lunches, Family Dinners and Midnight Feasts - food writer Kate Young captures the magic and wonder of meals enjoyed by some of our best-loved characters. This is an essential addition to any fiction-lover's kitchen."

My thoughts: To borrow from the synopsis, Kate Young most definitely does capture the magic and wonder of all of these foods, and the characters. The photography is so spot on in this book that it accompanies the recipes and words so well. The overall feeling of the book is thus ridiculously wonderful and cozy and just... LOVELY.

Each recipe is introduced using a small part of the book it has come from, usually the part that mentions the food itself, so you have this little bit of connection to the book at the start of each recipe to sigh over. Young's little bits of writing throughout the book also really brings the whole thing together - from talking about baking disasters she has had, to memories of her own from reading (p.s. Kate, if you're reading this, I definitely grew up with my face in a book, so I feel like we have had similar educations...), she really creates an atmosphere of reflection and nostalgia. Even for books that I haven't actually read yet.

Speaking of that, I have now added quite a few books to my to-be-read list because of this cookbook. Young's celebration of writing and food and the memories that both can evoke is contagious, and I can see myself referring back to this book not just for a recipe, but for a book recommendation. Highly, HIGHLY recommend.



{I received a review copy of this book from Harper Collins in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!!!}

A favourite line from the book: 'I have always been a highly suggestible, hungry reader. When discovering a new book, or revisiting an old favourite, my mind wanders, imagining what the food the characters are enjoying would taste like. A passing mention of a ripe summer strawberry, a fragrant roast chicken, or a warming mug of hot chocolate sends me straight to the kitchen, book still in hand.'

You would like this book if: You love bookish recipes, or cooking from books of your past; you love absolutely beautiful books that make you feel cozy-comfy.

Tea to drink while reading this book: I would say a nice black tea, perhaps with the Hunny & Rosemary Cakes from Winnie-the-Pooh?

Rating:  10/10

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