This book was read by Courtney Bippley, a Reference Librarian at the Main Campus Library.

Why did you choose to read this book?

The cover was really pretty. Seriously. I was putting up the ‘Written in their Own Words’ display and found this book. It was pretty enough, and looked interesting enough, that I decided to read it.

What did you like about it?

I liked the descriptions of food in the book. The author is a chef and her love of food and passion for cooking is obvious. She describes learning to cook in three different countries and the similarities and differences of each which is always fascinating to me.

Was there anything noteworthy about the book?

Each chapter ends with recipes. They all sound delicious, though most are outside my comfort zone in the kitchen. I did make the recipe for Orange Cardamom Cookies. I followed the recipe exactly.* The cookies were delicately flavored shortbread cookies that had a nice taste or orange and poppy seed while making sure the cardamom wasn’t too strong. They go well with hot tea.

Who would you recommend the book to?

Anyone who likes a chef memoir and new recipes to try.

What would you pair this book with?

One of the cookies I made. But, I ate them all so you’re out of luck.

*Actually, I added an extra egg yolk so the dough would stick together easier. I also did not get the predicted three dozen cookies. One batch was really more like 18 cookies. I guess I accidentally made them larger than intended since I had to almost double the baking time. But, other than that, I followed the recipe exactly. 

The book was read by Meredith Lewis, a Librarian at (mostly) the Orange County Campus Library. The library copy of this book is available downstairs in the Main Campus Library.

The Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes

Why did you choose to read this book?

I read another one of Lauren Beukes’ books, Zoo City and really liked it. When I realized we had The Shining Girls in our collection, I went ahead and checked it out because I’d enjoyed her weird mix of fantasy-in-the-real-world and crime. I’ve been having a hard time getting into a book lately, so I wanted to stick with someone whose writing I was enjoying.

Plus the description was about a time-travelling serial killer. What’s not intriguing about that?

Did it remind you of any other book, or a movie?

It kind of reminded me of a fantasy-tinged book-length episode of Criminal Minds.

What feeling did the book leave you with?

Satisfied (as a reader). I like it when the bad guys get got in crime novels, so that didn’t disappoint, but the resolution of the story was complex and interesesting. I also thought that, for a story that jumps around in time (though not space), it was pretty well-organized.

Who would you recommend the book to?

Anyone who likes a crime novel, but may want to shake things up a bit. It is gory in some places, so heads up on that. (I mean, it is about a serial killer.)