Eat, Drink, and Celebrate the Season: 5 New Cookbook Releases You Need to Pick Up Now!

 

Read my latest article "Eat, Drink, and Celebrate the Season" in the October 2020 issues of Perimeter North, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, and Smyrna Vinings Lifestyle magazines. 

Eat, Drink, and Celebrate the Season

5 new food and drink releases perfect for adding to your personal collection and for giving as holiday gifts.

Shorter, colder days bring comfort meal cravings and the upcoming holiday season means we are beginning to look for new menu and entertaining ideas. From hosting lavish celebrations to enjoying quiet evenings at home, these cookbook releases are the perfect kitchen companions.

The Southern Entertainer's Cookbook : Heirloom Recipes for Modern Gatherings by Courtney Whitmore

In The Southern Entertainer’s Cookbook, party design and entertaining blogger Courtney Whitmore puts a modern spin on Southern classics straight from her family’s cookbooks. She also offers a few new favorites alongside entertaining tips to make the most of your gathering. This cookbooks is full of gorgeous full-page photos, party planning ideas, menus, and mouth-watering recipes like Louisiana Hush Puppies with Comeback Dipping Sauce, Poppie’s Fig Jam & Prosciutto Crostini, Southern Fried Chicken Cobb Salad, and Carolina Blackberry Cobbler.


Very Merry Cocktails : 50+ Festive Drinks for the Holiday Season by Jessica Strand

Food writer Jessica Strand’s kitschy collection is a must-have for holiday hosts and merrymakers alike. Packed full of simple seasonal cocktail recipes, you’re sure to find a new favorite like the bourbon-based “Fireside Glow,” “Partridge in a Pear Tree” champagne sippers, toasty coffee and ice cream “Nutcracker Sweet” toddies, “’Tis the Season Sangria,” or one of her zero-proof libations like “Foamy Mexican Hot Chocolate”. In addition to tasty recipes, Very Merry Cocktails is brimming with vibrant vintage-style photography and advice on how to stock your bar, rim glasses, and garnish your cocktails.


The Ultimate Guide to Vegetable Side Dishes : 75 Veggie-Filled Dishes that Steal the Show by Rebecca Lindamood

The Ultimate Guide to Vegetable Side Dishes is mother of five Rebecca Lindamood’s “love letter to vegetables.” Conveniently organized into mini-chapters focusing on 14 different vegetables (all commonly found at farmers markets and grocery stores) and accompanied by main dish recommendations, these recipes have changed her picky eaters’ minds about vegetables. Cheesy Broccoli Rice Pancakes, Sriracha-Sesame Cucumber Rice Noodles, Chicken-Fried Eggplant, and Southern-Style Deli Carrot Salad are just a few of the show-stealing side dishes included in this collection.


Big Love Cooking : 75 Recipes for Satisfying, Shareable Comfort Food by Joey Campanaro, with Theresa Gambacorta

Famed restauranteur Joey Campanaro shares his family-style recipes along with insights from his Italian grandmother’s kitchen, conversational advice, and stories from his NYC restaurant in his comfort food cookbook. A few of his simple, authentic, shareable dishes include the Campanaro Family Lasagna, Pork Chops with Parmesan Butter Beans, Little Owl Crispy Chicken, Littleneck Clams with Juicy Bread, and Mom-Mom Pizza. In addition to comforting entrées, Big Love Cooking includes a variety of brunch (Brioche French Toast with Stewed Strawberries), soup (Italian Wedding Soup with Mini Meatballs and Egg Drop), and vegetable (Baked Eggplant Parmesan with Soft Herb Salad) recipes.


Pie Academy: Master the Perfect Crust and 255 Amazing Fillings, with Fruits, Nuts, Creams, Custards, Ice Cream, and More; Expert Techniques for Making Fabulous Pies from Scratch by Ken Haedrich

Critically acclaimed dean of The Pie Academy, Ken Haedrich reveals all his secrets for creating a perfect pie through step-by-step photographic tutorials including crust and pastry variations such as gluten-free, whole wheat, and extra flaky. Great for bakers of all levels, Pie Academy is packed full of classic recipes (Classic Lemon Meringue, Butterscotch Pecan), new creations (Apple Pear Pie with Hot Pepper Jelly, Blueberry-Pineapple Piña Colada), and hundreds of inspirational ideas.

Moon Bath: Bathing Rituals and Recipes for Relaxation and Vitality by Dakota Hills and Sierra Brashear

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

Title: Moon Bath: Bathing Rituals and Recipes for Relaxation and Vitality
Authors: Dakota Hills and Sierra Brashear
Release Date: 9.15.20
Publisher: Chronicle Books

Goodreads Summary:
Moon Bath is a luxurious guide that invites readers to immerse themselves in the healing powers of nature. This transformative book features 16 bath and shower rituals aligned with the lunar cycles and the natural rhythms of the cosmos. Organized by moon cycle—New Moon, Waxing Moon, Full Moon, and Waning Moon—each ritual includes a bath recipe featuring healing natural ingredients.

• Includes affirmations and meditations
• Journaling prompts promote reflection and self-discovery.
• Filled with lush, nature-inspired photography

Brimming with Ayurvedic wisdom and plant-based medicine, Moon Bath is a lovely companion for modern mystics, wellness enthusiasts, and anyone who wants to wash away the stresses of daily life. Bath recipes include ginger and baking soda for detoxification, cacao and rose to cultivate love, eucalyptus and bentonite clay to release negativity, and chamomile and lavender to connect to deep wisdom.

My Review:

This is one of those books where format is everything. I read this on my Kindle and was able to see what all it had to offer so I could write a review, but this is the type of book that should be experienced in the physical format. The photography is beautiful and even if you didn't follow the recipes to create the customized baths, the book itself has a calming effect. I would love to display this in my bathroom or gift it to someone who is especially interested in self-care and natural healing. 

Don't Look for Me by Wendy Walker

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Title: Don't Look for Me 
Author: Wendy Walker 
Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Release Date: 9.15.20 


Goodreads Summary:

"In Wendy Walker's thrilling novel Don't Look for Me, the greatest risk isn’t running away. It’s running out of time.
One night, Molly Clarke walked away from her life.
She doesn't want to be found.
Or at least, that's the story.
The car abandoned miles from home.
The note found at a nearby hotel.
The shattered family that couldn’t be put back together.
They called it a “walk away.”
It happens all the time.
Women disappear, desperate to leave their lives behind and start over.
But is that what really happened to Molly Clarke?

My Review:

I am usually pretty anti-mainstream thrillers/mysteries because they just never live up to the hype for me. I need a thriller to be smart, full of twists that are shocking and believable, and to keep guessing. Most "bestsellers" are bland, basic, formulaic, and predictable. Yes, I'm jaded. That's why I don't request them, because I don't want to just keep writing bad reviews. However, I thought I'd give this one a try since I loved Emma in the Night (2017) and it was available as a "Read Now" option on Netgalley. Holding my breath, I jumped in and right away I was hooked! Wendy Walker totally delivered a book I did not want to put down in Don't Look for Me. I suspected everyone to be involved in Molly's disappearance at one point or another due to Walker's amazing ability to craft multiple complex, "unlikeable" characters. I don't think it's possible to provide examples without giving away any of the twists, so I'll simply say "⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️"

Daughters of the Wild by Natalka Burian

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Title: Daughters of the Wild 
Author: Natalka Burian 
Release Date: 9.22.20
Publisher: Park Row

Goodreads Summary:

In rural West Virginia, Joanie and her foster siblings live on a farm tending a mysterious plant called the vine. The older girls are responsible for cultivating the vine, performing sacred rituals to make it grow. After Joanie’s arranged marriage goes horribly wrong, leaving her widowed and with a baby, she plots her escape with the help of her foster brother, Cello. But before they can get away, her baby goes missing and Joanie, desperate to find him, turns to the vine, understanding it to be far more powerful than her siblings realize. She begins performing generations-old rituals to summon the vine’s power and goes on a perilous journey into the wild, pushing the boundaries of her strength and sanity to bring her son home. Daughters of the Wild is an utterly absorbing debut that explores the female mind in captivity and the ways in which both nature and women fight domination. Like The Bell Jar set in rural Appalachia, Daughters of the Wild introduces a fierce new heroine and a striking new voice in fiction.

My Review:
From the summaries I read and the comparisons of this book to The Power and The Bell Jar, I assumed this story would be full of magic and female power. Instead, I read a bizarre book about a cult/religion using "foster" kids for farm labor and so much abuse (physical, drug, sexual, emotional). I didn't simply quit the book because it kept my attention and I thought I would surely get some answers to the vaguely alluded to situations. The short answer is "no." I kept waiting for the moral of the story (foster abuse? postpartum depression?) or the metaphor for “Vine of Heaven” (fertility? harvest?). Then the ending is so messy and rushed and I have so many questions! I'm going to group this one in with Catherine House, which also had great potential but ended up being a disappointment. 

Greenfeast: Autumn, Winter by Nigel Slater

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

Title: Greenfeast: Autumn, Winter
Author: Nigel Slater
Release Date: 9.8.20
Publisher: Ten Speed Press

Goodreads Summary:

110 vegetarian autumn and winter recipes that provide quick, easy, and filling plant-based suppers while paying homage to the seasons--from the bestselling author of Eat.

GreenFeast: Autumn, Winter is a vibrant and joyous collection of recipes, perfect for people who want to eat less meat, but don't want to compromise on flavor and ease of cooking. With Slater's famous one-line recipe introductions, the recipes are blissfully simple and make full use of ingredients you have on hand.

Straightforward recipes showcase the delicious ingredients used such as Beetroot, Apple, and Goat's Curd; Crumpets, Cream Cheese & Spinach; and Naan, Mozzarella & Tomatoes and provide a plant-based guide for those who wish to eat with the seasons.

My Review:

As a Crown Food and Drink Influencer, I am offered a selection of cookbooks each month for review. I can narrow down to ones I think I will like from the offered choices but, as with any books offered for review, that doesn't necessarily ensure I'll love the ones I choose. I think this book missed the mark with me because of its extreme simplicity--which may be what makes someone else love it. I was drawn to the idea of making some vegetarian fall and winter recipes but most of these were barely complex enough to be called recipes. Personally, I am looking for twists on established recipes, new ideas, and a bit more inspiration from my cookbooks.  

I made "Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Cream" from page 108 and of course they were delicious. All of the recipes look delicious and I think this book would be a great option for a beginning cook.  

Forgotten Kingdom (The Lost Queen Trilogy #2) by Signe Pike

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Title: Forgotten Kingdom (The Lost Queen Trilogy #2)
Author: Signe Pike
Release Date: 9.15.20
Publisher: Atria

This second book in the Lost Queen trilogy was more action packed than the first with battles, allegiances, travel, adventures, and lots of new characters. Languoreth finally becomes queen at the age of 40 and while she may not feel a deep passion for her husband, they have come to a mutual understanding about their marriage. They have become political allies with a common interest of preserving the Old Ways while acknowledging they must show support for the new religion (Christianity) sweeping through their kingdom. Plus, those darn Angles keep pushing the boundaries of the kingdom and something must be done!

Who knew that I would be so interested in one of the bloodiest battles of early medieval Scottish history? Certainly not me! This series totally transported me. I found myself excited to get back to each of these 500+ page books everyday so that I could be whisked away to 6th century Scotland. My heart beat for Maelgwyn and broke for Angharad; I seethed in fury over Mungo, Gwergei, and Elufed's mother; and I was so impressed with Pike's character formation with Lailoken/Myrddin. In hindsight I guess I shouldn't be that surprised since I loved The Mists of Avalon and The Mabinogion Tetralogy. 

The backstory and author's notes provided with each of these books was absolutely mind-boggling and beyond impressive. The sheer amount of time and research she has poured over is evident in this epic tale. Although this book was just released, I am really anticipating the final book. The countdown is on! 

More Than a Woman by Caitlin Moran

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Title: More Than a Woman
Author: Caitlin Moran
Release Date: 9.15.20
Publisher: Harper Perennial

After fully cracking up twice by page 14 ("Mark Ruffalo" and "every trampoline will fear me") I knew I was in for a treat with this book. There just aren't any other books like this. There are books about finding feminism, discovering your sexuality, finding your way in the world, navigating new motherhood, and so many other challenges of young women but what about after? You know, after you learn some of the hard lessons about friendships and relationships, after the early years of a marriage and parenting, after you get a bit of a grip on life? The minds of middle aged women don't simply cease churning out new ideas and revelations because all the attention of society is geared toward the younger demographic. We are still learning new things every day and we have common threads, but according to news outlets, publishing companies, and the media in general mid-life is just not that exciting. Think of it this way, which magazine article will likely garner more views or sales: "20 Sex Tricks to Make Your Mate's Head Pop Off" or "The Blissful Comfort of Married Sex"? This memoir isn't lamenting and labeling mid-life as a bleak wasteland or perpetuating any mid-life crisis myths, rather it is a like a friend saying "yep, that's how my mind works, too" when you delve into the feminist stance of housework not just as second shift emotional and unpaid labor, but as a entire psychological structure. As a 43-year-old woman I found this book especially poignant and will be recommending it to my friends who are also trying to figure out this next era of caregiving where many are wedged between their parents and their children, who are questioning their sanity as they simultaneously want their children to never leave them and to also please go away, who are embracing aging but not against giving it a bit of pushback, who are exhausted by still having to explain basic feminist theories, aspirations, hopes, and dreams to people who have internalized and continue to uphold patriarchal structures. Now, before you say "whoa, these are all pretty heavy topics" I can assure you that Moran handles them all with her witty and signature self-deprecating humor. I will go out on a limb to also say that your friends will find this book funnier than your husband. I read the "armchair personality type" section to a friend and we gasped laughing so hard that I could barely finish it. After reading the same section to my husband he simply said "that doesn't make any sense" which then lead my friend and I on another eye-rolling and laughing jag.

Favorite Part:
While I know we all have a master list of things we need(?) to do, Moran explains the existential crisis "The List" actually represents in our lives in a way that was truly a lightbulb moment for me. I'll not try to explain it here because she does it so much better and of course, she's much funnier.

Important Note:
It is important to point out that Moran's memoir is not all witty thoughts and dark humor, some of it is just dark. She shares part of her daughter's journey through an eating disorder and while not every mother will have had this precise situation, I feel that we have all pulled our families through some pivotal period of darkness and (hopefully) landed on the other side with insight and lessons we are willing to share.

Five Marys Ranch Raised Cookbook: Homegrown Recipes from Our Family to Yours by Mary Heffernan

 

I received a copy of this cookbook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Title: Five Marys Ranch Raised Cookbook: Homegrown Recipes from Our Family to Yours
Author: Mary Heffernan

Release Date: 9.8.20

Publisher: Sasquatch Books

Publisher's Summary:
Meet Mary Heffernan. Rancher. Entrepreneur. Restaurateur. Wife. Mother. Together with her husband, Brian, they own Five Marys Farms and are raising their four daughters--all named
Mary--while pasture-raising cattle, pigs, and heritage lambs. Their work ethic is as strong as their commitment to family, and Mary believes in nourishing meals shared together--in their cozy cabin in winter and around the outdoor camp kitchen in summer. In these 75 satisfying, homespun recipes you’ll find something for every meal and mood, including Mary’s favorite beef, pork, and lamb dishes, as well as the secret to her famous sidecars! Evocative photos capture the breathtaking beauty of the ranch, the carefree joy of the girls with their horses, the majestic Great Pyrenees who roam the land, and so much more. Get ready to fall in love with ranch life, hearty recipes, and the Five Marys.

My Review:

I had never heard of the Five Marys before this cookbook and I can't believe all that I was missing! The Five Marys Ranch Raised Cookbook is the perfect mix of Ree Drummond's cooking style and Joanna Gaines' effortless, rustic simplicity. Author Mary Heffernan serves up hearty recipes my family is sure to love and there are some ideas that this mom is super excited to try (hello, leftover chili mac & cheese). More than just a recipe collection, the accompanying photos and stories gives readers a glimpse inside daily life at Heffernan's ranch, making this cookbook really stand out. As a matter of fact, it hasn't made it on my cookbook shelves yet because I can't stop flipping through it!

Recipe I Made from the Cookbook: Shredded Pork Ragu with Pasta

**GIVEAWAY CLOSED***✨✨Journal & Planner Bundle Giveaway✨✨

 

Goodbye, summer (seriously, I'm so over it) and Hello, fall (cooler temps, hallelujah). This holiday weekend, to celebrate the unofficial end of summer/beginning of fall, I am partnering with Thunder Bay Press to give away an awesome planner & journal bundle! Win this bundle and you'll get some inspiration with 2 great journals and stay organized with 2 totally cool planners. Keep them all for yourself or share with family and friends. 

The bundle includes (1 each):

Grrr-attitude: A Guided Journal for the Reluctantly Positive

Get Sh*t Done: Step-by-Step Guide to Conquering Life's Challenges

Large 2020-2021 Marble Planner

Small 2020-2021 Marble Planner

⬇️ Enter through the giveaway widget below ⬇️

Your option(s) for entering are easy! 

1. Follow me on Instagram
2. Follow Thunder Bay Press on Instagram

For additional entries you can also: 

1. Follow me on Twitter
2. Follow Thunder Bay Press on Twitter
3. Leave a comment on a blog post 

⬇️ Enter through the giveaway widget below ⬇️

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Each action equals 1 entry. 

Giveaway runs from 12:00 a.m. EST Friday, 9.4.20 until 12:00 a.m. EST Tuesday, 9.8.20. 

Thunder Bay Press will mail bundle to winner.  

The Good Book of Southern Baking: A Revival of Biscuits, Cakes, and Cornbread by Kelly Fields with Kate Heddings

 

As a Crown Food & Beverage Influencer, 

I received a copy of this cookbook in exchange for an honest review. 

Title: The Good Book of Southern Baking: A Revival of Biscuits, Cakes, and Cornbread

Author: Kelly Fields with Kate Heddings

Release Date: 9.8.20

Publisher: Lorena Jones Books (imprint of Ten Speed Press)

The photos and recipes included in this collection are exactly what I am looking for in a cookbook. The photos inspire me, the instructions are easy to follow, and there is just the right amount of backstory included with each recipe (I'm side-eyeing you food bloggers who make me scroll through your life story before I find the info I came for). 

My husband had mentioned a few times that he liked carrot cake. I had never eaten carrot cake and definitely never made one. When I saw the carrot cake recipe in this collection I decided to give it a shot. Especially when I saw that one of the ingredients is spiced rum! 

My mistake: I baked my cakes for the 30 minutes suggested but did not test the middle (which the recipe does say to do--oops!). The middles were not done so I used a large circle cookie cutter to take out the centers. This also meant I could't horizontally cut the 2 cakes to create 4 layers so I stuck with the 2 layers.  I ended up with a cake shape akin to a bundt cake. Aesthetics aside, the end result was a sweet success. 

Now, what recipe should I try next? 🤔

Food52 Your Do-Anything Kitchen: The Trusty Guide to a Smarter, Tidier, Happier Space

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Title: Food52 Your Do-Anything Kitchen: The Trusty Guide to a Smarter, Tidier, Happier Space
Author: The Editors of Food52
Release Date: 9.1.20
Publisher: Ten Speed Press

This book is absolutely perfect for the beginner cook and/or a new homeowner interested in setting up their kitchen for optimal efficiency. Learn what tools and ingredients to have on hand and how to clean everything in your kitchen from top to bottom. Full of tips, tricks, and ideas, this slim handbook is equally a straightforward reference guide and inspirational collection of menus, photos, and more. 

A Girl is a Body of Water by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Title: A Girl is a Body of Water (aka "The First Woman")
Author: Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi
Release Date: 9.1.20
Publisher: Tin House

My Review:

I have the hardest time writing reviews for the books that I love and *wow* did I love this one. When I finish a book I really enjoyed I tend to sit and think about it for too long and sometimes I let the time pass, not writing a review at all because I feel I just can't do it justice. This is exactly the predicament I have been in for the last week. A Girl is a Body of Water is a blend of Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀'s Stay with Me, Bianca Marais' Hum If You Don't Know the Words and If You Want to Make God Laugh, and Mariama Bâ's So Long a Letter. Kirabo is a character who will never leave me. She is smart, feisty, challenging, frustrating, and I loved her stubborn independence. I found it refreshing that author Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi did not hold my hand and go into detail to describe local phrases and traditions. Instead she drops us into a world and starts telling her story, fully immersing us in the customs, slang, and relationships among the people in the village of Nattetta in Uganda. If you are looking for a novel to transport, entertain, and educate you then you have got to grab this one. It is one of the best 2020 releases I have read and is tied with Luster by Raven Leilani for the number one spot. While this might not be the best review I've ever written or give the amount of praise I wish could heap on this novel, I hugged it when I was finished. Any true book lover knows that feeling and I can't always put that feeling into words. 

Goodreads Summary:

In her twelfth year, Kirabo, a young Ugandan girl, confronts a piercing question that has haunted her childhood: who is my mother? Kirabo has been raised by women in the small village of Nattetta—her grandmother, her best friend, and her many aunts, but the absence of her mother follows her like a shadow. Complicating these feelings of abandonment, as Kirabo comes of age she feels the emergence of a mysterious second self, a headstrong and confusing force inside her at odds with her sweet and obedient nature.

Seeking answers, Kirabo begins spending afternoons with Nsuuta, a local witch, trading stories and learning not only about this force inside her, but about the woman who birthed her, who she learns is alive but not ready to meet. Nsuuta also explains that Kirabo has a streak of the “first woman”—an independent, original state that has been all but lost to women.

Kirabo’s journey to reconcile her rebellious origins, alongside her desire to reconnect with her mother and to honor her family’s expectations, is rich in the folklore of Uganda and an arresting exploration of what it means to be a modern girl in a world that seems determined to silence women. Makumbi’s unforgettable novel is a sweeping testament to the true and lasting connections between history, tradition, family, friends, and the promise of a different future.