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| (Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!) |
It was a culinary journey like no other: Over the course of 195 weeks, food writer and blogger Sasha Martin set out to cook—and eat—a meal from every country in the world. As cooking unlocked the memories of her rough-and-tumble childhood and the loss and heartbreak that came with it, Martin became more determined than ever to find peace and elevate her life through the prism of food and world cultures. From the tiny, makeshift kitchen of her eccentric, creative mother to a string of foster homes to the house from which she launches her own cooking adventure, Martin’s heartfelt, brutally honest memoir reveals the power of cooking to bond, to empower, and to heal—and celebrates the simple truth that happiness is created from within.
my thoughts:
A memoir that includes recipes - what more could I want? Especially, a memoir that is filled with great writing, emotional stories, and yummy foodie goodness - as Ina would say, "How good is that?" Well, I will tell you, it is pretty darn good.
Life From Scratch is Martin's story of how her rocky childhood formed her love of cooking and food. She shares with us the ups and mostly downs she endured as a kid growing up in poverty, foster care; along with the feelings of abandonment and loss (her brother's death) she experienced. Through cooking (and this book) Martin was able to find meaning during those difficult times. Its heartbreaking at times to read her story, but in the end you get to know the strong, independent, and creative woman she grew up to be. Plus, her book also includes thirty delicious recipes that will make your stomach rumble with hunger. The love and warmth she uses to describe her love of cooking is infectious and makes you see just how important the recipes she made up, the ingredients she dabbled with, and the meals she accomplished really were for her. I absolutely loved Life From Scratch!
I think its pretty amazing that what started out as a book about cooking a meal from each country turned into such a raw and honest personal history of healing and forgiveness. What a terrific book! I would happily recommend it to fans of memoirs, specifically fans of foodie memoirs - you will DEVOUR this book and RELISH the stories and recipes. And in case you want to find out what other bloggers are saying about Martin's memoir, here's the TLC Book Tour schedule for: Life From Scratch
GIVEAWAY: Thanks to the publisher (National Geographic) I am able to give away one copy to one lucky winner. Hurrah! So, if you want a chance to win a copy of Life From Scratch, just leave me a comment telling me what your favorite recipe is. Don't forget to include your email address so that I can contact you in case you are chosen as the winner. Last date to enter is March 16th, 2015. Open to US residents only. Good luck!!
