I love the idea of recreating a meal from a favorite novel. It’s a way of living inside the story for a while, or perhaps more accurately, a way of taking the story out of your head and incorporating it into your daily life. I own books with companion recipes for the works of the Brontës, Jane Austen and L.M. Montgomery, but Christy Dorrity’s The Book Blogger’s Cookbook is a companion cookbook for recent fiction (mostly YA), and it certainly must be the first to celebrate book bloggers.
The Book Blogger’s Cookbook is both inspiring and soothing. Yes, you’ll feel the urge to open your cabinets and turn on the oven, but first you’ll want to relax on your couch and peruse all the delightful offerings. Each recipe is introduced with a non-spoilery synopsis of the book that inspired it. Christy then explains the connection between her recipe and the theme or plot of the novel. For instance, her “Divine Dark Chocolate-Cherry Cookies” are inspired by the darkly satisfying secrets in Bree Despain’s The Dark Divine, and Maggie Stiefvater’s Shiver, with its focus on the cold of winter, prompts “Frozen Hot Chocolate.” Christy even includes a tasty recipe for “Sevenstar Gingerbread,” a riff on the name of Willie’s forbidden crush in The Revenant. As you can see, the recipes are playful as well as delicious! For each one, Christy provides a clear list of ingredients and easy-to-follow directions, along with a photograph of the finished product. She concludes each entry with excerpts from blogger reviews of the novel.
It’s clear from start to finish that this book was a labor of love for Christy. Her passion for reading and cooking shines throughout. You could enjoy many feasts by combining all the recipes she’s provided, and it’s very likely you’ll find some new books to love in the process!
Order the book today at Amazon.com.
Christy Dorrity loves to read about cooking and cook about reading. She was taught early to have a discriminating taste for both books and food. Christy grew up on a trout ranch in Star Valley, Wyoming. She taught elementary school and lives in Utah with her husband and their five children. When Christy’s not reading or writing, she’s probably trying out a new recipe in the kitchen. (Author bio excerpted from the book.)
