SHORT REVIEWS: THE DREAM THIEVES & MASTERING THE ART OF FRENCH EATING

 Two books--two very different genres! A little something for everyone, right?

The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A sequel that really picks up steam about halfway through. Even though it doesn't feel like a whole lot of progress is made toward the conclusion of the quest, it's still incredibly fascinating to read. The depth of imagination and storytelling is well layered and the writing is so wonderfully descriptive.












Mastering the Art of French Eating: Lessons in Food and Love from a Year in Paris by Ann Mah
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I love reading about food, and this book has some tantalizing passages about food. Exploring the inseparably connected region and landscape in France, the origin, and the ingredients of each dish was fascinating and conveyed expertly. This book felt like a good meal and a bit of wanderlust wrapped up together. I skimmed over some of the more historical parts--I was more interested in the food.

I also really appreciated the way that she perfectly conveyed what it feels like to be a spouse in a foreign place, following after their husband/wife's dreams/career, and the lonely but incredibly valuable, adventurous, and self-defining experience that it is. Having had a somewhat similar experience, I was able to relate to the spot-on way she conveyed the feelings of those times. While this was well done, at times her exploration of these feelings was too repetitious, and in comparing herself to Julia Child and Abigail Adams, the tone became a little flat and complaining. With that exception, the blend of food and memoir was a success.

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REVIEW: FRENCH KIDS EAT EVERYTHING

French Kids Eat Everything: How Our Family Moved to France, Cured Picky Eating, Banned Snacking, and Discovered 10 Simple Rules for Raising Happy, Healthy Eaters
by Karen Le Billon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I didn't pick this up because I'm any kind of Francophile (although I read & enjoyed Bringing up Bebe), but I read it because my friend recommended it to me, saying it made her and her family eat healthier.

Peppered with some great research to back up these principles, the ideas really make sense, regardless if you're French, American, Canadian, etc. I do think that the contrast between two cultures (French/North American) put things in perspective, even if it was a little sad to the North American who isn't doing things "right". It allows you to really examine your own food culture as the author is examining hers. While it felt a little repetitive sometimes, the thorough explanation of the principles, and how the author autobiographically describes them as she encounters them in French culture, was smooth and easy reading. She is very open about things, especially her mistakes, which is helpful when she's trying to make a point.

And in the end, I'm pretty convinced to adapt to some of the healthier ways of eating that she talks about, like no snacking, eating real food, and eating together as a family (love that!)--some of my favorite "rules". The fascinating, in-depth look into French food culture and the recipes in the back that look easy and delicious are all things that bring this book together nicely.

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