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Thursday, November 12, 2009

Cherries In Winter - A Review

Cherries in Winter - Suzan Colon (Bound Galley Received from Doubleday)

Product Details

  • Pub. Date: November 2009
  • Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
  • Format: Hardcover, 224pp

Synopsis

What is the secret to finding hope in hard times?

When Suzan Colon was laid off from her dream job at a magazine during the economic downturn of 2008, she needed to cut her budget way, way back, and that meant home cooking. Her mother suggested, "Why don't you look in Nana's recipe folder?" In the basement, Suzan found the tattered treasure, full of handwritten and meticulously typed recipes, peppered with her grandmother Matilda's commentary in the margins. Reading it, Suzan realized she had found something more than a collection of recipes—she had found the key to her family's survival through hard times.

Suzan began re-creating Matilda's "sturdy food" recipes for baked pork chops and beef stew, and Aunt Nettie's clam chowder made with clams dug up by Suzan's grandfather Charlie in Long Island Sound. And she began uncovering the stories of her resilient family's past.

My Thoughts:

This review will be just like the book, short and to the point. This book was simplistic and yet radiated so much warmth from the pages. The recipes and how they were tied into her family's story were so heartfelt. It made you want to cry in some spots and laugh out loud in others. When I finished this book I was left feeling uplifted and inspired. I may even try out a recipe or two on my family. If you're looking for a simple, sweet, heartfelt story this would be a great choice.

7 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi :)
Thank you for the thoughtful & succinct review.
All the best,
RKCharron
xoxo

DCMetroreader said...

Very nice review. I also enjoyed this book. I will be reviewing this shortly too. Just out of curiosity, did you try or want to try any of the recipes? By and large they didn't appeal to me,but I did enjoy the book.

Zia said...

DC - There are a couple I would like to try out. Not all of them appeal to me though.

Jody said...

Great review. I always enjoy a story that can leave me feeling good at the end.

Sheila (Bookjourney) said...

This looks really good - I love that cover!

Anonymous said...

Sounds sweet. If a book can make you laugh AND cry it's a keeper.

Jill said...

Thanks for the review, I'm going to have to look for this one at the library!