what cookbooks look like to me
As I work on my fourth print cookbook and fifth title, you’ve heard me say this before. Cookbook writing is far more difficult that writing a novel – there are innumerable pieces – the story, the food, the testing, the usability, the photography, the ease of execution, indexing and so much more.
As a writer and designer, when I work on a cookbook, so much is going on in the background. Sometimes I feel I cannot separate one piece of the puzzle from another – and sometimes seeing how others do it helps me either correct my missteps or even learn from what other folks have done. I am always looking for inspiration – whether it is for layout, photography, presentation or writing style.
When reviewing cookbooks, I am often, less concerned about the recipe – because everyones’ tastes are different, unless it is something I really want to make. I love looking at newest releases, from unknown writers to award winning ones, from books about family meals to books about personal development. These books have typically been in development for 3+ years before they hit the market – what does it take to get them out?
Traditionally published books come from a much larger team of people, and therefore their books have a larger overhead: people and expenses. Seeing what these complex teams are able to accomplish or fail at, gives me a great idea of a few things (a) whether I would ever be able to match up stylistically with a publishing company, and (b) wether or not I can stand toe-to-toe with their offerings.
Not to mention, under Turmeric Press, I am a consultant to other authors writing books – and I need to see how traditional presses handle new titles. Marketing, PR letters, and the candid one-on-one conversations one has with authors and publicists. They are all part of the learning curve. Does the agency do enough research before sending out a general email? How are they targeting their audience? What kinds of materials do they offer? This exploration has brought a few books to my bookshelf in the last 4-5 months. Here are some unfiltered thoughts on the books I’ve received.
InStyle Parties: The Complete Guide to Easy, Elegant Entertaining All Year Round
Editors of InStyle
Oxmoor House, October 2017
Why I requested this book
Hello… parties!! I am always looking for good ideas when it comes to party décor, tricks, and tips to match the mood and more.
Pros
Great photography, enticing recipes, great themed event-planning ideas.
Con
I need a bigger house to throw these lavish events.
Will I return to it
Yes.
Bookmarked anything?
Yes. Chocolate tart with pine nut crust (page 116)
This book reminds me of my own first book
‘A Dozen Ways to Celebrate: Twelve Decadent Indian Feasts for the Culinary Indulgent’ (2014). My book offers complete menus for 12 of our elaborate Indian-event themed dinner parties from Diwali, and game-night, to a Sunday feast with family.
Disclaimer
Received book from publisher in exchange for review.
Sunday Suppers: Simple, Delicious Menus for Family Gatherings
Cynthia Graubart
Southern Living, November 2017
Why I requested this book
Cynthia is a James-Beard award winning talented author with a long history of writing for Southern Living itself. Who would not want her latest book?
Pros
I love the layout, it is relatively simple and easy to process. There is a slightly ‘old-book’ feel to it, the pages are not crisp white but a pale egg-shell, a color I call ‘off-white’, and the overall color scheme is good. It helps soften the overall look of the book. There are plenty of throw-it-together recipes and some more involved ones. The recipes look easy to accomplish, for most part. Some I will cook, others – I can’t, because of our family diet. I will be leafing through it for all sorts of inspiration.
Con
I was disappointed that some recipes required readers to count down the 7-8 ingredients that they needed to mix – it is a stylistic thing – I like knowing what all I am doing beforehand. In one instance, a Crostini recipe listed the preparation of the crostini after it gave the method to assemble the dish itself. A little backwards, but it may be just me. There was a lot of white space and some recipes could have used the extra words. I would also have personally liked to see the other authors that SL has chosen to include listed separately, on their own – it breaks the flow of the book.
Will I return to it
Yes.
Bookmarked anything?
Yes. Fennel and Potato Gratin (page 48).
Quirky note
This Fennel and Potato Gratin reminds me of a gluten-free version of Mac and Cheese, with vegetables! I love finding new ways to use fennel bulbs and this would be a good one to make. Mild and flavorful. It may grace our Thanksgiving table this year.
Disclaimer
Received book from publisher in exchange for review.
The Modern Jewish Table: 100 Kosher Recipes from around the Globe
Tracy Fine and Georgie Tarn
Skyhorse Publishing, August 2017
Why I requested this book
I wanted to get an overview of Jewish dishes, especially if they had any from India.
Pros
Gives a broad, generalized overview of Jewish cooking, modern twist, generally light-hearted language.
Con
I am not a fan of clichés and comparisons – and this book is filled with them. It is a personal preference and not a reflection on the style of the authors. They do compare it in 'voice' to a mash-up of two popular television shows. Also, I was disappointed that they did not have an Indian inspired dish – given that there is a large Jewish population in India.
Will I return to it
Not sure.
Bookmarked anything?
Yes. Italian Almond & Lemon Polenta Cake (page 157). It seems easy enough and may make a good distraction from white flour based cakes.
Update: I made this cake. It felt like it had a lot more butter and sugar to my taste (1 cup each butter and sugar, one cup almond flour, three eggs and a healthy serving of polenta). The cake was quite dense because of the ingredients - nearly flourless and sadly, even though I had generously greased a non-stick pan, it stuck and burnt. My mother who is visiting at this time, and has an old-fashioned fondness for sweeter cakes liked it enough to go for seconds, but I need to wash it down with a cup of unsweetened Earl Grey!
Disclaimer
Received book from publisher in exchange for review.
Quirky note
The PR letter had no layout itself, there was a repetition of addresses and lots of wasted white space. Although the PR contact appear to be nice, but their letters could be sharper.
BEST OF BRIDGE SUNDAY SUPPERS: Recipes for Family & Friends
Julie Van Rosendaal (Calgary), Elizabeth Chorney-Booth (Calgary), Sue Duncan (BC)
Why I requested this book
I wanted to get new inspiration for Sunday suppers.
Pros
Not found them, yet.
Con
I could say many things, and sadly, most would be unflattering. To be most objective, I am having trouble reading the all-caps text of the book (yes, it is all caps, and a bad font at that). I am not able to process any information past the full-page layout, 70’s color scheme on the photography and the lack luster food styling. I think the book could be designed a lot better. I feel terrible for the trio of authors who put in a lot of work to come up with the recipes.
Will I return to it
No.
Bookmarked anything?
Not yet.
Disclaimer
Received book from publisher in exchange for review.
Start Where You Are: Note Cards
Meera Patel
Why I requested this
I am always looking for unique cards to send. These appeared beautiful!
Pros
Pretty and colorful watercolors, with deep inspirational messages.
Con
The messages are more sombre than I expected them to be, and I am having trouble sending them to anyone for the fear that they may find it too 'preachy' from me. It may be suitable for someone who is wiser than I am :)
Will I return to it
Yes.
Disclaimer
Received from Blogging for Books in exchange for review.