399. A Fork in the Road edited by James Oseland

BOOK REVIEW: A Fork in the Road edited by James Oseland

There's nothing better than traveling and eating. I've always loved blogging about both of these topics. Aptly titled, this book encompasses tales of food, pleasure and discovery on the road. It has 34 original stories from food-obsessed writers and chefs sharing their life-changing food experiences.

The dubious joy of a Twinkie, the hunger-sauced rhapsody of fish heads, the grand celebration of an Indian wedding feast; the things we eat and the people we eat with remain powerful signposts in our memories, long after the plates have been cleared. 

I especially loved the entries by famous food writer Michael Pollan and Martin Yan. Besides these two, the other writings were tastefully written and you can almost taste the meals that they ate, food from Brazilian favelas to sushi in Japan. Definitely one to look out for and read!

398. The World Atlas of Street Food by Carol Wilson & Sue Quinn

BOOK REVIEW: The World Atlas of Street Food by Carol Wilson & Sue Quinn

Whenever I travel, culinary tourism is topmost on my list. However, I don't believe in overpriced food tours so what I commonly do is hit a local market or wander the streets, eating whatever is sold out of a cart, stall, food truck or any other mobile ways in which food is sold. To better understand the culture of a place and its eating habits, there's no better way than to eat the street (albeit with a few food poisoning mishaps).

When I came across this book, I knew I just had to add it into my collection of must-read food-related books. An avid traveler and foodie myself, this book covers many countries and its most famous food haunts where food is prepared with heart and soul by the locals.

Street food is one of the most amazing culinary success stories of the 21st century, defying globalization and the spread of multinational fast food franchises. Fresh, cheap, plentiful and varied, street food offers urban residents a cornucopia of choices. Food that was once obtainable only on roadsides are now available in major cities.

This book is organized geographically and is sumptuously illustrated. For several major cities in each region, the authors describe what the locals eat in the best and most established food markets. They suggest which trademark delicacies to try and selected recipes are featured to enable readers to re-create the dishes at home.

Personally, I believe that this book belongs on the shelf of everyone who craves an imaginative, original alternative to homogeneous fare. Bon appetit!

 

397. Nightmare at Eat Street by David Liew

BOOK REVIEW: Nightmare at Eat Street by David Liew

If you're looking for a brainrot read (as if 6 7 wasn't enough, haha) that includes supernatural characters in a graphic novel, this is a definite pick-me-up. Illustrated and written by our very own Asian author, I found it to be quite creative in many ways.

Now, let's dive into the book. It is rumoured among foodies that there is a unique eatery offering cuisine that is truly out of this world. It's so exclusive that everyone knows of it but nobody has actually been there before - apparently it's that exclusive.

They say that it's a discreet hole-in-the-wall somewhere in the Lesser Yiwill Road area, but all you find there is the unspeakable Leopard Eating House and its generally inedible menu. Whispers suggest that the secret eatery is in the nearby abandoned Great Street.

But they're not rumours. The Eat Street Dining Club does exist - and it does offer fare that defies the human palate. It has to - since its patrons are either undead, reanimated or generally supernatural. When a new resident joins the group, it seems like business as usual. But her presence isn't welcomed by everybody in the Club. The newcomer has a dark secret and it's going to be revealed in an explosive confrontation.

I laughed quite a bit throughout the book with its host of whimsical characters with even more whimsical names. My personal favorite was Gracie, the child skeleton, who's headstrong and has better instinct than even a human would. Great read and even greater laughs!

 

396. Christmas at Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan

 

BOOK REVIEW: Christmas at Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan

Christmas is all about festive cheer, family gatherings, laughter and plenty of food. But what happens when this harmonious situation is thrown off balance by unforeseen situations and the reluctance to accept life as it is?

It's Christmas in the Cornish coastal village of Mount Polbearne - a time for family, friends and feasting. Polly Waterford loves running the Little Beach Street bakery. She's at her happiest when she's creating delicious treats, and the festive season always inspires her to bake something extra special for the village residents. 

In fact, the only thing she loves more than her bakery is curling up with her gorgeous boyfriend, Huckle. She's determined that this Christmas is going to be their best one yet, but sometimes life doesn't always work out as planned...

When Polly's best friend Kerensa turns up with a secret that threatens the life Polly and Huckle have built together, the future begins to look uncertain. Then a face from Polly's past reappears and things become even more complicated. 

Polly can usually find solace in baking but she has a feeling that's not going to enough this time. Can she get things back on track so that everyone has a merry Christmas? 

Well-written, this novel has Sophie Kinsella like vibes that will have girly readers relating to the humour in it. It teaches the value of unbreakable love and the essence of hope even when things are bleak. This light-hearted read is a definite pick-me up for anyone who is into a heartfelt story.

395. Bibliophile: Diverse Spines by Jamise Harper & Jane Mount

BOOK REVIEW: Bibliophile - Diverse Spines by Jamise Harper & Jane Mount

When someone passes on a book or recommends a book us, it's like they are sharing their emotions and feelings in a way only bookworms can understand. As an Asian reader, I appreciate books written by Asian authors themselves like Arundhati Roy and Murakami. Besides Asian authors, I do love reading books written by Native Americans, African Americans and other readers from different communities.

This richly illustrated collection uplifts the work of authors from diverse backgrounds and cultures, who are often underrepresented in the literary world. Using their keen knowledge and deep love for all things literary, the authors collaborated to create an essential volume filled with treasures for every reader.

Jamise Harper is the founder of the Diverse Spines book community which is dedicated to expanding awareness through diverse literature. Jane Mount, on the other hand, is the founder of Ideal Bookshelf, an online store which specialises in all things bookish (from book pins to customised tote bags).

The illustrations in this book are beyond beautiful and I was so immersed in them I didn't know how time passed! This book makes for a perfect addition to any readers bookshelf (pssst, it makes a perfect excuse to your husband or boyfriend to get more books too, haha!).

 

394. Silent Witness by Roxana Ferllini

BOOK REVIEW: Silent Witness by Roxana Ferllini

Since my highschool days, I have had a keen interest in forensics and the solving of crimes. There's just something satisfying about finding out how and what works in the criminal's mind as well as the capability of the sciences to reveal the death and the precursor of it.

Forensic anthropologists and criminal investigation teams are often called upon to do the impossible. With just small fragments of evidence to work with, they are requested to help solve crimes or to identify human remains. 

By the careful study of bones and other forensic techniques, they can recreate the victim's identity and the means of death with seemingly impossible accuracy. This book is packed with over 350 photographs and 32 real-life case studies. It offers a revealing and compelling look at the valuable investigative power of the forensic anthropologist.

Some of the exhilarating cases include how forensic anthropologists helped solve the Jeffrey Dahmer case the attempts to unravel the mysterious death in 1850 of Zachary Taylor, the 12th president of the United States.

If you are interested in the world of forensics or have a friend who is pursuing forensics, this book makes for both a fascinating and educational read.

 

393. The Witches by Stacy Schiff

BOOK REVIEW: The Witches by Stacy Schiff

In this current day and age, many of us still rely on astrology, tarot reading and a host of other magical goings-on to determine life, a modern day sorcery come to think of it. But did you know the famous town of Salem was a hotspot for witches and sorcery (although some turned out to be false accusations)?

It began in 1962, over an exceptionally raw Massachusetts winter, when a minister’s niece began to scream and convulse. 

It ended less than a year later, but not before panic had infected the entire colony, nineteen men and women had been hanged, and a band of adolescent girls had brought Massachusetts to its knees.

This authoritative biography delves into the Salem witch trials that are famous the world over. Some are debunked via Science while some were truly supernatural. 

The author has a sharp eye for detail and an uncanny ability to reanimate the dead, reprising their hopes and dreams, pieties and crimes. Reading this was almost like reading an olden days Conjuring, electrifying till the last page.