167. The Sorcerer's Apprentices: A Season in the Kitchen at Ferran Adria's ElBulli by Lisa Abend

BOOK REVIEW: The Sorcerer's Apprentices - A Season in the Kitchen at Ferran Adria's ElBulli by Lisa Abend

The only way to a man's heart is through his stomach...this saying is absolutely true as food is what makes someone elated, no matter what hour of the day. Molecular gastronomy has burst into the scene to make eating a scientific experience, giving the best conversation starters. Avant garde cuisine as it is referred to, has been made all the more exciting through many of Ferran Adria's brain childs.

What went on behind the scenes at ElBulli? When ElBulli closed itsdoors in 2011, it marked the passing of an institution whose patrons were drawn like pilgrims from around the world to its location in northeastern Spain. Elected best restaurant in the world by Restaurant magazine an unprecedented five times, ElBulli was - and will again be when it reopened as a culinary think tank in 2014 - the laboratory of Ferran Adria, the maverick creator of molecular gastronomy.

This book reveals for the first time the remarkable system of apprenticeship that Adria used to run his restaurant and, in the process, train the next generation of culinary stars. Granted unprecedented access, the author followed the stagiaires of the 2009 season as they struggled to master the grueling hours, cutting edge techniques, and interpersonal tensions that came with working at the most revered restaurant on earth.

What emerges is an irresistible tale of aspiring young talents caught, for good or ill, in the opportunity of a lifetime: creating the ultimate dining experience.

This exciting tome has countless descriptions of an undeniably dazzling creative process and of foods that, even on paper, have the power to delight and amuse. It is a rare chance for gourmet enthusiasts to witness the creative process behind some of the world's most innovative cuisine.

I really enjoyed every last bit of this book as I'm a foodie as well as a keen observer of the many advancements in molecular gastronomy. For Christmas, make this book a TBR on your list and you will be in food heaven. Happy reading!

166. The Girl with the Lost Smile by Miranda Hart

BOOK REVIEW: The Girl with the Lost Smile by Miranda Hart

As grown ups, we are so bogged down with life's many worries, stresses, sadness, and a host of other negativities that being happy is a rare occurrence. Smiling has become something of a strain to our normal facial features, being replaced with permanent frowns and smiles turned upside down. Sometimes all we need is a fun and gentle reminder that smiling and happiness is much needed and this children's book (yes, I read them for review purposes, but probably I'll read them more from now on because it reminds me to be me) is just the thing to read.

Chloe is and always has been a cheerful, smiley kind of person. Unfortunately, she has lost her smile. She's looked everywhere for it, under her pillow, under her bed and even under her nose (where her mouth is obviously). Chloe has tried everything to bring it back, from her favorite cake, to her favorite grandmother to her favorite joke. But nothing seems to be working!

Until one night, something utterly magical happens and Chloe finds herself on an adventure that is out of this world. Her imaginary land, Chloe's Magic Land, comes to life and two of the characters from that land, Godfrey and Hoppy, whisk her into a host of adventures that end up with her finding her lost smile.

This book is meaningful in the sense that it portrays how as adults, we stop smiling and become more unhappy. It also portrays that grown ups tend to find solace in fake settings like how Mrs Long, Chloe's mother, loved to escape into an untouchable world of posh magazines. It also teaches us how to face our deepest, darkest fears bravely and come to terms that not everything around us happens because of us but because it is just meant to be that way. Chloe faced the Shadow Bandits in her Magic Land which signifies facing fears while she finally gets over the fact that she isn't the cause for her parents making a decision to divorce.

However, as in all beautiful and heart warming story lines, all is well that ends well. Chloe's parents decide to stay together and her grandmother weds Trevor, a character that Chloe met in her Magic Land. This book is a 10/10 and I highly suggest that adults read it together with the kids as it's a wonderful read. Even I shed a few tears reading this as it was so touching. Three cheers for Miranda Hart and this wonderful tome!

165. The Burnings by Julian Lees

BOOK REVIEW: The Burnings by Julian Lees

Crime, thriller and mystery books have been jostling for space among the many authors of these genres. My favorites growing up were Nancy Drew and classics like Sherlock Holmes. But I soon lost interest in this genre because I didn't like the gruesome crimes committed and the rough treatment that many of these novels encased.I was given a fresh feeling once again by Pansing Malaysia when they gave me an opportunity to review The Burnings by Julian Lees.

A killer hides in plain sight on the crowded streets of Jakarta. When Australian Jillian Parker's scorched remains are discovered in her burnt out car, Ruud Pujasumarta and his team are brought in to investigate what appears at first to be a routine homicide. But when Canadian citizen Anita Dalloway's charred body is found a few days later, Ruud finds a banner unfurled by the corpse's feet.

A verse from the Quran is scribbled across it, calling for unbelievers to be burned. The killer is targeting Christians. And the team's suspicions are confirmed when a third body, that if English backpacker Emily Grealish, turns up with the same M.O. (modus operandi).

But who is responsible? Is it the senior Australian diplomat who was obsessed with the first victim, the Imam who preaches Sharia law, the military general taking backhanders and living a life of luxury in Jakarta or the local drug dealer with a score to settle?

But Ruud is suspicious that the killer may be someone much closer to home, someone Ruud has trusted for many years. What unravels is a terrifying chain of events for Ruud. And what he discovers puts his life and those around him in danger. 

Finally, the pig killer happens to be the son of the military general taking backhanders and living a life of luxury in Jakarta. Beware of the gruesome details though. It's not for the squeamish...I highly enjoyed this book with it's unexpected twists and turns. It also has plenty of Malay words that proved to be a fun addition to an English crime thriller novel.

Highly engaging, I personally give this tome an 8/10. It has personally opened up my thoughts of picking up a crime thriller the next time around. Happy reading my dear bookworms!

164. Food: The History of Taste by Paul Freedman

BOOK REVIEW: Food - The History of Taste by Paul Freedman

Many branches of anthropology have cropped up through the years as various filed of study. Biological anthropology, linguistic anthropology and many more have made people more interested in the history and origin of various subjects. However, nothing piques peoples' interest more than the subject of food. What better way to fall in love with your food more than to delve into the origins of its movement around the world.

This book is the first to apply the discoveries of the new generation of food historians worldwide to the unashamedly romantic appeal of the subject: to the culinary accomplishments of diverse civilizations, past and present, and to the pleasure of dining. The result is truly a history of taste: our most elevated, elegant and pleasurable thoughts about food - ingredients, preparation, presentation - since prehistory.

Here you will find Zhang Dai's lovingly recorded memories of the crabs, clams and junket enjoyed in China before the fall of the Ming; the first celebrity chefs in the Classical world; how sugar from the West Indies profoundly changed European taste; meals recalled by Proust in detail - far more interesting than the mere madeleine; and how two journalists discovered nouvelle cuisine.

This book is unique in that it is organized by what people thought was good and how food was a part of distinctive societies. It is profusely illustrated with works of art that can be truly be called mouthwatering. From beginning to end these pages provide an enthralling and richly illustrated story of one of the most vital clues not just to what keeps us alive, but to what makes us feel alive.

Many a night I have spent tucked in a corner with this book and felt pangs of hunger just reading about descriptions of taste and food. Hahahahaha.... So if you ever pick this book up be sure to have a few munchies on hand. (Psssssttt, I purchased this book from Book Xcess Starling Mall. So if you want to buy it you can check it out here if it's still available).