204. Tuesday by Amal Nadiah Ghazali

BOOK REVIEW: Tuesday by Amal Nadiah Ghazali (courtesy of MPH)

Ahhh...Paris...la ville de l'amour...It's every girl's dream to step Paris, the city of love (or maybe I'm just a hopeless romantic..haha). Movies shot in Paris showcase the essence of romance and beauty that this wonderful French city has to offer. Even the images of its food and drink are enough to set foodies on fire. I'm such a Paris fanatic, that I have postcards of the scenery and even a keychain with the Eiffel Tower! Such is the beauty of this city's people, places and love.

Amal Nadiah Ghazali's book, Tuesday, is going to let you armchair travel to Paris. Her storyline is literally illustrative of Paris in winter, snow falling all around, the biting cold of the wind. Every line in this book feels so magical and soulful that you feel you are really in Paris with the protagonist.

The author's protagonist embarks on a sabbatical in one of the world's most beautiful cities: obviously it's the one I'm raving about, Paris! As she explores the streets of the wintry French capital while recollecting recent events, experiences and travel anecdotes, she reflects and muses over life, people, relationships, choices and what could have been, all in a span of one day.

This book narrates the opposite side of love. Love commonly associated with endless moments and joy in each other's company also has its dark side. The loss of breaking up with a loved one, the missing of the other person can equally hurt and turn the tables on matters of the heart. This is poignantly spun throughout the book.

A beautiful story wonderfully written by our very own Malaysian writer, I highly recommend this book to Paris lovers and also those who are in love as it also reminds us that if you truly love someone, you don't forget about it so easily even with the loss. We have to appreciate them as long as they are with us. Highly recommended, I can't praise Ms Amal enough on her book on love and Paris.

203. Culinary Pleasures: Cookbooks and the Transformation of British Food by Nicola Humble

BOOK REVIEW: Culinary Pleasures - Cookbooks and the Transformation of British Food by Nicola Humble

What does a chef do during her free time? Read more books that revolve around the world of culinary history of course, duhhhh! I came across this gem of a book during my many book hunts in the Big Bad Wolf book fairs. It's NOT a regrettable read, that's for sure.

With many an evocative scene of food and dining, your mouth waters without notice when you read this book. Encompassing the many cookbooks that have popped up which supplied British food its character, this book leads you on a culinary journey through famous cookbooks from yesteryears till the present.

The author serves up a fascinating history of Britain's culinary evolution through the cookery books which have inspired us over the course of a century, beginning with Mrs Beeton and leading to the rise of the celebrity TV chef. You'll also find relevant recipes throughout, including wartime dishes (ever intended to do a thematic party, then these recipes may be just your cup of tea).

Brilliantly woven by Nicola Humble, this intoxicating read, thoroughly researched and referenced, is interspersed with great humor and insight. It also serves as an excellent account of the revival of Britain's native culinary traditions which have, since the war, shrugged off their sense of inferiority to fancy foreign food.

If you are yet to get a foodie a present for New Year, this unique book is highly recommended. Totally readable with a light engaging style, this will give a fascinating look at British food history along the reading journey.