Leah Eskin

One of my favorite kinds of books, there have been so many of them over recent years that they might constitute a genre by now, is the food memoir. A book that explores, pokes, prods, and marinates in the connection between food and our internal lives. Because sure, food nourishes our physical bodies, but it also nourishes our souls – or at least it should – and thus the experience of it can be emotional, memorable, important.

Slices of Life by Leah Eskin, published in early April, has this connection at its heart. A compilation of her Chicago Tribune column, “Home on the Range,” this book packs a decade of such exploration into a single volume that can be enjoyed in quick bites or as long, leisurely meals. And speaking of meals, each column includes a recipe – 200 overall. These recipes are, for the most part, very accessible to the home cook. They aren’t fancy or complicated; they are the dependable, comforting fare that you cook for your family, which is, of course, what Eskin was doing during the years she was also writing the column.

I have to admit that upon first receiving the advance copy of this book to review, I thought I wasn’t going to like it. The idea of a whole book of newspaper columns just didn’t sound like it would be up my alley. As much as I like to read about food, I need a story. Fortunately, Eskin is much more adept with her form than I gave her credit for and this book has a definite story – one that is funny, relatable, and touching...

Read the rest of my review here: http://booklovercook.wordpress.com/2014/05/03/booklovercook-reviews-slices-of-li...… (meer)

This is not your typical cookbook but Leah shares a story with each recipe. What I really like about this book was the it was filled with simple recipes from the past and more modern popular recipes but a simple version. Some people may not have any idea how how to prepare GORP which is the old hiking snack "Good Old Peanuts and Raisins". Her version is more of a modern take on the mix. Some may feel many of these recipes are over simplicated but there are individuals out there that have no idea on how to make even the tomato sandwich. This book would be a blessing for them.This book was just full of wonderful simple recipes and great stories to read to tempt and encourage you to try the recipes. This is a great book for the beginner and anyone who just loves cookbooks.… (meer)

This is the first time I've ever sat and actually read a cookbook cover-to-cover. Generally they're filled with recipes, which, when you're not trying to figure out what to make for dinner or regale the in-laws with for dessert, aren't really on the "reading" level.

But Leah Eskin changes the game a bit by combing cookbook with food column. She shares her often-humorous moments in time, sometimes more related to the food at hand than others, to go along with each recipe, and frankly I found myself much more interested in those than in the recipes themselves! Which isn't to say the recipes were no good. There are a number on my to-do list. I do feel some of those included in the book are a bit overly simplistic (e.g. pasta alio olio, just pasta with oil and garlic and a little red pepper flake) and needn't really be included as "recipes," but all are appetizing. Even for e vegetarian like myself, there is plenty to drool over in this book.

In addition, Alison Seiffer Spacek's cute illustrations add an extra touch of whimsy to Eskin's amusing anecdotes.… (meer)