Gentle reflections on a difficult year in the author's life. The writing is casually autobiographical, inviting the reader into the family home, and the mind of the author. She recalls both happy and traumatic incidents by the food that was eaten, and shares much of what went on in her mind as well as the stories.

I loved this book. Shauna Niequist doesn't use platitudes, or preach, but she finds God - sometimes - in her loss and tears, and she shares what she learns for the reader to take or put aside. There's no 'happy ending' - this is real life, yet there's growth and maturity, and a greater depth of relationship with those the author loves.

Highly recommended.

Longer review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2020/05/bittersweet-by-shauna-niequist.html ( )

More of a collection of blog entries than a book. Author seemed very self-absorbed, talking more about her fancy dinners and fabulous friends and family rather than how to cope with life. ( )

Real life writing on cooking, hospitality, Christianity, and being a human being. ( )

While reading Shauna Niequist's first book, Cold Tangerines, I enjoyed myself but felt something was missing. The world seemed a bit TOO rosy. It's nice to say that a certain way of looking at life is healthy and to be optimistic, but I found myself asking, "What about when this tragedy happened in my life? This doesn't all fit together the way you're suggesting it does." Bittersweet picks up where Cold Tangerines left off, and for the first time, I felt my sorrow COULD fit into this optimistic life.

Bittersweet is subtle, but perfect in it's portrayal of life. It's still optimistic, but in a way that allows room for us to both cry AND laugh. I'm not sure I'm making any sense, so I'll end by saying this has become a deeply personal book for me, and I recommend it to everyone. ( )

A sweet, heartfelt book. As a woman way past the stage of life Ms. Niequist was in when writing her book, most of it felt nostalgic for me, but I can see this being relevant and "a-ha" inspiring for women of the same stage or earlier. ( )