Stuffed is my choice for January's book club and so, as per the new rules, I'm supposed to introduce it and say why I picked it.
'We were a restaurant family, four generations in a six-block radius. When you opened our fridge, food fell on your feet.'
That would be enough for me, but okay... Well first, it's a memoir. Patricia Volk comes from a New York restaurant family and it's a memoir of New York, the restaurant and family. And of food. Volk writes about food brilliantly and I've read this book with my mouth watering and vowed to hunt down some of the places she mentions and try the meals she eats.
It's also a very nostalgic book. It makes me want to live in New York, but in the 1950s and '60s. It's warm and charming and completely wonderful. I actually didn't read it at first, I listened to it on audiobook, which I would HIGHLY recommend. After I'd listened to it, I bought it in book form, primarily because I wanted to see the photographs of Volk's family. And now I'm re-reading it and it's just as wonderful the third time. I envy those of you who are getting to read it for the first.
My copy has just arrived - will be diving in once I've finished my current book. It sounds great.
Posted by: Anne-Marie | 11 January 2010 at 12:42 PM
I first read this in 2003 (I think) when I needed a comfort read after a relationship break-up. I LOVED it, and I think enough time has passed for me to rediscover it. So I'm looking forward to re-reading it soon. I dug it out of the next-to-last box of a pile of 6 boxes specially, so I hope I still like it ;)
Posted by: diane | 11 January 2010 at 01:39 PM
Borrowed it from 'a friend'! Am going to read it right after I finish Marian Keyes' Under the Duvet. Think I'll like it as I want to live in 1950s USA anyway.
Posted by: maz | 12 January 2010 at 03:43 PM
OK. Sorry - forget that. I can't participate. I read the first few pages and felt so nauseous I just couldn't continue. I'm obviously a closet vegetarian and my 'friend' has reclaimed her copy. I'm much happier. Thank you and good night. xxx
Posted by: maz | 15 January 2010 at 12:05 AM
I'm half way through this but it is taking me longer than I thought it would. The problem I have is with the structure of the book. Whilst I am fascinated by her descriptions and stories of her family (I particularly enjoyed her grandfather the demolition man) I don't like how the book is laid out in little snippets. It makes it very stop start for me and I can't find a rhythm.
However, like I said, I am only half way through. I will update when I finish it.
Posted by: Helen | 18 January 2010 at 12:05 PM
Not quite finished yet....and I don't want to! I am *loving* it. Will write more when I have finished reading.
Posted by: Anne-Marie | 20 January 2010 at 01:47 PM