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melodys_library's review against another edition
4.0
A touching memoir through and through. Food isn’t a major theme, but it is weaved throughout Diana’s journey of learning what she wants, navigating past societal and family pressures, and saying no to excuses just because she’s scared to do something.
ltux's review against another edition
4.0
I greatly enjoyed the book. I connected so much with her stories of loss and the way she describes her connections with memories... it stirred my soul. Her connection with baking is how I've often tried to explain mine to cooking. I think Bud and I would've related well. I give this 4.5 stars because the flow threw me off a bit at times... back and forth in times. It's easy enough to catch back up but the mental hiccup sometimes was too much and I'd find myself putting the book down and coming back to it instead of reading on straight away. Her imagery is wonderful though. Beautiful writing.
readingwithhippos's review against another edition
3.0
I’ve been on a memoir kick lately, and this one is sweet and poignant and full of baked goods. Abu-Jaber writes about her complicated relationships with her German grandmother and Arab father, who were almost always at odds with each other and influenced her life in equal, if competing, ways. It's also the story of her roundabout route to marriage (third time's the charm) and motherhood (domestic infant adoption when she was well into her forties). This is the kind of memoir that's less a recounting of events than it is a smattering of reflections on life. Abu-Jaber's voice is charming, but I didn't come away with any big revelations or experience any of that memoir-catharsis I so love.
librarian_lisa_22's review
4.0
I loved this book. I see the world through a similar lens and I fell into the rich and honest language like a familiar chair. The book was less about food, more about relationships. I saw myself so vividly in the descriptions of motherhood. Beautiful book.
delaneybull's review
5.0
I was not familiar with this author before reading this, but I still enjoyed it immensely. Great food imagery, the prose is gorgeous, and it reaffirms that no one really knows what they're doing. I loved the interplay of Jordanian and southern culture, and at times the story was beautiful and moving and amazing.
nutti72's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks to Edelweiss for the prepub. A delightful and heartfelt read.
ltux's review
4.0
I greatly enjoyed the book. I connected so much with her stories of loss and the way she describes her connections with memories... it stirred my soul. Her connection with baking is how I've often tried to explain mine to cooking. I think Bud and I would've related well. I give this 4.5 stars because the flow threw me off a bit at times... back and forth in times. It's easy enough to catch back up but the mental hiccup sometimes was too much and I'd find myself putting the book down and coming back to it instead of reading on straight away. Her imagery is wonderful though. Beautiful writing.
piepieb's review
3.0
This memoir was written very beautifully -I loved all the descriptions of food!- but I enjoyed the "food" side of the book rather than the "family" side. This novel seems to be made up of three parts: the food; Diana's dad and his passing; and Diana and her husband Scott adopting a baby girl. As a childfree by choice person myself, I am baffled at all the paperwork and waiting and work Diana and Scott went through to extend their family from two to three. They seem to really spoil their new daughter. They threw this kid three birthday parties! Three. Diana picked out seeds from a cucumber, knowing Gracie would prefer it seedless. For 20 minutes. I'm flabbergasted. Read this book for the amazing food -stuffed grape leaves, shish kabobs, baklava, etc.- and skip the rest!
**crossposted to Netgalley**
**crossposted to Netgalley**
amdame1's review
3.0
Memoir of an Arab-American woman reflecting on her food heritage from her German grandmother and her Jordanian father. Also covers her relationships and desire for a child.