A review by piepieb
Life Without a Recipe by Diana Abu-Jaber

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**