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Ruth Stroud's avatar

Like you (and Sally and Jessica), I love a good cookbook as much for the writing and storytelling as for the recipes. The Victoria sponge looks and sounds delicious! I obviously need to give it a try. Thanks for reminding us of your previous book selections. I’ve been reading so many excellent blogs lately, I’m very behind on my book reading.

Marg Moon's avatar

I agree that cookbooks are about much more than recipes. It's always wonderful to read about someone's journey. I haven't tried your scone recipe yet, but I plan to! I saw a wonderful book at the library that was all about scones which you would love. I'll share it in a future issue.

Ruth Stroud's avatar

Oh, I definitely would like to know more about that scone book. I was really pleased with the oat scones. Please do let me know what you think if you make them!

Sally Showalter's avatar

I collect cookbooks (to a point) and read thoroughly front to back. I love those with lots of narrative and history. I also look forward to begin our next book! Thank you, Marg...

Marg Moon's avatar

Thanks for reading my newsletter and being part of the book club. I love your contributions. I hope you like the next book.

Jessica Grosman's avatar

What are your favorite cookbooks to read? Julia Turshen’s book “Simply Julia” has many essays scattered throughout the book - some lighthearted and others more serious - and that book is a delight to read and cook from, too.

Alexis Davis's avatar

Looks like such a great roundup! And I am on hold for Remarkably Bright Creatures on Libby - if I get it in time I'd love to international book club!

Marg Moon's avatar

I would LOVE you to come.

Paige Geiger's avatar

Thanks for the reminder on It’s the Small Things! Had it in my list to read.

Marg Moon's avatar

It’s a masterclass in simple but powerful writing.

Sally Showalter's avatar

It's hard to have a favorite because I love to prepare so many different types of food. Here are four I like to flip through and choose a recipe after I read some of the narratives. Between Two Fires by Laura Esquivel, Cooking with Loula by Alexandra Stratou, Van Gogh's Table by Alexandra Leaf and Fred Leeman, and Savoring Mexico by Marilyn Tausend. And yes, "Simply Julia" is well done and a good time in the kitchen. Thank you, Jessica!

Marg Moon's avatar

I’m going to check these out at the library. They sound so interesting, especially the Mexican book.

Sally Showalter's avatar

That is the one I have cooked out of the most and traveled to many of the locations in the book.

Katy O.'s avatar

Oooh Remarkably Bright Creatures is one of my very favorites ~ and actually your book club has picked ALL titles I have loved 🥰

Marg Moon's avatar

We might be reading twins!

Jessica Grosman's avatar

Similar to you, I love to read cookbooks. Love Is a Pink Cake is inspiring, I haven’t baked much from it yet...but your cake looks delicious and maybe I’ll bake that same recipe soon.

Marg Moon's avatar

As I'm sure you know, Victoria sponges are very forgiving because they aren't as light as regular sponges. I'd also like to make a couple of the biscuit recipes. There's one with matcha that looks interesting but I don't have any matcha powder just hanging around.

Jessica Grosman's avatar

I know the matcha recipe you’re referring to, it’s on my long list of “recipes to make”! Similar to my TBR...and possibly just as long of a list!

Marg Moon's avatar

Ha ha! A TBM (to be made) list.

The problem with unusual ingredients is that I never know what to do with the rest of the packet. I have a whole bag of semolina from a cake I made last year and I really don’t know what to use it for. Any suggestions?

Jessica Grosman's avatar

You can easily make semolina pasta! No pasta machine required. Do you make handmade pasta?

Marg Moon's avatar

No, I've never tried. Sounds like fun though. Googling it now!