Book Review: "Plenty: A Memoir of Food and Family" by Hannah Howard

In Plenty: A Memoir of Food and Family, a food writer pays tribute to the women in the food industry who served as role models or mentors, juxtaposed with key events in her life.

As I’ve said before, I’m totally obsessed with food and cooking (and eating, of course), so when I see a memoir by a chef or food writer (or eater, lol), I, well, devour it. I enjoyed Hannah Howard’s last book, Feast, so I was really excited for this one.

The food industry has always been male-dominated, so Howard thought it was important to highlight the women she has met through her career—chefs, cooking teachers, restaurant/cafe owners, cheese makers, food purveyors, buyers, etc. But while each anecdote is important, Howard also shares her own struggles amidst these profiles.

She discusses what it’s like to be a woman in the food industry who has struggled with an eating disorder, and spends a significant amount of the book addressing the challenges she and her husband faced with having a child. It’s a powerful look at how even when you work in a fascinating field that people may envy, you still can face real problems.

Howard imbues her work with a great deal of emotion, and those who have struggled with fertility and/or eating disorders may find some of the book triggering. I would have liked more food-related content (I have a one-track mind), but this was an interesting read!!

Book Review: "East of Manhattan" by Amanda Johnson

What happens when you and your husband make a plan, and then everything changes? Amanda Johnson shows you one path in her upcoming book, East of Manhattan.

Clearly I’m in a New York state of mind with my second consecutive review of a book taking place in the Empire State! (I mean, my blog is basically a line from my favorite Billy Joel song, so what else would you expect?)

When Julie’s husband Scott took a job as a butler for a famous reality television star, they agreed it would only be for two years, and then they could start having a family and building a solid future together.

But when 35-year-old Julie is told by her doctor that she’s becoming “geriatric” from a fertility standpoint, it throws everything out of whack. Should they spend (a lot of) money to freeze her eggs like her doctor suggests, or is that just a scam, like Scott thinks it is?

As she starts to feel that Scott’s job is causing him to neglect her more and more, Julie wonders what that means for their future. And when Scott admits that maybe he doesn’t want to have kids at all anymore, it’s up to Julie to make some life-changing decisions in many aspects of her life.

I really liked Julie’s character and the way she ultimately took control of her life. She could’ve let herself be a victim in many ways but l’m so glad she didn’t. East of Manhattan was a fun book, and boy, it sounded like Scott’s job was a nightmare!! (Working for famous people often is!)

I enjoyed being part of the tour for this book. Kate Rock Book Tours and Amanda Johnson provided me with a complimentary advance copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making it available!

East of Manhattan publishes 6/1.