Disclaimer: I was given an advanced copy of this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review.
I’ll be honest. I’ve never read any of Shauna Niequist’s books before. I realized this past weekend that I actually own a beautiful hardcover version of Bittersweet on my bookshelf – one of the many wonderful books that came home with me from Allume. That I haven’t read. (This one has now been moved to the coveted “nightstand” location…to be read soon…ish…).
Bread & Wine: A Love Letter to Life Around the Table with recipes is one of the best books I have read in a very long time. We are avid Food Network watchers and self proclaimed foodies around this household, and to say that Shauna’s descriptions of bread in the introduction pulled me in would be like saying “sure chocolate is okay.” Shauna writes the way I think, and reading her words feels like a lifelong friend is speaking wisdom into my heart. Y’all. This book makes me hungry.
Not just for food. Though there are more than enough recipes and descriptions of amazing meals to keep your pantry stocked. This book makes me hungry for community. Hungry for life around the table, open doors and welcome arms. Friends who know to bring dessert even when you tell them to bring nothing. People who know they can stop by and be fed – maybe by a snack, but mostly by a warm welcome and a listening ear. Shauna’s attitude toward life and food and community speak to my heart. It’s what I want my home to be like. It’s what I want this blog – my space here on the interwebs – to feel like.
What people are craving isn’t perfection. People aren’t longing tobe impressed; they’re longing to feel like they’re home. If you create a space full of love and character and creativity and soul, they’ll take off their shoes and curl up with gratitude and rest, no matter how small, no matter how undone, no matter how odd. ~Shauna Niequist, Bread & Wine
The sign of a book well loved in this household isn’t one held up on a shelf, tucked away safely. We love our books hard. Dog-eared, highlighted, underlined, loved, worn out, cooked with, splattered on. Judging by this photo, I think it’s safe to say we found a winner.
Official Book Description
As a follow up to her two bestselling books, Bittersweet and Cold Tangerines, author and blogger Shauna Niequist returns with the perfect read for those who love food and value the community and connection of family and friends around the table.
Bread and Wine is a collection of essays about family relationships, friendships, and the meals that bring us together. This mix of Anne Lamott and Barefoot Contessa is a funny, honest, and vulnerable spiritual memoir. Bread and amp; Wine is a celebration of food shared, reminding readers of the joy found in a life around the table. It’s about the ways God teaches and nourishes people as they nourish the people around them. It’s about hunger, both physical and otherwise, and the connections between the two.
With wonderful recipes included, from Bacon-Wrapped Dates to Mango Chicken Curry to Blueberry Crisp, readers will be able to recreate the comforting and satisfying meals that come to life in Bread and Wine.
I’ve been wanting to read this and then I too realized I had Bittersweet on my shelf of books to read (soonish). A friend gave it to me awhile ago as a gift. I devoured Bittersweet and Bread & Wine is on my list.
I just blogged about this today too!! Super duper love this book. I was tempted to stalk her during our book launch week because from her IG I saw that she was within half an hour from me at a friend’s place. :p Looking forward to her was a video guest speakers at our MOPS leadership training this weekend.