Graphic Novel Review: Lovely Recipe

Sofia's struggling with her future. It's her last year of high school and her friends are excited to leave home for college. Sofia doesn't have the grades for it. She's sad at the idea of missing her friends, especially since her mother works all the time and never has time for her. Ever since her grandmother died, Sofia and her mother haven't been close. 

Sofia comes up with the idea to cook something from the family cookbook. Maybe the memories will bring her mother back to her. The only problem? She can't cook. 

Sofia stumbles across her classmate working at restaurant and has a brilliant idea. Maybe Anna Marie can teach her how to cook. It's worth a try!

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this graphic novel. I felt badly for Sofia as she struggled to find connections. I loved the cooking moments - the disasters, the successes, and the family recipes. I really liked Anna Marie's family - especially her grandfather. I appreciated how college wasn't an immediate conclusion for either Sofia or Anna Marie. It's hard to know what you want to do at such a young age. I think it's realistic not to know. I liked how the book included the senior year moments. I loved how the relationship between Sofia and Anna Marie evolved. And that ending was fantastic.

Cover Thoughts:
Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A great graphic novel that's perfect for those kids not sure of their future. 

Review: Eliza from Scratch

 

Eliza's two semesters away from being Salutatorian. But there's a problem with her schedule. Instead of an AP class, she's been placed into a culinary arts class. While Eliza's mother is a fantastic cook, Eliza herself is terrible. She's nervous that this class will allow the next person to pass her in class standings. 

When the teacher assigns her partner for the semester, Eliza can't believe her misfortune. She's stuck working in with Wesley. He knows his way around the kitchen and he's just as unhappy at being paired with her. The mix together like oil and water. Can they learn to work together?

My Thoughts: I really loved this one. I felt bad for Eliza's mother who is struggling with grief, but I loved the moment of cooking between her and Eliza. I loved how it became a place for her to share stories with her daughter. And for Eliza, it became not only helpful in her class, but also helpful connecting to a culture and person that she didn't really know. I loved the cooking mishaps. I love how Eliza grew during the year from being so focused to allowing herself to have some fun. I do love her banter and her cooking moments with Wesley. I love how they started to get to know each other and push through their first impressions. This is Sophia Lee's debut novel, and she nailed it. I would give her a handshake. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your school and public library

Why I read it: I love cooking books

Hand it to: Those who love cooking shows

Book List: Cooking Books

 

Yesterday, I talked about Selena + Chef, so today I'm sharing some of my favorite (or soon to be favorite) cooking books

I'm a sucker for foodie books. 

Book List:

Salty, Bitter, Sweet by Mayra Cuevas

Taste Test by Kelly Fiore 

Tweet Cute by Emma Lord

Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff that Made me Famous by Kathryn Williams 

A Taste for Love by Jennifer Yen 

Soon to be favorites: 

If It Makes You Happy by Claire Kann

With the Fire on High by Elizabeth  Acedevo 

Graphic Novel Review: Measuring Up

 

Cici moved from Taiwan to Seattle. She's desperate to fit in at her new school. But not everyone at school is nice. She no longer brings lunch to school with homemade cooking; she brings peanut butter sandwiches. There are moments of racism and Cici quietly corrects them. Cici does make new friends.

But most importantly, she misses her grandmother. Then Cici learns about a cooking competition. The prize money would be enough to bring her Grandmother over for her 70th birthday. Cici isn't sure that she can win, but she's determined to try her best. She learns American cooking from the library's cookbooks - including Julia Child.

My Thoughts: I really loved this book. I thought the relationship between Cici and her grandmother was really sweet. It made me miss my grandmother. I loved how Cici corrected racism when she heard it. I enjoyed watching both Cici and her parents learn and understand American ways. I loved the cooking competition moments. A great graphic novel!

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation:  Highly recommended for your school and public libraries