Book Reviews & Giveaway: Julie & Julia

Julie and Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously

Author: Julie Powell

As a blogger, I was very excited to see that a woman could turn her year long blog into a book (as well as a movie). To think that the simple concept of cooking her way through Julia Child’s “Mastering the Art of French Cooking” – a true culinary masterpiece would bring Julie Powell the success and notoriety that it has.

As a reader, I don’t have those warm fuzzy feelings. On one hand I admire the woman for putting herself out there, flaws and all. On the flip side, I find her to be someone that as a reader I have a difficult time relating to.

By now you’ve heard about the Julie/Julia project. In 2002, upset about turning 30, Julie Powell decided to cook her way through Ms. Child’s 524 recipes in ONE year and journal her experience via a blog. Julie & Julia is her blog turned book.

I enjoyed reading the food entries. The trials and tribulations of a woman cooking foods that she’s never tasted and that were sometimes difficult to find was both funny as well as interesting. I loved her “substitutions” when she couldn’t find a product, her complaints when the only place to shop was a Stop & Shop, etc. I also enjoyed the loving relationship that she had with her husband.

What I didn’t care for, was that she’s one of those people who don’t think before they speak (or in this case write). Hasn’t she ever heard of the expression “TMI” (too much information). I mean, how can I take an author who tells the reader that sometimes she “just makes stuff up” seriously? It wasn’t the fact that she litters the book with unnecessary obscenities (I’ve been known to do that), rather it was the fact that her behavior and attitude is more like a pre-teen than of a woman turning 30. She’s just NOT a likable person. It’s no wonder she was stressed out about turning 30, she acted 13.

When I mentioned to a friend that I was having a difficult time with what I wanted to say about the book, she suggested I see the movie. I haven’t. Movie scripts are generally re-written (in this case by Nora Ephron), so the story and the way that one related to the characters will be different.

I know of a few other bloggers who have since turned their blogs into successful books. I haven’t read them yet, but I’m hoping that the results will be better than Julie & Julia.

Ratings are based on a 5-star scale

Plot: 4
Characters: 2.5
Presentation: 2.5
Overall: 3

Review by Broad “Z” – Zippy

“Julie & Julia” can be purchased at Amazon.com for $7.99

Thank you to the Hachette Book Group for providing our review copy as well as copies to give away.

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