We Laugh, We Cry, We Cook: A Mom and Daughter Dish about the Food That Delights Them and the Love That Binds Them...Review

About the book:
Becky Johnson and her daughter Rachel Randolph come from a long line of laughter. The female side of her family tree is dotted with funny storytellers, prolific authors, hospitable home cooks, and champion chatters. 

In We Love, We Laugh, We Cook, Becky--a butter and bacon loving mama--and Rachel---a vegan bean eating daughter--share stories of their crazy, wonderful, and sometimes challenging lives as Rachel becomes a mother herself. Becky is messy; Rachel craves order. Becky forgets what month it is; Rachel is an organizational genius. (At least before baby arrives.) Sprinkled throughout are the lip-smacking, nourishing recipes they love to make and share. 

From food for a family reunion of thirty, to lunch for a party of one in a high chair, to a hot meal for a sick friend, the authors demonstrate grace, acceptance, and love to others through the bonding gifts of humor, attentive listening, and cooking ... whether diners prefer beef or tofu in their stew.

This is another one that I finally dug out of my languishing TBR stack.  I was not familiar with these authors or their site.  But I love memoirs and I usually love food-related memoirs.   The format for this book alternates perspectives from mother and daughter as they talk about life and food and cooking. It is quite funny and there are moments that will resonate with you. Most of the recipes are vegan/vegetarian and if not, there are suggestions for making them vegan/vegetarian or gluten-free.  I marked several to try.

What grated on me throughout the book was that these two women have a very high opinion of themselves. It takes nothing to get back into skinny clothes 4 months after having a baby, they can whip up a recipe in no time flat, they're beautiful and stunning and successful and on it goes.

For many, cooking is a love language and my husband says that it is definitely one of mine.  Preparing meals is very often an experience, not simply a task.  Family kitchens are traditionally places of love and laughter and sometimes tears.  Lessons are learned, recipes shared, discussions take place and stories are passed on. In  that sense, this is a funny, heartwarming memoir.

Thanks to BookLook for the opportunity to review this book.  You can learn more about Becky Johnson and Rachel Randolph here.  You can purchase your own copy here.

Read 7/14

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3/5 Stars

Comments

  1. I love the idea of this book, but I'm sad to hear it didn't live up to your hopes for it. Especially when it has such a pretty cover on top of such an interesting concept.

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  2. I love food memoirs-but that would grate on me too.

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