Welcome to Litsy!

#punctuate #anditsaugust my first choice Swamplandia with it's exclamation mark was already used so its backup comma time with Julia, the French Chef.

When I first started this, I was afraid I'd have to DNF because it was focused on cooking techniques, but as Avis and Julia's friendship progressed, they moved away from focusing on recipes and cooking to discussing politics and their lives. I found their letters to be interesting and intelligent. Definitely recommend to anyone who loves letters and/or loves insights into cooking or publishing. (Bonus: this book is also an excellent kitty pillow!)

So as you can see from my username, my full name is Emily Sears. Well apparently Massachusetts Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr. had a wife named Emily Sears and she is mentioned in this book. I've seen the name Emily in books plenty of times, but never my full name. Kind of took me aback--I was just merrily reading along and out of nowhere came my name! A weird feeling for some reason.

I keep wanting to quote this book, but all the quotes have to do with how ridiculous Republicans are. Julia Child even calls her time (1953) "the dark ages" because of how crazy Republicans are being. I was like "have you been to 2017 Julia????" Current politics drive me crazy, but I love reading about historical politics. This book started slowly for me, but I'm loving it now--so chatty and intelligent. Don't recommend it for Republicans though.

"Mr. DeVoto's article on the hopelessly antediluvian monsters that Eisenhower will face in Congress is a most sobering thought piece. But I want the Republicans in anyway; they need to "grow up" to their responsibilities. I have faith that the nation is strong enough to withstand them and to teach them, though my faith is not without dreadful qualms." -- Julia Child in letter to Avis DeVoto, May 1952.

It's pretty rare for me to read 2 nonfiction books in a row, but this was calling my name. It's the letters of Julia Child and her editor Avis DeVoto throughout their 30+ year friendship. I've had it since December 2015 so it's about time to read it. I ordered this from B&N--one of my extremely rare full price book purchases. I find letters fascinating--they always seem to reveal a person's true nature in a way that biography does not.

At first I was captivated by this book. As I got to the middle of the book, I found my mind wandering (maybe because of the letter format?). It becomes political, and while that's not a fault, I'm currently bombarded from all around with politics. I already knew the political situation with the Childs and wouldn't mind reading about it again if I wasn't so tired of discussing and reading about politics right now. The book isn't to blame for that.

Ever since reading 84, Charing Cross Road I've loved books of letters. As Always, Julia is one of my favorites and reading Julia and Avis' letters makes me feel like writing letters again! #epistolary #readjanuary
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#funfridayphoto #memoirs. I have a soft spot for Julia Child. I haven't read this book yet but I did read her autobiography and a book about a blogger who cooked all her recipes. I quite liked the movie that combined them.

I love foodie books! This is a Kindle deal that I purchased today. It seems like Julia Child would have been such a great friend! I just ❤️ her!