The Summer Book

Author: Susan Branch

Hardcover: 128 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
ISBN-10: 0316106666

"A hand-lettered, hand-painted book of everything related to summer has a hundred summer recipes--including Blueberry Bread Pudding and Barbecued Bourbon Chicken--and features picnics, parties, gardening advice, herbal cooking, home remedies, and anecdotes."

I am thrilled to review this beautiful book. I don't know whether to call it a cookbook, a gardening book, a book of summer memories, or all three-- I just know that it is a joy to sit and browse through all of the beautiful water-colored drawings and handwritten recipes, and descriptions of times lived in the garden, or by the seashore; times shared with family on picnics, in the kitchen, or in the backyard.

The author creates a whimsical, down-home, experience for the reader. I felt so peaceful inside, as I spent the afternoon reading about a life much like I had as a child, and going over recipes that I recognize as American favorites.

The Summer Book includes memories of the author's grandmother; a beautiful layout for a summer garden (complete with white picket fence), all sorts of information on growing herbs; helpful household hints; water-color images of summer; appetizers and sandwiches; a simple, but elegant midnight supper under the stars; simple side dish ideas; how to draw; library days; the summer table; main dishes; an old-fashioned picnic menu; camping memories; mouth-watering sweets; and a fare thee well to summer message. Each page is a cornucopia of delightful color and wonder.

What a gorgeous book of lovely ideas! Be sure to pick this one up for summer reading, or gift giving.