Tuesday, July 14, 2009

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.

4 comments:

Janna Leadbetter said...

What a great catch-all book!

Hope you're well, Barbara. *hugs*

Linda said...

This book really sounds great.

Sheila DeChantal said...

When I was a big time scrap booker Susan Branch had some of the cutest things to decorate my pages. I recognized her name and style right away

Angela said...

I have the Autumn book by this author, but I don't have the summer one yet. Thanks for posting.