From the bookshelf of Busy as a Bee Books…

Julie & Julia, 365 days, 524 recipes, 1 tiny apartment kitchen by Julie Powell

Start date: November 1, 2009

Finish date: December 31, 2009

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Oct 11, 2009

Jill rated it:

(review of isbn 031610969X)

bookshelves: busy-bee-shelf, reviewed

Read in November, 2009

I really enjoyed this book. I cannot imagine making recipes even knowing that I didn't like the food that I was making, but I am a notoriously picky eater so I might not be the best judge of that. All the butter she used turned my stomach a bit too. Recipes aside, I could identify with how sometimes even when you follow all the directions in a recipe it can still not turn out right. Plus how often does what is made at home actually look like the picture in a cookbook?

There were times...more I really enjoyed this book. I cannot imagine making recipes even knowing that I didn't like the food that I was making, but I am a notoriously picky eater so I might not be the best judge of that. All the butter she used turned my stomach a bit too. Recipes aside, I could identify with how sometimes even when you follow all the directions in a recipe it can still not turn out right. Plus how often does what is made at home actually look like the picture in a cookbook?

There were times when I though Julie whined a bit too much about really trivial stuff. There were also times when the cat hair in her kitchen made me want to gag, but I was glad that she tried to make her life real, not glossed over and perfect. I looked online to see if her old blog posts were still there (not real thoroughly so they may still be there, I only looked for a few minutes) but her current blog achieves do not go back that far. When I picked up the book I sort of expected that it was going to be her blog postings and some of her comments, but I have to say I think the way it was presented was perfect. Even before reading the synopsis I pictured her in a Bridget Jones kind of way. Also in my mind I saw her as Amy Adams and heard her speaking in Adams' voice as well, which worked out fine for this book. Sometimes I hate to see who was cast in the movie role for a book because then I'm not free to create my own image of that character, but Adams worked for this role except I don't think she is probably heavy enough. Julie kept talking about how she was gaining weight from the cooking and complaining about her clothing not fitting. From past roles I picture Amy Adams as very thin and trim, but who knows. Maybe in the movie they made her gain weight or added padding or something.

I enjoyed seeing Julie grow closer to friends through shared meals. I'm a bit surprised that as of her writing she was still living in the same apartment after all the issues they had with plumbing, heating and electricity. Definitely an entertaining read. (less)

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Sep 05, 2009

Tara rated it:

(review of isbn 031610969X)

bookshelves: challenges

recommended to Tara by: book group

I really did not have much interest in the book until it was a choice for a challenge, but I really it. I learned more about Julia Child through letters and excepts about her life. The best part about this book is that Julie is not a chef, so her antics are more like my own.
I thought she had a nice writing style, but if you have issues with swearing you may want to pass this one up.
I actually want to see the movie now.

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Jul 06, 2009

Cherylann rated it:

(review of isbn 031610969X)

bookshelves: foodoir

Read in July, 2009

While I initially thought this would be about the hazards of Mastering the Art of French Cooking, I quickly realized it was about so much more. There were times this was laugh out loud funny. I got a little bogged down towards the middle of the book. As I continued on, the book picked up again, and it was a quick sprint to the end. My one warning might be to avoid reading this one during mealtimes - unless of course you want to lose a pound or two.

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4 comments

Feb 18, 2009

Lisa rated it:

(review of isbn 031610969X)

bookshelves: bookmarks-2006, busy-as-a-bee-books, literature---fiction

Read in July, 2009

What a tremendous undertaking! I can't imagine trying to cook every single recipe of Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking, much less having to eat it. Liver, kidneys, brain.........ugh, gag me!!!! I enjoyed Julie's snarky commentary, although it sometimes got annoying; then again Julia Child was sometimes annoying to watch. Anyway, I enjoyed reading Julie's attempt to make some sense of her life by cooking her way through Julia. It wasn't always appetizing, especially the maggo...more

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Aug 08, 2008

Stephanie Anne rated it:

(review of isbn 031610969X)

bookshelves: bkmrks-mag, non-fic

Read in January, 2006

Ahh, how I adore a book that makes me laugh out loud. Julie Powell took on the daunting task of preparing every recipe in Julia Child's cookbook within one year. Particularly fun are her memories of killing a lobster and hunting for bone marrow around New York City. Any cook should read this book, or just anyone who wants a laugh. I hope she writes something else - perhaps taking on Martha Stewart in her quest to crochet 365 doilies in one year?

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Mar 17, 2009

Connie rated it:

(review of isbn 031610969X)

bookshelves: busy-as-a-bee-food

Read in May, 2009

Ha - it cracks me up when she refers to Julia Child as JC!

This is just what I needed after reading a couple of real downers! She totally cracked me up! I got a kick out of her foul mouth, hard drinking, fit throwing ways.

and Eric has got to be saint!
Her friends are great.

Her mom cracked me up when she told Clarence off with one line.

bitch rice, hahaha!

too fun!

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