November in Review

Books Acquired:
Get Jiro: Blood and Sushi by Anthony Bourdain
The Amateur Gourmet by Adam D. Roberts
A Girl and Her Pig by April Bloomfield
Food Artisans of Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands by Don Genova

Books Read:
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
The Willful Princess and the Piebald Prince by Robin Hobb
The Amateur Gourmet by Adam D. Roberts
Travels with Charley: In Search of America by John Steinbeck

After a busy October, it was nice to spend November unwinding a bit. Normally I might need that, with stressful holidays coming up, but Christmas should be smooth sailing this year. I’m staying in town for the first time in over a decade! I’m actually ridiculously excited about not entering an airport for the entire month.

I wasn’t planning to buy any books this month, but Lee-Ann and her mom left me in a bookstore while they ran some errands, and THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS. I’m still reading through A Girl and Her Pig and haven’t made any recipes from the book yet, but I’m excited to try some. Bloomfield was on season 4 of Mind of a Chef, which I love, and even though her episodes weren’t my favourite, it’s pretty clear that she holds a lot of respect with her fellow chefs. So far, the main entrées look a bit intimidating, but there are quite a few sides and breakfast items that I’ll be trying. I may have to work my way up to her recipe for whole lamb’s head, brain-in and tongue-in.

I read some great books this month and feel like I’m getting over the reading slump that’s been plaguing me. The Amateur Gourmet helped with that. Even though I was lukewarm on parts of it, it’s quick and funny and relaxing to read, just like his weblog. I need to seek out more books like this – food writing by enthusiastic home cooks. I’ll gladly take any recommendations!

Movies watched:
The Double (2013) – This is the second film Richard Ayoade has directed, and it was great. A retelling of Dostoyevsky’s novella of the same title, it stars Jesse Eisenberg and is dark, funny, and strange. He took chances with the cinematography and the score, and the result was a really unique experience. It will leave you as befuddled as the book did.

In Search of Israeli Cuisine (2016) – Great food documentary on the history and struggles in Israel, told through their food culture and focusing on how their diet has been influenced by the country’s mixed heritage.

TV watched:
The Mind of a Chef: Season 5 (2016) – I just love this show. The first half of the season follows Chef Ludo Lefebvre in LA. I was disappointed that the second half of the season, which would normally follow a new chef, was just highlight compilations from the whole series. Enjoyable, but obviously not as good as new content.

Stranger Things: Season 2 (2017) – I’d heard this second season wasn’t as good as the first, but I think I liked it even more. It’s at least on par, in my opinion. Good fun.

Games played:
Battlerite (2017) (PC) – The only thing I really played this month was the free-to-play game Battlerite. It’s a fun arena battle game with a lot of depth. I’m not sure if I’ll put any more time into it, but it was fun to check out.

What have you been reading/watching/playing this month?