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Solve Your Entertainment Cravings!

6 Jul

Don’t choose something bland for your “TV Dinner,” instead spice things up with a variety of great movies, documentaries, TV shows, and ebooks!

A Taste of Hunger
A foodie couple is willing to do anything to earn their popular Copenhagen restaurant a Michelin star in A Taste of Hunger.  The movie dramatically jumps back and forth in time; the different segments are defined by symbolic techniques or tastes that when combined make a dish successful such as sweet, salt, and heat, but that may not lead to a successful home life.  Their marriage and family suffer as the restaurants reputation grows. 

Looking for something a little lighter?  Check out No Reservations which stars Catherine Zeta-Jones in the remake of the popular German Comedy, Bella Martha, where an elite chef learns when she becomes her niece’s guardian that there is more to life than work in the kitchen.

Her Name is Chef
Her Name is Chef is a documentary focusing on 6 talented female chefs and the obstacles they overcame to find success in the kitchen.  Her Name is Chef is hosted by NJ chef, Leia Gaccione, who appeared on this season of Top Chef.  Particularly moving is the story-line following Fatima Ali another Top Chef favorite from an earlier season whose battle with cancer is chronicled and adds a bit of bitter with the sweet of her success. 

If you are looking for a second helping of documentaries, Hoopla offers the Japanese documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi about an 85 year old whose restaurant in a subway station was the first of its kind to win three Michelin stars.

Mexico: One Plate at a Time with Rick Bayless
Successful Mexican Chef, Rick Bayless travels around Mexico and learns more about the people, traditions and of course the cuisine.  He then puts his own spin on authentic dishes.  I enjoyed watching Oaxaca’s Most Magical Holiday (season 9, episode 1) which focused on the Day of the Dead (Dia de Los Muertos).  He shows the different types of traditional bone shaped breads that are prepared and goes step by step through his own version.  

Looking for more Mexican recipes you can prepare?  Check out Craftsy’s Mexican Street Food: Tacos & Salsas series which explains everything you need to make delicious tacos including making your own tortillas in bite sized videos!

The Romance Recipe
by Ruby Barrett
Sophie, a former reality show competitor, has just gotten out of a relationship with a man who asked her to hide her bisexuality, now for the first time she finds herself truly falling for a woman, Amy, the owner of the restaurant where she is head chef. Amy also feels attracted to Sophie, but besides navigating the complexities of their relationship there is also the failing restaurant to contend with. I appreciated the positive and fully developed depictions of bisexual and lesbian characters in this sweet romance, and enjoyed the juicy behind the scenes drama of reality shows that the novel depicts. I fell in love with the advance copy I was provided by eGalley and the publisher.

The Romance Recipe debuts next week, till then the perfect appetizer is book one in the series, Hot Copy, that feature’s Amy’s brother and his workplace romance with Corrine. You can also check out my previous blog post about two other lesbian/bisexual focused foodie competition romances.

Still hungry for more; check out a previous foodie blog about Chef centered TV shows and one on foodie memoirs!

Written by:
Aimee Harris
Information and Digital Services Manager

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A Highly Recommended Terrifying Read: The Devil’s Whispers

22 Jun

Haunted castles conjure an image of long, dark hallways, pillowing curtains, and shadowy figures from the corner of your eye. They are the perfect setting for any gothic novel and even better if one is seeking a little horror as well.

This is what The Devil’s Whispers by Lucas Hault sets up for us. We are introduced to British Lawyer, Gerard Woodward, who is summoned to the dreary castle to attend to the last affairs of the castle’s lord, Ferdinand Elvin Mathers. 

The narrative is provided to us in multiple perspectives, Gerard’s journal, Nathan Connolly’s notes, letters, and diary entries from different characters. They help to set the tone of the book and allow us to see the perspective of each of the characters. It’s one that’s not often used, but one that adds an interesting twist. The one drawback to this, however, is that some of the sections are broken up a bit too short and as a result, some readers may feel pulled out by reading a diary entry that’s only a few sentences long.

Then there’s the tone of the book itself, from the start we are shown first hand the type of story we are in for, the creep factor slowly building up and with a tension that carries itself well through the story, the ghosts and ghouls as terrifying as they are meant to be.

For those seeking a terrifying read, The Devil’s Whispers is one that comes highly recommended. Hoboken residents can borrow an ereader or iPad with The Devil’s Whispers ebook along with titles for our book discussions and many popular bestsellers. The ereaders are great when you are travelling, but still want to bring along a HUGE selection of reading materials. Just stop by the reference desk on the second floor of the main branch to check one out or learn more.

Written by:
Lauren Lapinski
Access Services Assistant

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