January 19, 2010

Keeping the Feast

I'm excited to be reviewing another book for TLC Book ToursKeeping the Feast: One Couple's Story of Love, Food, and Healing in Italy, by Paula Butturini, is an incredible journey, that I loved reading!

From TLC Book Tours --

Keeping the Feast is a story of love, trauma, and the personal and marital healing that can come from a beautiful place and its simple traditions. It’s a memoir about what happens when tragedy and its psychological aftershocks strike a previously happy marriage and a couple must stubbornly fight to find its bearings. Most significantly, it is a book about the power of one of the most fundamental rituals – the daily sharing of food around a family table. Food — the growing, shopping, preparing, cooking, eating, talking, sharing and memory of it — becomes the symbol of a family’s innate desire to survive, to accept and even celebrate what falls its way.



Paula's memoir recounts the highest highs and the deepest lows in such a way that is meaningful and encouraging.  She takes you back to the table of her childhood, time and again, and describes the foods eaten in such a way that you can almost taste it.  Many, if not most, of us have encountered devastating, life altering circumstances in our lives, which makes this book relate-able, even if we've never traveled to Rome, or don't eat Italian food. 

Paula opens up the world of depression as her husband, John, struggles to remain afloat for years, and her own emotions as she is angered by the way life has turned out for them.  Daily she and John would share three meals together, no matter the circumstances before or after the meals. Paula describes mealtime as her anchor for each day, she would plan no more than for the three meals each day, and getting through each of the meals was a milestone.  Beautifully simple, delicious food to nourish them - body and soul.

I know from my own trials, that it is the little things that matter the most.  The little (big) hugs, excited giggles, good food, and friends to smile and laugh with, morning light through the window, and the gentle whisper of the wind.  Looking at all that is right, and focusing there.

I highly recommend this book, and Lisa at TLC has kindly offered a copy for one of you!  Just leave a comment to be entered in the drawing.  (I'm not ready to part with my copy yet.)  I hope I've told you enough about it to whet your appetite, but not too much that you are no longer interested  - it is so well organized and thought out, it reads easily despite the heavy nature of the content.
 
Keeping the Feast: One Couple's Story of Love, Food, and Healing in Italy


I'll select a winner on Monday~
Amy
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35 comments:

Anonymous said...

That sounds like a wonderful book. I could use a good "thinking person's" book. Been pouring through some book candy (mindless mysteries and romance novels) lately.

Mama Spark said...

Thanks for the giveaway. I am always up for reading something I have not read before. Sounds like a good book too!

Amy Priddy said...

Nominated your blog for an award. Check out my blog for details. :D

Jilly's Space said...

I would love a chance to win this book. Thank-you! :-)

2miracles/Tove said...

ok, you tempted me an I'm not a big reader. But this one sound interesting I'll have to hunt it down if I dont win. Thanks for sharing. Hope all is good on thehome front you seem extra busy. Take care. Sis

Live a Colorful Life said...

Sounds like a great book. Thanks for the review.

DianeY said...

I love to read but this soounds like a good one to mix in with my typical mysteries!

Lis Harwood said...

Isn't there a saying that the family that eats together stays together or something like that? It really is an important part of our daily lives to share a meal and time together. This sounds like a very good read.

Lis Harwood said...

Maybe it's "prays together", anyway, I think it still applies!!

Amber said...

Sounds like a great book - and I'd love to be entered. Also it's amazing when we look back and see what God has brought us through isn't it?! - when we didn't ever think we could survive something like that. Thanks for sharing your story :-)

ktquilts said...

For all your encouragement and inspiration, I have awarded you the Lemonade Stand Award. Should you choose to accept it, the guidelines can be found here:

http://ktquilts4fun.blogspot.com/2010/01/thanks.html

Blessings,
KT

Sharon S said...

Thanks for the info on a great book. Yes, I'd love to win!

Heather said...

Next to quilting, reading is my next passion!! I am always looking for a good book to read! So please add my name to your giveaway! Thanks!
h_freund@hotmail.com

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

Sounds very interesting. I am always looking for a good book too. ;-)

Sara said...

Sounds like a wonderful book - on the order of the book Eat, Pray, Love. I enjoyed that one ...

Thanks for the giveaway...

Lynn said...

THis book sound really good, I would love to read it...

Athira said...

I'm looking forward to reading this. I read Andi's review yesterday and was very impressed. Love your review too!

athira.c AT gmail DOT com

Molly said...

I would love to read this book! Thanks for the giveaway and for the nice review.

Pam said...

A good review makes one want more ..and that is how your review left me!! This sounds like a wonderful book. Thanks for the chance to win.

Jenny @ Anything Pretty said...

I would love a chance to win the book...sounds great!

Leslie - she sews and scraps said...

I love to read and I thank you for sharing it with us, thank you for the chance at winning a copy too, you gals are both too sweet!

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

It sounds very interesting Amy - I would love to read it.

Anonymous said...

I am a strong believer in the power of cooking and eating together as a family. And I'm very lucky that my husband is an awesome chef - he personifies "food is love".

Donna @ Mudpies & Memories said...

I would love to read that book! I am a firm believer that food and sitting at the table together unites a family. My husband jokes that I put too much focus on food and dinnertime, but it truly is the most important part of the day.

Jenny said...

Thanks, i would love a chance at this book!

Mindy said...

Sounds like an very good read. Thanks for the review!

Megan said...

Oooh sounds like a great book! Thanks for the review and chance to win!

Meg

the momma said...

Oh - Sounds like an excellent book ~ Thanks for the chance to win

~Michelle~ said...

I'll read just about anything nowadays, but this sounds right up my alley!

Tylynn said...

Oh this sounds so interesting! Sounds like something I would like to read.

Patty said...

I'd love to read that book.

Molly said...

I'd love to enter...thanks Amy! :)

penny nelson said...

Food and the ritual of sharing it is very powerful. I would love to read a meaningful memoir about this subject. This book sounds like a reaffirming look at the simplest of daily sharing. Thanks for the suggestion.

diplofam said...

always looking for a new recommended book!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Carin
margaretshopechest@yahoo.com

Marianne said...

Sounds really good! Keeping my fingers crossed, thanks for the opportunity.