Well, I have to say that I had forgotten enough of this novel, Family Tree, by Susan Wiggs, our just completed selection from Cook the Books Club, that it was as engrossing on the second go around as when I read it several years ago. I read a lot of books, and this storyline seemed to me a true original. The experiences Annie goes through, her tremendous losses, a fight to regain memory, the recovery from a coma, etc. On the upside of that, and the positive ending, I really enjoyed learning about all the workings of a maple tree farm and how maple syrup is made.
Here's the Booklist Review:
"Don't mess with success. That is what Annie Rush tells herself. The Key Ingredient, the cooking show she created, which stars her husband, Martin Harlow, is wildly successful. So does it really matter if Martin occasionally strays from the show's original vision? Although Annie would like to have been in front of the camera, she must admit that viewers love Martin's perky cohost, Melissa Barrett. Then Annie arrives on the set of the show with wonderful news to share with Martin and discovers him in a private meeting with Melissa. Annie walks away, then suffers a tragic accident. Now, one year later, she is back home in Switchback, Vermont, wondering if she can reassemble the pieces of her life. Best-selling Wiggs (Starlight on Willow Lake, 2015) writes with a seemingly effortless sense of grace about what breaks families apart as well as what brings them back together. Add this to her gift for crafting exquisitely nuanced characters as well as her flair for perfectly capturing the rhythm of life in a small town, and you have a soul-satisfying story..."Now, we'll jump right in with The Roundup of posts from everyone who participated. These are just teasers so be sure to click onto them for the reviews and recipes!
First up we had Marge, The Intrepid Reader and Baker who made a Maple Butter Date Loaf, which sounds absolutely delicious! She said: "This was a very easy to read book, very food forward, and there were a lot of delicious sounding foods. I loved how passionate Annie was from a very young age, and this passion was very clear as we heard the story of how The Key Ingredient came to be the show it was."
Next Amy of Amy's Cooking Adventures brought us her own Grandma's Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, and said "this was an enjoyable read. It follows Annie through 2 timelines, before and after her accident as she remembers her past and recovers from her accident....Through it all, her family is there for her, especially memories of her grandmother. It seemed like the perfect recipe to share!"
Then I, Claudia of Honey from Rock brought Frosted Maple Bars to the table, and shared that "Annie Rush, goes through so much loss in her story! Totally unique and devastating experiences, that would wipe most of us out! But, going through them, along with her gave me an insider's glimpse of something I had never thought about, of what it would be like waking from a year long coma, learning again who you are, and what had happened. Basically starting over with a new life.
Wendy, of A Day in the Life on the Farm, came in next with a yummy batch of Salted Maple Caramel Corn with Nuts. Wow! I want some of that fun take on Cracker Jacks. She said "It is a story of love, determination, and hope. Annie is a cook, first and foremost and many of her recipes feature the Maple Syrup for which her family is known.
Then, next to last, Debra of Eliot's Eats brought us an upscale version of Mac 'n Cheese with White Wine, Cherry Tomatoes and Herbs, saying, "This is a great summer (or fall) read. I really enjoyed the majority of the book but the final section left me wanting. Wanting I don’t know what. It’s a predictable book but the characters kept me interested and going.
And, finally Simona of Briciole prepared us a lovely dish of Shishito Peppers with cheese! (My favorite pepper) She mentioned "At the beginning Annie is the producer of a TV cooking show called The Key Ingredient, starring her husband. At the end, she produces and stars in a food webcast called Starting from Scratch. I don't watch television nor webcasts, so have no experience of either genres. Still, I played a game in my mind, imagining what I would do if I were given the chance to host a food-centric show. I decided that I'd probably roam farmers markets and interview farmers and also stop at farm stands and do a live version of the still lifes with produce I've been composing and photographing for some time.
I believe that's everyone, and please let me know if anyone was left out. Next up we're reading The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kidd, and hosted by Debra of Eliot's Eats. Please join in with us here at Cook the Books.
Aloha, Claudia
