September 24, 2012

Monday Mailbox



I'm very fortunate to receive a lot of ARCs at work, so in an effort to keep my stacks under control (and in an attempt to read some of the older books that have been languishing on my shelves for years!), I'm more hesitant to accept publisher requests for review copies. But, of course, when it comes to a favorite author, I can't resist! I loved The School of Essential Ingredients (as well as Joy for Beginners), so it was a wonderful treat to find this gem in my mailbox last Friday afternoon! Thanks so much, Erica! I can't wait to return to the Pacific Northwest and Lillian's restaurant.



The Lost Art of Mixing by Erica Bauermeister
Publication Date: January 24, 2013


From the publisher: 

In this luminous sequel, return to the enchanting world of the national bestseller The School of Essential Ingredients.

Lillian and her restaurant have a way of drawing people together. There's Al, the accountant who finds meaning in numbers and ritual; Chloe, a budding chef who hasn't learned to trust after heartbreak; Finnegan, quiet and steady as a tree, who can disappear into the background despite his massive height; Louise, Al's wife, whose anger simmers just below the boiling point; and Isabelle, whose memories are slowly slipping from her grasp. And there's Lillian herself, whose life has taken a turn she didn't expect...

Their lives collide and mix with those around them, sometimes joining in effortless connections, at other times sifting together and separating again, creating a family that is chosen, not given. A beautifully imagined novel about the ties that bind—and links that break—The Lost Art of Mixing is a captivating mediation on the power of love, food, and companionship.


"Erica Bauermeister mixes gorgeous prose, luscious detail, and heartfelt characters—new friends and old—to reveal just how colorful and warm life in the rainy Pacific Northwest can be."
~ Laurie Frankel, author of Goodbye for Now.

You can find my review for The School of Essential Ingredients and Joy for Beginners here and here. Please visit Erica's website for more information regarding her books, schedule of events, recipes, and favorite reads.


Welcome to Mailbox Monday, a meme started by Marcia and hosted this month by Kristen of BookNAround.

18 comments:

  1. A sequel to The School of Essential Ingredients is coming? That's just the news I need to brighten a Monday... can't wait!

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    1. Yes! Isn't it exciting?! I hope to reread The School of Essential Ingredients before I start in on this new one. I need to refresh my memory about the characters and their individual situations.

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  2. Anonymous9:16 AM

    The Lost Art Of Mixing sounds interesting.

    http://tributebooksmama.blogspot.com/2012/09/mailbox-monday_24.html

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    1. If you haven't already read The School of Essential Ingredients, I highly recommend starting with it first.

      Thanks for visiting!

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  3. I have The School of Essential Ingredients in my TBR pile. I should read it before this one is released.

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    1. I would. It's a wonderful book and I have a very good feeling about this sequel. I need to hurry up and finish my current read (a reread of The Thorn Birds), so I can get to Erica's book.

      Thanks for visiting!

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  4. Oh my gosh, you are so lucky! I bet that is fabulous!

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    1. I know!! Erica was so thoughtful to send it my way!

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  5. I just received the ebook of this one. I'm jealous of yours because it came directly from the author with a lovely note!!! Enjoy!!

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    1. I understand your envy, but at least you got the ebook! We'll have to chat about it after we finish...although I suspect you'll finish long before me. I'm still reading my chunkster (The Thorn Birds). I still have 200 pages to go. (It has almost 700 pages!) Sigh.

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  6. I loved The School of Essential Ingredients. enjoy her new book.

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    1. Wasn't it a lovely book, Diane? I hope you can get this one as soon as it's published...or maybe an ARC.

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  7. That looks like a good book.

    I have been turning down books as well...I have so many that I am overwhelmed even though I have an Excel sheet with everything organized.

    Elizabeth
    Silver's Reviews
    http://silversolara.blogspot.com/2012/09/mailbox-monday-9242012.html

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    1. It does get a bit overwhelming, doesn't it? I have most of my reading all planned for the remained of the year. I just hope I can finish the two HUGE books I've chosen for this month. They're taking forever!

      Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  8. I had no idea a sequel to The School of Essential Ingredients was coming. How exciting! I loved it and Joy for Beginners, too. Can't wait until I've got my hands on a copy! =)

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    1. It is exciting, isn't it? And... I wound up with an extra ARC, so stay tuned for a give away... :)

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  9. Les, I just found out that Erica recently moved to Port Townsend -- about half a mile from me. Wish we weren't moving out of town now! I'm looking forward to her new book as well. Hopefully there will be some PT references!

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    1. How cool is that!?! Bummer that you're moving, though. Where are you heading? We were going to be in PT last month (for the Wooden Boat Show), but had to cancel. Hopefully, another time.

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