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.