Books (Trina, Stan, Ava and C.I.)

 

 

As we did in 2021 and 2023 and 2024, we're attempting to again increase book coverage in the community. This go round, we're talking with Trina and Stan.  Trina's "Rachel Ray's Garbage in the Kitchen" is a review of Rachel Ray's cookbook RACHEL RAY'S 365: NO REPEATS. and her    "Matteo Lane's Your Pasta Sucks: A 'Cookbook'"is a review of Matteo Lane's new cookboo.  Stan's "BLACK BAG (great film) and Spielberg book"is a review of Richard Schickel's  STEVEN SPIELBERG: A RETROSPECTIVE.  Three books, only one recommended.  Stan?

  

Stan: I don't recommend the book I read.  Schickel just focuses on the work, no real dig into director Steven Spielberg's personal life.  Fine.  Then address the work.  Don't do a breezy walk through. Actually take a look at the work.  And, sorry, but so little of Spielberg's work stands up.  

Trina?

 

Trina: I had the book worth reading -- and that wasn't Rachel Ray's book.  That was a piece of garbage that was put together as if by an assembling machine.  It had no warmth and no personality.  Matteo wrote a cookbook you want to read.  It talks about why he likes the food or when he first had it or which family member made it or makes it today.  It's a pleasure to read.  Rachel Ray's book is just drudgery.

 

Stan, you aren't happy with what Spielberg's success did to the movies.

 

Stan: Right.  He killed the great American films.  We had real films like THE CONVERSATION, KLUTE, SHAMPOO, HAROLD & MAUDE, THE LANDLORD, CHINATOWN, CARNAL KNOWLEDGE, LADY SINGS THE BLUES  and go on and on.  Films that meant something -- actually meant something.  And then Spielberg does his popcorn film JAWS and it's nothing but nonsense.  And that's all Spielberg's career has been -- nonsense. 

We hope you'll take a moment this week to read "I'll take Klute over Jaws."

Stan: I will!  I love KLUTE. Who wrote the piece?

 

You did.  Back in December of 2015.  

 

Stan: Really?  Does it line up with what I said in my review of the Spielberg book?

 

It really does.   Trina, you weren't impressed with Rachel's book but you also weren't impressed with the recipes she offered.

 

Trina: Not one bit. And it's a lie that's she's offering 365 different recipes -- telling someone to substitute beef in a chicken recipe does not give you two recipes.  It's one recipe that you can make with either chicken or beef or shrimp.  And all the book is?  It's recipes.  She doesn't share any stories -- not even talking about making the dish.  It's a series of recipe cards spread out over pages.  It's lazy and it's not worth it even if you get on clearance like I did.

 

But you do recommend Mateo's book?

 

Trina: I absolutely, 100% do.  It's a joy to read.  He makes the food come alive.  Even if you're not planning on cooking for whatever reason, you can read the book just for the stories of food, family and friends.  It's a wonderful book.

 

Alright, thank you both.

 

 

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Previous book discussions:

"Books (Isaiah, Ava and C.I.)"

 

"Books (Jess, Ava and C.I.)"

"Books (Stan, Ava and C.I.)"

"Books (Trina, Ava and C.I.)"

"Books (Rebecca, Marcia, Ava and C.I.)"