Journal Entry 1 by zosime from Marshfield, Wisconsin USA on Friday, February 05, 2010

From the back cover:

Ruth Reichl, world-renowned food critic and editor in chief of Gourmet magazine, knows a thing or two about food. She also knows that as the most important food critic in the country, you need to be anonymous when reviewing some of the most high-profile establishments in the biggest restaurant town in the world—a charge she took very seriously, taking on the guise of a series of eccentric personalities. In Garlic and Sapphires, Reichl reveals the comic absurdity, artifice, and excellence to be found in the sumptuously appointed stages of the epicurean world and gives us—along with some of her favorite recipes and reviews—her remarkable reflections on how one’s outer appearance can influence one’s inner character, expectations, and appetites, not to mention the quality of service one receives. 

Journal Entry 2 by zosime at Marshfield, Wisconsin USA on Sunday, July 25, 2010

I enjoyed this book even more than I'd expected. It's about so much more than food and fancy restaurants and the New York Times. It was fascinating to read how much the author learned about herself and the people around her with each new disguise she constructed.

I am finally passing this along to Potok-fan, who won it ages and ages ago in what I believe was a non-fiction swap. 

Journal Entry 3 by potok-fan at Turku, Varsinais-Suomi Finland on Friday, August 20, 2010

Came in the post - Thank You!! :) 

Journal Entry 4 by potok-fan at Turku, Varsinais-Suomi Finland on Saturday, September 04, 2010

As I recall, before grabbing this in the swap, I had a look at some reviews on amazon. They were mixed. Some folks really didn't like Reichl's barbed criticisms and brash New York bravado. I, on the other hand, knew what to expect (from having read the bad reviews), and wound up enjoying the book.

I read it a little too fast - should have stopped to enjoy the recipes, too, but like scarfing down food which is delicious but not earth-stopping so I gobbled down this book. I've met Ray Sokolov, so enjoyed seeing him cross the pages. I suspect it's a book I'll think of when dining out for some time to come. 

Journal Entry 5 by potok-fan at Turku, Varsinais-Suomi Finland on Saturday, September 04, 2010

Released 1 yr ago (9/4/2010 UTC) at Turku, Varsinais-Suomi Finland

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Savotar hosted local bookcrossers today (and we'd hoped to meet a visiting Swiss bookcrosser, too, but she never showed up). It was a nice afternoon, with good food (was it up to Reichl's standards?) and lots of laughter and conversation.  

Journal Entry 6 by Savotar at Turku, Varsinais-Suomi Finland on Monday, September 06, 2010

Thank you Potok-fan, this book looks good. It was really nice to see you too. I'm glad so many bookcrossers made it on Saturday. If I had been waiting for the Swiss all alone, it would have spoiled my whole weekend! Now we just had good time. :) 

Journal Entry 7 by Savotar at Turku, Varsinais-Suomi Finland on Tuesday, November 09, 2010

I finished reading this book last night. Some parts of it were enjoyable and even funny, for example Ruth's night out with Mr. Shapiro. :) But to be totally honest, I didn't find everything so interesting and I just skimmed some chapters. It was interesting to read how Ruth's friendships and other relationships developed during the story. This book also inspires me to try making pasta carbonara at home. I've found my old hobby, cooking, again. :) 

Journal Entry 8 by Savotar at Kortteliravintola Kerttu in Turku, Varsinais-Suomi Finland on Friday, October 07, 2011

Released 7 mos ago (10/7/2011 UTC) at Kortteliravintola Kerttu in Turku, Varsinais-Suomi Finland

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

I brought this to the October meetup on a stormy night. Happy reading!