A huge thank you to all the book bloggers who came together for the top 5 project! There are so many books out there, and the top 5 project is a fun way to showcase some great finds and explore more book blogs! Today features a guest post from Plaid Reader Reviews and some tasty recommendations.
About the Blogger
Plaid Reader Reviews started at the end of 2018 as an extension of my Instagram, which I'm no longer diligent in maintaining. At first, the blog was just posted book reviews of books I'd already read and posted on Instagram but longer and more in-depth. But at the start of 2019, I started doing book challenges, I got a Twitter account for the blog and updated my website to the first paid plan. I got art done for the blog finally. I think I only read 38 books that year but everything has grown exponentially since then. I read 81 last year I did bunches of book challenges and lists and interacted with other bloggers more. I just got another premium plan and am in the middle of a readathon, the way I see it the blog can only go up from here in 2021.
Twitter: @plaid_reader | Instagram: Plaid_Reader | Website: Plaid Reader Reviews
1.) American as Paneer Pie
Lekha Divekar feels like she has two versions of herself. One where she can be her authentic Indian self. The girl who loves watching Bollywood movies and eating Indian food. And the one she is at school where she has to hide her true self. So when another Indian girl Avantika moves to town she thinks she'll have someone who will understand.
While Lekha and Avantika don’t always agree they share a food culture that helps them bond, and other food bonding experiences that happen throughout the book is the reason I chose this book.
You can find my review here
2.) Summer of a Thousand Pies
Cady's world is turned upside down when she has to leave her dad because he can't take care of her. She goes to live with her aunt who owns a pie shop where they teach her about making food. Through food, baking especially, and trying new foods Cady finds a family, a community, new friends, and a willingness to try new things.
I picked this book because of how food plays an essential role in the plot not just for Cady but for her whole family.
You can find my review here
3.) Midsummer's Mayhem
Food is the central focus of this retelling of A Midsummer Night's Dream by Rajani LaRocca. Mimi's baking affects the whole family in ways she never expects and a 'new' friend gets helps her get out of a very old trap.
Creativity and cooking abound making you want to whip up some donuts while reading. That and the mystery throughout the story are the main reasons I chose this book.
You can find my review here
4.) A Place at the Table
This book explores themes of food, friendship, family, and belonging, featuring sixth graders Sara, and Elizabeth, two sixth graders who couldn't be more different. Sara is having a hard time fitting in at their new shared school after transferring from her small Islamic school that she used to at attend. Meanwhile, Elizabeth has her own problems her British mom has been struggling with depression. This book continues to fit into what I think I've established here as the cooking middle-grade sub-genre.
I pick it one because the food descriptions sounded wonderful and two because it was an interfaith endeavor which is awesome.
You can find my review here
5.) Measuring Up
Twelve-year-old Cici loved her life back in Taiwan, especially the time she spent with her grandmother, or A-má. But when her family moves to Seattle so she can have better opportunities she has to leave her grandmother and friends behind. But when her family doesn't have the money to bring her A-má to the US for her seventy birthday Cici swears she'll find a way. When she sees a local cooking competition she enters for the prize money even if she's never cooked American food.
I chose this book because it focuses on the importance of staying true to yourself no matter what people think.
You can find my review here