Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining and Delicious
Review: As a huge fan of Michael Lee West's novels, I had to read this book and I was not disappointed. Its not exactly a novel; more an autobiography centred around southern traditions and cuisine. For those raised in the deep south, I've no doubt it will bring back lots of happy memories and, for those of us not from those parts, its a wonderful insight into a place of steamy hot weather, fireflys and traditional home cooking passed down through generations (with some of those generations being somewhat eccentric!). I defy anybody to read this book and not be inspired to get into the kitchen and try out some of the many recipes contained in the book. I spent much of it salivating.
Rating: 
Summary: Eight is not Enough
Review: As a transplanted southerner, I read lots of southern women writers and I have read all of Michael Lee West's books, and loved them. When I ordered this book, I thought it was a novel, when I got it, I was very surprised and a little disappointed-that was until I read the book. I could not stop reading it, and bought 6 more, because I have enough friends and southern aunts that I had to pass this along to them. One of my recipients (a friend who is a yankee) bought 2 more for friends of hers. I gave all of the books away and now have to order at least one more for myself. As I told my aunts when I gave them their books, this woman was hiding in our kitchen cupboards, how else could she have known so much about us? Gotta go, it is time to work on that coconut cake!
Rating:
Summary: Do you love to cook and to read? This one's for you!
Review: As an avid reader (especially of cookbooks!, a "Consuming Passion" for cooking (especially all things southern) and a fan of Michael Lee West, I picked up this book with great anticipation. And I was not disappointed. Having lived in the South for several years, I have come to love to read about Southern culture: it's idiosynchrosies, dialect, etc. And gosh darn it, ya just gotta love that food! This book combines the best of what I love: food and reading! Ms. West has a great way of making one's mouth water, while at the same time filling the reader full of southern charm and wit. And best of all, she includes recipes! From barbeque to gumbo, Lemon Chess Pie to Coconut cake, this book is full of true 'southern' recipes, and Ms. West's family stories behind them. This is the kind of book I like to read over and over again, and I've made several of the recipes to boot (and have not been disappointed with the results). If you love the South, food, humor and Michael Lee West's other books, you'll love this one as well.
Rating:
Summary: Do you love to cook and to read? This one's for you!
Review: As an avid reader (especially of cookbooks!, a "Consuming Passion" for cooking (especially all things southern) and a fan of Michael Lee West, I picked up this book with great anticipation. And I was not disappointed. Having lived in the South for several years, I have come to love to read about Southern culture: it's idiosynchrosies, dialect, etc. And gosh darn it, ya just gotta love that food! This book combines the best of what I love: food and reading! Ms. West has a great way of making one's mouth water, while at the same time filling the reader full of southern charm and wit. And best of all, she includes recipes! From barbeque to gumbo, Lemon Chess Pie to Coconut cake, this book is full of true 'southern' recipes, and Ms. West's family stories behind them. This is the kind of book I like to read over and over again, and I've made several of the recipes to boot (and have not been disappointed with the results). If you love the South, food, humor and Michael Lee West's other books, you'll love this one as well.
Rating:
Summary: Delicious!
Review: Consuming Passions was destined to be a winner with me. A book about food and family -- only taste tests of the included recipes could have improved this book!! Michael Lee West has chronicled her life as spent in a kitchen or a dining room, from learning to cook as a young woman to her pride in her son, the chef. Recipes, whether gleaned from friends and family or her own, are included. I can't wait to try Cousin Lila's Sweet Potato Souffle and the Brabham Family Chocolate Sheet Cake. She even explains to the non-Southerner the preferred way to make Sweet Iced Tea (this I already knew, of course!) Some of the information is very helpful as well. The chapter spent on how to season cast iron cooking pans is a must read. Anyone who has ever tried the seasoning process knows of the grief it can cause. And the humor! As in each Michael Lee West book, the laughs keep coming. I so want to meet her Mama (of the massive canvas pocketbook fame) and her Aunt Dell (in all of her sartorial splendor)! I do have one problem with this book. I can't decide if I should keep it in the kitchen with the cookbooks or shelve it in the den with the rest of my books. I'm tempted to buy another and keep one in each place. A true gem!
Rating:
Summary: Delicious!
Review: Consuming Passions was destined to be a winner with me. A book about food and family -- only taste tests of the included recipes could have improved this book!! Michael Lee West has chronicled her life as spent in a kitchen or a dining room, from learning to cook as a young woman to her pride in her son, the chef. Recipes, whether gleaned from friends and family or her own, are included. I can't wait to try Cousin Lila's Sweet Potato Souffle and the Brabham Family Chocolate Sheet Cake. She even explains to the non-Southerner the preferred way to make Sweet Iced Tea (this I already knew, of course!) Some of the information is very helpful as well. The chapter spent on how to season cast iron cooking pans is a must read. Anyone who has ever tried the seasoning process knows of the grief it can cause. And the humor! As in each Michael Lee West book, the laughs keep coming. I so want to meet her Mama (of the massive canvas pocketbook fame) and her Aunt Dell (in all of her sartorial splendor)! I do have one problem with this book. I can't decide if I should keep it in the kitchen with the cookbooks or shelve it in the den with the rest of my books. I'm tempted to buy another and keep one in each place. A true gem!
Rating:
Summary: Not bad - Southern fiction
Review: Doesn't hold a candle to the Sweet Potato Queens (Jill Browne) but this book is an amusing read with lots of great recipes as a bonus!
Rating:
Summary: Foodies Unite!
Review: Excellent book. Have always enjoyed West's writing, and her memoior erads like a delicious Southern novel. Good to know there are more "foodies" out there. (But be wary of reading it if you are on a diet - it is too inspirational!)
Rating:
Summary: Foodies Unite!
Review: Excellent book. Have always enjoyed West's writing, and her memoior erads like a delicious Southern novel. Good to know there are more "foodies" out there. (But be wary of reading it if you are on a diet - it is too inspirational!)
Rating:
Summary: Feast for the Famished Southern or otherwise
Review: Fair warning! If you are on a diet or trying to lose weight, this book is lethal. My stars, what a feast of food memoirs complete with rich and tempting recipes! And how I would love some of that coconut cake that emerges from an eight day recipe. Obviously, West knows her family characters and attaches them to their noted eccentricities and manna. And what colorful, yea memorable, folks these are! Everyone should have a family like hers, with Aunt Tempe, Aunt Dell, Uncle Bun, a marvelous Mama and grandparents and cousins and family gatherings around food that will make you want to go to the kitchen to execute one of the cooking delights featured in the tales. I was especially fascinated by the pineapple upside down cake cooked in a cast iron skillet, and macaroni and cheese like I never imagined it. It also thrilled me to learn that West was a slow-to-learn cook herself, yet the obvious love she has for her family and their food eventually became a part of her own mature life. I think this book would be a fabulous gift to anyone from the South, or anyone who wishes they were. And recipe book fans are definite candidates for receipt of this tome. Here is a read with laughs and lessons, and it certainly is a keeper for me. Bon appetit, sugar! Meet me in the kitchen!
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