Favourite Spring Cookbooks and Authors for Indies Events

by Aimee

I finally admitted to myself this week that I was missing the hustle and bustle of book tour days past.

It’s not the smell of a Sharpie or the late nights I find lacking, but getting out and connecting with you readers. That was absolutely the best part of that whole crazy month. It sure wasn’t the inflight snacks.

Meeting so many of you was such a highlight of my year to date, that I decided we should do it again soon. At least locally for now. This Saturday, May 2nd is Canadian Authors for Indies Day and I am jumping in with both feet, with events booked all day at independent bookstores around Montreal.

Read on to see where I’ll be throughout the day and to find out if I’m bringing the kids or any snacks (yes, and yes). Then, I’m sharing nine of my favourite Spring 2015 cookbooks. Books, books, books!

Canadian Authors for Indies Day: My Montreal Events

I don’t have to tell you that independent bookstores enrich our communities; I’m sure you can name one or two right now that you love to frequent. Canadian Authors for Indies Day is a special event where writers of all genres come out in support of their neighbourhood bookstores.

I’m very excited to have a full day booked for May 2nd (that’s THIS Saturday, folks) and will be a guest at these three fantastic bookstores.

• 9AM to 11AM ~ Downtown
  Librairie Paragraphe
  2220 McGill College Avenue
  Montreal, QC. H3A 3P9
• 12PM to 2PM ~ Westmount
  Appetite for Books
  388 Victoria Avenue
  Westmount, QC. H3Z 2N4
• 3PM to 5PM ~ West Island
  Librairie Clio
  Plaza Pointe-Claire
  245-N St Jean
  Pointe-Claire, QC. H9R 3J1

I can promise there will be home baked goods provided, at least for the early birds at each event. I’ll have a few sharpies on hand in case you’d like me to sign a copy of my cookbook for you or your mother! I think it goes without saying that a personalized copy of Brown Eggs and Jam Jars would make a lovely Mother’s Day gift.

Lastly, the rest of the Simple Bites/Bourque/BEJJ family will be joining me for my last hour at Librairie Clio (so, 4-5PM). The children are very excited to get out for another bookstore event. I don’t think they have a single shy bone in them, so don’t be surprised if you get a hug or three.

I hope to see you on May 2nd for Authors for Indies Day!

Favourite Spring 2015 Cookbooks

While we’re on the subject of books, allow me to rave about a stack of brand new cookbooks that are currently on rotation from my kitchen counter to my bedside table, and the coffee table too.

• Long ago, food memoir replaced fiction, magazines and late night TV for my daily down time and my latest favourite is Three Many Cooks by bloggers of the same name. Written by a mother and two daughters, they collectively have a recipe for food, faith and family that I aspire to master. Not surprisingly, the recipes are rock solid.
• In her new book, Simply Ancient Grains, Maria Speck again brings a knockout collection of colourful whole grain recipes.  I’ve always stocked a pantry full of grains, but never have I been so inspired to cook with millet, quinoa, rice and much, much more. Her Citrus Burst Dressing is on regular rotation for roasted vegetables and hearty grain salads.
• Tara’s book, Seven Spoons, already inspired these savoury breakfast bowls, but the inspiration didn’t end there. We’ve been sipping her vibrant Blurry Sunrise Smoothie, marveling over the genius that is her avocado toast, and swooning over her Basic, Great Chocolate Chip Cookie. Up next, Rhubarb Raspberry Rye Crumble.
• It’s impossible to walk past the stunning My New Roots and not stop to pick it up. Then, of course, Sarah’s creative recipes and beautiful images will convince you to add her cookbook to your collection. We’ve been spooning up her Four Corners Lentil Soup and happily sipping the Raspberry Breeze Smoothie. I can’t wait for spring produce so we can try recipes such as Carrot Top and Garlic Scape Pesto and Apricot Rhubarb Clafoutis.
• A fellow writer insisted I check out Food52 Genius Recipes and I’m so glad I followed her advice. This cookbook made me want to get into the kitchen and cook immediately, my ultimate criteria for a truly good cookbook. Will it change the way I cook, as the tagline states? That remains to be seen, although I’ve already found myself marveling over Balsamic Glazed Beets & Greens.
• Real Sweet won me over with this Banana Layer Cake and the Caramelized Coconut Sugar Frosting sealed the deal. I am all in for baking with natural sweeteners and Shauna’s lovely cookbook is full of creative recipes from everyday snacks to special party-time desserts.
• I’m just as surprised as you are to see The Whole30 cookbook on this list, because I’m not into weight loss diets at all. I’ve never done a Whole30 challenge, not that I don’t think they help people, but because in our home, we aim to eat a balanced, healthy diet all the time. However, the publisher sent over a copy and I couldn’t put it down! The authors are terrific, engaging writers, and the book, although packed with info, is very readable and user-friendly. Will I be a future user? I’m still not sure. Leave me a comment with your Whole30 thoughts, okay?
• The boys and I made our first Doodle Cake after being inspired by Rosie and its simplicity saved the day when I was 9 month pregnant with Clara. Now we have The Sweetapolita Bakebook as a guide for many more birthday collaborations. It’s a beautiful book, well laid out and fun for all ages.
• I am loving the whimsical illustrations and the simple recipes in the brand new The Family Calendar Cookbook from Kelsey Banfield. It’s a very practical book, well suited for busy families who still make time to cook and eat together. And can I just say that any cookbook with a feature on Campfire Cooking gets my vote.

What is a cookbook you are currently loving?

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