On My Nightstand: The Art of Baking Blind

Those who know me, IRL or online, know that I am a bibliophile. I love the written word, and will voraciously consume books of nearly any genre. It seems only natural, therefore, for me to share my thoughts on my never-ending, or is it ever-growing, reading list.

Which brings us to a new series — On My Nightstand.

Typically, this series will run on Wednesdays, giving everyone a chance to stop by their local indie bookshop (or order on Amazon) before the weekend. This week, however, I am participating in a blog book tour and was assigned a Saturday. Don’t worry — this post was written and scheduled before Shabbat.

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley earlier this summer. I anticipated enjoying it because (a) I am a true Anglophile; (b) I love cooking shows; and (c) I have a new interest in all things culinary.

This book did not disappoint.

While not in the running as a literary tour-de-force, The Art of Baking Blind makes no pretense of being anything other than a delightful read. With an interesting premise and multi-dimensional characters, it moves back-and-forth between the past and present rather seamlessly. Most of all, it is a great introduction to some traditional British baked goods.

What struck me most was that each character, though flawed in his or her own way, was able to draw out empathy from the reader. Even those who started out dislikable. A great reminder that there is always far more going on beneath the surface than first appears.

Highlight: I had never heard of a Victoria Sandwich before this book. It is one of the first items to appear in the baking competition in the book. It sounded so lovely that I looked up a recipe and made it for my family. Delish.