Dearest Readers,
Winter has arrived in El Paso and I have been wearing faux fur in an effort to remain thawed. Even so, tomorrow PC and I are going to brave the elements (mostly just a little cold) for a mountain hike. However, I plan to spend some time on our rain-forecast Saturday, curled up in my loft with several books. Just listened to the last words of The Baker’s Secret by Stephen P. Kiernan. Hoping to entice you to give this book a try with my review.
Title Talk, 01.2018
When I started my blog, I really envisioned writing regular book reviews but somehow I have moved in a different direction. In 2018, I plan to review at least 12 books, one a month, and have even penciled in my planner the dates for those reviews (a winter bucket list activity). Starting the year off with a wonderful read.
The Baker’s Secret
[source]
The Fine Print
- Format read: Audible (listened to)
- Publisher: William Morrow
- Release date: May 2, 2017
- Genre: Historical fiction, World War II
- Pages: 320 pages
- Amazon rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- Goodreads rating:
Editorial Reviews
“This many-faceted, thought-provoking story prompts soul-searching about life, war, and death.” (Booklist)
“Remarkably touching, insightful and timely… bridges several powerful stories of life and death that explore the cost of courage and the true meaning of heroism… Illuminating, uplifting and ultimately redemptive.” (RT Book Reviews (4 1/2 stars))
Summary
This novel is the story of D-Day from the French perspective: how the people lived under Nazi occupation, and how they believed the Allies would never come. Led by Emma, a 22-year-old who is determined to help her fellow villagers survive, this is not a story of armies and battles, but of people struggling to keep hope alive by caring for each other. [source]
Favorite Quote
When Emma was fifteen Uncle Ezra had taught her reduction, boiling a full pot of beef or chicken stock down to a quarter cup of spectacular concentrated flavor. Now she understood that there was another kind of reduction, and she had allowed it to happen to her: living made small, a way of life diminished and humiliated.
My Review
I was looking for something sumptuous to read when I stumbled across The Baker’s Secret by Stephen P. Kiernan. I think it was suggested for me on Amazon. So grateful that it was because 3 paragraphs into the sample, I was hungering for more. Kiernan pens this poignant story with beautiful, descriptive language.
Consider Emmanuelle: lovely, gifted in the kitchen, a fawn of twenty-two years. In any other time, the modest bakery where she was employed would serve as a center of commerce and community. In another era she would be distracted, preparing sweets for her Philippe, or taking all day to boil chicken stock down to a reduction so potent with concentrated flavor it could cast spells, all while dreaming of the drape of her someday bridal dress. [The Baker’s Secret, pg. 1]
But I purchased the Audible version in hopes that the narration would be as entertaining and the story as perfectly read as that of The Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly. Which is my new favorite book. I wasn’t disappointed and have just realized why…narrator Cassandra Campbell brings both stories to life with her skillful range of voices and accents.
Like The Lilac Girls, this book is also set during World War II. You may have noticed I gravitate toward historical fiction written about that era. And this book is about baking bread. Which also spoke to me. I have a yeast starter or mother yeast that has been in the family for over 75 years. Making homemade bread is such an act of love. And Emmanuelle’s bread baking begins as such but evolves into exercise for survival. Her own, that of her beloved Mémé, and before long, the subsistence of many living in the small village on the Normandy coast.
But Emmanuelle, the savior of Vergers, isn’t completely pure of thought or benevolent of action. She passes judgement on many of the neighbors to whom she extends assistance. At times, she grumbles with impatience at her feeble-minded grandmother. Emma isn’t an unbelievable Mother Teresa persona. But a normal young woman who gathers her wits to keep her village alive.
I invite you to consider The Baker’s Secret, in particular the Audible version, for your next ‘read’. It will be a story that will stick with you for some time to come.
Your Turn
What are you reading? Do you have a favorite go-to genre? I am participating in a couple of reading challenges this year in hopes of branching out beyond books set during World War II. Joining Kristen and Rachel for their Book by Book challenge.
And hoping to follow along with Daenel and Carla for Book Girl Magic Reading Challenge.
And then there’s my Goodreads challenge to read 25 books and The Modern Mrs. Darcy’s 2018 Reading Challenge.
Are you doing a reading challenge or three this year? Won’t you share in a comment below?
Thank you for stopping by. Hope there are some quiet moments this weekend where you and I can curl up with a good book.
Hugs and kisses,
Becky
I love books! I am a retired academic language therapist. I taught children in grades 2-6 with dyslexia to read for 33 years. I now work part time for my sisters toy store. Our deal was if I worked part time for her she would add a books section. I get to choose the books and I love it. You need to read “Before We Were Yours”. It was wonderful!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Oh, Becky, so nice to meet you. Thank you for coming by and for leaving a comment. You did such important work as a dyslexia specialist. My daughter struggled(s) with something that was never identified as dyslexia in all of the testing but certainly fit the diagnosis. She has created her own coping mechanisms and is a very successful neonatal nurse. Thank you for opening the doors to reading and learning for so many children in your 33 years. Bravo!
And what fun to be teamed up with your sister now, working in her toy store. Where do you gals live? I have a favorite toy store I visit in Tipp City, Ohio when we are up that way to see PC’s parents. What a happy place to work. Good for you to add books among the toys. They are equally entertaining and playful.
I happen to have “Before We Were Yours” on my Kindle app. Just finishing up about three books right now and then will get started with it. Have heard many good things.
Thank you again for stopping by. Hope you will return and comment again when you do. XO
Danielle
Well I know what book I am going to pick up this weekend. I just finished two books on our trip and was looking for a new one. It sounds fantastic. Thanks for the recommendation.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Yay, yay! If you haven’t tried Audible, I would recommend trying it! I love being read to by Cassandra Campbell…she does such a fabulous job. I listen in the car, at the gym, cleaning house, ironing. I know you have little ones and it is much harder for you to listen to a book but just keep Audible in mind. Please let me know what you just finished and what you think about The Baker’s Secret. XO
Debs
I love reading book reviews and have found many favourite books that way. This one sounds like one to put on my ‘to read’ list. I am rubbish at listening to audio books, I just drift off to sleep too easily! I have phases of reading different genres. I love a good mystery, but a couple of years ago fell into reading a few psychological thrillers. One of my favourite trilogies is The Carnivia Trilogies by Jonathan Holt. Set in Venice, they captured my imagination and attention almost immediately. I think the first book in the series in The Abomination. Even my husband enjoyed reading them, and our literary tastes don’t often coincide!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Haven’t heard of the Carnivia Triologies but will investigate them! I read a few books that would probably fall into the psychological thriller category several years ago and then reverted back to my Holocaust/historical fiction.
Being slightly ADD myself, I thought I would become too distracted to listen to audio books – and that does happen – but not as much as I had anticipated. Love that I can rewind 30 secs at a time just in case I’ve nodded off or turned my attentions elsewhere momentarily.
curlycraftymom
This sounds like a great book to read, I haven’t heard of it yet. Glad Amazon recommended it to you (don’t you love that Amazon helps us out in that way?). I like that you shared your favorite line from the book, I sometimes highlight lines and go back to them. Sharing 12 books sounds like a great goal and I always enjoy reading them!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Leslie Roberts Clingan
You know who writes the best book reviews? Daenel at Living Outside the Stacks. She has a new review today about a Holocaust book. I don’t which of us prefers that type book more. I have borrowed her review format but she is the queen of a great book reviews.
Hope you will keep “The Baker’s Secret” in mind. The language, the prose was so well written.