book reviews
The Vegetable Gardening Book: Your Complete Guide to Growing an Edible Organic Garden from Seed to Harvest , by television and podcast host Joe Lamp’l, draws on the author’s insights from years of interviewing gardening experts. Even seasoned vegetable gardeners can learn from this comprehensive book. It covers how to design a garden, choose tools, start seeds, select plant varieties, build raised beds and support structures,
encourage pollinators, create biodiverse soil and reduce maintenance. Paperback from Cool Springs Press. $28.99.
Hero for the Hungry: The Life and Work of Norman Borlaug , written by Peggy Thomas and illustrated by Sam Kalda, tells the story of a 20th-century American known for dedicating his life’s work to ending world hunger. The 157-page book designed for ages 10-15 is written in an engaging, kid-friendly style with colorful illustrations. The story follows Borlaug from his childhood on a small farm to his innovation improving wheat productivity that helped feed millions during a famine and earned him a Nobel Peace Prize. Paperback from Feeding Minds Press of the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture. $15.99.
Hillary and the Ladybug Butterflies , by Mary Cohen, William Dandurand, Gary Revel and Elisabeth Revel with illustrations and photography by William Dandurand, is the 18th book in the Adventures of Hillary the Little Ladybug children’s series. Here, the ever-curious Hillary witnesses two “ladybugs” with unusually large and beautiful wings—the mythical “Ladybug Butterflies.” She then
embarks on a dangerous adventure and eventually helps prove ladybugs and ladybug butterflies can live in harmony. Hardcover from Jongleur Books. $29.79.
Serendipity: A History of Accidental Culinary Discoveries by Oscar Farinetti is a treasure-trove for foodies with a curious mind. Through engaging interviews and entertaining details, Farinetti, the founder of the food chain Eataly, tells almost 50 stories of how some of the world’s most popular food inventions actually came about by chance. These include such successes as the ice-cream cone, brownies, corn flakes, Coca-Cola, french fries and rum, coming from locations around the world, including right here in California. Hardcover from Apollo Publishers. $24.99.
Plant-Based Gourmet: Vegan Cuisine for the Home Chef by Suzannah Gerber has 150 original recipes for vegans or anyone interested in nutrition-minded recipes. It includes main dishes, breads and baked goods, appetizers, brunch and breakfast dishes, soups and sauces, desserts and beverages. It also has sections on using herbs
and spices, advice on prepping ahead, tips for using knives and cooking tools, instructions for techniques like sous vide and even plating advice. Hardcover from Apollo Publishers. $35.
California Bountiful’s Book Reviews highlight books related to rural living and California agriculture. To suggest a book, email cbmagazine@californiabountiful.com.
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