Each week we look at a collection of a few books on a topic. You can explore the books on your own, or use them as a foundation for building a display in your library!
(All the book links below lead to Amazon; if you click on one and buy things from Amazon, CMLE may receive a small percentage of Amazon’s profits. Thanks!)
The seasons are turning and the snowy Minnesota weather is right on the horizon, so we here at CMLE have a warm goody basket of toasty reads to keep you cozy.
“The ultimate guide to the history, science and community behind coffee. Here, Tristan Stephenson explores the origins of coffee, its journey around the world and cultural influence. A section on Farming, Roasting & Assessing coffee takes an in-depth look at the growing and harvesting process, the evolution of the coffee roaster and the science behind the many flavours of coffee. There is also advice on buying coffee, understanding the differences between espresso blends and single origin coffee, packing and storing. We then move into Espresso and get to grips with grinding and making espresso-based drinks including the latte, cappuccino, flat white and macchiato, as well as pouring latte art and introducing chocolate, sugar and syrups. Other Brewing Methods showcases a selection of classic brewing techniques that bring the coffee to your kitchen table, from the mocha pot and French press to pourover and siphon brewers. Finally a section on Enjoying Coffee offers 25 recipes for coffee-based drinks and baked treats to serve them with. From iced to Irish, espresso martinis to coffee beer, this is an essential anthology for the coffee enthusiast.”
Pick Your Stitch, Build a Blanket: 80 Knit Stitches, Endless Combinations by Doreen Marquart
“Best-selling author Doreen L. Marquart shows how to feature your favorite stitches in eye-catching afghans. Gain an understanding of gauge, stitch counts, and repeats, and work confidently with any stitch from any source. You’ll refer to this resource again and again.”
“Ferrandi, the French School of Culinary Arts in Paris—dubbed “the Harvard of gastronomy” by Le Monde newspaper—is the ultimate pastry-making reference. From flaky croissants to paper-thin mille-feuille, and from the chestnut cream–filled Paris-Brest to festive yule logs, this comprehensive book leads aspiring pastry chefs through every step—from basic techniques to Michelin-level desserts. Featuring advice on how to equip your kitchen, and the essential doughs, fillings, and decorations, the book covers everything from quick desserts to holiday specialties and from ice creams and sorbets to chocolates.
Ferrandi, an internationally renowned professional culinary school, offers an intensive course in the art of French pastry making. Written by the school’s experienced teaching team of master pâtissiers and adapted for the home chef, this fully illustrated cookbook provides all of the fundamental techniques and recipes that form the building blocks of the illustrious French dessert tradition, explained step by step in text and images. Practical information is presented in tables, diagrams, and sidebars for handy reference. Easy-to-follow recipes are graded for level of difficulty, allowing readers to develop their skills over time.
Whether you are an amateur home chef or an experienced pâtissier, this patisserie bible provides everything you need to master French pastry making.”
“As leaves fall from their trees, animals huddle against the cold, and frost creeps across windows, everyone knows—winter is on its way!
Join a brother and sister as they explore nature and take a stroll through their twinkling town, greeting all the signs of the coming season. In a series of conversations with everything from the setting sun to curious deer, they say goodbye to autumn and welcome the glorious first snow of winter in Kenar Pak’s Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter.”
“Higher, faster, further―skiing is more than a hobby, it’s a way of life. Originally an adventurous way to move through ice and snow, skiing is now the number one wintertime recreational activity. More popular than ever before, the snow lures thousands of die-hard fans to the airy heights of the world’s mountains. Anyplace where even a few flakes fall, there are dedicated skiers―forever hunting for the longest run in the Andes, the most spectacular downhill in the Alps, the most legendary chalet in the Rockies. In this book, skiing expert Gabriella Le Breton assembles everything passionate skiers want to know, and a lot more―the most beautiful views, the most remote resorts, the best restaurants. And of course, real skiing legends have their say, providing tips for life on the two pieces of wood that mean everything.”
“Banish those cold-weather blues and embrace winter with the power of crafts and the Danish practice of hygge!
Want to survive those dark and freezing winter months? The Danish do it with hygge—a concept that’s all about coziness, simple pleasures, and the company of loved ones. Embrace this warmhearted philosophy with these 25 creative crafts and recipes, which range from gorgeous trinkets to snuggly woolens and tasty treats. You don’t have to be an expert with a crochet hook or a whiz in the kitchen to complete the projects, which include easy-to-follow instructions and photographs. Make vintage ornaments, bake plum and orange blondies, crochet boot cuffs, and more—and you’ll feel hygge warming you no matter how cold it is outside.”