My First Popsicle

August 15, 2022
A collection of essays about our emotional connections to food. Inspired by the video of a friend's son enjoying a Popsicle for the first time, actor Mamet sought to create a book about a topic "ripe with associations." She enlisted the help of contributors from diverse backgrounds in art and culture. Most of the essays capture an isolated moment in time, making the book perfect for reading in short, leisurely spurts. Unsurprisingly, grandmothers are prominent characters in several of the pieces. Katie Holmes reminisces about making peanut butter cookies with her grandmother; Clara Vivier writes about her Gramma Guerrero's fresh flour tortillas; Naomi Fry recalls her grandmother's flavorful roast chicken. At the beginning, Mamet states her goal: "to show that our relationship to food is varied and complicated and can span myriad emotions, and sometimes those emotions lead us to dark places." Some of the essays are certainly serious in tone. Several writers contribute intimate stories of eating disorders, including Mamet herself. Ted Danson shares his first experience with bigotry; Rosie Perez shares the memory of her mother putting her in an orphanage; and Anita Lo offers her thoughts on eating and identity in light of the anti-Asian rhetoric of the Trump administration. Others take a decidedly lighter approach to the material. Jia Tolentino provides a recipe for chicken to be consumed after an acid trip; Andrew Rannells celebrates his mother's Jell-O cake; Jess Rona discusses her simple morning coffee ritual; and John Leguizamo exalts the power of sancocho, a soup that will transport you "to a magical setting straight out of a Gabriel Garc�a M�rquez novel." It's not all gustatory magic, but the book is an appealing reminder of the power of food. Other contributors include Patti Smith, Stephanie Danler, Gabourey Sidibe, Tony Hale, David Sedaris, and, perhaps inevitably, Ruth Reichl. A good gift for foodies.

COPYRIGHT(2022) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

August 15, 2022
In this nourishing collection, Girls star and Glamour columnist Mamet gathers food stories and recipes from an A-list cast of actors, comedians, musicians, and other celebrities. Contributions range from sweet childhood memories, such as Girls costar Andrew Rannells’s nostalgic Jell-O cake tradition and Patti Lupone’s love for the seafood she grew up eating on Long Island, to tart self-deprecating humor, including David Sedaris in true form, expounding on the humble hot dog. Other selections trend earnest, with several reflecting on recovery from eating disorders, which Mamet has struggled with herself; Fleabag star Sian Clifford’s take on intuitive eating is a standout. Each is accompanied by a recipe, such as for Rosie Perez’s tia’s pollo guisado (Perez defends store-bought Sazón seasoning) or the “Poor Man’s Cake” that Patti Smith’s mother made when the family ran out of eggs. A professed “potluck of words,” the tone and depth of the essays vary, though they are all generously served up, even when acerbic. “Isn’t that when food tastes best,” Mamet asks, “when it’s made with love?” There’s a cozy vibe, like a church supper cookbook (with famous congregants). It’s nifty to glimpse stars of the stage and screen through their menus in this delectable project. Agent: Mel Flashman, Janklow & Nesbit Assoc.

October 1, 2022
Actor Mamet's project springs from her idea that, of the bare necessities we need to survive (air, water, sleep, food), food stands alone in its ability to create emotions, memories, and connections. Contributed by fellow actors, writers, chefs, and other creators, 50 essays prove Mamet's point and then some across a whole spectrum of feelings and flavors. One carefully prepared item conquers all, repeatedly, in Patti Smith's (""poor man's cake""), Stephanie Danler's (shallot vinaigrette), and Sloane Crosley's (kale pesto) pieces. Sweet teeth rule in essays from Michaela Ja� Rodriguez (organic homemade popsicles) and Matt Flanders (the pudding-based ""cookie salad""). Rosie Perez (pollo guisado) thinks of her aunt, and Tulica Singh (ras malai), her father. Reflecting on the pandemic, David Sedaris sheds shelter-in-place pounds while balancing hot dogs and sugar-free Jell-O, and Jia Tolentino recalls preparing roast chicken for friends as a soft landing from pre-COVID acid trips. Some recipes are long and detailed while others fit in a few lines, and some aren't here at all as their authors focus, instead, on the joy, sadness, loneliness, connection, embarrassment, pride, gifts, and losses the food engenders.

COPYRIGHT(2022) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

November 1, 2022

Inspired by a video of her friend's child experiencing a popsicle for the first time, actress Mamet assembled an eclectic group of artists, authors, chefs, and more to contribute essays on food and the memories and emotions we associate with it. The essays evoke painful tales of disordered eating, childhoods with food and without, entering adulthood and the daunting task of cooking for yourself, relationships ending, and relationships beginning. Each piece explores how food is tied to important moments in our lives. Patti Smith shares the "poor man's cake" her mom scraped together when they were low on food, creating happy memories and hiding the financial scare. Richard Shepard recounts a special trip to Japan to experience Sukiyabashi Jiro's renowned sushi that he almost couldn't enjoy because of nerves. Kwame Onwuachi shares the recipe for a delicious veal blanquette that he enjoyed after a date stood him up. Mamet shares how her grandmother's plum pudding served as an escape during a difficult childhood. Each essay showcases the powerful connection between our emotions and food. VERDICT Recommended for lovers of food and essays.--Sarah Grace Glover

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