To review or not review, that is the question

When I started this blog a little over 6 months ago, I was excited to write about food in the context of family life. I’ve been an avid cook for years, and in learning to cook, I amassed a solid collection of cookbooks– several hundred in total. I’m a nerd like that. I love nothing more than to hole up with a good book, and could in fact spend decades in a remote cave doing just that. As long as that cave came with nice wine and some fancy French cheeses.

When we moved to our NYC apartment in May 2005, one of the first things I did was have our contractor build a gigantic bookcase so that I could collect to my heart’s content.

I’m somewhat ashamed to admit that the lower two shelves and part of the third are all cookbooks. It’s an illness really, and I’m aware of it. I do want to clarify, however, that most of the books were bought before I had kids. Because these days it’s hard to find the time to sit around with a mug of steaming hot cider in my lap, casually flipping through a pile of cookbooks. That’s what retirement is for. Cookbooks, and yoga. That’s the dream at least.

Lucky for me, even my kids are getting into books. Here’s Sam, learning about biology.

That picture wasn’t necessary. But it makes me laugh every time I see it.

Since I started blogging, I’ve been surprised by the number of publishers and PR reps who have come knocking at my virtual door (aka my gmail account) for reviews. Particularly for cookbooks. And as a hoarder of cookbooks, it’s really hard to say no.

But I do.

Reviewing products or books has never been my intention. I want to keep this site free of anything overly promotional, I want to share stories and recipes, and funny anecdotes. I want to interact with readers, and hear what they’re up to in their kitchens – and in their lives.

But in some cases, if I’m contacted by someone whose product or book I think I’ll love, and feel that my readers should know about it, I’ll accept.

The truth is that I turn down most of the review requests that I receive because they don’t seem like books I’d be interested in buying, or products that I would use. So if you do see something reviewed on this site, you’ll know that it’s passed the initial sniff test and is something that has at least piqued my interest. And then, if I’ve really loved reading it, or using it, I’ll shout it from the rooftops.

I look forward to sharing those things that I’ve encountered that have been useful, entertaining, or have made my life easier in some way. So stay tuned, some fun posts to come….