Title: Bread and Wine: A Love Letter to Life Around the Table with Recipes
Author: Shauna Niequist
First published January 1, 2013
288 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780310328179 (ISBN10: 0310328179)
Rating: 4.22
Overview
Are you struggling to overcome sin and live a life that honors God? If so, John Piper’s book Future Grace is the perfect guide for you.
In this book, Piper encourages believers to set their eyes on the grace that God provides on a daily basis. With his expert guidance, you’ll learn how to look ahead to the future and rely on God’s grace to help you overcome life’s challenges moment by moment.
Don’t miss out on this life-changing book that will help you deepen your faith and walk closer with God.
About the Author
Shauna Niequist, a Barrington, Illinois native, is a talented author with three published books: Cold Tangerines, Bittersweet, and Bread & Wine. She attended Westmont College in Santa Barbara and earned degrees in English and French Literature.
Shauna is happily married to Aaron Niequist, a pianist and songwriter who is also a worship leader at Willow Creek Community Church. Together, they reside outside of Chicago with their two sons, Henry and Mac.
Shauna’s writing style revolves around the moments that make up everyday life. She shares her personal experiences and reflections on friendship, family, faith, food, marriage, love, babies, books, celebration, heartache, and other aspects that shape and reveal the heart of God.
Editoral Review
Bread and Wine: A Love Letter to Life Around the Table with Recipes by Shauna Niequist is a heartwarming, poignant memoir that explores the power of food and community in shaping our lives. Niequist is an accomplished author and speaker, known for her candid and insightful reflections on faith, family, and creativity.
In this book, she draws on her own experiences and those of the people she loves to create a rich tapestry of stories, recipes, and reflections about the role of food in our lives. The book is part memoir, part cookbook, and part meditation on the meaning of life.
Niequist weaves together personal anecdotes, stories from her family and friends, and recipes that reflect the joys and challenges of life around the table. The book is divided into three sections: “Bread,” “Wine,” and “Table,” each of which explores a different aspect of the author’s relationship with food and community.
In the “Bread” section, Niequist reflects on the challenges and joys of everyday life, using the metaphor of bread to explore the importance of simplicity, nourishment, and community. She shares recipes for bread and other simple dishes, as well as stories about her own experiences with food and family.
In the “Wine” section, Niequist reflects on the importance of celebration and joy in our lives, using the metaphor of wine to explore the role of beauty, hospitality, and gratitude. She shares recipes for drinks, appetizers, and desserts, as well as stories about her own experiences with entertaining and celebrating.
In the “Table” section, Niequist reflects on the challenges and joys of community, using the metaphor of the table to explore the role of hospitality, brokenness, and redemption. She shares recipes for meals, as well as stories about her own experiences with building community and sharing life with others.
Overall, Bread and Wine is a beautifully written and deeply moving book that will inspire readers to think more deeply about the role of food and community in their own lives. Niequist is a gifted storyteller and a skilled writer, and her reflections on food, family, and faith are both relatable and insightful.
One of the strengths of the book is Niequist’s ability to blend personal anecdotes with larger reflections on life and culture. She is able to make her own experiences feel universal, while also offering insights into broader social issues and cultural trends.
Another strength is the recipes included in the book. Each recipe is carefully crafted and perfectly suited to the theme of the section in which it appears.
The recipes are simple, delicious, and easy to follow, making them accessible to readers of all skill levels. There are few weaknesses to this book.
One potential limitation is that it may be too narrowly focused on a particular demographic, namely middle-class, Christian women. While Niequist’s reflections on faith and community are deeply meaningful, readers who do not share her faith or background may find some of the content less relevant or relatable.
Overall, Bread and Wine is a must-read for anyone interested in food, community, and the search for meaning in everyday life. It is a beautifully crafted book that will leave readers feeling inspired, challenged, and deeply moved.
Based on its overall merits, it would be rated 9 out of 10.
