February 21, 2012

Julia’s Child by Sarah Pinneo & Book and Food Giveaway! {Tales from the Trenches}

Julia's Child

Every so often I like to stop in and recommend a great read or two. It is next to impossible to recommend every single book I read, since I truly am one of those voracious readers who reads just about everything under the sun, but I like to highlight the best of the best and here’s a good one for you. Last month I received an advanced copy of a new novel, Julia’s Child by Sarah Pinneo. Sarah and I struck up an email correspondence last year when we were chatting about cookbook writing experiences. She also co-authored The Ski House Cookbook a few years ago and a few helpful tips for me.

Her newest work is an adorable story about Julia, Brooklyn-based mompreneuer fighting the good fight against expensive processed foods. To find a new solution to feeding her children healthy meals she starts an organic food company and comedic drama ensues. I would hate to spoil the rest of the story for you so I’ll leave the rest for you to read on your own.

Pinneo Kitchen

What I enjoyed about this book is Sarah’s energetic writing and relatable characters. There were many moments when I recognized Julia as an amalgamation of many of the women I knew living in New York. While Julia is clearly the heroine, she is not without her faults and Sarah doesn’t shy away from pointing out the shortcomings of her seize-the-day New York supermom. She is hilarious, ambitious, smart and, above all, totally normal.

There has been a lot of advanced praise for Julia’s Child and I encourage you to read some of the well-deserved reviews. To read the book yourself (and find out what happens!) pick up a copy today. Or, enter to win a copy below!

To get to know a little more about Sarah I had a little chat with her about the book!

1) What do you envision Julia doing after this story is over?

Knowing Julia, she’ll probably find another great cause and stir herself into a lather again. One of the points I wanted to make is that all mothers need to find a place to stop and enjoy all the things that have gone well without belaboring those things we cannot control. But Julia has trouble with that. She doesn’t like to sit still.

2) How much of yourself do you do see in Julia?
The short answer is: plenty. Writing the book, I dialed up Julia’s neuroses, creating a character who was at once  funnier and more hapless than I am. I’m not as hardcore about nutrition as she is. But researching the food business changes you. I can’t help but be aware of the ironies and inconsistencies that fire up Julia in the story.
3) What are your next personal writing projects?
I’m working on a story about a family with food allergies. I love to write about how food intersects with our societal norms, and the idea that a food which is perfectly healthy for one child is deadly for another is fascinating to me. As well as terrifying.

I am honored that today Sarah is giving away a copy of her new book AND a gift basket of food made by 100% mom-owned companies. Like Julia, these moms have grand ambitious to produce and sell healthy, organic food for the whole family.

This awesome gift basket includes treats from Vermont Peanut Butter, Snikiddy and Little Duck Organics!

Mom Food

To enter to win a copy of Julia’s Child:

1) Tell me what food item you would package and sell if you could.

2) Like The Naptime Chef on Facebook.

3) Sign up for The Naptime Chef weekly newsletter (upper right hand corner)

4) Like Julia’s Child on Facebook

5) Contest begins February, 21 at 7:00am ET and runs through February 27th at 12:00pm. Winner will be announced on Tuesday February 28th at 7:00am ET. Winner will be chosen by random.org. If prize is not claimed within a 48 hours a new winner will be chosen.

36 Responses to “Julia’s Child by Sarah Pinneo & Book and Food Giveaway! {Tales from the Trenches}”

  1. April V says:

    My grandma’s banana bread! 🙂

  2. April V says:

    Im a newsletter subscriber!

  3. Staci Rae says:

    My Nan’s lemon squares!  (Although then I couldn’t keep them all for myself!)

  4. Staci Rae says:

    I like the Naptime Chef on FB!

  5. Staci Rae says:

    I like Julia’s Child on Facebook!

  6. Staci Rae says:

    I subscribe to Naptime News!

  7. I am signed up to your newsletter 

  8. I like Julia’s Child on FB (I’m actually #100!!) 

  9. tricia hamilton says:

    I like you on Facebook

  10. tricia hamilton says:

    I subscribed to the newletter

  11. tricia hamilton says:

    i liked “julia’s child”

  12. tricia hamilton says:

    cheesecake:) Tiny little bites.

  13. Grncrayons says:

    This looks like a great read, I’m putting it on my book club list! As for a food I’d package and sell: fresh raspberries and blueberries year round, cool, washed, and ready to eat. Mmmm, gotta go get some now!

  14. Athena R says:

    Hmm…good question. I’d probably package cookies, since I love to bake.

  15. Athena R says:

    I already like you on FB.

  16. I would package and sell my pickles. 

  17. Nicolette says:

    Garlic hummus!  Can’t get enough of the stuff.  

  18. Miranda says:

    I would package homemade whole wheat blueberry muffins.

  19. Miranda says:

    Like NC on FB.

  20. Miranda says:

    Newsletter subscriber.

  21. Miranda says:

    Liked Julia’s child on FB.

  22. Heather says:

    Granola! Why is homemade granola so glorious, yet all the packaged varieties are so dreadful?

  23. Padilla330 says:

    I would package my granola. My son has a nut allergy but loves granola bars which are very hard to find without being made in the same plant, so I’ve mixed a few different recipes to come up with one we like!

    I already subscribe to nc blog and like you on fb and just liked Julia’s child!

  24. Like Julia’s Child on Facebook. I would sell chocolate-covered bacon.

  25. Nancy says:

    I am a newsletter subscriber, but I do not participate in Facebook…. Sorry!   I would sell jars of homemade pico de gallo, made from summer tomatoes from the garden.  It’s messy work, but it’s worth it!   So are the canned tomatoes BTW!

  26. Sarah_renfro says:

    My husband’s hot sauce – we have received so many postitive comments from the people we gave jars to.

  27. Our favorite lately is my chipotle bean burritos. SO much healthier than the frozen kind that my husband used to buy in bulk for work.

  28. Cindi Hoppes says:

    My husband makes delicious Cheesy Herb Biscuits!  We share them with
    family and friends…That is what I would package and sell…
    Many thanks, Cindi
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

  29. Cindi Hoppes says:

    I am a subscriber to your newsletter…
    Again, thanks very much!
    Cindi
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

  30. Cindi Hoppes says:

    Also,  I “Like” Julia’s Child’s Facebook Page.
    Merci bien, Cindi
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

  31. Kim Porter says:

    I would package and sell my husband’s salsa and guacamole if I could. Best I’ve ever tasted!

  32. Kim Porter says:

    Current FB fan of The Naptime Chef page. 

  33. Kim Porter says:

    Love your newsletter…keep ’em coming! Thanks!

  34. Sarah H.P. says:

    If I could package and sellf any food item, I would have to choose individual cakes or quick breads. I love giving mini quick breads as gifts around the holidays and making a career out of baking would be fantastic!