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satisfy your sweet tooth with a book

2/3/2018

20 Comments

 
When I was younger, I used to read all the time, about anything, and it was unbelievably fun. I read dystopian novels and fantasy novels and all those books where a misunderstood main character unexpectedly gets chosen by a prophecy to save the world from destruction and with some magical friends along the way, he/she obliterates the bad guy off the face of the Earth (or whatever make-believe planet they're on). I would be sitting on the couch looking at ink on a paper and yet, at the same time, I was looking in on this shattered world from the outside. I lived vicariously through books!
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After a while, I stopped reading as much, mostly because I have a terrible time choosing books that I enjoy. I had read all the famous novels and didn't really have any left. Whenever I picked up a new book, they were all the same plot- a great plot- but I had read too many of the same dull thing. I didn't have the patience to explore the book world and keep reading until I found something new that intrigued me. Every now and then I'd get something to read, but nothing especially cool. A school reading assignment here, a book lying the house there... and that's all.

I started reading more when got to my new school that had an entire public library built into it and therefore had an entire public library's worth of books stacked into its shelves. On display, I found a bright book with pictures of melting ice cream laced all over the cover. If you know anything about me, you know I love ice cream! So, naturally, I was drawn to the book, titled Sweet Spot. I was delighted to see that the subtitle read "An Ice Cream Binge Across America" because that meant that it was literally just a novel about ice cream, and of course, I picked it up. ​Generally, people say "Don't judge a book by it's cover" but to be honest, if I was writing a book, I'd make the cover as appealing as possible because it's the first thing that somebody sees. Sort of like how you dress classily for job interviews to give a good first impression. You have to look good- and this book definitely did.

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I have never been a big fan of nonfiction. As much as I love to learn, I'd really rather watch a documentary or hear an expert speak about a topic than read about it. I find that it's hard to make an educational book that isn't dry throughout the entire 200+ pages. I think it's mostly because it's hard to take one topic and write about it in a way that it can appeal to anybody from anywhere, although this is certainly possible. An awesome example of this is the TV Series "Cosmos" (both the old and new versions), because it shows otherwise unaware people how important and gripping astronomy can be. The only difference is that "Cosmos" is on TV and other stories are in words, with fewer fascinating pictures. That's why nonfiction authors have a slightly more difficult task at hand.

PictureAmy Ettinger
I tend to think of myself as a curious person, so although I had doubts that I would enjoy this ice cream book that was probably just filled with bullets of facts and information, I brought it home. I ended up being stunned by how interesting it turned out to be. It was written remarkably, and it made me really admire the author, Amy Ettinger. She's a journalist who, like me (and probably you), lives for ice cream, and because of all the detailed research she's done for the book, she probably knows more about ice cream than either of us ever will. There's also probably more to the dessert "industry" than either of our minds could begin to fathom- but this book is a start. ​

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You can see Ettinger's dedication throughout the entire story: She visits a university meant to teach people how to make ice cream. She learns the difference between gelato and ice cream and frozen yogurt. She tells tales about decade-long feuds between ice cream truck vendors. She tries peculiar ice cream concoctions like goat's milk ice cream and mealworm ice cream. She learns where ice cream came from and where it's going. But the most important part of the book- and what makes it surprisingly serious- is how Ettinger crafts a story based upon America's long, loving relationship with everybody's favorite frozen treat- traced all the way back to George Washington. ​​This book is breezy, funny, educational, and even if you hate ice cream, you should read it (especially during the summertime or at the beach).

Thanks for joining me for my first February post! Come back next week for more!! ​
20 Comments
Nicky Sid
2/4/2018 08:07:36 am

I enjoy reading books too, prefer fiction to non fiction. I do like the ice cream book recommendation- it just inspires me to try various flavors of ice cream. Thanks for posting!

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Another Little Birdie
2/4/2018 10:29:07 am

Fiction just seems more thrilling, if you know what I mean, and it's hard to find the same thrill in nonfiction. But when you find one you like, it's awesome!!

Glad to hear from you again, Nicky :)

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Roxanne link
2/4/2018 10:40:35 am

Loved this post, you have a very nice blog! Oh and I need to check this book out, I’m craving ice cream now haha😂😍

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Another Little Birdie
2/4/2018 03:15:30 pm

Thanks, Roxanne!! You should totally read it especially in the summer when it's really hot and you can enjoy it alongside a nice, cool vanilla ice cream cone!! :)

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Alys link
2/4/2018 11:13:24 am

Wow this sounds like a really interesting read! I used to work in an ice cream shop so learnt quite a lot about it there, I could probably learn more though! Great post :)
Alys
https://alysjournals.wordpress.com/

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Another Little Birdie
2/4/2018 03:18:20 pm

It really is a great book. Also I would honestly love to work in an ice cream shop!! All the ice cream would be right there at my fingertips... although that might also be a bad thing :)

Thanks for commenting, Alys!

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Sophie link
2/4/2018 03:06:11 pm

I read a lot more when I was younger too, I find it's much harder to find what you enjoy when you're older. That book sounds great, although I'd be slightly concerned I was starving afterwards! x

Sophie
www.glowsteady.co.uk

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Another Little Birdie
2/4/2018 03:20:04 pm

I guess book tastes become too refined as we get older and then we're not as open to trying new things. Trying to change that habit, though! And also I was definitely starving even as I read the book haha :)

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Lisa Dimaline
2/4/2018 03:09:46 pm

I love the idea of this book it sounds so interesting and of course I would want to be eating ice cream 🍦 whilst reading 😊

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Another Little Birdie
2/4/2018 03:21:54 pm

I know I would love that combo! A nice dessert with a good book really is the ultimate pairing!! Was definitely a super intriguing book... taught me a lot more than I thought it would!!

Nice to hear from you again, Lisa! :)

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Annie link
2/4/2018 03:12:00 pm

Wow, this book sounds great! Who doesn't want to read a book about ice cream! I'm starting to really get into non-fiction books so I'll have to give this one a try! Thanks for sharing your thoughts! :-)

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Another Little Birdie
2/4/2018 03:24:02 pm

That's exactly what I thought when I picked up the book! You really can't go wrong with ice cream, can you? I'm glad you found the post helpful! Tell me what you think if you do end up reading it :)

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Melanie link
2/4/2018 03:15:43 pm

This sounds like a fantastic book and completely different to anything I would usually pick up. I enjoyed your review, it is fantastically detailed which is great 😃 thanks for sharing

Melanie | www.frasersfunhouse.com

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Another Little Birdie
2/4/2018 03:26:00 pm

It's always nice to have a small change especially in books where everything can become so similar plot-wise. I'm super happy you liked the post! I try to be as thorough as possible, glad you commented!

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Jemma link
2/4/2018 03:17:15 pm

This was a really interesting post. Thank you for sharing. I love reading but quite often don’t get the time. It’s actually one of my goals for this year, to read more.

Jemma x

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Another Little Birdie
2/4/2018 03:27:27 pm

I also find that I don't have time to read, but when I do, it's always a great time. That's great that you've set it as a resolution!! I'm sure you'll have no problem achieving your goals :)

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Monica link
2/4/2018 03:36:33 pm

I am trying to like non fiction more but yeah everytime I try to read one I get shocked by the fact that it's so dense and I can't plow through it that I end up dnf'ing a lot of it.

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Another Little Birdie
2/4/2018 03:40:59 pm

That's pretty much how I felt about all nonfiction (way too much information and not enough storytelling) but this book was honestly really interesting. It's humorous and educational at the same time and it's also about ice cream which everybody loves haha :)

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CorinneandKirsty link
2/4/2018 04:15:38 pm

I read a lot, especially during the week, two hours before bed (and then I sleep like a baby). I am not bing on non fiction though but always trying to expand the kind of things i read! xx corinne

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Another Little Birdie
2/4/2018 05:44:19 pm

Wow, that is awesome! I wish I managed my time well enough to do that, I know reading always making for better sleep haha!! I'll make that one of my February goals :)

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