I Read a Book!
I understand people read books all the time, and this isn’t really much of a feat. It is just so rare that I actually finish a book I’m reading for pleasure. Prior to this I flew through my Wil Wheaton books, but I love how he writes and his stories. I usually don’t want to read since there is plenty of it to do during school (especially with the Chicano studies minor I had).
Last year, around this time, I started reading Kitchen Confidential by Tony Bourdain. Before I go any further, let me say I hate abbreviating people’s names, but having heard Anthony be called Tony on his show for such a long time, that is how I think of him. I enjoyed the book, but once school started I pretty much abandoned it. Over the next few quarters I’d pick at it here and there. When the summer started, I was still in the “First Course” of the book. I love that he separates the sections like that. It starts with Appetizer, then has the First through Third courses, Dessert, and Coffee and a Cigarette.
After reading this I realized I just really enjoy reading about other people’s life experiences. It became obvious since I loved this book so much, and the ones Wil wrote. I don’t think I’ve ever written a book review btw…you can probably get some great ones of Tony’s book online : ) I just wanted to share a little about it. Tony writes very well, and his personality comes through strong in the text. Throughout reading it, I found myself sharing various quotes with friends that just cracked me up. And I was really trying hard to not push them all on everyone. I wish I had bookmarked a few of them. Even the last lines of the Appetizer were mouth-dropping. So much that, I don’t want to give that part away.
For the sake of moving on with this blog post, I just found one of the quotes I like from the Second Course: “A proper sauté pan, for instance, should cause serious head injury if brought down hard against someone’s skull.” The quotes get better and better as the book goes on. He also writes very visually; it is very easy to just imagine the scene he is describing -the only thing really missing is the smell (whether that be good or bad at that particular moment).
The majority of the book just takes you through Tony’s life: the good and the bad. It is interesting to see him looking back on his life in the way he does. He also feels very open in how he just puts you right in the middle of a mess involving drugs and alcohol. That quote I posted is from the chapter where he tells you things you need in your kitchen to be a pro. That was probably the slowest chapter for me, but it was still interesting. I feel that the book keeps a good pace, and that you will probably fly through the book, unlike me.
I loved the end of the book. The stories and his thoughts. I really recommend reading this; it’s a little over 300 pages. If you like his show, No Reservations, I’m guessing you’ll like this book.
