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Stir: My Broken Brain and the Meals That Brought Me Home
An exquisite memoir about how food connects us to听ourselves, our lives, and each other.
听
At 28, Jessica Fechtor was happily immersed in graduate school and her young marriage, and thinking about starting a family. Then one day, she went for a run and an aneurysm burst in her brain. She nearly died. She lost her sense of smell, the sight in her left eye, and was forced to the sidelines of the life she loved.
Jessica鈥檚 journey to recovery began in the kitchen as soon as she was able to stand at the stovetop and stir. There, she drew strength from the restorative power of cooking and baking. Written with intelligence, humor, and warmth,听Stir听is a heartfelt examination of what it means to nourish and be nourished."听
Woven throughout the narrative are 27 recipes for dishes that comfort and delight.听For readers听of M.F.K.Fisher, Molly Wizenberg, and Tamar Adler, as well as Oliver Sacks, Jill Bolte Taylor, and Susannah Cahalan,听Stir听is sure to inspire, and send you straight to the kitchen
听
At 28, Jessica Fechtor was happily immersed in graduate school and her young marriage, and thinking about starting a family. Then one day, she went for a run and an aneurysm burst in her brain. She nearly died. She lost her sense of smell, the sight in her left eye, and was forced to the sidelines of the life she loved.
Jessica鈥檚 journey to recovery began in the kitchen as soon as she was able to stand at the stovetop and stir. There, she drew strength from the restorative power of cooking and baking. Written with intelligence, humor, and warmth,听Stir听is a heartfelt examination of what it means to nourish and be nourished."听
Woven throughout the narrative are 27 recipes for dishes that comfort and delight.听For readers听of M.F.K.Fisher, Molly Wizenberg, and Tamar Adler, as well as Oliver Sacks, Jill Bolte Taylor, and Susannah Cahalan,听Stir听is sure to inspire, and send you straight to the kitchen
271 pages, Hardcover
First published June 23, 2015
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6,000 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 519 reviews
November 22, 2017
The author suffered a brain aneurysm in the gym and this brought her to the brink of death and a slow recovery with many operations. All this is mildly interesting, not terribly because she doesn't know any details, she just has the operations and describes the side effects and how she feels. Then we get a recipe.
At some point in the story Jessica marries her boyfriend Eli who likes to cook. She starts a food blog Sweet Amandine and since she can't work or study cooks a lot. All the recipes sound pretty nice but I skimmed over most. I was interested in the "Broken Brain" part of the book which was so-so, really the best part of it was the author has a lovely personality, just the sort of person everyone would like for a friend. I can't see the point of reading recipes if there isn't a picture of the finished dish especially in a non-cook book.
Three stars. Meaning it was ok, it wasn't a bad read, but not a book I'm enthusing over.
At some point in the story Jessica marries her boyfriend Eli who likes to cook. She starts a food blog Sweet Amandine and since she can't work or study cooks a lot. All the recipes sound pretty nice but I skimmed over most. I was interested in the "Broken Brain" part of the book which was so-so, really the best part of it was the author has a lovely personality, just the sort of person everyone would like for a friend. I can't see the point of reading recipes if there isn't a picture of the finished dish especially in a non-cook book.
Three stars. Meaning it was ok, it wasn't a bad read, but not a book I'm enthusing over.
August 3, 2016
(4.5) For me this is right up there with Molly Wizenberg and Ruth Reichl in terms of how the author manages to merge food writing with a frank recounting of personal experience with crisis and heartache. At age 28 Fechtor, then a graduate student in history and Yiddish, collapsed on a treadmill with a brain bleed. A subsequent surgery to clip the aneurysm left her blind in one eye and with a caved-in section at her temple, which she later had corrected by a plastic surgeon. During her long recovery process she started a food blog, Sweet Amandine.
At the end of each chapter she shares recipes that alternate between simple, favorite dishes and more involved ones. It鈥檚 that unpretentiousness that really endears her to me. She doesn鈥檛 think she was particularly brave in getting through an unwanted illness; nor does she think the perfect almond macaroon or cherry clafoutis is beyond anyone鈥檚 capability. Instead, she gives a glimpse into an ordinary life turned upside down and the foods that helped her regain a zest for life by reconnecting her with her family and her Jewish heritage.
鈥淣ear-death forces us to remember. It pushes us into a state of aggressive gratitude that throws what鈥檚 big and what鈥檚 small into the sharpest relief.鈥�
At the end of each chapter she shares recipes that alternate between simple, favorite dishes and more involved ones. It鈥檚 that unpretentiousness that really endears her to me. She doesn鈥檛 think she was particularly brave in getting through an unwanted illness; nor does she think the perfect almond macaroon or cherry clafoutis is beyond anyone鈥檚 capability. Instead, she gives a glimpse into an ordinary life turned upside down and the foods that helped her regain a zest for life by reconnecting her with her family and her Jewish heritage.
鈥淣ear-death forces us to remember. It pushes us into a state of aggressive gratitude that throws what鈥檚 big and what鈥檚 small into the sharpest relief.鈥�
May 19, 2015
I like books like this. Real life interspersed with the food that goes along with it all. I just didn't enjoy THIS book all that much. Sure, I was touched by Jessica's plight with her brain anyeurism, and all the pain and hardship that went along with it. I enjoyed that much of the book, especially her fantastic sense of humor with it all. I was happy for her to have such a strong family, friends, a husband that stuck with her through everything. It just didn't flow for me, and the recipes were not my kind of food. I hate to sound mean. She told her story. It just didn't grab me. While it wasn't a waste of my time, I was a bit disappointed. For lovers of food and true life, I'd recommend "Keeping the Feast" or "Toast".
May 30, 2015
* Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Avery for an ARC.
I found to be an enjoyable read since it combines several interests of mine - I normally gravitate toward books about medical/health issues, and I also like food-related memoirs in general.
The book focuses on the author's journey recovering from a brain aneurysm that occurred when she was in her 20s in grad school. She experienced multiple complications along the way, and eventually found that her love of food and cooking was a good way to improve both her physical as well as cognitive function. Due to the aneurysm, she was physically weak, but even worse, found it very difficult to concentrate on anything for more than a few minutes at a time. A friend of hers initially recommended that she start a food blog, and from there she began gradually getting back into the kitchen and posting recipes to the blog (not revealing the reasons behind the blog).
As an occupational therapist, I always hope to be able to help patients recover from various illnesses, injuries, etc. while integrating things they most enjoy into their treatment sessions. As cooking was something Fechtor previously enjoyed, and OTs often work on kitchen/cooking skills with patients, it would seem to be the perfect opportunity for therapy. Unfortunately, the one example the author provided of contact with an occupational therapist was not the most positive, so not sure if she decided to relate only that specific interaction, or if all of the occupational therapy she had during her stay in a rehab hospital was negative.
I would definitely recommend to all those who love food and books about food (includes many recipes as well). Would not recommend reading when hungry however!
I found to be an enjoyable read since it combines several interests of mine - I normally gravitate toward books about medical/health issues, and I also like food-related memoirs in general.
The book focuses on the author's journey recovering from a brain aneurysm that occurred when she was in her 20s in grad school. She experienced multiple complications along the way, and eventually found that her love of food and cooking was a good way to improve both her physical as well as cognitive function. Due to the aneurysm, she was physically weak, but even worse, found it very difficult to concentrate on anything for more than a few minutes at a time. A friend of hers initially recommended that she start a food blog, and from there she began gradually getting back into the kitchen and posting recipes to the blog (not revealing the reasons behind the blog).
As an occupational therapist, I always hope to be able to help patients recover from various illnesses, injuries, etc. while integrating things they most enjoy into their treatment sessions. As cooking was something Fechtor previously enjoyed, and OTs often work on kitchen/cooking skills with patients, it would seem to be the perfect opportunity for therapy. Unfortunately, the one example the author provided of contact with an occupational therapist was not the most positive, so not sure if she decided to relate only that specific interaction, or if all of the occupational therapy she had during her stay in a rehab hospital was negative.
I would definitely recommend to all those who love food and books about food (includes many recipes as well). Would not recommend reading when hungry however!
November 20, 2015
This is a wonderful, moving, heartfelt memoir. Jessica endured brain surgery with strength and courage. She also is a terrific cook and the book includes her some of her favorite recipes and how cooking helped her recover. It's also a love story (how she met her husband and how he helped her through her health issues) and the way her family stood by her. Jessica has a way of describing food that is really unique. I also enjoyed reading about the various places she has lived, especially her time in Seattle. This book will make you grateful for the little things in life. I highly recommend it!
May 29, 2016
When the the exact book you need comes into your hands at the perfect time.
Read
February 21, 2016This is a gem of a book about a woman who is struck down by a life threatening brain aneurism and then finds healing in food and cooking. The author鈥檚 writing is superb as she describe the visceral experience of having escaped blood dripping down her spinal cord or the transcendence of tasting a dried sour cherry for the first time. The book鈥檚 organization is unique: she tells a life story that involves food and in the next chapter she provides an annotated recipe and picture. The recipes are simple, flavorful, sustaining and full of love as is the book.
October 25, 2023
3.5 stars - this is a typical memoir, excellently written and quite enjoyable. Like most memoirs, it offers you a glimpse into another's life (for me, this meant I learned about it's like to always be going to doctors and also what it's like to have your life shattered, then slowly healed). It builds empathy.
March 7, 2023
Delightful!
October 9, 2023
This book was fun to read. Although she had a brain aneurysm and fully recovered, she experienced some of the same symptoms I did after my TBI. Plus I loved her desire and love of cooking and being in the kitchen. Book also had many recipes of her favorites.
November 29, 2015
"Runner who suffers a burst brain aneurysm and recovers" hooked me (plus, I have to say: that's an awesome cover), so I signed up for a galley copy.
I enjoyed it. It's intelligently written - part indulgent food writing, part memoir (and a good one), part cookbook. There's a sweet love story tucked away in there that I really enjoyed.
On the foodie writing: I enjoyed it. It gets a touch overly romantic and flowery now and again for my own personal preference, but I admit I haven't thought too deeply about my own relationship to cooking, and food prep is something I only enjoy when listening to a book or music or chatting.
That said, I can understand a couple things: first, why she is romantic about this (for good reason!), and second, when you're writing food writing you've got to emulate a sensory and tactile experience to really engage readers. If it doesn't make the other person crave it, you're missing the mark. M.F.K. Fisher's essay on canned tomato soup in a cup had me immediately wanting to curl up with a tomato soup and a sprinkle of cinnamon, even though the idea sounded strange and almost appalling (but turned out quite tasty, because I HAD to make it). John Thorne's manly love letter to cheese, onion, bread and beer had me wanting to find a medieval pub and sit down with a tankard of ale, a hunk of bread and some hard cheese.
A good food writer is going to inspire you to go DO and go EAT. This made me want to make Challah and Cholent and devour it. It made me hungry.
The recipes: all are "doable" and not overly complex. She keeps things largely pretty simple and friendly to a spare kitchen without all the latest gadgets. I loved her list of what she had for her kitchen when she started. That said, there are a couple recipes that are more labor intensive than I will ever devote myself to. I bookmarked several from the book to try, and went straight to her blog to see what else she had.
Her story: she makes herself easy to relate to and she has some great insight. Plenty of text was highlighted on the kindle. I particularly loved her (mental) rebuttal to people telling her that "these things happen for a reason." Things happen, period. And to me, that's comforting.
When someone says "things happen for a reason," it assigns a moral value to whatever did or didn't happen. It implies there's something you "needed" to learn to be a better person and the universe or God or whatever is sending it your way to make a point. This strikes me as superstition, not faith. You don't slap a child's hand down on a lit burner and then tell him "Hot!" after the fact. Why would a deity do this to you?
Bad things happen because we're mortal and vulnerable. We learn lessons from those things because of the kind of people we are - or choose to be. If your beliefs help you in this, that is faith, and it's working for you.
Overall I enjoyed it. Looking forward to trying some of her recipes.
May 11, 2015
God, I always feel like a jerk when I rate a memoir less than four stars. I feel like a double jerk when I rate it three stars not because it was a substandard book, but mainly because it wasn't what I was expecting (and that has to do more with the marketing department than with the author herself). Here's the thing: Stir is being marketed for fans of Oliver Sacks (as well as tons of other people). And Oliver Sacks' books tend to stray towards more scientific (which makes sense considering he's a neurologist). So, I had assumed that Stir would be somewhat scientific, but it wasn't. Again, that's not a bad thing. But for someone who had assumed that it would be, not getting it led to some disappointment on my part.
My main issue with Stir was that I was less intrigued with the author's personal life than I should have been while reading a memoir. Don't get me wrong, I, of course, sympathized with all that she was going through. I just found myself wandering and not really engaged while the author was going on about her childhood and her relationship with her husband.
The food aspect of Stir was well-done. I kept looking at the recipes and thinking "I could totally make that", which of course is a lie since I can't cook worth a damn. It did make me want to head out to my local bakery, though, and pick up some sweets.
Overall, I thought that Stir was just okay. If you're looking for a more in-depth look into what caused the author's aneurysm or anything super detailed, then you shan't find it here. If you're looking for a memoir about recovery and food, then I recommend Stir.
My main issue with Stir was that I was less intrigued with the author's personal life than I should have been while reading a memoir. Don't get me wrong, I, of course, sympathized with all that she was going through. I just found myself wandering and not really engaged while the author was going on about her childhood and her relationship with her husband.
The food aspect of Stir was well-done. I kept looking at the recipes and thinking "I could totally make that", which of course is a lie since I can't cook worth a damn. It did make me want to head out to my local bakery, though, and pick up some sweets.
Overall, I thought that Stir was just okay. If you're looking for a more in-depth look into what caused the author's aneurysm or anything super detailed, then you shan't find it here. If you're looking for a memoir about recovery and food, then I recommend Stir.
February 18, 2020
I鈥檓 all in when it comes to a good memoir and this one delivers. At 28 Jessica Fechtor has a brain aneurysm that takes her on a wild ride of a journey. She strikes a good balance of just the right amount of detail. Too much and it gets laborious and too little and you have questions. Her tone is amazingly positive yet she still describes the feelings at times of wondering if she will truly be healthy again.
There is no 鈥渧ictim鈥� mentality or sense of entitlement over her circumstances. She is constantly grateful for the good care she received from the doctors and hospital staff and her family and friends.
Fechtor weaves in how food plays a key role in her recovery and includes a few recipes along the way. I like having a recipe or two from a memoir because when I make it it takes me back to the experience of reading the book, and that is a treat especially if I really enjoyed it.
She has a good sense of humor and I would find myself chuckling out loud over her descriptions of how things affected her.
I learned about this book from 鈥淎 Year of Reading.鈥�
There is no 鈥渧ictim鈥� mentality or sense of entitlement over her circumstances. She is constantly grateful for the good care she received from the doctors and hospital staff and her family and friends.
Fechtor weaves in how food plays a key role in her recovery and includes a few recipes along the way. I like having a recipe or two from a memoir because when I make it it takes me back to the experience of reading the book, and that is a treat especially if I really enjoyed it.
She has a good sense of humor and I would find myself chuckling out loud over her descriptions of how things affected her.
I learned about this book from 鈥淎 Year of Reading.鈥�
September 23, 2015
The first thing that pulled me in to this book was the cover. The premise of someone rebounding from a near death experience and reconnecting with life through meals was very interesting to me. Throw in all the 4 and 5 star ratings and I figured I had a winner for sure. So I curled up with this book with very high expectations, ready to be wowed. It just didn't happen. The author is incredibly intelligent (this is obvious from her writing), but I just did not connect. At all. The first half of the book was painfully slow for me. The recipes seemed to just be random chapter dividers and for me the story just lacked over all emotion; it was more of a presentation of facts mixed in with the occasional memory or actual act of people creating meals. Her recovery from such a horrible brain injury is absolutely amazing and I do not want to downplay that. I guess I just expected more since there has been so much hype about this book.
February 5, 2017
Some culinary-centric memoirs are all about the food and recipes.
Some are about the lives of the authors, all of their heartache, trials, tribulations and triumphs.
Stir is the latter.
From the first episode of Fechtor's debilitating brain aneurysm to the subsequent health related setbacks, I found myself rooting for her. So, so many things happen during her recovery I don't know how she survived with such a positive outlook.
Even as she was having her final surgery, I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. Obviously, all is well now with Fechtor's publication of this book. Fechtor also writes on her blog, Sweet Amandine.
Look forward to a more detailed review of this book on as this book is the December/January selection for .
Some are about the lives of the authors, all of their heartache, trials, tribulations and triumphs.
Stir is the latter.
From the first episode of Fechtor's debilitating brain aneurysm to the subsequent health related setbacks, I found myself rooting for her. So, so many things happen during her recovery I don't know how she survived with such a positive outlook.
Even as she was having her final surgery, I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. Obviously, all is well now with Fechtor's publication of this book. Fechtor also writes on her blog, Sweet Amandine.
Look forward to a more detailed review of this book on as this book is the December/January selection for .
October 21, 2017
This book was a fast and engrossing read. It's surprisingly fun for something that begins with such a serious and scary event. It's about falling in love, family, friendship, healing, growth, and what hobby you most enjoy (in the author's case, making food). I related to her story a fair amount; although I've never been as seriously ill as the author, we are about the same age, I am also Jewish and got a Humanities PhD from a top school, and went through several years of chronic illness that changed much about my life and challenged me to figure out who I really am. I've also lived in many of the places she visits, so that was a fun familiarity as well. I don't have the support network she has, but mostly rather than feeling jealous of her I was happy that she had so much amazing care and love in her life. Maybe one day I'll have half that much. :-)
I have marked several recipes to try. The recipes are mostly vegetarian and those that aren't are kosher.
I have marked several recipes to try. The recipes are mostly vegetarian and those that aren't are kosher.
November 19, 2015
This memoir is not especially original, but I have to say I thought it was very nicely edited and a pretty interesting read. Jessica experiences an aneurysm in her brain that wreaks havoc on her life as it requires a lengthy hospital stay and multiple surgeries. As she recovers, she learns more about herself, and finds her inner passion in the kitchen. I am hardly unbiased on this book because you know, it's about food. My favorite. And Jessica is Jewish, so you know there's some cultural familiarity here for me too. It's sort of a memoir/blog/cookbook all rolled into one. In addition, Jessica is smart, and so she draws some deeper conclusions about her experiences. All in all, an easy reading, interesting memoir.
July 2, 2017
This book is not for everybody - the author is running on a treadmill at 28 when she suffers a brain aneurysm. It is her story of coming back to the living and writing this book. Her determination and bravery is inspirational. I was rooting for her every step of the way. She wore a helmet to protect her exposed brain for one year. I would want to be as brave as her, but am not sure I could be. Her support system was amazing - but she is the one who never gave up. Jessica is a foodie and blog writer, and recipes are at the end of many chapters. I have already made her whole wheat chocolate chip cookies and the sesame noodles.
March 25, 2017
This is a foodie memoir, the story of a 28-year-old woman who one day running on the treadmill at the gym has an aneurysm and ends up having several brain surgeries. This is the story of her recovery and how food and cooking played a huge part in it. Very readable story which I enjoyed very much. Also read for MMD 2017 reading challenge, reading for fun #12, A book about a topic or subject you already love.
September 23, 2015
This was a great book! Jessica Fechtor's writing style was inviting and warm. At a very young age of 28, she survives a brain aneurysm and goes through a difficult recovery before she triumphs over this obstacle. She finds renewed comfort and strength in cooking enticing foods for herself and for all the amazing people in her life. It is uplifting story about strength and determination.
July 19, 2016
This short, uplifting book was just what I needed right now: sweet yet smart and honest, and inspiring without being syrupy. I want to try all the recipes and I want to be bffs with the author so she can cook for me and inspire me with her wisdom and smarts every day.
I read this for to satisfy the Food Memoir category of Book Riot's 2016 Read Harder challenge. (And I'm so glad I did!)
I read this for to satisfy the Food Memoir category of Book Riot's 2016 Read Harder challenge. (And I'm so glad I did!)
March 23, 2021
Meh. Too much introspection and not enough actual food. There was one line I liked enough to note it:
鈥淚t鈥檚 funny how the foods that inhabit our childhood turn around to house our childhoods when we are grown.鈥�
I am glad the author survived her ordeal and had a happy ending.
鈥淚t鈥檚 funny how the foods that inhabit our childhood turn around to house our childhoods when we are grown.鈥�
I am glad the author survived her ordeal and had a happy ending.
March 8, 2016
I couldn't put this one down. Fechtor was so young to have the health troubles she had and to see her recovery and the role food played in it was quite moving.
January 19, 2025
Ugh, I really loved this memoir and Jessica is an incredible author. She writes about food so beautifully and I loved how she used it to heal after going through something so difficult. I loved her support from her husband and friends / family and would recommend this book to anyone who loves to be in the kitchen 馃
May 21, 2020
I found this book comforting and moving on a fundamental level. Fechtor writes a lot about 鈥渓ittle things鈥� in this book, and how much of a privilege it is to care about them. The way she describes the simple joys and everyday comforts in food, home, and friends is beautiful, unique, and touching. Especially during the the COVID pandemic, it鈥檚 wonderful to explore the mindset of making a big deal out of our small delights, because then we can be grateful for them and realize just how much happiness the 鈥渓ittle things鈥� bring us
June 28, 2017
This is an extraordinary book.
The writing is exceptional. 听
You are transported into Jess's world - you can smell the aromas she describes, imagine the texture of the berries she ate while in the hospital, you can feel the frustration she expresses.
Very descriptive writing.
For anyone who hasn't read the synopsis or jacket, here is what it's about. 听A young woman has an aneurysm as she is running on a treadmill. 听This is a healthy woman who is in graduate school at Harvard. 听She nearly died and went through multiple surgeries. 听Her skull was听cut apart and deformed, she lost vision in one eye and yet with all the odds stacked against her - she persevered. 听She survived and while she was recovering, she thought about the foods that made a difference in her life and above all - she remained positive.
There are 33 chapters with 26 of those followed by a recipe. 听I have prepared several already and can endorse those as keepers.
In the chapter titled The All Clear,听 Jessica writes about her blog .
"People were reading my blog. 听They were leaving comments, sending emails, asking questions about my recipes and sharing their own. 听We talked about soup and scones; crisp roasted chickpeas; sesame noodles made with oil, soy sauce, and rice vinegar, and no peanut butter, thank you very much. 听We did not talk about my brain. 听they didn't ask me about my blind eye, insist that I sit down, or place a hand on my shoulder and tear up."
I can't imagine how wonderful that was for Jess to share and talk about something besides her brain and how she was doing. 听A space on the Internet where she was just a regular person, doing regular things and the common interest was cooking. No one treated her differently.
The constant love and support from her family will blow you away. 听Her husband, her parents and friends - complete and total support. 听I loved the stories about them as well as reading Jess' thoughts.
It's an inspirational book, it's a love story, it's a foodie book with a slice of life.
I selected this book for two events. 听Cook the Books has this featured as the December/January selection.
The other 听event is a new reading challenge I joined this year. 听It's the 2017 Monthly Motif Challenge hosted at Girlxoxo. 听The monthly motif for January is Diversify your Reading:听Kick the reading year off right and shake things up. Read a book with a character (or written by an author) of a race, religion, or sexual orientation other than your own.
I'm not Christian or Jewish so typically, I don't read books that are religious in nature. 听This isn't a religious book but the author is Jewish and her religion and culture figure in to the story. 听I very much enjoyed the sense of community and how the family and friends came together with complete love and support. 听The description of kosher foods and the process of cooking is addressed. 听Eating out the kosher way can be an issue but that was addressed too. It was interesting and, more importantly, I learned something reading this book.
There are still a few recipes I want to make but I will share the Pan-Roasted Salmon and the Brown Soda Bread.
The salmon was easy enough but I had a time cleaning my cast iron frying pan! 听Delicious meal and I would make this again.
(Photos at Novel Meals!)
The Brown Soda Bread challenged me because this was one of the few times I managed to use our digital kitchen scale and - thanks to my husband's assistance - it was measured properly. 听This came out well and I will most certainly be making this again.
For the soda bread recipe head over to . 听The salmon was a breeze. 听It's on page 58 in the book.
Pan-Roasted Salmon
1 tablespoon flaked sea salt
2 pieces of salmon fillet with skin on, about a 1/3 pound each
Olive oil
Freshly ground black pepper and lemon wedges
Method: 听Scatter the salt over a 10 inch dry, well-seasoned cast iron pan. 听Place pan over medium heat for 3 minutes. 听While the pan heats dry the fillets with a paper towel and lay them on a plate. 听Brush with olive oil on both sides.
Place fish in hot pan, skin side down. 听Turn heat down if the crackle sounds too sputtery. Cover with a lid. 听Cook without moving fillets for 3 to 5 minutes. 听Flip them and cook for another 2 to 4 minutes, depending on their thickness.
Serve with pepper and lemon. 听Brilliant!
Don't forget that soda bread!
July 13, 2017
鈥婭'll admit I wasn't sure about a memoir that alternated between recipes and recovery from an aneurysm鈥�, but Stir must have won me over because I not only felt the unique disappointment that only happens when finishing a good book, I also can't stop talking about it. Jessica Fechtor's recovery from a brain aneurysm while running on a treadmill is memoir-worthy without the wonderful observations, recipes, and memories. That's why Stir is a multi-layer cake of a memoir, a cake so fluffy with life and beauty, not even an aneurysm can sour it.
Each chapter is comprised of both an intimate essay portraying Jessica's life before, during, and after her aneurysm and a recipe correlating with that part of her life. Prior to her aneurysm, Jessica was ambitious - teaching, cooking, working towards her doctorate in Jewish Literature, and running every day. Stir is a little bit of that old life, mixed with both a long recovery and her new life, which is equal parts grasping for her old life while giving cooking more attention than she had prior to her illness. The recipes range from cholent with kugel to a simple tomato soup, and celebrate her family and roots while revitalizing classics with intriguing modifications. Jessica utilizes leftovers in a lot of her recipes, which really jives with my own style. I cannot wait to have leftover greens and rice so I can try her crispy rice and eggs recipe. Another recipe, a kale and pomegranate salad, calls for pomegranate molasses, which is something I have never heard of. As a huge molasses fan, I immediately set out to find a bottle of it before I even finished Stir.
Though I love the recipes and applaud Jessica's bravery during her long recovery, I enjoyed her observations the most. The last bit of mustard in a grey poupon jar helps "emulsify the oil and vinegar into a uniform dressing," and gives "a jar at the end of its life . . . one more job to do." And ". . . when you put freshly baked bread and a lump of softened butter on the table, you are taking good care of your people, no matter the rest of the meal." Jessica struggles through a handful of surgeries that cause a variety of issues. One surgery leaves her with a chunk of skull missing and Doctor's orders to wear a helmet until the chunk can be replaced. She also loses sight in one of her eyes and has a temporary loss of smell. Her ability to embrace each of these hurdles while simultaneously searching for ways overcome them is a lesson in both mind over matter and resilience. At one point Jessica realizes that, prior to her aneurysm, she thought she was being considerate by helping out while visiting friends for dinner. By doing so, however, she prevented others the pleasure of hosting. During her recovery she "allows herself to be hosted." She also questions that if silence describes the opposite of noise, what is the opposite of scent? Observations like these make Stir a page-turner.
I enjoyed Jessica's outlook on life, her plentiful and unique descriptions, and applaud her determination through her long recovery. With each new setback Jessica patiently and determinedly familiarizes herself with the new changes in her body and mind. She not only adjusts to the changes, she refuses to let them get in her way for very long, especially not in the kitchen.
Each chapter is comprised of both an intimate essay portraying Jessica's life before, during, and after her aneurysm and a recipe correlating with that part of her life. Prior to her aneurysm, Jessica was ambitious - teaching, cooking, working towards her doctorate in Jewish Literature, and running every day. Stir is a little bit of that old life, mixed with both a long recovery and her new life, which is equal parts grasping for her old life while giving cooking more attention than she had prior to her illness. The recipes range from cholent with kugel to a simple tomato soup, and celebrate her family and roots while revitalizing classics with intriguing modifications. Jessica utilizes leftovers in a lot of her recipes, which really jives with my own style. I cannot wait to have leftover greens and rice so I can try her crispy rice and eggs recipe. Another recipe, a kale and pomegranate salad, calls for pomegranate molasses, which is something I have never heard of. As a huge molasses fan, I immediately set out to find a bottle of it before I even finished Stir.
Though I love the recipes and applaud Jessica's bravery during her long recovery, I enjoyed her observations the most. The last bit of mustard in a grey poupon jar helps "emulsify the oil and vinegar into a uniform dressing," and gives "a jar at the end of its life . . . one more job to do." And ". . . when you put freshly baked bread and a lump of softened butter on the table, you are taking good care of your people, no matter the rest of the meal." Jessica struggles through a handful of surgeries that cause a variety of issues. One surgery leaves her with a chunk of skull missing and Doctor's orders to wear a helmet until the chunk can be replaced. She also loses sight in one of her eyes and has a temporary loss of smell. Her ability to embrace each of these hurdles while simultaneously searching for ways overcome them is a lesson in both mind over matter and resilience. At one point Jessica realizes that, prior to her aneurysm, she thought she was being considerate by helping out while visiting friends for dinner. By doing so, however, she prevented others the pleasure of hosting. During her recovery she "allows herself to be hosted." She also questions that if silence describes the opposite of noise, what is the opposite of scent? Observations like these make Stir a page-turner.
I enjoyed Jessica's outlook on life, her plentiful and unique descriptions, and applaud her determination through her long recovery. With each new setback Jessica patiently and determinedly familiarizes herself with the new changes in her body and mind. She not only adjusts to the changes, she refuses to let them get in her way for very long, especially not in the kitchen.
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December 14, 2018Stir, MY BROKEN BRAIN AND THE MEALS THAT BROUGHT ME HOME is a very powerful memoir by Jessica Fechtor. It's interesting because I was sailing along for 62.5 pages, caught up in it but not emotionally connected. And then BOOM! Here's what happened to me in the next 14 pages:
BOOM - page 63 - Jessica and Eli make a mutual commitment
BOOM - page 70 - the surgeon makes an unexpected comment to Jessica
BOOM - page 75 - Eli gives Jessica her 1st kiss
BOOM - pages 75-76 - Eli talks to his old girlfriend
BOOM - page 76 - Sarah, Jessica's mom, reacts to Jessica's announcement about Eli
Now, keep in mind that I read this entire section while walking on the treadmill in a VERY public gym. Here's this 6' tall guy, walking (relatively) fast, and flat-out crying. The only good news is that I wasn't crying audibly! Phew. Let me point out here that this 14-page section is NOT the only place where I was crying. It happened a bunch, along with other shows of emotion. In fact, 2 pages from the end, I may have been heard exclaiming quite loudly "YES!" That may have happened.
Aside from truly connecting with Jessica, I also was taken with her writing. It's really, really good and very thought-provoking. Here are just a couple of examples:
"Baking is an act of generosity, and thereby an act of freedom, since to be generous is to be free from the smallness of thinking only of yourself." Hmmm...
"...when I went in for the hug, he just barely laid his hands on my back, as if I were a mannequin whose limbs might fall out of their sockets." You can see that, right?
"I checked out of rehab in late September. I'd missed the season between summer and fall that feels like neither and both. Just skipped right over it, like an arm on a record player that lifts up from its groove, travels a few rings toward the center, and touches silently back down." We baby boomers can relate to this.
Jessica has a very interesting few pages on the difference between "host" and "guest." Pay attention to pages 174-177. We use two completely separate words in the English language. But, interestingly, that is not the case in other languages. Take a look.
I told you that I had my first takeaway in a long time. It's probably been 1-2 years since my last one. So what did I get out of this book that I want to take with me? It's about friendship. Jessica's friend support is extremely inspiring. I am making the commitment to be a better friend. I look forward to being the friend to my friends like Jessica's friends are to her. Way cool.
Do I need to tell you to read this? I don't think so. I believe that you have gotten the message.
P.S. There are 27 great recipes in this book that all had a hand in helping Jessica through her ordeal.
BOOM - page 63 - Jessica and Eli make a mutual commitment
BOOM - page 70 - the surgeon makes an unexpected comment to Jessica
BOOM - page 75 - Eli gives Jessica her 1st kiss
BOOM - pages 75-76 - Eli talks to his old girlfriend
BOOM - page 76 - Sarah, Jessica's mom, reacts to Jessica's announcement about Eli
Now, keep in mind that I read this entire section while walking on the treadmill in a VERY public gym. Here's this 6' tall guy, walking (relatively) fast, and flat-out crying. The only good news is that I wasn't crying audibly! Phew. Let me point out here that this 14-page section is NOT the only place where I was crying. It happened a bunch, along with other shows of emotion. In fact, 2 pages from the end, I may have been heard exclaiming quite loudly "YES!" That may have happened.
Aside from truly connecting with Jessica, I also was taken with her writing. It's really, really good and very thought-provoking. Here are just a couple of examples:
"Baking is an act of generosity, and thereby an act of freedom, since to be generous is to be free from the smallness of thinking only of yourself." Hmmm...
"...when I went in for the hug, he just barely laid his hands on my back, as if I were a mannequin whose limbs might fall out of their sockets." You can see that, right?
"I checked out of rehab in late September. I'd missed the season between summer and fall that feels like neither and both. Just skipped right over it, like an arm on a record player that lifts up from its groove, travels a few rings toward the center, and touches silently back down." We baby boomers can relate to this.
Jessica has a very interesting few pages on the difference between "host" and "guest." Pay attention to pages 174-177. We use two completely separate words in the English language. But, interestingly, that is not the case in other languages. Take a look.
I told you that I had my first takeaway in a long time. It's probably been 1-2 years since my last one. So what did I get out of this book that I want to take with me? It's about friendship. Jessica's friend support is extremely inspiring. I am making the commitment to be a better friend. I look forward to being the friend to my friends like Jessica's friends are to her. Way cool.
Do I need to tell you to read this? I don't think so. I believe that you have gotten the message.
P.S. There are 27 great recipes in this book that all had a hand in helping Jessica through her ordeal.
June 25, 2018
I'm much later than I like to be posting a review for which I received an advanced copy - one can scarcely consider it an advanced copy if I can't manage to offer an opinion until almost a month after the publication date.
But it is because of my attraction to this memoir that my offering is so delayed. I went for several months without taking on any advanced review copies due to several factors. But then around the date it was released I was became attracted to this book and starting hearing some incredible things about it. I finally broke my fast and asked Penguin Random House to allow me the opportunity.
And my hedging was richly rewarded. Stir is just the loveliest of memoirs. Fechtor was 28 years old and training for a marathon when she collapsed on a hotel treadmill while at a conference. Taken to the hospital, she's happily ready to check out when she feels better within hours. But MRIs showed an aneurysm and she was in the unknowing time between the rupture and the subsequent attempt by the brain to heal... by reabsorbing the spilled blood, an incredibly painful process. Thus began her incredibly long, frustrating, frightening road to healing.
I can't even begin to adequately describe the horrors of the original insults and subsequent setbacks Fetchor went through and I would actually advise you against reading too much about this memoir or, especially, watching the book trailer video associated with it if you're interested in reading - just dive in. This is because much of my enjoyment of the memoir stemmed from those revelations and discoveries.
In addition to a fascinating experience and a recipe at the end of every chapter, Fechtor is also a fantastic writer. In her acknowledgements, she does mention a writing partner (Katrina Goldsaito) - a person not mentioned on the cover, so I wonder just how heavily involved she was or perhaps she was more of guide/editor. In any case, it was a combination of these factors including the writing that carried my through, happy and fascinated:
"Everything happens for a reason? I don't see it that way at all. To me, only the first part is clear: Everything happens. Then other things happen, and other things, still. Out of each of these moments, we make something. Any number of somethings, in fact. What becomes of our own actions becomes the 'reason.' It is no predestined thing. We may arrive where we are by way of a specific path - we can take just one at a time - but it's never the only one that could have lead to our destination. Nor does a single event, even a string of them, point decisively to a single landing spot. There are infinite possible versions of our lives. Meaning is not what happens, but what we do with what happens when it does."
Highly recommended.
But it is because of my attraction to this memoir that my offering is so delayed. I went for several months without taking on any advanced review copies due to several factors. But then around the date it was released I was became attracted to this book and starting hearing some incredible things about it. I finally broke my fast and asked Penguin Random House to allow me the opportunity.
And my hedging was richly rewarded. Stir is just the loveliest of memoirs. Fechtor was 28 years old and training for a marathon when she collapsed on a hotel treadmill while at a conference. Taken to the hospital, she's happily ready to check out when she feels better within hours. But MRIs showed an aneurysm and she was in the unknowing time between the rupture and the subsequent attempt by the brain to heal... by reabsorbing the spilled blood, an incredibly painful process. Thus began her incredibly long, frustrating, frightening road to healing.
I can't even begin to adequately describe the horrors of the original insults and subsequent setbacks Fetchor went through and I would actually advise you against reading too much about this memoir or, especially, watching the book trailer video associated with it if you're interested in reading - just dive in. This is because much of my enjoyment of the memoir stemmed from those revelations and discoveries.
In addition to a fascinating experience and a recipe at the end of every chapter, Fechtor is also a fantastic writer. In her acknowledgements, she does mention a writing partner (Katrina Goldsaito) - a person not mentioned on the cover, so I wonder just how heavily involved she was or perhaps she was more of guide/editor. In any case, it was a combination of these factors including the writing that carried my through, happy and fascinated:
"Everything happens for a reason? I don't see it that way at all. To me, only the first part is clear: Everything happens. Then other things happen, and other things, still. Out of each of these moments, we make something. Any number of somethings, in fact. What becomes of our own actions becomes the 'reason.' It is no predestined thing. We may arrive where we are by way of a specific path - we can take just one at a time - but it's never the only one that could have lead to our destination. Nor does a single event, even a string of them, point decisively to a single landing spot. There are infinite possible versions of our lives. Meaning is not what happens, but what we do with what happens when it does."
Highly recommended.
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