Bite by Bite: Nourishments and Jamborees

From the New York Times bestselling author of World of Wonders, a lyrical book of short essays about food, offering a banquet of tastes, smells, memories, associations, and marvelous curiosities from nature
In Bite by Bite, poet and essayist Aimee Nezhukumatathil explores the way food and drink evoke our associations and remembrances—a subtext or layering, a flavor tinged with joy, shame, exuberance, grief, desire, or nostalgia.
Nezhukumatathil restores our astonishment and wonder about food through her encounters with a range of foods and food traditions. From shave ice to lumpia, mangoes to pecans, rambutan to vanilla, she investigates how food marks our experiences and identities and explores the boundaries between heritage and memory.
Bite by Bite offers a rich and textured kaleidoscope of vignettes and visions into the world of food and nature, drawn together by intimate and humorous personal reflections, with Fumi Nakamura’s gorgeous imagery and illustration.
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Community Reviews
I am lucky enough to have been one of Aimee Nezhukumatahil's students when I was in college. I can attest that she is just as warm and bright in real life as she is in her writing. It has been such a pleasure reading all of her works, but I would have to say Bite by Bite is my favorite of hers so far.
I loved that each essay focused on a different food in her life that brought to mind a special memory or a connection to a place and the people there with her. Each essay is bite-sized and enjoyable to read in any spare moment you have, or at any part of the day where you might be open to a bit more reflection.
I have personally come to love writing about food because it always brings a sense of comfort and home. If you are looking for something quiet and relatable, you should read not only this book but Nezhukumatahil's other works as well.
I loved that each essay focused on a different food in her life that brought to mind a special memory or a connection to a place and the people there with her. Each essay is bite-sized and enjoyable to read in any spare moment you have, or at any part of the day where you might be open to a bit more reflection.
I have personally come to love writing about food because it always brings a sense of comfort and home. If you are looking for something quiet and relatable, you should read not only this book but Nezhukumatahil's other works as well.
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