The author talks more about herself than she really does ice cream. The author is very self centered, unlikable, and insufferable. The author is a bit to judgmental towards other people and the places she visits. Amy kept bringing up the theme of when life begins with unnecessary and unkind comments about those who have a different viewpoint than she does.

I received an arc from netgalley for my review.

If you have a sweet tooth, this book is for you! You'll never look at your favorite dessert the same way again. (Just don't read it when you're hungry!)

I love microhistories, and this one did not disappoint. I loved Ettinger's voice and hope to read more from her in the future.

I am sooo looking forward to visiting MY favorite ice cream shop, if and when this winter ever ends.... I love this book! I can't wait to take a road trip and discover some cook ice cream shops myself! In the meantime, I have an ice ream maker and there are a ;ot of delicious ice creams to be made from recipes in this book! If you love ice cream, you'll enjoy this treat!

Highly enjoyable journey through the history, production, and commercialization of ice cream as well as the author's own personal history with sweet, icy treats (ice cream, frozen custard, gelato, etc). Would recommend for foodies, ice cream fans, and dessert buffs--great gift!

ALL THE ICE CREAM. I eat a LOT of this treat, and am currently of the "any ice cream is good ice cream" mindset - naturally I was ecstatic to win a copy of SWEET SPOT and begin reading. I devoured it in two days and found that this book completely satisfied my need for both a history of the treat and a narrative on the makings of a discerning ice cream palate.

Ettinger writes with a surprisingly sharp pen as she describes the ice cream makers and their shops (and Milwaukee - give WI another chance please!), but given her super-sweet topic and extensive time doing research, perhaps this sharpness is a necessary antidote to all of that sugar.

I thoroughly enjoyed her detailed research and intrepid tasting experiences and highly recommend this book to nonfiction foodie readers - be prepared to need LOTS of ice cream while reading, though!

Do you love ice cream too? Author Amy Ettinger went on a cross-country journey to find the best ice cream. And in her new book, Sweet Spot, she shares everything she learned. From finding out that Haagen Dazs came from Brooklyn and was named by Reuben Mattus, who wanted a "Danish sounding" name (my biggest disappointment reading this book), to learning all about ice cream base (pre-made or homemade?), to obsessively testing her own recipes, Ettinger set about to find out everything she could about the great love of her life, ice cream. 

Ice cream is more than just a comfort food. It's a journey back to childhood, an excursion through our best memories, a trip to comfort and love and joy. It was part of our birthday parties, our summer picnics, our holiday meals, and hot summer nights. And it's what Amy Ettinger lives for, so her journey to find the best ice cream is as complete a journey as you can imagine. 

Talk about the ultimate summer reading! 

Ettinger takes us through history lessons and science classes, to learn where our favorite frozen treats come from and how they're put together. She explores the world of ice cream shops, ice cream trucks, soda fountains, frozen custard, ice cream sandwiches, gelato, and froyo. And she even looks at some of the crazy adult-only ice cream flavors the include alcohol or proteins like insects or foie gras (a brilliant idea, says this girl, whose local ice cream shop just teamed with one of our city's best bbq restaurants to offer a burnt ends ice cream, topped with barbecue sauce). 

Through mind-numbing ice cream tastings, ice cream maker failures, freezing disasters, Ice Cream School, and even a carjacking, Ettinger persevered to offer us a tasty volume of facts, memories, ideas, flavors, and even recipes, like her Ice Cream Cake by the Ocean, Arnie's Ballpark Chocolate Ice Cream, and her NGB2 (Not Going Back to) Milwaukee Butter Pecan Custard. 

Sweet Spot is everything you wanted to know about your ice cream, in a charming, fun, fascinating book that you can read with a spoon in your hand. 



Galleys for Sweet Spot were provided by Penguin Group, Dutton, through NetGalley.com, with many thanks.

Have a soft spot for ice cream? You probably have to be lactose intolerant not to. If you enjoy the sweet creamy treat, this is just the book for you! Amy Ettinger explores the treat in a way I've never seen before. Everything from the history of the dessert to the unique shops and trucks around the country, Ettinger explores it all. I learned so much about my favorite food including the science of it's creating, history behind the biggest brands, and what hidden goodies there are to offer. Sweet Spot feels like a one-stop shop for any ice cream lover. I highly recommend to all foodies. This is a great one to help you cool off and grab a scoop from your local shop!

Lactose intolerance be damned, I have a sweet tooth with a special place for ice cream. I would swear on a stack of Bibles that the best ice cream in the world is from Braum's in Oklahoma.

Sweet Spot is a wonderful exploration memoir and historical look at the delicious treat. Going beyond just research, Ettinger provides delightful insight and fun tidbits.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Like the author, I have a sweet spot for ice cream. I understand her obsession, both in the making of it and the consuming of it, and have been known to plan road trips and detours around a visit to an ice cream shop. Unfortunately Ettinger's tales of her own ice cream obsession left me as disappointed as a fallen scoop on hot pavement. I imagined Ettinger slowly making her way across America, discovering charming ice cream makers new and old and telling their stories. Instead the book felt jerky and untethered. One day she was in California, the next Wisconsin, then New York City. I wanted more of a narrative and instead got a jumble of journalism, history lesson, and rants about her travels and ice cream experiences. There are bright spots, however. I learned a lot about how ice cream is made and there were a few stories about the people behind the ice cream that I found interesting. I guess in the end, I wanted the story to be sweeter. Ice cream aficionados who want to delve into the history of brands such as Ben & Jerry's, Culver's, Coolhaus, Carvel and more will enjoy the insight, but those looking for a foodie or travel-type memoir/narrative will probably be hungry for something more substantial.

This is a book about my absolute favorite food in the world. Like Ettinger, it's like crack for me. I can never have enough ice cream. If, like me, you are a freak for this cold treat, snap this book up and learn all about the crazy and fascinating history of its rise across America. I learned so much about how ice cream, frozen custard and gelato is made, about ice cream trucks, about the challenge of pasteurization and so much more. Ettinger weaves meticulous (and delicious) research amidst her memories of growing up as an ice cream lover, creating that emotional connection that I know ice cream has for me. A wonderful summer companion for your book bag.

4 stars.

A delicious and refreshing read, perfect for the depths of a summer heat wave. By the time you finish this, you'll be craving ice cream... if you haven't already given into the temptation and cracked a pint or two open while you're reading!

This was a solid combination of foodie exploration memoir and ice cream history. Ettinger's passion/obsession for ice cream shines through as she travels around the country to find unique ice cream shops, trucks, and labs, where she explores new flavors and old secrets, as well as some of the science behind what makes ice cream more than just frozen milk. Each chapter focuses on a different subject, with Ettinger's experiences and research (i.e. eating lots of ice cream) are woven into each chapter. While she has some set in stone views, she's still willing to give things she once would have shunned a try, such as topping ice cream with toffee mealworms. She also delves into the history behind many famous brands, as well as the founding stories of many unique and quirky ice cream stores around the country.

There's something interesting in here for everyone, whether you're wanting to learn about the science of ice cream and how it's made (spoiler: much of it is made from a pre-packaged mix), the history of brands and stores, or even the quirks of ice cream related treats like gelatos, frozen yogurt, soda fountains, and ice cream sandwiches ("sammies").

I finished reading this on the hottest day of the season, thus far, and I wish I still had a few more chapters left to cool me off, at least in spirit.