I love bagels and salmon so this book was a fun way to learn new recipes. I will definitely enjoy adding these to my current recipes and learning the art to making good bagels at home. I received a copy through Netgalley. A review was not required.

I absolutely loved the anecdotal stories that author Cathy Barrow included in all of her recipes in Bagels, Schmears, and a Nice Piece of Fish. I felt as though I was right beside her in the recollections of her upbringing and the food that was always there to tether her family together. The peppering of reminiscence pinged the nostalgia within me and propelled me to make all of the schmears and exclaim to my siblings that our next family brunch we are making bagels from scratch a la Ms. Barrow’s cook book. 10 out of 10— you can never go wrong with lox and miscbucha.

I received an ARC from the author and publisher in exchange for an honest review.

For many, the photo on the cover of this book represents the perfect Sunday breakfast. Please note, there are many equally appealing photos inside.

The author organizes the table of contents to look like a menu. It is a nice piece of whimsy. Find recipes for bagels, schmears, fish, and sandwiches. It is just one example of the appealing design of this title.

The writer of this book is very personable. A number of family stories are shared and set the tone. There are also some fun sections including one on the history of the bagel.

One of the many things that I like about this book was its willingness to acknowledge that not everyone is a whiz in the kitchen. So, says the author, buy bagels if that is your choice and try some of the other recipes. The reader feels freed to use the book in the ways that work best.

Another section that I liked was the trouble shooting one. For example, answering questions like “why is my bagel flat?”

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Brunch just got upgraded. The recipe for various spreads and the flavor combinations are easy to follow and sound delicious. I see many bagel sandwiches in my future. Looking for something new and a plain bagel just wont cut it anymore get this book and get cooking and tasting.

The recipes and photos are good. I look forward to making some great pickles, gravalaxing some fish, and making bagels from scratch using the provided recipes. There is something for everyone in here.

This book is such a treasure -- the opportunity to do a real deep dive and DIY bagels, cream cheese, and lox, plus all their friends. Yep, make your OWN delicious, plain cream cheese, and then expand it in a zillion creative directions both savory and sweet. I appreciate the recipe for gluten-free bagels as gluten-free is more and more of a reality -- and its so hard to find a fresh delicious gluten-free bagel. The chapter on bagel sandwiches looks amazing! (I guess if you're too exhausted from making your from-scratch bagels and cream cheese, you could always go out and buy the ingredients to just put together a fantastic and impressive bagel sandwich). I loved the family stories that open the book, that put into context the author's love of bagels and their friends. It was a pleasure to read the advance digital copy of Bagels, Schmears, and a Nice Piece of Fish by Cathy Barrow on NetGalley.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Bagels, Schmears, and a Nice Piece of Fish by Cathy Barrow is an amazing, delectable cookbook that focuses on three ingredients: bagels, cream cheese, and fish. The recipes include various types of bagels, various iterations of cream cheese, and various plates of fish. According to this description, the book contains "suggested menus for fun brunches and gatherings, photos of finished food and step-by-step techniques, and a charming deli aesthetic."

Overall, Bagels, Schmears, and a Nice Piece of Fish is a delicious cookbook that will appeal to home cooks everywhere. One highlight of this book is the amazing full-color photos. I was drooling over the photos as I read this book. Another highlight are the step-by-step directions to create the meals. The book was very inspiring to me, and after reading it, I can't wait to try some of these recipes on my own. If you're intrigued by the description, or if you're a fan of cookbooks in general, I highly recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in March!

I’ve recently begun my own at-home bagel baking journey so this book arrives at the right time. The family stories and beautiful photos were a nice touch to a nicely organized and delicious looking cookbook. I look forward to trying many of these recipes and I’m hoping to be brave enough to try to make my own cream cheese!

Thank you Chronicle Books for the ARC to read and review.

This cookbook is wonderful. It’s full of little snippets of history and tips interspersed with bagel recipes, schmears, accoutrements, and sandwich recipes. Great photography of all the offerings .

I was more drawn to the recipes for schemears and how to incorporate them. Lots of diverse and quirky ways to use the bagel.

Thank you to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for the eARC of Bagels, Schmears, and a Nice Piece of Fish by Cathy Barrow. Wow I'm so hungry right now! Barrow makes the art of making bagels and crafting delicious entrees from this humble pastry so accessible to amateur home bakers. Sprinkled with her personal family stories throughout, it is clear that this bagel cookbook is a labor of love. I particularly enjoyed the simple break down and tips on how to make seemingly complicated bagel recipes easy and workable for your personal schedule. While I may continue to buy bagels from the store, I am definitely encouraged to try my hand at making my own. I will most definitely be trying out the many recipes for schmears that Barrow included in the third section of this book. A good sauce is the vehicle that drives a great sandwich, and schmears on bagels are no exception. Overall, loved this book, and it would be a beautiful hardcover to own and add to any cookbook collection.

This book was such an amazing trip into the past for me. Like the author, I grew up on bagels, specifically New York bagels. When my parents moved to Virginia in the late 80s, the bagels my grandparents brought at their visits became so much more special. I've been searching for great ones since.

I love how this book breaks down not only the recipes for the bagels (and accouterments) but also the history and reasoning of the steps. Knowing why each ingredient is there and what it does helps me understand why my previous recipes were just not right. There's enough classics and nostalgia (love that bialys are included) and new creations for me to try with my kids. The recipes also are reasonable in the amount they produce - 6 bagels is the perfect amount for my family to eat over a few days while they're still fresh.

All in all, a great cookbook to pick up if you're a bagel and schmear lover like me!

A must have for anyone who likes bagels and spreads, but doesn’t have immediate access to a good New York deli.

This book is chock full of really great tips and tricks, including boning a fish. I’ve already preordered multiple copies for myself and family/friends.

I can’t wait to replicate the schemes recipes. This book also makes me want to cure my own lox! I’m excited to get my physical copy of this book and make some of these!

This book is absolutely beautiful!!! Clear instructions, mouthwatering pictures, and fun stories about Cathy's childhood and traditions. I can't wait to receive a hardcover copy for my birthday, since I already put it on my wishlist. I can't wait to roll up my sleeves and try all of these recipes, the first of which will be the home-cured lox.

This makes a great bagel resource, not only for bagels themselves but for the many schmears included!

The pictures in the cookbook say a thousand words. Very easy detailed step by step bagel recipes, cooking tips, troubleshooting tips, recipes for spreads on the bagels, fillings and pickled foods in this cookbook. Excellent bagel cookbook if you ever wanted to make your own. Who knew they were so easy to make?

A wonderful book of recipes to make your own bagels at home. Bagel lovers will rejoice. From the five basic ingredients that make a bagel, to bagel history, regional styles, techniques and recipes, this delicious cookbook continues with the “schmears” You can also make your own cream cheese.

Bagels, Schmears, and a Nice Piece of Fish is a great brunch cookbook for the bagel lover. With attractive pages, great photographs, and a table of contents that looks like an old fashioned menu, this cookbook stands out in all of the right ways. The pages are displayed visually in a way that is eye catching. The author has included personal touches, including family stories and photographs, which gives this cookbook great appeal.

From troubleshooting to techniques, Bagels, Schmears, and a Nice Piece of Fish is a great primer for all things bagel. From classic bagel recipes to innovative ones, the author has included all of the components for a great brunch. Having made bagels before myself, I appreciate the step-by-step instructions. Classic bagels like The New York Bagel, The Pumpernickel, and The Egg Bagel are displayed with newcomers like The Blueberry Bagel, The Gluten-Free Bagel, and The Pepperoni Bagel. The recipes do not stop there, as the author has included schmears like Veggie Cheese, Lox Cheese, and the Schmear Master Recipe. Sweet offerings include such delectables as Cannoli Cheese and Walnut Raisin Cheese. From Fish recipes to Pickles, the rest of a brunch table is well represented. The author has also included bagel sandwiches with fun names like Noshing With The Fishes, If A Bagel Were A Burrito, and Thanksgiving Any Day.

Overall, I really enjoyed Bagels, Schmears, and a Nice Piece of Fish. Many of these recipes brought me back to my childhood and I look forward to making almost everything in this cookbook.

Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy of Bagels, Schmears, and a Nice Piece of Fish by NetGalley and the publisher, Chronicle Books. The decision to read and review this cookbook was entirely my own.

When I saw a bagel cookbook was available to read, I immediately picked it up. Who isn't interested in a good bagel sandwich?

This cookbook was so much more than I ever expected. This made me both amazed at the world of bagels, and excited to dive in. I learned so much, and yet was never overwhelmed.

This book has how to make bagels, the best spread, and the best bagel sandwiches. Even just summing it up is less than it should be. If you like a bagel, then you need this book.

A bagel bible I didn't know I needed. Although some of the recipes are a little beyond my abilities I thought this was a very nice collection of bagel recipes, fixings recipes, and combinations.

As a New York Jew, bagels hold a very special place in my heart so, I loved this book! It was interesting, witty, and left me craving bagels with an intensity that I never knew existed before!