I really enjoy the object lessons series and tend toward the food related topics. Recipe was a fun addition for anyone interested in food writing. It was a philosophical look at how we transcribe recipes, how fluid they can be, and how universal some dishes are. The author pulls in classic and contemporary chefs, shows how interconnected food is in all aspects of life, and shines a new light on something so simple that might be taken for granted.

I look forward to every instalment of Bloomsbury Academic’s “Object Lessons” series which is getting better with every release. The latest volume, “Recipe” by Lynn Z. Bloom, takes a wry but deep dive into the history of the ubiquitous recipe to uncover its secret life and ongoing effect on our lives, both personally and globally.
Each chapter of the book examines and deconstructs a recipe of a well-known dish in a fun and accessible way, yet it is still a very academic book and incredibly interesting, sparking many a “I never knew that!” moment.
The book includes a bibliography and lists of further reading, and an index. Lynn also provides a recipe for blueberry pie which sounds delicious. “Recipe” is highly recommended for cooking enthusiasts and professional chefs alike; you’ll never look at a recipe in the same way again.

An academic book and very interesting. It sparked conversations all day at home. I will never look at a recipe again and only see a list of ingedients. I am now reading my old cookery books with new eyes and insight. Fascinating.

Recipe is a collection of short essays and reminiscences by Lynn Z. Bloom of recipes and how we interact with them. Due out 5th May 2022 from Bloomsbury Academic, it's 160 pages and will be available in paperback format.

This is one of a series of books on everyday items called "Object Lessons" which team writers' observations and experiences with material foci: recipes, stickers, bookshelves, bulletproof vests, traffic, TVs, and trees to give a few examples.

The author does a very good job of first objectifying and deconstructing the concept of a recipe - what it is, where we find them, how they function, and how we interact with them - and then providing insightful essays about how recipes impact us, shape us, inform, and feed us, and occasionally affect us politically and socioeconomically. As a bonus, the author graciously provides a recipe for blueberry pie full to bursting with fresh berries. I haven't yet made it, but I definitely intend to do so.

There's a solid bibliography included with resources for further reading as well as a cross referenced index.

I have enjoyed a number of the books in this series. This one is erudite and thought provoking. It's a worthwhile addition to the series as a whole.

Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.