Those Delicious Letters .... a beautiful book by Bongmom Sandeepa and a Giveaway

After the resounding success of her first book, Sandeepa , or Bongmom, as she is best known , is back with her second book. 
And this time it is a novel. 

And what a beautiful read it makes for!

Two parallel stories woven beautifully together, with regular smatterings of traditional recipes, that are her forte and the real show stoppers.
The story is well plotted and has a beautiful mystery, in the form of a love story from a bygone era,that holds it all together till the end.

Moving through years, seasons and the roller coaster of daily life,
it depicts the determination of a lady who decides to make a name for herself and find an identity of her own.
And in the process, discovers herself.
And the relationships with the people in her life, with a fresh new realisation.
The story is simple, sweet and the characters lovable in their own places.

This book will touch your heart if you are living far away from the city and the home you have grown up in.
If you have loved the food that was cooked in your family and miss it when nostalgia takes over.
If you have experienced homecomings that awash you with warmth and revived memories.
And also if you love to read a book that is simple and yet is captivating at the same time.

Sandeepa is known for her lucid style of writing, with a tempering of humour, that makes her so popular.
And this book, is indeed in one word, delicious.
A must read.
Relish!

I was thrilled to get a copy from her.
Took a little time to read it.
Because it indeed deserves a slow read.
The undulating story, meandering through different characters, places, relationships, recipes and feelings makes you soak them in and takes you back home.
And makes you sit back, close your eyes and savour in the sweetness of the story. 

Just as I was happy and excited when I got her first book in my hands, I cherish this one too. 
Seeing it sitting with my other favourite authors is a sight I love. 😊

And I want to share that same happiness with all of you, my dear readers,  too. 
So I am giving away one  fresh copy right here .... on my blog. 

To win it, all you have to do is - 

1.  Leave your name and email id in the comments. 
2. Write in for how long have you been following my blog Kitchen e Kichukhonn
3.  Let me know if you prefer single dishes or full meal plates on my blog.  
4. Follow Kitchenekichukhonn as well as Bongmom on Instagram. 

Hurry!
Your  chance to win  a copy of the very delightful "Those Delicious Letters" is on till 20th of October. 
Give yourself a gift  this festive season ... now!!! 

Those Delicious Letters is  also available on Flipkart , Amazon and Kindle too. 

 

Bong Mom's CookBook ... Stories from a Bengali Mother's Kitchen

 

 
The first time Bong Mom left a comment on my blog, I did a jig. Or maybe a number of jigs.
Today I have her book in my hands. And am loving every moment reading it as I do when I read her blog posts.

I will not call this a review.
That would be audacity. Bong Mom's Cookbook has always been my refuge when ever I needed a nice read.
Hence I'll call it an experience.
A beautiful experience of getting to read her blog all over again. In the form of this book ... Bong Mom's Cookbook.

I had been offered a copy from Indiblogger, but did not get it finally, for reasons best known to them.
But fretting I was not, as I had already booked my copy from Flipkart, which reached me one cloudy evening, just as we were going out.
 And yes, I did a jig then too.

Bong Mom's Cookbook is a joy to read. Simple, lucid language, heartwarming anecdotes, subtle humour, all combined with a homely feel. Sandeepa successfully blends tradition into modern day living. And takes you on a beautiful journey of memories ... sights, sounds and smells of the kitchens of her childhood, to the new home that she set up after her marraige, to her own kitchen today.
Whether you are a Bengali, or not, you will surely go back to your childhood , more than once, while reading this book.
With short, anecdotes filled chapters, that end with a recipe each, the book holds you in its spell of simplicity.
And while that chore awaits, you tell yourself "just one more page and I'll keep this down" ... and yet you cannot. :-)

Sandeepa takes you on a whirlwind tour, giving vivid descriptions of the smallest details. One moment you will be with her, "sitting on a colourful rug" at her Choto Dida's place, eating crisp, fried rutis fresh off the tawa ...  on another she takes you to her mother's kitchen "atop the hills" where "she made soups with chunk of vegetables" in winters. One moment you are transported to the Sundays of her childhood, where the Mangshor jhol makes the day ... as is wont in any Bengali family;  the next moment you are witnessing with quiet amusement her struggle to present a complete Bengali menu to her guests during her "novice party hosting days".
Not to mention the beautiful chapter on reviving traditions ... her tryst with Pithey making.
Where ever she takes you, it is redolent with a little familiarity ... of memories and spices and food alike.

I like the way the chapters are arranged. Starting with breakfast, on to lunch, dinner and winding up with chutney and desserts.

Bong Mom's Cookbook is not just a or another recipe book. It is not only about recipes.
It is about a Bengali mother, who tries to hold on to traditions, which naturally include food, as much as possible while living overseas, and trying to instill them in her family too.
It is 'Stories from a Bengali mother's kitchen'.
Which she puts down in her blog ... which goes by the name of Bong Mom's Cookbook.
And the book is a reflection of the same.

If you love to read and appreciate simple, good writing, this book is for you.
If you are looking for recipes, this book is for you too.
But if you pick this up with the sole aim of finding a recipe, I'll say you will be missing out on something more beautiful.

I, for one, am happy ... now that I have this book in my possession.
For no more will I be at the mercy of fluctuating internet connections to be able to read Bong Mom's Cookbook.

Congratulations Sandeepa! Looking forward to a sequel soon.

The Bong Mom's Cookbook is available on Flipkart  and Amazon. So go ahead and book your copy, if you haven't yet.
It is also available in book stores in India. Go grab a copy ... pronto!

And enjoy!!