Food: A Love Story by Jim Gaffigan
Oh food. How I love thee. Let me count the ways.
I, like many, feel in the trap of loving food maybe a little too much. Some people, like Jim, don’t seem to have a problem with it, but for me – well..there is a reason weight loss is necessary! LOL
I’m going to be honest; I have no idea who Jim Gaffigan is. I know he’s a comedian and I’ve seen him on the video stills when searching through Netflix and Hulu, but I am clueless to his work. I picked “Food: A Love Story” to review based solely on the simple fact that it is a food memoir of sorts. Everyone gave rave reviews saying he was a super funny guy and the book was a hoot. So, I decided to check it out for myself.
The first few short chapters are a peak inside Gaffigan’s life and how the food book came to be. They were fun and a great way to get to know Jim. Then we dive in to ‘An eatie, not a foodie.’
Let me share with you some of my favorite lines from this chapter:
“I have a strong opinion about food, but I am not a food expert or a ‘foodie.;”
“What I have is a very general and very personal knowledge of food. I know which food I enjoy, I know which food I hate. I know how food makes me feel.”
“…..give some people the impression that I think of myself as a ‘foodie,’ but I don’t. I think of myself as an ‘eatie.'”
The rest of the chapter goes on to clarify and attempt to define the difference between a foodie and an eatie.
It got me to thinking; especially about my adventures here on YUMeating. And, it really makes me wonder how many food and recipe bloggers are foodies and how many are eaties. And honestly, does it really even matter?
The next few chapters dive into food topics like buffets, how America is divided in regions based on food and drink, and various other topics. They were interesting enough so I kept reading.
Sadly, somewhere in the middle, the book lost its zest. It started the American food journey discussing different restaurants and eats, but ended up generalizing areas as a whole. The switch is painfully obvious and it made the rest of the book difficult to read.
It was as if Gaffigan either didn’t want to write any more, his wife took over, or he had nothing else to say so he made stuff up to cover the word count for his publisher.
I skimmed the rest of the book to make sure I wasn’t missing something, but I didn’t. I yawned and tossed the book aside.
Sorry foodie fans, the book was off and running but it quickly fizzled and lost its shine.
Have you ever read a food memoir? Let’s talk about it.
Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for my review. I am not being compensated for my time or this post. I am not forced to write a positive review. All opinions are 100% my own.
He is my FAVORITE comedian and I have seen him live a bunch of times. This book is on my Christmas list this year.
I love him! I think he is hysterical and this book sounds great to me! I love food. It keeps me going!
This sounds like a great read. I love Jim Gaffigan. He’s absolutely my favorite comedian of all time.
I’m sorry that book didn’t read well. He seems like a funny person. I don’t know much about him either. I know now to skip this good.
It would be interesting to hear his perspective on food and being an “eatie.” It’s rough that it lost its oomph long before the end of the read though.
I so hate when books start strong and then lose it! I always feel so let down. I am not big on these types of books I like romance and classics 🙂
That’s funny he calls himself an eatie. He’s a pretty funny guy but can’t say I’m surprised the book didn’t really have a lot to do I haven’t read many celebrity books for that reason. They just scream “I’m a celebrity, buy me just because.” no thanks.
I have never read a food memoir. I also do not know who Jim Gaffigan is either. The books sounds funny and good so I’ll be put it on my list to read.
I keep hearing about this book and I’ve considered reading it. I’m not sure I am going to now, however, based on your review.
I like Jim Gaffigan. You did a great review on this book. Too bad that it lost its zest somewhere in the middle.
No one makes me laugh quite as hard as Jim Gaffigan! I can’t wait to pick this up and read it!
He sounds just like me. I have strong opinions about food too because I know what I like and don’t like. Sounds like my kind of book.
As someone who has an auto-immune disease where diet is the main factor, food really is my life. I always say you are either curing a disease with what you eat or feeding it. Food is the most important thing. Jim Gaffigan is funny, I would enjoy reading this,too!
I have never read a book like this one. I have a great interest for food but it might be difficult to keep my interest with this kind of read.
I don’t know him but I love food so this would be a great read. Food is the reason why I can’t have the body that I want but oh well!
I love food too and consider myself a foodie, but I’ve never read a food memoir. This is actually the first time that I’ve heard of a food memoir. Interesting.
I find this interesting that a comedian would even write a book about food. I have to admit it would not be something I would read. I do love him as a comedian though.
Lol, Oh I love anything having to do with jim Gaffigan! He is just so so funny!
He is a riot! I think this would be great. I just love food. I bet its a really great read. I will have to check this out!
Isn’t he the ‘hot pockets!’ comedian? Does he mention them in his book? LOL 🙂
Now this looks like a very interesting book! I have to check this one out, right now!
It doesn’t sound like you were interested in it. I’m not a huge bookworm so most likely, I wouldn’t read it anyways.
Jim is hilarious! We got to hear him back in 2014 during Scentsy Family Reunion. Had us all roll with laughter! I would have thought he would be just as funny as a writer? Maybe not! lol
Nothing worse than a book that disapoints, time you can’t get back!! LOL He is hilarious thought, too bad the book bombed.
I have not read a food memoir before, but if I did, I think I’d prefer something that spoke of ‘adventurous eating.’ I think a book by Anthony Boudain would be nice to read.
I’m sorry it petered out along the way. I can’t think of a food memoir I’ve read, but I bet I have read one at some point. 🙂
Sorry the book wasn’t all that great. I haven’t ever read a food memoir before. I have heard of Jim Gaffigan and he has made me laugh. Too bad this book wasn’t super funny.