08/06/2018
Actress and book club host Witherspoon pays tribute to her Southern roots in this charming collection of recipes, how-to’s, and personal stories. She draws heavily on life lessons learned from her grandmother, including how to be a good hostess (“Serve dinner about one hour after the start time on the invitation”) and guest (“When in doubt about how fancy it is, dress up”). Recipes are grouped by events with suggestions for what to serve at, say, a book club meeting (red and white wine, baked brie, hot spinach-artichoke dip, olive medley, cheese and fruit) or a pre-concert gathering (smoked pecans, crab puffs, champagne and ginger ale cocktail). Almost without exception, recipes are emblematic of country fare and feature classics including fried okra, creamy gravy, and shrimp and grits. Fried chicken, ribs (in her brother’s Tennessee barbecue sauce), and pulled pork sliders with bourbon sauce are highlights among the many enticing dishes. The book’s scope is wide and ranges from Southern expressions (“madder than a wet hen”) and must reads by Southern authors (Walker Percy’s The Moviegoer) to Witherspoon’s love of Dolly Parton and monograms. Readers looking to make a foray into Southern cooking and etiquette will find Witherspoon an enthusiastic guide. (Sept.)
"A must-read for Southerners and Southerners-at-heart come fall."
"A lavish lifestyle guide and cookbook that’s a paean to her native Dixie."
It is hard not to respond to actor-producer-writer-entrepreneur Witherspoon’s southern cooking and lifestyle guide, presented with warmth and no small amount of wit. Many features attract, such as sidebars on everything from valuable tips for hosting to the specifics of hot-rolling hair. Nearly 50 recipes and 8-plus menus will suit almost any celebration, gathering, and occasion... Connecting it all is Witherspoon's very hospitable narrative, sharing stories of growing up, family, and traditions that many will relate to.
OK, so you can’t party with Reese Witherspoon, but you can party like Reese Witherspoon—thanks to this part memoir, part guide to southern living from Elle Woods herself. The gorgeously shot book features tips on entertaining, as well as recipes, beauty hacks, and totally random but necessary lessons like how to catch a frog with your bare hands.
You may not have known you needed a charming lifestyle guide from Reese Witherspoon, but, trust us on this one, you do. Out this month, Whiskey in a Teacup is part etiquette primer, part cookbook, and part hot-roller how-to, all told in the actress/producer’s sharp, exuberant voice.
Peppered with tales from her own Nashville, Tenn., upbringing, Reese Witherspoon’s first book features mouthwatering recipes, tried-and-true style tips, and entertaining expertise. Come for the best advice she received from Dolly Parton, and stay for her hot-roller hair tutorial, y’all.
"Whiskey In A Teacup, as the title suggests, is a dose of sweet medicine with a kick, and it's a wonderful guide to entertaining, decorating, and celebrating, in the style of one of the nation's most beloved actresses."
"Buy two copies—this will be the go-to hostess gift of the season."
In Whiskey in a Teacup, Reese shares deeply personal stories about her life in the South and offers up her best advice on entertaining and life in general (yes, there's even a detailed description on how to hot roller your hair, Reese Witherspoon style!). It contains nearly 50 recipes, making it the perfect book to buy for yourself, and also a friend.
"Reese Witherspoon, resident ray of sunshine, wrote a book that’s as charming as she is. In Whiskey in a Teacup she shares everything from how she does her hair to her grandmother Dorothea’s best recipes. If you love Reese, you’ll love her book."
08/01/2018
Proud of her Southern heritage, actress Witherspoon, founder of the retail brand Draper James and media company Hello Sunshine, unabashedly spreads the Southern women's ethos of graciousness and hospitality; giving suggestions for treating others respectfully, keeping a home, and entertaining friends. Considering the book a tribute to the poised, strong women she admired growing up in Nashville, Witherspoon uses a warm, conversational tone to reminisce about her accomplished grandmother, mother, and others who taught her that multifaceted women can build a strong family home and impact the wider world. Her sense of humor and ability to poke fun at herself shine in childhood anecdotes (and photos of her hot-roller technique), though seriousness shows in comments about favorite books, the family table, and doing good deeds. Sincere descriptions of making family and friends comfortable in her home—whether for book club night or a holiday—are punctuated with almost 50 uncomplicated, sentimental recipes (like her grandmother's tea punch) and playlists of favorite music. This is not a Hollywood tell-all or shameless self-promotion though there are mentions of other celebrities. VERDICT Sure to be popular with Witherspoon's fans, this pleasant book could have wider appeal to anyone interested in modern Southern living and style.—Bonnie Poquette, Milwaukee
