Millis Reads 2024: The Language of Food

Millis Reads is an effort to strengthen ties throughout the Millis community by encouraging everyone in town to read and discuss the same book. The mission of Millis Reads is to promote literacy, to foster community dialog, to increase engagement, and to broaden understanding and tolerance of differing points of view.

Participants are encouraged to read or listen to the book selection and attended a variety programs that tie in to the themes of the books!

Millis Reads was generously sponsored by the Friends of the Millis Public Library.

The Menu

Main Course

Eight Flavors by Sarah Lohman

This unique culinary history of America offers a fascinating look at our past and uses long-forgotten recipes to explain how eight flavors changed how we eat.

The United States boasts a culturally and ethnically diverse population which makes for a continually changing culinary landscape. But a young historical gastronomist named Sarah Lohman discovered that American food is united by eight flavors: black pepper, vanilla, curry powder, chili powder, soy sauce, garlic, MSG, and Sriracha.

In Eight Flavors , Lohman sets out to explore how these influential ingredients made their way to the American table. She begins in the archives, searching through economic, scientific, political, religious, and culinary records. She pores over cookbooks and manuscripts, dating back to the eighteenth century, through modern standards like How to Cook Everything by Mark Bittman. Lohman discovers when each of these eight flavors first appear in American kitchens–then she asks why. Eight Flavors introduces the explorers, merchants, botanists, farmers, writers, and chefs whose choices came to define the American palate.

Copies of the book are available in paperback at the Library.

The title is also available as a downloadable Audiobook on Hoopla and as an eBook or eAudiobook through Overdrive or the Libby app.

Sides

Here are some other titles you may enjoy.

Kids Menu

Delicious options for kids of all ages.

 

Events

Family Movie Night: Ratatouille

Thursday, February 22 at 5:45 PM

Join us for a screening of Ratatouille!  Popcorn and water will be served.

 

Celtic Chocolate Celebration with Kim Larkin of Klassic Kreations

Tuesday, March 5 at 6:45 PM

Kim Larkin of Klassic Kreations will host a presentation on delicious treats from the Emerald Isle! A cheerful program celebrating Ireland, Irish chocolate pioneers, Celtic lore, Irish poetry, The Book of Kells artistry, famous Irish authors and the history of the Claddagh.

Samplings include Irish tea, Irish bread, Irish Claddagh chocolates with lovely display photos of castles, vintage photos, fairy art.

Please register here.

 

French Omelettes with Marc Sievers

Saturday, March 23 at 2:00 pm

Join Marc Sievers for a lively and informative cooking demonstration. Marc is a Cookbook Author, Entertaining Expert, and Stylist, who was recently featured on America’s Test Kitchen: The Next Generation.

During the event, Marc will be preparing the Fines Herbes French Omelette from his cookbook, French Omelettes: Your New House Meal. Samples will be provided for all attendees and Marc will be available afterwards for Q&A and book signing.

Copies of his book, French Omelettes: Your New House Meal, will be available to purchase.

Register soon as space is limited!

 

More events coming soon!