The Lost Art of Mixing

The Lost Art of Mixing follows the intersecting lives of Lillian, a restaurant owner in the Pacific Northwest, and the people connected to her establishment. Through her cooking and relationships, she becomes intertwined with her accountant Al, his wife Louise, and her employee Chloe. The story expands beyond the restaurant to explore the personal struggles and transformations of multiple characters, including a grieving widower and a young woman searching for direction. Food and cooking serve as both backdrop and catalyst, bringing characters together in unexpected ways. The characters face decisions about marriage, family obligations, career paths, and defining what makes a meaningful life. Their individual journeys overlap and influence each other through shared meals and kitchen wisdom. The novel examines how people create connections and find belonging through food, shared experiences, and the simple act of breaking bread together. It considers the ways that cooking - like relationships - requires patience, trust, and the willingness to embrace both tradition and change.

Readers describe this as a gentle, character-driven follow-up to The School of Essential Ingredients, though many note it works as a standalone novel. What readers liked: - Rich character development and interweaving storylines - Vivid descriptions of food and cooking - Calming, meditative writing style - Authentic portrayal of relationships and life changes What readers disliked: - Slower pace than the first book - Less focus on cooking/food compared to predecessor - Some found the multiple storylines hard to follow - Several readers wanted more resolution for certain characters Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (300+ ratings) Review quotes: "Like a warm bowl of soup for the soul" - Goodreads reviewer "Beautiful writing but moves too slowly" - Amazon reviewer "The food descriptions transport you right into the kitchen" - LibraryThing review "Characters feel like old friends" - BookPage review

The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister A cooking class brings together people whose lives intertwine through food, memories, and healing.

The Hundred-Foot Journey by Richard C. Morais An Indian family opens a restaurant across from a Michelin-starred French establishment, leading to a tale of cultural bridges and culinary passion.

The Kitchen Daughter by Jael McHenry A woman with Asperger's syndrome connects with family ghosts through cooking ancestral recipes.

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen Two sisters inherit a garden with mystical properties and use food to influence the lives of their North Carolina neighbors.

The Love Goddess' Cooking School by Melissa Senate A woman inherits her grandmother's cooking school and discovers family secrets through traditional Italian recipes.

🔖 "The Lost Art of Mixing" is the sequel to Erica Bauermeister's bestselling novel "The School of Essential Ingredients," following several of the same beloved characters. 🍳 Before becoming a novelist, Bauermeister co-wrote "500 Great Books by Women: A Reader's Guide" and taught literature and creative writing at the University of Washington. 🌿 The author spent three years researching the science of smell and its connection to memory and emotion while writing her books about food and cooking. 🍽️ The novel weaves together multiple storylines centered around Lillian's restaurant, much like the way different ingredients come together to create a complete dish. 📚 Each chapter in the book is written from a different character's perspective, allowing readers to experience how food and cooking uniquely impact various lives and relationships.