Welcome to the Monthly Book Report and Book Review Link-up #19 – February 2026!
On the First Wednesday of each month I will be sharing my latest read – which could be a cookbook, a celebrity chef biography or memoir, a lifestyle book, a gardening book, a homemaking book or maybe even a cozy kitchen mystery book. They may be paper books, eBooks, or audio books. I have challenged myself to read or listen to at least one book per week, and I plan to share that with you all here.
In addition to my Book Report, there will be a Book Report LInky – a chance for all of you to share your own book review blog post (TWO per blog, please). We want to see what had you page flipping, can’t put it down, totally captivated.
Lastly will be a few Featured Reviews from the previous month’s shared posts. This will be a post picked at random by the host. Each host will likely pick their own features – so that’s multiple chances to be featured!
If you have any suggestions for me on book I should check out – please let me know!
About the Author:
Carrie Solomon is an American chef and cookbook author. She has authored cookbooks in English and in French. She writes and contributes recipes regularly for ELLE magazine France. She lives in Paris with her two daughters.
Brief Description of the book:
Leading chefs such as Hugh Acheson, Alice Waters, Dan Barber, and others have become famous for the sumptuous creations they offer at their legendary restaurants. But what happens when the chef whites come off and they head home? With exclusive photographs and interviews, authors Carrie Solomon and Adrian Moore provide an inside look at how these icons of cuisine cook for themselves.
Each chef’s entry contains an anecdotal essay that sheds light on his or her personal and professional background; annotated photographic spreads showing the contents of their refrigerators and freezers; a short Q&A section; an informal portrait in their kitchen; and recipes. This is a rare, intimate window into the lives and appetites of some of today’s greatest culinary minds—including twelve chefs who share 36 Michelin stars between them.
My Review:
I was really unsure when I decided to download this book into my kindle app. But wow was I impressed with the content. It truly is a rare look into the real lives of these chefs that we see on TV and on so many cookbooks. I really enjoyed the banter of the interview, its just an accounting of their conversations. I was also very inspired by the intriguing ingredients that were found in the Chefs’ Fridges.
Title: Best-Ever Homemade Ramen Secrets of a Japanese Ramen Chef
Author: Shigekazu Takanashi
Publication Date: September 2025
Published by: Tuttle Publishing
Listed Price: $17.99 (hardcover)
About the Author:
From his bustling shop in Shizuoka to kitchens around the world, Chef Takanashi’s mission is simple: to help you make the best-ever homemade ramen—fast, fun, and full of flavor!
Brief Description of the book:
Japanese ramen chef Shigekazu Takanashi shows you how to make authentic ramen from start to finish (including the broth) in under an hour!
Ever wish you could create delicious ramen at home that tastes like it came straight from a professional noodle bar in Tokyo or Osaka? This new book by Japanese ramen chef Shigekazu Takanashi shows you how—using easy-to-find ingredients, flavor-enhancing secrets and time-saving shortcuts!
My Review:
This cookbook is loaded with so many pieces of education with gorgeous photos. And the cookbook has way more than just Ramen recipes which make it possible to have the entire Ramen shop experience right in your own kitchen.
This Months’s Featured Posts:
These are posts that stood out from the list of linked up posts last month. I hope you will hope over and check out their review. And don’t forget to link-up your own book-centric posts – YOU MIGHT BE NEXT WEEK’S FEATURE!
Strong Roots by Olia Hercules
Shared by The Flourishing Family
#OpenBook for January 2026
Shared by Spiritual Woman
The Book Review Linky
Meet Your Librarians…errmmm I mean Hosts!
Now for the link-up!
Party Guidelines:
1. Please take some time to poke around and visit some of the other links.
2. Please take some time to check out your hosts and co-hosts on social media.
3. We appreciate the variety of blogs on the www; however, the Book Review Linky is for links related to Books. Please link accordingly.
4. All Captions need to be Family-Friendly and PG. If your post has EXPLICIT content, you must label it in the caption. If you DO NOT DO this your link will be removed.
5. You may add as many Book-Centric Posts as you like.
With your help, we can continue to grow the Book Review Linky Party ! Thank you!
We are looking for Co-Hosts. Help us Rock this party!
If you are interested, please contact Estelle at homemadeonaweeknight@gmail.com
By joining the Book Review Linky, you signify permission for the listed Hosts to share your posts and images here and receive an email reminder when our next Book Review Linky is LIVE.
Chefs’ Fridges – how interesting! I sat on a plane this week with a man who was a private chef for a 94-year-old man. I asked what he liked to cook most for himself, and he said Totino’s Pizza! lol.
Isn’t that the funniest! Chefs always seem to make themselves the most simple common things
The Chef’s Fridge sounds really different and delightful!
Happy February Ladies. Thanks bunches for hosting & warm hospitality. I’m sitting at #7 this month. Happy Reading.
The Chefs’ Fridges sounds fascinating! Thanks for the link-up
Thanks so much ladies for sharing What Did You Read This Month with Bookish Bliss Musings & More Quarterly Link Up.