Exciting New Book Releases at Red Barn Mercantile

Today, I thought you’d be excited to hear about all the wonderful new books we have received – or will be receiving soon. Buying the books is one of my favorite things to do for the store. And the best books to buy are the cookbook and design books. My collections of both easily grow by a dozen every season. Below are six new books that I am adding to my collection and I think you should too.  My kids like to grouse about my cookbook collection, but they don’t seem to mind when I cook from one of them. (Insert eye roll emoji here). My absolute favorite celebrity chef is the Barefoot Contessa herself, Ina Garten. Her recipes are easy, fresh, and so flavorful. On October 6, she is releasing her latest book, Modern Comfort Food, and if that isn’t the best title for the times, then I don’t know what is. Ina is a 21st-century soothsayer and her book is out just in time to save us during the cold months coming our way. With recipes for Tomato Bisque Soup and Cheddar and Chutney Grilled Cheese, and also Ultimate Beef Stew and Roasted Butternut Squash with Brown Butter and Sage, this is a must for any collection. It’s available in the store now!  Ottolenghi Flavor: A Cookbook is the seventh title from New York Times bestselling author and chef/owner of six delis and restaurants in London. In this book he and his collaborator, Ottolenghi Test Kitchen’s Ixta Belfrage, “reveal how flavor is created and amplified through 100+ innovative, super-delicious, plant-based recipes.” The duo brings us vegetable-based meals like Spicy Mushroom Lasagna and Romano Pepper Schnitzels that are low-effort cooking and pack a punch. Look for this book in the store by October 13!  Nancy Silverton, the James Beard award-winning chef, baker, and owner of LA-based Osteria Mozza, Pizzeria Mozza, and Mozza2Go is out with a new cookbook with recipes from her meat-centric emporium, Chi Spacca. Hailed as a “meat speak-easy” by Food & Wine magazine, Chi Spacca serves up the secrets of Italian butchers from Umbria, Italy, where Silverton spent years studying. Chi Spacca: A New Approach to American Cooking also is out on October 13 with delicious recipes like Coffee-Rubbed Tri-Tip and Fried Whole Branzino with Pickled Peppers and Charred Scallions and Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Green Garlic Crème Fraîche. My mouth is already watering!  Next up are three design books that have me drooling and wishing I had the level of talent of these folks. First is Michael S. Smith with his new book Designing History: The Extraordinary Art and Style of the Obama White House. This book is not just a sneak peek into the Obama White House but a full dissertation on how Smith used design to reimagine the storied home and infuse it with Michelle Obama’s youthful style and vision for a more inclusive symbol. Pick up this book today and take a look at never before seen pictures of the private residence in all its glory.  New Southern Style: The Inspiring Interiors of a Creative Movement is the first book from Instagram famous photographer, Alyssa Rosenheck. In this book Rosenheck gives us a stunning visual tour of 30 homes and interviews with the 30 designers responsible for them. This is not your ordinary design book with one single perspective. It uses Southern designers as the vehicle to showcase styles categorized as Laid-Back, Coastal, Collected, Preppy, Minimal, and Playful. I just love how this book is laid out with different perspectives and I think you will too. It’s in store now! Finally, the book I’m most excited about is Made for Living: Collected Interiors of All Sorts of Styles by Amber Lewis of Amber Interiors. In this book she brings to life her effortless laid-back Los Angeles style and offers friendly advice on everything from how to mix and match patterns to how to pick the perfect stone countertop. Her style is a personal favorite of mine and I cannot wait to get this book in my hot little hands. Expect to see it in the shop by October 27.