A Baker's Year: Twelve Months of Baking and Living the Simple Life at the Smoke Signals Bakery Hardcover – February 13, 2018

I started following Tara on instagram @bakershands after seeing Stephanie Izard giving her a shout out. She inspired me to create my own sourdough starter and bread baking. Her words on Instagram were so well written, I thought I would enjoy this book, and it did not disappoint. This book tells her story of a year baking after a break up. Each chapter has a short story and finishes with techniques and recipes for baking breads, pies, cakes, etc. She is a wonderful writer and her focus on sourdough is very informative. I read this like a novel and really looked forward to each chapter.

Thoughtful, yummy, provocative. This isn't your typical cookbook! That's exactly why I loved it. Ok, so the pictures are beautiful and the recipes look delicious (I haven't made any yet, confession). But what really grabbed me about this book is the author's voice. She's funny and friendly and honest about life. A lot of folks are trying to sell you a story these days, but she is a lot more respectful of the reader. She's been through a lot, she's learned a lot and she's honest about it all. It's not bubblegum, but If you're one of her 100,000 followers her on Instagram you already know Jensen's a warm AND smart woman you'd like to hang out with.

Before buying this book I read the reviews, some put me off, but I have been following Tara on instagram and have been very impressed with her work so I went ahead and ordered the book.Reflecting on the bad reviews I get angry.Sometimes people put a low rating because they didn’t understand the nature of the product they are buying. This is clearly a bakers diary, its written on the title. And its ok to get a personal perspective of things there are many bread manuals out there, and I list them in this review at the bottom. If you just need a manual.Its not the only baking book you should buy, and it probably shouldn’t be the first. But it will have a place with your baking books. It provides another angle of baking. The more you love baking the more of these angles you will want to know about. Different books obviously give you different perspectives, and this books perspective is so worth exploring.I find that sometimes I crave depth, and a contemplative perspective, but in my busy life I cant always access it, reading the book allows me to get there, and I really appreciate it. I appreciate the book very much, and it relaxes me to read it.These are the other books its sitting with in my baking library:Tartine bread by chad RobertsonSourdough by Sara C owenFlour water salt yeast by Ken ForkishI give this book 5 stars, because when someone is teaching me something that they invested so much time in understanding, then I need to hear their personal perspective on it. I am honored to hear it.

I'm not a baker. But I love food. Coincidentally, my wife loves food. The only difference is she is a good cook and baker. I thought this would bea good "filler" gift, one that isn't the "main event" for Christmas, but can be used to compliment other gifts.It was indeed a good filler gift.Nay... it was a great filler gift. May I say, the best one I've given? This gift has truly turned into a gift that keeps on giving.Now my wife makes homemade bread on the regular. I still do not bake, but I still regularly eat tasty food, and now you can add amazing homemade bread to the list. I've never even read this book. I don't even think it's a recipe book. All I know is that before this book, my wife didn't make homemade bread. After this book, we have a regular supply of homemade bread. So something good came from it.

I am enjoying the book immensely, both the narrative and the recipes. I am starting a culture now for sourdough using the book. However, I am disappointed to find a number of typos and editing errors- one would need some baking knowledge to figure out where these are and compensate for them.

I bought this book as I was especially interested in those fantastic pies, but I am also learning some techniques to enhance my long form bread baking. This book is part memoir, part poetry book and a foodie paradise. Tara writes beautifully, no doubt about it. The book is raw and honest and loving and creative and strong. I am really happy to have it in my collection and expect to turn to if often.

Didn’t know it was an Advanced Readers’ Edition copy. Color photos in a cookbook is best.

When I ordered this book, I was excited to learn about rustic baking with beautiful grains over an open fire. But as I began reading it, I quickly realized it was so much more than that. Not only is it educational and satisfying to my baker hands, it is also oh so soothing to my soul.Tara pours out her heart, her life, and her love in this book—like a modern Henry David Thoreau. She captures the reader with her personal stories of simple living and love, and motivates us to pursue after the daily beauty of simplicity.Hands down, best book I’ve read this year! 💜

Love the poetic voice: it's worth the money just for that. But I found recipes and detailed explanation coukd jave been better

Loved the concept. But got a bit bored.

Not as user friendly as I had hoped. I gave up on it.