Slim Man Cooks: The Adventures and Recipes of Mr. Man

This attempt by Slim Man (no other name is provided) to create something between a cookbook of standards and a memoir (he calls it “faction,” a self-created genre mixing facts with exaggerated storytelling), might test the reader’s patience. This print edition contains expanded versions of many of the recipes he’s posted on YouTube; QR codes in the book take readers directly to the clips. The 52 recipes are a collection of Italian classics (chicken Milanese, minestrone, eggplant parmigiano, etc.) with a few exceptions, such as crab cakes and the woefully titled Salmon Ella—baked salmon with a maple, garlic, ginger, and soy sauce that has absolutely nothing to do with the accompanying story about Man seeing Ella Fitzgerald perform when he was a child. Each recipe is paired with a meandering story, often unrelated to the flavors of the dish, and usually recalling the author’s musical endeavors; he has since segued into the realm of smooth jazz, which readers can hear for themselves if they buy the book from the Slim Man website and get a free accompanying CD. This is a fine souvenir for those attending one of Slim Man’s performances, but not of much use to those who aren’t fans. (BookLife)