Breadsong

How Baking Changed Our Lives

By: Kitty Tait, Al Tait

Narrated by: Kitty Tait, Al Tait

Bloomsbury presents Breadsong by Kitty and Al Tait, read by Kitty Tait and Al Tait.

James Beard Awards 2023 nominee – Bread category
Shortlisted for the 2023 Andre Simon Best Cookbook Award

A cookbook full of heart that explores the redemptive power of baking.

Kitty Tait grew up a funny, chatty redhead who made everyone in her family laugh. But around the time she turned 14, Kitty began experiencing anxiety. Slowly, she disconnected from everyone around her and struggled to wake up, get dressed, and leave the house. Full of worry, her parents tried everything, from new hobbies like reading and painting to medication and visits to a specialist. Nothing seemed to help.

Then, one day, as Kitty stood on a stool watching her dad mix flour, water, and salt, she determined Al’s gloopy, sludgy blob of bread looked a whole lot like her brain. The next day, peaking under the tea towel as the mix gently bubbled and popped, Kitty came to a stunning realization: bread is alive. Al asked Kitty if she’d like to try baking bread herself, and their lives were never the same again. One loaf quickly escalated into an obsession, and Kitty felt better than she had for a long time. Within nine months, Kitty and Al opened The Orange Bakery—and they haven't stopped since.

Featuring more than 80 recipes—including cinnamon buns, cheese swirls, and tahini brownies—Breadsong is a celebration of bread and baking, and an inspiring story of the life-saving power of discovering a passion.©2022 Kitty and Al Tait (P)2022 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Delicious and heartwarming—like a beautiful loaf of bread

I stumbled upon this charmer and I’m hooked. I finished the first read, and immediately began it again. Great true story of family, mental struggles, finding one’s passion, and of course, breadsong. The included pdf is not to be missed. After resisting (even through the pandemic) it may compel me to start a damn sourdough starter.

Dealing with a heartbreaking illness!

Loved this book! That old saying “you’re only as happy as your saddest child is so true. It’s refreshing to hear how this family handled a child who was spiraling fast! For anyone who has experienced or had a family member who suffers from mental illness this is a must read book. I love how Katy found her joy. Truly an inspiring book!

Sweet wonderful story

Such a cute sweet story that also makes you hungry. Their voices are just lovely. I love the pdf recipes as well.

Crippling Anxiety, A Loving Family, and Delicious

What a gem this book is. I came to love Kitty and her father & the whole family. I wish all families were as down to earth, accepting of their realities and realistically supportive as this one.

Is this the story of a gloomy teen who discovers baking and starts her own bakery, snaps out of depression and goes to college and then a career in London--an accomplished woman with perfect nails? No, thank goodness. It's the very real memoir of a girl with a severe case of depression+ anxiety, her worried parents and siblings, and a budding interest in baking bread. Budding then turns to love & zeal.

I loved this well written, entertaining memoir. it's one of my favorite books ever.

One more wish: that every teenager (no, every person) discovers something that makes them come alive and feel like they belong in that world.

P.S. you might have to pause this book to race to a bakery and get some fresh baked bread.

A must listen

Really amazing story of facing adversity as a family. A wonderful story all families can relate to.