A Place Called Sweet Apple: Country Living and Southern Recipes

by Celestine Sibley, Scarlett Blanton Rickenbaker (Illustrator)

With slip case. Good condition. SEE PHOTOS.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Nature, Cookbooks

242 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1973

About the author

A renowned southern author, journalist, and syndicated columnist, reported for the Atlanta Constitution from 1941 to 1999. Over her long career, she wrote more than 10,000 columns and many news stories of astonishing range, dealing with such varied topics as politics and key lime pie. Sibley was one of the most popular and long-running columnists for the Constitution, and her well-written and poignant essays on southern culture made her an icon in the South. Regarded by her colleagues as a reporting legend, Sibley was also the accomplished author of nearly thirty books published between 1958 and 1997.

Reviews

[Jessaka · Rating 3 out of 5]

I, too, like another reviewer, found this book at a thrift store, and so after getting almost done with the book, I bought most of her other books, but I didn't like most of them. It is a good relaxing book to read at bedtime. The author describes her life in a cabin in the woods in Georgia, and how she lived is exactly how I love living.

Georgia is such a beautiful State, and if you ever drive through Peachtree or even Senoia, you would find the most beautiful towns and country.

.

[Carlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is among my favorite books, one I return to after a year or so. It always delivers a sense of place, of community, working together to save and improve a special place.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this book at a Georgia antique store. Set near where my parents live, north of Atlanta. I like reading books by authors of the area that I am in, and this one was good. Interesting because of where I was at the time, and that we drove through Sweet Apple, and Crab Apple many times during the week.

[Lanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up at a thrift store or yard sale somewhere along the way and finally got a chance to read it. It's one of those endearing books that made me want to go to bed earlier, just because I preferred reading it to anything on tv. Haven't tried the recipes yet, but really liked the authors writing.

[Julie Anna (julieannareads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book at my mom's prompting and the author ended up reminding me a lot of my mom. I think they would've been great friends had they known each other. The book made me want a little cabin in the woods of my own. And though some of the recipes were slightly antiquated, I'm still interested in trying a few!

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember reading Mrs. Sibley's Column in our newspapers from the time I was a child. Hard news, burglaries, crime, disasters, panicked me and gave me nightmares; her column of gentle people and country ways spoke to my heart. I ordered the book for nostalgic reasons, but in re-reading the columns and listening to her voice as it rang through the decades, I have decided that what we all need more of in this harsh word is country wisdom and smart advice.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounding up to 4. I was a little disappointed in this since I was expecting it to read more like one of Gladys Taber's delightful NF books. Although an accomplished author, Sibley didn't provide me with the warmth I receive from a Taber book. Almost 100 pages of this book are recipes that didn't excite me either.

[Beatrice Scalf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely enjoyable. This book could make even the most stringent city dweller start looking for land for sale of the beaten path.

The author's sense of humor is subtle but engaging. I could see and hear both living and long passed relatives in her stories.

The recipes are just a bonus!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a book to read for plot or excitement, but it's comforting like drinking a cozy cup of tea in front of a fireplace around Christmas or a cold lemonade while rocking on a front porch in summer.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a book my Mom loved. I read it years ago but so enjoyed it the second time around. Filled with musings of country life and recipes, it resurrected a passion I’ve always had of living in the country. It’s not too late. 😊

[Randee-Sue Allen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just not a southern girl. Couldn't really appreciate the setting or get into the storyline. Not one bit interested in the many recipes.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back in hot old August while on a mini vacation in Black Mountain North Carolina with my husband, mother and youngest daughter, we discovered a charming used bookstore. I don't recall its name, but the shop is on the main drag in the picturesque little town. While browsing the intriguing array of volumes the owner managed to cram into the small store, I picked up a book by Celestine Sibley, signed by her too, entitled A Place Called Sweet Apple. I recognized her name and recalled having been captivated by her work many years ago while visiting my late, much missed grandmother. That was in the "80's and Ms. Sibley, a renowned Southern author, journalist, and syndicated columnist for the Atlanta Constitution, was still writing then. Apparently until her death in 1999.

Setting the volume aside in my summer busyness, I recently rediscovered my purchase. The cold winds blow and icy winter has settled in with its resemblance to the far north on our frigid farm, the ideal time of year for reading. Now, this isn't one of the books I've agreed to review or in my mounting TBR pile, but it beckoned to me with the warmth and crackle of a fire in the hearth, the color and tang of seasoned wood. I love Ms. Sibley's description of the 19th century log cabin that she, with much help from her family/friends, reclaimed in the Georgia countryside. If I didn't live in my beloved old farm house, Sweet Apple is just the sort of place I've always had a hankering for.

Once I embarked on the first chapter of this delightful book, the wit and wisdom of this gifted story teller entranced me. She captures rural Southern life, not only in her time, but also in many of the ways I've known it here in the Shenandoah Valley. And still do in some respects, though the times they are a changing. And not, I fear, always for the better. Hearken ye back, I say.

Ms. Sibley's cherished home comes to life with her rich blend of humor, wit and wisdom. Her love of place, family and friends, nature in its many rhythms, hues, and scents...her joy in the changing seasons, appreciation of the ways of man and beast. I found in her a kindred spirit, and believe if more people had her understanding this rum old world would be in far better shape. She knew what matters.

Her love of good Southern cooking is a highly enjoyable part of this book. I leave you with a recipe for cooked beans that sound mighty good to me. She's inspired me to cook up a pot full to have with cornbread, rice, and greens.

[Sherri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book that got me started reading Celestine Sibley, I was going through some old books on my mothers shelf after she passed away, I glanced through, and it sounded interesting, especially with the recipes, I started reading, and could not put it down. I loved how she writes about her adventures in living in the old cabin, and the people that visit her, and her family. Since then I have ordered my sisters this same book and sent it to them. I have also purchased other books by Celestine Sibley, and her granddaughter. LOVE them all! Would highly recommend to anyone that likes old time cooking, gardening, and the thought of living in an old cabin and fixing it up.

[Sherri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading A Place Called Sweet Apple,I love all the books written by Celestine Sibley, It tells about her adventures buying an old cabin, and fixing it up, and all the things she likes, or does not like about it. About the neighbors, and going from a city lifestyle to the country way of life..She also adds a lot of authentic recipes of country cooking....Loved it, Kept it, and go back to read it often...Something about the books just draws you to the simple way of life....

[Clara Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely book about a woman buying an old log cabin and making it into her home, with the help of good friends. Interesting old-timey recipes at the back, too..