Wine Girl audiobook

QUICK TAKE: Part EDUCATED, part SWEETBITTER, WG is a great behind-the-scenes look at the restaurant industry (both the good and bad), though I wish James, as an industry leader, had discussed steps she’s currently taking (and the industry as a whole is taking) to prevent what happened to her (harassment, gender disparity) from happening to other young women on their way up. It’s a small quibble, but would have elevated an excellent book above similar titles in the genre.

Don’t be fooled into thinking that ‘Master Sommelier’ is simply a pretty label for someone that knows wine; The title was well earned.What Victoria lives through to be able to share her love of wine with people will break your heart, only to leave you amazed and inspired by how she found a way to thrive in a world where most people want to pull you down.Like any good meal paired well, this memoir made me want to return to her restaurant & experience more.I absolutely loved this powerful, could-not- put- down wine adventure.*Definitely for fans of Educated by Tara Westover.

Amazing story with raw and real experiences. This really hit home for me as I am in the wine industry. I cannot believe all Victoria had to overcome in her life, and it makes you realize how resilient the human spirits truly is.Thank you for sharing your life and being so open.

4.5/5 stars rounded up. I FLEW through this memoir and loved every page of it! The book is written in a way that made me feel like the author was in the room telling me about her life. I felt so connected to her and felt her pain/fear/joy/happiness. Her dry sense of humor (which I loved) made the book flow perfectly for me. The overall message for women was for them to “share their stories, take charge of their lives, and empower others. Stand for social justice and create positive change.” HERE FOR IT! Part of the fun in reading this book might be because I live in NYC. Each time a neighborhood or restaurant that I’ve been to was mentioned, it just created that much more of a connection for me. It was interesting to hear about the behind-the-scenes things that go on in Michelin-starred restaurants. I’m also a wine fan and I’ve always wanted to study more about it. Some of the wine jargon that other readers might find boring was right up my alley!

Breathtaking memoir about America's youngest sommelier about her experiences in the service industry. A highly recommended read, especially for fans of Educated!CW/TW: child neglect alcoholism, sexual assault. Please be aware of your triggers when you pick up this book

I absolutely loved this book. Full review here~ meganprokott.com/2020-nonfiction//win...

Few books cause me to react in the way that this story evoked. From the very beginning, I was drawn into her bizarre and tumultuous family dynamic, the unique, terrifying, and depressing teenage years, and the crazy ups and downs of the early 20s. I now simultaneously (continue to) hate the food service industry while respecting those who succeed and thrive in such a cutthroat atmosphere. At the very start, you know this story will be unlike any other. Victoria was raised in an environment of strife, postnatal depression, teetotaling and a strict religious upbringing that swings to drunkenness, wild parties, drugs, gambling, and a young girl doing her best to survive. Her early lessons in economics from budgeting a grocery list and growing her lemonade stand, and the constant pressure and drive to succeed, become a sustaining force in her life, which ultimately leads to a saga worth reading. Growing up in the ways she was accustomed rarely leads to much more than a repeat cycle of pain and abuse, but Victoria not only exceeds, she ascends, and continues to climb, claw, scrape and scrabble her way to the top. Not only that, it’s done with grit and integrity often lost to her generation. Her career in beverages starts first with lemonade, and then through a series of diners, chain eateries and Michelin star restaurants, she breaks barriers, shatters records, and rises through the ranks of the wine and spirits industry. She exposes the darker side of restaurant service (although, my former, and limited, experience fails to see much light). There is bribery, endless swapping of favors, blackmail, a horrific caste system, and the always prevalent gender inequality. Despite the persistent forward trajectory in Victoria’s life, there are tragic bumps along the way. She manages to push through a lot of trauma but not without emotional repercussions. She shares her experiences not as a victim, but as a survivor. Within each incident, she finds wisdom and the ability to grow and change. Her bravery in sharing her stories is only overshadowed by the callousness and cowardice of her attackers and those who turned a blind eye to the obvious indiscretions. My favorite part of this book was the tastings and descriptions of the different wines. Reading about her education is an education in itself. It makes you want to learn more about wine, visit the places she’s gone, meet some of the people, definitely drink the wine. I even would be game to work at one of the smaller wineries like where she interned. She makes it sound so fun and attainable, when in actuality, it was a lot of work. She makes surviving hellish scenarios look effortless. I’m still in awe of how people can smell the different notes in wines. As a relatively new wine drinker, I can only dream of smelling and tasting like a sommelier (that’s some-all-yay). Victoria is not only a successful, certified sommelier and beverage director, she’s an incredible writer and storyteller. I didn’t want this book to end, but even at the end, I wanted to sit down with her with a bottle of wine and pick her brain further about her time at Marea, find out the true names behind the pseudonyms, and hear more stories about celebrities she’s served. Wine Girl is an immersive experience that I recommend for anyone that enjoys good food, good wine, and a good story.Many thanks to the publisher for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

3.5/5I don't really drink wine (although I have, on occasion, enjoyed wine tasting in the Niagara region), and don't know a thing about sommeliers even though half my family are in the restaurant business. So this book, Wine Girl offered a great introduction into what it means to be sommelier, and what it's like being a young and female sommelier for Michelin restaurants in New York City. Working in the restaurant business is stressful enough on its own, but the added pressure of working for Michelin-starred restaurant, being the youngest sommelier in the country, and being a female in a male-dominated field presents many challenges. To be honest, I was completely shocked by Victoria James's traumatic and dark experience in the hospitality industry and the level of disrespect that she had to endure from her colleagues and patrons. I found it hard to believe that such sexism still exists in the culinary world... but perhaps the restaurant industry or the world of Michelin-starred restaurants is more brutal and misogynistic in New York than it is in other parts of the world?This book was really interesting, especially the parts about being a sommelier (and the journey of becoming a sommelier). The weakest points of this book were the personal stories, which were good, but could've benefitted from more self-reflection and emotion.TW: rape*** #24 of my 2020 Popsugar Reading Challenge - A book on a subject you know nothing about ***

Thanks to EccoBooks for my free copy of Wine Girl in exchange for my honest review! I love wine and I loved this book! I love reading memoirs and books that dive into the experiences that have shaped people into who they are today! Victoria's story was interesting and heartbreaking, reading about the way she grew up and the way she was treated throughout the restaurant industry! I loved reading about the way she grew over all the years working at different restaurants and loved reading about her competing and winning many sommelier competitions. The amount of dedication and time she spent towards something she loved and something she wanted to prove to herself and others was inspiring. And the amount of abuse and hate she endured working over all the years was disgusting, but it was beautiful reading about her overcoming all the obstacles and helping other women against what she experienced! She is one strong and badass sommelier and I am so glad I was able to read her story! And it was also so fun to read and learn more about wine and just how intense the wine world is! Pick this up if you love memoirs, wine, and strong and inspiring women! (Trigger Warning for sexual assault and abuse)

This book surprised me because it is one of those that I found in the library. I'm glad I did because otherwise, I wouldn't have read it. It is the story of a girl who lived through difficult times but who achieved many successes. I had no idea how difficult is the world of sommeliers. Wine is a very complex product. I invite you to read this book if you want to know the life of a very talented and brilliant girl whose name is the same as mine.

As a bit of background, I'd like to add that I had the immense privilege of working with Victoria for a year and a half. She once remarked to me when facing a minor work-related quandary, that "if we lead with love, everything will be alright."This book is a testament to that statement, one I've carried with me since. Upon starting the book, I very quickly realised that I would not be able to put it down, and read it in one sitting. It's written with infectious honesty and beauty. I think that anyone that has worked in the service industry will relate to the things Victoria James details in this book, but I am certain that women especially will be able to find themselves within these pages. James accurately writes of how you can feel unwanted while working, how women must jump through different hoops and run through different mazes, only to realise that they are simply not playing the same game. She lays bare the blatant and horrid sexism and harassment she faced, and I'm certain readers might be relate to it all too well. James calls for change and to speak up for each other, and if we have Victoria James to help us lead the way, then change is certainly coming. Throughout every trail and tribulation, she continues to lead with love, and, as a result, you root for her every step of the way. It's such a joy when to see that hard work, grit, and determination win out for our hero, and even better to know that this book is not just a story, it's real life, and this hero walks among us.Do yourself a favour and pick up this book. I'm certain you won't be able to put it down. xx

Named America's youngest sommelier, Victoria James recounts her journey from a traumatic childhood into the toxic, misogynistic world of spectacular fine wine and Michelin star restaurants. It's an eye-opening, maddening, heart-breaking read that will inspire you, uplift you, make your blood boil while making you learn to appreciate and view wine in a whole new light. It's dark, entertaining, well written and shows you the real meaning of resilience. I had no idea how hard it must be for females particularly to be in such a male dominated industry, even in todays world. It reminded me of American Psycho, how women are treated and it's the first glimpse into feminism I've ever really had in a sense. It really angered me and made me want to do something about it!

I was immediately wrapped up in this memoir. Granted, I'm pretty into wine, but still - this book is about more than that. It's about being a woman in a male-dominated industry. It's about living through trauma and just...well, continuing to live. I rolled my eyes when I saw what the last chapter was going to be about and then I totally cried anyways - because that's how badly, after a couple hundred pages, I was rooting for her.It's Victoria's story. But it shares common threads with the stories of so many women.Wine Girl also is a book that pulled me in right away *and* kept me interested & engaged at a time when few books seemed able to accomplish such a feat.Please be advised, there are a lot of content warnings. I didn't know any of these going in and was OK, but please make the best decision for yourself (i.e., whether you'd rather have an idea what to expect, or go in blank). Content warnings: (view spoiler)[Multiple rapes (including an employer raping her, making her view pornography, taking naked photos of her); rude, misogynistic behavior, sexual harassment; depression; child neglect and abuse - spanking, forced running, kneeling on a bag of rice, parent put child in psych ward when they arguably didn't belong there; alcohol abuse; gambling; disordered eating; bulimic behavior (described callously); dealing drugs; heroin use; explicit racism; date-rape drugs (hide spoiler)]