The magic of the beautifully heartfelt epistolary novel is not merely that it perfectly captures the early 1990s and how so many of us struggled to make sense of what we were learning about the war in Sarajevo at the time, nor that it also deftly illustrates and evokes the sometimes painful journey of finding …
Happy news from Book Larder in Seattle, WA: Hello everyone, I’m Vivian Irving, and I’m writing today with deep gratitude and excitement to introduce myself as the new owner of Book Larder. Like many of you, the first time I walked into the store, I remember thinking, “Wow, a cookbook store… what a dream!” What I …
Two women from different generations and cultures bond over a shared restaurant space. One side is a trendy new barbeque spot and the other an iconic neighborhood bakery. Each has a hidden secret from her past that required her to recreate herself. When love appears in their carefully-controlled lives, can they open to romance again? …
I am always up for a novel in letters (84, Charing Cross Road, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Meet Me at the Museum). I like the challenge of piecing together a picture of each character through the way the letter writers describe the landscape of their lives. This novel has the added …
As a lover of all things wrapped in dough and filled with savory or sweet deliciousness, this book is just scrumptious perfection. Have you ever noticed how many global cuisines have their own version of dumplings? Step into the kitchens while ten different recipes are being followed by families who love good food, too. A …
Last night I read this wonderful book. The story of a little boy in CT who grows up to be a restaurant critic in Paris, then at Gourmet magazine (oh how I miss that publication). If you love food & dining like I do, you will devour this in one sitting. James Beard, Julia Child, …
Important traveller tip: Dinner at the Bozeman airport after 5pm is either food at one or two unremarkable (and overly crowded) eateries or a microwaved Hot Pocket. We got the last two pockets. This is the sort of thing that Bourdain does not cover in his recent book. –Mark Teppo, A Good Book, Sumner, WA …
In her newsletter, Portland author Liz Crain wrote, “[M]y book will bring comfort + joy + love + fun + a new kitchen project to those who use it. I’m hoping that it will be a bright spot.” Dumplings = Love is indeed a bright spot, with a wide range of dumplings from many different …
This is an early-rising, light breeze, blue sky, nobody around for miles kind of book. We follow two gentlemen: a struggling Mennonite and widowed farmer named David and a big-city, martinis and gay bar party-boy named Christie. When Christie’s aunt dies and leaves him her farmhouse situated on a few acres in rural Pennsylvania, he …
With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo came out last week. It’s a stunning book (look under the dust jacket!) and [Vintage Books and some other independent bookstores] have signed copies! [While supplies last…] I really loved this book! It’s a contemporary young adult about a young teen mother. In her search for identity …
