Delicious! by Ruth Reichl

A delicious novel!  Billie Breslin has left college to pursue a job as an associate at a famous food magazine.  After an interesting inteview which encompasses not only a one-on-one with the editor but also a scavenger hunt of sorts, ends up getting the job.

One of her first responsibilities is responding to letters from readers who have tried recipes printed in the magazine.  Some of these stories are very funny and had me laughing out loud.  I even read some of the entries to interested listeners.

While working at the magazine Billie comes across some interesting letters in the library.  They were written by a young girl to chef James Beard.  They tell a story of life during WWII.

I loved this book.  This is the author's first work of fiction, although she has written several works of non-fiction.  Please write more fiction and I promise I'll read it.

Ladybookbug!

And the Dark Sacred Night by Julia Glass

This is the story of Kit Noonan, an unemployed art historian with a family to support.   Kit is in search of his biological father.  His search appears to have put a hold on everything he is attempting to do.  Finally, he contacts his stepfather in hopes that Jasper will help him locate his father.

Kit becomes connected with his father's family and discovers that his father kept tabs on him throughout his childhood.  Kit discovers other things about his father that upset him.

This is a well-written novel.  The characters are well-developed.  Toward the end of the book, the author introduces us to members of Kit's father's community.  She is able to grasp the perspective of gay men living during difficult times.

You might remember this author by one of her previous titles which won the coveted National Book Award for Fiction.  Namely , Three Junes.

Ladybookbug!

Chestnut Street by Maeve Binchy

Another great author!  You're probably thinking I say this alot and you'd be correct.  There are many authors out there that I really enjoy.  Some authors write many books but they are not necessarily consistently good.  There are other authors who are one-hit wonders and still more that were meant to be writers and I am pleased to have discovered them for myself. 

I'm not sure when I "discovered" Maeve Binchy but I have read all of her fiction titles from "Light A Penny Candle"  to "Chestnut Street" and I have loved every single one.   You may not know this but her title "Circle of Friends" was made into a movie and starred Minnie Driver. 

Chestnut Street is a book you'll want to savor.  Although I've been known to read a 368 page book in one evening,  I did not want this book to end and so I read it in three sittings.  Ms Binchy introduces us to each of the characters who reside on the street.  We become entwined in their stories.  I particularly liked the female characters who are portrayed as strong, independent women.  They don't have all the answers right away but they learn as they live their lives.

Unfortunately Ms Binchy left us way too soon.  She passed away in 2012.  The note inside the front cover states  "Maeve Binchy imagined a street in Dublin with many characters coming and going, and every once in a while she would write about one of these people.  She would then put the story in a drawer: "for the future," she would say.  The future is  now."

Thank you Ms. Binchy for sharing your gifts with us.  I believe you made the world a better place.

Ladybookbug!