Month: June 2018

The Milagro Beanfield War by John Nichols

~ foodinbooks ~ 25 Comments

At last, we are in New Mexico! My home state is written about beautifully in this classic, The Milagro Beanfield War. Set in the mythical village of Milagro (there is actually a Milagro, NM, but the real town is nothing like the book's version), it's the story of Joe Mondragón and his fight for water … Continue reading The Milagro Beanfield War by John Nichols

A short post on depression

~ foodinbooks ~ 11 Comments

Kate Spade's and Anthony Bourdain's suicides shocked the world, and has shone a renewed light on depression. It's understandable. If people like them, who have fame, good looks, love, wealth, and a powerful voice, can't fight the demons of depression, what hope do we regular folks have? I have fought depression for years, like so … Continue reading A short post on depression

The Dead House by Billy O’Callaghan

~ foodinbooks ~ 8 Comments

What I found fascinating about The Dead House is the fact that it's narrated in first person by a character who is not the focus of the story, but whose own story is as much a part of the overall arc as the main character. Mike is an art dealer and his best friend is … Continue reading The Dead House by Billy O’Callaghan

The Coincidence of Coconut Cake by Amy Reichert

~ foodinbooks ~ 23 Comments

I fully admit that this would never have been a book I'd deliberately choose to read, falling as it does into my category of chick lit. And we all know how I feel about chick lit. However, The Coincidence of Coconut Cake (what a twee title!) was actually fairly decently written, though with a fair … Continue reading The Coincidence of Coconut Cake by Amy Reichert

Homage to Anthony Bourdain

~ foodinbooks ~ 16 Comments

I woke to the horrific news that Anthony Bourdain had committed suicide. I referred to him as my "future ex-husband," and he was certainly one of the biggest influences on my cooking. I am pretty heartbroken over this. My heart goes out to his family, particularly his daughter, and I hope his wild soul has … Continue reading Homage to Anthony Bourdain

Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger

~ foodinbooks ~ 11 Comments

This is a bizarre, surreal, and very captivating read. I'd read The Time Traveler's Wife a few years ago by the same author, and although I enjoyed it greatly, it didn't grab me the way this one has. Her Fearful Symmetry is one of the strangest and compelling ghost stories I've read in ages, although … Continue reading Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger