Author: foodinbooks

I read, I cook, I travel, I love pugs, I drink wine, and I blog about food and books.

The Chef’s Secret by Crystal King

~ foodinbooks ~ 16 Comments

Historical fiction is probably my favorite genre in the world, and anything set in my spirit country of Italy even more so. This marvelous book, The Chef's Secret, not only meets both of those criteria, but it's also about FOOD! And FORBIDDEN LOVE! and MYSTERY! And MORE FOOD! OK, I'll calm down now, but you … Continue reading The Chef’s Secret by Crystal King

Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris

~ foodinbooks ~ 47 Comments

I've felt a bit burnt out with my blog writing lately, though I can't figure out if it's because I've read through most of the books I really wanted to, or just haven't felt the yen to cook. It's a combination of both, but I think the New Year and wintertime is so gray and … Continue reading Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris

The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love by Oscar Hijuelos

~ foodinbooks ~ 23 Comments

Reading this book and getting to know the main character of Cesar Castillo in The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love was both a joy and a sadness. This is a man with a great lust for life, dancing and drinking and eating and womanizing.......and with a talent for making decisions based on instinct and … Continue reading The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love by Oscar Hijuelos

Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield

~ foodinbooks ~ 28 Comments

One of my Christmas gifts, this book is one of the most compelling that I've read in ages. I'm a terrible literary snob, as I'm sure is no surprise to anyone who follows my blog, and I am very picky about what I read. So when I am compelled by a book, for me I … Continue reading Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield

Winter’s Tale by Mark Helprin

~ foodinbooks ~ 30 Comments

I was first given the book Winter's Tale by a woman who worked with me in a law firm,  several years ago. She was an odd woman, claiming to be psychic and in touch with - in her own words - "the universal forces." She was a practicing Wiccan, though it turns out she was … Continue reading Winter’s Tale by Mark Helprin

The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton

~ foodinbooks

Kate Morton is, for me anyway, hit or miss. I loved The Lake House, and have plans to blog it sometime in the future. I disliked The Forgotten Garden because it was just so implausible. But I really enjoyed The Clockmaker's Daughter. It is precisely the type of book I love - fictional but set … Continue reading The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton

Vaporetto 13 by Robert Girardi

~ foodinbooks ~ 14 Comments

Robert Girardi is one of my favorite "unknown" writers. He wrote Madeleine's Ghost, which I blogged about previously, and Vaporetto 13 is another novel that combines cynicism, hope, the supernatural, and a gorgeous city as the backdrop. In this case, Venice. You can read about what makes Venice so uniquely gorgeous and special by checking … Continue reading Vaporetto 13 by Robert Girardi

Casino Royale by Ian Fleming

~ foodinbooks ~ 22 Comments

I am a diehard Bond Girl. I've seen all the films, read all the books and of course, have my own opinions about who has been the best Bond of all. Having a major crush on Timothy Dalton, I am biased in his favor, but there is also something to be said for the talents … Continue reading Casino Royale by Ian Fleming

The Waiting Room by F.G. Cottam

~ foodinbooks ~ 16 Comments

F.G. Cottam is my new favorite author of horror, supernatural and paranormal fiction. He's published several works, and I'd previously blogged The House of Lost Souls, which was the first book I read by him and the one that hooked me into his elegant, spare and eerie style of writing. The Waiting Room is a … Continue reading The Waiting Room by F.G. Cottam