Delicious by Ruth Reichl

I love food, I love cookbooks and I have a particular soft spot for food writing!

I was therefore, along with many others greatly saddened when Condé Nast decided to close down Gourmet magazine which had been edited for years by the wonderful Ruth Reichl, formerly the food critic at The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times.

Fortunately for us all, however, Ms Reichl has a number of books such as Tender at the Bone and Comfort me with Apples, in which she tells the story first of growing up with a mother (the food-poisener, known as the Queen of Mold) and then her own road to a life with food. 

My personal favorite is Garlic & Sapphires about her start and early years as the New York Times food critic at a time when the New York restaurant scene was in its infancy with just a handful of star restaurants and no appreciation or understanding whatsoever for all the different cuisines that would come to be the hallmark of the city’s culinary life. The book is filled with great stories from a bygone age and peppered throughout with Ruth Reichl’s wonderful sense of humor.

With Delicious, Ruth Reichl has moved into fiction territory with a novel about a young girl, Billie Breslin, who grows up in the shadow of her perfect older sister whom she admires tremendously and with whom she starts a small homespun cake shop. The sister is the artist, while Billie has an exceptionally well developed palate. For reasons which shall not be divulged here, Billie decides to move to New York to work at Delicious, an iconic food magazine where she meets a colorful bunch of people from the chefs who test recipes to the Italian deli owner who refuses to compromise on quality. When the magazine folds, Billie stays on answering letters from readers all over the country and finds a long hidden and forgotten correspondence that puts her on a mysterious trail meant - in the end - to help her come to terms with who she is.

If Delicious sounds a bit light, it is. It feels very much like a made-for-television script to be enjoyed on a Sunday afternoon with a cup of tea and a slice of delicious gingerbread cake (check out the recipe in the book) - and for that purpose it is perfect.

If, however, you are looking for some of the best food writing around, then I highly recommend picking up one of Ruth Reichl’s non-fiction books, especially Garlic & Sapphires.

Happy reading! 

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Uncommon Type by Tom Hanks

Yes, it is THAT Tom Hanks and much to many people’s surprise, THE Tom Hanks has written a collection of entertaining, well-crafted short stories that provides what is, these days, a rare commodity: a warm fuzzy feeling and a smile on your face. There is no pretense of high literary style here, just good old fashioned story telling with a twist. 

Most of the 17 short stories are unrelated, with a few being pulled together by the same cast of four friends. The stories are in turn moving, thoughtful and some are downright hilarious. 

One thing that all the stories do have in common, however, is a sense of wholesomeness, Tom Hanks style. It is obvious that Mr Hanks would like to shine a light on - and remind the reader of - the good old fashioned values and virtues that make America great (not again, just great) the ones that welcome immigrants, respect diversity - and put a man on the moon. 

The stories all celebrate the extraordinary in the ordinary. There are no heroes in the stories - not the kinds we read about in the papers at least - but plenty of everyday heroes who try to navigate the difference between right and wrong and whose moral compasses are set on trying to always "do the right thing". 

Uncommon Type does feel like a drink of water in the desert of our current political climate, but the harking back to times when, at least the idea of such values was stronger in American society, can also at times seem a bit too nostalgic and Pollyanna like. 

But maybe we could all do with a bit of nostalgia and Pollyanna for a few hours.

Happy reading! 

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The sun and her flowers is like a warm cup of tea to comfort your soul and a sweet symphony that you'll find your heart twirling and dancing to. This unique and beautiful poetry book is divided up into five different chapters that explore the cycle of wilting, falling, rooting, rising and blooming. Through this book you are taken on a rollercoaster ride of the ups and the downs, the beauty and the pain, the hope and the fear, the strength and the weakness, and the love and the hate.

What really sparked my fondness for this book and enriched the reading experience for me, were the raw and delicate illustrations that accompanied the poems. The illustrations are done by Rupi herself, and add a new fresh layer of depth and meaning. I also love how the collection of poems in each chapter delve into a distinct and diverse sea of emotions, thoughts and topics that people can connect with and relate to in different ways. You will come out with a new sense of strength and power after reading this book, as the words will guide you on a journey from wilting and being at your lowest point to blooming and reaching your highest point.

The sun and her flowers is the perfect book to lift you up and inspire you on a dark and gloomy day. The sun and her flowers is the perfect book to pick up all your broken pieces and make them new and whole again. The sun and her flowers is the perfect book for anyone looking to escape and get lost in the pure beauty and fluency of poetry.

Reviewed by Vindhya Kathuria 

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I Am Malala is a powerful and inspirational book, that tells the story of one courageous girl who stood up for education and was shot by the Taliban. Malala was just 17 years old when she received the Nobel Peace Prize, making her the youngest ever recipient. Her passion, determination, and bravery resonates deeply within each and every page, touching the hearts and encouraging the minds of many.

When the Taliban took control of the Swat Valley in Pakistan, they banned all girls from going to school. They took their books and pens, and gave them pots and pans. They took their knowledge and joy, and replaced it with fear and sorrow. A storm cloud of gloom cast the valley into darkness, but there was one blazing beam of light that refused to be extinguished. Malala fiercely spoke out against the Taliban, through speeches and interviews, demanding that the gift of education be handed back to girls. When the Taliban threatened her, she spoke up even louder, With a thirst for education that could not and would not be quenched.

On Tuesday, October 9, 2012, when Malala was just 15, she was shot in the head at point blank range by the Taliban, while riding the bus home from school. They thought their bullets would silence her, but instead they amplified her voice. intensifying her strength, to fight with her burning devotion for girls rights and education for all. Malala's miraculous recovery has taken her on a remarkable journey, from a remote valley in Pakistan to the headquarters of the United Nations in New York. Malala is an icon for peaceful protest and a role model for girls all around the world.

I Am Malala is an absolute must read, that highlights just how much we take for granted every day; freedom of speech, freedom of religion and the freedom to dream. For although Malala wasn't allowed to dream beyond the Taliban's strict rule, she took her dream of equality for girls and education, watered it day by day with love and care, and watched it blossom into something beautiful that sheds it petals all around the world today.    

Reviewed by Vindhya Kathuria 

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