In the book Within Arm’s Reach, Gracie and Lila lead the effort to make sugar cookies for Easter lunch. The lunch introduces us to the McLaughlin Clan, a spirited, Irish-American family working through past and present trauma that both draws them together and pulls them apart. Grab your Easter bunny and egg cookie cutters and…
Category: Contemporary Fiction
Corporate Calamity
In the book The Same Bright Stars, Jack struggles with the decision to sell his family restaurant to the corporate juggernaut DelDine. As he wrestles with navigating life after the restaurant, he starts teaching himself how to make pies. One of the first pies he shares with his friends, Andie and Deacon, is a lemon…
The Best Of Your Soul
We Are the Light BY Matthew Quick In We Are the Light, Mark and Tony invite Jill an Lucas over to their house for dinner. Since Jill is always taking care of people through her cooking, they surprise her by hiring a private chef for the evening. Jill eagerly chats with the chef all night…
Locked in Silence
Happiness Falls BY Angie Kim In Happiness Falls, Mia’s boyfriend, Vic, visits the Parsons right before Eugene begins telling his story. Knowing the family is exhausted after the long interview, Vic makes them the only thing he knows how to cook– macaroni and cheese with salad on the side. Bake up the ultimate comfort food…
Where Credit is Due
A Likely Story BY Leigh McMullan Abramson In A Likely Story, Isabella’s godmother, Glenda, takes her out for a birthday dinner at Barney’s. Glenda orders to pair Dom Perignon along with two Madison Avenue Salads. Replicate this famous salad using this recipe for Mark’s Madison Avenue Salad Recipe, an excerpt from The Freds at Barney’s…
Melon Monsters, Money, and Mayhem
Swamp Story By Dave barry Alright, alright, alright…I know that you’re probably hoping that I included a recipe match made with real alligator. Unfortunately, I like to try out my recipes before I suggest them, and I currently live in Japan. We’re fresh out of alligator over here, guys. Talk about an import item. Instead,…
Making a Splash in Hollywood
American Mermaid By Julia langbein There is no limit on the number of mermaid food recipes you can find online. When I host book club, however, I’m usually tired from work and ready to relax with my friends. So, set those complicated mermaid birthday party ideas aside and try these easy clamshell cookies. Made with…
No Regrets, but Lots of Blame
Maame By Jessica George Maddie cares for her father, who has Parkinson’s Disease. When Maddie tells him that she is moving out, she makes him a lasagna and tells him over dinner as she is feeding him. This lasagna from All Recipes is one of my favorite go-to meals. Feed your entire book club as…
Rebounding from Life’s Mistakes
Hello Beautiful By Ann Napolitano When William visits the Padavona home for the first time, it is Emeline’s turn to cook dinner for the family. Cooking is not her forte, so she asks each family to select a TV dinner and gives each of them a crescent roll. William selects a turkey dinner. For your…
Sifting through the Pain
Meredith, Alone By Claire Alexander In the book, Meredith makes Tom some delicious sounding baked goods. One sweet treat that left me salivating was a white cake with buttercream and jam layers. While I don’t know the recipe that Meredith used, I think this recipe for Strawberry Mascarpone Layer Cake by Beyond Frosting might be…
Baking Through Book Club 