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…
Tag: Contemporary Fiction
A Method to the Madness
In the book By Any Other Name, Emilia has to suffer through an abusive marriage. She spends much of her time doing whatever she can to provide bread for her family. In one scene of the book, Emilia stands up to her husband, Alphonso, while taking a swig of ale and a bite of bread….
A Filtered View of the Marvel Universe
In the book Breaking the Dark, Jessica spies on Amber’s teenage son, Fox, while he is at a restaurant for his friend’s birthday dinner. She hasn’t eaten a proper meal in days, and the author goes out of her way to describe the warm, flaky bread that was served. We hope to give Jewell’s description…
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…
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…
All That’s Missing is a Golden Ticket
The Only Game in Town BY LACIE WALDON In The Only Game in Town, Sally and Luanne’s feud leads to an underground muffin operation within the town of Redford. During the second competition, each team member had to keep at least one hand on a wall at all times to prevent from getting eliminated. Jess…
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,…
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…
Baking Through Book Club 