This book whetted my appetite for food writing. A great account of Villas’ life, his friends, and his recipes. When he inserts recipes to illustrate a story, it’s better and more delicious than photos. This isn’t a Hollywood tell all, but just as fun.

The best way to experience another culture is to eat what they eat. Lisa eats her way through 25 countries and cultures. Hint they don’t go to restaurants. How to get to the food is just as interesting.

Why has cooking become so important in American Life? Let me rephrase that, why have chefs become celebrities? After reading Rulman’s book, I know why. The three sections are not just descriptions of the cooking but, they are intimate experiences of their daily lives. Read about two chefs in their own environment, and one chef taking the Certified Master Chef at the CIA.

Better than any TV reality show about restaurants or cooking this is the real thing about Bourdain life. The book is a bit of a personal confession and bit of a commentary on the industry. A wonderful read, even if you aren’t a foodie.

Think America’s funniest videos, only this time it’s the top 40 heavyweights ( sorry) in the culinary world. Read about dinners gone wrong, relationships gone wrong, and food gone wrong. We all love war stories and these are the best. You know you are reading about super stars, when they can make fun of their mistakes. This is the best guilty pleasure next to my favorite chocolate.

If you like magic, women that don’t know just how strong they are coming together to solve a mystery that is centuries old this is the trilogy for you. And thank you to the woman on the plane that recommended this series to me. It was my first Nora Robert read and now not the last.

The books are a quick read even for a slow reader like me. I had never picked up a Janet Evanovich book, which is hard to believe, until my sister in law told me about her and then gave me the first four to read. I was hooked. The Stephanie Plum books all have snappy numeric titles so they are not hard to find and no question of what order they go in. Number 13 just made it to print.

Stephanie Plum is divorced and previously sold lingerie but finding herself without a job and penniless she goes into the family business with her Uncle. Her Uncle is a bondsman and Stephanie re-invents herself as a bounty hunter. Enjoy the perils of Stephanie as she brushes with danger as she tries to bring these bond jumping criminals to justice

Christina Dodd never disappoints for me, I enjoy all of her books. But this series is my favorite. Each book is connected to The Distinguished Academy of Governesses but they each stand on their own.

There are seven books in this series: Rules of Surrender, Rules of Engagement Rules of Attraction, In My Wildest Dreams, Lost in Your Arms, My Favorite Bride and, My Fair Temptress.

While this author has been gone for many years her books still reign. I particularly enjoy her detective Hercule Poirot and his quirky ways he reminds me of a Belgian Columbo. The descriptive nature that A.C. employs in her writing will make you believe that you are joining Hercule as he travels around Europe to solve each mystery.