If you have a daughter, you should read this ...

I love books.  I was an English major in college.  I wish I could go to college again though.  I read so much more now than I ever have, and I would love to go back and throw myself into my classes.  Oh, don't get me wrong.  I went to class and read all of my required reading, but I didn't appreciate how fantastic it was at the time to have that opportunity.  I don't know if many people do, at the time. 

One of the best articles I have encountered recently regarding literature is about the the great young adult literature that is out there for girls.  I can't take all the credit for finding this article.  It was posted by a lovely Facebook friend.  I posted it on my Facebook, but I know so many people out there who read my blog but are not on Facebook and most of them have daughters.  Obviously, the article originated out of the recent Hunger Games craze.  But, there were so many books on this list that I remember loving as a child (namely the Ramona books and From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil Frankweiler).  Enjoy and READ!!!!

P.S.  I would add Little Women to this list.  Just one that really seemed to be missing to me.

Ruth Reichl and Lemon Pudding Cake

I am currently obsessed with Ruth Reichl's books.  She was the last editor of Gourmet magazine and is a former restaurant critic for the L.A. Times and the N.Y. Times.  Her books are autobiographical and wonderful!  She has a wonderful little website where she blogs and has information regarding upcoming appearances and the books she has written.

Her first book that I recently finished is Tender at the Bone. 

It was wonderful.  It started in her youth.  She talks about all of the people who influenced her obsession with food.  The book ends when she is in Berkeley and is becoming a part of the farm to table movement made famous by Alice Waters and Chez Panisse.  I couldn't put it down.  She is honest to the core about her faults, transgressions, neuroses.  It also makes you feel like you are sitting in a room with here reliving her life. 

But, the most interesting thing is that she has included recipes in the book as she goes.  After she talks about a recipe she made based on what she was going through in her life or what was troubling her at that time, she then gives the reader the recipe.  Now, not all the recipes are things I would try.  But, there was one I tried this morning.  It was the Lemon Pudding Cake.  I made it and have to admit, it is really very good.  If you like lemon meringue pie, then this is for you.  It is much lighter than pie and is perfect for a very light dessert.  I will admit that while I made it in a pan, I think it would be great to make in individual ramekins topped with a little chopped strawberries mixed with a pinch of sugar placed on top of the cake.  In fact, here is a nice little you tube Gourmet video providing helpful instruction on exactly how to make one.

I started Ruth's second book, Comfort Me with Apples, yesterday, and I am almost done with it.  It starts where Tender left off.  I intend to read all of her books, one right after the other.  She is that good!