I loved, loved, LOVED this book. There was one particular incident that made my breath catch in my throat it was so magical, and I choked up with emotion. The book made me laugh and cry and it is going on the keeper shelf! I will definitely read it again! And again.

Only knowing Reichl from hearing her do some local radio interviews I had a totally different picture of her than is presented in the memoir. The book covers her childhood up to her life at about age 30 and is packed full of anecdotes and stories that will at times make you laugh out loud. The first description of an antic about her mother will have you burst out laughing.

Reichl is now the Editor-in-Chief of "Gourmet" magazine. But, her journey is filled with boarding schools, a commune lifestyle, friends and family who are eclectic, each bringing some aspect of food to Reichl's growth as a person. Interspersed in the book are recipes associated with each phase of her life and the people she loves or meets. A fantastic cast of characters inhabit the pages.

A truly wonderful book for anyone who loves food, not just the eating but, what it can mean to you and your relationships with those around you.

I rarely keep books but, this is one that will remain on my shelf for a long, long time.

I don't know what I liked more about this book--the great recipes Reichl throws in, the funny stories about her maladjusted home life, or her memory lane of life growing up in the '60s to Berkley in the 1970's. I couldn't put the book down. Reichl lets you in on how food became her saving grace in a household with a nutty mother who would just as soon serve moldy bread as not. Reichl's defense was to perfect her knowledge of all things "food." Her stories are so funny as she talks about being shipped off to a French boarding school in Canada where no English is spoken, a camp counselor in France, part of the organic food revolution in Berkley in the '70s.......and so much more. The recipes make this book a keeper. I can't wait to read her follow-up book to see what's next. She's got me hooked!

I love all of these books. Her stories make me hungry and the recipes satisfy.

Very enjoyable! Writes beautifully, not just about food, but her life journey's- and how cooking helped her time after time. I really enjoyed this book.

A fascinating memoir of the author's love affair with cooking and fine food. I didn't expect the book to be as captivating and funny as it was. The recipes are a bonus. I like the book so much I don't know if I want to part with it. :)

I was totally surprised by what a fun read this book is. I love her writing style...oh, and there are some recipes included - but you don't have to be a 'foodie' to enjoy this book. I think the completely different life Ruth led resulted from having a mom who was mentally ill, but in denial and untreated. Imagine being sent to another country, to a boarding school where you don't speak one word of their language, or having a mom so odd that you are afraid to bring friends home mostly for fear her cooking might kill them or make them sick.

Reichl is wonderfully readable! I shot through this fun memoir in a few hours.

Easy read that can be stopped and started without losing continuity. Laugh out loud portions and also very emotional. Stories about food, family, work, etc. by the New York Times restaurant critic.

Great story about a goofy mom who would just serve, and eat about anything that didn't have maggots. She loved to give parties and Ruth and her brother appointed themselves 'GREETERS" in front of the buffet to warn people what not to eat. This is a funny book and lots of reference to food and recipes. Ruth can cook and relates food to many special times in her life. This family had a cook who taught her more than cooking, but how to take care of herself as her mom wasn't quite with it when it came to rearing children or cooking or keeping house for that matter. This book is really a keeper if you like to collect beautiful stories. But even if you don't collect-- don't miss this story. It is awsome.

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Ms. Reichl was shaped by an unconventional upbringing which she reveals in her books, and she delights, entertains, educates without fail. I've read all her books and am longing for the next.

I absolutely love Reichl's writing. Her passion for food is obvious and catching; her life is interesting, amusing, and filled with quirky characters. I can't wait to read Comfort Me with Apples, and I can highly recommend Garlic and Sapphires.

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