From the Bookbasket

A Homemade Life 

by Molly Wizenberg, 2009

Sometimes I do stupid things; like going to the BPL during finals week.  Last Monday I picked up this book, read the first two chapters on the subway, finished another two chapters after dinner, and never did get around to that research paper.
Honestly, I LOVE this book.  It is a another blog turned book success story.  Wizenberg, author and chef behind the popular blog Orangette, compiled this book to share her recipes and their accompanying annecdotal life stories.  The humor, the diction, the witty tone, the food (I've vowed to make the Chocolate Ginger Banana Bread), it is all lovely and makes a very good reason to procrastinate on term papers and statistics problems!  I think you will enjoy it immensely.

Journalism: A Very Short Introduction

by Ian Hargreaves, 2005

I would like to recommend the "Very Short Introduction" series as a great method to quickly get aquainted with a subject without carrying around the bright yellow and more conspicuous "____ For Dummies" books.  I am interested in health writing and nutrition journalism, so this book provided a friendly introduction to an unfamiliar world.  This British series also has a list of other topics in the arts, sciences, and various other assorted subjects.

Ideas for a Summer Reading List
Summer Reading! "What's Friedman Reading?".
Check out this link for over 100 titles spanning various topics related to cooking, nutrition, agriculture, food policy, public health, and more.   Someone from school conducted a literary survey of the graduate students and staff, and then she published the results.  I am inspired by the depth and breadth of interests represented by my classmates and colleagues!  Marian Nestle, Barbara Kingsolver, Eric Schlosser, Dave Eggers, Wendell Berry, Raj Patel....I think this list will keep me busy turning pages well past the summer time!

Of course, I always love hearing from you.  Any new reads I should add to my list for the Boston Public Library? 
Rachel