Happy Holidays!
I hope you all have had a year filled with great books. As we inch closer to a New Year, I want to share one more book that you will want to add to your reading list. Save Me The Plums by Ruth Reichl.
If you have been following the blog or have read any of my other posts on her books, the author’s name may sound a bit familiar. Maybe you are already a fan of hers. There are three reviews of her various books on the blog so check them out if you are interested.
Ruth Reichl has been an important part of the culinary world for as long as I remember. She was a food critic for the L.A Times, has won several James Beard awards, been a judge on TV’s Top Chef Masters, was a food critic also for the New York Times and Editor-in-Chief of Gourmet magazine until it shuttered its doors.
Her newest book, Save Me the Plums takes you back into her world from the time she was offered the Editor-in-Chief position at Gourmet magazine resulting in her leaving the New York Times, until the magazine was put to bed in an unexpected blink of an eye.
If you are a foodie, this is a must read. She is very honest in her writing and tells of her fears and insecurities of taking a job she didn’t believe she was qualified for. But in Ruth style, she jumps into the roll and transforms a magazine. I was an avid reader of Gourmet magazine and when she took the helm, I loved it even more. The magazine evolved into a something that fit the everyday cook. Before Ruth was at the helm, Gourmet was snooty, elite and the recipes difficult for the average cook. Her magic touch was put on every page and in every article, and her articles made you think about where your food came from. Some were a tad controversial, but it made one really think.
Reading of her life and the recipes she sprinkles throughout are a treasure, I couldn’t put the book down. If you have a foodie in your life, the book makes a great gift too.
Hope you can find some time during this busy time to Bee Readin’. Until we meet again next year, I wish you a beautiful holiday season and a Happy New Year.
Terri
14 thoughts on “Save Me The Plums by Ruth Reichl”
Another title I should put on my to-read list. May 2022 bring you many more wonderful books to read, Terri. I cannot believe that we are standing on the cusp of a new year. Happy holidays to you and your family.
If you can read any of her books, they are fabulous. Garlic and Sapphires is hilarious. She writes about her adventures as a food critic at the New York Times and how she went to thrift stores to buy all these crazy clothes to disguise herself. It is another fabulous read. I think you would really enjoy them.
I can’t believe we made through another crazy year. Wishing you, Michael and your family a beautiful holiday season. Hoping you two will be together to ring in the New Year.
Thank you, Terri. Sadly we won’t, but that’s also okay. We’ll just celebrate via Zoom. Thank goodness for technology.
I can do with a hilarious read. Thanks for the recommendation.
Well, Zoom has saved us all this past year and half. It isn’t the same, but it is better than nothing. Garlic and Sapphires will put a smile on your face and laugh out loud moments.
Hi Terri. I always appreciate your reviews. I don’t know if I’m a foodie, but I love to eat, cook and read about the cooking world. I will add this to my list for 2022. I’ve recently joined a book club with a few local friends, so I’m frequently on the lookout for good books to share. Can’t wait to read this one. Wishing you and Tony a blessed Christmas and Happy New Year!
Merry Christmas Janet,
Thank you and I would say you are a foodie, you like everything food. She has written several books about the food world and her book “Garlic and Sapphires” is one of my favorites. It is hilarious. She writes all the stories of her time as a food writer and critic for the New York Times. She always had to go in disguise and she writes about the persona she takes on, her funny names and the clothes from thrift stores. You would probably love it. I hope you enjoy them if you read them. Wishing you and Chris a beautiful and blessed Christmas and many blessings in the New Year.
I’ve just bought it for my Kindle, as I am in need of something new to read, and as it is raining since yesterday, and the prediction is for it to continue for at least a week, this will be perfect for curling up on the couch with the cats. Looking forward to some good laughs and copious amounts of hot chocolate. Happy holidays, Terri!
Rain and hot chocolate sounds perfect with a great book. Can’t wait to hear what you think of the book. Happy Holidays and enjoy your rain. We are suppose to get some this week and I can’t tell you how much we need it. The drought is awful.
Hi Terri. I just finished Save Me the Plums. I couldn’t put it down. Ruth had a way of telling her story that was so interesting. It made me want find issues of Gourmet and read through them. One particular line had me tearing up even. She was speaking about her son Nick who had gone off to college, “We only got to have him for such a short time.” I think I said the exact same thing to my husband when our last child left home for college. It brought back those bittersweet memories. Thanks for the recommendation. It was a good read. Hope you are doing well.
Hi Janet,
I am so glad you loved the book. She is a fabulous writer and I have loved every one of her books. I completely understand that feeling when your kids leave home. I felt the same way as the last box was carried out of our son’s bedroom and loaded in his car. You are welcome for the recommendation and it makes me happy to know you loved the book as well. Hope you guys are doing well.
Just to let you know that I really enjoyed Garlic and Sapphires, Terri. It was such an enjoyable read. I could taste the food, and there were a lot of laugh out loud moments too. A perfect escape.
So happy you enjoyed it. It is one of those books that kind of sweeps you away into another world and I need that often.
So true. I also need them often. Escaping into the world of books have always been a coping mechanism for me. 😆
Books have saved me during Covid and Lockdowns. When I can’t travel I can go somewhere else buried in a book.