Friday Reading & Eating

What we like this week:

Andy:

We're getting to be a broken record on this John Jeremiah Sullivan character, but man, there is some really really nice writing in here about Cuba.

Check out Top Graphic Novels Starring Mighty Girls. Reader Susan recommended this site to us and it's awesome!

Speaking of books, this is deep nerd territory, but I could look at this stuff forever.

Our Provider's column this month in Bon Appetit: Why the Kids' Table is a Good Idea. (Includes yet another ode to Marcella's Milk-braised pork loin, a family staple.)

Time to start thinking about pre-ordering the awesome new cookbook, Thanksgiving: How to Cook it Well, by Sam Sifton, former restaurant critic/current national editor at The New York Times. 50 essential recipes and festive drinks, plus lots of beautiful illustrations and, best of all, great, evocative writing. (Much more on this later, but if you can't wait that long, here's Sifton's kind of amazing food diary on grubstreet. Your LDL will go up just by reading it.)

This is just a crazily entertaining piece by the great Burkhard Bilger, about the world's strongest man. (Even if you do not spend your free time watching 400-pound dudes pull trucks with their teeth on cable television, trust me on this!).

For no reason at all, other than it is TOTALLY RADICAL, I had to go back and watch this opening sequence from The Limey, featuring the always badass Terence Stamp. When his face comes into focus? So good.

Finally, it is officially Chili Season, and I made my first batch last weekend.

Jenny:

20 Easy Casseroles I'm feeling the Shepherd's Pie (above, photo by Penny De Los Santos)

A book by Susan Cain that has made me look at everything differently -- my children, myself, even the Presidential debate.

Speaking of the Presidential Debate, I sent my 10-year-old here for the pre-game. (And will again -- ahem, Claudia!)

An interview with Mindy Kaling which includes 15 things women like to wear that men just don't care for -- sequins,capris, wedge heels.

There are many books coming out from food bloggers in the next few months, but My Berlin Kitchen, by Luisa Weiss (otherwise known as the The Wednesday Chef) is the one you need to tuck into on a fall weekend while the soup simmers.

I will be at Chevalier's Books in Los Angeles on October 26 at 3PM. Thank you DALS army for mobilizing to make that happen! I have a few other appearances coming up this fall, too. Please head over to my Events page for details.

Orangette had her baby! When I said that out loud in the car with a little too much glee, Andy said "I want you to think about what you just said." OK, I'll rephrase that: Molly Wizenberg, one of the originals, is now a mom, and as usual writes about it beautifully.

My mailbox was filled with all kinds of great things this week, including a poem (thanks Erin!) and a corn fritter recipe (thanks Nadja!) But my favorite note came from John just a few hours ago. This is what it said:

Hi Jenny!

Today my wife and I celebrate our 10-year wedding anniversary. This morning we exchanged presents. Yes, unbeknownst to each other, we both purchased your amazing cookbook Of course, we are keeping both books. We will be away the weekend (sans children) and look forward to laying in bed and reading our own copies. Thank you for elevating an already very special weekend.

John

I mean, come on! How can it not be a great weekend when you start off on a note like that?

-JR