What I’m Reading – Hungry Monkey

It’s just delightful–funny, salient, and hunger-inducing, with more text than recipes, which is exactly what I like in a food book.

Now, maybe she only likes my book because I mentioned her book in it, but in that case, why haven’t I heard from Russell Hoban?

University Bookstore turned 110 this year, and to commemorate the birthday, they asked 110 of their favorite local authors to each write a 110-word story for an anthology, 110|110. (I would have called it 12,100, but whatever.) I contributed a story, which is a huge honor, because you may have noticed we have a lot of authors in the Northwest. Some of the other writers in the book include Ivan Doig, Tom Robbins, Greg Bear, Garth Stein, and Robin Hobb. (You know, not 34-year-old hipsters with so-called memoirs, real authors.) My story is about pirates!

You can read the book free online, or get a free copy if you buy a book by any of the 110 authors.

The other day I was buying a book at UBS and the people in front of me in line were buying something that fit that criterion. The cashier gave them a copy of 110|110 and said, “It includes stories by some of our favorite local authors.”

“Including me!” I piped up. The customers reacted exactly as you’d expect. They ignored me.

Kids’ menus? Oh grow up!

And it features two recipes from the book. You rock, Boston Globe.

You know, after the first four times I was selected for Best Food Writing, I thought it might be a fluke, but now I’m convinced that I’m pretty good.

This year’s collection also features many of my friends, who are really good, including Francis Lam, Kim Severson, Molly Wizenberg, Bethany Jean Clement, and Steven Shaw.

Börsenblatt review

According to my friend Gunther Schmidl, they call the book a “three star cookbook and personal story at the same time.” The included recipe, for frico (cheese wafers), is from the book.

I haven’t heard anything about doing a German book tour, but I bet I can speak German.

Easy international foods your kid will enjoy

If they send me to Germany on book tour, I imagine it will be exactly like the movie Top Secret. People will keep saying, “Your papers, please,” in fake German accents. Later, a party functionary will give a cloying welcome to the visiting American author and ask if he could be persuaded to read a selection from his masterwork, and I will kick over Philip Roth on the way to the stage.

Oh, and I will be presented with one of those FIND HIM AND KILL HIM stamps.

If Germany isn’t actually like that, I don’t want to hear about it.

Emily Franklin, Amanda Hesser, Giulia Melucci, and Matthew Amster-Burton
October 17, 2009
2:30pm-4:30pm Blue Marble Ice Cream
420 Atlantic Ave
Brooklyn

If you’re not available in the afternoon, I’ll make sure there’s an opportunity to meet me and get your book signed that evening.

Here are some photos, taken by Anita of Married with Dinner.