I simply ADORE books about food… memoirs, non fiction, fiction…. and I have read everything that Ruth Reichl has written.. Delicious being her first fiction story I was THRILLED to dive in! Whatever this woman writes… turns into magic. ~Sheila
Billie Breslin is excited when she lands a job at Delicious, the cream of the crop magazine of New York. She is young and feels unqualified to be playing in the big league, but Billie has something that is rare, she has a refined palate that can identify even the toughest of ingredients within a dish. While Billie loves to be a part of the behind the scenes of the magazine, even with much prompting she has no desire to actually cook for reasons she chooses not to say. Then suddenly, while it looks as though all of Billie’s dreams are coming true, the magazine is shut down, leaving long term employees stunned and Billie in shock as her dreams seem to tumble broken to the ground.
When Billie is asked to stay on as the sole employee of Delicious to continue to respond to letters to uphold the Delicious guarantee (if any recipe is not to your satisfaction you will be refunded the cost of your ingredients), she reluctantly agrees as she has no other immediate plans. While exploring the abandoned Delicious library before it goes on the market, she discovers a series of letters hidden in a secret room off the buildings library. These letters dating back to WWII, written by Lucy Swan, an intelligent 12 year old open up a part of Billie that she did not know existed, and may finally help her to release the secret she has held on to tightly for way too long.
As Ruth Reichl’s first fiction book I do admit I was a little cautious. When I first seen the book title I figured she had written another wonderful non fiction read centered around her amazing life of food tastings, restaurants, and more… a fiction story gave me pause, but also… curiosity.
Let me just tell you, no need to pause. PLEASE readers of food memoirs, foodish themed books, and also those who enjoy a good fiction read centered around characters you want to go have dinner with – DO NOT PASS UP ON THIS BOOK.
I listened to this on audio and absolutely fell in love with Julie Whelan’s narration. She brought the characters to life and I so want Sammy to be a real person because I think he and I could talk for hours and hours. I enjoyed this book so much I do not want to give up these amazing people I met within the pages and would absolutely follow them down another path if another book ever just happened to continue on with them. Just saying… 😉
Audiobook listeners – treat yourself to this DELICIOUS book… and those of you who do not do audio, I am confident that this book will read just as engagingly.
Fun note: While in New York for the Book Expo I attended an Audio Book Tea and Ruth Reichl was speaking there (the draw for me). She mentioned that several things in this book actually happened to her – the loss of a magazine job due to the closing of its doors, and some of the amazing descriptions within the book. I wish I could have chatted with her about this as I am SO CURIOUS as to how much is fiction….
Just today while looking for Ruth Reichl’s website I discovered a recent article by The New York Times regarding this book. I have not read it yet as I try to avoid all reviews and articles on books I have plans to review, but as soon as I finish typing this out, I am off to read it. I am sure it is a GLOWING review.
I have added this post to Beth Fish Reads Weekend Cooking.
Book Journey 
Wow…you really loved this one! I have it but I am kind of afraid to read it…I don’t like food themed books but for some reason this one looked appealing…hmm…dare I say almost tasty! Lol!
Patty it is not overly foody. This time the food is related around a magazine about food but the book is almost more relational, dealing with a cool historical twist, past hurts, and new friends.
I loved Julie & Julia…especially the whole blogging aspect of it. But the movie was even better than the book, IMO, as we could see the delicious foods.
OOH this one would make a wonderful movie!
Thanks, Sheila, I am more excited to read it…I do love the cover. And…Laurel-Rain…I loved that movie,too, maybe I do like foodie books!
I hope you enjoy it Patty!
I’m listening to this right now!
I cant wait to hear what you think of it Kathy! It is what I listened to in the car on my way to and from the airport 😀
I love, love, LOVE this cover, though I never would’ve thought “Delicious” was a magazine! From the cover, I thought it was a deli or something lol
I didnt know it was a magazine either going into the read – fun Magazine title though 😀
I knew you’d love it. I was impressed with Reichl’s ability to write fiction. And loved her talk in NYC
I was impressed too! The woman is so versatile!
Sounds really good. You should read Eat the City by Robin Shulman.
Thanks for the recommendation Ryan I need to check that out!
I loved her memoirs and definitely want to read this book. Glad to know it’s great on audio!
Fantastic – super impressed with this narrator and diversity in voices.
I’ve seen lot of reviews on this book lately. I’m going to have to add it to my to-read list. It really does look too good to pass up.
It was a delight to read… she left me wanting more.
I hadn’t heard of this book, so thanks for letting me know about it. I enjoyed Tender at the Bone, Garlic and Sapphires and some others that she’s written.
I love her writing!
I just started reading this book. I LOVE it too,
Great review
SO GOOD!
Just added it to my audio wish list!
Great I think you will really like it.
I hadnt heard about this book, it sounds really interesting, thanks!
Pinned!
Awesome!
I’m on a long waiting list for this one! Can’t wait to read it. Cheers
I am glad it is doing so well!
I can’t wait to read this book! Sounds fabulous. I love every kind of foodie literature. Glad to hear this is a good book.
You will love it Janel!
This does sound like a wonderful book, combining two topics that are always fascinating — food and World War II.
Joy I think you will really enjoy this one.
Have this on my TBR list and now you’ve made me even more excited to start reading it. 🙂
Oh good! 😀
I thought this sounded good before reading your review, now I HAVE to read it!! Actually Julia Whelan is a wonderful narrator so I think I’ll see if it’s available on audible, Thanks Sheila
Enjoy! Cant wait to read your review!
I need to read this!
yup. You do 🙂
You’ve sold me. I gotta try this.
YAY!
I’m not a foodie at all but my husband is; it’s slowly rubbed off on me. This sounds good! If you haven’t, you should read The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister. I’m a ridiculously picky eater but her food descriptions had me ready to try everything mentioned in the book!
Thanks for the recommendation!
Oh I love foodie books! I’ll have to make time to read this one, especially after your glowing review.
Laura you will love this one!
Ooh, this sounds nice!
It is soooooo good!
I really want to read this one. We just got it in at the library today but it went to someone else on the hold list. I have heard good things about Garlic and Sapphires too and plan to check that out someday as well. Thanks for your review!
Both are wonderful – one non fiction, and this one fiction.
I am on our Library’s waiting list for this audio book. I enjoy Foodie books. Thank you for sharing!
Awesome! SO glad!
the cover is awesome and the plot intriguing! thanks for the review
Sure – this one is easy to gush too 🙂
Sounds like a read I’d really enjoy – just added it to my “must read” list.
Great! I think you will love it!
Wow!! With a glowing review like that, I can not pass on this one. Adding it to my list now!
Thanks Vicki!
You really make a person want to try audios. My problem is I always fall asleep. I’m now in the mood to try again. I guess it’s good to listen while doing chores. Then, I wouldn’t fall asleep. I have checked out Marmee And Louisa from the library. If I’m successful with this one, I will try Delicious. Thanks for the encouragement.
Oh good! I wish you the best of luck because audio is a whole level of book goodness 😉
Love the cover and font creativity ! now, great to hear the fascinating storyline – a total WWII fan and audio is a preference for me if the narrator adds to the story telling!
I think you will enjoy this – you get a little of the underground railway too 😉
I’m adding this to my reading & audio lists.