Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal

It might be the fact that I spent some time in Minnesota and can't get enough of lutefisk jokes or Pat Prager's bars, but I was alternately laughing and listening to my stomach rumble while reading this amazing debut. J. Ryan Stradal gives us an intimate look at how "foodies" think and love. It is the story of the Thorvalds and the confusing childhood of Eva Thorvald. Eva is blessed with her parent's love of food and the genetic wherewithal to be able to distinguish not only what is in dishes but where the produce was grown. This talent will help her with an exceptional career as a chef but won't do her much good with relationships. And this book is all about relationships - between family members, friends, career rivals, love and proper food and wine pairings. The writing is so vivid you can taste the dishes and the characters so human you think of them as neighbors.  Be sure to snap this one up in July like a crisp ripe sugarsnap peas off the vine.