'Dear Liz, thank you for such a comprehensive, well-considered review of our book ...'. Arbon Publishing Reading a book takes time, as it does to review a book and follow up with a written précis. The reader needs time to digest the author's words, chew on them, re-read some chapters, and conduct research to back up their review. I've been reviewing books since 1993 and enjoy the process immensely. Thank you dear publishers for sending titles from your stable for my review. More importantly, thank you for giving me time to give your books the consideration they deserve.
 Easy Mediterranean by Sue Quinn (cover image courtesy Murdoch Books) Flipping through the pages of the first chapter in Sue Quinn's latest cookbook on a grey and rainy morning, I found myself yearning for sunshine and a breakfast of pillowy pita bread topped with figs, creamed feta and lavender honey.  Food for Sharing Italian Style by Liliana Battle (appears courtesy New Holland Publishers) Get your family and friends together, and in true Italian spirit cook up a storm and pile it in the centre of the table so that everyone can dig in. The enjoyment of sharing a meal together creates memories that last a lifetime.
Food for Sharing Italian Style by Liliana Battle, $45.00, New Holland Publishers. Read my review.  Spice Journey, the second book from chef Shane Delia (Murdoch Books) In his latest cookbook, Spice Journey, chef Shane Delia offers his favourite middle eastern recipes, distilled from his travels and recreated for the home chef. Read more about the book.
 A beautiful first book from Italian-born chef, Luca Ciano. Read more about the book.
'Crunchy, succulent and tender' fried chicken 'smothered in low-country sausage gravy' which is a 'moreish evocation of bold, honest Americana, with just a trailer-park couldn't give a continental' is a description given by a Hartsyard regular in the foreword of Fried Chicken & Friends.
 With a collage featuring violet and lemon eclairs, croquembouche, candy-striped meringues, and rose-topped raspberry and white chocolate muffins, Love, Aimee x will appeal to those who love to bake, those who love to create pretty things, and those with a sweet tooth. 
Cookbooks come in so many forms. Some are highly technical, loaded with instructions and minutiae. Others are more like a flimsy collection of recipes - and I mean that in the nicest possible way. And then there are those which offer a perfect combination of recipe and introductory text. Special Delivery by Annabel Crabb and Wendy Sharpe falls into the latter category - my favourite.
Margaret & Me by Kate Gibbs, image courtesy Murdoch Books
My Hungarian parents fled their homeland during the Russian uprising in 1956, leaving their extended family behind. I was born in Australia and unfortunately did not have the opportunity to meet any of my grandparents, much less spend time with them at the kitchen table. Margaret Fulton, Australia's national treasure, is one of my food heroes, hence, reading Margaret & Me has been a most heartwarming yet bittersweet experience.
 Apple Blossom Pie by Kate McGhie - image courtesy Murdoch Books In this beautiful book - with over 120 recipes and stories from her family's farm - award winning author Kate McGhie writes with wit and warmth as she explores the foundations and flavours of Australian country cooking, drawing on tradition to present classic, tried and true dishes as well as contemporary interpretations for today's table. Read my full review and my conversation with Kate here.
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