HOW TO TRAVEL WITH A SALMON AND OTHER ESSAYS
Umberto Eco
Published by Vintage, P/B $27.95

KAFKA’S SOUP
A complete history of world literature in 14 recipes
Written and illustrated by Mark Crick
Published by Wakefield Press, H/B $26.95

long been publishers of the interesting and exceptional. Whilst they do have an emphasis on South Australian and Australian authors they are not limited by regionality and have returned a number of favourite out of print books including the Alice B. Toklas cookbook to circulation for a new generation to enjoy.
Kafka’s Soup is a reminder of the association that many great authors have with food and it’s the best food fiction read for a very long time. As always the initial price is small compared with the list of titles to either read again or purchase. A tremendous little book and a must own and must give as a present for anyone who loves to read about food in fiction.

MOOREHOUSE COLLECTION
MARTINI a memoir, with a new twist
Frank Moorehouse
Published by Random House, P/B $24.95

Try typing the word ’martini’ into any major on–line book search and all but the dedicated martini drinker will be amazed. Not quite as many books as chocolate but damned close and many we can suspect a lot more fun than most books about chocolate would be.
Moorehouse is obsessed with the martini and being just a tinsy bit twisted himself parts of this book might appear to have been written well after the third or fourth. Partly biographical, it is a captivating self–indulgent dissertation on the martini laced with fabulous quotes and many personal anecdotes. The martini devotee who has fully researched the best martinis whilst traveling, may well find themselves nodding in agreement as to where the best martinis might be found. To fully appreciate Moorehouse’s book, or make it the perfect gift for the martini devotee, it should be accompanied with the makings for at least one litre of damned fine martinis and a proper glass to drink them from.