I would be embarrassed to read this in a public place, but it's a mindless read and I have a hard time resisting descriptions of food. This is a good break-up book so far: all the romantic relationships Reichl describes crumble, and her writing is too cheesy for me to feel like she's a real person (see: Made From Scratch, the Sandra Lee memoirs), so it's pleasantly cathartic. Plus- recipes!
I shouldn't speak too soon, though. Maybe she'll meet some amazing guy she's still with in an inspirational "I needed to let myself be ready for myself" sort of way, and I'll want to throw the book at the wall.
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UPDATE:
Finished. Blegh. When it comes to stories of hardship, I have a hard time relating to people whose escapism manifests itself in trips to Bangkok, Barcelona, Paris, etc. Given the chance, that would be my desired means of escapism, but in the mean time I'm stuck with $1.99 movies and books like this.

P.S.-
This book convinced me that I never, ever want to eat brains.

Author is a very gifted writer. But this was a book about a bunch of really lost people focused on the wrong things in life. I ended up feeling sorry for them.

I really enjoy her writing style. Even when I have absolutely no interest in eating the food she is describing, she makes it sound so wonderful, so I can enjoy it vicariously through her Reading her book is like sitting down with a friend for drinks - great conversation, some laughs, some funny moments, and even a pearl of wisdom or two. A nice way to spend some time. A couple of the recipes looked like I might try them (like Danny Kaye's lemon pasta, yum!)

Reichl writes so well about food, you can almost taste it. And when she sticks to her food stories, it's fascinating. The story of the disintegration of her marriage was sad and well written, but less interesting for me.

I loved her stories about MFK Fisher and Danny Kaye though.

I'm now reading Garlic and Sapphires, and loving it. Mostly because I'm really into the whole evolution of restaurant criticism. I first got into reading them as an art form about 8 years ago and there really is a difference between a good critic and a bad one. And she's definitely one of the best.

Reichl writes Soooo well, you can practically taste the food. But her behavior was terrible and I nearly stopped because I couldn't like or believe in her. Ultimately I'm glad I finished, and I will read more from her.

It was a good read. Ruth is a great writer and not shy about telling the truth about her life.

This is by far the most revealing of the three I have read. My comment in Jackie's review was that I do not see how Reichl can tell so much about herself and the people she knows/associates with and still have a job/friends/husband...you name it!

This is the second of three books about Ruth’s life. I loved this one as much as the other two. This was a fun book to read because it reminded me of life in the 70’s and the values that were being explored. Ruth lived in a commune where one roommate recycled EVERYTHING and everyone showed up on Sundays for her great cooking. As a young woman she is married and starting her career working at Alice Water’s restaurant and getting her first food review gig. The book is also filled with great recipes!

I really love Ruth Reichl, but this one is nowhere near as good as Tender at the Bone. It's actually pretty boring, to be honest.

Absolutely one of my favorite books of all time; her writing is incandescent. This time through entirely different themes resonated with me: imposter syndrome, relationship drama, some major Karen behavior.

But through it all the food remains constant.

Funny and poignant memoir of the famous food critic.

I absolutely loved Reichl’s Save Me the Plums and this book doesn‘t disappoint. Ruth’s writing is enjoying and accessible, and of course, about food, our relationship with food, and with one another. I love a good food-based memoir and this book is just that.