Maren Dunn Books

Baking with Julia: Sift, Knead, Flute, Flour, And Savor...by Julia Child

The recipes from this "Bible of Baking," are from a variety of pastry chefs, pulled together by Julia Child. I love to bake, but am a beginning baker, so I bought this book with trepidation. I have not been disappointed. I have learned so much from this book, and everything I have made has been wonderful! There are no dumbed down recipes, some recipes are time consuming (you have to let the dough sit overnight, for example, in a few recipes) but worth the time and effort. If you want to learn to really bake, and to make baked goods just like the pros do, this is your book. Pricey, but worth every penny.

F5: Devastation, Survival, and the Most Violent Tornado Outbreak of the 20th Century by Mark Levine

This is a nonfiction account of one of the most deadly outbreak of tornadoes on record. Levine introduces us to real people from the towns affected, so it does not read as just a factual account of events. Lots of science, too, for the weather-buff. I enjoyed this for both its knowledge, the history and the personal.

The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler

A quirky and delightful book about six Jane Austen fans who get together to discuss Austen's works; at the same time, we get involved with their lives and come to care about them as much as we care about Austen's characters. A fun Book Club read as well!

Just Play Ball by Joe Garagiola

My husband, Bill, really enjoyed "Just Play Ball," by Joe Garagiola, a collection of entertaining anecdotes about baseball told by a talented storyteller who was a player and then an announcer for many years. Great summer reading!"