Every year at this time Susan Chang lists her favorite cookbooks of the year on NPR. For 2011, two that made her short list were cookbooks that I edited! Yes, really!
One was yet another wonderful cocktail collection from A. J. Rathbun, called Ginger Bliss and the Violet Fizz
. It highlights all those interesting but mysterious liqueurs that we see on the shelves but don't quite know what to do with. It was a blast to work on, because A. J. is a poet and a humorist as well as a mixologist.
The other was The Bonne Femme Cookbook
, by Wini Moranville, which is all about how the "good wife" cooks in the 21st century—that is, the French woman who works and also runs a home but still wants to prepare delicious, healthy food without breaking the bank. You might as well just buy it now, because if you take it out of the library, you will end up needing to photocopy every page. Yes, it's that good.
I am so pleased, because I truly loved working on both of these books and am thrilled that they've been recognized as the cream of the crop.
Amazing - congratulations!
Posted by: Conor | November 28, 2011 at 10:10 PM
This is awesome! Congratulations! Off to check out The Bonne Femme Cookbook...
Posted by: Tonya Watkins | November 28, 2011 at 11:23 PM
Well done, Karen! How wonderful that you get to work on projects that you enjoy--it must make those boring law books a little easier to get through.
Posted by: Janice | November 29, 2011 at 06:46 AM
Thanks for the shout-out, Karen! Hope all is well in your corner of the world.
Posted by: La Bonne Femme | November 29, 2011 at 09:24 AM
Wonderful! I just referred you for a much less exciting edit/proofread job....Don't know if you'll be able to fit it in as you become an in-demand cookbook editor. Bravo! (Can't wait to get a look at Bonne Femme.)
Posted by: Sandy | November 29, 2011 at 01:22 PM
Congratulations, Karen! The cookbook world is so lucky to have you.
Posted by: Sheila | November 29, 2011 at 01:38 PM
How fun to do work on projects you enjoy - and reap recognition for it to boot, plus a little thanks from the author. Think Bonne Femme will find a place in my kitchen!
Posted by: Kelly | November 29, 2011 at 03:32 PM
Congrats! I will check them both out and most likely buy The Bonne Femme Cookbook.
Posted by: Sue | November 29, 2011 at 04:19 PM
Okay, I only had to view the "Look Inside" option at Amazon to know I'll be buying this. And your name is in it! Cool.
Posted by: Sue | November 29, 2011 at 04:22 PM
Thanks Karen....it's a delight to work with you and everyone who worked on these books deserves credit for this honor, for sure you!
Posted by: Bruce Shaw | November 30, 2011 at 01:10 AM