In Ruth Reichl’s latest book — one that will delight her fans and convert those as yet uninitiated to her charming tales — the author brings to life her adventures in pursuit of good meals and good company. Picking up where Tender at the Bone leaves off, Comfort Me with Apples recounts Reichl’s transformation from chef to food writer, a process that led her through restaurants from Bangkok to Paris to Los Angeles and brought lessons in life, love, and food. It is an apprenticeship by turns delightful and daunting, one told in the most winning and engaging of voices. Reichl’s anecdotes from a summer lunch with M.F.K. Fisher, a mad dash through the produce market with Wolfgang Puck, and a garlic feast with Alice Waters are priceless. She is unafraid — even eager — to poke holes in the pretensions of food critics, making each meal a hilarious and instructive occasion for novices and experts alike. The New York Times has said, “While all good food critics are humorous .. few are so riotously, effortlessly entertaining as Ruth Reichl.” In Comfort Me with Apples, Reichl once again demonstrates her inimitable ability to combine food writing, humor, and memoir into an art form.
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"I loved this book. The combination of her culinary discoveries (and her amorous ones) was very appealing. The reader can almost watch her absorbing knowledge from every source ... especially liked the accounts of her time in France. Relationship with her mother was very fraught but interesting."
— Beth (5 out of 5 stars)
" Another great Ruth Reichl book. "
— Pam, 2/11/2014" This is my favorite book of all time! "
— Lee, 2/7/2014" If you love food you will love this book! "
— Dawn, 2/4/2014" A worthy follow-up to Tender at the Bone. Reichl is a wonderful writer! "
— Vicki, 1/27/2014" Good, but I liked Tender at the Bone better. Maybe children interest me more than the trauma of being a young adult. "
— Patty, 1/24/2014" too much about her personal life. "
— Meera, 1/22/2014" A good romp of a read! Doesn't hurt that I love reading about restaurant critics, food, eating and such. "
— Jeanne, 1/22/2014" Ruth should have titled this book--"Adventures in the Bedroom"-I don't know that I will be too quick to pick up another one of her books. Besides all the discussion of her men affairs, the ending of the book was rather abrupt. "
— Marilyn, 1/19/2014" Entertaining, but I didn't really like the protagonist. "
— Stephanie, 12/27/2013" Again, life and food! Yum. No wonder I need to lose 20 lbs. "
— Jennifer, 12/21/2013" I think this is my second favorite with garlic and sapphires first. If you like food and you enjoy funny memoirs, I highly recommend it. "
— Beth, 12/10/2013" Jealousy! She is currently drinking champagne, meeting Orson Welles, and having dinner with Woldgang Puck. "
— Liz, 11/3/2013" I loved this book. It was half biography, 1/4 cookbook and 1/4 travel memoir. Terrific read that I thoroughly enjoyed. "
— Da277, 10/21/2013" not as good as the first "
— Terri, 8/11/2013" I just enjoy her writing! "
— Chelsea, 7/10/2013" Making Danny's Lemon Pasta tonight. Such a wonderful book - combination of memoir and delicious recipes. I surely do miss Gourmet magazine! "
— Carol, 6/19/2013" Not as charming as her first two books but still an interesting autobiographical account of a foodie. "
— Alicia, 4/27/2013" I loved this book and found it so heartfelt and more personal than her other writing. "
— Lelah, 3/22/2013" Loved it, loved it, loved it. Way more than a food memoir. Surprisingly heartbreaking, but also life affirming. "
— Dawn, 1/20/2013" I really enjoy Ruth Reichl's books. She does a wonderful job weaving her interesting life story with details about the culinary world. "
— Nadine, 11/15/2012" I loved this book. Very well written by one of the most renowned restaurant critics of our time. Follows here from the beginning, which was very enlightening. "
— Becki, 8/30/2012" An OK book. I wanted to read something different from what I usually read. It was interesting to read about the life of a food critic. "
— Kamicarlson, 8/24/2012" I'm not cooking enough these days and I've forgotten how much I like to cook! I don't think I could cook a single recipe from Reichl's memoir, but the thought of them is wonderful. "
— Jennie, 8/22/2012" If you are a foodie, this is the book for you. A great look into the person behind the food reviews with seamless transitions between the love of food and the love of life. "
— Sarahcoulter, 3/23/2012" Really sad to say this given how much I adore Ruth Reichl but this isn't the Ruth of Tender at the Bones, her first memoir. Too much fabulous locale, famous restaurants, name-dropping and too little Ruth. "
— Paige, 10/30/2011" Excellent book - I am fascinated by this women's life. :) "
— Beverly, 7/21/2011" Better than the first, but ended suddenly. I was rather shocked to read of all her indiscretions... "
— Brittany, 6/23/2011" I enjoyed this book. It's well written but I'm not sure how much I relate to Ruth. Maybe I shouldn't get to know the personal stories behind people I respect professionally. "
— Ron, 5/17/2011" I just didn't enjoy spending time with the author's story. "
— Claire, 5/15/2011" More great writing, more great recipes...especially the one for baked swiss pumpkin! It's become an annual fall dish. "
— Wendy, 5/9/2011" A very quick and entertaining read. If you like food and followed the chef scene in the '80s, this is a book to read. "
— Deb, 4/18/2011" i really like ruth's writing. i usually don't go for books that include affairs but for some reason this one didn't bother me as much. i liked all the food talk and it made me want to travel. "
— Natalie, 4/16/2011" Fresh, honest, and inspiring. A really good read "
— Jane, 4/15/2011" As with Tender at the Bone, this is a great book. However, you must read <br/>Tender at the Bone first. "
— Kathy, 4/11/2011" This was my least favorite of the three books in her memior series. It focused on her love story, or lack thereof. It was a bit too much information at times and just depressing. As with all her books, it ended very abruptly. "
— Amy, 3/16/2011" had to stop reading it because i just didn't care. the writing was fine but I wasn't interested in her life. Oh affairs, amazing food and wine and alot of whining too.... Maybe I just wasn't in the mood but after 60 some odd pages I just decided maybe later? or not. "
— Heidi, 3/9/2011" Another Berkeley connection, who knew?? Delightfully written memoir of a time in recent history that now seems far away. The passion for living a life well lived!! Will look for her articles..previously read Tender at the Bone years ago "
— Leslie, 2/27/2011Ruth Reichl is the New York Times bestselling author of novels, five memoirs, and the cookbook My Kitchen Year. She was editor in chief of Gourmet magazine and previously served as restaurant critic for the New York Times, as well as food editor and restaurant critic for the Los Angeles Times. She has been honored with six James Beard Awards, and in 2024, she received the James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award.