Bookn' with Friends: "Kitchens of the Great Midwest" by J Ryan Stradal

Bookn' with Friends will meet at 6:30pm on Monday, July 28 for a discussion on their July book, Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal.  Selected for the 2025 Reading Challenge "a book that includes a recipe," this debut novel is a quirky and colorful nod to food, people who love food, and the particular flavors of coming of age in the midwest. 

From the publisher:

When Lars Thorvald's wife, Cynthia, falls in love with wine--and a dashing sommelier--he's left to raise their baby, Eva, on his own. He's determined to pass on his love of food to his daughter--starting with puréed pork shoulder. As Eva grows, she finds her solace and salvation in the flavors of her native Minnesota. From Scandinavian lutefisk to hydroponic chocolate habaneros, each ingredient represents one part of Eva's journey as she becomes the star chef behind a legendary and secretive pop-up supper club, culminating in an opulent and emotional feast that's a testament to her spirit and resilience.

Each chapter in J. Ryan Stradal's startlingly original debut tells the story of a single dish and character, at once capturing the zeitgeist of the Midwest, the rise of foodie culture, and delving into the ways food creates community and a sense of identity. By turns quirky, hilarious, and vividly sensory, Kitchens of the Great Midwest is an unexpected mother-daughter story about the bittersweet nature of life--its missed opportunities and its joyful surprises. It marks the entry of a brilliant new talent.