&‘A poignant tale of secret histories and the mechanics of forgiveness' The Age1939. As a burgeoning city emerges from its landscape, so too does a bridge that will transform it from a sleepy country town. Three young men work on the construction of this iconic steel bridge. Labouring high above the river in dangerous conditions, close bonds develop between them. But one slip can &– and does &– alter their lives forever.A generation later, Robbie, a young landscaper, grapples with his difficult relationship with his father whose past is inextricably linked with the famous cantilevered bridge. Robbie is also battling to save his future with his girlfriend Freya, after a violent assault by a stranger sends her spiralling into herself.The Comfort of Figs is the engrossing story of the birth of a city and the burden of a family secret. Its legacy is two monuments &– one of nature and one of engineering &– both of them unforgettable.

From the winner of The Rachael Ray Show’s Great American Cookbook Competition, a compilation of sophisticated yet approachable recipes along with the heartwarming—and often humorous—tales that inspired them. Fanny Slater has been at home in the kitchen since before she could reach the stove. Standing on chairs to watch her parents form the perfect crab cake or whip up their famous brownie batter, Fanny developed a flair for cooking that has continued into adulthood. In a fun new cookbook packed with as much irresistible charm as the self-taught cook herself, Fanny—a homegrown food enthusiast and winner of The Rachael Ray Show’s Great American Cookbook Competition—brings you on a journey through the mouth-watering foods of her childhood, updated with eclectic twists for the modern palate. From Fanny’s sweet and savory Orange, Lavender and Fig Sandwich, to her tangy and crunchy Butternut Squash Tacos with Apple-Fennel Slaw, this unique book is filled with delicious, one-of-a-kind recipes. You’ll love Fanny’s quirky “Fanfare Tips,” which range from wine pairings to presentation advice gleaned from years of catering, as well as “Flippidy Doos,” which provide creative ways to pair leftovers. With her must-have recipes and whimsical anecdotes, Fanny’s cookbook is a celebration of the stories, people, and ingredients that have guided her along the path to foodie stardom.

Forget about getting back to the land, David Tanis just wants you to get back to the kitchen For six months a year, David Tanis is the head chef at Chez Panisse, the Berkeley, California, restaurant where he has worked alongside Alice Waters since the 1980s in creating a revolution in sustainable American cuisine. The other six months, Tanis lives in Paris in a seventeenth-century apartment, where he hosts intimate dinners for friends and paying guests, and prepares the food in a small kitchen equipped with nothing more than an old stove, a little counter space, and a handful of wellused pots and pans. This is the book for anyone who wants to gather and feed friends around a table and nurture their conversation. It’s not about showing off with complicated techniques and obscure ingredients. Worlds away from the showy Food Network personalities, Tanis believes that the most satisfying meals—for both the cook and the guest—are invariably the simplest. Home cooks can easily re-create any of his 24 seasonal, market-driven menus, from spring’s Supper of the Lamb (Warm Asparagus Vinaigrette; Shoulder of Spring Lamb with Flageolet Beans and Olive Relish; Rum Baba with Cardamom) to winter’s North African Comfort Food (Carrot and Coriander Salad; Chicken Tagine with Pumpkin and Chickpeas). Best of all, Tanis is an engaging guide with a genuine gift for words, whose soulful approach to food will make any kitchen, big or small, a warm and compelling place to spend time.

Tired of always being in the way in the busy kitchen of her familys Italian restaurant, Sofia comes up with a delicious new recipe of her own.