Fredericksburg’s famous bakery shop owner celebrates the culinary traditions, flavors, and ingredients of Texas with over 100 savory and sweet recipes. Rather divides her book into six party menus, offering dishes ranging from Honey-Lavender Rack of Texas Lamb and Grilled Cajun Catfish Tacos, to Fig Crostada and Peach Daiquiri Likkercicles. Includes sidebars with hostess tips and 100-some photos.

by Beth Goulart

My local bookstore can’t keep a certain bestseller in stock. You’ve probably heard its provocative name. First word: Skinny. Second word: A synonym for “female dog.” Such a title might lead you to expect a novel about a malnourished canine. Au contraire, mes amis. It’s a book about food.

The scandalous title, it turns out, is fair warning. Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin, the friends who penned this volume, live in Los Angeles, where, I can only surmise, ladies have different ideas about how to conduct themselves. Curse words and crass descriptions of bodily functions normally discussed only in private, with doctors, permeate this text.