Save me the plums, by Ruth Reichl

This most recent memoir by Ruth Reichl, who spent many years as the New York Time restaurant critic, relates her tenure as editor in chief of the fabled Gourmet magazine.  To say she was unprepared to be an editor would be an understatement, but she was a quick study and luckily fell in with a staff of people who would, after a bit of rocky start, become her friends and allies.  When she took over, the staid and stuffy publication hadn’t changed in years, but this infusion of new blood catalyzed it into a more socially relevant and interesting magazine.  Through her eyes, we meet such storied characters as Si Newhouse, eccentric billionaire owner of Conte Nast, the magazine publishing empire, and famous chefs, as well as Frances McDormand.  We are also there when, with no notice, the lights go out at Gourmet ten years later.  We all know how magazines have, and continue to, struggle for relevance in the Internet era.  Delightfully written, and includes some dynamite recipes.  You’ll be glad you went on this journey with her.  266 pp.