Denise: Just finished reading My Àntonia by Willa Cather. First published in 1918, and now in Virago Modern Classics, which tells you quite a bit about the critics view of it. Personally, I thought it was dull and directionless. However, the subject matter of this blog is the next book, which I picked up as soon as I’d finished My Àntonia, and will in fact provide bed-time reading tonight. Seaweed in The Kitchen, by Fiona Bird.  It’s the first book I’ll have read that’s got a dedication to me! And Jonathan!  Oh yes, and a few hundred other folk, too: it’s dedicated to the staff and patients of South Uist Medical Practice, where Fiona’s husband Stephen is doctor (and he’s written one of the chapters).  Like Fiona’s previous book, The Forager’s Kitchen, it’s very thoroughly researched, comprehensive, and expertly written and produced, and so is destined to be considered as ‘authoratative’. Which perhaps suggests somewhat dry reading matter, but like seaweed itself I assure you that’s not the case. The first half or so of the book is general reading about seaweed, and then follows recipes.  I suspect we’ll be spending a bit more time than usual across the road, on the beach, especially at low tide!