Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get started
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Delicious! summary
Brief summary
Delicious! by Ruth Reichl is a captivating novel that follows the journey of Billie, a talented young woman who discovers a hidden collection of letters and embarks on a quest to uncover the story behind them. Filled with mouthwatering descriptions and heartwarming moments, it's a delightful read for food and fiction lovers alike.
Table of Contents
Delicious!
Summary of key ideas
Exploring the World of Food and Emotions
In Delicious! by Ruth Reichl, we follow the journey of Billie Breslin, a young woman who moves to New York City to work at Delicious! magazine, a food publication. Billie is a talented cook and has a keen sense of taste, but she also has a complex relationship with food due to her father's untimely death, which left her feeling guilty about enjoying food.
At the magazine, Billie finds herself surrounded by a motley crew of characters, including the eccentric and lovable Jake, the magazine's IT specialist, and the enigmatic Mr. Complainer, the magazine's oldest subscriber. Through her interactions with these characters and her work at the magazine, Billie starts to heal her relationship with food and begins to enjoy cooking again.
Uncovering a Hidden Past
However, the plot thickens when the magazine abruptly shuts down, leaving Billie and her colleagues jobless. During the closing process, she discovers a hidden room in the magazine's library, filled with letters written by a young girl named Lulu Swan during World War II to the famous chef James Beard. Billie is captivated by Lulu's story and becomes determined to uncover the mystery surrounding her.
Billie embarks on a journey to Lulu's hometown in Ohio, where she discovers the tragic story behind the letters. Lulu, a young girl with a passion for cooking, had written the letters to James Beard, seeking his advice on cooking during the rationing period of the war. Billie's quest to learn about Lulu's life helps her understand the power of food in connecting people and healing emotional wounds.
Healing and Self-Discovery
As Billie delves deeper into Lulu's life, she also learns about the power of resilience and the importance of embracing one's own identity. She discovers that Lulu, despite facing numerous hardships, had a positive outlook on life and a strong sense of self.
Billie's journey to uncover Lulu's story mirrors her own journey of self-discovery. She learns to embrace her love for food and cooking, reconnects with her late father's memory, and finds the courage to pursue her dreams. Through her experiences, Billie realizes that food is not just about sustenance but also a powerful medium for expressing emotions and connecting with others.
Rediscovering Joy in Life
At the end of the novel, Billie returns to New York with a renewed sense of purpose. She decides to open a small food shop, where she can share her love for cooking with others. She also resolves to write a cookbook featuring the recipes she has collected from Lulu and the people she met during her journey.
In conclusion, Delicious! is a heartwarming tale that explores the intricate relationship between food, emotions, and self-discovery. Through Billie's journey, we are reminded of the joy and comfort that food can bring into our lives, and the importance of embracing our passions and past to move forward.
How do we create content on this page?
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Delicious! about?
Delicious! is a captivating novel by Ruth Reichl that tells the story of Billie Breslin, a young woman who moves to New York City to work at a food magazine. Filled with delectable descriptions of food and heartwarming characters, this book takes you on a journey of self-discovery, friendship, and the power of delicious meals to bring people together. It's a delightful read for food lovers and fiction enthusiasts alike.
Delicious! Review
Delicious! by Ruth Reichl (2014) is a delightful memoir of a woman's culinary adventures and self-discovery while working at a food magazine. Here's why this book is worth your time:
- Featuring delectable descriptions of food and recipes, it tantalizes the taste buds and transports readers into the world of flavors and tastes.
- The author's journey of personal growth intertwined with her love for food offers a unique and engaging perspective on finding oneself through passion.
- With its rich storytelling and exploration of different cultures through food, this book promises a fascinating and mouth-watering read that never fails to captivate.
Who should read Delicious!?
Food enthusiasts looking for a captivating fiction with a culinary twist
Readers who enjoy stories about personal growth and self-discovery
Individuals who appreciate vivid descriptions of food and its ability to bring people together
Categories with Delicious!
Book summaries like Delicious!
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
36 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Delicious! FAQs
What is the main message of Delicious!?
The main message of Delicious! is about the power of food to connect people and heal past wounds.
How long does it take to read Delicious!?
Reading Delicious! takes a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in under 15 minutes.
Is Delicious! a good book? Is it worth reading?
Delicious! is a delightful read for foodies and those who appreciate heartwarming stories. It's worth reading for its charm and culinary magic.
Who is the author of Delicious!?
The author of Delicious! is Ruth Reichl.
What to read after Delicious!?
If you're wondering what to read next after Delicious!, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer
- Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser
- Why We Get Fat by Gary Taubes
- The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan
- Savor by Thich Nhat Hanh and Lilian Cheung
- Eat to Live by Joel Fuhrman
- Nutrition and Physical Degeneration by Weston A. Price
- Salt Sugar Fat by Michael Moss
- Mindless Eating by Brian Wansink
- The Twenty-four Hour Mind by Rosalind D. Cartwright