1

The Best of AA Gill

AA Gill (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, pbk, $32.98)

Books with bite-sized stories that can easily be picked

up and put down are perfect for flights, layovers and

beaches. And in the same way AA Gill would travel with

Herodotus orThe Icelandic Sagas, I take an anthology

of the late author’s writing everywhere I go. My first

reading ofTable Talk, a collection of Gill’s restaurant

reviews, was constantly punctuated with laughter and

“Read this! Read this!” and I’m expecting similar things

from this new compilation. And for a match? A tinnie

of San Pellegrino Clementina soda over ice.●

MAX VEENHUYZEN, WESTERN AUSTRALIA EDITOR

Feel Free
Zadie Smith (Hamish Hamilton, pbk, $35)

Zadie Smith doesn’t shy from good debate. Her latest
work, a collection of essays covering everything from
Mikhail Baryshnikov to social networking, is an insightful
journey. To that end, a tall drink of the same spirit is in
order, so I’m reaching for a fruity concoction of fresh
watermelon juice, rum and sparkling wine. Just like
Smith’s writing, it’s punchy and dynamic, and is bound
to inspire some interesting conversation.

LISA FEATHERBY, SENIOR FOOD EDITOR