Stephen Kimball

How to Read a French Fry: And Other Stories of Intriguing Kitchen Science
by Russ Parsons

In a book widely hailed for its entertaining prose and provocative research, the award-winning Los Angeles Times food journalist Russ Parsons examines the science behind ordinary cooking processes. Along the way he dispenses hundreds of tips and the reasons behind them, from why you should always begin cooking beans in cold water, to why you should salt meat before sautéing it, to why it's a waste of time to cook a Vidalia onion. Filled with sharp-witted observations ("Frying has become synonymous with minimum-wage labor, yet hardly anyone will try it at home"), intriguing food trivia (fruit deprived of water just before harvest has superior flavor to fruit that is irrigated up to the last moment ), and recipes (from Oven-Steamed Salmon with Cucumber Salad to Ultimate Strawberry Shortcake), How to Read a French Fry contains all the ingredients you need to become a better cook.

Calico Joe
by John Grisham

Calico Joe tells the story of Paul Tracey a 13-year-old boy from a dysfunctional family caught in a conflict of loyalties when his troubled baseball-playing father comes face to face with the greatest young player of his age Joe Castle and the terrible consequences that follow. Decades later with his father dying Paul decides that the tragedy of his youth must be reconciled and attempts to bring the two men together for a final meeting.

John Grisham has written twenty previous novels including the YA series of Theodore Boone, a collection of stories and The Litigators. Ford County, and one work of nonfiction, The Innocent Man. He lives in Virginia and Mississippi.

And Thereby Hangs A Tale
by Jeffrey Archer

Millions of readers around the world have relished Jeffrey Archer's short stories. Taking inspiration from his favorite short story writers - F. Scott Fitzgerald, Maupassant, H. H. Munro, W. Somerset Maugham and O. Henry - Jeffrey Archer has written five bestselling collections over the years and Macmillan are proud to announce the publication of a sixth volume of stories in May 2010.

Jeffrey has a natural aptitude for short stories which are stylish, witty and entertaining. His mastery of characterization and suspense, combined with a gift for the unexpected, jaw-dropping plot twist, show him at the height of his powers and demonstrate why he is one of Britain's best-selling authors.

All of Jeffrey's collections of short stories have been top ten bestsellers and he is undoubtedly the bestselling English-language short story writer of our times.