For the first of my book review series, I had the pleasure of reading J. Ryan Stradal's first novel, Kitchens of the Great Midwest. I was just about to leave the library with a book I wasn't too sure about, when I looked to my left and spotted a section called "The Librarians' Recommendations." There in that section was Stradal's beautifully illustrated book, and I knew I had to have it.

This powerful story of Eva Thorvald, along with other characters from the mid westpulls you in from page one. At the heart of the story is Eva's passion for food as well as her exquisite taste buds. The other stories that generate from Eva's are just as powerful and enticing. Stradal made me fall in love with all of his characters. But the one I immediately fell in love was Lars, whose commitment for his family illuminated through his desire to cook his daughter and wife beautiful meals.

Stradal mixes the perfect amount of tragedy, hope, comedy and love into this tale. One of my favorite moments was when Eva was participating in local spicy food challenges in her cousin Baraque's college town. As a lover of spice myself, I could immediately relate to Eva. It was those tiny, little details to the characters that made their stories and their lives so relatable.

The unique thing about this novel however, is the technique Stradal uses for the narrative. Within Eva's story are about four or five others, all of which twist back to Eva's. From her parents, her first love, her first love's family, and her cousins, the chapters dedicated to their perspectives all intertwined back to Eva. For a majority of the novel we aren't even with Eva but the story eludes that time has passed and Eva has grown along with the story.

All in all, this story is a must read. It's the perfect cozy, yet suspenseful book that will be hard for you to put down.

Book of Byrd's Final Review: 8 Stars!