Love and Saffron by Kim Fay

Dear Jackie - I mailed this book to you today because it is just the kind of book we love. My friend Page left it on my coffee table when she was here earlier this year, and now I am passing it on to you. It has everything we like including food, friendship, letters, and even a little travel. Set in the 1960's, the book chronicles letters between 27-year-old Joan Bergstrom and 59-year-old Imogen Fortier. They meet when Joan sends a fan letter and a gift of saffron to Imogen. Joan lives in Los Angeles and is an up-and-coming food writer for a local newspaper. Imogene lives on Camano Island, outside of Seattle, and writes a monthly column for Pacific Northwest magazine. Imogen knows how to dig for clams, but knows nothing about the spicy Mexican food that Joan is finding in Los Angeles. As the two women correspond about food and life, we also see them survive historical events such as the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the assassination of president John F. Kennedy. We also see the relationships with the men in their lives grow, change, and expand thanks to their friendship. The novel is fascinating and heartwarming, while at the same time a fast read, and extremely poignant. I think it's the perfect gift for my favorite pen pal. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, and please feel free to pass it along to another friend when you are done. To buy this book on Amazon click here.