There are few things that compare to an afternoon curled up with a good book. It is even better if it is followed by a great meal shared with good friends. And the cherry on the top is when, at the end of the gathering, you have a fresh stack of books next to your bed to thrill you for the coming month. But probably the greatest scenario of all is when it was you who hosted book club and everything went smoothly: you did not kill yourself during the preparations for the evening and your guests liked your books and loved your food. I hope this book will help you towards that specific state of bliss.

The idea for this collection of recipes started with the premise that not all readers are necessarily confident cooks. Neither are some social people who want to invite a group of friends or family over for a catch-up or special celebration. This book helps you prepare a great meal for your gathering with a bit of planning and without too much stress. For this reason the emphasis is on dishes that can be prepared and often completed before the guests arrive.