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Friends urge readers to share 'books good enough to eat'

This edible version of Mark Twain's "Huck Finn" was created by a food artist in New York City for the 2008 International Edible Book Festival. The Friends of the East Longmeadow Public Library are looking for creative cooks to make their favorite books into delicious treats as well.
Reminder Publications photo courtesy of www.books2eat.com
By Courtney Llewellyn

Reminder Assistant Editor



EAST LONGMEADOW Your mother always told you never to play with your food, but what if you were to create something artistic with it? The Friends of the East Longmeadow Public Library are asking creative cookers to take part in their Edible Book Festival event, "Books Good Enough to Eat," on Oct. 25.

The Friends' membership chair, Marcia Wunch, saw that a library in the Northampton area had hosted a similar event and thought her group would like to "try something different."

The International Edible Book Festival began in 2000 and usually takes place around April 1 -- April Fools' Day. The festival is a celebration of the ingestion of culture and a way to concretely share a book, according to the festival's Web site, www.books2eat.com.

"This year is our 25th anniversary and we wanted to do different events as the year went on," Friends President Laura Palmer said. "We wanted to have a little fun."

To participate, an entry form must be picked up at the front desk of the library and brought in the day of the event, along with the food item and the book that inspired the food. Participants should choose a book title they can turn into a culinary treat. Palmer said any kind of food is permitted and the event is open to book and food lovers of any age.

Wunch will be creating a blue dragon cake inspired by "Eragon" by Chris Paolini and another member of the Friends will be baking a large "2" out of dough for Janet Evanovich's "Two for the Dough."

"As long as it's edible, it can be made of anything," Wunch noted.

Creative chefs don't have to work alone, either. "The more, the merrier," Wunch said. "It doesn't have to be a solo project. Friends and family can work together."

Usually, Edible Book Festival events award prizes, but since this is the first year the Friends of the East Longmeadow Public Library are hosting the event, they decided it would be just for fun.

"If it's successful, we might continue it," Palmer said. "This year, we want people to go in, walk around, enjoy an event in the Community Room and have a nibble."

The "Books Good Enough to Eat" should be brought to the library on Oct. 25 by 10:45 a.m., and each entry will have its photo taken. After that, participants and visitors are invited to sample the entries from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Coffee and punch will also be provided as refreshments.

The Friends of the East Longmeadow Public Library will also be hosting a wine tasting next month. For more information on Friends events, call the library at 525-5400 ext. 152.