Several Baltimore Sun alums have had books published recently. I told you about Del Wilber's "Rawhide Down," which dissects the 1981 assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan. And Susan Schoenberger's book, "A Watershed Year," is winning praise; Bret Lott, the author of "Jewel," called it brave and moving.

But for pure, mouth-watering reading, try "A Tiger in the Kitchen" by Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan. She writes about recapturing the memories -- and recipes -- associated with her childhood in Singapore, before coming to the U.S. to attend Northwestern University. The Sun's Laura Vozzella described Tan's quest to reproduce her gramother's delicious pineapple tarts -- and how that turned into a year-long exploration of her culinary roots. You can also listen to Cheryl talk about the book on WYPR's Midday with Dan Rodricks show. And if you're here in Baltimore, stop by the Red Canoe Bookstore Cafe, 4337 Harford Road, tonight at 6 p.m. to hear Cheryl.

Photo by John Searles