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Attractive, easy, complicated enough to be interesting.  No, not your next girlfriend (or boyfriend) but Pamela Sheldon Johns’ new book: 50 Great Appetizers.  Part of the “50 Great…” series published by Andrews McMeel in lively colors and a satisfying small, square shape, under $15.  An opportunity to “taste lots of different little things,” as Pam says.

Incidentally, she’s on a West Coast book tour in March.  And she owns a great B&B in Tuscany, in case you’re in Italy.  Her gorgeous husband leaves breakfast outside your door every morning.  And her flamboyant little daughter is more Italian than American after 5 years in Europe.  What a life, eh?!

Looking beyond the label and the tasting room for info on the wine world?

These three recent books will take you behind the scenes in the industry.

Tyler Colman writes enticingly about Wine Politics.

George Tabor illustrates current closure battles in To Cork or Not to Cork.

And fearless Alice Feiring delves very personally into the question of authenticity in making wine today: The Battle for Wine and Love, or How I Saved the World from Parkerization.