From the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Best Writer

October 18 2006

Diana Abu-Jaber
Dianaabujaber.com

In The Language of Baklava, author Abu-Jaber vividly recalls her life while remembering the meals shared with an extended family that included parents, sisters, friends and "the uncles" who come to life on these pages. In her lovingly written memoir, released in paperback last year, the Portland (Ore.) State University writing teacher and part-time Miami resident describes her family's shish kebab picnics on Lake Ontario, the brown-bagged garlicky chicken lunches she took to St. Mary's School and backyard literary readings for her teenage friends. Her story, accompanied by strategically placed recipes, is about family, love and food and addresses the question: Where is home?