Julie and Julia is probably the most disappointing book I have ever attempted to read. I got to page 81 and gave up, something I rarely do. I like to finish what I start! Julie Powell does nothing but complain. She seems to totally lack a personality, while her poor husband Eric has to put up with her nonstop foul moods. In the pages that I read, there is very little actual cooking being done. She mostly talks about her crappy job, moving,her crappy apartment, commuting, a visit with her parents and brother, and going to the doctor. I expected this to be about each recipe she mastered, but it's not. Read My Life in France by Julia Child and Alex Prud'homme instead. Very satisfying indeed!