Tuesday September 6, from 5,30 pm to 7 pm EDT - I Am Books, 189 North St, Boston 02113

"When life gives you lemons, make limoncello! Not My Mother's Kitchen is a funny, loving and oh so useful manual on food, family and survival when your mom is a terrible cook."

—Mo Rocca, host of "My Grandmother's Ravioli"

Award-winning chef Rob Chirico learned to cook as a defense against his Italian mother's awful meals. The first sentence of his touching, funny memoir is "My mother was an assassin." Unlike what we imagine the traditional Italian mother—creating mouthwatering dishes like Cacio e Pepe and Summer Puttanesca—Mrs. Chirico did not like to cook. Dinner often meant a bowl full of Chef Boyardee Spaghetti and Meatballs or sandwiches of cold cuts. But Rob's home was filled with a lot of laughter and much love. An affectionate and nostalgic look back at his journey from the frozen food aisle of a Queens grocery store to gourmet chef, Rob Chirico has filled this memoir with over 70 recipes that he has perfected along the way. If your idea of heaven is food and family, dig in.

Source: I Am Books