There is no need for another full review of Born Round, the recently published memoir by Frank Bruni, who ended his tenure as the New York Times food critic a few weeks ago. The book has been widely publicized and critiqued, with mostly glowing reviews. Having read many food memoirs, including those of a previous critic, Ruth Reichl, I have become somewhat disillusioned with them, finding the content a bit syrupy and unrealistic as it relates to the subject of the enjoyment of food - typically, relatively unhealthy food.

Although I've grown to respect and enjoy Mr. Bruni's writing, I couldn't help but notice that a large volume of his early reviews were meat-centric, and that his taste in cuisine was far different than what I personally enjoy. Over time, I have mostly stopped reading food reviews in general.

When I heard that this book would be different, provocative and far more revealing than may have been expected, my interest piqued and I began watching out for the book's arrival date.

Then, when the food bloggers began to receive advance copies, the surprises began. It turns out that Mr. Bruni spent a great deal of his writing on the subject of his personal struggles with weight loss, overeating and bulimia. I once again lost interest - not that I am insensitive to this subject, but I was disheartened that someone in such a position of power, someone who could and did reshape dining in America, was not fully enough in tune with food to appreciate it properly. With everything that is wrong with our food supply chain, and consumptive habits, I have a hard time not believing that further damage was done by the Times, in allowing a writer influenced by more than just good taste, to pen articles that influence the day to day food decisions of millions.

Just when I was prepared to write Born Round off entirely, I was forwarded an interview that a New York City blogger posted with Frank Bruni. One question/answer really caught my attention.

Frank, I was surprised to find out that your book was going to be about bulimia and this kind of thing. I expected something along the lines of Ruth Reichl.