Today’s selections are definitely not my usual cookbook roundup.   More than a year ago I wrote about Gayden Metcalfe and Charlotte Hays’  Somebody Is Going To Die If Lilly Beth Doesn’t Catch That Bouquet,  an hilarious guide to Southern weddings, as told by two ladies from an un-named Mississippi delta town.   So when I was shelf reading in the 390’s and happened upon Being Dead Is No Excuse by the same authors,  I just knew I would have to bring this one home to read and share. The delta ladies write well and are often laugh out loud funny in relating the peculiarities of their home town and its customs.   And they can cook.    The included recipes for a wide range of post funeral reception fare sound positively scrumptious.    While it sounds at first a bit off-putting, the pineapple casserole on page 61 is said to be quite good and I was also intrigued by the cherry gelatian mold made with Coca Cola  (called co-cola down south).    The Crotcheted Bedpad Award Chicken sounded absolutely moutwatering (despite the very odd title) as did the Beef Tenderloin with Rosemary New Potatoes.    If you are from the South and long for home or even if you just enjoy good humor and good food,  Being Dead Is No Excuse comes Highly Recommended.   Buy now $19.95

Lisa Slater’s  The Brownie Lover’s Bible is definitely not for the new, inexperienced baker.    But if you already know from creaming sugar and butter and sifting dry ingredients together before adding them to the  wet ingredients,  Slater has penned a delectable guide to some really awesome choclatey goodness. The Midnight Brownie Tart With Cherry Compote pictured on page 197 made my mouth just water and water, while the Coffee Orange Pound Cake With Chocalate Nibs on page 109 looked truly stupendous.   For brownie lover’s who know how to bake,  The Brownie Lover’s Bible comes Highly Recommended.   Buy now $24.95