As I sit here in front of my computer and try to come up with the words to explain why I enjoyed reading J. Ryan Stradal’s Kitchens of the Great Midwest so much and why I have so much affection for it, I have a goofy grin on my face. The kind of secret smile you get when you think of that person you have a crush on and that funny/sweet/kind thing they said about you. Read more.