Michael J Addice

Two years ago, Olivia Martindale left behind her Montana hometown and her husband, Jace, certain it was the best decision for both of them. Back temporarily to protect her almost-adopted daughters from their biological mother, she discovers an old, handwritten cookbook in the attic. Its pages are stained and torn, their edges scorched by flame. Some have been smeared by water or tears. The recipes are written in different hands and in different languages.

Eating Trees is a rags-to-riches-to-rags story of an ordinary working guy who suddenly has an extraordinary idea. Nick Cerelli has always been "big-boned," as he and his family refer to their tendency to put on weight. He works hard as a laborer but never seems to get ahead until he makes an observation one day while working on a construction job: Fine sawdust feels like flour. "See, my big idea was to make some kinda diet Twinkie outta sawdust. Really. And why not?