Food Lover’s Book Club is a bimonthly discussion of a cookbook or food-related book led by award-winning food writer Amanda M. Faison. The free gathering takes place at the Ross-Cherry Creek Library.

The curl of grill smoke, a cold beer in hand, the first messy bite of sauce-slathered ribs…summer is synonymous with the backyard barbecue. But for many, these hot, lazy months reawaken an obsession that comes in the form of babying (sometimes overnight) the dry-rubbed, long-smoked meats of southern-style ’cue. For a primer, pick up a copy of Feeding the Fire by Joe Carroll and join Amanda M. Faison, the former food editor of 5280 Magazine, and Karl Fallenius of RiNo’s ever-popular Owlbear Barbecue for an in-depth discussion of this smoky, glorious world. Learn how to up your game and why Fallenius, who used to work at Austin’s famed Franklin Barbecue, says ingredients, wood, sides, and patience matter. Bonus: a sauce and chip taste test.

Free, 6 p.m., Ross-Cherry Creek Branch Library, 305 Milwaukee St., 720-865-0120

Amanda M. Faison
Amanda M. Faison
Freelance writer Amanda M. Faison spent 20 years at 5280 Magazine, 12 of those as Food Editor.