The Mistress of Spices by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Come closer… Novels and Nibbles is stirring up a little spicy magic, simmering with enchantment with this weekly book. Tilo, a mysterious woman who runs a small spice shop in Oakland; she is trained in an ancient, almost magical tradition: she can hear the spices speak. Each spice carries its own power to help struggling souls who wander into her shop. But, there are rules. Strict ones.

She must never use the spices for herself.
She must never leave the shop.
She must never fall in love. 

Naturally… she breaks them by falling in love with an American man, Raven, and the balance breaks and her spices begin to turn on her.

For this week’s read, we’ve added a pinch of magic to the menu… Roasted Cauliflower Curry. Roasted cauliflower curry florets bathed in a creamy, golden, fragrant sauce imbued with fresh ginger, garlic, and slow-simmered onions and tomatoes. Coconut milk softens the edges while a sacred blend of yellow curry, cayenne, cumin, and cinnamon mysteriously swirl together to create a spellbinding jus. Served over a bed of basmati rice, strewn with fresh cilantro, and accompanied by a soft, pillowy naan to gather every last whisper of taste bud magic from the plate.

$15.95

4/29/2026 - 5/03/2026