Get a dose of attitude from Julia Reed

If you didn't become a follower of Julia Reed when she was writing about food for Newsweek (and now the Wall Street Journal), you surely have learned to watch for her funny commentaries for the Charleston-based magazine Garden & Gun.

Reed has a special touch with her humorous stories about life in the South (especially the entertaining, eating and drinking parts). Consider them tales with recipes. 

She'll be in Charlotte on Friday to sign copies of her new book of essays, "But Mama Always Put Vodka in Her Sangria: Adventures in Eating, Drinking and Making Merry" (St. Martin's Press, $25.99). Look for her from 3 to 5 p.m. at Capitol, 4010 Sharon Road. 

Make sure you say hello for me. I'd be first in line with a book, but I'll be in Reed's town, New Orleans, while she's in here. Tell her I'll toast her from afar.