Frank Bruni

Frank Bruni is an American journalist, author, and longtime writer for The New York Times where he has held multiple prominent roles including chief restaurant critic, White House correspondent, and op-ed columnist. He broke ground as the first openly gay op-ed columnist in the newspaper's history. His books include the bestselling memoir "Born Round: A Story of Family, Food and a Ferocious Appetite" which chronicled his complex relationship with food and eating disorders. He later wrote "Where You Go Is Not Who You'll Be," examining the intense pressure around college admissions, and "The Beauty of Dusk," which detailed his experience with partial vision loss. Currently a professor at Duke University's Sanford School of Public Policy, Bruni continues to contribute opinion pieces to The New York Times as a contributing writer. His work frequently explores American politics, culture, higher education, and LGBTQ+ issues. His writing style combines personal narrative with cultural commentary and journalistic insight. Throughout his career, Bruni has been recognized for his ability to address complex social issues through accessible prose and storytelling.

Readers appreciate Bruni's conversational writing style and ability to weave personal experiences with broader cultural commentary. His memoir "Born Round" resonates with those who've struggled with food and body image, while "Beautiful Things" connects with readers facing vision challenges. Positive reviews highlight: - Clear, unpretentious prose - Vulnerability in sharing personal stories - Balance of humor and serious reflection - Ability to make complex topics accessible Common criticisms: - Can be repetitive within chapters - Sometimes meanders from main points - Political views too prominent in recent works Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - Born Round: 3.7/5 (3,800+ ratings) - Beautiful Things: 4.1/5 (2,900+ ratings) - The Beauty of Dusk: 4.2/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: - Born Round: 4.3/5 - Beautiful Things: 4.5/5 - The Beauty of Dusk: 4.6/5 Several readers note his food writing stands out: "His restaurant reviews make you taste the food" (Goodreads reviewer).

Born Round: The Secret History of a Full-Time Eater (2009) A memoir chronicling Bruni's relationship with food, from his childhood struggles with compulsive eating to his time as a restaurant critic for The New York Times.

Where You Go Is Not Who You'll Be (2015) An examination of the college admissions process in America and its impact on students and families.

A Meatloaf in Every Oven (2017) A cookbook co-authored with Jennifer Steinhauer featuring 50 meatloaf recipes and related dishes.

The Beauty of Dusk: On Vision Lost and Found (2022) A memoir detailing Bruni's experience with sudden vision loss and his adaptation to partial blindness.

Ambling Into History (2002) A portrait of George W. Bush during his presidential campaign and first year in office, based on Bruni's coverage as a White House correspondent.