Slab pies, made in rectangular pans rather than round, are "easily transportable and easy to portion out." In Pie Squared: Irresistibly Easy Sweet & Savory Slab Pies by food writer and cooking teacher Cathy Barrow, cooks will find more than 30 savory pies, like Asparagus, Fontina, and Pancetta and The Reuben. More than 30 "Sweetie Pies," such as Peach Melba and Raspberry Rugelach, are equally tempting. Recipes are clearly written and organized, and come with color photographs. Barrow's tips on swapping out tools, crusts or ingredients make the recipes infinitely adaptable for those at home who don't have a deep pantry. Moreover, her comprehensive instructions for making both rolling pin and press-in crusts can be invaluable for those new to pie-making. Barrow's obvious enthusiasm for her topic is evident throughout, and she cheers on beginners as well as those experienced in the kitchen, saying, "Make a pie, make a friend." --Cindy Pauldine, bookseller, the river's end bookstore, Oswego, N.Y.