Related Issue
Summer 2026
The Arts
Honey Wafers
By BAM Staff / Summer 2026
June 23rd, 2026
In West Quad, Leah Eskin ’84 was the quiet girl from Iowa who spent a lot of time at the Rock. Her neighbor, Kim Witherspoon ’84, was the glamorous girl from New York City who attended all the parties. No surprise that Eskin grew up to be a writer. And Witherspoon grew up to be an agent. When Eskin was finishing her first book, Slices of Life: A Food Writer Cooks Through Many a Conundrum (Running Press, 2014), she knew who to call.
PHOTO: Robert BlaU
On campus, Arthur Levine ’84, “bestie to my roomie,” said Eskin, already knew he would become an editor of children’s books. “That he knew this in college floored me,” said Eskin. “That he became the best-known children’s book publisher of his generation delights me now. He discovered J.K. Rowling.”
Levine recently called Eskin about a new book project (for adults), about a woman who had single-handedly saved Italian Jewish cuisine from extinction. A food writer, Eskin figured Levine was looking for referrals. “No, no, no,” Levine said. He told Eskin: “You’re writing this book.”
Like Wafers in Honey was released on April 14. It was written by Eskin who is represented by Witherspoon. The book was published by Levine—with a little advice from Karen Dukess ’84 and also the Pulitzer Prize-winning author David Kertzer ’69, Brown professor of anthropology and Italian studies. “You can’t have a more Brown story than that, can you?” said Eskin.
