A good book and a light lunch on a downtown Grand Rapids sidewalk.  Summer just doesn’t get much better than this.  The novel is my SSW bookclub’s August choice, The Night Villa by Carol Goodman.  Lunch is a soup and salad combo from the cafe at Schuler’s Books and Music with entrances on Monroe Center and Fountain.  They have a full menu, homemade soups, decandent deserts and even soft-serve ice cream.  The day I was there the Expresso Twist Waffle Cone was on special.  The novel is set on the beautiful Greek Isle of Capri where the author shares her character’s love of Caprese salad, a warm weather favorite the world over.  Simply toss or layer fresh mozerella, plum, cherry or your home-grown tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, torn, with extra virin olive oil and salt and pepper if you like.  Add fresh greesn or seared seasoned steak, salmon, chicken or shrimp for a protein twist.  Let’s hear your favorite book inspired dining ideas!