Destination Moon

When you are eating a Lune croissant, it feels like everything you’ve ever wanted is somehow contained in a single mouthful. Destination Moon has this same effect: it is one package of kindness, hopefulness, creativity, and open-hearted revelations. I love Lune croissants and have lined up for close to an hour to purchase those flaky, buttery pastries. The question I must ask myself is: has my love of Reid’s cooking marred my judgement of her memoir, Destination Moon? I do not think so, but yes, you should read it while eating one of the delicious concoctions from Lune.

This memoir holds all of Kate Reid’s disappointments and joys. It is the story of growing up in Melbourne and wanting to fly to the moon. It is about studying hard and then working in an all-male environment and achieving enormous success working with Formula One engines. Reid shares stories of being in love, being ill with depression and anorexia, being heartbroken and lost, and then finding her way to baking. I particularly enjoyed the moments she shared with her father: watching car racing, travelling to far-flung places, and returning home to the tremendous support of her parents.

This is a skilfully crafted Melbourne story about a courageous, intelligent, and ambitious woman finding her feet. There is humour and pathos in her stories, and there is also a generosity to her storytelling and, most liberating of all, there is acceptance. It turns out Kate Reid can do anything she wants beautifully! We could all do with a Kate Reid in our lives. Fortunately, reading Destination Moon alongside a Lune croissant makes you feel you do have Reid in your life. This is an inspirational and delightful read.