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CHICAGO – “If only people knew what it was like at the beginning . . .” That’s a telling observation made by one of the principal characters late in “By the Way, Meet Vera Stark.”

Well-traveled Tesssa Kiros was born in London to a Finnish mother and Greek-Cypriot father, lived in South Africa until she turned 18 and has spent time cooking in Australia, Greece and Mexico.

“The Longevity Kitchen” (Ten Speed Press), by Rebecca Katz (with Mat Edelson), links Katz’s long-running interest in a health and nutrition go along with food that tastes good.

CHICAGO – “The Pianist of Willesden Lane,” now playing at Royal George Theatre, recounts a heroic story of the late Lisa Jura’s dedication to her art as she overcame the odds during World War II to achieve her lifelong goal to become a world-class musician.