Hello hello!!! As we are half way into September (where did the year go?) and autumn weather is around the corner, I can’t wait to get back into the kitchen. During the summer months, it is WAY too hot and humid to even attempt to cook a home cooked meal for friends and family, let alone myself. I am someone who often looks towards cooking as a way to distress my life and I love coming home after a long day and spending some time in the kitchen, so the hot weather just makes me sad on all levels. I am not quite sure what it is about it, but the process of chopping, stirring, assembling, and baking just puts me in a great mood and, hopefully, ends with a delicious meal in front of me. With Autumn coming to California, the weather is cooling, and I find myself migrating back into that place of refuge and love. But until the weather gets to a comfortable level, I find myself reaching for books about food. Whether it is a fictional food novel, or a memoir about discovery over food, I cannot get enough of them, It is refreshing to see and read that stories of people who love food, cooking, and being in the kitchen as much as I do. Below are a few of my favorites for you to dig into as you either tuck into your favorite meal or something to hold you over till it is cool enough to try out all your favorite Pinterest recipes (truth!):
Sourdough by Robin Sloan: A story of software programmer turned baker, in this heart warming story about discovering a passion and love for making bread and sharing that love with others. I’m only half way through this novel but I am obsessed and now I just want to go bake a bunch of bread with some homemade soup.
Stir by Jessica Fechtor: After suffering an aneurysm burst in her brain, Jessica had to rebuild her life. After loosing her sense of taste, and vision in her left eye, Jessica would literally have to learn everything from scratch. After learning basic functions, Jessica would find peace in the kitchen and would rebuild her life, one meal at a time. By far one of the most inspiring cooking memoir I have ever read. After reading this novel the first time, I became obsessed with doing more things from scratch and allowing myself to appreciate the value of making something with my own hands.
Julie & Julia by Julie Powell: Trapped in a life going nowhere, Julie decided to take action and choosing to spend a year cooking every single one of Julia Child’s recipes in Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Not only does she discover delicious meals, but she soon discovers her love of food and a new-found charisma for life. I loved this book and often found myself laughing out loud of moments that Julie had to go through. I related with her on many levels of when I was just starting to learn to cook and having issues making things work. A good book if you need a laugh and discovering new food. Side note: Totally bought Julia Child’s book immediately after finishing this book! Worth it strictly for the Beef Bourguignon recipe, it will change your life! (It’s also a movie btw)
In a French Kitchen by Susan Hermann Loomis: Susan’s in-depth look on the French life style and attitude when it comes to cooking and eating. Standing firm on less is more, Susan takes her audience into her kitchen and shares with them the secrets behind the one of the best cuisines in the world. Can’t recommend this book enough, I loved the recipes, her writing style, and her passion for cooking. I almost booked a trip of France after reading this novel so be warned.
Voracious by Cara Nicoletti: The ultimate foodie-bookworm combination. Cara serves up recipes from her favorite novels and bringing them to life. Combining the love of food with her love of novels, this is a special treat for those who are curious on how the dishes in their favorite books would taste like.If you love books and you love food, then you need to pick up this book!
Consider the Fork: A History of How We Cook and Eat by Bee Wilson: A historical approach to how eating, cooking, and sharing meals has changed over time. It is also a study of how kitchen tools have evolved and with that how our society of eating and cooking has changed with that too. If you are history buff, and a foodie then I would add this one to your TBR pile. I loved this book, and how understood the meaning why we do things the way we do them when to comes to meal time.
The Hungry Ear: Poems of Food and Drink by Kevin Young: A treat for those poets who also love food. This is a collection of poems addressing food, drinks, eating and everything that falls in those categories. A lovely addition to your foodie book collection, and your poetry collection( trying to expand both of mine but
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Other books to consider: Salt by Mark Kurlansky, Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain, Life From Scratch by Sasha Martin, Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert.
Feel free to leave a comment on your favorite books about food!
Happy Reading/Eating!
A Comfy Chair in the Corner 