Feast on Books
A delightfully delicious reading list
I love food. I love tasting it, making it, shopping for it, and sharing it. I love how food brings people together, nourishing not just our bodies but our spirits. The holiday season is full of reasons to celebrate, and my celebrations always involve food. This week, I want to share some of my favorite foodie reads, including cookbooks, essays, memoirs, and fiction. I hope you’re inspired to make something delicious for yourself or plan a meal with a friend.
Bite by Bite: Nourishments and Jamborees by Aimee Nezhukumatathil: I read this book last month and said this in my October recap:
This collection of essays explores various foods that are meaningful to the author, such as mango and shave ice (Nezhukumatathil points out that it should be "shave" ice instead of "shaved.") Accompanying each essay is a beautiful illustration of the food it's about. The book mixes food writing and memoir since readers learn much about Nezhukumatathil's life, history, and family. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a lighthearted, well-written read.
Chefs' Fridges: More Than 35 World-Renowned Cooks Reveal What They Eat at Home by Carrie Solomon: If you’re a visual and curious person like me, you’ll love Chefs’ Fridges. I’m fascinated by what other people keep in their refrigerators and kitchens, so this book was satisfying on multiple levels. I don’t turn to this book too much for the recipes because the focus is primarily on the photographs and interviews with the chefs. Instead, I use this book for inspiration. I enjoy seeing what kind of sandwiches a person throws together after a long workday. I like to know what condiments a star chef always has on hand. It’s interesting to see what professionals turn to for comfort food. Looking at this book (even just the pretty mint-colored spine) always makes me happy, and that’s reason enough to love it.
Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise by Ruth Reichl: Ruth Reichl is a well-known food critic who once worked for the New York Times. This book is about when she moved to New York to start her new gig and the complications that ensued. Restaurants around the city knew who Reichl was and had her picture taped up in their kitchens. She knew she’d never be able to get fair service if the staff knew her, so she thought up several elaborate disguises to dine anonymously. Thanks to her sharp writing, I loved reading about Reichl’s disguises and could easily picture her wearing them. This memoir is so much fun to read. Reichl’s passion for great food is evident on every page. Because I often have the palate of an eight-year-old child, I’d prefer a cheeseburger to most of the fine dining food Reichl describes in this book, but her excitement and joy when eating is contagious.
Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay: In Hunger, Gay tells the story of the sexual assault she experienced as a child that has shaped the relationship she has with her body and food. She talks about using food to make herself bigger and, therefore, less likely to be physically hurt again. As wonderful as food can be, our relationships with it and how it affects our bodies can be deeply complex, especially when our bodies have been violated or mocked. Hunger is a beautiful and challenging memoir that explores life's challenges in a larger body and how food can be used as a coping strategy instead of fuel.
The Lazy Genius Kitchen by Kendra Adachi: I know that if my kitchen is cluttered and unorganized, I’m less likely to use it. I don’t want to dig through a cabinet to find the pan or bowl I need or risk an avalanche of Tupperware lids falling on me. If you relate and need some kitchen organization inspiration, pick up The Lazy Genius Kitchen. It’s a beautifully designed book packed with advice about organizing your kitchen for maximum productivity and enjoyment. Many of us spend hours a week in our kitchens making and enjoying food, and the experience should be as pleasant and easy as possible.
Magnolia Table: A Collection of Recipes for Gathering by Joanna Gaines: Joanna Gaines has the best chocolate chip cookie recipe. (Her shortbreads are fantastic, too!) That’s reason enough to want to make more of her food, but there are others. Her Spanish rice is my favorite rice recipe, and I feel like I’ve tried so many, looking for “the one.” I can barely handle how yummy her scalloped potatoes are, drenched in their cheesy, gooey sauce. I love few things in this world as much as I love queso, and her recipe does not disappoint. Though I’m featuring her first cookbook, I also love volumes two and three. I often reach for the Magnolia cookbooks during the holiday season because the recipes are perfect for a crowd, as the portions are generous.
The New York Times Cooking No-Recipe Recipes by Sam Sifton: The spirit of this cookbook is my favorite way to cook. Instead of relying on specific measurements, Sifton’s recipes call for some of this and a handful of that. There are some great basic recipes and a few “showstopper” dishes, but the book makes it all accessible and fun. I checked out this book from the library and liked it so much that I bought my own copy. That’s a sign of true love.
The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender: This unique novel is a family drama mixed with magical realism. The story centers on Rose, a nine-year-old girl who discovers she can taste emotions in food. Rose can taste her mom’s sadness in a piece of cake and tastes truths about other family members she’s unprepared to address. Rose must learn how to control her power as she ages and faces the consequences of what she knows. I picked up this book on a whim because the cover caught my eye, and I’m glad I did.
Piglet by Lottie Hazell: Piglet is a woman who’s content. She’s about to be married and has just moved into a new house with her fiancé, Kit. She has a good family, friends, and career. Everything is going according to plan until Kit confesses that he’s betrayed her. The question at the heart of this novel is, “What does a woman do with her rage?” Piglet decides to eat. She’s determined to marry Kit, but the rage she’s experiencing is another obstacle to happily ever after. Piglet is one of my favorite novels of 2024, thanks to its unforgettable protagonist and how she learns to be true to herself and her hunger.
Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking by Samin Nosrat: Every good cook needs a solid foundation of basic principles, and you can find that in Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat. Samin Nosrat walks readers through essential cooking advice and shares recipes that allow cooks to practice what they have learned. In addition to being helpful, this book has a great design, making it not just an informative read but an enjoyable one, too.
Simple Cake: All You Need to Keep Your Friends and Family in Cake by Odette Williams: This book is one of my most beloved cookbooks. As the title says, it’s a simple book full of cakes, frostings, icings, and inspiring ways to combine them. The chocolate cake recipe makes the best chocolate cake I’ve ever had. It’s so good that it doesn’t need more than a dusting of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream. Everything else I’ve made from this book has been delicious and felt special. This book would make an excellent gift for a baker in your life.
Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler: Several of my favorite TV shows are set in workplaces, and I like that setting in books, too. In Sweetbitter, readers follow Tess, a woman in her early 20s who’s just moved to New York City. She gets a job at a popular restaurant where much of the novel occurs. I love stories told with a strong sense of place, and Stephanie Danler provides a vivid setting and fast-paced story. As Tess grows, learns, and faces the good and bad of the city’s food world, I found myself invested in each of her steps.
Take This Bread: A Radical Conversion by Sara Miles: Sara Miles, an atheist, lesbian, and liberal journalist, had no reason to walk into a church one day, but she did. The experience she had receiving communion changed her life and led to a conversion to Christianity, surprising her as much as anyone else. Her new faith wasn’t just about things unseen but what she could taste, touch, and share. The bread and wine changed her life, so Miles decided to feed the people of her community. What started as a few groceries at her church turned into food pantries where everyone was welcome to come and eat. Take This Bread is a moving conversion story unlike any others you’ll read. It reminded me how powerful food can be, not just for our bodies but for our souls.
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I’d love to hear about your favorite cookbooks or food writers. Which ones do you turn to over and over again? Share in the comments. Thanks for reading!
I love this list! Ahhh The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake. One of my faves.
Loved the show Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat on Netflix. It taught me a lot and so also looking forward to read the book.