While I had a wonderful, relaxing, laughter-filled time at the beach, I did bring back a rather unwelcome souvenir-the summertime head cold. Add in being almost 28 weeks prego, in an house without a.c., and, well, let's just say I had a bit of a "moment" yesterday, which my poor and ever-loving spouse was privy to. Not one of my finer "moments", but it diffused the tension and then went along its cranky way. In any event, I'm still snotty and sneezy and bleary-eyed, but I'm downing ginger root tea with fresh lemon, honey, and cayenne (my go-to cold remedy for years), putting up my feet, and giving myself permission to move at a tortoise's pace. And to read whatever my heart pleases. While that's mainly been baby books lately, I've been thinking a good deal about my favorite literary genre-food fiction. I love a good memoir, and am a voracious non-fiction reader, but food fiction is, for me, where it's at.
I've put together a short list of my favorite reads in the category to date. If you've got others, I'd love to hear about them. And if you love a little drama with your delicious delicacies, I highly encourage you to pick up one of these reads as we all forge ahead through the dogs days of August.
-5 Quarters of the Orange, Joanne Harris
-Blackberry Wine, Joanne Harris
-Chocolat, Joanne Harris
-Garden Spells, Sarah Addison Allen
-The Sugar Queen, Sarah Addison Allen
-Like Water for Chocolate, Laura Esquivel
-The Joy Luck Club, Amy Tan
-Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, Fannie Flagg
*Image from here.
Its always nice to get new book recommendations. When I was in high school I think I read fried green tomatoes a couple times a year at least. I'm sorry you're sick, but there's nothing like reclining and reading to your hearts content.
ReplyDeleteexcellent! i've got a big pile o' books i need to get at powells so im going to print this baby out :)
ReplyDeleteAnother Fannie Flagg that you have to read just because it was so entertaining but doesn't have anything to do with food is Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man.
ReplyDeleteFeel better soon!
Oooh, excited about the Fannie Flagg suggestion by Paula! Also the other books. But mostly Fannie. For now. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reading suggestions!
ReplyDeletelove this list! i always love doing a yearly read of Under the Tuscan Sun...food/travel memoirs are my fave! And I read Julia Child's My Life in France which was fun too.
ReplyDeletei recently read a food memori: A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from My Kitchen Table by Molly Wizenberg. I really enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the book recommendations :) I love reading food-related books, and have mostly focused on foodie-type memoirs. I've also really enjoyed culinary mysteries (a la Diane Mott Davidson -- have you read any of hers?) I will have to check out some on your list.
ReplyDeleteive had a great time strolling through your space! and just had to comment joanne harris is one of my absolute favs. any good foodies must i say.
ReplyDeleteGreat suggestions! Sounds like it's time for you to install central air - my favorite modern day convience!
ReplyDeleteI prefer fiction to memoir and loved The Last Chinese Chef, by Nicole Mones. It's a great book, and a wonderful way of learning about the complexity of another cuisine. I will have to try others.
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