Anonymous wrote:Not sure if you’ve tried Mark Kurlansky. I’ve really only read his food history books like “Cod,” “Salt,” and “The Big Oyster,” and the milk one, but he has written a lot of both nonfiction and novels about food.

Salt is one of my favorites!

Some wonderful favorites listed (mfk fisher, Laurie Colwin, salt, cod). I’d add

The tender bar (not food, but drink) JR Morhinger is the most wonderful writer (and ghostwriter)

Blood, bones and butter (prune chef Gabrielle Hamilton)

The food lab is an interesting scientific read

The belly of Paris (Zola)

Kitchen, banana yashimoto

Like water for chocolate

Omnivores dilemma

This is a novel but really cute.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/150246174-mrs-quinn-s-rise-to-fame

A huge-hearted, redemptive coming-of-old-age tale, a love story, and an ode to good food

Nothing could be more out of character, but after fifty-nine years of marriage, as her husband Bernard’s health declines, and her friends' lives become focused on their grandchildren—which Jenny never had—Jenny decides she wants a little something for herself. So she secretly applies to be a contestant on the prime-time TV show Britain Bakes.

Whisked into an unfamiliar world of cameras and timed challenges, Jenny delights in a new-found independence. But that independence, and the stress of the competition, starts to unearth memories buried decades ago. Chocolate teacakes remind her of a furtive errand involving a wedding ring; sugared doughnuts call up a stranger’s kind act; a simple cottage loaf brings back the moment her life changed forever.

With her baking star rising, Jenny struggles to keep a lid on that first secret—a long-concealed deceit that threatens to shatter the very foundations of her marriage. It’s the only time in six decades that she’s kept something from Bernard. By putting herself in the limelight, has Jenny created a recipe for disaster?

Basically anything by MFK Fisher. "The Art of Eating" is a good place to start.

Anonymous wrote:Laurie Colwin! (Home Cooking and More Home Cooking)…food essays from the 80s/90s that still feel very modern with some of her insights on food and life, yet cozy and comforting. If you enjoy Ruth Reichl, you will likely enjoy Colwin.

Elizabeth Bard’s memoirs, Lunch in Paris and Picnic in Provence.

Eric Rupert’s memoir, 32 Yolks.

I also enjoyed Kitchens of the Great Midwest and Lager Queen of MN (both by J. Ryan Stradal); I would not recommend his latest (Sat. night at the Lakeside Supper Club…some of the plot was bit forced).

Home Cooking is on my nightstand right now! Ms. Colwin was a wonderful writer who died way too soon. A short story of hers was recently uncovered by her child and is in Best American Short Stories 2024. Food always found a way into her work.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many years ago, I was into a cozy mystery series about a caterer who lived in Colorado. Some of the book titles were "The Cereal Murders" and "Dying for Chocolate" . I think some of the books had recipes in them. The author's name is Diane Mott Davidson.

I don't know if that is what you are looking for or not. I enjoyed the five or so books I read back in the day.

I’m not the OP, but I’m currently reading Dying for Chocolate and enjoying it. I found it at my local library’s used book sale. I’m looking forward to reading more by the author.

What a coincidence! Diane Mott Davidson hasn't published a book in over a decade, but here on DCUM she gets mentioned by two different readers this week! I liked the five or so books I read back in the day and would like to read the entire series. So little time, so many books.

Also! If you’re open to shorter essays, the annual “best food writing” or “best American food writing” collections can be quite good.