Hello hello, and welcome to Episode 71 of Life On the Brink!
During the chilly autumn season, I find that my love of reading increases even more. Whether it’s while lounging in the sun in the mid-afternoon, curling up with a hot tea first thing in the morning, or layering up in bed at the end of the day, the act of reading feels even more comforting, dare I say luxurious, during this season.
Naturally, today we’re talking about books. I have recommendations! But not just any books; today’s episode is dedicated to “food writing.” This is often the wording used to categorize these not-quite-cookbooks but very niche books that are and have been my reading kryptonite. This list is filled with chef memoirs, cooking traditions, personal tales peppered with important recipes, and some lovely fictional stories, all circling around the subject of food and cooking.
It’s no secret here that I love to cook, and I’d wager you do too. It’s books like the ones on today’s list that help to re-inspire me and help bring a new surge of creativity into my own kitchen. Most of these books I have read and enjoyed, but a couple are on my list to read very soon as they sound just delicious!
What’s in my teacup? Some of the my own ginger tea (I shared the recipe in last week's episode) mixed with apple cider and a cinnamon stick. I just heat them up together and it's divine.
So with that, friends, grab yourself a cozy cup of tea and let’s dive in.
TEN BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS: FOOD WRITING
Chef memoirs:
-My Life in France by Julia Child, Alex Prud'Homme. The Holy Grail of cooking memoirs, written from Julia’s own perspective with the help of her nephew Alex, who collected the information and helped write the book toward the end of Julia’s life. It’s simply the best, between the descriptions of Paris in the early 50’s, her introductions to French cooking, and her zest for life in every scenario. You really can’t go wrong. What julie and julia is based off of.
-Yes, Chef by Marcus Samuelsson. This is a truly fascinating story of Chef Samuelsson, who was adopted with his sister from Ethiopia by a couple in Sweden, trained in France, then traveled to the U.S. to make a career. His descriptions of every place he traveled to are so vivid, and his perspective and history are so unlike my own that I loved getting a glimpse into his journey. Owns the Red Rooster in Harlem, has cookbooks and was on chopped.
-The Sweet Life in Paris: Delicious Adventures in the World's Most Glorious - and Perplexing - City by David Lebovitz. I’ve spoken about David Lebovitz before because I love his cookbook My Paris Kitchen, and, well, this is the story of how he started his life in Paris. His writing is incredibly witty, filled with anecdotes about the French way of life, especially as it pertains to food. Also, no surprise, he has some stellar recipes throughout this book. I’ve made the chocolate cake from this book several times.
-Mediterranean Summer: A Season on France's Côte d'Azur and Italy's Costa Bella by David Shalleck. First off, the descriptions of food in this book are next level. In it, David Shalleck describes his experiences as a private chef, spending his summers on a yacht sailing around the Mediterranean. The atmosphere is dreamy, the stories are wild, and the regional Italian cuisine is a main focus of the book. I loved learning about how one portion of a country varies from another, and how he used a very very tiny boat kitchen to prepare them. Super fun!
Cooking literature:
-Lunch in Paris: A Love Story, with Recipes by Elizabeth Bard. This book, and its sequel, are just so comforting to come back to chapter after chapter. The first book catalogs Bard’s moving to Paris, marrying a Frenchman, and all the transitions that took place during her first few years living in France. The second book continues the story as she records her pregnancy, new son, and the family’s move to the south of France (and opening an ice cream shop!). Again, the recipes in this book are simple and creative and, from the ones I’ve made, really yummy.
*Also, the sequel, Picnic in Provence, is equally lovely.*
-Taste: My Life through Food by Stanley Tucci. This was one of the first books I read this year, and what a good way to start. I’ve loved Stanley since “The Devil Wears Prada” and even more so in “Julie and Julia,” and I simply loved learning more about his life and love of cooking. Specifically, it’s a lot of Italian cooking. I found his writing clever and heartwarming, and especially loved the stories of his Italian family and upbringing. There are several recipes throughout this book, as well, and I look forward to trying them out.
-52 Loaves: One Man's Relentless Pursuit of Truth, Meaning, and a Perfect Crust by William Alexander. This is on my TBR, and I think it will be a great comfort in the cold winter months. It’s an autobiographical adventure all about bread baking, I don’t know what could be more lovely. It also spans “three continents, a backyard wheat field, two exploding ovens, one herniated vertebra, a crisis of faith, and a thirteen-hundred-year-old monastery- in his quest to produce a perfect loaf of bread.”
Fictional Works:
-Sous Chef: 24 Hours on the Line by Michael Gibney. This one is utterly fascinating. Though written as a fictional tale in second person, it gives insight into the world of a restaurant cook, specifically that of a Sous Chef. The whole of the story takes place within 24 hours, and includes lots of side stories and inner monologues, and gave me some really interesting things to ponder in regard to ambition, career, and one’s priorities. I devoured this book and gained another level of respect for those that work in professional kitchens.
-Meet Me at the Cupcake Café by Jenny Colgan. This novel is as sweet as it gets. You know that fantasy where you drop your job and open a bakery? You’re gonna love this one. It’s a bit on the nose at times, but is a real feel-good read, and one of my favorites from Jenny Colgan. Also, the sequel, Christmas at the Cupcake Café is a nice holiday follow-up.
-Chocolat by Joanne Harris. This last book is one that I’ve recently acquired (I bought a copy at an adorable bookstore in Canmore on my recent trip to Canada) because the film adaptation is one of my favorite films ever. Truly, I’m hoping the book is better, as is often the case. In the story, a young woman and her daughter travel to a village in the French countryside in the 1950’s. She disturbs the way of life there in the best ways, and ultimately touches the lives of so many in simply setting up her chocolaterie there in town. It’s magical and lovely and I can’t wait to read.
Each of these reads is a true comfort to read, and often savored slowly by me(think: dark chocolate truffle pace), enjoying each chapter and recipe. And, like I’ve mentioned, I’ve cooked from several of these books and these recipes hold up!
If you choose to check out a few of these books, I hope they’re just as inviting for you during this cozy autumn season. Bon Appétit, friends!
This Week’s Little Joy: Would you believe that I went to two different outdoor movie showings in one weekend? I celebrated a friend’s birthday with an outdoor viewing of “The Fantastic Mr. Fox” in the woods, which really got me excited for Sunday. My siblings and I got my dad an outdoor projector for his birthday and we watched our weekly installment of “Lord of the Rings” out in the chilly air. Those movies just feel better outside, and it was such a cool experience!
What I’m Listening To: One of the most autumny soundtracks ever, the music of “When Harry Met Sally.” I could go on and on about the talent of Harry Connick Jr. (the piano is him as well, people!) but just do yourself a favor and give it a listen. It sounds like autumn days, that’s all I can say.
Thank you so much for listening! If you have any recommendations for this list, drop a comment and let us know.
Until next time, friend, you have a lovely week!