Books for food lovers
It was high time I delved into the delectable world of two of my favourite things: books and food. In my humble-pie-based opinion, some of the best books are set around food (the puns get worse). These books may seduce us with delectable recipes, immerse us in the aromatic ambience of foodie havens, or celebrate those authors who pour their hearts into their culinary musings. These books have carved a particular niche in my heart, sparking excitement as I turn each page, never knowing when I’ll stumble upon an unexpected recipe or witness two characters forging a soulful connection over a steaming bowl of ramen.
If you, like me, savour the irresistible blend of literary delights and culinary wonders, then continue reading for a curated list of books that will undoubtedly leave any food lover in pure bliss. Put the doughnuts down before scrolling; otherwise, this will get very sticky quickly.
1. Chewing The Fat: Tasting Notes From a Greedy Life by Jay Rayner
“I loved bacon sandwiches on white bread and chocolate eclairs, and lived for evenings when my parents were short on time and dinner was the convenience of Findus Crispy Pancakes filled with delicious if unidentifiable brown matter. There were cheese and onion flavoured crisps and Sherbert Dib Dabs. There were many things.”
Chewing the Fat.
Taken from Jay Rayner’s columns in the Observer Food Monthly, these are not restaurant reviews, but it’s a gastronomic journey from a writer who absolutely loves food. It is a straightforward read that will leave you drooling for tasty treats as Rayner describes with exquisite detail his eating endeavours, writing about everything from his favourite zingy sweets as a child to raging a war against tweezer food.
Prepare to be irresistibly drawn into the world of Jay Rayner’s prose, where each morsel of text is as moreish as the dishes he describes (well, almost all of them). His writing is infused with humour that will have you bursting into belly laughs, making this collection an entertaining and divine read. In the pages of this culinary treasure trove, you’ll embark on a journey of palatable proportions, experiencing the eats through the eyes of a true food lover. It’s a literary feast you will want to attend.
2. Big Girl Small Town by Michelle Gallen
“Sometimes Majella thought that she should condense her whole list of things she wasn’t keen on into a single item: Other People.”
Big Girl Small Town
Prepare to embark on a bitter-sweet journey through the salted pages of “Big Girl Small Town,” a novel that has firmly etched itself into the corridors of my heart as an all-time favourite read. Set between Majella’s home and the village chip shop (her workplace), we follow Majella and her monotonous days in a small town in Northern Ireland where she grew up just after the Troubles. Majella’s life seems as routine as her attire, with each day dressed in the same clothes, caring for her alcoholic mother, and eating the same dinner every night – chippy tea.
Yet, as Majella navigates her daily routine, we are privy to the subtle undercurrents of change coursing through her town. The lingering divide between Protestants and Catholics persists, weaving its narrative alongside Majella’s contemplations about her long-lost father. We, the readers, are left to ponder: will Majella ever realise that life might offer more than the familiar rhythm of the chip shop, the solace of the local pub, and the ever-present hum of small-town gossip?
In my journey through the pages of “Big Girl Small Town,” I found myself irresistibly drawn into its world, racing through the chapters in just two days. The magnetic pull of the narrative was so strong that I, too, succumbed to the allure of salty, vinegary, battered fish and chips. The book effortlessly weaves humour into its narrative fabric, eliciting hearty laughter from me at unexpected moments. Yet, it also tugged at my heartstrings as I shared in Majella’s quiet moments of sorrow, even when she may not fully grasp the weight of her struggles.
It is within the gifted pen of Michelle Gallon that we find the true essence of character development. Her mastery in crafting characters with depth makes me feel so connected to the characters I’m interweaved with the novel. Through her prose, we are not merely observers but companions, walking beside Majella on her journey of self-discovery and transformation.
As you delve into the pages of this captivating book, be prepared to be moved, amused, and ultimately inspired by the indomitable spirit of the unforgettable Majella. It’s been a year since I first read this book, and I still can’t stop thinking about it.
3. Sweetness & Lightning by Gido Amagakure
“I’m no good at cooking either, but there’s nothing embarrassing about not being able to do something.”
Sweetness & Lightning
Dive into the delightful world of manga with “Sweetness & Lightning,” you’ll find yourself transported into a universe that’s as sweet and comforting as a cupcake adorned with raspberry jam and a generous dollop of pink buttercream.
In this manga series, we follow math teacher Kouhei Inuzuka and his young daughter Tsumugi as they learn how to navigate their new world after the death of Tsumugi’s mother. Kouhei could be a better cook, but when the duo form a friendship with math student Kotori Iida, the aroma of hot bowls of noodle soup and the promise of flavourful donabe rice return to their menu.
What else I love about this adorable series is that at the end of every chapter, you get a new recipe based on the characters’ meals. These recipes, inspired by the dishes savoured by the characters, invite readers to embark on their culinary adventures. It’s a charming touch that makes this manga an interactive and immersive experience, allowing you to recreate the flavours and meals that have become a part of Kouhei, Tsumugi, and Kotori’s world.
But perhaps the true magic of “Sweetness & Lightning” lies in its ability to capture the essence of family, friendship, and the power of shared meals.
So, if you’re seeking a manga series that blends adorable illustrations, delectable recipes, and characters you’ll undoubtedly fall in love with, “Sweetness & Lightning” is the perfect choice.
4. Takeaway: Stories From A Childhood Behind The Counter by Angela Hui
“Name me one other room where you can blow out birthday candles, watch a live drunken boxing match between two rowdy customers, enjoy a steam facial from the multiple Boxing Day hot pots bubbling away on portable gas stoves, witness a hen party aftermath where the bride-to-be is sick in the corner, host a high-stakes mahjong tournament with three tables going at once, and hold an unofficial Six Nations rugby viewing, where chips and fried rice is strewn everywhere whenever Wales score a try.”
Takeaway: Stories From A Childhood Behind The Counter
Food journalist Angela Hui’s Takeaway: Stories from a Childhood Behind the Counter is a raw and emotional memoir of her experience growing up in a Chinese takeaway in the rural village of Beddau in the South Wales Valleys.
Inviting readers to join her on a heartfelt journey, Angela recounts her life story, beginning with her earliest memories inside the takeaway and culminating in her family’s bittersweet decision to close the shop after three decades of dedicated service. This memoir is a beautifully warm and immersive narrative that offers a unique perspective from the other side of the counter.
It’s safe to say that Angela Hui’s childhood was very different from my own. As I was rollerskating down my street and learning how to yo-yo, Angela Hui worked long shifts in her family’s takeaway and crammed homework before and after service.
As I tucked into the pages of this remarkable memoir, a newfound and profound respect blossomed within me for Chinese takeaways, the extraordinary love infused into every dish, the tireless dedication to customers, and the unspoken challenges of finding one’s place in a new community.
5. Flake by Matthew Dooley
“Every significant moment of Howard’s life had happened in Dobbiston. All of the forgettable ones had too.”
Flake
It’s a delicious graphic novel with all the hundreds and thousands on top.
In the small seaside town of Dobbiston, Howard sells ice creams from his van, just like his father before him. Howard has a nemesis, though, Tony Augustus, Howard’s half-brother. Tony Augustus is taking over the ice cream trade, which is a problem for Howard.
I hope you’re ready for an epic battle because raspberry ripples are about to hit the fan.
6. Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
“Cooking my mother’s food had come to represent an absolute role reversal, a role I was meant to fill. Food was an unspoken language between us, had come to symbolise our return to each other, our bonding, our common ground.”
Crying in H Mart
It is a memoir about growing up Korean American, losing a mother, and forging your identity and connections made over food.
We all know how powerful one little bite of your favourite food can be. If I smell gammon egg and chips, I’m transported back to my mamma Pat’s house on a Wednesday afternoon after school, surrounded by my cousins, all anticipatingly waiting for mamma’s famous chips. Or whenever I lovingly make my much-loved roast potatoes, a recipe passed down from my mum, and always a winner with guests (thanks, mum!). This captivating memoir brilliantly portrays the intricate ties that bind food, people, memories, and places.
Yet, beneath the flavours and warmth of shared meals lies a poignant narrative that unfurls in Michelle Zauner’s profoundly heartfelt account of growing up Korean American and the painful loss of her mother.
Zauner takes us on a journey through her life’s various phases, where with each new chapter, she feels herself drifting further from her Korean heritage as she transitions from a young adult to a full-fledged grown-up. However, her mother’s devastating diagnosis of terminal cancer forces her to confront her identity and ultimately rekindle her connection to the invaluable gifts of taste, language, and history that her mother had given her.
Zauner masterfully encapsulates the essence of her Korean-American upbringing, the bittersweet struggle to forge her identity, and the profound healing power of food and memory. Through her evocative storytelling, she takes us on a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the extraordinary bonds that form over shared meals.
7. Flavour by Joseph Keatinge, Wook Jin Clark (artist), Tamra Bonvillian (colourist), Ariana Maher (letterer) and Ali Bouzari (culinary consultant).
Prepare to embark on a culinary odyssey where chefs are revered as the ultimate celebrities and food is the most precious commodity. In the world of “Flavour,” the compelling realm of cuisine permeates every facet of life, weaving a tapestry of flavours that will leave you absolutely ravenous for more.
Within the pages of this read, you’ll find food at the very heart of society. It infiltrates the halls of education, fuels underground black markets, and even becomes a pivotal player in the high-stakes world of politics. And don’t be surprised when you stumble upon an ice cream bar that’s replaced the traditional ale house because in this extraordinary universe, innovation knows no bounds, and imagination runs wild.
But that’s not all. Amidst this epic adventure, you’ll encounter an unforgettable sidekick—a furry and endearing dog whose presence adds an extra layer of charm and warmth to the narrative. With its cute and heartwarming vibes, “Flavour” isn’t just a graphic novel; it’s a heartwarming journey that will leave you with a smile and a hunger for more.
8. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
“Whipped cream isn’t whipped cream at all if it hasn’t been whipped with whips, just like poached eggs isn’t poached eggs unless it’s been stolen in the dead of the night.”
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
How could any celebration of literature for food enthusiasts be complete without paying homage to the legendary “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl? This beloved classic is a literary treat as satisfying as a steaming cup of hot chocolate adorned with velvety marshmallows or the exquisite ritual of dunking chocolate bourbons into piping hot tea, that delicate balance between sogginess and dunking perfection.
From the first page, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” weaves a spellbinding narrative that transports readers into a whimsical wonder and confectionery enchantment world. As a child, I often found myself daydreaming about the possibility of discovering a shiny golden ticket that would grant me access to the fantastical realm of Mr. Wonka’s chocolate factory. I yearned to taste the legendary Willy Wonka Bar, witness the mesmerising chocolate river, and immerse myself in a world where sweets and treats know no bounds.
I have yet to mention Grandpa Joe. Ah, Grandpa Joe! The moment when he’s dancing, jumping, and galloping around the room sucker punches me in the feels every time.
This literary masterpiece is more than just a story; it’s a mouthwatering adventure, an exhilarating chocolate egg hunt through a wonderland of flavours and delights. Whenever the world’s weight feels a little too heavy, I find solace in the pages of this magical book. Its enchanting narrative can transform even the gloomiest of moods into pure wonderment and unadulterated happiness.
If, by some chance, you’ve yet to experience the joy of reading “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” I implore you to embark on this tangtastic journey without delay. And for those of us who have lovingly thumbed through its pages until they’ve taken on a delightful shade of yellow and whose spines have grown fragile from countless readings, let this serve as a gentle reminder to revisit the delectable world of Willy Wonka and his candy-coated wonders.
Please, someone, give me a golden ticket!
9. Relish: My Life in the Kitchen by Lucy Knisley
“A reminder that, despite our cultural differences, we all sometimes need a little comfort grease.”
Relish: My Life in the Kitchen
Enter the vibrant world of Lucy Knisley, an indie cartoonist whose artistic journey through life is as rich, messy and flavourful as a double-stacked cheeseburger, with burger sauce oozing over the sides and piled high with frickles. Nominated for the Goodreads Choice Awards in the Best Food and Cookbook category in 2013, her graphic novel memoir is a heartfelt ode to her love affair with food.
Knisley’s narrative is an unapologetic exploration of her deep-seated obsession with all things culinary. Food isn’t merely sustenance for her; it’s the very essence of existence. With honesty and wit, she invites readers to traverse the tapestry of her life, each chapter masterfully framed by the delectable dishes that punctuated her journey. In these pages, she serves up musings about food, cooking, and, of course, eating.
Accompany Lucy Knisley on a remarkable journey—from stories of working alongside her mother in the fast-paced world of catering to the tranquil moments spent foraging organic mushrooms on an upstate New York farm destined for the stalls of a bustling farmers market.
This book is nothing short of a foodie’s paradise. It’s a fine dining experience with greasy, cheesy pizza as the signature dish. Through Lucy Knisley’s expert storytelling and beautiful illustrations, you’ll discover the joy, passion, and boundless inspiration that food can bring into our lives. It’s a memoir that leaves you with a palate ever eager for the next delicious adventure.
As much as I would have loved to delve into more foodie escapades, I’ve chosen to conclude my list at nine for now. But fear not, for the appetite for another instalment is undoubtedly brewing, promising a delightful “Part Two” soon!
Reflecting on these literary treasures was akin to embarking on a nostalgic journey down memory lane. It’s a sensation reminiscent of that touching scene in Ratatouille, where the formidable food critic Anton Ego takes a bite of ratatouille and is instantly transported back to his mother’s kitchen, savouring spoonfuls of comfort after a childhood scrape. Like that magical dish, these books have the power to whisk you away to hidden memories, transport you to uncharted realms of culinary delight, and provoke profound contemplations on matters of identity, community, family, and self-discovery.
My shelves are hungry for more foodie reads, and I invite you to share your favourites with me in the comments below. Your recommendations nourish my literary appetite and foster a sense of community among fellow bibliophiles, particularly those who love food just as much as I do! So, please, do leave a comment and let the feast of food-related literature continue!
