What to Read for Foodies Read?

Whenever I talk to bloggers about Foodies Read, it goes like this:

“I have a monthly link up on my blog for reviews of books about food!”

“Books about food?”  confused pause “Like cookbooks?”

“Sure, some people review cookbooks but there are lots of books about food.  There are all kinds of mysteries set in bakeries and nonfiction books too.”  This is when I usually break off because the other person is starting to look a bit scared.

The other day I was randomly rearranging my Goodreads shelves, as one does, and decided to make a shelf just for my Books about Food TBR.  I was surprised to see that I had 23 books on it.  I don’t even have any cozy mysteries on that list.  (Seriously, is it just me or does anyone else thinks that people in cozy mystery series are probably serial killers that haven’t been caught yet?  How does a baker end up tripping over that many dead bodies in her life?)

My food books tend to be either nonfiction or fluffy books.

Here’s what I’m looking forward to reading about food in the future

In Her Kitchen: Stories and Recipes from Grandmas Around the World by Gabriele Galimberti

As Gabriele Galimberti was preparing to set off on a trip around the world, his Italian grandmother was more concerned about how well he would eat than any risks or mishaps he might face on his travels. As a send-off, she prepared his favorite dish, Swiss Chard and Ricotta Ravioli with Meat Sauce. He then promised her that he would eat good food wherever he went, and while on his trip, persuaded grandmothers in 60 countries to cook a meal for him.

Tangled Vines: Greed, Murder, Obsession, and an Arsonist in the Vineyards of California by Frances Dinkelspiel

The history of the California wine trade, dating back to the 19th Century, is a story of vineyards with dark and bloody pasts, tales of rich men, strangling monopolies, the brutal enslavement of vineyard workers and murder.

Longthroat Memoirs: Soups, Sex and Nigerian Taste Buds by Yemisi Aribisala

Long throat Memoirs presents a sumptuous menu of essays about Nigerian food, lovingly presented by the nation’s top epicurean writer. As well as a mouth-watering appraisal of the cultural politics and erotics of Nigerian cuisine.

Serving Crazy with Curry by Amulya Malladi

Between the pressures to marry and become a traditional Indian wife and the humiliation of losing her job in Silicon Valley, Devi is on the edge–where the only way out seems to be to jump. . . .

Yet Devi’s plans to “end it all” fall short when she is saved by the last person she wants to see: her mother. Forced to move in with her parents until she recovers, Devi refuses to speak. Instead, she cooks . . . nonstop. And not the usual fare, but off the wall twists on Indian classics, like blueberry curry chicken or Cajun prawn biryani. Now family meals are no longer obligations. Devi’s parents, her sister, and her brother-in-law can’t get enough–and they suddenly find their lives taking turns as surprising as the impromptu creations Devi whips up in the kitchen each night.

The League for the Suppression of Celery by Wendy Russ

Kate Pearson heads west from Arkansas in an old jalopy with two parakeets, a job offer and a half-baked plan: Dreamboat celebrity chef Warren Hoffman has offered Kate a job – and himself – if she will relocate to Oxnard, California. The catch? Kate soon discovers Warren has a Big Secret. And that he’s possibly crazy.

During her journey, Kate stumbles into the lair of paranoid militants calling themselves the League for the Suppression of Celery. When they learn her destination is Oxnard — celery capital of the world — they stop at nothing to indoctrinate her into their nefarious cult.

One Hundred Shades of White by Preethi Nair

Maya, her mother Nalini, and her brother Satchin have left a carefree life in India to come to England. But when Maya’s father disappears, leaving only deceit and debt behind, they are left to fend for themselves in a strange, damp land.

Maya, though, doesn’t know of her father’s betrayal. Nalini, determined to preserve her children’s pride, tells them that their father died in an accident and, as their struggle to make a life begins, whole realities are built on this lie. While Nalini cooks exotic pickles which enchant all who eat them, Maya begins to adapt to her new home – the unfamiliar food, the language, the music – and then to explore and make bold plans, plans that her mother does not understand.

If you want to see the whole list it is here.  If you want even more suggestions we have a Foodies Read pinterest page.  The link up for each month goes up on the first of the month.  There are prizes!

What books about food have you loved?