These highly entertaining culinary memoirs are informative, at times hilarious, and always calorie-free.
by Laurie Colwin
I found this book in a used bookstore, and became bound and determined to read everything that Laurie Colwin had published. Her books have such a friendly, conversational style I always felt like I was talking to a friend about food over drinks at my kitchen table. Sadly, Laurie Colwin passed away at the age of 48 in 1992. Read her books about food. You will thank me.
by Julie Powell
I can remember reading Julie Powell’s blog, and thinking what a fabulous, crazy idea-to make all 524 recipes from Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking.
by Anthony Bourdain
The eloquent, humorous, profane, tell-it-like-it-is Bourdain came to international attention with this tell-all book.
by Alex Prud'Homme, Julia Child
I don’t think I can say anything about this wonderful book except that it is about Julia Child’s life in France, and it’s written by the inestimable Julia Child.
by M.F.K. Fisher
Out of all of Mary Frances Kennedy Fisher’s books, this is by far my favorite. Ms. Fisher’s prose is so evocative I felt transported to 1930s France.
by Molly O'Neill
Nice memoir written by a former columnist from the New York Times and the author of The New York Cookbook.
by Ruth Reichl
Restaurant critic Ruth Reichl (Gourmet Magazine and the New York Times) weaves this laugh-out-loud tale of how she came to love food. I have a friend who isn’t a foodie, but loves memoirs and autobiographies, and she loved this one.
by Judith Jones
I love how the author organized her family history around food. You will fall in love with her family: the great-grandfather that brought pastrami to America, her funny aunts and her father who closed his garment district restaurant in 1988. An enjoyable read.
Flashlight Worthy
Recommending books so good, they'll keep you up past your bedtime. more...
About Leah Smith
Leah lives near Washington D.C. and is an obsessive list maker. She loves lists so much that she creates topical bibliographies -- for fun. She also collects volvelles, nutcrackers, unusual names and map hankies. She talks about books and many other things on her blog, Fig Newtons and Scotch.
Stay in Touch
Newest book lists
President Obama's Favorite Books of 2017
Books for an Adventurous Childhood
Visiting Venice Through (Mostly) Fiction
Childhood Remembered: Books Of Indelible Childhood Memories
Novels on Art, Artists and Art World Shenanigans
Picture Books with Fun (and Sometimes Friendly) Monsters
Robert Rodi’s Favorite Books About Italy
Fractured Novels that Mirror the Uncertainty of Everyday Life