Go Out to Dinner with These 7 Delicious Books

"Kitchen Confidential" by Anthony Bourdain

Every book list about food and cooking and restaurants must begin with this one. It’s law. (Trust me, I looked it up. I’m a librarian.) Man, I miss Anthony Bourdain and his show, No Reservations (which is also a book.) But Kitchen Confidential is the original; it will bring back his voice, just for a moment, and remind you of how rock-and-roll it is to be in the restaurant industry (for better or worse.) 

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"My Life in France" by Julia Child

It’s one of the most beautiful countries with some of the most delicious food as described by the most delightful lady of all time. Get with it. Also, if you’re going through that phase again where you’re not sure what you do matters or you can ever be good enough or you’re an imposter, etc., etc., let Julia Child assuage your weary mind. 

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"Under the Tuscan Sun" by Frances Mayes

Okay, so this one is less about eating Italian food and more about renovating an Italian house, and I hear from some (looking at you, Martha) that it can be tedious if you’re not into house renovating. But come on, you know you love house renovation stories. We all do. Just admit it—this quarantine has been one HGTV binge after another, hasn’t it? Don’t be ashamed. But do pick up this book. 

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"Sweetbitter" by Stephanie Danler

Okay, full disclosure, I met this author when she did an event for us in Nashville, where she was in conversation with Lisa Taddeo, author of Three Women (another fantastic book you should read), but the event was so wonderful, and god I just miss being around people and swiping a drink from a passing tray, and this book reminds me of that so I’m including it. Plus, it’s good and drama-filled and there’s even a TV show adaptation that you can binge after reading. What’s not to love? 

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"Down and Out in Paris and London" by George Orwell

I don’t know about y’all, but I sure am sick of hearing about 1984. So why not try this other great George Orwell work? It’s a memoir (!) written in 1933 that’s split in half between experiences in Paris and London. Part one gives insight into what it was like to work in Paris kitchens in the post-Great War, pre-Hitler 30s. Part two rides you around the rails in London, showing you what it was like to live on the margins from hostel to hostel. Yes, it’s voyeuristic. What else do you expect? We’ve been stuck at home for two months. 

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"Chocolat" by Joanne Harris

This book has everything: magical chocolate, a scandalized priest, three generations of good witches, and a freaking Grand Festival of Chocolate pulled off by strength of spite. You, like me, are likely very tired of all these rules. Don’t go outside! Wear your mask! Don’t touch anyone! Definitely don’t lick anyone! The hell. Flout the rules with this book. 

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"Like Water for Chocolate" by Laura Esquivel

You can’t mention Chocolat without also mentioning this one. This book ALSO has everything: magical cooking, a wedding cake baked with tears that makes everyone throw up, ghosts, and a cookbook/spellbook even fire can’t burn. The story is broken up by each month of a year and has a recipe for each month that you can make. Which you should, because I know you’ve just been making the same roasted potatoes and sautéed meats for weeks and you’re sick of it, just SICK of it. This book is here to help—and to entertain. How sweet.

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