1. "Crying in H Mart" by Michelle Zauner
Michelle Zauner, lead singer of the band Japanese Breakfast, wrote this beautiful memoir focused on family and, you guessed it, food. You’ll jump in for the food descriptions, but what will really make you stay is the emotional moments throughout.
2. "Taste: My Life Through Food" by Stanley Tucci
While you will find a few recipes in this book, including actor Stanley Tucci’s famous “Spaghetti con Zucchine alla Nerano” and his family’s ragù, it mostly portrays the actor’s life, particularly a passion for food. You’ll be hard-pressed to get through this book without getting a craving for pasta.
3. "Big Macs & Burgundy" by Vanessa Price and Adam Laukhuf
If you’re passionate for food and wine, let this book be your guide to finding unique pairings of the two. You can find wine pairings to go with just about anything, from Funfetti cake and jelly-filled donuts to chicken nuggets (including pairings based on your preferred dipping sauce) and macaroni and cheese. We’ll cheers to that!
4. "Cheese, Wine, and Bread" by Katie Quinn
Journalist Katie Quinn set out to learn more about a few of everyone’s favorite things: cheese, wine and bread. The book follows her travels and experiences as she works as a cheesemonger at a world-famous cheese shop, makes cheese on a farm, works on a vineyard in Italy and helps prepare breads across France. While it’s not a cookbook, readers will find some irresistible recipes inside as a bonus.
5. "Eight Flavors: The Untold Story of American Cuisine" by Sarah Lohman
If you’ve ever wanted to dig into the history of food in the U.S., this book is a great place to start. Sarah Lohman, a culinary historian, unveils the history and importance of eight major flavors found in American cuisine, including black pepper, chili powder, curry powder, garlic, MSG, soy sauce, Sriracha and vanilla. You’ll be able to recall the information in this book just about every time you cook.
6. "The Secret Life of Groceries" by Benjamin Lorr
This book may be, at times, a heavier read, but it’s an important one. Benjamin Lorr’s exposé goes deep into the supermarkets of the U.S., answering many questions shoppers may have had at one time or another. While it will make you think and may shock you, the book can also change your grocery shopping habits for the better.
7. "Arsenic and Adobo" by Mia P. Manansala
Food-centric books aren’t always non-fiction, as evidenced by this cozy mystery book by Mia P. Manansala. The book starts with a rom-com feel centered in a restaurant, but it ends up with a mysterious death and the main character as the suspect. Make something deliciously spicy for yourself, then enjoy it with a side of this intriguing novel.
8. "Delicious!" by Ruth Reichl
Ruth Reichl is a chef and food writer, so it’s no wonder that her books would be filled with vivid food descriptions for readers to drool over. "Delicious!" is a novel about a young woman who goes to New York to work for a food magazine while working in an Italian food shop on the weekends. In addition to a good story, you’ll also read about plenty of tasty food.
