Must-Read Cooking Books That Aren’t Actually Cook Books

Reading about cooking
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If food and cooking are your biggest passions, then you probably really enjoy reading books about chefs, cooks, and foodies. However, a good book can be as hard to find as a good recipe, which is why we’ve put together this list of cooking-related books that you’ll probably devour as quickly as your famous cherry pie (or whatever it is you’re known for cooking).

“Julie and Julia” by Julie Powell

Julie and Julia is the book that the famous Meryl Streep film is based on. In it, Julie Powell tells the story of how she managed to conquer every single recipe in Julia Child’s classic cookbook Mastering the Art of French Cooking (in just a year alone) and the way in which it helped turn her life around.

“Kitchen Confidential” by Anthony Bourdain

Interested in the restaurant world? Then Kitchen Confidential is an absolute must-read, documenting the wild tales of Anthony Bourdain (RIP) collected from the 25 years of the chaotic adventures in the kitchen world. If you’ve ever wondered what really goes on in a restaurant kitchen, here is your chance to find out.

“Like Water for Chocolate” by Laura Esquivel

Like Water for Chocolate is a romantic and bittersweet novel about an all-female Mexican family. Each chapter is centered around a different dish that the characters cook, and includes a recipe for each one.