The Hungry Reader: What Are You Reading This Week?

We are happy readers, here at The Kitchn, and as we announced last week, this month we're taking a trip through books that have inspired us to cook (and eat!).

We are curious whether you're reading anything right now that is inspiring you. This could be a food magazine or a cookbook - or it could be a novel, a memoir, or a children's picture book.

We were inspired by Julia Child's memoir, our Book Club pick, to try sole meunière this week. Does anyone want to join us?

Tell us what you're reading - does it inspire you to cook?

We're reading through our old copies of Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House series. These are such classics and since we've not read them as adults, we never realized how good the writing is! Transparent, simple prose with such vivid images - especially of food! It makes us want to try green pumpkin pie (tastes like apples!) and homemade ginger water.

(Image credits: Collage built from these images: Vintage fruit ad and Public domain woodcut)

Comments (5)

I absolutely loved Little House while growing up!

The most vivid food descriptions were in the book, Little Farmer Boy a book based on Almanzo Wilder's youth in upstate New York. He talks of donuts, taffy, pie and heaps of pancakes we would consume every Sunday morning.

I just discovered this recently while perusing a used bookstore, but there is also a cookbook based on the series. The cookbook can also be found on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Little-House-Cookbook-Frontier-Ingalls/dp/0060264187

posted by Darlene on March 10th 2008 at 9:15am
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Yes! That cookbook is great.

posted by faith on March 10th 2008 at 10:27am
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^^the food descriptions were a big part of why I loved reading Little Farmer Boy. Apples and onions, popcorn made in the fireplace, fresh donuts mmm!

right now I'm reading Alone in the Kitchen With An Eggplant which I think I found out about on this site or NPR. That has inspired me to make strange meals for myself and now I'm really craving black beans and cornbread.

Also, Hot Water Music by C. Bukowski. Bukowski always makes me want to make sandwiches, (ham on rye, haha- but i think i'll go for salami)

posted by oki on March 10th 2008 at 10:30am
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I've dusted off my copy of "Living and Eating" - by John Pawson and Annie Bell and tried one of the roasted chicken recipies last night. Leftovers today, tomorrow and Wednesday-

posted by bunny on March 10th 2008 at 10:31am
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I'm reading "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day" and I'm hankering for one of the wonderful cocktails people keep drinking.

posted by Dulcibella on March 12th 2008 at 4:42pm
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