Food, Books and Connection

In my half-filled baby book, my mother wrote several entries about my appetite such as, “Loves bananas, crackers, and cookies” or “Loves to eat all the time.” Was this an early indication of my affair with food? I use that word quite seriously because it’s something I keep quiet about unless I’m around other food-smitten friends. When I’m not eating or cooking, I’m thinking about future meals, planning a drive to Sisters Bakery for a marionberry scone, or meeting my friend, Col, to have lunch at Cotto.

Whether it’s eating, cooking, or reading about food, why do readers find themselves drawn to food? It could simply be a novel that describes meals in great (or even minor) detail or a nonfiction book about the restaurant industry and its fast-paced grind. Reading about characters enjoying a meal, cooking together, or meeting friends for a cup of coffee is a peek into their lives. We connect with them as they navigate their day. It’s relatable and enjoyable to read about good food and what people cook; what we eat reveals so much about ourselves.

One of my favorite books is “The Making of a Chef” by Michael Ruhlman. He enrolls at the Culinary Institute of America and details his classes, interactions with the chef instructors, and more. From butchering pigs to learning the mother sauces, I loved every minute of his account.

J. Ryan Stradal’s books are a great example of fiction where love is expressed through food. In “Kitchens of the Midwest,” he writes, “She’s told me that even though you won’t meet her tonight, she’s telling you her life story through the ingredients in this meal, and although you won’t shake her hand, you’ve shared her heart.” Another relatable quote from the book is “Cynthia was so furious that evening, she opened a single-vineyard Merlot from Stag’s Leap that she’d been saving and paired it with a bowl of macaroni and cheese from a box.” Just reading that sentence, you understand how Cynthia feels and the action of uncorking that wine and enjoying comfort food. We’ve all been there … every Friday night.

In Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Miss Maudie is known all over town for her famous version of the southern cake, Lane Cake, often enjoyed around Christmas time. Scout says it was “so loaded with shinny it made me tight.” Perhaps Miss Maudie’s generous cup of bourbon might contribute to that tightness!

The recent sequel, “Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man)” by Jesse Q. Sutanto, had me laughing at Vera’s bossiness and nosiness. But what I really leaned into was all the food she made and shared with complete strangers (“suspects,” or “person of interest” as Vera fondly likes to call them). Her love language is food. The hours spent in the kitchen to create meals for her found family, the metal tiffin boxes full of food she took to an influencer party, and the hand-blended teas steeped for friends are an integral part of the cozy mystery novel.

For those of you who love watching “Top Chef” and “The Great British Baking Show,” there are several recently released fiction books featuring food competitions. “Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame” and “The Golden Spoon” are entertaining takes on those popular shows. It’s easy to imagine a group of people, baking and cooking each week, trying to avoid elimination. Or picture yourself in the group, cheering on your fellow competitors as the judges give a handshake or finish the entire plate of food.

As we transition into gardening season, locally-grown food is on everyone’s minds now that the farmers markets have begun. Five farmers markets in Central Oregon kicked off their season on May 7. The popular Northwest Crossing Farmers Market right around the corner from Roundabout Books begins on Saturday, May 31. Cookbooks featuring recipes divided by seasons are always popular, and a few favorites are “The Farm Table” by Julius Roberts and “In the Kusina” by Woldy Reyes. Celebrate the bounty of freshness by cooking seasonally!

Whether you enjoy selecting fresh fruit and vegetables at the farmers market, or cooking a delicious meal at home, we hope you’ll also choose a few books about food to savor the season. As James Beard said, “Food is our common ground, our universal experience.”

—Sara grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, and really misses sweet tea and southern hospitality. She reads all genres and has published three books. Hobbies include eating salty snacks, walking Pilot Butte while listening to an audiobook, baking, and gabbing on the phone with her mother. She’s worked at Roundabout Books since 2018.