The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake: A Novel by Aimee Bender

When cooks or chefs prepare food, they leave behind a part of themselves. Many of us work out aggressions and feelings through cooking and baking. Imagine if others could taste those emotions as part of the end result. What would sadness taste like if it were an ingredient folded into lemon cake? In this novel, the main character is a young girl who discovers she has the unique ability to taste feelings through food.

But, just as not all emotions feel good, sometimes the end results taste very bad. Bitter. Acidic. Tangy. What does happiness taste like? Is it light? Sweet? Does eating something sad make one feel sad as well? This book is magical realism at its finest, a fictional discovery of the senses. It may make you look differently at the food you make and the food you eat, and the love in which you prepare food for others.

A great read for food fans who like books full of recipes that they might actually want to make. In this memoir, the author experiences love, loss, and good food, including recipes that have served her well (and some others that haven’t). The recipes, mostly Italian, look delicious. The author’s love life doesn’t seem to turn out as well, but her bravo and wit make it worth rooting for her. A debut that leaves the reader wanting more.

From the Kitchen’s of Martha Stewart, this is probably one of my favorite cooking books. It is based on Everyday Food magazine, which is a monthly publication full of great recipes and kitchen tips. The book is divided into four sections, one for each season of the year. Each season features ingredients and cooking methods that are appropriate for the time of year (grilling in summer, roasting in winter). Most of the recipes are quite simple and easy to make, but with big taste. There is also a fifth section filled with basics such as rubs, sauces, vinegarettes, cooking tips and more.

Midnight Snacks: 150 Easy and Enticing Alternatives to Standing by the Freezer Eating Ice Cream from the Carton

Midnight Snacks: 150 Easy and Enticing Alternatives to Standing by the Freezer Eating Ice Cream from the Carton By Michael J. Rosen and Sharon Reiss. This cookbook is a little bit unconventional, but is quickly becoming one of my favorites in the kitchen. Though this is meant as “an irresistible handbook for every fridge-raider, insomniac, night owl, and late-night muncher,” I’ve adapted many of the recipes into breakfast treats to accommodate my early-to-rise mornings.

This book is divided into several cleverly-titled sections, divided by the time of night, with some expected recipes and a few surprises. Included are recipes for when you are too sick and stuffy to sleep, when it’s too hot to get comfortable, or when you want to pamper yourself with late night facials and a soak in the bathtub. There are even recipes for homemade dog and cat treats!

The authors write with tongue-in-cheek humor, from the recipe titles to the instructions. If nothing else, the quirky style will give you a laugh in the middle of the night or first thing in the morning. Many of the recipes are designed for one or two, though there are several suitable for an all-night party or study session with friends.

From decadent and indulgent to healthy and light, Midnight Snacks is sure to have a recipe for any late-night situation. Many of these recipes are great early-morning and sleeping-in weekend fare, or for those lounge-in-pajamas days, or when you just need a quick yet satisfying snack.

Another seasonal cook book, as the title implies, divided into four sections related to the four seasons, plus a fifth section produce available year-round. The recipes in this book come from readers across the country, along with narratives, poems, and other meaningful writings related to food and food preparations. This book focuses not just on great food, but the spirit of cooking and filling the soul. A World Community Cookbook, it encourages us to do “more with less.”