Although there is something magical about walking into a warmly lit bookstore and finding a book that ends up relating to your life more than expected, missing the holiday shopping chaos and buying online is a close second. Here are my book picks for the holidays that I have selected from bloggers I enjoy, foodies I admire, and novelists who transcend time with words. I like to support publishing companies that are either local (Bay Area) or small and spirited that might or might not appear on the New York Times best seller list.
David Lebovitz worked for Chez Panisse as a pastry chef for fifteen years and now resides here in Paris. His blog is spirited, funny, and warm chronicling his food adventures in Paris. His six cookbooks fall nothing short of fabulous with the same beautiful photography of his blog paired with his extensive knowledge of all things sweet. Published by Ten Speed Press.
My mother gave me this cookbook when I started working the viande station at Guy Savoy. She thought the nicely illustrated diagrams would help me to figure out the difference between American and French cuts of meat and they did. This is for the carnivores and bone suckers in your family. Includes tasty game recipes too.
Suite Française is one of those books that caught me in Shakepeare & Co. and I just couldn’t walk away without buying it. It’s not a charming little ex-pat story, it’s a stunning poignant novel written during World War II in France that was just recently discovered and translated. The author Irène Némirovsky, a Russian jew by birth, was prevented from publishing this novel when the Germans occupied France. She moved to Issy-l’Evêque with her family during the war (German occupied) and died in Auschwitz. A must read.
Fires written by Nick Antosca is an edgy fiction book printed by the upcoming hip publishing company Impetus Press. Nick’s style of writing is difficult to resist and the author draws you into the dark lives of three Yale college students as they struggle to come to terms with their childhoods and futures amidst fires both real and imagined that threaten to turn their dreams to ashes. I read this book in one day. I just couldn’t put it down. This book contains some graphic language and images.
4 Seasons À La Table N˚5 can only be ordered from the Amazon French store and it’s worth the extra bucks. It was recently mentioned in the December issue of Gourmet magazine. The book was co-authored with one of Hotel Meurice’s regular clients Kazuko Masui, who always dines at table number five. The recipes cover four seasons of food and are the executive chef, Yannick Alleno’s contributions to 3-star cuisine. This is some of the most beautiful food in Paris if not the world. The recipes are written in French and are not practical for the home chef, but the pictures and ideas are stunning. I can’t express enough how beautiful this coffee table book is. A very special and unique gift for the foodie in your family.
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haha I saw the word carnivore and I immediately read that paragraph. I think I’ll order that one first.
David Lebovitz’ book is such a good read. I hope he comes out with some kind of book on Paris sometime.
Or maybe you can do that one! Any plans for a book or guide or anything? I enjoy reading your blogs on Parisian life.
All the best,
Joseph
I second your positive review of Suite Française. I just read it and loved it. It’s an incredibly unique perspective on war and human relationships.
Erin – I’m so glad some one else has read this book and loved it. I have never been much of a war history buff, but this book was different for me. It brought the people, their relationships, and the changes in their lives alive in such a sensuous way. I’m still reeling from the book (just finished it last night).
Joseph – I am writing a book due out in 2008. But I’ll tell more about it when the time gets closer. It’s a novel, not a recipe or travel book. (I’m sure you can guess the topic.)
I am a big fan of David Lebovitz and I have appreciated his support over these last few years living in Paris. I wish he would write a novel too. David, if you’re reading this, we want a novel on Paris!!!
And yes, Bones is truly a book for carnivores. Those of us that like to eat meat and then suck the bones of marrow will appreciate it.
The BBC read from Suite Française on BOOK AT BEDTIME so I had to read it too.
Excellent choices-the Meurice cookbook looks enticing
c721t
HELP!
Give us another one!
Very nice bloge.I want to ask you some questions and if you do not want to show up just send it to my e-mail.
How much is the salary over there as an apprentice and if there are any good free culinary schools.Thank you and bravo again.
Costas – I wish I could help you out on this more, but I’m afraid culinary school in France, unless you are French is not free. I paid dearly for my education at Le Cordon Bleu after already having worked in the food industry. LCB helped me to get an apprenticeship (unpaid) at restaurant Guy Savoy. After my internship Guy Savoy sponsored my visa to work permanently. It can be expensive for restaurants to do this. If you are part of the EU then you might have an easier time of getting free education and paid work, but for Americans it is very difficult. Can you give me a bit more background information on what exactly you are looking for and your email address and I will contact you directly?
Is is part of EU but i just don t know such schools thats why i asked you.I aalready have two apprentices (4 and three months each) plus around 2 years as a commis and half as a demi in luxury chain hotels.I am looking for anything as anapprentice or commis but in an a restaurant which michelin starred.My e-mail is costasikonomopoulos@gmail.com.I hope to have soon news from you.
My favorite chef, how the heck are you? I’d like to do an ABC Book with you… I just published one and I think we could do something fantastic. Let me know what you think.
Take a peek, here: http://lalandedigitalpress.blogspot.com/
Happy Merry and all that French stuff,
Matthew
I would LOVE to do this with you! And for anyone reading these comments, you’ve got to go to Matthew’s site. He’s got a lot of cool stuff up for the holidays including really neat cards.
Speaking of good reads I have just finished, “Return To Paris” by Collette Rossant. She is a French Egyptian woman who returns to Paris in the 1947 as a teenager and “awakens her senses” as she explores the city and discovers food and French cuisine. There are recipes and her descriptions of her favourite foods are mouth-watering!