CHARLESTON, S.C. - Do you enjoy both reading and cooking in your leisure time? Me too! My name is Andrea LaFalce, and I work in Adult Services at our Main branch in downtown Charleston.
While reading books, I have always appreciated references to food and recipes, especially when they hold significance to the storyline. When this happens I usually find myself thinking about the recipes mentioned for a few days, until finally I have to make a run to the store with a list of ingredients.
Over time I have come to realize that this is an extra way of connecting with others who have read the same books as me — a book discussion in the kitchen if you will.
Here is a list of 13 books, all found in our digital collections, with dishes to try out.
With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo
The main protagonist, Emoni, is an aspiring chef, so there’s mention of food often in this book. Emoni signs all her emails to her aunt “with love and cinnamon dust”, and she even likes her applesauce extra ‘cinnamon-y’. This inspired me to make homemade applesauce in the crockpot, with extra cinnamon of course. If waking up a couple hours before your kids do is your tactic for working from home, you can start this recipe early, and they will be greeted with the warm scent when they wake up.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke
Hannah Swanson owns a bakery and the books in this cozy mystery series are filled with recipes — an added bonus! One of the very first recipes included is a version of chocolate chip cookies made from scratch, with cornflakes added. These cozy novels read easily, and are a good way to get your mind of other things. Careful, you’ll most likely want to read the entire series.
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
“They were fireflies in jelly jars, and lemon-chiffon ice cream cones”. Woodson’s poetic memoir uses beautiful language to tell her life story. Lemon-chiffon ice cream cones are mentioned a few times, and if I catch myself feeling worried during these times, the thought of citrus reminds me of sunshine and warmer days-hopefully not too far off.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
As we rush to the store to stock our homes with supplies, it is inspiring to read the story of Kya, who lived so minimally. One of my all-time favorites, the language in this novel describes marsh lands similar to South Carolina, and tugs on the heart strings. From a young age Kya has to be resourceful, and one of the first things she learns to cook is grits. Eventually she also learns to catch seafood, particularly mussels. Don’t have seafood stored and don’t want to run out? I’ve made grit bowls using sautéed vegetables before. It’s a good way to add some color to your dish, and you can think of Kya as you eat.
A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin
I love the read-a-long children’s books available on Hoopla! Do you just need a minute to respond to an email, but your kids have gone from calling “mommy” to “MAMA” to “your first name”? These digital books are narrated, giving you a few moments. My daughter and I interpreted the mooncake in this book to be cheesecake (the moon is made of cheese?), but I could also see making a sponge cake or angel cake.
Thank You Omu by Oge Mora.
In this book, Omu makes a “thick red stew”. She shares it with all of her neighbors until she realizes she has no more. There is a knock on the door, and all of her neighbors have gathered outside. They tell her “We are not here to ask, we are here to give”. The impact of community building and sharing seems especially appropriate in these times. Making a cozy stew could be enjoyed or stored for several meals, perhaps from local sea island red peas.
The Girl He Used to Know by Tracey Garvis
This neuro-diverse romance is shared from both Monica and Jonathan’s perspective, and flashes back between college in the early nineties and present day. When they go out on dates Monica always orders stuffed shells from her favorite restaurant. Just a simple ricotta filling can make for a homey meal, and you can even wash it down with one of Monica’s other favorites- Italian sodas!
The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
Recently emancipated from a childhood spent in the foster care system, Victoria Jones shares with readers that she rarely will turn down a meal. This book is filled with many references to food, but a noteworthy snack near the beginning of the novel happens when Victoria’s social worker buys her fresh peaches at a farm stand. Locally, peach season is just around the corner. Enjoy fresh produce to boost your immunity while enjoying this novel about family and forgiveness.
Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton
Edith Wharton is the first woman to have received a Pulitzer Prize in literature, so reading this short novel by her during the month of March seems appropriate. During dinner one night Mattie prepares a simple meal of pickles and donuts, and it is meant as a symbolic suggestion of her desires for Ethan. Ok, honestly I’m not sure pickles and donuts go together well, BUT teaching your kids how to pickle vegetables is a fun and scientific kitchen activity, plus it keeps your produce longer.
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
This fictional novel explores so many real social issues, and with complex, developed characters it is a real page-turner. Mia, a single mother and traveling artist has a knack for being resourceful. She has been known to throw left-over spaghetti noodles into a pan with soy sauce and vegetables and then, voila! Homemade lo Mein…better than eating spaghetti for the third night in a row, and another great way to incorporate vegetables into a meal.
Love and Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch
A tragic turn of events has resulted in Lina’s relocation to Italy, and just because we can’t travel there right now doesn’t mean we can’t read about the delicious food there! Filled with references to pastries and gelato as well as savory dishes, the story ends with a warm Nutella kiss. Now, I don’t mean to brag, but I make the BEST Nutella croissants. Want to know the secret? Drizzle a little local honey on top of the dough. Frozen pastry dough works great, but if you don’t want to go out for that there are tons of recipes using dry ingredients at home.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
This ‘must read’ explores a lot of social issues, and whether you chose the e-book or audio book version, just don’t cheat yourself and watch the movie first. It’s not the same. However, all formats include a debate about how mac ‘n’ cheese should be prepared, which inspired me to cook up a batch. Personally, I like my mom’s recipe, which involves crumbled Ritz crackers on the top. Read the book, then decide for yourself.
On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder
I’m ending this list with an old favorite. This is the fourth book in the Little House series, and I owned the box set when I was a child. In this classic Laura helps Ma make vanity cakes. There’s even a Little House website, complete with a recipe section that would make for fun afternoon activities.