thanks for all the good suggestions!

I think I have some of those Hunger books on my lists. Thanks for all the recommendations! I hope you enjoy the challenge!

Chocolat by Joanne Harris
Kitchen Banana Yoshimoto
Chez Moi by Agnes Desarthe
Mangoes and Quince by Carol Field
The Journey Home: A Novel Olaf Olafsson
Hungry Woman in Paris by Josefina López

Of a more serious nature, I can highly recommend Hunger by Elise Blackwell, Hunger by Knut Hamsun, Famine by Liam O’Flaherty, and Nathaniel’s Nutmeg: Adventures of the Spice Trader Who Changed the Course of History by Giles Milton.

I can always just read them and if they don’t qualify for this challenge they probably will for another one.

Anyway, it seems that I’ve talked myself into doing it. I’ll go sign up.

Yes, I write starting posts for all challenges, though I can be late doing so.

Yes, I always read other participants post’s about the challenges, especially if they list titles they may read. I often find good reading recommendations there.

I guess I was thinking of Omnivore’s Dilemma when I said diet books. Sounds like Botany of Desire was rather disappointing overall; I think I may start with Omnivore’s Dilemma and then reassess what I want to read next.

Ali, oh, good. Glad to hear that this tempted you to look in to it!

Eva, I think you mentioned the Pretend Soup book to me a few month ago, so that’s why I had it on my short list. I’m hoping my son is getting old enough, but I may have to wait until he’s a little older. He really does like “helping” me cook! I’m a bit suspicious of popular diet books like the Pollan books, but I guess I should read them before I say so, so I’ll have to see! Looking forward to Like Water for Chocolate.

Shannon, I made up really long lists and posted them on the challenge site; this list was trying to capture the ones I’m most interested in. You can always change you list, of course! I’m glad you’re looking forward to the challenge, and I hope you enjoy it!

This is an awesome challenge, thanks so much for hosting it, and I’m exited to hear your thoughts. =)

I read Spice several years ago, and I remember the style being kind of dry and boring. And I read The Botany of Desire earlier this and didn’t like it at all. But I think I’m in the minority! Like Water for Chocolate is wonderful.

I had to giggle a little bit about your aside on A Movable Feast. I adore that book and love most of the “characters” in it. I consider it fiction but I’d like to think it’s not just so I can imagine that it actually happened.

Enjoy, these all look great.

Kathy, thanks for the well-wishes!

Valerie, I’m glad that you like MFK Fisher, and I hope I like her book. I’ve read a few essays here and there but never a collection. I’m also looking forward to getting to know Julia Child too. Thanks for the recommendations!

Obviously, I’d love for you to be convinced to read a couple books along with us for the challenge, but if not, I’m always glad for the recommendations!

I’m a MFK Fisher fan, and “The Gastronomical Me” is the book I recommend for first-time MFK readers.

I read, and liked, “My Life in France” (“Julie and Julia” the movie is supposedly based on this book also) but still have the “Julie and Julia” book in my TBR pile.

I haven’t been reading “foodie” books lately, however…have not been in the mood for them…. So I’d have to think if I feel up to joining this challenge. I can definitely throw out some “foodie” book recommendations, though !

Memoirs I’ve enjoyed – Kitchen Confidential (Anthony Bourdain, who I wager is a much better writer than he is a chef) and Heat (Bill Bryson, who is definitely a writer first and a cook second). I started Spiced today, but so far it’s a lot of name-dropping and not a lot of pastry-making.

Good luck with hosting / reading!

PS. I don’t write start-of-challenge posts. I don’t write wrap-up posts, either, but I really should.