So many of my friends and colleagues have fantastic books out this year I thought it would be timely to do a round up for those of you looking for holiday gifts. Most likely you’ve already heard of a lot of these, since they seem to be popping up on all the Best of 2010 lists. (I have very talented friends)
And yes, I’ve decided to do a giveaway! I’ve never done one of these before, so wish me luck (and good luck to you too!). I’ve got three gorgeous books up for grabs, all signed by the author.
Biscotti, by Mona Talbott
My Mother’s Clothes, by Jeanette Montgomery Barron
Italian Rustic, by Elizabeth Helman Minchilli
Here are the rules:
To enter for a chance to win, just leave a comment on this post. (Don’t do it anonymously or I won’t know who you are ) The deadline for comments is 11:59 December 10, 2010. The winners will be chosen randomly. And while you’re busy just commenting for the sake of winning, let me know your favorite books this year.
Here is the list. It’s much longer than I thought it was going to be. Even though everyone has been moaning and groaning about the state of publishing these days, my friends sure seem to be keeping the industry afloat. I’ve tried to keep the list to 2010. And since it’s so long, only a few lines on each. Most are cookbooks, but not all. Most are really my friends (with only a couple of fb colleagues thrown in, since their books are so great.)
Great Books by my Friends: 2010
Biscotti, Mona Talbott
I’ve already written about this fabulous new book of delicious cookie recipes from the Mona Talbott, who runs the Rome Sustainable Food Program at the American Academy in Rome. A small book, but chock full of delciousness.
My Mother’s Clothes, Jeanette Montgomery Barron
The book is exactly what the title says: photographs of Jeanette’s mother’s clothes. As her mother was slowly succumbing to Alzheimer’s, Jeanette began to photograph her cherished wardrobe. She used these images as a way to reconnect with her mother and with her quickly fading past.
The images are hauntingly beautiful.
In the Kitchen with A Good Appetite, Melissa Clark
The way Melissa thinks and writes about food has profoundly influenced my own approach. Her newest book (the girl has written 30!) comes out of her NYTimes column and is full of yummy, easy and inspired recipes.
Ready for Dessert, David Lebovitz
I’ve always been a huge fan of David’s and was happy and proud to throw a book party for him this past summer in Rome. I’ve been cooking from his book much to the happiness of my family (and the unhappiness of my jeans).
Around My French Table, Dorie Greenspan
I’ve never met Dorie in person, but we’ve chatted on fb, and she has got to be one of the most upbeat and talented people I know. I can’t wait to start cooking with Around My French Table so I can pretend I’m actually at her table.
The Essential New York Times Cookbook, Amanda Hesser
Amanda certainly doesn’t need my help in the PR department. And you’ve probably already bought this anyway. But just in case, it’s the new definitive book to have – and give.
Keeping the Feast, Paula Butturini
Paula and her husband John Tagliabue spent years in Rome working as journalists. This is Paula’s moving memoir about the healing power of food and family in the face of hardship.
Food, Wine, Burgundy, David Downie
This is David’s latest installment for the Little Book Room series. His Food, Wine Rome is one of my favorites, and I hope to be able to travel to France and use this new one soon.
The Italian Slowcooker, Michele Sciocolone
I love Michele’s books! This time she turns her attention to the slow cooker, so if you know someone who has one, this is the book for them.
Hip Hop Dog, Vladimir Radunsky
Not only is this award-winning children’s book illustrator a good friend, our daughters are friends and our dogs can’t get enough of each other.
The Pasta Book, Julia della Croce
Italian Home Cooking, Julia della Croce
Julia has TWO books out this year! As always, she is 24/7 Italian, and these two add to her long list of cookbooks.
Nuts in the Kitchen, Susan Herman Loomis
I’ve known Susan for years and her Italian Farmhouse Cooking and French Farmhouse Cooking are two of my favorites. Susan now turns her attention to nuts, which we all need to eat more of.
Female Nomad and Friends, Rita Golden Gelman
Rita is not a friend, but her daughter Jan is our unofficial ‘sister’ (she’s best friends with my sister Robin). So that makes Rita our unofficial ‘mother.’ This is Rita’s follow up to her first book, Female Nomad, and explores breaking bread around the world.
Committed, Elizabeth Gilbert
If you don’t know Liz’s Eat, Pray, Love then you must have been in a cave the last few years. This her most recent book, that explores the outcome of EPL: marriage.
Time for Dinner, Jenny Rosenstrach,
Jenny is not my friend, but is a friend of my sister Robin. I LOVE her blog, Dinner A Love Story. She wrote Time for Dinner with her pals from Cookie magazine and the book (and her blog) is all about cooking for your family (which is my favorite thing to do).
Born Round, Frank Bruni
Ok, I know Frank’s book came out last year, but the paperback release makes it the perfect gift for this year. An extremely well written and compelling tale of the former NYTimes restaurant critic’s relationship with food.
Italian Rustic: How to Bring Tuscan Charm into Your Home, Elizabeth Helman Minchilli
This one is really from last year. But it’s by me, so I get to include it in this list if I want to.
This isn’t a comment just for the sake of winning (though, if that is an unintended consequence, who am I to fight destiny?) but simply to second the feeling that this has been a particularly book-y year. I would add Dianne Hales’ La Bella Lingua.
2009 brought us Judy Witts Francini’s Secrets from My Tuscan Kitchen (Judy–before she was the Judy–once called me long distance simply to pep talk me through my very first Bouche de Noel. She has a heart as big as a pasta bowl.), and 100 Places In Italy Every Woman Should Go by Susan Van Allen. Both good reads and great gifts. RCW
Wow! Don’t know what else to say. I’m quite speechless.
Susan Manlin Katzman: SweetLeisure.com
I hope to win one of the books, but here are a few favorites: Sunday Dinners at Lucques, The Seventh Daughter, A Sweet Life in Paris, All About Braising, The Sharper Your Knife the Less You Cry, School of Essential Ingredients. As well as, many of the above mentioned books.
renee
My favourite ones are:
– Mastering the Art of French Cooking, that I discovered soon after My Life in France by Julia Child, of course
– Vecchia e Nuova Cucina di Carnia, a book that helped me to rediscover my culinary origins
– Gastronomical Me by MFK FIsher
-Endless Feast by Gourmet
Thanks for completing my shopping list. The books I didn’t already have I just ordered – gee, does that mean you won’t pick me to win?
I’ve got three books to add and none of them have anything to do with cooking but one does take place in Rome. It is The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman. Brad Pitt bought the rights to this excellent story because (apparently) he wants “to make a movie in Rome with all his buddies”. It is a wonderful book, especially for any expats who have ever lived in Rome. Then, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. Amazon picked this as book of the year and they got it right. Each year there is a novel I won’t shut up about and my friends are ready to gag me with – until they read it too. City of Thieves by David Benioff was that book this year. Brilliant.
I love your choices. I have some of these books but look forward to winning more-can never have too many cookbooks. Love reading your blog.Sue
Love the choices, and love, love cookbooks. Just reading through them time and time again makes me happy.
Glad to have found your blog, and look forward to returning to Italy to enjoy some of your recommended restaurants.
Great suggestions everyone, thanks!
And Heidi, I’m in the middle of reading the Imprefectionists.
I was about to check the kitchen bookshelves to tell you my favorite cookbook for the year, but I realized it wasn’t a cookbook at all. This year has definitely been the year of Saveur magazine – filling the gaping hole of Gourmet, and sating the traveling bug at the same time as the hungry bug!
Would love to win a copy of “My Mother’s Clothes” to give to my mom- because I loved it so much I am not parting with my copy! My book of the year (and some are calling the book of the decade) is “Freedom” by Jonathan Franzen.
elizabeth – what a fantastic list! the how could one ever chose…my one to add – the simple, graphic, encyclopedic “the geometry of pasta” written the wunderkind (with roman roots) jacob kennedy http://www.geometryofpasta.co.uk/
i have all of these great books! they are all wonderful!
Great list Elizabeth- thank you for so diligently compiling that! I have a few of the books already but seem many there that would make great gifts or be a good addition to my cook collection!
your post about carciofi alla guidea was very inspiring! 🙂 hope i can find a recipe in one of the books!
The Imperfectionists intrigues me since I worked at the Daily American, News, Courier…whatever was existing…in the old days so I’m sure there will be some flashback and dejà vu for me.
But the book I really want under my artificial Xmas tree is Italian Rustic,I already have your Personal Rome and Personal Tuscany books sitting on the table in front of the fireplace and this latest one has somehow eluded me. Mary Jane http://www.elegantetruria.com
I just read Freedom by Jonathan Franzen. It’s excellent.
I have a few of the books you’ve mentioned. I will add the others to my very long list of books I must read. I swore I wouldn’t buy any more cookbooks but it’s tough.
I’ve heard great things about Committed. I need to get your book as well. It’s on my list.