This selection of reads pairs a variety of books about food and wine. There’s a little something here for everyone, no matter what your taste. Enjoy!
Eight Hundred Grapes: A Novel
by Laura Dave
When we meet bride-to-be Georgia Ford, the typically upbeat and successful lawyer is in a tailspin. She stumbled upon something her fiancé was hiding, and the timing couldn’t be worse. Seeking the safety and guidance of her big, fun-loving family, she rushes home to their California vineyard. However, once there, she finds the surprises are just getting started! This title is suggested for readers who appreciate deeply reflective novels. Though, with funny and sarcastic dialog, the story zips along and keeps things light. This is also a nice book for those who want to pick up wine facts in an unconventional way.
Simply in Season: Tenth Anniversary Edition
by Mary Beth Lind and Cathleen Hockman-Wert
This well-organized cookbook from the Mennonite Central Committee is a must-have resource for locavores. Good for beginners and experts alike, the time-tested recipes in this 10th-anniversary edition are straightforward, and the ingredient lists for each are typically short and unfussy. Color-coded sections arranged by season, along with vivid photographs, make this book easy to use.
Kitchens of the Great Midwest: A Novel
by J. Ryan Stradal
Follow the passionate culinary adventures of Eva Thorvald from birth to cooking stardom in The Kitchens of the Great Midwest. With each chapter see Eva mature through the eyes of a large cast of interconnected characters. From loving to grittyand angsty to homespun, these richly developed individuals
build a provocative world of food (recipes included!) and culture to savor. Life will never taste the same after reading this book!
Windows on the World Complete Wine Course
by Kevin Zraly
Kevin Zraly is a wine enthusiast with over forty years experience teaching wine courses. This 30th-anniversary edition of Windows on the World Complete Wine Course is a beautiful and comprehensive resource for anyone who wants to learn more about all things wine. Links to online videos and pronunciation audio files are a valuable feature. And while the tone of the work is scholarly, Kevin’s voice and passion for wine makes the material appealing and approachable.
Michigan’s Holy Water: The Great Lakes Wine Bible
by Rick Sigsby
If you live in Michigan and want to know more about wine, Michigan’s Holy Water is an indispensable guide. Local author Rick Sigsby takes a grand tour of the majority of the state’s wineries and conducts friendly Q&As with the people behind the wine. The informal, conversational tone makes for a charming and accessible read. This book is sure to inspire a road trip.
