Beloved Books

The Food Section's Josh kindly volleyed this book meme my way last week. Though I adore fiction and could go on for ages about it, I'm just going to shoot for simplicity and confine this quizlet to food.

There should be a question about essential reading here, but there's not, so I'll cheat (don't tell anyone!) and give special props to McGee's On Food and Cooking, which is amazing, The Best Recipe, which I refer to constantly and the Joy of Cooking, which should be standard issue equipment with every kitchen.

1. Total number of books I've owned
Can anyone really claim to know this with any accuracy? I'm doubtful. I'm a firm believer in the book as consumable good rather than collector's item. I use them up and give them away. That said, I do have an awful time giving up reference books, so my shelves overflow with cookbooks and dictionaries.

2. Last book I bought
Arhur Schwartz's New York City Food (Arthur Schwartz)
Pretty pictures, lots o' history, lots o' recipes... helped me get through a recent article on TriBeCa's food history.

3. Last book I read
The Botany of Desire (Michael Pollan)
Through apple, tulip, potato and pot, Pollan explores the reciprocal relationships between humans and plants. I love the idea that we're just essentially large bees. The apple section was particularly enlightening. Johnny Appleseed as patron saint of the pioneer-era benders. Who knew?

4. Five books that mean a lot to me:

The Sesame Street Cookbook (Tornborg) My first... ah! tweedleburgers!

Garlic is Life (Aaron) Another early influence illuminating an obsession with garlic that I wholeheartedly embrace.

Fish: The Basics (King) Grew up landlocked, so this is an invaluable fish guide. Love love love the drawings, recipes and background.

Larousse Gastronomique A gift upon graduation from culinary school. Made me feel like a genuine food professional for the first time.

A Moveable Feast (Hemingway) Paris. Food. Wine. Writing. Dreamy.

5. Which 5 people would you most like to see fill this out in their blog?
Adam K, Dara M, chika, Alton Brown, Heidi S