The books I love best are those that combine recipes with stories. Most recipes do have a story behind them, and a well written tale adds so much to the flavor of the food. Memoir cookbooks, as I call them, are funny, gentle, heartwarming, and the best comfort food of all.
1. Consuming Passions
This cookbook typifies the South and memoir cookbooks. Michael Lee West writes beautifully about her youth, the recipes and people that made an impression on her, and the South's incredible culture.
2. Tender At The Bone
There's something about this book that compels me to read it over and over. Ruth Reichl was the Food Editor at the New York Times. This book and its companion "Comfort Me With Apples" are so beautifully written and contain so much information that it feels like there are unplumbed depths to every story. And the recipes are fabulous.
3. Comfort Me With Apples
The second book in Ruth Reichl's memoirs, this tells more about her adult professional life immersed in food. Her prose is compelling, the recipes are superb, and the stories weave a magical spell.4. The Dinah Shore Cookbook
If it's possible, this second book of Dinah's is even better than her first. There are incredible recipes for seasoned salts and salad dressings, and her recipe for Potatoes Grand Mere has been marked by me with one word "perfect". This is the book that saved my life when my husband was very sick - I read it constantly to escape. And ALL the recipes are perfect.5. Beat That!
Ann Hodgman wrote this fabulous book that first caught my eye when I noticed that she actually made the graham crackers to crush for a cheesecake. Wow. That's not a Busy Cooks thing to do, but I was impressed by her devotion to quality. These recipes really are excellent.6. Greene on Greens and Grains
Bert Greene was a fabulous author and cook who knew how to bring out the best in all types of produce. This book is a combination of two others "Greene on Greens" and "The Grains Cookbook". His memoirs are wonderful, and the recipes are fabulous. I doubt you'll find another source with better and more complete information on greens or grains.7. The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook
This beautiful cookbook has some of the most wonderful food styling I have ever seen. But that's not what I love best about it. Ina Garten's wonderful, soft writing style and superb recipes make this book one of my favorites.8. On Rue Tatin
This book combines three of my favorite things: food, memoirs, and home renovation. Susan Loomis has lived in France for many years, starting with an apprenticeship at La Varenne. She and her husband renovated an old house in Louviers and immersed themselves in the culture. Her recipes are marvelous and writing style superb.9. French Fried
There's something about France that seems to draw food writers. Harriet Rochefort writes about her lessons in French cooking and culture with humor and passion. I love the small tidbits of 'arguments' between her and her French husband about the differences in American and French palates.10. One Bite Won't Kill You
Another of Ann Hodgman's wickedly funny books. This one tackles the 'picky eater' syndrome, with tried and true recipes that (almost) any child will eat.