by Slow Books Committee
For another year, the Slow Books Committee has curated a collection of titles that should top your list when thinking of holiday gifting for anyone on your list – from family and friends to yourself! We all deserve a treat at this magical time of year – especially when it comes to inspiring titles deserving of a place on our bookshelves.
Mackesy, Charlie. “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse.” San Francisco, CA: HarperOne, 2019. (Youth)
This whimsical tale told in simple sketches and scrawled handwritten words has more to do with relationships, kindness and respect for the natural world than relating to the topic of food itself (outside of the multiple mentions of the life-altering power of cake). This delightful book is smattered with profound and inspiring messages – including that small, slow things can often impart a big difference. Messages like these are certain to resonate with those aligned with Slow Food ideals. Lead with love and kindness and you will go far. In the words of the author, this book is suitable for readers aged “eighty or eight – I feel like I’m both sometimes!” This quote sums up the vibe of the book well: “We have such a long way to go,” sighed the boy. “Yes, but look how far we’ve come,” said the horse. In other words, you can still go far, even if you “go slow.” — Katie
Tait, Al and Kitty. “Breadsong: How Baking Changed Our Lives.” London, UK: Bloomsbury Publishing, 2022. (Adult)
While this book isn’t new, it’s one worth revisiting. And while it does have recipes (largely for bread and pastries – what’s not to love?), it is also much more than simply a cookbook. It tells the story of a father and daughter (Al and Kitty Tate) who in an attempt to cope with Kitty’s mental illness as a teen, find solace and purpose in baking. So much so that they quickly outgrow their cottage business soliciting bread subscriptions in their neighborhood and grow to a (very orange) brick and mortar bakery (called “The Orange Bakery”) in Watlington (England). With an alternating narrative between father and daughter, this book is as lovely to bake from as it is to read from, making it deserving of a spot on your shelf. — Katie
Carolan, Michael. “A Decent Meal: Building Empathy in a Divided America.”: Redwood Press, 2021. (youth)
This book delves into how shared meals can foster empathy and bridge deep political and social divides. By focusing on food as a universal need, Carolan presents a series of experiments and stories that reveal how food can serve as a medium for healing divisions. — Martina
Childs, Danny. “Slow Drinks: A Field Guide to Foraging and Fermenting Seasonal Sodas, Botanical Cocktails, Homemade Wines, and More.” San Francisco, CA: Hardie Grant, 2023. (adult)
This creative guide to foraging and crafting botanical beverages encourages readers to connect with nature through the art of drink-making. Organized by season, the book promotes sustainable practices through recipes that use local, seasonal ingredients. — Martina
Armand, Glenda. “Black-Eyed Peas and Hoghead Cheese: A Story of Food, Family, and Freedom.” New York, NY: Crown Books for Young Readers, 2022. (Youth)
Glenda Armand’s picture book, with vibrant illustrations, explains the history of some African-American food traditions started in Africa but adapted during the time of slavery. It follows young Frances and her grandparents in Louisiana as they prepare to celebrate a new year with foods such as gumbo, jambalaya, sweet potato pie, and turnip greens from the garden. A family recipe for pralines is included. — Tammy
Lohman, Sarah. “Endangered Eating.” New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2023. (adult)
Give yourself or someone you like a head start on our 2025 Network-Wide-Read! Endangered Eating is a deep dive into some of the foods featured in Slow Food USA’s Ark of Taste (and naturally, then, makes a good companion read with it). Sarah Lohman is a culinary historian who has gone to some extremes to bring us this illuminating content. Aside from the expected research, she has traveled around the country, grown her own crops from seed, and tracked down and tested various recipes of some of our foods at risk of extinction. — Tammy
Hoban, Russell. “Bread and Jam for Frances.” New York, NY: Harper & Row., 1964. (youth)
A classic story that stands the test of time and sets the standard for a packed lunch at any age. Frances, a stubborn young badger, refuses to eat the foods set in front of her, relying instead on the bread and jam that her mother provides in place of the delicious offerings the rest of the family enjoys. The ditties Frances sings and the way she rediscovers others foods in her own way make this a fun and delightful picture. The illustrations by Lillian Hoban add charm to the characters and the story. — Margaret
Poliafito, Renato. “Dolci: American Baking with an Italian Accent.” New York, NY: Penguin Random House, Inc., 2024 (adult)
As Dorie Greenspan describes it, “Dolci! is beautiful, evocative, and practical—a brilliant hat trick.” I plan to give this book to all the bakers on my gift list. The recipes are inventive and so tasty; familiar treats become delicious and glamorous delights. Renato Poliafito, a James Beard-nominated pastry chef, adds the right amount of Italian flair to desserts like “Amaretto Brownies” and “Limoncello Pistachio Tart,” as well as savory goods like “Sourdough Foccacia” and “Perfect Grissini.” He strikes the right balance for “recipes that capture the flavors of la dolce vita, from Bologna to Brooklyn.” — Margaret
Ruiz, Felicia Cocotzin and Vélez, Carlos. “Nana Lupita and the Magic Sopita.” Layton, UT: Gibbs Smith, 2024. (youth)
Nana Lupita and the Magic Sopita was released just this year in July and it’s a favorite in our house with my six and four year old already. It’s very interactive with seek-and-find activities and bilingual words sprinkled throughout with a very sweet story of imagination and the extension of a Nana’s love through healing foods. This book is the first of a series, which comes after the success of the author’s award winning food & lifestyle book, Earth Medicines. Author Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz is a Indigenous foods activist and natural foods chef and Chicana with deep roots in the Southwest. Strong themes of food, storytelling and healing run throughout both of her books, a natural extension of her work as a kitchen curandera (traditional healer). — Jovanna
Druckman, Charlotte. “Women on Food: Featuring 115 Writers, Chefs, Critics, Television Stars, and Eaters.” New York, NY: Abrams Press, 2019. (adult)
Edited by food writer Charlotte Druckman, Women on Food encompasses a heartfelt collection celebrating the unique voices of women in the culinary world. Through a blend of essays, interviews, questionnaires, illustrations, quotes, and other treasures, this anthology invites readers to explore the rich tapestry of women’s experiences in food.
The book features a wonderful lineup of esteemed food writers and thinkers, including Soleil Ho, Nigella Lawson, Diana Henry, Carla Hall, Samin Nosrat, Rachael Ray, and many more. Together, they shine a light on the incredible and diverse women who shape our food culture. From discussing the #MeToo movement and addressing gender bias in the workplace to highlighting the stories of women of color in leadership roles, this collection tackles important issues with warmth and insight. Women on Food is a celebration of the essential voices of women in the culinary world, inviting everyone to join in on the conversation. — Jovanna
