In celebration of this year’s World Book Day, here are some food themed books that go beyond what’s on the plate.
These picks explore the stories behind what we eat and drink, from gender and identity to memory, nostalgia, and everyday habits. A mix of fun and thoughtful reads that show food in a different light.
CRUNCH: An Ode to Crisps by Natalie Whittle
Natalie Whittle explores Britain’s obsession with crisps, tracing their journey from childhood favorites to today’s gourmet varieties. Blending history with personal reflection, she shows how crisps became tied to nostalgia, comfort, and everyday life, making this a fun and enticing read.
Girly Drinks: A World History of Women and Alcohol by Mallory O'Meara
Through historical stories showing how women were central as brewers, distillers, and drinkers long before drinking became seen as male-dominated, Mallory O’Meara challenges patriarchal narratives and reclaims women’s place in drinking culture.
CHOP FRY WATCH LEARN: Fu Pei Mei and the Making of Modern Chinese Food
King explores the life of Fu Pei-mei, a pioneering Taiwanese cookbook author and television cooking instructor, to show how Chinese food is both a cultural tradition and a modern creation. She highlights how Fu’s influence reflected postwar changes in women’s roles, media, and identity, while shaping how Chinese food is remembered across generations.
RAW DOG: The Naked Truth About Hot Dogs
Part culinary history and part travel journal, this witty read invites us on a cross-country road trip to reveal how the creation, culture, and class influence of hot dogs say about The United States as a country.
The Search for God and Guinness: A Biography of the Beer that Changed the World
This book tells the story of Guinness, tracing its origins in 18th-century Ireland with Arthur Guinness, who brewed beer as a safer alternative to contaminated water and harmful spirits. It follows the brand’s rise over 250 years into a global icon, shaped by family legacy, faith, and social reform.
