We’re approaching the end of 2014 and the one New Year’s resolution I failed miserably was to shed the extra pounds I put on in 2013. And 2012. And 2011. You get the sorry picture. What’s a girl to do when she loves food? With winter weather blowing down our necks and driving us indoors, we’re entering the season of holiday feasts with family and friends. Instead of gorging on food, let’s feed our minds and devour great books … about food!

Food and drink are natural themes for fascinating reading. After all, we all eat and drink, so we are familiar with the subject. It’s the way authors mix the ingredients of unique characters and interesting situations with the food/eating theme (sometimes including actual recipes) that results in a great book. Here are some you may want to check out:

The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals – Michael Pollan (non-fiction)
Chocolat – Joanne Harris
Like Water for Chocolate – Laura Esquivel
Tender at the Bone – Ruth Reichl (memoir)
Scarlet Feather – Maeve Binchy
The Belly of Paris – Emile Zola
The Flounder – Gunter Grass
Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle-Stop Café – Fannie Flagg
Heartburn – Nora Ephron
In the Night Kitchen – Maurice Sendak (for children and adults)

If it’s true you are what you eat, there’s nothing more nourishing than food for thought.