Books and recipes share a secret: both are meant to be savored.

I’ve always loved reading cookbooks, treating them almost like memoirs, full of a chef’s memories, family traditions and tiny windows into their lives. Recipe books and food-forward stories invite you to linger, imagine and taste your way through someone else’s experiences. That love inspired programs at the East Side Library, including a series called Book Bites, where families read a picture book together and then cook a simple recipe inspired by the story.

Titles like Fry Bread by Kevin Noble Maillard and Bee-bim Bop! by Linda Sue Park celebrate food as culture, memory and connection, each ending with a recipe that keeps the story going. These books invite participation, and that joy pushed me to bring more story and food moments into our programming.

During Book Bites, we steamed bao buns, fried bread and flipped pancakes, with kids leading the way. It was never about perfect measurements or gourmet results. It was about exploration, togetherness and getting a literal taste of another person’s story.

When I’m browsing shelves, I’m always on the lookout for books that include recipes or spark food-based learning. Here are a few recent favorites perfect for anyone who wants to read and cook from a story:

  • Ramen for Everyone by Pat Tanumihardja (2023) — A vibrant story about creativity, flavor and honoring family heritage.
  • Pockets of Love by Yamile Saied Méndez (2024) — A tender tale of recreating a cherished family recipe with a secret ingredient.
  • Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala (2021) — A cozy Filipino food mystery rich with humor, family drama and delicious dishes.
  • Murder by Cheesecake by Rachel Ekstrom Courage (2025) — A culinary whodunnit with big flavors, bold suspects and Golden Girls-level sass.

So, the next time you come across a tasty dish in a book, don’t just read past it, try making it. Let the story spill into your kitchen. Whether you’re cooking solo, with friends or with a little one by your side, those mixed, measured, joy-filled moments are where the real magic lives.

Nichole Foxhoven is a youth librarian for DMPL, striving to bring energy and heart to every program using stories, play and creativity to spark joy and build community. This article was originally published in Little Village’s February 2026 issue.