Food-Themed Summer Reads for 2023

This summer, I keep seeing the same book peeking out of my fellow readers’ tote bags. I won’t reveal the title here, but you know it. You’ve seen the cheery-cool cover. The author’s name consists of two first names (rhymes with Femily Benry). And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with her book. Or the book she released last summer or the summer before that. It’s fine, really. But don’t you want to try something different?  

Since we’re all here because we love baking, I thought it would be fun to do a culinary theme this summer. Some of these titles dig right in while others are loosely tied to food. But they’re all delicious companions for a long plane ride or a lazy day by your favorite body of water. And, for when the mood strikes, each title is paired with one of Joy’s recipes. Bon appétit! 

Historical Fiction

A Bakery in Paris by Aimie K. Runyan

Here’s a triple delight for your palate + brain + heart. A Bakery in Paris is a dual timeline saga featuring two fierce women running a family bakery in nineteenth-century and post-World War II Paris, respectively. With meticulous attention to detail, endearing characters, and a page-turner plot that’s peppered with recipes, Aimie Runyan combines all the ingredients you need for a satisfying slice of historical fiction. You’ll almost be able to smell the bread baking as you read her mouth-watering prose. Although Runyan features her own recipes, you could also pair her book with Joy’s 30-minute Chocolate Croissants. 

Romance

Tastes Like Shakkar by Nisha Sharma

I appreciate when a romance author doesn’t dilly-dally. This enemies-to-lovers story starts off with a bang, featuring a steamy scene on page five. A chef and wedding planner are tasked with planning their best friends’ wedding together, despite their mutual hatred for one another. Naturally, they also can’t resist each other. Hilarity and hijinks ensue. Right off the bat, Sharma lets us know this couple’s got chemistry so she can focus on other details, like the divine food writing and rich descriptions of Indian culture. This book will leave you inspired to whip up a batch of Joy’s Turmeric Tonic. 

Nonfiction

Raw Dog: The Naked Truth About Hot Dogs by Jamie Loftus

The kids and I look forward to watching Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest every 4th of July so I approached this title with caution. Don’t @ me, but I love hot dogs and didn’t want to peek behind the curtain to know what’s in one. Thankfully, comedian Jamie Loftus’s debut is more of a travelogue than a tube steak exposé. Raw Dog will take you on a cross-country road trip in the summer of 2021, where Loftus shows what the creation, culture, and class influence of hot dogs say about America now. Her hot dog journey is funny and entertaining, and absolutely must be read alongside Joy’s Mini Pretzel Dogs. 

Poetry

A Working Life by Eileen Myles

At 73, Eileen Myles is the coolest poet alive. They’re known for writing blunt, stylized poems brimming with social commentary. A Working Life is a collection that zones in on the act of traveling, particularly planes and trains, while standouts like “Götenberg” capture the everyday beauty of a cup of coffee. Most of the poems here are bite-sized, with one or two words a line, while frequent line breaks give plenty of space for your own interpretation. And there’s humor to be found throughout. Like, “And I’m a chef / cause I open / a can.” Cool poets deserve ice cream, so go with Joy’s Vegan Coconut and Pistachio variety. 

Literary Fiction

The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

My 86-year-old father has been working his way through the collected works of Philip Roth and, from the looks of it, so has James McBride. That’s not a knock! We all have to find inspiration somewhere. With masterful storytelling, McBride brings readers into the overlapping Black and Jewish communities that coexist in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, during the Great Depression. This gorgeous story is an excellent read if you’re looking for something meaty to dig into this summer. It’d also lead to a compelling book club conversation served alongside Joy’s Chocolate Babka Pull-Apart Muffins. 

Audiobook 

Love & Saffron by Kim Fay

Every summer I ask my friend who works at Libro.fm what title everyone in her office is excited about, and this year she nailed the food-themed assignment. Love & Saffron is tailor-made for Joy the Baker readers. The witty and tender novel follows two women in 1960s America whose friendship grows through the letters and recipes they share. At 200 pages, it makes for breezy listening, and the narrators for the main characters are witty and endearing. I’m a big believer in love stories between friends. Or, as Joy says in her intro for Arroz con Pollo: “Many good things come from wine and saffron.”

Cookbook

Camp Joy by Joy Wilson

Mystery/Thriller

The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell

The Golden Spoon was pitched to me as Clue meets The Great British Bake Off. Add to cart. It’s a fun, fluffy story about a reality show gone off the rails. There’s a goofy cast of characters and the plot isn’t mind-bending or anything, so you can just read this then leave it at the Airbnb for the next guests. But it’s ripe for a TV adaptation so you’ll want to read it now before the limited series comes out on your favorite streaming service. And rest assured knowing the storyline is as charmingly detailed as Joy’s Double Chocolate Sunflower Cupcakes. 

Sci Fi

The Splinter in the Sky by Kemi Ashing-Giwa

A debut space opera about a young tea expert who’s taken as a political prisoner and recruited to spy on government officials . . . We wanted something different, right? Kemi Ashing-Giwa is a highly intelligent—we’re talking Stanford PhD—writer with a gift for elegant prose and multidimensional characters. Part fantasy, part espionage romance, this tea-specialist-turned-assassin who embarks on a mission to save her sibling will instantly pull you in. Shake up your routine even more by throwing back a few of Joy’s Sweet Tea Bourbon Cocktails. 

Short Stories

White Cat, Black Dog by Kelly Link

Summer is meant to be lazy. And while I’m not saying reading short stories is an act of laziness, it sure is easier than trying to conquer Dostoevsky on a layover from O’Hare to SeaTac. Kelly Link’s stories are spooky and funny, with a very Shirley Jackson vibe. She gives classic fairy tales a modern twist. Short stories are the perfect summertime snack: you can gobble one down while you’re people watching at the beach or waiting for your inflatable pool to fill with water. Make a few ice cream Snackwiches and dip into this collection. 

Beach Read

The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand

I loved the premise for The Five-Star Weekend and hope to steal it in real life someday. A food blogger gathers friends from all stages of her life (high school, college, middle age) and treats them to a luxury girls’ weekend. The author brings the Nantucket setting to life with irresistible details and a dramatic twist will keep you hooked. Plus, the food descriptions were as dreamy as Joy’s Lemon Blueberry Gooey Butter Cake. 

Honorable Mention for Best Cover

Goodbye Earl by Leesa Cross-Smith

I lol’d when I opened the package for Goodbye Earl. An homage to The Chicks song, the cover for this revenge novel features a cherry splattered piece of pie with a menacing knife. I haven’t had time to read this one yet—I am only human—but it’s definitely at the top of my list alongside Joy’s Double Crust Cherry Pie.