Cooking By the Book: Literary Cookbooks

A good book can transport you to another world, but an even better one will leave you hungry for more. These books do both: they connect the characters and worlds you crave to menus fit for a poet, teenage sleuth or time-traveling nurse. Transport yourself into your favorite book with these literary cookbooks.


For the Hungry Bookworm

The Emily Dickinson Cookbook — Food and cooking was central to Emily Dickinson’s identity and is interwoven within her writing. She wrote poems on the wrappers of packages of chocolate that she had ordered for baking; and she detailed recipes in her notebooks of poems. Bring the mysterious and magical world of Emily Dickinson into your home by making the comforting foods that Emily loved to cook.

Outlander Kitchen — Claire Beauchamp Randall's journey from postwar Britain to 18th-century Scotland and France is a feast for all five senses, and taste is no exception. These recipes retell Claire and Jamie's incredible story through the flavors of the Scottish Highlands, the French Revolution and beyond. There’s a sequel, too.

Teatime at Grosvenor Square — Get a tempting taste of Queen Charlotte’s London with this Bridgerton-inspired cookbook, which features “Nectarine and Goat Cheese Toasts”; “Red Currant Queen Cakes”; “Decadent Cinnamon Macarons with Brandy Buttercream”; and even “Cranberry Orange Scones with Clotted Cream”, which, "much like Lady Danbury... seems daunting but is actually delightful." 


For a New Generation of Readers (and Cooks)

Cooking can be a great activity for children; they get to practice following directions, learn about nutritious food and—with these titles—make connections to their favorite stories. Whether you’re looking for a rainy-day activity or a special dish for a birthday party, these cookbooks will feed their love of literature. 

The Little House Cookbook — Little House on the Prairie fans and anyone who wants to learn what frontier life was really like can learn to make classic dishes like “Corn Dodgers”, “Mincemeat Pie”, “Cracklings” and “Pulled Molasses Candy” in their own modern kitchen.

Green Eggs and Ham Cookbook — Skip the green food coloring, there are better ways to make green eggs and ham, or other Seussian delicacies with more delicious ingredients. These dishes' playful names and inventive presentations will have children trying new foods and adults enjoying the flavorful combinations.

American Girl Sweet & Savory Treats Cookbook — This kid-friendly collection of recipes teaches young cooks about American Girl characters through their favorite dishes, including “Rebecca Ruben's Potato Latkes” and “Josefina Montoya's Mexican Wedding Cookies”.

The Nancy Drew Cookbook — Solve the mystery of what’s for dinner with more than 100 easy recipes, including "Detective Burgers", "Double Jinx Salad", "Twisted Candles Peach Crisp", some with Nancy's special cooking secret.

The Redwall Cookbook — Have you ever wondered what is in “Abbot's Special Abbey Trifle”, or how to make “Shrimp 'N Hotroot Soup”, that delicacy of otters everywhere? From the simple refreshment of a “Summer Strawberry Fizz” to “Great Hall Gooseberry Fool”, they're all here, with dozens of other favorites sure to turn young hands into seasoned chefs.

Pinkalicious Cupcake Cookbook — Learn to make and decorate cupcakes featured in the Pinkalicious series, from a classic cupcake with a cherry on top to a cake pop flower.