Summer isn’t even officially here yet and it’s already too hot to cook. It’s still not too hot to read about food, however, as long as you’ve got a glistening pitcher of tart, cold lemonade, a shady spot, or a reliable AC unit to complement the book you’ve chosen as your summertime companion. Just in case you’re running behind on the summer reading list, the Chronicle food staff has checked everything from the newest releases to valued treasures from our own collections. Whether you’ve got a taste for dishy back-of-the-house gossip from the world of upscale New York restaurants or you’re curious about the spice trade in the 16th and 17th centuries, it’s here. If your appetite calls for historical courtroom drama, exquisite prose (M.F.K. Fisher without recipes), or a sweet Texas coming-of-age story (with desserts to match), we’ve found the book to nourish your hunger. Now all you have to do is make the lemonade and find that cool reading spot, and you’re in business.
This article appears in June 2 • 2000.