Fiction

This page will be used to gather all the fiction challenge participants read.

*Fiction for this challenge is any novel in which food is a major part of the story.

In the comment section, tell us the name and author of the book you read. Bloggers please leave a link to your review of the book. Non-bloggers, please leave a brief synopsis and/or your thoughts.

  1. Glazed Murder: A Donut Shop Mystery / Read by Heather @ Books and Quilts
  2. Glazed Murder: A Donut Shop Mystery / Also read by Su-sieee! Mac @ This That Here There
  3. Pomegranate Soup by Marsha Mehran / Read by Danielle
  4. Chocolat by Joanne Harris / Read by Her Royal Orangeness
  5. Charlie and  the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl / Read by Dewdrop
  6. The Belly of Paris by Emile Zola / Read by Mel u
  7. How to Bake a Perfect Life by Barbara O’Neal / Read by BJ, a non-blogger. See her comments below. (Comment #7)
  8. Sweet as Sin by Inez Kelley / Read by Natasha @ My Disorganized Ramblings
  9. Babette’s Feast by  / Read by Her Royal Orangeness
  10. Heartburn by Nora Ephron / Read by Margot @ Joyfully Retired
  11. The Last Chinese Chef by Nicole Mones / Read by Fiona @ Life On Nanchang Lu
  12. Runaway by Wendelin van Draanen / Read by Uniflame @ Uniflame Creaes
  13. Chocolate Magic by Zelda Benjamin / Read by Diana @ Diana Loves Books
  14. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows / Read by Su-siee! Mac @ This That Here There
  15. As The World Churns by Tamar Meyers / Read by Ellie
  16. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen / Read by Uniflame @ Uniflame Creates
  17. How To Cook A Tart by Nina Killham / Read by Elizabeth @ The Bare Midriff
  18. Bake Sale Murder, by Leslie Meier / Read by Mainon, a non-blogger (See her comments below)
  19. Always the Baker, Never the Bride, by Sandra D. Bricker / Read by Mainon, a non-blogger (See her review at GoodReads)
  20. French Pressed by Cleo Coyle / Read by Mainon, a non-blogger (See her review at GoodReads)
  21. The Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanna Fluke  Read by  Mainon, a non-blogger (See her review at GoodReads)
  22. Banana Heart Summer by Merlinda Bobis / Read by Her Royal Orangeness
  23. The Love Goddess’ Cooking School by Melissa Senate / Read by BJ
  24. Good Enough to Eat by Stacey Ballis / Read by BJ
  25. Life from Scratch by Melissa Ford / Read by Uniflme
  26. The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender / Read by Her Royal Orangeness
  27. Heidi / Read by Louise at A Strong Belief In Wicker
  28. Buffalo West Wing by Julie Hyzy / Read by  BJ
  29. Baking Cakes in Kigali by Gaile Parkin / Read by Sylvia at A Baked Creation
  30. Sweet Revenge by Diane Mott Davidson / Read by Margot at Joyfully Retired
  31. The Love Goddess’ Cooking School by Melissa Senate / Read by Jayme @ Beach Reader
  32. The Kitchen Daughter by Jael McHenry / Read by Heather @ GirliChef
  33.  The Provence Cure for the Brokenhearted by Bridget Asher / Read by Heather @ GirliChef
  34. Harvest Moon by Robyn Carr / Read by BJ – read her review at GoodReads
  35. Thyme Out by Katie Fforde / Read by Cath @ Read Warbler
  36. The Kitchen Daughter by Jael McHenry / Read by Kathy @ Bermuda Onion
  37. Dolci di Love by Sarah-Kate Lynch / Read by Tina @ Novel Meals
  38. The First Love Cookie Club / Read by Gina @ My Book Dragon (see comments below)
  39. Killer Crab Cakes / Read by Gina @ My Book Dragon (see comments below)
  40. Cookie Dough or Die by Virginia Lowelln / Read by Gina @ My Book Dragon (see comments below)
  41. Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society / Read by Jesse @ Elle-Lit
  42. Black Heels to Tractor Wheels by Ree Drummond / Read by Natasha @ My Disorganized Ramblings
  43. Skinny by Diana Spechler / Read by Amused
  44. Crunch Time by Diane Mott Davidson / Read by BJ – see her review at GoodReads
  45. Sprinkle with Murder” by Jenn McKinlay
    / Read by BJ – see her review at GoodReads
  46. Apple Turnover Murder by Joanne Fluke  /  Read by Diana @ Diana Loves Books
  47. Sweet Love by Sarah Strohmeyer /  Read by Helen Marie, a non-blogger. See her opinion in the comments below.
  48. The Icing On The Cupcake by Jennifer Ross /  Read by Helen Marie, a non-blogger. See her opinion in the comments below.
  49. Friendship Bread by Darien Gee  / Read by BJ, a non-blogger. Read her review @ GoodReads
  50. Skinny by Diana Spechler  /  Read by Heather @ GirliChef
  51. The Bake-off by Beth Kendrick  /  Read by Helen Marie, a non-blogger. See her opinion in the comments below.
  52. Chocolate Secrets by Zelda Benjamin  /  Read by Helen Marie, a non-blogger. See her opinion in the comments below.
  53. The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender  / Read by Uniflame
  54. The Last Chinese Chef / Read by Sylvia @ A Baked Creation
  55. Fatally Flaky by Diane Mott Davidson / Read by Diana @ Diana Loves Books
  56. Already Home by Susan Mallery / Diana @ Diana Loves Books
  57. Can’t Stand the Heat by Louisa Edwards / Read by Helen Marie, a non-blogger. See the comments section for her opinion.
  58. The Perfect Hamburger and Other Delicious Stories – Alexander McCall Smith / Read by Sherrie @ Just Books
  59. The Provence Cure for the Brokenhearted by Bridget Asher. / Read by BJ – Read her thoughts @ GoodReads
  60. THE KITCHEN DAUGHTER by Jael McHenry / Read by Julie @ Booking Mama
  61. Steamed Gourmet Girl Mystery Series by Jessica Beck / Read by BJ – Read by GoodReads
  62. Glazed Murder by Jessica Beck / Read by BJ – Read her review @ GoodReads
  63. Banana Heart Summer by Merlinda Bobis / Read by Shredded Cheddar
  64. The Mango Season / Read by Julie @ Booking Mama
  65.  Delicious and Suspicious (Memphis BBQ Mystery) by Riley Adams / Read by BJ. Read her review at GoodReads
  66. The Lollipop Shoes by Joanne Harris / Read by Her Royal Orangeness
  67. Gourmet Rhapsody by Muriel Barberry / Read by Her Royal Orangeness
  68. Life From Scratch / Read by Sylvia @ A Baked Creation
  69. Simmer Down (Gourmet Girl Mystery #2) by mother/daughter team Susan Conant and Jessica Park / Read by BJ. Her review is on GoodReads.
  70. Before Ever After by Samantha Sotto / Rad by Heather @ GirliChef
  71. Just One Taste by Louisa Edwards / Read by Rachel @ Jacob’s Beloved Books
  72. Holy Guacamole by Dan & Denise Harmer / Read by Rachel @ Jacob’s Beloved Books
  73. Life from Scratch by Melissa Ford / Read by Amused By Books
  74. On What Grounds by Cleo Coyle / Read by Nan @ Letters From a Hill Farm
  75. Murder By Mocha / Read by Julie @ Booking Mama
  76. Through the Grinder by Cleo Coyle / Read by Nan @ Letters From a Hill Farm
  77. Already Home by Susan Mallery / Read by Amused By Books
  78. Death by Gumbo by Phil Edwards / Read by Nan @ Letters From a Hill Farm
  79. Bake Sale! / Read by Sylvia @ A Baked Creation
  80. Wicked Appetite by Janet Evanovich / Read by Cath @ Read Warbler
  81. Chocolat by Joanne Harris / Read by Rachel King
  82. Pumpkin Roll by Josi S. Kilpack / Read by Rachel King
  83. 101 Gourmet Cake Bites by Wendy Paul / Read by Rachel King
  84. Whole Foods to Thrive by Brendan Brazier / Read by Rachel King
  85. Aftertaste by Meredith Mileti / Read by Nari @ The Novel World
  86. Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson / Read by Louise @ A Strong Belief In Wicker
  87. Andreas Staïkos’ Les Liaisons Culinaires / Read by Buried In Print
  88. Dominique Fabre’s The Waitress Was New / Read by Buried In Print
  89. Friendship Bread by Darien Gee / Read by Margot Peck

77 Responses to Fiction

  2. Su-sieee! Mac says:
    January 10, 2011 at 6:01 pm

    This is so funny. My first book is the same as Heather’s. :-)

    Here’s the link to my review:
    Glazed Murder by Jessica Beck at http://www.thisthat-herethere.com/2011/01/book-review-glazed-murder.html

    Reply
  5. dewdrop says:
    January 13, 2011 at 11:52 pm

    First book for the challenge:
    Charlie and the chocolate factory: http://dewdrop-world.blogspot.com/2011/01/review-charlie-and-chocolate-factory.html
    It’s yummylicious :)

    Reply
  6. Mel u says:
    January 14, 2011 at 5:26 pm

    My first book for the challenge is The Belly of Paris by Emile Zola, a vivid graphic description of the food markets of Paris in the mid-19th century

    http://rereadinglives.blogspot.com/2011/01/belly-of-paris-by-emile-zola.html

    Reply
  7. BJ says:
    January 18, 2011 at 7:44 pm

    My first book for this challenge is How to Bake a Perfect Life by Barbara O’Neal. I loved this book! This author is one of my favorites. In this book she uses bread making/baking as a backdrop for life. She is a great storyteller who knows how to write really believable, strong women characters and describes their various life relationships (friendships, romances and passions) and somehow manages to mix it all up with food. This particular book is all about mothers and daughters. Book includes recipes that make me want to get in the kitchen and bake. No thrills, no over-sexed scenes, just good storytelling. A great read!

    Reply
  8. Natasha A. says:
    January 21, 2011 at 7:51 am

    Sweet as Sin by Inez Kelley
    http://www.mydisorganizedramblings.ca/2011/01/review-sweet-as-sin-by-inez-kelley.html

    Excellent Contemporary Romance! Takes place in a bakery that the main character owns. Fun times with the frosting :D

    Reply
  10. Fiona at Life on Nanchang Lu says:
    February 7, 2011 at 4:34 pm

    The Last Chinese Chef by Nicole Mones

    http://nanchanglu.blogspot.com/2011/02/last-chinese-chef.html

    This love story will fill your senses with a discovery of the intricacies, nuances and delights of Chinese food, set against a backdrop of modern day China. Delicious.

    Reply
  11. Uniflame says:
    February 8, 2011 at 4:41 am

    I have read the book Runaway by Wendelin van Draanen. I didn’t pick this up for the foodie’s challenge, but it turned out that food is a main topic in this book. Or rather not having any and finding creative ways to get it. Food is the key to survival after all.

    http://uniflamecreates.blogspot.com/2011/02/book-review-runaway-by-wendelin-van.html

    Reply
  12. Diana says:
    February 13, 2011 at 12:14 pm

    This was a really cute book and fast read. Actually the 2nd in a series – first is Chocolate Secrets which I now want to read.
    Chocolate Magic by Zelda Benjamin
    http://dianalovesbooks.blogspot.com/2011/02/chocolate-magic-by-zelda-benjamin.html

    Reply
  13. Su-sieee! Mac says:
    February 14, 2011 at 3:15 am

    I finished my second book for the challenge: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. Here’s the URL to my review: http://www.thisthat-herethere.com/2011/02/book-review-guernsey-literary-and.html

    Reply
  15. Uniflame says:
    February 19, 2011 at 8:28 am

    I read Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen. It is a story about family and love combined with the magical effects that food has on people.

    Review on Uniflame Creates: http://uniflamecreates.blogspot.com/2011/02/book-review-garden-spells-by-sarah.html

    Reply
  16. Elizabeth says:
    February 19, 2011 at 2:45 pm

    I recently read “How To Cook A Tart,” by Nina Killham. It is a very dark comedy centering around a cookbook author with a philandering husband, an anorexic daughter, and a love of full-fat, calorie-laden delicacies. It was disturbingly funny!

    Reply
  17. Mainon says:
    February 20, 2011 at 8:43 pm

    Bake Sale Murder, by Leslie Meier

    Small town murder mystery — the catch is that the victim is a suburban mom who’s in the middle of cooking treats for a local bake sale. I found myself chuckling a bit during the argument about whether Better-Than-Sex Brownies are appropriate for a bake sale (yes, of course there are recipes) but other than that, the book wasn’t tremendously engaging.

    Reply
  18. Mainon says:
    February 20, 2011 at 8:45 pm

    Always the Baker, Never the Bride, by Sandra D. Bricker. Kindle freebie.

    http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/146040292

    Reply
  19. Mainon says:
    February 20, 2011 at 8:47 pm

    French Pressed, by Cleo Coyle
    Coffeehouse owner tries to solve a murder her daughter is accused of (the daughter is a chef at a fancy restaurant).
    http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/141160339

    Reply
  20. Mainon says:
    February 20, 2011 at 8:48 pm

    The Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder, by Joanna Fluke

    http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/138177066

    Reply
  22. BJ says:
    March 10, 2011 at 3:02 pm

    Read “The Love Goddess’ Cooking School” by Melissa Senate./bj

    Reply
  23. BJ says:
    March 10, 2011 at 3:03 pm

    Opps, review of “The Lvoe Goddess’Cooking School on Good Reads.
    Here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/148814629

    Reply
  24. BJ says:
    March 10, 2011 at 3:07 pm

    OK, let’s see if I can get it right this time. Read “Good Enough to Eat” by Stacey Ballis. Review on Good Reads here:
    http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/142394188

    Reply
  25. Uniflame says:
    March 22, 2011 at 5:49 am

    I read Life from Scratch by Melissa Ford: About a divorced women who is trying to learn to cook and keeps a blog in the progress.
    Review here: http://uniflamecreates.blogspot.com/2011/03/book-review-life-from-scratch-by.html

    Reply
  27. Louise says:
    March 29, 2011 at 4:44 am

    I just read Heidi and shone the Foodie’s Reading Challenge light onto it

    http://astrongbeliefinwicker.blogspot.com/2011/03/heidi.html

    Reply
  28. BJ says:
    March 29, 2011 at 2:41 pm

    My lasted read is “Buffalo West Wing” by Julie Hyzy. This is part of a Cozy mystery series. Go to this link at Goodreads to read my review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/156621898. I really liked this book/bj

    Reply
  29. Sylvia says:
    March 29, 2011 at 5:34 pm

    My long overdue review of Baking Cakes in Kigali by Gaile Parkin.
    http://www.abakedcreation.com/2011/03/baking-cakes-in-kigali.html

    Reply
  32. Heather @girlichef says:
    April 13, 2011 at 3:11 am

    Hello! I’ve also just posted a review for The Provence Cure for the Brokenhearted by Bridget Asher http://www.girlichef.com/2011/04/book-tour-review-provence-cure-for.html

    Reply
  33. BJ says:
    April 13, 2011 at 9:32 am

    Read Harvest Moon by Robyn Carr, part of her Virgin River series. This one is about a sous-chef. Review can be found on Goodreads at: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/160373752. /bj

    Reply
  35. BermudaOnion says:
    April 20, 2011 at 6:29 am

    I read and adored The Kitchen Daughter by Jael McHenry.

    Reply
  36. Tina says:
    April 22, 2011 at 11:10 am

    Dolci di Love by Sarah-Kate Lynch was an enjoyable book. I went through it quickly and I loved the descriptions of the Tuscan town Lily found herself exploring.

    Full review is here:
    http://www.novelmeals.com/2011/04/dolci-di-love.html

    Reply
  37. Gina says:
    April 24, 2011 at 12:38 pm

    I’ve read three so far and have completed my “nibbler” obligation.

    The First Love Cookie Club – like so much I bought the rest of the series
    Killer Crab Cakes – not the first in the series so I missed some of the references but will add the series to my “read someday” list
    Cookie Dough or Die by Virginia Lowell (finished April 23) book two is on my wishlist – it comes out in December!

    Reply
  39. Natasha A. says:
    April 27, 2011 at 5:25 am

    Finally, I have another one to add!
    I just finished and reviewed The Pioneer Woman’s: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels by Ree Drummond. It’s the tale of how PW met and married her Mountain Man. Their courtship often took place in his kitchen, plus at the end of the book there was a few of PW’s amazing homestyle recipes.

    http://www.mydisorganizedramblings.ca/2011/04/arc-review-pioneer-woman-black-heels-to.html

    Reply
  40. Amused says:
    April 29, 2011 at 6:41 pm

    Skinny by Diana Spechler – it’s about eating your feelings so I thought it fit in this category!
    http://www.amusedbybooks.com/2011/04/eating-your-feelings.html

    Reply
  41. BJ says:
    May 2, 2011 at 6:11 pm

    Finshed reading “Crunch Time” by Diane Mott Davidson. It was OK. See review on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/159776753

    Reply
  42. BJ says:
    May 9, 2011 at 12:36 pm

    Read “Sprinkle with Murder” by Jenn McKinlay. Enjoyable read, likeable characters. First in series. Review posted on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/164426371.

    Reply
  43. Diana says:
    May 22, 2011 at 5:49 pm

    Apple Turnover Murder by Joanne Fluke

    Reply
  44. Helen Marie says:
    May 22, 2011 at 11:30 pm

    I’ve recently read “Sweet Love” by Sarah Strohmeyer … and liked it. I was disappointed that the book didn’t include the recipes that she said were simplier than she’d thought…

    And today I read “The Icing On The Cupcake” by Jennifer Ross … and I REALLY liked the storyline, as well as EVERY chapter ended with a cupcake recipe :D Can’t wait to try them as well as picked up little ‘baker’s secrets’ through-out the book. Highly recommend this book if you like to bake cupcakes :D

    Reply
  45. BJ says:
    May 23, 2011 at 9:46 am

    I read “Friendship Bread” by Darien Gee and loved it. See review posted on Goodreads at:
    http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/164426480. Thanks./bj

    Reply
  47. Helen Marie says:
    June 1, 2011 at 7:20 pm

    Just finished my third book of the glutton challenge (started a couple of weeks ago) but “The Bake-off” by Beth Kendrick was a good read. A little slow at the start for me, but not too far in it got much better and then couldn’t put it down. :D

    Reply
  48. Helen Marie says:
    June 3, 2011 at 11:17 pm

    Just finished book #4 towards Glutton challenge: Chocolate Secrets by Zelda Benjamin.

    I found it lacking and though it was a quick read, and kindda cute, I thought the author could’ve gone into more detail. I felt there was more to be told on the main plot of the story which was why the grandpa and an old friend (now enemy) had their feud in the first place. Also no recipes given in this one :(

    This was okay, but I wouldn’t read her next book in the series…

    Reply
  52. Helen Marie says:
    June 9, 2011 at 9:16 pm

    Just finished book #5 in my glutton challenge: Can’t Stand the Heat by Louisa Edwards

    MUCH more developed than the last book I read… and looking forward to reading the next book that continues with one of the characters in this book. A few ‘racy’ portions, but a good storyline that kept it a page turner. Two drink recipes and one pork belly recipe at the end of the story… Yay! I like new recipes :D

    Reply
  53. Sherrie says:
    June 20, 2011 at 8:29 am

    Hi Margot,
    Finished another book. It actually has 3 stories about food.
    The Perfect Hamburger and Other Delicious Stories – Alexander McCall Smith
    Have a great day!

    Sherrie
    Just Books

    Reply
  54. BJ says:
    June 23, 2011 at 10:57 am

    Just read “The Provence Cure for the Brokenhearted” by Bridget Asher. Really liked it. Thoughts posted on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/177169439. Thanks./bj

    Reply
  56. BJ says:
    June 28, 2011 at 8:14 pm

    Read the first in the Gourmet Girl Mystery Series “Steamed.” Reviewed on GoodReads./bj

    Reply
  57. BJ says:
    June 28, 2011 at 8:41 pm

    Read “Glazed Murder” by Jessica Beck. Linked to GoodReads review./bj

    Reply
  58. enbrethiliel says:
    July 3, 2011 at 9:23 am

    +JMJ+

    I’ve recently read Banana Heart Summer by Merlinda Bobis.
    http://shreddedcheddar.blogspot.com/2011/07/jmj-option-11-banana-heart-summer-by.html

    And now I see someone else taking part in the challenge has read this book, too! I’m going to read that review as soon as I submit this comment. =)

    Reply
  60. BJ says:
    July 11, 2011 at 8:12 pm

    Read “Delicious and Suspicious” a Memphis BBQ Mystery. First in new series by Riley Adams. Review posted on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/183755302./bj

    Reply
  61. Her Royal Orangeness says:
    July 16, 2011 at 3:07 pm

    My final two reads for the challenge!

    The Lollipop Shoes by Joanne Harris Though it was not all as foodie as I was expecting.)

    Gourmet Rhapsody by Muriel Barbery

    Reply
  63. BJ says:
    July 30, 2011 at 6:57 pm

    Read Simmer Down (Gourmet Girl Mystery #2) by mother/daughter team Susan Conant and Jessica Park. Did not like this second one as well as the first but it was not too bad. Review posted on Goodreads:http: //www.goodreads.com/review/show/183755764 . Thanks./bj

    Reply
  67. Nan says:
    August 20, 2011 at 10:55 am

    My eighth book, and first fiction read for the Challenge. On What Grounds by Cleo Coyle.
    http://lettersfromahillfarm.blogspot.com/2011/08/on-what-grounds-by-cleo-coyle.html

    Reply
  69. Nan says:
    September 23, 2011 at 10:32 am

    For my ninth book, I read the second in the Coffeehouse series, Through the Grinder by Cleo Coyle.

    http://lettersfromahillfarm.blogspot.com/2011/09/through-grinder-by-cleo-coyle.html

    Reply
  76. Louise says:
    November 26, 2011 at 5:28 am

    I read Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson, not what you’d traditionally think to be a foodie book, but I gave it the foodie spin
    http://astrongbeliefinwicker.blogspot.com/2011/11/kidnapped-or-adventures-with-porridge.html

    Reply
  77. Buried In Print says:
    December 22, 2011 at 5:55 pm

    I thought I’d be reading more fiction than non-fiction for this one, but it ended up the other way around. Still lots of great reads though!

    Andreas Staïkos’ Les Liaisons Culinaires (1997) Trans. Anne-Marie Stanton-Ife Illus. Jeff Fisher Harvill Press, 2000

    Dominique Fabre’s The Waitress Was New (2005) Trans. Jordan Stump (2008)

    Jaspreet Singh’s Chef (2008)

    Reply

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