Books: French Fries and Vegetables

What kind of books do you read?  That’s a hard question for me to answer.  I read a variety of books, and I need a variety of books.  I can’t read classics all the time, nor can I exist on a steady diet of mysteries.  I have determined that my literary palate hungers for both french fries and vegetables.

French Fries

French fries — actual french fries — are my culinary guilty pleasure.  When done right, there is almost nothing better.  For me, they must be hot, salty, crisp and fresh.  When they’re not good, they’re a gross mess.  Soggy, cold, greasy, undercooked — I take one bite and toss the whole plate.  They are not worth the caloric investment.

As much as I love a great french fry, I don’t eat them every day.  While perhaps not necessarily harmful, they don’t offer a lot in terms of nutritional value.  I can’t have a diet composed entirely of french fries.

Vegetables

Remember being told to eat your vegetables as a child?  “Vegetables are good for you.”  “No dessert until you eat your vegetables.”  Our bodies need the nutrients, vitamins and fiber found in vegetables.  We feel better when we eat our vegetables.  But vegetables also get a bad rap as being distasteful.  I think that’s not fair, and has everything to do with the preparation of the vegetable.    A well-prepared vegetable is actually delicious, and a real treat.

And though I love roasted zucchini, sautéed mushrooms, and grilled corn, a diet of only vegetables would get very tedious.  Every once in a while I need the ease and treat of a french fry.

French Fry Books

A french fry book is easy-to-read and engaging.  A good one will take you on an adventure, and you might not be able to put it down.  The book may not change your life, and the character development or theme may not stay with you forever.  In other words, while they’re not bad for you, you may be hungry for something else pretty soon.  But they are great fun while you’re in the middle of them.  I don’t mean to imply that french fries are fluff or without value.  There are  many that are tremendously clever and well-written.

Here are some of my favorite french fry books and authors:

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There are some rockstar french fry authors, such as the very funny David Sedaris:

Another reliable french fry is David Baldacci, especially his Amos Decker series:

I’ve recently discovered the crime novelist Tana French, and her Dublin Murder Squad series:

It’s no surprise that  many of my favorite french fries have been turned into movies; these books are entertaining, and a blast to read.

Vegetable Books

In school, we all groaned when told we had to read “the classics.”  Classics are certainly vegetables.  Some classics are delicious, while some are more like the mushy squash casserole I had to eat as an eight-year-old — it might add some nutritional value in the long run, but it sure was hard getting through it.

But if we move pass the classics — obviously vegetables, but sometimes not very enjoyable — here are some of my favorite vegetables:

Do you agree with my categories?  What are your favorite french fries?  What vegetables do you love?  Who have I missed?  What about Grisham, or Harry Potter books, Catcher in the Rye?  Or maybe you disagree with me regarding the proper categorization — do you think A Man Called Ove is a delightful french fry, and not really a vegetable?  Is The Godfather a meaty vegetable that should be on the Great American Novel list?  (I know my husband would agree with you.)  Maybe you think french fries are a waste of time?  Or is your time to read so scarce and precious, that you’ll only spend it on a romp of a ride (a french fry)?

Whether french fries, vegetables, or some awesome hybrid, send me some suggestions.  I need a new book to read!

For more about great books to read, see Classic Books I’m Glad I Read.