My food blog books for inspiration. Yes, I love all the classic cookbooks to gather some inspiration. I just try to make a healthy twist with all the classic recipes. I’m afraid to read food photography books since I might start copying others. 

My Bookshelf

I have quite a big bookshelf at home, and I try to read something every day. However, I’m still human and I have my weaknesses. At least I try. A big part of my bookshelf is full of law, psychology and biography books. The other part of my bookshelf is full of food blog books. I mean cookbooks and photography books.

As you might know, I’m from Estonia. Our population is very small (only 1.3 million) and there aren’t many people who speak Estonian. Because of that, I would say that our books in Estonia are quite expensive. I still have a lot of books in Estonian. Therefore, my favorite cookbooks in Estonian are the old ones from my grandmother. I believe that these classic cookbooks are always the best as a food blog books inspiration.

The other part of my shelf is full of books in different languages.  English is my second language and because of that, I have a lot of books in English. The variety of photography and cookbooks in English is just much better. I can learn more about other cuisines and it’s just exciting to learn about all these different cuisines around the world. I still don’t know everything and I feel like I need to explore more.

Over the years I have already collected some cookbooks that I love. My favorites are The Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking by Marcella Hazan and Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child. One of my friends recommended these books, and I’m very thankful for her. The Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking is indeed one of the books that you can have, and it will help you out on every occasion.

I agree with the Guardian who said that “there are dozen Italian cookbooks on the market, but The Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking is the only one you need to buy.” That’s just so true! The book itself is cheap if I compare it to others. It’s a big book and has about 700 pages of pure wisdom.

Food Blog Book Inspiration from classics

You can learn about all the essentials of Italian cooking you need to know. It’s one of those books which can just sit on your bookshelf and you can open it whenever you like, and you will always be happy to try new recipes. I prefer to use this as a guide for my inspiration. Many of the ingredients I don’t eat at home, but I can always learn all the techniques that these classic cookbooks offer. I just try to add my little healthy twist.

Favorite Online Store

The postage to Estonia is quite expensive, and the local bookstores are too expensive. That’s why I like to order all my books in English from Bookdepository (no, they didn’t ask me to write this post. I honestly like to order my books from there). I have ordered all the books in English from there over the past few years, and I have never been disappointed. This golden website is my lifesaver as my food blog books inspiration.

They deliver all over the world for FREE! Okay, I know that the “free” means that the price might be higher but I have calculated that for me it’s cheaper. Books are heavy! If you would like to buy some books online, then I recommend this website.

This week the Bookdepository have a SALE, and I went a little bit crazy with the books. I ordered some new books and two of them were photography books.

Obsessed

The first one is Light Science & Magic: An Introduction To Photographic Lighting by Fil Hunter And Steven Biver and the other one is Understanding Exposure, 3rd Edition: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera by Bryan Peterson. Almost every article I have read recommended these books, and I just couldn’t resist. I like to read all kinds of photography books in general.

What about food photography books?

No, I don’t read those since I’m afraid that I will start copying others. Therefore, I prefer to read classic photography books as my food blog books.

I put together a small list of cookbooks and photography books that I recommend and the other list for the new year. I hope some you will get some inspiration from these amazing books.

My kind of “food blog books” inspiration:

• The Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking by Marcella Hazan 

As I mentioned this book is one of my favorites. I agree with the Guardian who said that “there are dozen Italian cookbooks on the market, but The Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking is the only one you need to buy.” That’s just so true! The book itself is cheap if I compare it to others. It’s a big book and has about 700 pages of pure wisdom. I have had so much inspiration from that book that I can’t even describe it.

• Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child ( Volume 1 and 2)

Who doesn’t love Julia Child? Am I right. Even if you didn’t like the film Julia & Julia, you might like the book. Just all the amazing French cooking techniques that you have only heard of. Sometimes I think that it’s almost like a cooking dictionary for French cuisines. All the wisdom from French cuisine is here in English. You don’t even need to learn French to know more about the cuisine.

• The Flavour Thesaurus by Niki Segnit

I got this book from my friend as a gift. I must say that it’s one of the best inspiration for creative cooking. You can learn why one flavor works with another and “examine what goes with what, pair by pair.” The book has all popular ingredients alphabetically and sometimes when I think about some combinations, then I just go and read this book. 

• Two Greedy Italians by Antonio Carluccio and Gennaro Contaldo 

This one is another Italian cookbook. If I could choose only one Italian cookbook, then I would choose the first one I mentioned, but this one is a good one as well.

• Eat Fat Get Thin: Why the Fat We Eat Is the Key to Sustained Weight Loss and Vibrant Health by Dr. Mark Hyman

I have talked about healthy fats a lot. As you might know, I’m obsessed with healthy fats. This book here explains very well why we should eat more fat. He has been one of the New York Times #1 bestselling authors. “It turns out, the key to losing weight, increasing overall energy, and achieving optimum wellness is eating more fat, not less.”

• Baking with Julia by Julia Child (written by Dorien Greenspan)

Just a classic book for everyone who loves to bake. “This is the resource you’ll turn to again and again for all your baking needs.” I use it as an inspiration for my healthy baking. All the good techniques are there.

• Lonely Planet’s Guide to Travel Photography by Richard I’Anson and Lonely Planet

I read this book about six months ago and I must say it’s one of the best travel photography books I have read. Overall it gives you quite basic photography information and tips for travel photography. However, I felt that I can use these tips even for my food photography. It’s all about basic photography. It’s again one of the best-selling books and there have been many editions. It obviously shows how good the book is.

My list for 2018 (cookbooks and photography books):

Photography books:

• Light Science & Magic: An Introduction To Photographic Lighting by Fil Hunter And Steven Biver

• Understanding Exposure, 3rd Edition: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera by Bryan Peterson

  

• The Photographer’s Eye: Composition and Design for Better Digital Photos by Michael Freeman

• Extraordinary Everyday Photography: Awaken Your Vision to Create Stunning Images Wherever You Are by Brenda Tharp and Jed Manwaring

• The Art of Photography: An Approach to Personal Expression by Bruce Barnbaum

• Chasing Light by Stefan Forster (Out of stock in Bookdepository)

• Night Photography: From Snapshots to Great Shots by Gabriel Biderman with Tim Cooper

Cookbooks:

• World’s Easiest Paleo Baking: Beloved Treats Made Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Dairy-Free, and with No Refined Sugars by Elizabeth Barbone

• Baking: From My Home to Yours by Dorie Greenspan

• The Cake Bible by Rose Levy Beranbaum

• Mastering the Art of Chinese Cooking by Eileen Yin-Fei Lo

• The Japanese Kitchen: 250 Recipes in a Traditional Spirit by Hiroko Shimbo

• Naturally Nourished: Inventive Vegetarian Recipes That Come Together Quickly by Sarah Britton

• The Green Kitchen: Delicious and Healthy Vegetarian Recipes for Every Day by David Frenkiel & Luise Vindahl