Candy Freak: A Journey through the Chocolate Underbelly of America by Steve Almond.  I absolutely loved this book, and not just because I, like the author, have a secret habit of peeling off the caramel layer of my Twix bars and munching the cookie separately. Almond combines a fascinating history lesson bout America’s candy past with a gourmet tasting guide, deconstructing the textures and flavors that make up our favorites, and did it all in a narrative that had me laughing out loud. Candy Freak was one of the most enjoyable books I’ve read. Find it in the LB Public Library catalog. 

 The Fruit Hunters:  A Story of Nature, Adventure, Commerce and Obsession by Adam Leith Gollner. It wasn’t until I saw a real Coco de Mer fruit at the Flower Conservatory in San Fransisco that that realized: this guy knows what he’s talking about! Fruit Hunters details how we came to know some fruits as “common” and why some seem so very exotic. Filled with delicious descriptions of fruits we’ve never heard of (and can’t wait to try if we ever get our hands on one), this book was a joy to breeze through. Find it in the LB Public Library catalog.