Michelle

Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day
by Jeff Hertzberg and Zoe Francois
The recipes in this book have allowed my household to have fresh bread every day. These are delicious, no-knead recipes for dough that can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, and don't even require any specialized equipment. The basic, crusty white loaf has become a standard for me, but a few of my other favorite recipes from this book are challah, Italian semolina bread, and calzones. I don't think I'll ever go back to expensive bakery bread or smushy supermarket loaves.

Letters to a Young Mathematician
by Ian Stewart
This fun and ispirational little book touches on the issues facing the world of mathematicians today, such as the elegance of (or perceived lack of) computer-aided proofs, women's increasing participation, and the social hierarchy and politics of academia.
Using anecdotes from his own career, as well as the long and rich history of mathematics, the author discusses the joys and the challenges of a career in mathematics, with emphasis on how important and varied the field of mathematics has become.
This book is highly recommended for a young person in high school or college exploring mathematics as a career. It will also be a good chuckle and a quick read for those who already know the ropes, and look back fondly on that time they tried to exit their own lecture through the broom closet (as the author once did).
Letters to a Young Mathematician is part of a wonderful mentoring series put out by Basic Books, which include Letters to a Young Lawyer, Letters to a Young Catholic, Letters to a Young Actor, and several others.

Home Comforts: The Art & Science of Keeping House
by Cheryl Mendelson
In my opinion, every household should own a copy of this book. The topics in it go well beyond the scope of ordinary stain remover/clutter busters/etiquette books. A few of the topics I've looked up in the past few weeks are:
-knife sharpening
-laundry temperatures sufficient to kill dust mites
-care of hardwood floors
-storage methods for fruits & vegetables
I find myself using it again and again as a reference, and often wonder what I did before I owned it. Most likely, I did shoddy repair jobs, didn't get my laundry stains out, or called my mother for instruction. Having this book around is a much more practical option.

Starting with Ingredients: Quintessential Recipes for the Way We Really Cook
by Aliza Green
Aliza Green has written the perfect book for cooks like me. I often go home craving squash, artichokes, or chocolate without any particular dish in mind. This attitude lends itself perfectly to Starting with Ingredients. This book is organized alphabetically by ingredient, rather than by course or in complete menus, as most cookbooks are. It's not just the organization I love; the recipes are also delicious and well-rounded. Next time my neighbor drops off a giant bag of rhubarb or I succumb to buying a pound of hazelnuts, I look forward to having this book in my kitchen.

The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals
by Micahel Pollan
In this book, Michael Pollan (also the author of The Botany of Desire), discusses important and relevant topics such as local and sustainable farms, large-scale organic farming, and the political power of the food industry. He presents these topics in such an engaging way you won't be able to decide whether you should keep reading, or put the book down to go tell everyone about it.
Pollan gives us the tools to make informed decisions about the way we eat, from deciphering the cute labels on organic milk cartons to better understanding of corn subsidies. This book is certainly for more than just the activist in us, though. The writing is infused with a love of food and respect for the people that grow it.

A Million Little Pieces
by James Frey
In this moving memoir of recovery from drug addiction, Frey asks for neither pity nor forgiveness, but tells the story of how he had to get clean his own way.