The Little Library Cookbook

by Kate Young

Would you like to taste Paddington Bear’s marmalade? Or a clam chowder from Moby Dick? Drawing from her popular food blog, The Little Library Café, Kate Young has created more than 100 recipes inspired by beloved works of fiction—classics and contemporary bestsellers alike, including stories for all ages. The appealing cookbook offers delectable dishes to serve for breakfast, family dinners, holiday meals, midnight feasts, and parties and celebrations. You'll learn how to prepare the afternoon tea served at Manderley and decadent tarts the Queen of Hearts would love—all while reading food-related excerpts from your favorite books.

Genres: Cookbooks, Nonfiction, Cooking, Food, Books About Books, Food and Drink, Australia

300 pages, Hardcover

First published October 5, 2017

About the author

Kate Young is a writer and cook. Her award-winning Little Library Cookbooks (The Little Library Cookbook, The Little Library Year, The Little Library Christmas, and The Little Library Parties) feature food inspired by beloved works of literature.

Her debut novel Experienced, a queer romcom set in Bristol, was released in summer 2024.

After a sunny Australian childhood, spent indoors reading books, she moved to London, which suited her much better. She now lives in the English countryside.

Reviews

[Karina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of the most interesting cookbooks I’ve ever read. It was like a book memoir with recipes or recipes with a memory of a special novel… two ways at looking at one thing, one might say…

Beautiful pictures but not sure the recipes really interest me in general, I think I like the book recommendations more. : )

Beautiful, thick pages and Kate Young does a fabulous job of swapping ingredients for others so I, personally, don't feel overwhelmed if I were to make something from the book.

Best cookbook I've seen in a while.

Thank you @Maegan for this wonderful book. Lovely. It's treasured

[Daisy May Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been waiting for this book for a while, ever since I came across Kate Young's work online and, in particular, the moment where she made breakfast rolls as inspired by The School at the Chalet by Elinor M. Brent-Dyer. What more perfect an aim could one wish for then a cookbook inspired by literary foods?

And this, this is perfect. It is a very particular sort of perfect, one crafted by brown-butter madeleines and porridge and Rebecca and The Bear Nobody Wanted, shifting from 'before noon', to 'around noon', to 'after noon', 'the dinner table', 'midnight feasts', 'parties and celebrations' and 'christmas', and stopping off at My Life in France and My Naughty Little Sister on the way.

The Little Library Cookbook is a delicious and intoxicating mixture of memory and recipe, where writing nestles up against recipe (which is, to be frank, a form as elegant as any poetry you'd dare to mention), and Bad Harry sits on one page whilst on another, Young's writing makes me want to try porridge. Porridge. I can't stand porridge, but this book makes me want to stand it, makes me want to try it through writing as delicious as this: "Pour the oats and water into a saucepan and leave to soak while you have a shower or check your emails or snooze against the doorframe - 1o minutes will do." Food, books, and snoozing. I am sold. I even want a spurtle.

I'm not one for cookbooks, not normally. I find them a little removed and unachieavable. Aspirational, yes, and inspiring, sometimes, but somehow never quite doable. But oh, I love The Little Library Cookbook because it's a tribute to language and fiction and food, all at the same time, and fiction sustains us, in its way, as much as a fried egg on toast does. This is cookery for readers and Young doesn't leave you behind. Her recipes are friendly and kind and honest; swap this for that, if you don't have this, here's a substitute, and her book choices are delightful.

I love work like this, and I love it when it feels like you've known a book for a long time even though you've just met. The Little Library Cookbook feels like family. It feels like home.

[Robin Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love cooking and I love books, so this is basically my ideal cookbook. Delightfully written, beautifully photographed and ENTIRELY relevant to my interests (Kate's childhood reading and my own were extremely similar), this really is a wonderful addition to anyone's shelf that will have you smiling with delight as you cook. 12+

*Please note: this review is meant as a recommendation only. Please do not use it in any marketing material, online or in print, without asking permission from me first. Thank you!*

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a bit more reading in this than in your average cookbook, and that is what makes it so delightful. Each recipe is a recreation based on a dish in one of the author's favourite books, and is accompanied by a quote from the book in question and the memories it evokes in the author (family events, fond childhood memories, a feeling, connections to a place or time in her life). Some of the recipes are quite involved (I'm not sure if I'll be making many of those), but alternatives and short cuts are sometimes offered and I liked the practical way the recipes are written. What really sets this apart though, is the connection to literature. The author's passion for both food and books really shines through. It truly is comfort food AND comfort reading, two things that go together so very well.

[Wren James · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cookbook where each recipe is paired with a novel - usually something the characters eat in the book! This is very quintessentially British, and I keep going back to it when I'm trying to choose what to cook. It's a very comforting read.

[Marina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of literary-themed recipes is the kind of cookbook you could happily read in bed. Each recipe has a quote from a book mentioning the food, and then a page of musings from the author: her relationship with the book, her ‘parent-heavy’ Australian childhood, her time sleeping in a kitchen (that’s London rents for you!)
Some of the foods chosen were (not unpleasantly) predictable, such as Paddington’s marmalade and Christmas fare from Dickens. Others were from books I’ve never heard of, such as ‘Two Weeks with the Queen.’
I liked the clean layout and the understated photos. My only disappointment was that there were a few recipes without pictures – after reading a description of tarts ‘filled with sweet, vanilla-scented custard, and topped with all the red berries you can find’ I excitedly looked for a picture – but there was none.
I read this book on my Kindle but I think it a paper version would make a lovely gift.

[LillyBooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, there wasn't a single recipe in here I'm going to try and make (but would be handy if I were having a theme party), but that's not why I checked this book out anyway. I liked the way the author quoted the exact line(s) about the food from the novel in question, and I enjoyed her little introduction to each recipe in which she discussed how that book or the food in the book or both intersected with her life in some way. The photos of the food were excellent, too, but not enough of them.

[Catherine Dix · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to attend an author event with Kate Young, where she discussed the inspiration behind her recipes, all drawn fro her favourite books, and served us tantalising treats. We ate spice cookies from We Have Always Lived in the Castle, sausgae rolls from Harry Potter, and drank wonderfully decadent chocolatl from Northern Lights. If you have an interest in food, books, or both, then get yourself a copy of the book. It is full of accessible, achievable recipes, it is beautifully presented with fab photographs, and it details the authors's journey through her favourite novels providing inspiration for your next read.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review coming on my blog this week.

[Sophie (RedheadReading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I likely won't cook many of the recipes because I have awkward dietary requirements but this was a delight to just read from cover to cover! Reminded me of so many of my favourite food moments from literature, whilst also introducing me to some novels which I'd like to check out.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just happened to pick up this book during my latest trip to the library. The idea is very quaint - to offer real recipes for food that has been mentioned in 100 different books. For example, the recipe included for The Godfather is spaghetti with meatballs and the recipe for The Great Gatsby is the classic Mint Julep. The author also provides a summary of why the book and the recipe resonated with her. It was really interesting to read and a book that I would love to spend more time exploring.

[Chris From RecipesNow! · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing up an avid reader, author Kate Young became fascinated with the food being eaten by the characters within her favorite novels. As someone who also enjoys creating food in the kitchen, she has managed to pair her two loves to create The Little Library Cookbook.

In her introduction, the author describes the recipes themselves, the ingredients and equipment required (including an essential equipment list), and the books from when she received her inspiration. In the On Reading section of her introduction, the author is quite poetic about her love of reading and books. Anyone reading this section will immediately want to reach for a favorite book.

The recipes themselves are broken up into unusual categories:

Before Noon
Around Noon
After Noon (Tea)
The Dinner Table
Midnight Feasts
Parties & Celebrations
Christmas

Each of the recipe categories begins with an explanation about the category. A quote from the book which inspired the recipe starts you off. Following this is a description from the author describing the recipe and/or her relationship to it.

Each of the recipes includes serving size, and equipment required. Many also offer substitutions or tips. About half of the recipes included photographs, some include step-by-step instructional pictures as well.

A recipe index comes after all the recipes, followed by an author index so you can look up the recipes based on your favorite writers as well.

New And Unique Yet Familiar

While all of the books, or the majority of them, will be familiar to most of the readers, the recipes are a more modern take on the familiar story. They are updated for use in a modern kitchen, yet still managed to evoke the feel of the book.

This is a wonderful book for any book fan who enjoys cooking. A terrific gift for any foodie who enjoys reading.

See the full review and the recipe for Sausage Rolls at The RecipesNow! Reviews And Recipes Magazine. This review is written in response to a complimentary hard copy of the book provided by the publisher in hopes of an honest review.

[Raquel (Silver Valkyrie Reads)]

2023 DNF: This had to go back to the library, and I intended to get it out again to finish it, but I’m slowly realizing that I like the idea of this book more than the actual experience. Somehow all the interesting recipes are from books I have no interest in, and the books I like have really basic boring recipes. I did like her approach to cooking and adjusting to what you have, so overall I’d recommend giving this a try if you might be interested. I’ll probably just stick to googling any specific recipes that sound intriguing from books.

Original DNF review:
I was enjoying this one, and will definitely be coming back to it. It was just in a batch of books that had to be suddenly returned to the library for an emergency trip.

[Claudia Fernández · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is my ideal book. I love when books have food in them, I always highlight the chapters where food is described fully and my mouth waters just by reading the words. This book turns those descriptions into realities, things you can actually eat.
But it doesn't just do that, it does it accompanied by the most charming stories from Kate Young's life and the most beautiful pictures. Honestly, I wish I could live in this book.
I have not done every recipe on the book yet (nor will I ever because some of them contain meat and fish and I do not eat either of those things) but I already know I'm going to love every single one of them I make.

[Ben Nielsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

My friend gifted me this book, which came in the post one day this week, along with two Bundt tins I’d bought.

More and more I want to read about food just as much as I want to eat it.

I think Kate’s cookbook is also a beautiful tome just to browse through; it has the loveliest reflections on literature and life and cooking.

[Lisa Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfection. Mix a love of literature with a love of food and you get this book. Wonderful, heartwarming stories that connect each literary reference to the writer's life and memories and provide an inspired recipe for each.

[Arnz McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love this book - it’s like my ultimate comfort blanket 💕

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm in no way culinarily inclined - read purely for the personal anecdotes and literary references (which were excellent)!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the idea of this cookbook yet I came out with more ideas for books to add to my ‘to-read’ list than actual recipes I want to make.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I too love associating food with books. For me, it's mostly food I've eaten while reading the book. There was Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley -- it seemed I was always reading it while eating garlicy grits with a fried egg on top...and a few others I can't think of (until I read the book again, of course -and then I crave whatever I was eating the last time I read it!).

Then there are books that I remember the food in the story -- but not the characters or the title. One teen-fiction novel described the main character's love of chocolate pudding and how the skin would form on the top when it was warm, and if the main character was lucky, she would eat the skin and it would sometimes form again, to her delight. I think about this every time I make chocolate pudding from scratch or "cook and serve" versions.

But this book is more about the food mentioned in books (all that the author has read), and her joy in recreating recipes or meals mentioned in the stories. I can dig that!

It has a wide variety of books and a wide variety of recipes. I'll probably return the book to the library without making any of the recipes, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book and looking at the food photos!

[Nancy Noble · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a delight to read - I love that the author is Australian, but lives in London. Many of the books I hadn't heard of, so I learned about those. And the ones I did know, it was fun to read about the recipes. Many of the recipes I hadn't heard of - and while I'm not a cook, I do like to read about books and food - two of my favorite subjects! Beautiful photographs too. And I like that there's a ribbon to hold my place. A quality book all around.

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oooh das ist wirklich sehr schön 😍 einige der Bücher stehen nun auf meiner Liste und das erste Rezept wird auch direkt heute Abend ausprobiert! Es herrscht eine sehr schöne Stimmung im ganzen Buch, zauberhaft!

[Lucie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely a few from here I will try!

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It makes me want to be a better person.

[Reannon Bowen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate’s writing is a delight to read. Her enthusiasm for food & reading is a joy. Her books are now some of my favourite. And she has inspired me to re-read some of my favourite stories.

[Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

A beautiful cookbook. Sadly, there’s not one recipe in here that I can attempt.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

My two passions, books and food together in one book.

[Madame Buchfein · Rating 5 out of 5]

☆✿☆ Rezension ☆✿☆
Ein traumhaftes Buch! Kein Roman, sondern ein Koch- und Backbuch mit den liebsten Rezepten der Autorin zu einigen ihrer liebsten Bücher.
☆
Die zwei Seiten Einstieg lassen sich schon so schön lesen und verdeutlichen ganz klar wie sehr die Autorin für das Lesen und das Zubereiten von Speisen lebt. So viel Leidenschaftlich und Liebe habe ich selten gelesen.
☆
Mit den Rezepten wird man einfach zum Kochen/Backen verführt. Aber noch viel wichtiger: einige der vorgestellten Bücher sind auf meiner Wunschliste gelandet, da ich ganz neugierig geworden bin. Ich selber kenne das Gefühl, wenn ich in Büchern von Gerichten lese und mir vorstellen kann wie das riechen bzw. schmecken muss. Das erzeugt für mich immer ein ganz besonders Gefühl. Das konnte sie für mich super herüberbringen und dadurch eben verführen.
☆
Enthalten sind die verschiedensten Rezepte. Unterteilt sind sie nach den Mahlzeiten des Tages. Einige sind recht "gewöhnlich", aber doch besonders und es reicht bis zu ganz ausgefallen Dingen, die man sich sonst nicht so vorstellen könnte. Aber durch den Zauber der dazugehörigen Bücher ändert sich das.
Zudem reicht die Spanne von recht schnellen Gerichten bis zu wirklich zeitaufwendigen - wobei keine Zeitabgabe dazu steht. Man muss sich also die Rezepte vorher mal anschauen um das grob abschätzen zu können.
Was ich auch sehr praktisch finde ist, dass man, soweit ich es gesehen habe die Gerichte mit einfachen Zutaten aus dem Supermarkt zubereiten kann und nicht ewig besondere Dinge einkaufen gehen muss.
☆
Geschrieben sind die Rezepte alle sehr leicht verständlich und es macht Spaß die Rezepte zu lesen. Ms. Young hat also gewiss ein Talent zum Formulieren von Rezepten. Bevor aber zur Tat geschritten wird, gibt es zu jedem Rezept noch einen kleinen einleitenden Text. Dieser beginnt mit einem Zitat des jeweiligen Buches und meist einer persönlichen Geschichte von ihr und dem Buch, welche gleichzeitig Lust darauf macht es selbst zu lesen.
☆
Leider ist nicht zu jedem Rezept ein Bild vorhanden. Zuerst fand ich das etwas störend, aber dann ist mir aufgefallen, dass sie nur bei Rezepten wie Marmelade oder Eiern fehlen. Also bei Köstlichkeiten die eh gleich aussehen, egal wie man sie würzt. Wisst ihr was ich meine? Kurz: Zu jedem Rezept wo man wirklich ein Foto braucht ist auch eines dazu.
Die Bilder sind wunderschön und heimelig. Auch das hochwertige Papier trägt zum Zauber der Bilder und allgemein dem des Buches bei.
☆
☆✿☆ Fazit ☆✿☆
Und auch wenn es vielleicht nicht immer so klingt, aber ich Rede hier von einem Kochbuch.
Es ist also absolut gelungen und ich kann es jedem Buchliebhaber empfehlen bzw. ist es auch ideal zum Verschenken an einen.
☆
☆✿☆ Vielen Dank an das Bloggerportal und den Wunderraum Verlag für die Bereitstellung des Rezensionsexemplars ☆✿☆

[Beth Bonini · Rating 4 out of 5]

The idea of recreating food that one has drooled over in books is not completely ‘novel’, but Kate Young takes this very appealing concept and makes it her own in The Little Library Cookbook. Although each recipe is inspired by a reference in a beloved book - and Young’s personal library takes in everything from children’s classics (Paddington’s marmalade, Mary Lennox’s porridge) to contemporary and international novels (Adichie’s Jollof Rice and Banana Yoshimoto’s ramen) - this is a work of memoir, too. Young liberally mixes in food memories from her childhood in Australia and her coming-of-age years in London and other cities. There is a direct line between reading for comfort and cooking and eating for comfort, and all three are totally bound up in the author’s identity and sense of her own ‘story’. Nostalgia, and the idea of home and home-making, reappear throughout the text, but are most beautifully described in the recipe for ‘Bread, Butter & Honey’ inspired by one of Young’s (and my) comfort reads: I Capture the Castle. In her words: Bread and butter, in my most homesick moments, ground me and remind me that I have made my own home.

Although I’ve read the book from cover to cover I must admit that I’ve never cooked anything from it - and so lack that ‘proof’ that can only be found in the pudding. I’m a pretty experienced cook and baker myself, and some of Young’s methods and flavour combinations are unusual (ie, suspicious) to me. I should probably revise or at least add to this review after I have tried out at least a half dozen of them. The truth is, though, that this is very much the kind of cookbook (I would even describe it as a food memoir) that can (and probably will) be just as often enjoyed as a good read.