Reading order
| # | Title | Published | Author | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Consuming Passions | 1999 | Michael Lee West / Piper Maitland | Buy |
Michael Lee West published Consuming Passions in 1999, her only non-fiction book. It blends Southern family recipes with essays about the people, places, and occasions that shaped her relationship with food. The writing style matches her fiction: warm, funny, and packed with personality.
The book sits at the intersection of food writing and memoir. Rather than listing recipes with clinical instructions, West wraps each dish in a story about her grandmother’s kitchen, holiday gatherings, or the comfort of making something familiar during a difficult time. For readers who already enjoy West’s novels, Consuming Passions offers a glimpse into the real-life inspirations behind her fictional Southern families.