June 29, 2026

House of Books in Kent turns 50 this year. In the spirit of our food issue,  we asked the staff for their favorite cookbook recommendations—the list that came  back is as eclectic as the store itself. Their top three bestsellers are here too.

Turtle Island by Sean Sherman

“The best cookbooks are also about people and places. Here, Lakota chef Sherman delves into indigenous cuisines from North America, with astonishing stories linking the recipes to the natural world, its seasons, its peoples.”
Benjamin Rybeck
General Manager

The Hot Dog Cookbook by Farideh Sadeghin

“This smart little book has it all: history, cooking techniques, buns, and of course recipes from across
the states and around the world.”
Mary Hembree
Bookseller

Something from Nothing  by Alison Roman

“Creative and delicious recipes using what you have on hand, like an appetizer of radishes with butter and salt to complement a main course of spicy vinegar chicken and tomatoes. Wonderfully simple!”
Mary Hembree
Bookseller

The Korean Vegan  by Joanne Lee Molinaro

“An Instagram star also crafts rich, beautiful cookbooks. Personal stories are interspersed with recipes that prove vegan dishes can easily equal meat and dairy in flavor and fun.” 
Benjamin Rybeck
General Manager

The Pickled City  by Paul van Ravestein, Sandor Ellix Katz, and Monique Mulder

“Take a briny journey through New York City, one pickle at a time. This book is for pickle-lovers, yes, but also for lovers of history and culture, compiled through vivid photographs and stories of interest”.
Rye Bell
Inventory coordinator

Top Three Bestsellers Are:

Blueberries  for Sal Cookbook credited to  Robert McCloskey
(the original children’s  book author; the cookbook is a  tie-in to his classic)

Good and Sweet by Brian Levy

Salt Fat Acid Heat by Samin Nosrat