So what books have you been eating up lately?

This whole article is an exercise in answering that question, and I’m inviting you to create you own menu like mine—following this downloadable guide:

Quick Backstory

We’ve been married for 16 years, and in that time, I’ve read probably 1,500 books. My wife has read maybe 20—and that’s no exaggeration.

My wife’s not a reader, and while it’s never been a source of contention between us, we’ll occasionally tiff over the usefulness of certain books. In the car the other day, she told our daughter (age 12, who’s becoming quite an avid reader herself): “Fiction is pointless and a waste of time. The only books worth reading are biographies.” I simply had to intervene.

After a little back-and-forth in which I argued for value in all types of reading, I “won” the argument by offering up the following analogy:

Biographies are like meat, heavy with protein and an important part of the meal, but not the meal itself. Other helpful nonfiction books are like veggies, which you also need, and fiction is like your carbs, your starches and staple foods. It’s unhealthy to consume just one of these (unless you’re on a specific diet for a set amount of time). Some people overeat their starches (read only fiction), and it’s obviously bad for them, but a balanced, healthy life requires that you have at least some carbs in your diet.

My wife called this “a fair analogy” and it settled the matter (I finally won one!), but it also got me thinking:

• If biographies are meat, then what kind of meat?
• Does it change from book to book?
• And do fiction authors differ in the kind of carbs they represent?

With such questions in my mind as I drove, I began building a Reading Menu based on some of the books I’ve consumed. While the menu below comes from my own reading habits up to this point, the process can work for anyone.

I developed that PDF version you can download and work on for yourself—or assign to a literature class. I’d love to know what entrees you come up with, so drop some of your favorites in the comments below!

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Appetizers

(Short stories)

Stuffed Mushrooms – Love of Life and Other Stories (1907) by Jack London. With a whiff of earthiness, these bit-sized morsels are rich and full. Not the most elegant or beautiful dish on the menu, but surprisingly satisfying.

Bloomin Onion – The Brides of Solomon and Other Stories (1958) by Geoffrey Household. This appetizer in its various versions is an easy go-to, even if it’s not as “foreign” as it purports to be. Household was a Brit who loved Spain and wrote about many other places in Europe and around the world. He’s an easy go-to author for me.

Spinach-Artichoke Dip – The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More (1977) by Roald Dahl. Although I never dreamed food with this label would appeal to me, I was hooked from my first bite. This was the first Dahl book I ever read, and I’ve been an avid fan ever since.

Chili-cheese Fries – Is It Possible? (2021) by Doug Ohman. Take three great things, mash them together, and this delight is the result. Ohman combines metal detecting, history, and fiction in this marvelous collection that’s well worth a read.

Mini Egg Rolls – Sweet and Sour: Tales from China (1978) retold by Carol Kendall and Yao-wen Li. Who cares if these things have been Westernized? They’re delicious! Every bite’s worth it, and they’re sure to bring a smile to your face.

Nachos – The Complete Robot (1982) by Isaac Asimov. You might not want to order it at first, but when you get into a good plate of nachos, you’re introduced to the whole delightful world of Tex-Mex. Even if it all tastes the same after a while, you just have to go back. That’s how it’s been for me with Isaac Asimov.

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Meats

(Biographies)

32oz. Prime Rib – The Theodore Rex trilogy by Edmund Morris. Rich and satisfying, they’re worth the cost, time, and shelf space. For a 64oz. Prime Rib, try Winston Churchill’s The Second World War—I couldn’t finish this extravagant meal myself, yet still plan to try again.

T-Bone Steak – Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage (1959) by Alfred Lansing. Crisp, luxurious, and yet with parts that are hard to get around, this story (and the original South: The Endurance Expedition, 1919, by Earnest Shackleton himself) is a must-read. It’s the epitome of survival tales.

Flatiron Steak – Boy (1984) and Going Solo (1986) by Roald Dahl. Few people even know this cut of meat or these books exist, yet when I first tried each, they became instant favorites.

16oz. Sirloin Steak – Catch Me If You Can (1980) by Frank Abagnale. It’s the most common steak option, and pretty much everyone knows this story. Doesn’t mean it’s not worth trying again and again though. There’s just something oddly satisfying about it!

Fried Chicken – A Walk across America by Peter Jenkins. Perhaps it’s because he spends much of the book describing his relationships and meals from North Carolina on down to Louisiana, but this wonderful travelogue almost demands you read it with some deliciously greasy fried chicken in hand.

Chicken Tenders – The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (2015) by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer. What most kids love to order, adults can enjoy too.

Chicken Wings – Daring Devotion (2020) and Daring Dependance (2022) by M.R. Conrad. Often considered an appetizer, these collections of rich, inspiring missionary biographies are actually a full meal in and of themselves.

Porkchops – Gunslinger (2016) by Jeff Pearlman. It sounds better than it is. You suddenly forget that bacon exists, and you wonder if it really is wise to eat pigs. You stare at your plate and regret this dry meat covered in mushy apples and too much cinnamon. Ugh. That’s how I felt with Brett Favre’s biography.

Meatloaf – Maus I (1986) by Art Spiegelman. Most people would never admit to ordering the meatloaf, but when they do, they’re usually pleasantly surprised by its robust, satisfying flavor. That’s exactly what happens with this graphic novel. An all-time best.

Mystery Meat – Alive (1974) by Piers Paul Read. Can’t divulge what it really is, but it’s definitely protein! The book is incredible, yet people you tell simply can’t believe you’d love a book about….that.

The Impossible Burger – The God of the Garden (2021) by Andrew Peterson. It’s not really meat and it’s not really a biography, but man, you could have fooled me! A wonderful plant-based book.

Catfish Cheeks – Papillon (1970) by Henri Charriere. Because you’re probably thinking, “What in the world?” Just try it, man. Just try it.

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Burgers and Sandwiches

(General Nonfiction)

Bacon Bleu Burger with Fried Jalapenos and Spicy Mayo – Lit! (2011) by Tony Reinke. No restaurant I know of makes this sandwich, but one back home allows me to special-order it, so I feel like they should put it on the menu and name it after me. That’s how I feel about this book, one that defines so much of what I do as a reader and writer. It’s like it was written just for me.

Portabella Mushroom Burger – The China Mirage (2015) by James Bradley. I hated mushrooms before accidentally ordering this burger as a teenager, but when I finished eating it, I suddenly loved mushrooms. I knew I’d just had an eye-opening experience. Likewise this book changed my understanding of US-Chinese relations and the realities of propaganda. I’ll never look at things the same again.

Undercooked Frozen Chicken Sandwich – MacArthur: America’s General (2011) by Mitchell Yockelson. I hate to berate an author who’s taken the effort to write, so I guess I’m left to berate the publishers who chose to sell bad writing. This was one of the worst biographies I’ve ever read, and it shouldn’t even be on the menu. But it is. Don’t order it.

Tuna Fish Sandwich – Shenzhen: A Travelogue (2006) by Guy Delisle. You wouldn’t think to order this when there’s so much more on the menu, but man you enjoy it when you do! That’s how I felt when I read this comic—Delisle quickly became one of my favorite artists and writers about travel and culture.

Club Sandwich – Food: A Love Story (2014) by Jim Gaffigan. This one has everything, looks beautiful on the plate, and yet goes down so fast you wish there was more.

Fish and Chips – The Death and Life of the Great Lakes (2017) by Dan Egan. This natural history of America’s Great Lakes will shock you, and its subject matter will eek its way into your conversations on a weekly basis…kind of like a Fish Fry Friday.

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Veggies

(Spiritual and Self-help Books)

House Salad – Respectable Sins (2007) by Jerry Bridges. The house salad is so common and underappreciated that it’s almost like it isn’t there. That’s the reality of the “respectable sins” Bridges dissects in this book. It’s a great reminder of the dangers of spiritual complacency.

Caesar Salad – Theology That Sticks (2022) by Chris Anderson. You wouldn’t think that an ageless thing like salad could be changed forever by some guy with a special dressing, but that’s exactly what Caesar Cardini did 100 years ago. Chris Anderson’s book might not change the landscape of worship-music forever, but I think his music will, and this book helps explain why.

Taco Salad – Four Views on Hell (1997) and other books in the Counterpoints series. I always thought that taco salads were small like side salads, but nope! These are full meals that cover all points of the Food Pyramid (and then some). These Counterpoints books by Zondervan are like seminary classes in book form. So rich!

Grilled Asparagus – Heaven (2004) by Randy Alcorn. To enjoy this dish, you’ve gotta first love asparagus—but if you do, the charred oil and spices make this a dish to die for. Similarly, you’ve got to have a mind set on things above plus a good imagination to enjoy this book properly—and if you do, this book is another thing “to die for.”

Mixed Veggies – The Return of the Gods (2022) by Jonathan Cahn. Why would anyone ever order these mushy pieces of throw-away vegetation that have all the nutrients steamed or boiled out of them? Why are people so drawn to “Christian” conspiracy theories? These are American mysteries I’ll never understand. Avoid this dish.

Stir Fry – Peace Child (1974) by Don Richardson. Done right, a good stir fry can help you see that the world is a big place of exotic foods worth exploring. Don Richardson’s Peace Child and Lords of the Earth (1977) do the same for me with regards to missions and the vast world of needs out there.

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Sides

(Fiction)

White Rice – For Whom the Bell Tolls by Earnest Hemingway (1940). Spoiler: it tolls for thee. White rice is a staple food for many people, much like how some think every classic out there is a “must read.” Not me. I’ve tried reading this book multiple times, but I’ve found it bland and a chore to get through. There’s better options out there.

Herbed Wild Rice – The Secret of Santa Vittoria by Robert Crichton (1966). Contrast this to plain ol’ white rice, and you’ll readily see the difference. If you can’t stomach classics but want something hearty that should be a classic, try this out. You won’t be disappointed.

Mashed Potatoes – The Jungle by Upton Sinclair (1907). Just like meat needs potatoes, a good biography needs some strong historical fiction for context. That’s what The Jungle did for me with Theodore Rex.

French Fries – Raise the Titanic! By Clive Cussler (1976). No one needs the fatty calories of French fries, yet we love them nonetheless. That’s been my interest in adventure novelists like Clive Cussler all along. Wasted time perhaps, but I’ll always go back for more.

Seasoned Potatoe Wedges – The Martian by Andy Weir (2011). Like the heftier version of the lowly fry, this book takes adventure to a new level. It’s not just the potatoes that matches these two for me, it’s the “Wow” factor—like, “Wow, I can’t believe something that normal can be that good.”

Sweet Potato Fries – Kolymsky Heights by Lionel Davidson (1996). This is the elegant fry, the one that you photograph for Instagram and tell all your friends about. You’ve never read a spy thriller quite like this.

Hush Puppies – The Last of the Breed by Louis L’Amour. Most of his Westerns are gritty, greasy, and all taste pretty much the same, yet they’re also mysteriously delicious and filling. This book isn’t a Western, but it’s my favorite L’Amour of all.

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Drink and Dessert Menu

(I know I shouldn’t, but…)

Coke Products – Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan. Adding 300+ calories to your meal (plus refills) never affected you in your teens, so why should it now? Books like those in this series grab your attention yet also feed you stuff you really shouldn’t be ingesting. Just order water and be done with it.

House Coffee – Congo by Michael Crichton (1980). Most house coffees are garbage, but since free refills are always available, you keep drinking…and drinking. That’s how I feel with Michael Crichton. I’ve read 5 of his books but haven’t enjoyed any except this first. Why do I keep going back? His ideas are thrilling, but his language is terrible and his execution is beyond sub-standard.

Tea – 12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson (2018). Drinking tea at a restaurant makes you look dignified and scholarly—but after a while you realize it also makes you look snooty and not very good with your money. “Goodness, this is just hot water and a $0.10 teabag!? I paid $4 for this!” I feel the same way about Jordan Peterson: he sounds smart, but he’s also an Agnostic posing as a biblical expert. Something doesn’t add up.

Frozen Yogurt Shake – 5 Very Good Reasons to Punch a Dolphin in the Mouth by Matthew Inman (2011). “Sure I’ll chase that monster bacon butter-burger and deep-fried cheese curds with a concrete frozen yogurt shake!” This book is irreverent, oftentimes dirty, and utterly hilarious. I don’t need it, but if ever there were a guilty pleasure, it’s my enjoyment of Matthew Inman’s humor.

Fruit Smoothie – Adam by Ted Dekker (2008). There’s no denying it: finishing off your burger basket with a 900-calorie “fruit” smoothie is bad for you. Trying to convince yourself that reading psycho trash “by a Christian author” is somehow good for you is equally delusional. 

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Conclusion

Again, this menu is totally my own and you might disagree with my selections. Great! Take a shot at building your own—and let me know what books you’re eating up.

©2025 E.T.

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