Southern Cooking
Kick the new year off by leveling up your home cooking with this encyclopedic collection of southern recipes from culinary historian Michael W. Twitty. “Recipes from the American South” features a compendium of more than 260 iconic dishes, from Texas caviar to red eye gravy, she-crab soup, Cajun pig’s ears pastry, mint juleps and much more. Each recipe is extensively researched and includes its history and impact on the region’s community and cuisine. Of the book, James Beard Award-winning chef, restaurateur and humanitarian José Andrés notes, “Michael Twitty is an inspiring storyteller who pulls you in with his deep and personal understanding of history, culture, ingredients, and people. He has written an instant classic – a must-have reference book peeling back the layers of American Southern cooking.”
NPR’s Best
In December, National Public Radio released its list of favorite books for 2025. Two notable New Orleans favorites made the cut.
The list highlighted the latest release from New Orleans native Michael Lewis for his editorial direction of collected political essays, “Who is Government: The Untold Story of Public Service.”
Also recognized was James Beard Award-winning Chef Nina Compton’s colorful cookbook and memoir “Kwéyòl / Creole Recipes, Stories, and Tings from a St. Lucian Chef’s Journey: A Cookbook.”
Book Awards
The National WWII Museum announced the creation of its annual book awards, which “will recognize the most outstanding nonfiction books on WWII history published each year while supporting authors in their scholarly endeavors and promoting the field of WWII historical research,” according to a recent press release.
Awards will be given to 2026 publications in two nonfiction categories: the Best Book in WWII History Award, and the Best Debut Book in WWII History Award.
According to the release, “Respective prizes of $50,000 and $10,000 will support awardees’ continued research, writing and contributions to the library of World War II.”
Submissions will be accepted now through Dec. 31. Finalists and award winners will be announced in 2027. For more information on nomination criteria and the submission process, visit nationalww2museum.org/bookawards.
Events
Saturday, Jan. 3
Celebrate author J. R. R. Tolkien’s birthday with a special “Hobbit Day,” 2 to 3:30 p.m., at the Milton H. Latter Memorial Library branch Uptown. The event will include games, crafts and activities perfect for “Lord of the Rings” fans of all ages. Nolalibrary.org
Saturday, Jan. 10
Enrich beginning readers with Magical Story Time for Kids at Baldwin & Co., 10 to 11 a.m. Children will enjoy a special reading, interactive fun, as well as take home a book of their own with pre-registration. Baldwinandcobooks.com
Tuesday, Jan. 13
Join in a virtual conversation, 1 to 2 p.m. with author and political commentator David Brooks with the New Orleans Public Library’s ongoing author series. Brooks will discuss his book “How to Know a Person.” Attendees are invited to submit questions as well for
a Q&A session. Nolalibrary.org
Friday, Jan. 16
Word smiths and book lovers will want to mark their calendars for a special author event featuring Stefan Fatsis, author of the New York Times bestseller “WORD FREAK,” at Octavia Books, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Fatsis will present and sign his book “Unabridged: The Thrill of (and Threat to) the Modern Dictionary.” Octaviabooks.com
Saturday, Jan. 17
The New Orleans Public Library hosts its “Teatime Reading Nook,” 3 to 4 p.m., at the Cita Dennis Hubbell branch. Read and discuss short stories while enjoying tea and cookies with friends. Nolalibrary.org
