Blogmas day 10
If the festive season is about good food, good company and a dash of culture, these books deliver just that. Here are three titles from Luath Press that make for perfect Christmas reading, whether you’re cooking up a storm or simply savouring the warmth of great stories around food.
This is more than a cookbook. It is a love letter to Southern Italian food, wine, culture and family tradition. Written by Anne Pia, Magnaccioni invites you into a world where simple, fresh ingredients become joyful feasts and food is as much about heart and heritage as it is about flavour.
Reading this book invites a festive mood even before you start cooking. Imagine pasta bubbling on the stove, the scent of herbs in the air and the glow of family around the table. It is ideal for those cosy winter nights when you want comfort, aroma and a sense of connection to home.
This guide to the traditional Scottish supper, written by Clark McGinn, is indispensable if you want to host or attend a proper Burns Supper. It covers everything: the structure of the night, menu and courses, how to give speeches, what to serve and even includes a selection of the great poems of Robert Burns complete with translations.
For Christmas and New Year get-togethers or even Hogmanay celebrations that bleed into Burns season, this book is a brilliant way to bring people together, spark conversation and enjoy some hearty food and drink in classic Scottish style.
If you like humour with a side of local flavour, this collection of Glasgow granny sayings and patter offers tongue-in-cheek wisdom, warmth and laughs. Written by Allan Morrison and illustrated in classic style, the book brings a mix of wit, nostalgia and Scots charm that feels perfect for relaxed reading beside the fire.
It is not strictly a food book but it captures a way of life, memories and a sense of community that sit beautifully alongside a seasonal meal, a dram or a gathering of friends and family.
