It’s the awards season for movies; the Golden Globes have been distributed and the Academy Award nominations are released. This year, as in the past, I mentioned to my husband that we hadn’t seen any of the nominated films. He reminded me that we hardly ever go to movies. Oh, right. And I’m sure it’s been over a decade since we worked up the energy to go out to dinner AND a movie.
Don’t get me wrong - we watch plenty of movies at home. And we never miss dinner! So, I have a curated list for your at-home pleasure: cookbooks and DVDs. Voilà! Dinner and a movie night, just in time for Valentine’s Day. Pick your category and head over to the library.
Leftovers: “The Everlasting Meal Cookbook” by Tamar Adler (2023). This A-Z resource has plenty of ideas for using leftovers in creative ways. Pair it with Do-Overs: “Groundhog Day” (1993) with Bill Murray, or “Meet Cute” (2022) with Kaley Cuoco. Both films feature time loops, similar to seeing those same foods in your fridge.
Italian food: “Breaking the Rules: A Fresh Take on Italian Classics” by Joe Sasto (2025). Chef Sasto presents traditional dishes, but shows ways to change up traditional Italian fare. Pair it with last years’ Oscar contender, “Conclave” or “The Talented Mr. Ripley” (1999) for some drama and Italian scenery to go with your pasta.
Comfort food: “Modern Comfort Food” by Ina Garten (2020). These are traditional favorites livened up by the Barefoot Contessa. Pair them with “Pleasantville” (2011) or “Back to the Future” (2009) for a trip to the 1950s - the heyday of American comfort food.
Mmm, chocolate: “Chocolat: Parisian Desserts and Other Delights” by Aleksandra Crapanzano (2025). User-friendly recipes accompany a visual feast of illustrations. Lick the batter off your fingers while watching “Chocolat” (2001) or “Like Water for Chocolate” (2021).
Soup: “Taste of Home Soups & Breads” (2025) has over 200 recipes shared by home cooks on America’s #1 food/lifestyle brand. Pair it with some soup comedy: “Bridget Jones’s Diary” (2001) or “Young Frankenstein” (2006 ed.). It’s still great soup weather!
Southern cooking: “Recipes From the American South” by Michael W. Twitty (2025) includes essays on the cultural origins of many Southern specialties. Pair it with “Fried Green Tomatoes” (1991) or “My Cousin Vinny” (1992), both of which reference iconic Southern foods.
Recipes From the American South
Pie, of course: “Pie Camp” by Kate McDermott (2020), a Washingtonian who will teach you mad pie skills. Pair your new talents with “Waitress” (2007) or “Waitress: The Musical” (2023), about a waitress and expert pie-maker.
Celebrity chefs: “Martha: The Cookbook” by Martha Stewart (2024) celebrates her 100th book with 100 treasured recipes. Pair it with a film that features cooking themes - “Julie & Julia” (2009), or “Last Holiday” (2017).
-Blog post by Senior Collection Development Librarian Beth Wood. This article was originally published as part of her weekly column, Check It Out, in The Columbian.
New at the Library
This is just a small sampling of the many new titles added each week to the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District collection. Visit the district’s 15 locations, our website at www.fvrl.org, or call (360) 906-5000 to reserve titles or find additional listings.
FICTION
“Stolen in Death” by J. D. Robb
“Isles of the Emberdark” by Brandon Sanderson
“The Devil’s Daughter” by Danielle Steel
NONFICTION
“The Love Language That Matters Most” by Gary D. Chapman
“Beyond Infidelity: How to Turn the End of Your Relationship Into the Beginning of Your Life” by Lauren LaRusso
“The Pain Brokers: How Con Men, Call Centers and Rogue Doctors Fuel America’s Lawsuit Factory” by Elizabeth Chamblee Burch
CHILDREN
“Haircut Day With Dad” by Monica Mikai
“How to Hatch: A Gosling’s Guide to Breaking Free” by Sara Holly Ackerman
“Alice With a Why” by Anna James
Add a comment to: Check It Out: Dinner and a Movie