Emily Nussbaum’s latest book, , chronicles the rise and fall of reality television. In chipper prose, the rigorously researched history explores how certain networks have managed to seize our collective attention span with a spate of “real” programming. From to and beyond, what is it about this narrative model that’s so hearty? Inspired by Nussbaum’s project, I’ve assembled a reading list that treats your guilty pleasure as a springboard.
If you like those fake-reals, try these real-fakes. For fans of fine cuisine and the penetrating gaze of Paul Hollywood, is a moveable feast. This slim, engaging novel follows Mauro, a young chef on a journey of sense-based self-discovery.
It shouldn’t surprise you that this ode to the epicure is filled with tantalizing food descriptions. Here, a U-Bahn station kebab is not a quick snack, but “ .” On the page and on the plate, we’re snacking.
Nora Ephron’s , and Laura Esquivel’s These two novels also enlist food as a love language. Bonus points for the recipes. If your interest in this super-yacht is purely nautical, may seem an unusual recommendation.
But this tightly plotted portrait of a wealthy white family and the black servants they exploit perfectly captures the upstairs/downstairs dynamic familiar to all passengers of a certain troubled ship. The novel is also built of fascinating characters. Like Mr.
Sitwell, a groundskeeper turned butler with a history-sized chip on his shoulder. For more slow-boiling class .