Cups & Curiosity

If you’re into stories that blend tech startups, sister dynamics, and rare books with a little romance and soul-searching thrown in, The Cookbook Collector by Allegra Goodman might be right up your alley. It’s one of those quiet, character-driven novels that sneaks up on you with its depth.

The story follows two sisters, Emily and Jess, who couldn’t be more different. Emily’s the ambitious CEO of a booming tech company in the late ’90s, riding the wave of the dot-com craze. Jess, on the other hand, is a dreamy philosophy student working part-time at a quirky rare bookstore. She’s not exactly focused—floating between causes, relationships, and ideas—but that’s part of her charm.

While Emily is all about strategy, spreadsheets, and preparing her company for a big IPO, Jess is cataloging a mysterious collection of old cookbooks and getting tangled up with her grumpy but fascinating boss, George. The contrast between the fast-paced world of tech and the slow, thoughtful world of rare books becomes one of the book’s big themes—and it’s honestly really satisfying to see how it all unfolds.

Goodman has a smart, Austen-esque writing style, full of sharp observations about people and the times they live in. But she’s also warm and forgiving toward her characters, which makes them feel real. Even the side characters—boyfriends, investors, coworkers—feel like they could walk off the page and into your local coffee shop.

The cookbooks in the title are more than just old recipes—they’re symbols of memory, connection, and the slower pleasures of life. While Emily’s world is all speed and growth, Jess starts to see the value in slowing down, savoring things, and looking deeper.

By the end, The Cookbook Collector becomes a thoughtful reflection on what really matters—love, loss, purpose, and those unexpected things (like a handwritten note in a cookbook) that stay with us. It’s not a flashy page-turner, but if you enjoy books that make you think and feel, it’s a rewarding read.

Final Thoughts:
This one’s perfect for fans of character-driven fiction, anyone who’s ever worked in (or been baffled by) the tech world, or book lovers who dream of discovering a treasure trove of forgotten recipes and stories. Plus, it might make you want to start your own rare cookbook collection.