All Booked Up

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The leaves are turning copper, gold and crimson and the season of hunkering down with a good book nears.

Luckily, I have many a culinary tome awaiting. From the highly anticipated look at modern molecular gastronomy god Ferran Adria, "Day at ElBulli," to a scientific investigation behind what we toss down our gullets, "Food Bites," I have quite a collection of tasty reads ahead of me.

I'm also look forwarding to perusing the pages of "Secrets of the Red Lantern," a Vietnamese family memoir that weaves authentic recipes within the heartfelt tales of war and renewal.

Straightforward cookbooks are also in the mix, including the lush "Things Cooks Love" and the baking guide from Brooklyn's own dessert doyenne Melissa Murphy, "The Sweet Melissa Baking Book."

But later this week, a little literary treasure is coming my way, courtesy of my publishing world pal Bethanne -- a signed copy of "Serve the People: A Stir-Fried Journey Through China." This is surely the book I will be reading on Friday when I board my flight bound for Cathay. And hopefully, after finishing the last chapter, I'll be well-prepared for stir-frying my own journey through Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing!