The Book of Difficult Fruit Arguments for the Tart, Tender, and Unruly (with recipes) by Kate Lebo

In her fascinating and compulsively readable mashup of a field guide, memoir, natural history, and cookbook, Lebo profiles 26 fruits—from aronia to osage orange to yuzu—that are troublesome in some way. Whether they are difficult to cultivate or harvest, have a tendency to rot or poison, or feature a short span of ripeness or invasive roots, Lebo lets her amateur curiosity about them loose and weaves obscure knowledge, deep research, and dark humor through her personal essays. This collection is a unique and highly rewarding read.  —S.B.