Here's another, certainly worth borrowing from the library (I don't think I'd buy it in hardback) - Nicole Mones's "The Last Chinese Chef." The story's "hook" is the world of Chinese Imperial cuisine and the many roles cooking plays in Chinese culture and, in particular, in one Chinese family.
The story is basically a love story - not my favorite genre - but if you've ever read a cookbook just for fun, you'll enjoy this book. No recipes, but some nice discussions of what makes good food great - and I love the bits of Chinese social interactions and manners sprinkled throughout.
It will be awhile before I eat Chinese-American without wishing it was real Chinese cuisine.
