We have an extensive library at The School

With over 1000 books, spanning over 500 years with our oldest bread history papers in the collection from the 1500s.

We also have all our research papers printed and filed to read and our own bound collections of our favourite studies for our student to really immerse themselves in the subject. These are some of the books I recommend to students coming to The Sourdough School to borrow from the library.

Bread Books

Tartine Book No. 3: Ancient Modern Classic Whole by Chad Robertson

Perhaps one of my favourite books, not least because the developer of the formulas was Richard Hart who is now head baker at Hart Bageri bakery in partnership with Noma in Copenhagen. Richard wrote the forward to The Sourdough School book.

Bread: A Baker’s Book of Techniques and Recipes by Jeffrey Hamelman

Probably one of the single most influential books in bread making. It is technically brilliant. It’s a book that we use here – I often dip in and have a read. It has that lovely technical side to it, which is reassuring when you need it.

The Handmade Loaf by Dan Lepard

This book revolutionised the way we think about artisan bread. Dan is really the father of the bread movement. A friend and mentor.

The Tivoli Road Baker: Recipes and Notes from a Chef Who Chose Baking by Michael James

An incredibly beautiful book. It’s not all sourdough, but it is exquisite and I find it very inspiring.

Sourdough by Martina Goernemann

A lovely collection of recipes and interviews with sourdough bakers from across the world.

How To Make Sourdough: 45 recipes for great-tasting sourdough breads that are good for you, too by Emmanuel Hadjiandreou

Emmanuel is another tutor at the school. His book is a good step-by-step guide for sourdough bakers.

Health and the gut microbiome 

The Diet Myth: The Real Science Behind What We Eat by Tim Spector

This is a book I really recommend everyone should read. If you buy only one book from this list, this is the one.

Gut and Psychology Syndrome: Natural Treatment for Autism, Dyspraxia, A.D.D., Dyslexia, A.D.H.D., Depression, Schizophrenia by Dr Natasha Campbell-McBride

A book which talks about physical and mental health, and the nutritional biochemical connections between psychiatric and neurological disorders and gastrointestinal functions. Definitely a book worth reading.

The Mind-Gut Connection: How the Hidden Conversation Within Our Bodies Impacts Our Mood, Our Choices, and Our Overall Health by Dr Emeran Mayer

An exploration of neuroscience, brain function and how these are linked to the digestive system.

Missing Microbes: How Killing Bacteria Creates Modern Plagues by Martin Blaser

How the use of antibiotics is damaging our gut microbiome and causing unforeseen problems in human health.

Gut by Giulia Enders

A book that I’d recommend for anyone who is just starting out in learning more about the gut.

The Psychobiotic Revolution by Scott C Anderson

An introduction to the new field of psychobiotics – the relationship between the gut microbiome and mental health.

 

Fermentation

The Art of Fermentation: An In-depth Exploration of Essential Concepts and Processes from Around the World by Sandor Katz

Sandor has spent quite some time here at the school and is one of the people I’ve really learned a lot from. He has been a tutor on some of our courses.

Eat Right by Nick Barnard

Another tutor at The Sourdough School. Nick is the owner of Rude Health. I’d highly recommend this book to anyone who is wanting to get into fermenting and eating with wellness in mind.

Kimchi: Essential Recipes of the Korean Kitchen by Byung-Hi Lim and Byung-Soon Lim

Dozens of recipes and a great source of inspiration. This is the book I use when I’m making kimchi.

Salted by Mark Bitterman

I couldn’t put this one down. I enjoyed it immensely. A very interesting book on salt, its uses and history – who knew there was so much to learn about salt!

Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking by Samin Nosrat

I met Samin in London, we have a lot of friends in common. This is a beautifully illustrated and informative book.