L.A. Times Cookbook Hotlist

1. “French Lessons” by Peter Mayle (Alfred Knopf, $24). The colorful French and how they eat.

Last Week: 1; Weeks On List: 9

2. “Fast Food Nation” by Eric Schlosser (Houghton Mifflin, $25). A condemnation of the national pastime.

Last Week: 2; Weeks On List: 19

3. “Kitchen Confidential” by Anthony Bourdain (Ecco Press, $14). The bad boy is back--in paperback.

Last Week: 4; Weeks On List: 54

4. “How to Read a French Fry” by Russ Parsons (Houghton Mifflin, $25). Times’ Food Editor makes cooking science interesting--and tasty.

Last Week: 10; Weeks On List: 6

5. “Barefoot Contessa Parties” by Ina Garten (Clarkson Potter, $32.50). The chic takeout store is back!

Last Week: 3; Weeks On List: 11

6. “The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook” by Ina Garten (Clarkson Potter, $32.50). The first book from the specialty food store in the Hamptons.

Last Week: 8; Weeks On List: 75

7. “How to Grill” by Steven Raichlen (Workman, $19.95). A picture-filled textbook for the barbecue-challenged.

Last Week: 5; Weeks On List: 5

8. “The Best Recipe” by the editors of Cook’s Illustrated magazine (Boston Common Press, $29.95). “Ultimate” examples of favorite dishes.

Last Week: --; Weeks On List: 37

9. “Suzanne Somers’ Eat, Cheat and Melt the Fat Away” (Crown, $25). A manual for how to cheat on a diet.

Last Week: 7; Weeks On List: 12

10. “The Cake Mix Doctor” by Anne Byrn (Workman, $14.95). How to turn a box cake into something special.

Last Week: 9; Weeks On List: 68

Rankings are based on a Times poll of national and independent cookbook sellers.