L.A. Times Cookbook Hotlist

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

Last Week: 3

Weeks on List: 24

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2. “Sugar Busters!” by H. Leighton Stewart, Morrison C. Bethea, Sam S. Andrews and Luis A. Balart (Ballantine Books, $23.95). Lose weight the New Orleans way.

Last Week: 6

Weeks on List: 27

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

Last Week: 7

Weeks on List: 67

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

Last Week: 1

Weeks on List: 32

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

Last Week: 9

Weeks on List: 21

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

Last Week: 2

Weeks on List: 88

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

Last Week: 5

Weeks on List: 25

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8. “The Best Recipe: Soups and Stews” by the editors of Cook’s Illustrated magazine. (Boston Common Press, $29.95). The series takes on chowder, goulash, bisque and more.

Last Week: --

Weeks on List: 1

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

Last Week: 4

Weeks on List: 70

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10. “The Minimalist Cooks Dinner” by Mark Bittman (Broadway Books, $26). Quick ideas for the “What’s for dinner?” question.

Last Week: 10

Weeks on List: 4

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