Ever wanted to be that person who’s in the know about wine and wine pairings? Get inspired this week with wine expert and author of Wineocology, Caitlin Stansbury! Here, Caitlin shares the top five books that inspired her to write her book:

The Oxford Companion to Wine by Jancis Robinson

“As a certified wine expert and author, I wrote my book, Wineocology, because I didn’t like many of the wine books on the market. I felt that most wine books were either loaded with too much information or not enough. But this book is an exception. It is not only a great read for all levels of interest, but every page has something cool and of note. You can blindly open the book and find out something you didn’t know before. And that’s what a great book does – inform and inspire.”

Modernist Cuisine: The Art and Science of Cooking by Nathan Myhrvold

“I am fascinated by the molecular gastronomy revolution taking place in the culinary world. It is one of the most incredible experiences to eat food that is familiar yet prepared in a way that is utterly surprising. That’s what modern cooking is all about. This book really illustrates the inventiveness of this new movement, while providing great explanations and pictures to boot. Beautiful and bold! One of my favorite new books.”

I Know How to Cook by Ginette Mathiot

“Having just recommended an incredibly 21st century cooking guide, I feel I must also recommend a book that is the bedrock of the basics. You can’t change the status quo without knowing it first and this book is the bible of French home cooking. It is a must for anyone who likes to cook.”

Zen in the Art of Archery by Eugen Herrigel

“My co-author, Heidi, and I both picked this book as one of our main inspirations. It not only continues to inform our approach to life but it is also reflects the essence of our book, Wineocology. In fact, the title of the introduction to our book is “Zen and the Art of Wine Appreciation.” This book introduced the world to the uniquely Eastern concepts of focusing and stilling your mind on one thing so that you can truly evaluate and enjoy the object of your focus more intensely. It’s a life-changing read.”

Write the Perfect Book Proposal: 10 That Sold and Why by Jeff Herman and Deborah Levine Herman

“My co-author, Heidi, picked this one. Ten years ago she had an idea for a book but didn’t know the first thing about how to get it published. She saw this book on Oprah (true story!) – went out and bought it, and has had a career in writing ever since. Everyone should have the tools they need to realize their dreams, and for non-fiction writers, this one’s a must.”

Pinterest PS – Inspire your inner wine-o with this Pinterest board!