Shorter days, cooler temperatures and leaves changing color on the trees all signal the arrival of fall. I am always excited for this time of year full of fall festivals and holidays that refocus us on family after the busy summer months. I also look forward to the start of football season and the low-key Sundays full of family, friends and the taste of the fabulous food we share. My passion for football led me to some new football stories, and since it's impossible to watch football without having some great food, I found two cookbooks filled with great receipes for delicious food to share while you watch your favorite team make it to the goal line. Enjoy.

How Football Explains America by Sal Paolantonio is a collection of essays interspersed with American history and some great football stories. The author highlights how football is loved by so many and that the hero archetype explains the quarterback position and the reason we root for him over his opponent. Some of the author’s analogies are a stretch, and if you are already a die-hard football fan you will not learn much from this book. However, the author’s passion for the game and the first-hand stories are entertaining enough to keep reading. 

It's hard to imagine today, but there was a time when the American public simply was not interested in professional football; football was a college sport. The First Star recounts the thrilling story of Harold "Red" Grange, the Galloping Ghost of the gridiron, and the wild barnstorming tour that earned professional football a place in the American sporting universe. Grange was a football hero at the University of Illinois and his talent lifted the game to a whole new level. This story highlights how his success inspired promoters to plan a football tour against pro teams and college "all-star" squads, playing 17 games in six weeks. This book is an enthralling story of the spark that set professional football in motion and that led to the modern NFL of today.

In football, there are many little dramas playing out every time the ball is snapped. Most people resort to following the ball since it's "where the action is." However, in Take Your Eye off the Ball author Pat Kirwan implores us to see the bigger picture and understand the game better. If you are intrigued by what you see on the field and want to dive deeper into understanding what the players and coaches are trying to do, this is a fun and interesting read.

Martha's American Food cookbook reads like a love letter to the regional cuisines of the United States. This cookbook celebrates the nation's most treasured dishes from coast to coast and is a perfect companion to family gatherings and football. From game day favorites like meatball subs and Philly cheesesteaks to red beans and rice and Texas chili, regional favorites abound in this volume of simple recipes and beautiful photographs. Many of these recipes can be made ahead of time, so the cook doesn't get stuck in the kitchen during the game. My new Sunday favorite is the North Carolina-style pulled pork with cornmeal rolls. It's delicious! 

Cooking is a fun and effective way to get kids excited about family activities. A Football Cookbook: Simple recipes for kids is a cookbook filled with recipes that kids can make on their own, walking them through the whole process of making a dish to share. This cookbook combines many of my favorite things: football, cooking and family. We're excited to try the touchdown chili. When it comes to Sunday, don't sideline your kids. Instead, get them involved in cooking food to share with friends and family who come together to share a passion for football.