A bestseller, this romantic, fast-paced tale weaves an engrossing plot of an American in China with insight into the philosophy, meaning and preparation of classical Chinese dishes -- like mouth-watering pork ribs in lotus leaf, eight-treasure dongpo pork and other delights. Mones, a Bay-area resident who writes regularly about Chinese food and is the author of Lost in Translation and a Cup of Light, ran a textile business in China for 18 years.  (CHN498, $13.95)