Bonk was good but--surprisingly, given the subject matter--not as good as Stiff. The one she wrote about the space industry (uh, can't remember the title, which means it's probably Space) was better, i thought.

There's also a book called Salt that's not by Mary Roach, but it looks like a food/history thing, which would be right up your alley. (;

Ben stole all the rest of my suggestions, darn it!