LOS ANGELES TIMES LIST FOR JUNE 2, 2004

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

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*--* 1 South Beach Diet Cookbook by Arthur Agatston (Rodale Press, $25.95) More than 200 recipes for Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 dishes with the good fats and good carbs Dr. Agatston endorses.

2 The Provence Cookbook by Patricia Wells (HarperCollins, $29.95) The latest from the well-known American expat features recipes gathered from her neighbors, with black and white photos and source info.

3 Barefoot Contessa Family Style by Ina Garten (Clarkson Potter, $35) For cooks who want to feed their families as well as they do their guests.

4 30-Minute Meals by Rachael Ray (Lake Isle Press, $14.95) The original compilation of the Food Network star’s favorites.

5 Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook edited by Jennifer Darling (Meredith Books, $29.95) The 12th edition of the familiar cookbook with the checked cover.

6 30-Minute Meals 2 by Rachael Ray (Lake Isle Press, $16.95) Another from TV’s spokes-cook for convenience.

7 Seriously Simple: Easy Recipes for Creative Cooks by Diane Rossen Worthington (Chronicle, $35) A steadily selling favorite from a respected cookbook author.

8 Gale Gand’s Short and Sweet: Quick Desserts With Eight Ingredients or Less by Gale Gand and Julia Moskin (Clarkson Potter, $27.50) A new book from the author of “Butter Sugar Flour Eggs,” pastry chef of the Chicago restaurant Tru and host of Food Network’s “Sweet Dreams.”

9 How to Grill by Steven Raichlen (Workman, $19.95) Everything you ever wanted to know, with pictures.

10 Rome, at Home: The Spirit of La Cucina Romana in Your Own Kitchen by Suzanne Dunaway (Broadway, $29.95) From the author of “No Need to Knead.”

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