Something absorbing to read about in the cookery book (6)
I believe the answer is:
sponge
'the cookery book' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how they can define each other.
'something absorbing to read about' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'about' could be 'on' (as in a book 'on' a certain topic) and 'on' is located in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'in' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for sponge that I've seen before include "Freeload" , "Light cake; aquatic invertebrate" , "clean with damp cloth" , "Piece of porous rubber" , "Sea animal often found in bathroom" .)