The Holiday 2022 Book Guide

Sweet Land of Liberty: A History of America in 11 Pies by Rossi Anastopoulo

Harry N. Abrams
October 25, 2022

This is a delightful, voicy, slightly irreverent work of American history told through the lens of pie. If that sentence has you wanting to read the book, or thinking of someone on your list, you, or they, are the target audience. Though you’ll get a little pie history here, this book is more about what pie can tell us about history, especially the history we might not have gotten in school. You’ll also find some recipes, making this an even better gift idea.

Eat Up!: Food, Appetite and Eating What You Want by Ruby Tandoh

Vintage
July 12, 2022

Since being a contestant on the Great British Baking Show, Ruby Tandoh has come into her own as a food writer and essayist, as well as writing some excellent cookbooks. This collection is largely about food liberation at all levels, but the personal seems particularly important to her, especially as an eating disorder survivor. So much of food writing is rooted in a precious, privileged place, and Tandoh is having none of that. She wants you to enjoy the food you’re eating, not worrying about the calories or how Instagrammable it is. It’s a rich book, sure to get you thinking more deeply about how, what and why you eat.

Modern Classic Cocktails: 60+ Stories and Recipes From the New Golden Age in Drinks by Robert Simonson

Ten Speed Press
October 4, 2022

This book will appeal to a wide swathe of the cocktail-drinking part of your gift list. On one hand, it’s filled with fairly accessible, delicious drinks, and on the other, it’s essentially a history of the drinks that have become go-to recipes on menus all over the world, with behind-the-scenes stories from the talented bartenders who created them. If you’ve been out to a craft cocktail bar in the last ten years or so, you’ll likely recognize quite a few entries here, and you’ll enjoy making them at home.

Cheers To Today: 365 Cocktails Because Every Day Is a Holiday by Chris Vola

Countryman Press
October 25, 2022

NYC bartender Chris Vola has created a book with a fun premise: why not pair a cocktail with a holiday every day? We all become aware that each day has one or more “holiday,” some of them more suited to a cocktail than others. You can use this book like a calendar, going through it faithfully, or dipping in when you’d like. The recipes may also become favorites long past their assigned day of the year. Give this to a friend with a well-stocked bar. They will need it.

The Book of Hops: A Craft Beer Lover's Guide to Hoppiness by Dan DiSorbo

Ten Speed Press
May 31, 2022

This is a beautifully photographed, extremely nerdy book which goes in depth into the types of hops currently grown and what kinds of beer you can taste them in. Along the way, you’ll find tips on pouring the perfect glass, a primer on major hops growing regions, and brewery spotlights. This is the perfect gift for the craft beer lover on your list, and it’s pretty enough to keep on your coffee table.

Chef’s Kiss written by Jarrett Melendez, illustrated by Danica Brine, colored by Hank Jones and lettered by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou

Oni Press
April 12, 2022

This graphic novel falls into the new adult category—the time after you turn 18, but before you really feel like an adult, but you certainly don’t need to fall into that age group to enjoy this book. The story follows Ben Cook, a new college graduate who is trying to figure out what he wants to do with his life. He ends up getting a job at a restaurant, where he meets hunky and kind Liam. With gorgeous illustrations, recipes and techniques, the right amount of humor, and a sweet queer love story, this one will be a winner for many people on your list.

Love & Saffron by Kim Fay

G.P. Putnam’s Sons
February 8, 2022

This is a novel written in letters between a young woman living in Los Angeles and a food writer  in her 60s  based near Seattle (with a home on Camano Island) in the 1960s. There’s a lot to love in this cozy correspondence, from the recipes and food discoveries they share to the historical events that form a backdrop. There are a lot of fun references to Washington that locals will enjoy (the author is originally a Washingtonian). Beyond the food, this is a book about friendship, about what love could and could not look like at a certain moment in time, and how food and words have the power to connect people even over distance. This novel was moving and sweet, a little sad, short enough to read in a long afternoon. Give this book to a beloved friend, maybe over a great shared meal.

Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mysteries by Mia P. Manansala

Publisher: Berkley

Arsenic and Adobo
Publication 1 Date: May 4, 2021

Homicide and Halo-Halo
Publication 2 Date: February 8, 2022

Blackmail and Bibingka
Publication 3 Date: October 4, 2022

Could someone in your life use a cozy culinary mystery series centered around a Filipino family restaurant and an unlucky-in-love heroine who moves home to help her family out? It’s okay if that person is you. This series is up to three mouth-watering entries (seriously, you will need to eat while you read, and by the end you’ll want to try some of the recipes from the back for yourself). Start with Arsenic and Adobo, then Homocide and Halo-Halo, before moving on to the holidays-themed Blackmail and Bibinka. Good news, there are more entries coming!

Drunk On Love by Jasmine Guillory

Berkley
September 20, 2022

You might already be familiar with Jasmine Guillory’s sexy, steamy romance novels. This former lawyer burst on the scene with The Wedding Date and has been a bestseller ever since, for good reason. All of her books feature food prominently, but they haven’t been about the food or drink world until now. This release is set in Napa wine country and featuring a winery owner who hooks up with a sexy stranger, who just happens to be the new employee her brother hired while she was away. Skip this one for the people on your list who aren’t interested in sex and profanity on the page, and wrap it up for everyone else.

The Winner Bakes All Series by Alexis Hall

Paris Daillencourt is About to Crumble
Publisher: Forever
November 1, 2022

Alexis Hall is known for delightfully funny queer romances. This series, which has two entries so far, is basically The Great British Baking Show but with lots of creative swearing. If that sounds like your thing, you will love these (and more are on the way). The first book is Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake, which is about a bi single mom who ends up in a bit of a love triangle, while baking, of course. The second installment is Paris Daillencourt Is About To Crumble, which deals with a very anxious Paris and his budding relationship with the fabulous Tariq. Though the contestants change, the showrunner (who does most of the swearing) host and other show staff remain the same, sweeping you up in a romantic, hilarious and delicious world. Perfect for the irreverent GBBO fan on your list (or, you know, you).

In Praise of Veg: The Ultimate Cookbook For Vegetable Lovers by Alice Zaslavsky

Appetite by Random House
July 5, 2022

First of all, this book is gorgeous. It practically bursts with color and vibrancy with a combination of illustrations and photographs that will delight your eyes. It’s no wonder that a book about vegetables should stand out— Zaslavsky treats them as they should be treated—as the star of the show. You’ll find a basic framework for cooking nearly any kind of vegetable in this book, and why those methods work so that you can adapt your knowledge to other cookbooks and recipes. Buy this for anyone in your life who wants to eat more vegetables, and get a copy for yourself.

Arabiyya: Recipes from the Life of an Arab in Diaspora by Reem Assil

Ten Speed Press
April 19, 2022

Though this book came out earlier this year, I saved it for the gift guide. It’s an explosion of light and color, with recipes that I actually want to make and eat, but at the heart, it’s a story about family and culture and what it’s like to make your way in both when you no longer live in the country of your ancestors. Give this to anyone you know who has ever made or wanted to make their own hummus, and to your family and chosen family members.

Feeding Littles & Beyond: 100 Baby-Led-Weaning-Friendly Recipes the Whole Family Will Love by Ali Maffucci, Megan McNamee and Judy Delaware

Avery
August 30, 2022

If you have a parent or a parent-to-be on your list, look no further than this down-to-earth cookbook by the founders of Feeding Littles (known for their extremely informative social media presence and kind, helpful approach to learning to eat and picky eating). Judy is an occupational therapist who specializes in eating, and Megan is a registered dietician nutritionist specializing in maternal and child nutrition, disordered eating prevention, and food sensitivities. Not only does it include a wide array of recipes for even those times when you are totally done, there are also a wealth of tips peppered throughout and even a visual guide at the end.

Ottolenghi Test Kitchen: Extra Good Things by Noor Murad and Yotam Ottolenghi

Clarkson Potter
October 18, 2022

If you just glance at this book, you might think it’s all about condiments or pantry staples. These things are certainly very present in the pages. But what it really is, I think, is an invitation to shake up your cooking. After all, at the test kitchen, they are always trying things out, nothing stays the same for long. If you were there, they’d be asking you to try their new sauce or dressing and then whipping you up a delightful dish with it when you decide it’s just right. Give this joy-filled book to anyone in your life who might like to mix up what they put on their table.

Dynamite Kids Cooking School: Delicious Recipes That Teach All the Skills You Need by Dana Bowen and Sara Gillingham

Clarkson Potter
October 25, 2022

This book is a stylish, fun cookbook aimed at kids ages 7-17 (although, frankly, anyone new to cooking would benefit). Dana (formerly of Food & Wine, Martha Stewart Living, Rachael Ray Every Day, and Saveur) and Sara Kate (food writer, cookbook author and founder of TheKitchn.com) teamed up to create a cooking school for kids which offered the kind of instruction they found missing for that demographic. Soon, kids were putting meals on the tables for their families, and when the pandemic began, the classes moved to the internet. This book sums up their approach and offers tips and a wealth of getting started knowledge for any young person (and their sous chefs) wanting to get started in the kitchen. Some of these recipes are wow-worthy, and others will become quick favorites for the whole family.

Evolution in Bread: Artisan Pan Breads and Dutch-Oven Loaves at Home by Ken Forkish

Ten Speed Press

September 20, 2022

You probably know someone who got really into bread baking during the last few years. (If that person is you, feel free to drop by my house with a loaf any time). Forkish is based in Portland, Oregon and is the award-winning author of Flour Water Salt Yeast, but don’t let all of that intimidate you. His goal is to demystify bread-baking, giving the home baker access to excellent bread at home, for sandwiches, breakfast, or eating fresh out of the oven. While there is a sourdough recipe in here, you’ll find a lot of other recipes to mix it up and take your bread baking to the next level.

Shellfish: 50 Seafood Recipes for Shrimp, Crab, Mussels, Clams, Oysters, Scallops, and Lobster by Cynthia Nims

Sasquatch Books
March 15, 2022

For some of us, cooking seafood is scary, for others, it’s a delight, but maybe we make it the same way every time. This lovely, approachable book by Seattle author Cynthia Nims is the perfect gift for either of those people. Her love of seafood shines through and her recipes are written clearly and kindly for the anxious cook, including invaluable tips on shopping and preparing your seafood

Fabulous Modern Cookies: Lessons in Better Baking For Next-Generation Treats by Chris Taylor and Paul Arguin

Countryman Press
April 12, 2022

Though this follows a fairly traditional structure and has a few classics, you’ll mostly find different and interesting combinations (and a whole savory chapter). While there are certainly “project” cookies in here, you’ll also find a whole section on the kind you can roll into a log and slice before baking. I want to give this to a friend who bakes and then invite myself over. Feel free to do just that.

The Cookie Bible by Rose Levy Beranbaum

Harvest

October 18, 2022

It’s possible that this book has the recipe for every cookie you’ve ever had and could ever want to bake. I may exaggerate, but not much. There is a dog cookie recipe. You’ll find sandwich cookies, cookies you roll or cut into bars, merengues, and an array of sauces. It’s a treasure trove, and the directions are written clearly and specifically to set you up for success. The kind of book you’ll use as a reference always.

What's for Dessert: Simple Recipes for Dessert People by Claire Saffitz

Clarkson Potter
November 8, 2022

You’re probably already familiar with Saffitz’s bestselling Dessert Person. This book follows it up in the best way—with a huge variety of recipes, many of which involve no baking at all. Like so many of us during the pandemic, Saffitz developed some kitchen burnout. She wanted to find a way to spice up her own desserts, and she wanted to do so while not using up all of the little energy she had. The result is a book she describes as having “no projects.” The intention is to be accessible, delicious, and give options for you, whatever your skill level or kitchen set up might be. There’s a nostalgia to this book as well, both in the recipes and the lovely photos that accompany them. This is a great gift for anyone who loves dessert, regardless of experience, or for yourself, because you’re worth it.

Salt and Sugar by Rebecca Carvalho

Inkyard Press
November 1, 2022

There’s something so fun about this young adult rom-com set in Brazil. Two high school students are the youngest members of a family feud between their two bakeries, which happen to be across the street from one another. This immersive story will make you hungry, maybe make you sigh, and might make you think about the nature of grief and the predatory power of large corporations. This is great for anyone who reads YA on your list, not just the young people.

Cocoa Magic by Sandra Bradley

Pajama Press

November 29, 2022

This charming picture book is set in the 1920s and follows the nephew of a confectioner who learns to cheer up his schoolmates with anonymous treats. It’s beautifully illustrated, and manages to be both about chocolate and empathy. Recommended for ages 4-7.

Counting at the Market by Mochi Kids

Mudpuppy

July 5, 2022

Besides being super adorably illustrated, I love that this book pairs things like doughnuts and and pasta bow ties with sardines in a can, kimchi, and edamame. It’s a beautiful way to familiarize kids with food as well as numbers, all in bright vivid colors. You can get this as a board book, or as a set of sturdy flash cards on a ring. Book