pickles, pigs, whiskey and f-bombs.

Chef John Currence’s first cookbook titled Pickles, Pigs & Whiskey: Recipes from My Three Favorite Food Groups and Then Some is quite the treat and is jam packed with 130 Southern-inspired recipes.

Not only does Currence supply us with amazing recipes, he also tells the story of his journey from 1983 to present day, which will help you better understand him and what he’s all about, thus making the cookbook a more enjoyable read as a whole. Chapters are divided into styles of cooking, such as Boiling & Simmering and Pickling & Canning, etc. to keep things nice and organized. Some of the recipes (not all) are a little ambitious for beginners. Pretty much anyone who’s looking for new and creative recipe ideas will benefit the most from this cookbook. Oh, and those of you who like cocktails as well.

scholarly yet readable.

In New York City’s 1920’s white women who came to Harlem to in hopes to embrace black culture were dubbed “Miss Anne”. In Miss Anne in Harlem: The White Women of the Black Renaissance writer and scholar, Carla Kaplan portrays six women who had the guts to head to the streets, raising hot button issues of race, gender, class and sexuality during that time period.

Lillian E Wood, Josephine Cogdell Schuyler, Annie Nathan Meyer, Charlotte Osgood Mason, Fannie Hurst and Nancy Cunard had an impact on the Harlem Renaissance that is seemingly hidden in the past. Their six biographies are well-written, and yet have some complexities, are full of insight on these women that history apparently forgot about. Kaplan does an excellent job of resurrecting stories that every feminist can be proud of.

a cookbook that tailors to large family needs.

It makes sense that Kate Gosselin would come out with a cookbook. Seeing as she has eight mouths to feed, you’d think that she’d be a relatively good cook. Turns out, she is, and proves it in Love is in the Mix: Making Meals into Memories with Family-Friendly Recipes, Tips and Traditions.

As a mother of eight, there are a lot of different tastes in her kitchen come meal time. This cookbook really is family-friendly, as it includes meals that all of your kids will love. Keep in mind that Gosselin doesn’t go too far outside the box here recipe wise and her recipes are designed for large families, so smaller ones will need to adjust ingredients. Honestly, Love is in the Mix is pretty basic, but the recipes are crowd pleasers, and who needs complicated when you have a large family? No one.

the literal crazy and rich.

Crazy Rich by Jerry Oppenheimer is the story of the famous Johnson family. You know, the ones who brought you the Band-Aid and Johnson's Baby products that make your baby smell like a baby.  Not surprising to many of you I’m sure, but the Johnson’s have a lot of issues, and Oppenheimer is happy share all of the dysfunction so that we can feel better about our own families – 500 pages of it.

This biography begins as most do, at the beginning. The Johnson dynasty originated with three relatively uneducated, but ambitious brothers, Robert, James, and Edward Mead Johnson. Crazy Rich includes the glory, along with all of the scandals, tragedies, and misfortune. We are talking generations of skeletons here people, a giant mess. I know we shouldn’t be entertained by other people’s bad luck…but it’s just toooooo crazy not to participate. Sorry Johnson’s.

tugs on your heartstrings.

In Weekends with Daisy by Sharon Kahn Luttrell, Daisy is a beautiful yellow lab puppy who is being trained to be a service dog by an unlikely pair. Sharron, a journalist joined the “puppy raiser program” to get over the loss of her own dog and Keith, a prison inmate whose job is to train service dogs. Basically, Keith’s role is to train Daisy during the week, and Sharon takes her home on the weekends to get her used to being out in the world. This is more than a story about an adorably cute puppy. It’s a story about two very different people who must work together for a common goal. And it’s about understanding people, where they come from, and letting judgments go. It’s a great story, and loving dogs is not a prerequisite. 

for the educated fashionista.

I like to think that I have a decent sense of style, and I actually do when I’m thinner than usual and have the time. Mostly though, I just wear what’s comfortable and not wrinkled. As a teacher, I am not looking to stand out too much with my wardrobe. However, when I go through my fashion phases, I always turn to Tim Gunn for advice because he knows what’s up.

In his book Tim Gunn’s Fashion Bible there is no skimping on fashion info or photos. Gunn focuses on the history of fashion, from togas to t-shirts, giving history on each article from skinny jeans to cargos. Gunn shares funny anecdotes and bore-proof history lessons that every fashionista will love.

sometimes you just want something sweet.

I’m sorry; you can make cake in a mug? And I’m just hearing about this? Mug Cakes: 100 Speedy Microwave Treats by Leslie Bilderback is the latest and tastiest way to get your treat fix. The best thing about this recipe book is that you can get your dose of dessert without a giant cake floating around to gorge yourself on afterward. Been there, and eating an entire batch of anything is no bueno.

Each tasty treat takes literally minutes to make. I love that Leslie includes the classics like Strawberry ShortMug Cake, and also recipes that aren’t necessarily cake like Pumpkin Mug Pie. You can be all festive with these specialty desserts, and it’s perfect for a family with all different tastes. Then there’s the Better-Than-Sex Mug Cake, hello lover.