Must Reads for the Holidays

1. A Tavola! Recipes and Reflections on Traditional Italian Home Cooking by Gianni Scappin and Vincenzo Lauria Throughout history, authentic Italian cuisine has helped families connect in the kitchen. This careful cookbook was designed to unite.

2. Splendor: A Luxe Novel by Anna Godbersen What happens when New York City socialites mingle in the 19th century? Find out in the last installment of New York Times best-selling author Anna Godbersen’s Luxe series. Those who have been following will be stunned by the revelations.

3. Be … a Woman: Expressions of Life by Kim MacGregor & Arline Malakian How do you define a woman’s beauty? This question is uniquely presented and explored in this thoughtful work by Kim MacGregor and Arline Malakian.

4. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days by Jeff Kinney The fourth installment of praised author and cartoonist Jeff Kinney’s children series is no less funny than the first. Credited for his sardonic humour, Kinney takes realistic fiction to the next level.

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5. The Hole in the Sky by Barbara A. Mahler Fall in love with this book as you fall into a hole in the sky with author Barbara A. Mahler. In this fantasy fiction, Kaela Neuleaf goes on a journey that forces her to face her fears and explore the relationship between mother and daughter in a profound way.

6. French General: Handmade Soireés: Simple Projects for Special Occasions by Kaari Meng/Photographs by Jon Zabala Hostess extraordinaire Kaari Meng makes entertaining easy with practical projects and new ideas. From flower favours to monogrammed napkins, this how-to-host guide will help you make your next occasion that much more special.

7. A Year in Lucy’s Kitchen: Seasonal Recipes and Memorable Meals by Lucy Waverman/Photography by Rob Fiocca Canada’s very own Lucy Waverman gets back to culinary basics in her brand new book. Featuring hundreds of easy-to-make options, it’s clear that Waverman laments the fact that so many people choose to eat out when dining in can be so deliciously simple.

8. Living with White by Gail Abbott/Photographs by Mark Scott Living with white shines a light on the shade that has brought us classical elegance from the beginning of time. A brilliant collection of photography is accompanied with informative text by recognized writer and stylist Gail Abbot.

9. Randy Kazandy by Rhonda Fischer/Illustrated by Kim Sponaugle Creating stories with morals is author Rhonda Fischer’s forte and Randy Kazandy is another one of her feats. Told through the eyes of a little boy who is devastated upon finding out that he needs glasses, Fischer comically shows kids how to see things in a much more positive light. A must-read for self-esteem.

Books available at: www.chapters.indigo.ca