I’ve always been drawn to collection cookbooks. They’re more than recipes to me—they’re tools, they’re memories, they’re tactile Pinterest boards you can return to again and again. I remember my grandmother always having her trusted go-to cookbooks within reach, well-loved and well-used, and being just old enough in college to start gifting her a few new ones, knowing how much she truly enjoyed them. My mom, on the other hand, has always kept her cookbooks alive with dozens of Post-it notes, bookmarks, and scribbled little reminders tucked between pages.

I love a good romantic novel before bed, but more often than not, I’ll flip through my favorite cookbooks instead—letting myself feel inspired right before I drift off to sleep. It’s my version of a bedtime story.

These women and their books feel like an extension of that same ritual. Some have already been published, others are arriving later this year, but all of them have inspired me to fall in love with life in the kitchen a little more deeply.

Oversharing — by Cortney LaCorte

I already know this is going to feel like sitting in Cortney’s kitchen. Her zest for life is so contagious, and I’m especially excited to cook from something that feels playful, a little indulgent, and completely unfiltered in the best way. She is truly so much fun to follow, and watching her expand her world into a cookbook feels like such a natural and joyful extension of everything she shares online. I love when a book feels like a true reflection of someone’s personality, and I have a feeling this one will be exactly that.

La Saison — by Manon Lagrève

I love, love, love following Manon. She sets such a tangible example of what it looks like to be a modern French woman—mother, baker, and creative—living so beautifully and openly in her everyday rhythms. Her previous books already sit happily on my shelf, and I cannot wait for this one to join them. As someone who is deeply a francophile at heart and always quietly channeling my “inner French girl” (even if I’m not French), I especially appreciate how transparent and grounded she is about real life behind the aesthetic. There’s something very comforting about her honesty—it makes the lifestyle feel both aspirational and completely reachable at the same time.

Cake From Lucie — by Lucie Franc de Ferriere

I have a feeling this one is going to be so special. I’m excited to explore Lucie’s delicate, less-sweet approach to baking—cakes that feel romantic, intentional, and just a little bit undone in the most beautiful way. I love that her inspiration pulls from both the French countryside and New York City; there’s something really compelling about that mix of softness and edge. I’m actually waiting for this book to arrive in this afternoon’s mail as I type this, which feels like the best kind of anticipation.

Simply Ina — by Ina Garten

Ina—truly the queen, the OG, my imaginary great-auntie—never misses for me, so I already know this will become a staple. What I love most about her is that she has built a legacy not just of recipes, but of genuine hospitality, friendship, and ease. Her food always feels like an invitation to slow down and take care of people well. Decades into her career, she still manages to feel both iconic and completely approachable, which is such a rare combination. I’m looking forward to recipes that feel effortless, elevated, and endlessly repeatable—the kind you don’t just cook once, but return to again and again.

Will This Make You Happy? — by Hetty Lui McKinnon

I love Hetty’s thoughtful approach to food and storytelling, so I’m especially drawn to the idea of following her journey from a small apartment kitchen to an Italian farm and into the hum of a Brooklyn bakery—and the joy, appetite, and meaning she rediscovers along the way. I already love flipping through cookbooks as a kind of bedtime ritual, but this one feels like it might be one I actually slow down and read. There’s something about the way she blends narrative and food that feels deeply nourishing.

Obsessed With the Best — by Eitan Bernath

I truly appreciate Ella’s “I figured this out so you don’t have to” approach to this book. It also feels like it’s going to be fun in the best way. As a scientist at heart (and a mom of three little ones), I love anything that helps take the guesswork out of cooking without sacrificing creativity or flavor. There’s something so appealing about recipes that are already tested, refined, and made to work in real life—especially when life is full and time is limited.

The Morning Baker — by Abigail Johnson Dodge

I’m a big breakfast lover, so this one already feels like it’s speaking directly to me. I love the idea of romanticizing the morning with whole-grain baking—slow rituals, warm ovens, and simple pastries that make breakfast feel intentional, comforting, and just a little more special. It also reminds me of the feminine rhythm of baking in the morning, which feels so grounding in itself, and even brings me back to my dad’s whole wheat rolls he makes every Saturday morning. There’s something so nostalgic and steady about that kind of ritual—it stays with you.

The (new) cookbooks I’m most looking forward to this year