Noting that “not all salads are nutritionally equal,” nutritionist and That Salad Lady blogger Franklin shares her method for building consistently healthy, satisfying salads in her wide-ranging debut. Early chapters introduce her system, which involves layering non-starchy vegetables, fruits, proteins, fats, and fiber-rich starches. Subsequent chapters often focus on a specific diet or food preference. All the salads in the high-protein chapter, for example, offer 20–30 grams of protein per serving, including a beef and broccoli bowl with sesame ginger dressing and Caribbean jerk chicken salad with mango lime vinaigrette. The heart-healthy chapter features an apricot and almond couscous bowl that can be eaten warm or chilled, while an anti-inflammatory chapter includes a turmeric quinoa and edamame bowl. The scope is impressive, but it’s hard to imagine a home cook who’s eager to explore the low-carb, keto-friendly section finding much utility in the vegan and vegetarian section. Still, Franklin encourages “experimentation, self-expression, and creativity” and includes many helpful suggestions for ingredient substitutions alongside time-saving tips and nutritional information. Those looking for practical inspiration to eat well will be pleased. (July)

Reviewed on 06/06/2025 | Details & Permalink

“Every recipe tells a story,” assert the authors of this heartfelt cookbook, a fundraiser for the nonprofit Advocates for Human Rights. It’s structured around profiles of 37 immigrants to the U.S. who share family recipes that range from the simple (Colombian Hogao, a tomato and onion sauce) to the complex (German leek tart). Most are not professional chefs; instead, the focus is on home-cooked, everyday fare, often in serving sizes fit for a crowd. Doris Parker, whose family fled to the U.S. just before Liberia’s First Civil War, contributes instructions for peanut soup. Hiba Al-Hasnawi, who came to the states with the Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project multiple times before threats on her life made permanent relocation a necessity, serves up baba ghanoush. Somalian Halima Mohamed, the founder of Hoyo, a food production company that distributes traditional sambusas, or meat-stuffed pastries, shares her flagship recipe. The breadth of experience the authors attempt to capture is admirable, but there’s a scattered quality to the finished product and some missing practical elements, like listing total cooking times or providing an index of recipes by ingredients or country of origin. Still, the noble intentions of this earnest anthology shine through. (June)

Reviewed on 05/30/2025 | Details & Permalink

The lovingly crafted debut cocktail collection from Grey (a pen name) pairs Taylor Swift–inspired libations with copious fan lore. Following an accessible overview of bartending techniques and ingredients, the 60 drinks are sorted by album/era and each is tied to a specific song. The sparkling “Crestfallen Cure” complements Evermore’s “Champagne Problems” while “You Beer-long with Me,” a nod to the Fearless single, is a boilermaker for “when high heels and short skirts just don’t feel right.” Both “Lavender Haze,” off of Midnights, and the title track off Red inspire vibrantly hued concoctions. Grey doesn’t shy away from deeper cuts: “Mary’s Song (Oh My My My),” from Swift’s self-titled debut, gets paired with boozy sweet tea that evokes the singer’s country roots. Though Grey’s enthusiasm is infectious, the real highlight is the stylized photography, which showcases each drink in an environment staged to echo Swift’s music videos and album visuals, evoking the pastels of the Lover era with a frozen rosé concoction pictured against a dreamy sunset and the gothic vibe of The Tortured Poets Department with a dimly lit espresso martini in homage to “The Black Dog.” Mixology-minded Swifties will want to snap this up. (June)

Correction: An earlier version of this review confused the author with romance novelist Alison Grey.

Reviewed on 05/30/2025 | Details & Permalink

Idaho homesteader Thomas guides readers through freeze-drying food at home in this comprehensive manual. Initially skeptical about trying a freeze dryer, Thomas became a believer after processing a surplus of eggs from her 80 hens: “When I did a test run with these eggs and made a big pan of scrambled eggs for my family, no one could tell they were not fresh.” She lays out the benefits of freeze-drying, including its convenience as well as the fact that it saves space and cuts back on food waste. In her brief history of the method, she explains that people in South America used to expose food to freezing temperatures at high altitudes to make it last longer. Elsewhere, Thomas shares tips for shortening the process by pre-freezing food; explains how freeze-drying differs from dehydrating; outlines what to know before purchasing a freeze dryer; and offers a step-by-step guide to the process, starting with prepping food and ending with rehydration. Thomas doesn’t skimp on details, and she encourages readers to learn from her mistakes, admitting that “my path to learning to freeze-dry was not all rosy. I think I lost about 50% of those early jars of eggs.” This is essential reading for those looking to up their food preservation game. (Self-published)

Reviewed on 05/30/2025 | Details & Permalink

“What ultimately matters is that we think like an herbalist,” contends Robinett, an herbalist herself, in her standout debut. Framing her treatment of the topic as a “why-to” more than a “how-to,” Robinett covers such categories as nervines (which target one’s nervous system), sedatives (for sleep disturbances), adaptogens (to help “assist adaptation” to stress), nootropics (used for enhancing cognitive function), and psychedelics (for “emotional pain”). She discourages matching herbs strictly symptomatically, noting that there’s no “single herb for any one symptom or syndrome.” In each category, she highlights a few plants appropriate for specific concerns. For example, she suggests the nervine passionflower for those struggling with rumination, while valerian root is an option for panic. Though the author encourages exploration over strict chart-consulting, she does offer a few straightforward resources, including a handful of recipes, an index that details the best formats to ingest each herb mentioned, and an herb shopping guide. She also shares powerful stories from her clients, in a tone that evokes thoughtful educator rather than salesperson: “My pursuit of this nature represents an inherent way in which I­ live—​and learn and ­teach—­which is to strive to understand.” Readers curious about herbalism need look no further. Agent: Lauren Hall, Folio Literary. (July)

Reviewed on 05/30/2025 | Details & Permalink

“Grab your hooks, cue up your favorite audiobook, and prepare to embark on a creative journey filled with romance, adventure, and a dash of magic,” writes crochet designer Sennet in her dynamic debut, a collection of projects inspired by romantic fantasy novels. The patterns, which include accessories, decor, and amigurumi dolls, range from beginner-level to advanced: the “Bat Wings” bookmarks are great for newbies, while the “Fierce Dragon” amigurumi is best for confident crafters, and the wearable “Fae Ear Cuffs” falls between the two. There are several small projects, including a “Fairy-Tale Mask,” “Magic Mushrooms” decorations, and a “Baby DraGoyle” (a hybrid dragon-gargoyle) that require less than a skein of yarn for each color. The project instructions are easy to follow, and for the more challenging components, Sennett includes QR codes that direct readers to helpful videos with extra guidance. Each pattern also notes recommended yarns, a majority of which are easy-to-find acrylics, but readers are encouraged to experiment with different weights and brands. A review of basic crochet stitches and techniques, including an abbreviation index and notes on pattern-reading, rounds things out and serves as a nice refresher. Crafty bibliophiles will be thrilled. (July)

Reviewed on 05/30/2025 | Details & Permalink

Chiropractor Wiest provides guidance on aging “with resilience” in his practical and empowering debut. His framework is made up of three stages—basic needs, whole-body movements, and joint-specific movements. Wiest sets the tone with the basics, including tips on managing stress, getting enough sleep, establishing strong social connections, and making use of positive self-talk (he encourages readers to replace “It’s never going to get better” with “I am resilient, and I can manage this moment”). Wiest’s whole-body exercises are aimed at helping readers perform daily actions such as moving from sitting to standing, getting up off the floor, and reaching overhead, and include wall sits, squats, lunges, and tennis ball squeezes. His tips for joint-specific mobility, meanwhile, target such areas as the feet, ankles, and knees; hips and lower back; and shoulders and neck. A standout feature of these routines is their inclusivity—each one comes with modifications tailored to different fitness levels, making this an adaptable guide for readers at any stage of their wellness journey. Wiest’s compassionate approach is a plus, as when he writes, “Give yourself credit for making your health a priority.” This will be a boon for anyone looking to stay nimble. (June)

Reviewed on 05/30/2025 | Details & Permalink

Morgenstern, the owner and founder of the eponymous ice cream shop in Manhattan, shares his wisdom to help home cooks recreate professional-level scoops in his impassioned debut. He presumes an audience ready to take ice cream seriously: a detailed overview of ingredients and equipment recommends investing in a hand-crank rock salt and ice machine for churning and advises readers on what temperature to keep their freezers. In addition to standard flavors like chocolate and vanilla, Morgenstern serves up dozens of his own creative twists, such as blueberry milk chocolate, coconut espresso, salted caramel pretzel, and honey lavender peach. While a majority of these recipes are eggless (“Their flavor gets in the way of the flavor of my ice cream,” Morgenstern explains), eggs do make an appearance in French vanilla, chunky strawberry, and a few other custard-based offerings. Rounding out the collection are frozen desserts including bananas Foster, hot fudge sundaes, and a bubble gum ice cream cake. Morgenstern’s tone can be brusque as he provides no-frills instructions (to avoid burns while making caramel, “the best way to be safe is to pay attention to what the fuck you are doing”). While not the most accessible to novices, this is sure to be a hit with true ice cream enthusiasts. Agent: Kim Witherspoon, InkWell Management. (June)

Reviewed on 05/30/2025 | Details & Permalink

Embroidery instructor Long (Animal Embroidery Workbook) brings a playful approach to the craft in this whimsical collection of projects. In an overview of materials, Long recommends simple quilting cotton and beachwood embroidery hoops for the proper tension they allow. The projects also require wire, needle-nose pliers for shaping, and beads to add “some extra color, sparkle, and variety.” Technique how-tos include tips for transferring images to fabric (using the light from a bright window makes tracing easier) and anchoring one’s first stitch with a knot. Long walks readers through a slew of charming projects, many of which include stump work, or “techniques that create a 3D element, such as raised stitches, felt bases and wire slips.” A “folksy” bluebird uses only basic stitches, while the “Bumblebee Bouquet” offers a chance to try a variety of stitch types and textures, and the eye-catching “Magic Snail” is perfect for more confident crafters. For each pattern, Long explains what stitches to use, offers helpful tips and tricks (practice harder stitches on scrap fabric, for example), and provides a numbered color key so embroiderers can find the exact shade of floss. Animal-loving crafters of all experience levels will find something here that appeals. (June)

Reviewed on 05/30/2025 | Details & Permalink

Australian actor-turned-influencer Hamilton brings his lighthearted passion for mixology to bear in his wide-ranging debut collection. An in-depth breakdown of syrups, garnishes, techniques, and glassware welcomes the uninitiated, with Hamilton noting which items are necessary and which merely novelties. The friendly, occasionally cheeky tone (“Don’t be crass,” he reprimands readers in the preface to a how-to on rimming glassware) carries through a gauntlet of recipes both classic and original. Many drinks, including the chocolate orange Jaffa Kick and the elderflower-forward Classy Boy, were created during TikTok livestreams with audience input and Hamilton’s followers will no doubt appreciate shout-outs to their collaborative creativity. Hamilton also offers crowd-pleasing riffs on familiar favorites, including an affogato martini, a boozy Arnold Palmer, and a sophisticated take on a Long Island iced tea. A color-coded set of flavor “tags” (fruity, funky, floral, etc.) as well as cute ingredient pictograms offer readers navigational keys to explore the recipes according to their personal tastes. Hamilton’s voice is sweet and mild-mannered, and he expresses an earnest enthusiasm for unexpected flavor combinations. The author’s fans are sure to be thrilled. (May)

Reviewed on 05/16/2025 | Details & Permalink