Iowa City Library offers flavors of the season

I started making my holiday list last month, but it's not of presents I hope to receive. Instead, it's a list of recipes I hope to make.

Making, and sharing, food is a holiday tradition at my house. Each year, my kids and I set aside a Saturday and bake all day, boxing up cookies, candies and other treats for family and friends. It's a small gesture that helps spread the holiday spirit. It's also a great reason to check out the newest cookbooks in the Iowa City Public Library's collection.

“The Good Housekeeping Christmas Cookbook: Recipes, Decorating, Joy” has every aspect of the holiday covered, from decking the halls to adding spice to the season with mouthwatering meals. This collection of 300 recipes comes from the popular magazine's archive, featuring favorites from celebrity chefs such as Ina Garten and Bobby Flay, along with recipes from Good Housekeeping's test kitchen.

For those who plan to entertain this season, be sure to check out “Gather: The Art of Paleo Entertaining” by Bill Staley and Hayley Mason. With more than 300 color photographs showcasing 100 recipes, this cookbook is your guide to planning a meal everyone can enjoy.

Hannah Kaminsky has you covered for dessert with her “Easy as Vegan Pie: One-of-a-Kind Sweet and Savory Slices.” This cookbook features a basic pie crust that makes America's comfort food, pie, available to all again.

My favorite food-blogger-turned-cookbook-author, Ree Drummond, just released “The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays: 135 Step-by-Step Recipes for Simple, Scrumptious Celebrations.” This is a great collection of delicious recipes showcased in color photographs that make you want to grab your spoon and spend a day in the kitchen - and wish for an invitation to Drummond's ranch for dinner.

Chocolate fanatics will love “Mast Brothers Chocolate: A Family Cookbook” by Rick and Michael Mast, owners of Mast Brothers Chocolate in Brooklyn, N.Y. This cookbook tells the story of the two Iowa brothers who launched their artisan chocolate business from their apartment, while showcasing gorgeous photographs of chocolate recipes galore.

With thousands of cookbooks in the library's collection, there's something for everyone on our shelves this holiday season. Check out a book, bake some snacks and spread some joy.

Meredith Hines-Dochterman is public relations specialist at the Iowa City Public Library.