One of my favourite things to gift myself is books. Whether I take out a ton at a time from the Toronto Public Library, or I pick them up from Indigo (where I feel I visit more than any spot in the city!) I’m always getting lost in a book and looking for the next best one.

Call it the colder weather, but lately I’ve been hibernating at home and my book genre of choice has been cook books and entertaining books. Thanks to some hot, new, easy-to-digest titles, I’ve been eating better, challenging myself in the kitchen, and am now sorta, kinda well-versed just in time for the holidays where I can cook for friends and family and the like. Plus, they kind of make the best gifts. Everyone loves displaying books in their place, whether they actually read them or not, #amirite?

A friend of mine helped dub the name @thebookcupid for me, because I have a knack for matching people with the perfect book for them, based on their interests and my well-read nature (in the least snooty way possible!) Here’s a look at my hand-picked, tried-tested-and-true, must-have new cookbooks, whether you’re vegan, a drinker, a cannabis user, a hostess with the mostess or the most lazy AF person. I got you.

For the vegans and vegs, and the meat-eaters you want to prove your cause to

The Edgy Veg by Candice Hutchings

By far my favourite cookbook ATM, The Edgy Veg is a brand-new cookbook from Candice Hutchings, co-host of the YouTube sensation of the same name. The all vegan cookbook is a take on classic comfort food and fast foods. A vegetarian, I often crave meats and meals I used to live off of, and thanks to this book, I feel like I can finally make them for myself. Her buffalo wing recipe is life changing, and thanks to her and her carnivore husband/biz partner, my partner now see’s the my veg diet doesn’t have to be limiting. He even enjoys the recipes from this book. You can order it here. $32.95

For the avid foodie who has a thing for notable named chefs

MUNCHIES: Late-Night Meals from the World’s Top Chefs by: JJ Goode and Helen Hollyman and the editors

This cookbook is based on Chef’s Night Out, a hilarious web-series that features stories of the world’s best chefs’ debauched nights on the town, and recipes for the food they cook to soak up the booze afterwards. It includes recipes from Anthony Bourdain, Danny Chang and many more notable names. After watching the web-series, my Matty Matheson-loving boyfriend made the chefs breakfast hash which legit kept me full all day and was one of the best home-cooked meals I’ve had. It’s not in this book, but the recipes in here do not disappoint, especially if you’re worse for wear after one of those nights. $40.00 (though it’s only $34.71 if you order it online at Indigo here.)

For the one who is lazy AF (but doesn’t want to look it)

Instant Favourites by: Mia Bachmaier and Mike McColl

This book has over 100 recipes, all which are cooked in a pressure cooker, making them fast, easy, with a done-in-a-minute clean up (sign me up!) This one doesn’t come out until December 26th, but you can pre-order it here. $29.99

For the cannabis connoisseur

Cannabis Cuisine: Bud Pairings Of A Born Again Chef by: Andrea Drummer

This is a cookbook that doesn’t fuck around. It’s all about “the art of marijuana as an ingredient,” and is written by world class marijuana chef, Andrea Drummer. A bit about her (which we took from her bio we found online): Drummer is a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu and co-owner of Elevation VIP Co-op, a Los Angeles-based company that caters high-end, intimate dinner parties. Every item she prepares incorporates the flavor profile of the strain that she is using with what is being prepared, thus the cannabis is just as important as any other ingredient. From the comforts of southern kitchens to the upscale stoves of Michelin star restaurants, each recipe is carefully crafted to elevate both the dish and the cook. $32.50

For the vegetarian

Naturally Vegetarian: Recipes and Stories From My Italian Family’s Farm by: Valentina Solfrini

Come for the recipes, stay for the photographs. The images on the page as well as her ability to share her stories in such a poetic way, make this just-released book an obvious pick. What I also love about her authentic Italian recipes, is that they’re all created using seasonal produce. $35.00

For the drinker 

Meehan’s Bartender Manual by: Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan has been given the title as the best bartender in the world, and with reason. The master bartender, is a king in hospitality industry and has a loyal following all across the world. He’s best known for opening PDT in New York City, and his latest book Meehan’s Bartender Manual is like a bible of sorts, which shares his tips and tricks in the industry as well as some recipes to make the perfectly curated cocktail for you and yours. Bottoms up! $40.00