"This is my invariable advice to people: Learn how to cook—try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, be fearless, and above all have fun." —Julia Child

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a renaissance of sorts—a culinary one. Once relegated to grab-and-go meals amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, food suddenly took on a deeper importance. And not just eating it, but cooking it!

Preparing homecooked meals gave people a break from the continuous drone of bleak news reports and bizarrely addictive documentaries. It let them play around in the kitchen and create masterpieces—or even epic fails destined to become funny memories—for their families to enjoy. (Did anyone not attempt a homemade sourdough recipe or a charcuterie board?)

Our favorite part of this unexpected pandemic-era kitchen revolution? The feast of new cookbooks now spread out before us, ready to devour. Below, we'll share with you a few of the ones our experts believe are well worth sampling, whether you're looking to beef up your own cooking repertoire or present your foodie friends with a holiday treat.

The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Super Easy!

Food Network has churned out a long list of beloved celebrity chefs and home cooks, and Ree Drummond may be one of the most endearing. Soft-spoken, down-to-earth, funny, and of course capable of whipping up a mouthwatering array of family-friendly dishes, the Pioneer Woman is just as delightful in the pages of her cookbooks as she is onscreen. This book features a host of delicious recipes that are easy enough for any day of the week—and tasty enough to please even your pickiest eater.

The Official Harry Potter Baking Book

Bring some magic into the kitchen with this baking book inspired by the Wizarding World. More than 40 easy-to-follow recipes including Pumpkin Patch Pies, Owl Muffins, and Hogwarts Gingerbread are sure to thrill the Potterheads in your life.

Vegan, at Times

Even meat eaters like to change things up every now and then. Whether you're intrigued by the idea of veganism, you're considering adopting a vegan diet, or you're cooking for a vegan friend, this book by bestselling cookbook author Jessica Seinfeld is here to help! More than 120 recipes in the book demonstrate how easy, delicious, and affordable it can be to cook vegan dishes.

This Must Be the Place

Another TV favorite, Rachael Ray presents a comforting cookbook filled with dishes that got her through what was universally a particularly trying year. "I connect through cooking, and I noticed that's what many others were doing as well," Ray writes. "We took to the kitchen to share something of ourselves—and cooking became the discipline, diversion, and devotion that got us through." 

Joshua Weissman: An Unapologetic Cookbook‍

Quick and easy has its place in the kitchen, but Joshua Weissman takes the opposite approach. He lays out intricate and in-depth recipes that are a labor of love—and which will result in some of the most amazing dishes you've ever tasted.

Get Cooking (or Gift Cooking) at Books-A-Million! 

Visit your local Books-A-Million to browse our complete collection of the best cookbooks for gifting, or shop at Booksamillion.com 24/7! Remember: Millionaire's Club members get free shipping every day, plus exciting exclusive deals. Everyone, though, gets access to great prices and a fantastic selection of books chosen by our experts.