First off, before we delve deep into what are the most anticipated and most aesthetically pleasing cookbooks of the moment— I just want to admit to one thing about myself. Ironically, I absolutely loathe cooking with a deeply anxiety-ridden passion (ie: watching one bubble after another popping in my pancake on the griddle this morning sent me into a minuscule sweaty meltdown, seriously do I flip or do I not flip yet?!), but I love reading cookbooks and food articles (cue: Bon Appetit). In America, we fortunately like things fast and dual-purpose like double-sided tape or, case in point, this article about cookbooks to be used as coffee table decor as well. See below for five newly-released cookbooks that you can keep in both your kitchen or effortlessly stacked atop that living room table of yours.

Sababa: Fresh, Sunny Flavor from My Israeli Kitchen

Written by Adeena Sussman, a famous American cookbook author who has previously co-authored a tableau of books throughout her career including A-list celebrity Chrissy Teigen’s “Cravings” and “Cravings: Hungry for More.” Sababa, the Hebrew word for “everything is awesome” or “it’s all good”, is exactly how I would describe this Tel Avivan inspired cookbook. Since 2015, she relocated her home permanently from New York to Tel Aviv, where the bustling setting of Israel’s Shuk Hacarmel (flea market in TLV) serves as the inspiring foundation behind her vegetable-rich, herb strewn recipes. Inside, Sussman’s sunny narrative and inventive recipes help make home chefs feel like they’ve got her right by their side in the kitchen, making it beyond a mere cookbook. From fig and yogurt ice pops to labneh with caramelized pineapple and sumac, the recipes are easy to replicate and her down-to-earth voice will leave your tastebuds itching for another bite of a different dish. Buy here.

Nothing Fancy

Aren’t the best cookbooks of them all— nothing fancy, no obscure written language or tricks, just simply made for the purpose of serving a ‘lil something’ when having friends and family over? Allison Roman, a New York Times columnist and author of Dining In, wrote this cookbook with the intent for all occasions, both for the expected and unexpected: think from major dinner party events to the weeknight meals you and your neighbor made an hour ago. As Roman explains, “it’s unfussy food paired with unstuffy vibes.” It’s spicy, crunchy, tangy, bubbly, and oh boy is it sweet, especially with that Crushed Blackberry and Cornmeal Cake recipe I’m eyeing. Buy here.

The Forest Feast

If you’re a fan that’s already familiar with Erin Gleeson, you know that her previous Forest Feast cookbooks are usually staged in her picturesque cabin in the nook of the woods. With this newly released Forest Feast Mediterranean edition, the New York Times bestselling author takes readers alongside her personal and global journey to France, Portugal, and Spain. In all of its staggering and delicious variety of flavors worldwide, Gleeson reminds us about the “joie de vivre” through intimate photos, recipe notes, and hand-crafted drawings throughout the pages. It’s more than a vegetarian cookbook with lively, colorful plant-focused meals— a work of art in itself. Buy here.

Forking Good

Holy forking shirt is how I feel after discovering that there’s a cookbook inspired by NBC’s successful, light-hearted, and hilariously funny TV series, “The Good Place.” Inside, each recipe references to one of Chidi’s famous philosophers, a philosophical concept, or a quote from one of the show’s famous cast. Both wildly entertaining and informative— the recipe names like “Hegels and Lockes” or “Macaroni and Socracheese” are complimented with a brief summary that makes it feel like you’ve been teleported to sitting alongside Eleanor in Chidi’s philosophical lesson. For the “The Good Place” fan and home chef, after cheffing it up in the kitchen, sit back and relax to watch an episode. Buy here.

Mixtape Potluck

There’s not a single thing Questlove (Ahmir Thompson) simply cannot do or a Hollywood A-list celebrity he isn’t friends with. Besides being on the Jimmy Fallon show as the drummer/frontman for the in-house band Roots or being an executive producer for both an upcoming documentary series, Hip Hop: The Songs That Shook America, and Hamilton, the smash-hit Broadway musical, he’s also added cookbook writer to his ever-running list. In his newly released cookbook, he shares recipes from his celebrity friends, party-hosting advice, and a playlist of songs to listen to with each dish. If you’re not friends with Questlove, we can pretend we are by following along to worthy recipes like Zooey Deschanel’s bok choy and cucumber salad or Natalie Portman’s Greek spinach pie. For that next party of yours, with this book in handy, you’ve got delicious meals prepped and a playlist already curated— all tested and vetted by the renaissance man, Questlove. Buy here.

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Feature Image via Chillhouse