‘Tis the season for cookies. No, really, National Cookie Day was on December 4th. Since 2015, the New York Public Library has celebrated National Cookie Day by baking and blogging delicious recipes that correspond with favorite books. This year’s recipes feature thumbprints as an ode to mysteries, carrot cake cookies for Peter Rabbit, apple cinnamon oatmeal cookies for romance author Sarina Bowen’s latest book, and many more. You can check out the New York Public Library’s cookie lit celebration here. For more inspiration, check out the cookbooks below available at your library. Happy baking and eating this holiday season!
Featuring nearly every cookie imaginable, from French macarons to double ginger molasses cookies to snickerdoodles to coconut snowball kisses, this is your must-have cookie book. Baker Rose Levy Beranbaum’s foolproof recipes feature detailed instructions, notes for planning ahead, and ingenious tips to ensure cookie success each and every time.
Chocolatey, fruity, crispy, chewy, classic, inventive – there’s a creative recipe for the perfect cookie for everyone in this book from celebrated blogger Sarah Kieffer of The Vanilla Bean Baking Blog.
From the blogger behind the popular Sally’s Baking Addiction, this cookbook features dozens of recipes for cookies, cookie bars, cookie dough dips, slice-and-bakes, no-bakes, and more.
With recipes ranging from the deliciously decadent, like s’mores fudge bars, to the deceptively simple, such as chocolate chip cookies, The Cookies & Cups Cookbook has something for everyone, from the cooking novice the seasoned chef.
Become a cookie connoisseur with a variety of flavors and cookie styles from sandwich cookies to sugar cookies to gingerbread to shortbread. No matter the occasion, this cookbook has you covered with cookies for the season.
Get ready to up your cookie game. Self-professed “cookie nerd” Mindy Segal offers more than 60 recipes for every kind of cookie including drop cookies, bars, sandwich cookies, shortbread, thumbprints, and more, as well as tricks and tools to build the ideal cookie pantry.
Danielle Rye, the creator of the blog Live Well Bake Often, believes that anyone can become an expert baker, and in this cookbook she gently guides bakers in the kitchen with easy recipes for delicious, classic cookies.
Winner of the Great American Baking Show, Vallery Lomas debuts her first baking book featuring more than 100 recipes, many of them family heirlooms from her native Louisiana, and stories. Vallery’s “when life gives you lemons, make lemon curd” philosophy will empower legions of bakers and fans to find their inner warrior and bake their best life.
If you’ve caught yourself singing along to one of these Billboard Hot 100 hits in your car, we’ve got you covered. Go from listening to hits on the radio to discovering the full albums of today’s biggest stars with your library card.
Easy on MeAlbum: 30 by AdeleTrack Listing: 2
Adele’s fourth studio album 30 was released last month on November 19. The album has already received widespread acclaim from music critics with many saying that it’s Adele’s most honest album to date and features her strongest vocal performances. 30 tackles Adele’s separation and divorce from Simon Konecki, motherhood, and the vulnerabilities of fame.
Shivers and Bad Habits
Album: = by Ed Sheeran (Pronounced Equals)
Track Listings: 2 and 4 Equals is the fifth studio album by Ed Sheeran and has reached number 1 on the music charts in the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, France, Germany, New Zealand, and more despite mixed reviews from critics. Sheeran describes the album as a “coming-of-age" record where he reflects on his marriage, the birth of his daughter, turning 30, and the passing of a close friend.
If I Didn’t Love You
Album: Macon by Jason Aldean
Track Listing: 5
"If I Didn’t Love You" is the first single from Jason Aldean’s tenth studio album Macon and features Carrie Underwood. Macon is part of a double album project consisting of 30 total tracks; 20 new songs and 10 live recordings of Aldean’s top hits. The second part of the project entitled Georgia is set for release in April 2022. Macon plays homage to Aldean’s hometown and the many musical styles he encountered while growing up.
Happier Than Ever
Album: Happier Than Ever by Billie Eilish
Track Listing: 15 Happier Than Ever is the second studio album from Billie Eilish. Like her first album, Eilish wrote the music with her brother Finneas O’Connell. Eilish cites self-reflection during the COVID-19 pandemic as the biggest inspiration for the record. Music critics have praised the album for its bold depiction of teenage stardom, candor, and humor.
Ghost
Album: Justice by Justin Bieber
Track Listing: 11 Justice is the sixth studio album from Justin Bieber. The album has received mixed reviews with critics praising Bieber’s vocals, but finding the lyrics confusing. Bieber has stated that he hopes the album reflects all he has learned about commitment, healing, and building trust. Bieber will begin a world tour for the album this coming February.
Cold As You
Album: What You See Is What You Get by Luke Combs
Track Listing: 12What You See Is What You Get is the second studio album from Luke Combs. It includes all five songs from Comb’s 2019 EP The Prequel. When it was released in 2019, the album debuted as number 1 on the US Billboard 200. The album was rereleased in 2020 with five new songs. At 11 months and 15 days, the record became the first since Bon Jovi’s This House Is Not for Sale to return to number 1 after an extended wait. The album was among the top 10 albums of 2020 and Combs’ popularity continues to skyrocket.
Need to Know
Album: Planet Her by Doja Cat
Track Listing: 5
Self-published rapper Doja Cat found fame in 2018 after the music video for her song “Mooo!” became a viral meme. Planet Her is her third studio album. She has explained that Planet Her is the most visually captivating project she’s ever done, complete with lush and detailed music videos, and that the album is meant to focus on relationships and feel “otherworldly.” Critics have praised Doja Cat’s vocals and versatility on the album.
All Too Well (Taylor's Version)
Album: Red (Taylor's Version) by Taylor Swift
Track Listing: 5
Ever since ownership of her first six studio albums changed hands in 2019, Taylor Swift has been on a crusade to rerecord her music to make a master catalog that she fully owns. Red (Taylor’s Version) follows Swift’s first rerecorded album Fearless (Taylor’s Version). Red (Taylor’s Version) consists of 30 tracks: 20 songs from the original deluxe album edition; Swift’s 2012 charity single “Ronan;” a 10-minute long version of “All Too Well;” 2 recordings of songs Swift wrote for Little Big Town and Sugarland; and six new “from the vault” tracks that never made the original album. Critics have praised the new songs, the tone of Swift’s adult voice, and improved production details.
HeatwavesAlbum: Dreamland by Glass Animals
Track Listing: 14
Glass Animals drummer Joe Seward suffered a near-fatal collision in July 2018. In the years following, frontman Dave Bayley wrote and produced their third studio album Dreamland. Dreamland is almost entirely autobiographical, and takes inspiration from Bayley’s childhood in Texas and 90s pop culture. The album is even structured around audio clips of Bayley’s childhood home videos. Dreamland has received mostly favorable reviews since its release.
Smokin Out the WindowAlbum: An Evening with Silk Sonic by Silk Sonic
Track Listing: 5
R&B duo Silk Sonic is comprised of rapper Anderson .Paak and singer Bruno Mars. .Paak opened for Bruno Mars’ 24K Magic World Tour in 2017 and the two joined forces by the end of the year “as a joke” and to have fun. Their debut album An Evening with Silk Sonic has received widespread acclaim with critics stating that the album is full of charisma and pays homage to 70s soul singers and funk.
We're Good
Album: Future Nostalgia: The Moonlight Edition by Dua Lipa
Track Listing: 13Future Nostalgia is the second studio album by Dua Lipa. Songs speak to feminism and the experiences of female adolescence. Lipa has said she wanted the album to feel like a dancercise class with nostalgic tones of the 70s, 80s, and 90s. The album has been remixed, produced in French, and reissued many times since its original release.
Save Your Tears
Album: After Hours by The Weeknd
Track Listing: 11
"Save Your Tears" was the fourth single released by The Weeknd from his 2020 album After Hours. In November of this year, "Save Your Tears" was remixed with Ariana Grande and peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. After Hours has been described as a reinvention for The Weeknd, with the introduction new wave, dream pop, and psychedelic influences. The album is said to explore promiscuity, overindulgence, and self-loathing.
If the sight of snowflakes last weekend had you reaching for a mug of hot chocolate, a cozy blanket, and your favorite Christmas pajamas, this list is for you. Charming titles from Debbie Macomber, Susan Mallery, Jenny Hale, and more have inspired Hallmark Christmas movies for years. Whether you subscribe to the belief that the book is always better than the movie or you’re just looking for festive reads to celebrate the season, here are ten Hallmark reads to enjoy.
Let It Snow by Nancy Thayer: New movie alert! Let It Snow was published last year, and Hallmark’s movie version Nantucket Noel is premiering this month. Catch it on the Hallmark Channel on November 19, 20, and 24. Christina Antonioni is preparing for the holidays at her Nantucket toy shop, decorating and unpacking last-minute holiday shipments, when her landlord suddenly raises her rent. At first, Christina doubts whether she can continue business on the wharf, but after becoming close to her landlord’s granddaughter and son, she starts to believe it may be the best Christmas season yet.
The Christmas Contest by Scarlet Wilson: New movie alert! Published earlier this year, The Christmas Contest will make its movie debut on the Hallmark Channel on November 28. Ben Winters and Lara Cottridge are obsessed with Christmas. When the strangers hear that a Vermont radio station is hosting a Christmas contest with a $10,000 prize for the winner’s charity of choice, they quickly enter the competition and become finalists. Will battling it out in the stiff competition ruin the spirit of Christmas? Or will Ben and Lara realize they have more in common aside from a love of Christmas?
Mrs. Miracle Christmas by Debbie Macomber: New movie alert! Mrs. Miracle Christmas, published in 2019, is the fourth book in Debbie Macomber’s Mrs. Miracle series. Catch the 2021 movie on the Hallmark Channel on November 20. Laurel McCullough could use some good news. She and her husband, Zach, have given up on having a baby after too many heart-wrenching experiences. Laurel’s grandmother, Helen, can no longer take care of herself and Laurel and Zach decide to move in to help her when plans for home healthcare fall through. Just as they’re about to lose faith, Mrs. Miracle arrives at their door and gives them the best Christmas gift.
Sleigh Bell Sweethearts by Teri Wilson: Zoey Hathaway’s biggest dream is to become a pilot. When she inherits a struggling reindeer farm, complete with three dozen unruly reindeer and one dangerously attractive ranch hand named Alec, her carefully crafted plans seem to fly out the window. If Zoey wants to succeed, she’ll have to put her trust in Alec and accept his help, but it’s not just her farm that’s at stake; so is her heart. Sleigh Bell Sweethearts was published in 2013 and the Hallmark movie entitled Northern Lights of Christmas was released in 2018. You can catch the movie on the Hallmark Channel on November 24.
Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses by Jenny Hale: Single mother Abbey Fuller put her dreams of being an interior designer on hold to raise her son. When her son starts to get a little older, Abbey jumps at the chance to take a small job decorating Nick Sinclair’s mansion for Christmas. Nick has plenty of money for the project, but absolutely no holiday spirit. Can Abbey make her dream of being an interior designer come true? Can she help Nick finally enjoy some Christmas magic? Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses was published in 2018 and premiered as a Hallmark Christmas movie in 2019.
The Jingle Bell Bride by Scarlet Wilson: New York wedding planner Jessica Christie becomes stranded in a remote Alaskan town when she goes on a quest to find the rare Jingle Bell Flower for a celebrity bride. Jessica is desperate to return home in time for the wedding, but will her Christmas wish change after meeting local botanist Matt Holden? Jingle Bell Bride was published in 2017 and premiered as a Hallmark movie last year. The movie will air again this year on the Hallmark Channel on Friday, November 26.
The Mistletoe Inn by Richard Paul Evans: Kimberly Rossi’s life is a bit of a mess. Two failed engagements, a divorce, and numerous other heartbreaks have left her alone and with no prospects. Despite her many romantic hiccups, Kimberly dreams of becoming a published romance author and signs up for a romance writing workshop shortly before Christmas. Once at the retreat, Kimberly meets fellow writer Zeke who helps her step out of her comfort zone, both in her life and in her writing. This 2015 novel is the inspiration behind Hallmark’s 2017 movie.
Marry Me at Christmas by Susan Mallery: Bridal boutique owner Maddie Krug is excited to plan a Christmas wedding until she realizes that she’ll be working closely with the gorgeous brother of the bride, action movie star Johnny Blake. How can small-town girl Maddie keep from falling for him when wedding planning involves candlelit dinners, snowy strolls, and mistletoe around every corner? Marry Me at Christmas was published in 2016 and the Hallmark movie premiered the following year.
The Nine Lives of Christmas by Sheila Roberts: Ambrose, a pesky orange cat, is in danger of losing his ninth and final life. He tells the universe he’ll do anything, absolutely anything, to survive and have a quiet, comfortable final life. True to his word, Ambrose plays matchmaker for the man who rescued him and a woman at the local animal shelter. The Nine Lives of Christmas was released as a book and Hallmark movie in 2014. You can catch the movie this month on the Hallmark Channel on November 25.
Christmas Joy by Nancy Naigle: Market researcher Joy Holbrook is all work and no play when she gets an urgent call to return home to help her recovering aunt. Joy agrees to take a leave of absence from work and temporarily run her family’s farm, but she didn’t know she’d need to work with Ben Andrews, her former crush, in order to decorate for the annual Christmas Home Tour competition. Will the town’s festivities open Joy’s heart to love, home, and family? Christmas Joy was published in 2016, and the Hallmark movie was released in 2018.
Read it or Weep 