Read on: 13 of our favorite books from 2018

Whether you’re shopping for foodies, health-nuts or the kiddos, there’s a book that’s right for everyone in your life. Check out some of our very favorite titles, from tasty and comforting meals to cheerful and empowering storytelling.

The Gift that I Can Give by Kathie Lee Gifford
Nothing gets us in a feel-good spirit like Kathie Lee’s The Gift That I Can Give. It has a genuine message about loving who you are and finding small ways to brighten up someone else’s day. Both you and your little ones will adore flipping through this inspiring book.

 

I’ve Loved You Since Forever by Hoda Kotb
Sometimes with children’s books, the focus is on the beautiful illustrations while the words don’t say much. This is NOT the case with Hoda’s I’ve Loved You Since Forever. We are stunned by the pictures on every page, but we really appreciate the poetic tale commemorating a parent’s love for their child even more. Be on the lookout for Hoda’s second book coming in 2019, You Are My Happy, about a mama bear and her cub.

 

Princesses Save the World by Savannah Guthrie and Allison Oppenheim
The sequel to Princesses Wear Pants, Princesses Save the World combines two of our favorite things: girl power and fruit. In this tale, female heroes of various “Fruit Nations” have a crisis on their hands when they learn that the bees have all disappeared from Strawberry Kingdom. With themes of teamwork and creativity, this book is a true gem for little ones.

 

Clean & Hungry Obsessed by Lisa Lillian
In Hungry Girl’s Clean & Hungry Obsessed, weight loss guru Lisa Lillian takes on our beloved comfort foods (think doughnuts, lasagna, fried chicken, and more!). She strategically recreates, revamps and reimagines our fattening favorites, so we can truly feel good about eating the goodies we love. Her newest book hits stores nationwide in March (to preorder: Simply 6: All-Natural Recipes with 6 ingredients or Less). We certainly can’t wait!

 

SkinnyTaste’s One and Done by Gina Homolka
As a busy mom and writer, Gina Homolka knows a thing or two about simple and nutritious dinners. In her third amazing cookbook, she shares 140 fuss-free dinner recipes that can be prepared in ONE pot. Less work and minimal cleanup make this mom a happy cook. Her recipes are healthy and outstanding.

 

Taco! Taco! Taco! by Sara Haas
Want to upgrade your Taco Tuesdays? Yes! Yes! Yes! In her latest cookbook, Sara Haas dishes out more than 100 ways to make tacos, a favorite of kids and adults alike. Whether you’re in the mood for Italian, BBQ, or Middle Eastern food, this fantastic book has a tasty taco for you.

 

When Action Follows Heart: 365 Ways to Share Kindness by Susan Spencer
What better New Year’s resolution to make than to practice daily acts of kindness? Inspired by the Kindness Project, this book, authored by Susan Spencer (editor-in-chief of Woman’s Day magazine) , shares 365 do-able deeds that can make the world a better place. This is truly a gift that will keep on giving.

 

Siriously Delicious by Siri Daly
This book is a “Siri-ous” must-have for those who love good food and value family time. Siri’s recipes are kid-friendly, tasty and simple to make. The best part? Her down-to-earth humor shines through in the dishes, which are organized from “Wakey Wakey” to “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere.”


The Truth about Food by David Katz
Get ready to debunk false health claims and fad diets with this comprehensive and profound read. Backed by scientific research, this book will arm you with the knowledge to keep up with new findings and prevent yourself from being duped by incorrect health information again. 100% of proceeds go to the Truth Health Initiative.

 

Half Baked Harvest Cookbook by Tieghan Gerard
Of course, we love cookbooks….but we especially love cookbooks full of colorful photos by talented chefs like Tieghan. Every taste bud will be satisfied through the pages of Half Baked Harvest, with recipes ranging from healthy to indulgent and easy weeknight dinners to extravagent weekend meals.

 

The Essential Veggie Cookbook by Sammi Haber Brondo
We all could use another dose of veggies during our day, and this cookbook will help you do just that. The Essential Vegetable Cookbook will walk you through how to prepare 30 different types of the most common vegetables and show you how to incorporate them into your daily diet with ease. Three cheers for veggies!

 

Israeli Soul by Michael Solomonov and Steven Cook
Meet one of Joy’s favorite chefs, Michael Solomonov. Together with Steven Cook, this talented duo present the best recipes they’ve accumulated throughout their adventures in a number of Israeli cities. You’ll find step-by-step directions with beautiful mouthwatering photos that help make preparing these generational (and delicious) recipes a breeze. This cookbook is a passport to eating your way through a new cuisine.

 

At Home With Natalie by Natalie Morales
As a mom, Natalie Morales understands what we all look for in recipes: easy and healthy. Natalie gets her diverse kitchen flair from having lived all over the world as a child, which influenced a total of 125 recipes in this cookbook (that are anything but boring, by the way). We love how one simple addition to your kitchen can transform you to so many flavorful places.

 

If you’re feeling festive, make a batch of my yummy Chocolate Peppermint Bark and Almond Hot Cocoa to cozy up with while you’re reading.