11 of the Best Music Documentaries Ever Made

We may earn a commission from links on this page.

Music documentaries are having a moment. In the last month, talking heads (as opposed to the Talking Heads) have been philosophizing about the power of "yacht rock" on Max while Disney+ has released yet another film about the Beatles (produced by Martin Scorsese no less). A great music doc can reveal the stories behind how the music we love was made while placing it into a larger cultural context.

But which documentaries reach the top of the charts? I've compiled a list of 11 (yes, this is a Spinal Tap reference) music documentaries that will blow out your speakers, and maybe your mind. For the purposes of this list, I am leaving out concert films, mainly because there are only so many ways to talk about how great Gimme Shelter and Stop Making Sense are.

---

Don't Look Back (1967)

Not only is this chronicle of Bob Dylan's 1965 tour of England considered one of the best music documentaries ever, it's also been influential on the music documentary genre itself. It makes grand use of you-are-there cinema verité filmmaking, and also features what many consider to be the first music video: a scene of the singer-songwriter flipping cards marked with various lyrics from his song "Subterranean Homesick Blues." However, the best aspect of the film is seeing reporters and fans attempt to label Dylan, only for him to shut them down with his acerbic wit. Watch it on Max and the Criterion Channel, or rent it from Prime Video.

Don't Look Back (1967)

at Max

at Max

---

The Velvet Underground (2021)

Todd Haynes is no stranger to making musically-themed movies, having attempted to capture the sexual freedom of the glam rock scene with Velvet Goldmine and the many sides of Bob Dylan in I'm Not There. However, the documentary format turned out to be the perfect medium for telling the story of the Velvet Underground, a highly influential proto-punk band whose music and lyrics perfectly captured the avant-garde art scene of the late '60s. That doesn't mean that Haynes doesn't add his own flourishes to the group's story, utilizing the split screen technique to simulate the sights and sounds of the version of New York City that Lou Reed and his bandmates came up in. Keep the volume way up when you watch this doc. Watch it on Apple TV+.

The Velvet Underground (2021)

at Apple TV+

at Apple TV+

---

Ornette: Made In America (1985)

Filmmaker Shirley Clarke's visually stunning portrait of free jazz pioneer Ornette Coleman moves as rapidly as one of the musician's works. Drawing inspiration from the cinema verité style pioneered in Don't Look Back, Clarke elevates this approach to new heights. Through a collage of dramatic scenes, performance footage, music videos, and interviews, the film paints a vivid picture of a man who seemingly found inspiration in the most unexpected places, including the architecture of Buckminster Fuller to poetry. Watch it on the Criterion Channel or Kanopy or rent from Prime Video.

Ornette: Made In America (1985)

at Prime Video

at Prime Video

---

Marley (2012)

If you found the recent biopic on the reggae legend lacking, this documentary paints a much better portrait of the musical icon. Through rare concert footage, news clips, and interviews with those who knew Bob Marley best, director Kevin McDonald paints an enigmatic portrait of an artist who never wavered in his belief that music could unite others, even as crime was tearing his island home apart. Watch or rent it on Prime Video.

Marley (2012)

at Prime Video

at Prime Video

---

Searching for Sugarman (2012)

Sixto Rodriguez, a Detroit-born singer-songwriter, had a music career that never really got off the ground, even after he released two well-received albums. Yet unbeknownst to him, his songs had been covered and sampled for decades by other musicians. His work even became the soundtrack of the revolution in apartheid-era South Africa, where, according to this award-winning documentary, he was more popular than Elvis. The story of his rediscovery unfolds like a captivating musical mystery, enchanting viewers and leaving them enamored with this incredibly humble artist. Rent it from Prime Video.

Searching for Sugarman (2012)

at Prime Video

at Prime Video

---

It Might Get Loud (2008)

Three legendary guitarists—Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin, U2's The Edge, and Jack White—convene at a Los Angeles soundstage to engage in a captivating and insightful conversation about their playing styles, musical journeys, and profound passion for their craft. This documentary delves into the essence of what compels musicians to relentlessly improve and evolve. It's also a lot of fun witnessing The Edge show how he creates U2's distinctive sound with his extensive array of pedals and amps. Stream free with ads on Tubi or rent from Prime Video.

It Might Get Loud (2008)

at Prime Video

at Prime Video

---

Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, a Journey, a Song (2022)

How did the once obscure Leonard Cohen track "Hallelujah" become part of the cultural lexicon? This documentary follows the song's complicated journey from the songwriter's mind to its unlikely appearance on the soundtrack to the children's film Shrek. However, perhaps the most interesting aspect is hearing how the many musicians who have covered the song interpret its powerful lyrics. Watch it on Hulu or rent it from Prime Video.

Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, a Journey, a Song (2022)

at Hulu

at Hulu

---

Freestyle 101: Hip-Hop History (2023)

Narrated by the legendary rapper Chuck D, this freewheeling film delves into the rich history of hip-freestyle hop. It features sound bites from pioneers like Ice Cube and Fat Joe, while following two artists widely regarded as the genre's future, Open Mike Eagle and battle rapper Iron Solomon. The inventiveness of some of the lyrics the rappers pull seemingly out of the air is truly impressive, and the intensity of the rap battles makes this a must-watch for hip-hop enthusiasts. Rent it from Prime Video.

Freestyle 101: Hip-Hop History (2023)

at Prime Video

at Prime Video

---

Hype! (1996)

Featuring rare footage of some your favorite '90s grunge bands before they became famous, Hype! chronicles the rise and eventual downfall of Seattle's music scene from the point of view of those who were there. The most striking part is how the major labels that once ignored the region's underground bands suddenly found a way to exploit them once they smelled money, soon transforming art into a marketing gimmick. Watch it on Prime Video, stream free with ads on Tubi and Pluto TV, or rent it digitally.

Hype! (1996)

at Prime Video

at Prime Video

---

Hot Potato: The Story of the Wiggles (2023)

This doc tells how three Australian musicians and their friend Jeff came from humble beginnings to form the universally beloved children's rock band. Unlike other docs that delve into the dark underbelly of rock and roll with tales of sex, drugs, and excess, this movie refrains from tarnishing the legacy of your favorite childhood quarter. Even I, who had scant knowledge of the group when I watched this doc, got emotional hearing each member discuss how they loved entertaining children at the expense of missing their own kids grow up. Watch it on Prime Video.

Hot Potato: The Story of the Wiggles (2023)

at Prime Video

at Prime Video

---

20 Feet From Stardom (2013)

Behind every great frontman stands an extraordinary woman singing backup. This film shines the spotlight on these unsung heroes of rock music, often overlooked because of their race or gender, and gives them a platform to share their stories, reveal the secrets behind some of your favorite songs, and give them the recognition they deserve. Rent it from Prime Video.

20 Feet From Stardom (2013)

at Prime Video

at Prime Video

The Best Ways to Find a Running Track Near You (and a Beginner’s Workout to Try)

If you want to become a faster runner, you’ll probably end up doing a lot of speedwork on a track. Or if you live in a hilly place, you might wish you had a nice flat track to run on. But how do you find one that’s open to the public? Turns out it’s easier than you might think. Many public high school tracks are available for the community to use.

Call local schools

I run on a local school track, and the way I found it was pretty straightforward. I phoned up the nearest high school, and asked whether they had a track that was open to the public. They said yes, so long as I come outside school hours; but they also suggested a different school in the district whose track has fewer evening events scheduled. That’s the track I now run on most often. (I've even bookmarked their sports schedule, so I can check for conflicts before leaving the house.)

I've found that schools don't always put their track policy (or locations!) online, so an old-fashioned phone call really is the quickest way to this information. You can also visit the school in person—after hours, please—and look for signs that say when and whether the track is open to the public.

Another great resource for finding tracks is Run Track Run, which lists tracks and running routes across the U.S. Some of the tracks have information listed, such as the type of surface, whether it’s open to the public, and whether it’s free to use.

Check maps

I opened Google Maps on a random state, searched "high school," and zoomed in on each to see if they had a track. Found this in less than a minute. Credit: Google maps

Oval running tracks are easy to spot on maps. I found another track near me just by looking for oval shapes on the Strava global heatmap (it highlights popular running routes). The satellite view on Google Maps is another great way to look for nearby tracks, as I did above. Most regulation-size outdoor running tracks surround a football or soccer field, and they’ll usually be at a school or sometimes a park or community center. They will be an oblong shape, curved around the ends, often with a red rubber surface and white lane lines visible when you zoom in.

You may also find non-standard tracks around athletic fields or in parks; they are usually gravel surfaced and may not be a quarter mile exactly; I can think of one that is 0.2 miles, and a few I've seen that are half a mile. While I was traveling, I used maps to find this 1.125-mile running path in a Delaware park that used to be a horse racing track.

What are the rules of running on a track?

First, check for any posted rules or hours. School tracks are often closed to the public during school hours, but that still means evenings, weekends, and holiday breaks are fair game. Don’t expect that every school’s track will always be open, though. Private schools might not open theirs to the public, and public schools may still set a schedule or close the track for events. If the track is part of a park, gym, or community center, check their website or call to confirm who can use the track and when.

Once you’re there, the most important rule is to stay in your lane (if there are marked lanes). Think of them like lanes on a highway: You can pass somebody if you give them enough room, and you should always look behind you before you change lanes. Don’t block a lane by stopping in the middle; find a spot off the track if you want to sit down to stretch.

The faster people will run in the innermost lane, which means if you’re walking or warming up, you should stay in the outer lanes. Pay attention to the direction, too; usually everyone runs counter-clockwise.

How do you do running workouts on a track?

The track is there for anything you’d like to do, so there isn’t a specific procedure. But as a general rule, you’ll break down the work you’d like to do into small, measurable pieces. One lap of a regulation track (measured in the innermost lane) is 400 meters, almost exactly a quarter of a mile.

It is totally fine to jog continuously the whole time you’re at the track, but more often people will use the track for interval work. You run fast for a short distance, then either walk to recover or stand around while you catch your breath. Then do another fast interval, and repeat the process until you’re ready to go home.

Here’s a beginner-friendly workout you can do your first time on a track:

1. Warm up with four laps around the track (1 mile). This can be a brisk walk, a slow, easy jog, or a mix of the two. You want to finish this step feeling warmed up and ready to work—not exhausted.

2. Walk the curved part of the track (this is about 100 meters).

3. Run the straight part of the track (this is also about 100 meters). Don’t go all-out, just keep up a strong, fast pace.

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 as many times as desired. One mile’s worth (four laps) will give you eight 100-meter runs, which is a good workout for your first day. You can do more later.

5. Jog at least a lap or two to cool down, more if you like.

Runners would call the above workout “8 x 100” since you are doing eight 100-meter runs. (The walking in between is considered the recovery.) Here are common distances for intervals:

• 100 m (the straightaway of the track)

• 200 m (the curve plus one straightaway, or half the track)

• 400 m (one lap)

• 800 m (two laps)

In between the running portions of your workout, you can rest or walk for about the same amount of time it took you to run. For example, if you run a lap (400 meters) in about two minutes, you’d rest another two minutes before going again.

'Mewing,' 'Sigma,' and Other Gen Z and Gen Alpha Slang You Might Need Help Decoding

It’s been a minute since Lifehacker looked at the slang of Generation Z—long enough that Generation Alpha has had time to develop and spread some of its own special buzzwords and jargon. Below is an alphabetized collection of slang taken from both Gen Z and Gen A, in case someone younger than you says something you don't understand. As with all slang, if you need an online list to know what a word means, you are too old to say it aloud.

304: Hoe. (Type "304" on a calculator and turn it upside down.)

4+4: Ate. Four plus four is eight, or "ate." (See "ate")

Alpha male: Taken from animal ethology, an alpha male is the dominant member of a group of males, or just a male who is in charge. (See "beta male" and "sigma male.")

Ate/eat: Done very well, often regarding clothing. e.g.: "You ate that outfit." See also: "serving."

Aura: Someone who is mysterious and cool is said to "have aura."

Baddie: A bad/wild girl. Meant as a compliment.

Baka: Japanese word meaning “crazy" or “foolish.” Used mainly in the anime community.

Based: Independent in a cool way.

Bed-rotting: Staying in bed all day. You may know it as “lazing around.” See also: "Hurkle-durkle."

Beta male: A beta male, or just "beta," is a weaker, subservient male. (See "alpha male" and "sigma male")

Bop: A girl who sleeps around. Also: a great song.

Boysober: Someone who has sworn off sex, relationships, and/or dating.

Brain-rot: A description of the overuse of stupid slang. See also: “Skibidi.” Also used to describe the effects of being overly online.

Brat: The contemporary meaning of "brat" is an adjective describing a person who is edgy, imperfect, and confident. It was coined by pop star Charli XCX who defined it as "that girl who is a little messy and likes to party and maybe says some dumb things sometimes. Who feels herself but maybe also has a breakdown."

Bruzz: Bros. Part of the -uzz family of slang words. See "Huzz" and "-uzz"

Bubba truck: A lifted or otherwise modified pick-up truck.

Bussin': Very good or excellent.

Cap: A lie. Often used to say "no cap."

Cake: Butt, especially a nice butt.

Chad: An attractive man; an “alpha male.” See "Giga-Chad."

Chat: A reference to streamers addressing their chat windows aloud. Saying “chat” in real life is an ironic joke. 

Chud: A physically unappealing person. Sometimes used for a man who holds right wing views.

Coomer: A man who masturbates too often.

Corn: “Corn” is algo-speak that means “porn.” Used in online spaces where the word might cause your account to be flagged or banned. 

Coworker-core: A catch-all description for things that are unfunny or uninteresting in a way that appeals to older people.

Dead: Past tense of having died laughing. If someone responds to a joke with "dead" or a skull emoji, they find it funny.

Deadass: Seriously. Used like, "I am deadass not lying."

Delulu: Delusional.

Doomer: A person who is overly negative and/or cynical.

Drip: A fashionable or stylish look.

Edgar: A variation of the Caesar haircut worn especially among Hispanic males. Also refers to the kind of person who wears the haircut. 

Fanum tax: The theft of food between friends. Named for streamer Fanum, known for “taxing” his friends by taking bites of their meals or stealing fries. 

Fax, no printer: Telling the truth, since "fax and "facts" are pronounced the same. It's a colorful way of saying "facts, no cap."

Fent-fold: A description of the bent-over posture of people nodding on heavy drugs.

Fit: Short for "outfit."

Fuhuhluhtoogan: Supposedly from Baltimore slang, this is a nonsense word used so people will ask what it means but never receive an answer. Often paired with "Jittleyang."

Gamer dent: The temporary indentation left on someone’s hair or skin after wearing headphones for too long.

Geeker: Someone who uses a lot of drugs.

Giga-Chad: A Chad among Chads.

Glaze: To overly praise someone, often insincerely, or with the hope of getting something in return.

Glizzy: Hot dog. "Glizzy" was originally slang for Glock or gun, but came to mean hot dog based on the hot dog shape of a Glock's magazine.

Green fn: An interjection one might used when someone does something cool or impressive. Often used ironically. 

Gooning: Extended masturbation without orgasm done for the purpose of entering an altered state of consciousness.

Gyatt or Gyat: Once an interjection used when seeing someone sexy, like “god-DAMN,” “gyatt” has come to mean “attractive booty.”

Hewwo: An overly cute way of saying "hello." Usually used online, and often ironically.

HGS: Abbreviation for "home girls" used in comment sections.

Hurkle-durkle: Based on an archaic Scottish word, “hurkle-durkle” means to lounge in bed after it is time to get up. See also: “bed-rotting."

Huzz: -uzz slang for "hoes." See "bruzz" and "-uzz."

"It's giving": Used to convey that something has a specific vibe. Example: "That dude texts you every 10 minutes; it's giving desperate."

"It's so over": The situation is hopeless. The opposite of "we're so back." See also: "Doomer."

Jelqing: The use of stretching or weights in an attempt to increase penis size.

Jit: A kid. Used ironically online.

Jittleyang: Supposedly from Baltimore slang, this is a nonsense word used so people will ask what it means but never receive an answer. See also: "Fuhuhluhtoogan."

JOMO: A play on FOMO (fear of missing out) JOMO is an acronym that stands for “joy of missing out.”

"Learn Chinese": Sports slang directed at failing players. They are in danger of being sent to play in China, so they should "learn Chinese."

Looksmaxxing: Maximizing one’s physical attractiveness through personal grooming, working out, and dressing stylishly. See also: “-maxxing.”

-maxxing: A suffix used with any word to indicate trying to improve. Seeing your friends could be called "friendmaxxing," working out could be called "gymmaxxing," making jokes could be called "jestermaxxing," etc.

Mid: Average, bland, expected.

Mewing: A facial exercise meant to strengthen the jawline.

Mirror sex: Using a mirror to watch yourself have sex.

Mog: To be more attractive than someone, usually in an intentional or aggressive way. Example: "I was rizzing up this girl, but he walked in and totally mogged me."

Neurospicy: A different way of saying “neuro-divergent.”

NPC: Non-player character. Originally describing video game characters, NPC is now used on the internet to mean people who don't think for themselves.

Opp: Short for "opposition." Someone who is out to get you. An enemy.

Pink cocaine: Also known as "pink snow," pink cocaine is slang for a powdered drug mixture that usually contains some combination of ketamine, MDMA, meth, opioids, and other substances.

Pole: A gun. See "up pole."

"Press F for respect:" In 2014 video game Call of Duty: Advanced Warfighter, the player attends a funeral and a prompt is given that reads "Press F to pay respects." Now, a singular "F" in a chat window indicates respect. It's usually ironic.

Regarded: “Regarded” is algo-speak for “retarded."

Rizz: As a noun, "rizz" means charisma. As a verb, "rizz" or "rizz up" means attracting someone with your charisma.

Serve: Wearing a particularly stylish outfit. See also: "ate."

Serve cunt: To act in a powerfully and unapologetically feminine way; to slay.

Sigma male: An internet-created male classification, a "sigma male" is as dominant as an alpha male, but is outside the male hierarchy, i.e.: a lone wolf. Originally used seriously, the concept was so widely derided it's now almost always used ironically. (See "Alpha male" and "Beta male.")

Skibidi: Named after “Skibidi Toilet,” a popular series of YouTube videos, “skibidi” itself has no specific meaning, beyond ridiculing the overuse of slang itself. See “brain-rot.”

Skrt: Onomatopoetic word for the sound of tires squealing upon acceleration.

Sweat: A person who tries too hard, usually used in reference to video games. The adjective form is "sweaty."

Spawn point: Mother. Based on the spot you start in a video game.

Spoopy: Spooky.

Striker: Stolen/no-title car.

Tradwife: Believer in traditional married gender roles.

Turnt: Excited or intoxicated, or excitedly intoxicated.

Unc: Short for "uncle," used to describe slightly older people. Example: "The class of 2024 are unc-status to the class of 2028." See "yunc."

-uzz: -uzz slang words use "uzz" at the end of any word, so "bros" becomes "bruzz," "hoes" becomes "huzz," "granny" becomes "gruzz," etc.

Up pole: To raise a gun.

Twelve: Police.

Twin: Best friend.

"We're so back": Opposite of "it's so over."

Wojack: The name of a style of internet drawings used to quickly stereotype someone. See this post for a full explanation of the Wojak universe.

Yapping: Describes a presentational style often seen on online streams of talking a lot and/or quickly while not saying anything worthwhile.

Yeet: To quickly and/or forcibly eject.

Yunc: Yunc is a variation of "unc." In AAVE, a "yn" is a "young n-word." So "yunc" means something like "young uncle," or a person who may be young but has uncle vibes or unc status.

Zoomer Perm: A curly on top, short on the sides haircut popular among young people. 

11 Great Cookbooks for Everyone on Your Gift List

We may earn a commission from links on this page.

Cookbooks make fantastic gifts. A good one is helpful and inspiring, and if the cover is beautiful then it can serve as a functional bit of interior decorating too. A bad cookbook however, just takes up valuable bookshelf real estate. Over the course of the last few months I’ve eaten my way through a variety of cookbooks that will bring your loved ones nourishment and joy. Here are the best cookbooks to give, according to cooking personality. 

Great for beginner bakers: Hershey’s Best-Loved Recipes

Hershey’s Best-Loved Recipes was my first cookbook and it holds a very special place in my heart. This chocolate-centric hardcover from 2000 is full of tempting cakes, brownies, cookies, mousses, and other treats. It’s written with simplicity and each recipe has a close-up photo, making this an ideal book for the blossoming baker. Read my full review of this full review of this cookbook for the details. 

Hershey's Best-Loved Recipes (Favorite Brand Name Recipes)

$19.93 at Amazon

$19.93 at Amazon

A cookbook for veggie lovers (and those who want to be): Plenty More

Yotam Ottolenghi and his team have a magical touch when it comes to vegetables. These humble characters become the main attraction in the recipes from Plenty More. Ingredients that might initially seem at odds come together with surprising balance, creating harmonious dishes that look elegant and wake up your tastebuds. This cookbook is completely plant-based, and you’d never wish it otherwise after you taste one recipe. Buy this cookbook for the person on your list who loves vegetables, or wishes they did. Read my full write-up here.

Plenty More: Vibrant Vegetable Cooking from London's Ottolenghi [A Cookbook]

$19.99 at Amazon

$35.00 Save $15.01

$19.99 at Amazon

$35.00 Save $15.01

Recipes for the adventurous baker: Milk Street Bakes

If you’re buying a gift for a baker who hates taking risks, don’t get them this cookbook. Scroll up for that gift idea. Milk Street Bakes, however, is the best baking cookbook you can buy for someone looking to be challenged by breads, pastries, and doughs inspired by people and cultures from all around the globe. Featuring both sweet and savory recipes, this thorough cookbook’s pages are certain to be bookmarked time and again. Ready my full review of this book here.

Milk Street Bakes: A Baking Book with 200 Sweet and Savory Recipes

$19.99 at Amazon

$19.99 at Amazon

A cookbook for the recipe curious: The Complete America’s Test Kitchen Cookbook

Whenever I’ve needed a reliable recipe for a birthday, holiday bash, or craving, The Complete America’s Test Kitchen Cookbook has never—count them, zero times—let me down. There are over a thousand recipes in this book. You can find pizza dough, shrimp scampi, pumpkin pie, or sesame-crusted salmon. Grab this cookbook for the person who always wants to try something new. Read my full review of it here.

The Complete America’s Test Kitchen TV Show Cookbook 2001–2024: Every Recipe and Product Rating From the Most-Watched Cooking Show on Public TV

$45.00 at Amazon

$50.00 Save $5.00

$45.00 at Amazon

$50.00 Save $5.00

A great cookbook if you’re in a rut: The Woks of Life

Anyone who cooks on a regular basis has fallen into the cooking rut. You find yourself making the same four things on repeat and start to dread dinner time. Give the gift of shaking things up with The Woks of Life. A Chinese-American cookbook with page after page of tempting recipes that remind you about delicious flavor combinations you love, and ingredients you might be overlooking in the grocery store. Here’s the complete review. 

The Woks of Life: Recipes to Know and Love from a Chinese American Family: A Cookbook

$14.84 at Amazon

$35.00 Save $20.16

$14.84 at Amazon

$35.00 Save $20.16

A great cookbook for the perpetually busy: Go-To Dinners

Ina Garten’s Go-To Dinners is perfect for the person on your list who always seems to be rushing. They get held up at work or called to pick up their kids early from school, and meals are yet another to-do. Here is a cookbook they can rely on for delectable meals and simple make ahead dishes that don’t sacrifice flavor. Plus, the recipes are usually built for four to eight servings so you can feed a group—or set up one person with lunches for the week. Here’s my full review of Go-To Dinners.

Go-To Dinners: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook

$19.25 at Amazon

$35.00 Save $15.75

$19.25 at Amazon

$35.00 Save $15.75

A beverage book for the party host: Batch Cocktails

Being a party host is not for the weak. Every detail and worst-case-scenario is considered. Besides planning the music and food, they’ve got drinks to think about too. Batch Cocktails is the perfect cookbook to help them do it right. Instead of making single serving drinks to-order, this book teaches you how to prepare large batches of impressive libations ahead of time, for any event and any time of year. Read all about Batch Cocktails here.

Batch Cocktails: Make-Ahead Pitcher Drinks for Every Occasion

$10.99 at Amazon

$10.99 at Amazon

The best cookbook for those who like a big payoff: Chaat

Sometimes the occasion calls for short ingredient lists and complete simplicity. But when you want a meal that has that unmistakable wow factor when it hits the table, turn to Chaat. This cookbook features the wide variety of street food in India. Here you’ll find tempting recipes that are sure to light up the dreary winter days; each one a bright tapestry of ingredients that feel like a gift straight from your kitchen. Here’s my full Cookbook of the Week review of Chaat.

Chaat: Recipes from the Kitchens, Markets, and Railways of India: A Cookbook

$19.99 at Amazon

$32.50 Save $12.51

$19.99 at Amazon

$32.50 Save $12.51

The cookbook for anyone who loves a good story: Cook, Eat, Repeat

Nigella Lawson’s Cook, Eat, Repeat is full of recipes, of course—and they’re delicious—but what I find special is how mesmerizing her storytelling is. The book is filled with plenty of personal food stories, both humorous and heartfelt. You’ll find recipes hidden inside these stories too, so this cookbook is best for someone who truly enjoys reading as much as they love to cook. Find out all the details about Cook, Eat, Repeat here.

Cook, Eat, Repeat: Ingredients, Recipes, and Stories

$16.71 at Amazon

$16.71 at Amazon

For the earnest cake baker: Rose’s Heavenly Cakes

Rose Levy Beranbaum is legendary when it comes to cake baking. Long before “influencer” developed its current meaning, Beranbaum influenced cake baking methods that are best practices today. Rose’s Heavenly Cakes is a cookbook for the person on your list that is devoted to making excellent cake. Everyone from the wannabe cake decorator to professional pastry chef can, and will, use the recipes she provides in this indispensable resource. I wrote up all the details about the book here.

Rose's Heavenly Cakes

$40.75 at Amazon

$40.75 at Amazon

A cookbook for the tortilla nerd in your life: Masa

This is the perfect cookbook for the person on your list that is fully invested in making and learning all about tortillas, who raves about the empanadas from the local Colombian restaurant or has an interest in the history, cooking techniques, and various uses of masa harina. Or maybe you know someone who likes to boil dumplings, bake breads, or fry fritters using flour. Masa will knock them off their feet with recipes that employ some of the same methods with the delicious flavors and ingredients of South and Central America. Read my full review of Masa here.

On Masa: Techniques, Recipes, and Reflections on a Timeless Staple

$25.49 at Amazon

$35.00 Save $9.51

$25.49 at Amazon

$35.00 Save $9.51