With the number of cookbooks that come out each season, it’s hard to pick and choose. So we tapped the experts at some of our favorite indie bookstores across the country—Denver’s Tattered Cover, Seattle’s Third Place Books, Brooklyn’s Books are Magic, Boston’s Brookline Booksmith and New York City’s Strand Bookstore—for a bit of direction. From fermenting to cake baking, there’s something for everyone.

Vietnamese Food Any Day
Andrea Nguyen

“This small book is packed with information about ingredients, cuts of meat, substitutions and even cooking tools.” — Kitri Wood, Third Place Books, Seattle

Double Awesome Chinese Food: Irresistible and Totally Achievable Recipes from Our Chinese-American Kitchen
Margaret Li, Irene Li and Andrew Li

“Indulgent and fun and full of snacks that you really want to eat.” — Bethany Strout, Tattered Cover, Denver

Ferment: A Guide to the Ancient Art of Culturing Foods, From Kombucha to Sourdough
By Holly Davis and Sandor Ellix Katz

“So many people are interested in fermentation, but (myself included) are really intimidated. This cookbook is really comprehensive and covers so many different areas— from kimchi to vegetables to drinks and even breads—and has beautiful photos.” — Bethany Strout, Tattered Cover, Denver

Simple Cake: All You Need to Keep Your Friends and Family in Cake
Odette Williams

“I have been pouring over [it] like a 9-year-old and it’s the American Girl Doll catalogue.” — Emma Straub, Books Are Magic, Brooklyn

Tiki: Modern Tropical Cocktails
Shannon Mustipher

“It’s a small, beautiful cookbook and starts with a string of easy cocktails. Author and bartender Shannon Mustipher makes a case for tiki drinks being the ultimate craft cocktail, because they benefit the most from quality ingredients.” — Bethany Strout, Tattered Cover, Denver

Where Cooking Begins: Uncomplicated Recipes to Make You a Great Cook
Carla Lalli Music

“I've already cooked from a few times.” — Emma Straub, Books Are Magic, Brooklyn

Aloha Kitchen: Recipes from Hawai’i
Alana Kysar

“Hawaiian food goes far beyond Spam musubi and poke bowls. It's Polynesian at its core with influences all across Asia, Portugal and Puerto Rico. The dessert section alone is worth buying the book. I knew I'd be buying it as soon as I saw the Pink Guava Cake recipe.” — Haiden Swanson, Third Place Books, Seattle

In Pursuit of Flavor
by Edna Lewis, new forward by Mashama Bailey

“A reprint of the classic! Edna Lewis brought an air of respectability to southern cooking, and with these recipes, it's easy to see why. The new edition has been given a beautiful, modern treatment.” — Kitri Wood, Third Place Books, Seattle

Icing on the Cake: Baking and Decorating Simple, Stunning Desserts at Home
Tessa Huff

“Huff has zeroed in on classic techniques as well as new, with beautifully photographed step-by-step, simple instructions and good solid recipes.” — Kitri Wood, Third Place Books, Seattle

Family: New Vegetarian Comfort Food to Nourish Every Day
Hetty McKinnon

“Warm and lovely.” — Emma Straub, Owner, Books Are Magic

Indian-ish: Recipes and Antics from a Modern American Family
Priya Krishna

“Bright, bold, passionate, festive.” — Liza Gozashit, Brookline Booksmith

Ruffage: A Practical Guide to Vegetables
Abra Berens

“With spring and summer upon us, and all the beautiful fresh vegetables in season, it's the perfect time to branch out and discover some new favorites.” — Haiden Swanson, Third Place Books, Seattle

The Power of Sprinkles: A Cake Book by the Founder of Flour Shop
Amirah Kassem

“It is so fun, exciting and different than other cake books that I've seen.” Leigh Altshuler — Strand Bookstore, New York City

Smoke, Roots, Mountain, Harvest: Recipes and Stories Inspired by My Appalachian Home
Lauren Angelucci McDuffie

“Organized by season and also by menu, so you can put a whole meal together or pick and choose. It highlights a cuisine that isn’t always highlighted.” — Bethany Strout, Tattered Cover, Denver

We Are La Cocina: Recipes in Pursuit of the American Dream
Caleb Zigas and Leticia Landa

“Beautiful book compiled of my cultures. Delicious for the body and soul.” Leigh Altshuler — Strand Bookstore, New York City

Stay tuned for more from our favorite indie bookstores, and let us know what bookstores you love by tagging us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest