In a nutshell: If you've ever wondered if it's worth the time, tears and flour-covered kitchen in the quest to bake the perfect baguette, this is the cookbook for you. Reese, author of tipsybaker.com, explored these topics when she lost her job and set out to economize in the kitchen. From hot dog buns to Pop-Tarts, she reveals whether it's better to buy it or make it, accounting for the cost, hassle and rate of success. Happily, she dispenses this practical know-how with a crackling sense of humor, making this book a fun read. Take a taste: Recipes for pot stickers, marshmallows, English muffins, eggnog, Nutella, pancetta.
What's hot: The scope and utility of this book make it worthy of space in your collection, especially this time of year when you're looking for fast and interesting gifts to make in the kitchen. Plus Reese's honesty is refreshing and inspiring; she goes from a hilarious review of the 1970s Earth-mother bible "Laurel's Kitchen" to making a modern-day case for baking. "You can look like an R. Crumb and smoke Parliaments while drinking Sanka spiked with Jim Beam, and still bake amazing bread." Right on! What's not: The book has no photos, which would have been helpful with some of the technique-oriented recipes.