Cake Design News: 2012 D*S Gift Guide: Books

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The book gift guide is one of my favorite gift guides to put together. There were so many great books this year that I had a tough time narrowing them down. Did I leave any favorites off the list? I'm always looking for book recommendations, so let me know in the comments. (For more book suggestions, check out the 2011 Book Gift Guide.) — Amy Azzarito

See all the 2012 Gift Guides here.

Image above: 1. Surf Cafe Cookbook, Jane and Myles Lamberth: This is a great cookbook about coastal living at its best. I wrote a review earlier this fall here. | 2. Sprouted Kitchen: A Tastier Take on Whole Foods, Sara Forte: This is a great gift for anyone who's making an effort to eat healthier. There's a recipe for the classic baked artichoke dip that is made healthier by the addition of cannellini beans and tempeh balls to replace classic meatballs. Yum. | 3. Food in Jars, Marisa McClellan: Here are a few ways to put those mason jars to use. Recipes for everything from jam to chutney to salsa. | 4. Small Plates & Sweet Treats: My Family's Journey to Gluten-Free Cooking, Aran Goyoaga: Perfect for anyone trying to go gluten-free. | 5. Homemade Winter, Yvette van Boven: This absolutely stunning book is filled with reinterpreted classic recipes. | 6. Tartine: The Boxed Set, Elisabeth Prueitt and Chad Robertson: This set of two cookbooks from the famous San Francisco restaurant would make a great gift for any baker in your life. | 7. Barefoot Contessa Foolproof: Recipes You Can Trust, Ina Garten: We revere Ina Garten in the D*S office. Not only has she built an amazing business, but she's also a pretty fantastic cook. I don't think I've ever made anything by her that hasn't been delicious. | 8. Smitten Kitchen Cookbook, Deb Perelman: The first cookbook by the popular New York food blogger. It's filled with delicious recipes and beautiful photographs — someone make me the blintzes!

Image above: 1. American Beauty: Renovating and Decorating a Beloved Retreat, Thom Filicia — Thom was a guest on After the Jump with Grace a few weeks ago. After the show, I read this entire book. Thom's first lake house was my dream vacation home, so I was eager to see what he could do with a bigger budget. This book is one big "before & after," which pretty much means it's irresistible. | 2. Diane Keaton: House — Diane Keaton has a passion for house flipping. In House, she showcases the work of architects who repurpose old buildings or use iconic forms in the building of new structures. A fun book for any Diane Keaton fan. | 3. The Life of the House: How Rooms Evolve — Written by Henrietta Spencer-Churchill, the great-granddaughter of Consuelo Vanderbilt, this coffee table book traces the evolution of rooms in the home through beautiful photographs, so we learn how the medieval great hall is related to the practical place to store umbrellas and coats and about the relatively recent luxurious addition of indoor bathrooms. | 4. The Things That Matter: Nate Berkus — Part memoir, part design portfolio, this book is all about bringing your individual personality into your home and is filled with inspiration to help you do just that. Nate is completely open about how he started in design, about the tsunami that killed his partner and how that changed his life and about how he creates homes that honor all aspects of people's lives. | 5. Roman and Williams Buildings and Interiors: Things We Made — You can't walk around New York without tripping over a Roman and Williams-designed space. They did the Standard Hotel, the Breslin, the Ace Hotel, Stumptown Coffee and the Dutch, to name a few. They've also designed elaborate sets for movies like Zoolander.