By Michelle Waltos

Librarian

With cooler temperatures, shorter days, and the approaching holiday season, our minds (and stomachs!) have begun to turn to warm comfort foods that all can enjoy.  If you need some new recipes that fit that bill, these cookbooks are a great place to start:

For parties and entertaining

“Martha Stewart’s Appetizers,” by Martha Stewart

Everything you need to get a party started: snacks, small plates, finger foods and drinks. And it’s from Martha — enough said.

“All-Time Best Appetizers,” by the Editors at Cook’s Illustrated

Great photos and a thoughtful introduction accompany each recipe to explain what techniques to use and why certain ingredients were chosen.

For taking a break

“One Pot: 120+ Easy Meals from Your Skillet, Slow Cooker, Stockpot and More,” by the Editors of Martha Stewart Living

You won’t be confined to a slow cooker with this book, which features dishes that can be made in a Dutch oven, skillet, pressure cooker and more.

“Skinnytaste Fast and Slow: Knockout Quick-Fix and Slow Cooker Recipes,” by Gina Homolka

Finding easy, healthy dishes that the whole family will enjoy can be a challenge. All 120 recipes in this cookbook contain nutritional information, and many are vegetarian, gluten-free, and freezer-friendly.

For happy endings

“Great British Bake-off Big Book of Baking,” by Linda Collister

Even if you haven’t watched the hit television show, you will appreciate this book, which contains original recipes for pastries, cakes and sweets, as well as savory pastries and biscuits. Step-by-step photographs guide you through more complicated techniques.

“Taste of Home: Cookies,” by Taste of Home Books

You’ll be inspired to start a cookie-swap after picking up this book, which contains 12 chapters based on cookie type. A color photo accompanies each of the 600 recipes. They say we eat with our eyes first, so bon appétit!