Pick up a cute new book with crafts, recipes and creative ideas, including drawing, knitting, cross stitch and snail mail. Some are are out now and others are available to pre-order or add to your wish list. I’ve included Amazon links below but you can also order through other sites, like Bookshop (UK/US) which supports independent bookshops near you.
We’ll start with some recipe books for a change. Mukja: Let’s Eat! (UK/US) looks perfect for fans of Korean pop culture with 75+ iconic recipes inspired by K-Pop and K-Dramas including banchan, stews, noodles, snacks, sweets and drinks. Using illustrations for the recipes is an extra cool touch that will make it nice to browse through, and worth adding to your shelves even if you’re not the best at cooking. Pre-order for early November
Tim Anderson’s Japanese food books are always beautifully designed and Japanese Curry (and Its Delicious Companions) (UK/US) has a very kawaii cover. That doesn’t mean it’s a simplistic book though as the Masterchef winner does extensive research and you’ll learn a lot. The recipes are still accessible though and look so yummy! There’s everything from classic katsu curry and udon to traybakes and bread, plus rice, sides and snacks. Pre-order for early November
Star Wars fans can learn how to keep Grogu happy with The Mandalorian Cookbook (UK/US). It shows you how to replicate on-screen dishes, plus there’s recipes inspired by the characters and storylines. You can create a whole meal with starters, mains, desserts and drinks to choose from, including Jawa Chews, Krayt Dragon Sliders and Travel Dumplings. Pre-order for next week
Ja-Purr-Nese (UK/US) has been out since April but somehow missed my notice. It looks far too cute not to get a mention, with adorable cat-shaped versions of Japanese food and drinks including both sweet and savoury options. It would also be ideal for anyone who’s quite new to Japanese cooking as it includes all the basics with tutorials and cute illustrated steps. There’s even some colouring pages! I recommend clicking through to see some of the recipe pages. Available Now
On to crafts and Rainbow Amigurumi (UK/US) is the latest collection of crochet patterns from Amigurumi.com with 15 patterns by 14 different designers. They’re all designed to be made with a colourful rainbow of yarn including a Mermaid, Parrot, Chameleon, Capybara, Dragon and Snail. The patterns are suitable for crocheters of all skill levels with guides for more advanced techniques, plus videos. Available Now
Even if you don’t know knitwear designer Lauren Aston’s name, you’ve definitely seen her fun oversized designs on celebrities. Dopamine Knitting (UK/US) is her latest book with 20 playful knitting patterns to add a pop of colour to your life with accessories, clothing and homeware. The patterns are split into Easy Peasy, Intermediate and Advanced, and use large needles and chunky yarn for a quick knit. There’s also tips on colour theory to adapt the designs to your own style. Available Now (2027 in US)
Wildlife biologist and crafter Max Pigeon is back with a new nature-inspired cross stitch book. Cross-Stitch by the Sea (UK/US) is for fans of marine life with 25 projects to capture the beauty of beaches and oceans. The full coverage designs are beautiful and feature all seasons and habitats with patterns themed around whales, puffins, jellyfish, crabs, icebergs, kelp and so much more. Even if you’re a total beginner, cross stitch is super easy to pick up so you can still start with this. Available Now
The Art of Snail Mail (UK/US) is a lovely reminder of the joys of sending and receiving letters in the post and aims to inspire slowing down, getting creative and connecting with the people you care about. That includes 20 projects for snail mail, paper craft and mail art, plus more creative ideas, tutorials and advice. You could buy a copy for a faraway friend too and make it your new year resolution to keep in touch in a more personal way. Available Now
We’re heading into hibernation season and Cozy Things to Draw (UK/US) teaches you how to capture the simple comforts of everyday life in adorable miniature illustrations using coloured pencils (or the digital equivalent). There’s hundreds of cute little things to draw, from animals and nature to homeware and clothing. Every drawing has multiple steps to follow (check the link for examples) and how to combine them into larger scenes. Whether you’re a total beginner or trying to expand your skills, you should learn a lot of new techniques. Out Now (early November in UK)
If you like to try different crafts and activities, or haven’t found one you love yet, Cozy Hobbies (UK/US) is here to help with 45+ hobbies to explore, from gardening, birdwatching and woodworking to painting, journaling and embroidery. This looks like a lovely book to dip into when you’re feeling bored or burned out, to inspire you try things you’ve never thought about before. It even has a flowchart to help you find an activity to match your mood, plus tips and tricks for getting started. Out Now/Next Week
There’s so many more books coming out soon that I’ll have another roundup in early December for Christmas gifting and wishlisting. Check my previous book posts too as the preorder books should all be in shops now. What’s going on your wish list?
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