Julia Child’s essential 2-volume set. Of course we love Julia — she taught America to cook! Here’s a sample recipe.

$50 at Amazon - buy now

Paula Wolfert’s 1983 classic was revised in 2005 — it’s by far the best book we know of about a region that’s dear to our hearts. Duck lovers, you need this book. Try a recipe.

$20 at Amazon - buy now

Dorie Greenspan brings her charm and great taste to the table with more than 300 French recipes. She's one of the the best in the biz; her recipes work and they are outstanding. Read more.

$42 at Bookshop - buy now

$25 at Amazon - buy now

Grab a copy of Anne Willan’s outstanding 2007 magnum opus before they’ve all vanished. Willan founded La Varenne cooking school.

$5 - $20 (digital or used at Amazon) - buy now

BOUCHON

Thomas Keller presents his elevated take on bistro food in his gorgeous 2004 classic.

$56 at Bookshop - buy now

$33 at Amazon - buy now

This mammoth, French-language (not translated into English) book, subtitled “Recettes Bourgeoises & Populaire,” weighs in at nearly 1,100 pages. Its author, chef Jean-François Piège, is one of France’s most accomplished and decorated. Piège offers definitive recipes for just about every French dish you can think of, and many more besides, usually with no headnote. Requires pretty serious cooking skills and pre-existing knowledge of French cuisine (along with the ability to read French.) Story and/or review coming soon.

$76 at Amazon - buy now

This gorgeous cookbook brings into your home dishes from Jody Williams’ beloved, long-running New York restaurant.

$28 at Bookshop - buy now

$28 at Amazon - buy now

Aleksandra Crapanzano’s charming compendium speaks to people who love cakes but don’t want to fuss over them. Review coming soon - for now, try a recipe.

$28 at Bookshop - buy now

$19 at Amazon - buy now

Camille Fourmont's delightful little volume book offers recipes and wine notes from her Paris wine bar. Her Rose and Cumin Sablés are dreamy. Co-written with Kate Leahy. Read our review.

$23 at Bookshop - buy now

$22 at Amazon - buy now

The English-language edition of the French volume by Hubert Delore and Vincent Boué takes a cheffy approach, with ambitious breadth. Review coming soon.

$42 at Bookshop - buy now

$31 at Amazon - buy now

David Lebovitz, the brilliant Paris-based American pastry chef, wraps his arms around the savory side as well as sweets in this fine volume.

$33 at Bookshop - buy now

$19 at Amazon - buy now

Melissa Clark brings her warm, approachable Brooklyn-bred charm to the French dishes she fell in love with as kid, spending summers in France.

$35 at Bookshop - buy now

$21 at Amazon - buy now