21 Yummy Ways to Start and End Your Day With Peanut Butter

Nov 03, 2015

November is National Peanut Butter Lovers Month, and we couldn’t be more thrilled. We like it gooey, crunchy or with a touch of honey — and we ‘re hoping to throw a little PB into any recipe we can (because it’s so much more than just peanut butter and jelly sandwiches). This classic nut butter is a delicious way to inject flavor and dimension into recipes while increasing the dish’s protein and healthy fat content. Plus, it’s a great source of vitamin B, which helps improve brain function! So whether you eat yours in your morning oatmeal, as a snack with bananas and chocolate or whipped up into an African-inspired stew, we have over 20 peanut butter recipes to help you celebrate your love for the yummy stuff.

1. Peanut Butter Pancakes: Perfect with chocolate sauce, jam, syrup or drizzled with more peanut butter, you won’t believe these fluffy pancakes are secretly healthy! (via Just So Tasty)

2. Power Protein Salad: If you have been looking for salad and high protein recipes, this one is for you. This vegan and gluten free recipe has all the protein you could ever hope for, in this super healthy salad. (via Contentedness Cooking)

3. Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter: Everything is more fun to DIY, even making peanut butter. The best part about it is it’s totally customizable. (via Brit + Co)

4. Peanut Zucchini Noodle Stuffed Roasted Capsicums: Not only does this dish have peanut butter (the crunchy kind, at that) you can add a little more texture to it with a handful of peanuts. Too much? Nah. Seriously, you won’t believe how easy it is to make this vegan, gluten free dinner. Bonus: It sounds sinful, but is secretly healthy. (via Thoroughly Nourished Life)

5. Banana Sushi: Move over mochi, there’s a new dessert in town. In a move that can only be described as ‘genius,’ the bananas are coated in peanut butter and chocolate then topped with pistachios, coconut flakes, chia and sesame seeds. No rolling required. And if you’ve got a little time to wait before you dig in (hear us out) stick these in the freezer for a whole new experience. You’re welcome. (via Vegan Heaven)

6. Vegan Pasta Bake with Rainbow Thai Peanut Noodles: Who needs takeout? This recipe packs tofu noodles and fresh veggies into a creamy Thai peanut curry sauce for an easy, meatless, weeknight-friendly meal that is vegan and gluten free. (vie Food Faith Fitness)

7. No-Bake Peanut Butter and Jelly Pie: If you’ve got a sweet tooth, this pie is a must. While it looks decadent, it’s actually pretty simple to make and only requires six ingredients. (via Brit + Co)

8. PB&J Cookie Cupcakes: This recipe is perfect for tea parties. You don’t have to choose between peanut butter OR jelly, or even cupcake OR cookie with this mash-up. (via Brit + Co)

9. DIY Reese’s: Don’t feel like battling the crowds for your favorite candy? Make Reese’s cups at home. Your holiday gift situation? Solved. (via Brit + Co)

10. Peanut Butter Banana Yogurt Bowls: Creamy vanilla Greek yogurt is topped with banana slices and melted peanut butter to create this fun and easy protein-packed breakfast. (via The Lemon Bowl)

11. Peanut Butter and Honey Chia Pudding: As delicious as Greek yogurt with peanut butter, fruit and granola is, it’s easy to get burnt out on it. Swap it next week for this make ahead chia pudding. (via The Breakfast Drama Queen)

12. Kale and Sweet Potato Stew: Nourishing and creamy and with peanut butter, this is a treat for a rainy day. (via The Awesome Green)

13. Crunchy Thai Salad with Peanut Dressing: This refreshing, crunchy Thai salad that can be prepared either with chicken or as a vegetarian dish is topped with the most amazing peanut dressing. Maybe double the dressing recipe, because you’ll want seconds. (via Pretty. Simple. Sweet.)

14. Crispy Baked Chicken Wings with Peanut Sauce: Wings are best with a crispy, crunchy exterior and tender interior and these fit the bill. Plus, they’re topped with an out-of-this-world peanut sauce — bet you didn’t see that once coming. (via Gal on a Mission)

15. Peanut Butter and Jelly for Breakfast: If a PB&J for breakfast is wrong, we don’t want to be right. Get all your fruit servings in for the day first thing in the morning, too. (via Brit + Co)

16. Peanut Butter Cookies: Four ingredients. Twenty minutes. That’s all you need to have a pan full of perfect peanut butter cookies. Pour a glass of milk and enjoy. (via Brit + Co)

17. West African Peanut Stew with Kale: This simple and hearty vegetarian take on the classic West African peanut stew uses pantry ingredients and works well with whatever greens you happen to have on hand. (via The Hungry Hounds)

18. Bacon Peanut Butter Swirled Scones with Chocolate Drizzle: Bacon, peanut butter and chocolate — do we have your attention? Rethink your scones with a savory twist. After one bite, these bacon peanut butter scones will have you reaching for more. (via The Spiffy Cookies)

19. Peanut Butter Bacon Burger: This is what you need after a night of revelry. Peanut butter on a burger sounds strange but trust us, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner. (via F&B Department)

20. Chocolate Peanut Butter Mascarpone French Toast: Save this recipe for a special day. It’s decadent but totally worth it. You won’t be able to look at normal French toast the same ever again. (via Chef Priyanka)

21. Peanut Butter and Banana Granola Snack Clusters: Peanut butter and granola were made for each other. Top your morning yogurt with it or enjoy with milk as a late-night snack. (via Simple Veganista)

What’s your favorite recipe that includes peanut butter? Let us know below in the comments!

17 Unique Flavor Combos To Upgrade Your Avocado Toast Recipes

To us, the avocado toast craze is still in full swing. We'd happily take our Instagram feeds flooded with aesthetically-pleasing pics of avo toast! The crunchy-yet-creamy combo is delicious, nutritious, and easy to make, but let’s keep it real: the classic version of avocado toast (crispy bread + smashed avocado + sea salt + olive oil + lemon juice) has become a little — dare we say, basic?

With the help of a few tasty toppings, you can upgrade your avocado toast game and give this foodie favorite quite the gourmet flair. The results will make your followers jealous, but your taste buds oh-so happy. Check out this list of avocado toast recipes to keep your meals inspired!

Avocado Egg Salad

Made with four ingredients, this mayo-free avocado + egg salad is a game changer. It’s a fabulous make-ahead lunch that will give your work day some extra excitement! (via The Roasted Root)

Autumn Avocado Toast

We’re confident this toasted avocado toast treat can be enjoyed all year long, especially on chilly days or nights when you’re craving something that's both sweet and savory. (via How Sweet Eats)

Cottage Cheese Avocado Toast

Cottage cheese is a super easy way to give your avocado toast recipes a boost of protein! Its cheesy, creamy consistency blends exceptionally well with mashed or sliced avocado, and in this delicious case, fresh tomatoes. (via The Fast Recipe)

Roasted Chickpea Avocado Toast

Same goes for chickpeas! They're a nice, cheap source of vegan protein that can make your avocado toast recipes more fulfilling. This recipe calls for you to pan-roast them, so they get crispy and flavorful. (via Two Peas & Their Pod)

Avocado Toast with Roasted Asparagus on Multigrain

This loaded toast is good for meals beyond just breakfast. The hearty roasted asparagus will warm you up from the inside out, all while incorporating tons of vitamins and minerals in each bite. (via Vanilla and Bean)

Avocado Toast with Brown Butter Sesame Seeds

The brown butter sesame seeds that adorn the top of this toast add a much-needed note of umami, balancing out the creamy avo in no time. (via The Original Dish)

Grilled Corn, Feta, + Egg in a Hole Avocado Toast

Bet you've never seen an avocado toast recipe like this before! This pick gets topped with grilled corn, feta cheese, egg, and if you feel like going gourmet with it, some fresh peach slices. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Avocado + Heirloom Tomato Toast

We can all agree that avocado toast is what dreams are made of. But when you add fresh, ripened tomatoes and drizzle some balsamic vinegar on top, it takes your avocado toast dreams to a whole new level. (via Blissful Basil)

Open-Faced Lemon Pepper Artichoke and Arugula Sandwich

Better known as fancy toast, this gourmet knife-and-fork meal tastes as good as it looks. With a stellar combo of white bean hummus, artichokes, lemon juice, baby arugula, and sweet balsamic glaze, this savory-yet-subtly sweet avocado toast will likely become your new favorite food. (via Veggie and the Beast)

Avocado Toast With Charred Tomatoes, Garlic Shrimp and Fried Egg

Perfect for lunch, dinner, or even a late night snack, this flavorful and nutritious version of avo toast will have you thanking the food gods! (via Domesticate Me)

Avocado and Crab Crostini

Top your avocado toast with fresh, buttery crab and toasted baguette slices, then be prepared for your life to change — it’s that good. Serve these slices as an appetizer when hosting your next soirée, and your guests will be begging for the recipe. (via Confessions of a Chocoholic)

Green Goddess Toast

Roasted spring vegetables, tahini sauce, and avocado. Do we even need to say more? (via Feed Me Phoebe)

Vegan Hummus on Avocado Toast

If you’re getting a little bored with your avocado toast, but don’t want to put in a ton of effort to renew the meal, this recipe is for you! Slow-roasted tomatoes, hemp hearts, avocado, and hummus make for a winning combination. This also makes for the perfect post-workout snack! (via Oh She Glows)

Avocado Toast With Crisped Prosciutto

This take on avocado toast will make you hungry just thinking about it. Don’t say we didn’t warn you! (via Honest Cooking)

Spicy Steak and Avocado Toast

Don’t be afraid to step outside the box when it comes to your avocado toast recipes. Whether you’re headed to a summer potluck or making a meal for your boo, this filling steak dish will thrill even the pickiest eater. (via Heather Christo)

Smoked Salmon and Smashed Avocado Tartines

You’ll get a nutrient-rich dose of heart-healthy fats, vitamins, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids with these tasty avo-smothered tartines. (via Baker by Nature)

Spicy Maple Bacon and Scrambled Eggs on Avocado Toast

Are you just drooling reading the name of this dish? We are! Pair this crave-worthy comfort food with mimosas, and declare yourself the queen of brunch. (via Domesticate Me)

Which of these avocado toast recipes are you super excited to try? Let us know in the comments!

Lead image via Half Baked Harvest.

This post has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser.

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Brooke Shields Totally Falls For Chad Michael Murray In “Mother Of The Bride” (Just Like The Rest Of Us)

If you've been missing Chad Michael Murray as much as we have, then you're going to want to tune into Mother of the Bride. Chad stars opposite Brooke Shields and Miranda Cosgrove in the new rom-com, and the Sullivan's Crossing actor is trading the cozy forest for a tropical beach! The flick has plenty of romance (that is, after all, the "rom" in question), but instead of ending with a big proposal like a lot of other romantic movies, Mother of the Bride begins with a wedding announcement. And, naturally, relationship chaos unfolds from there. There's dancing, there's yoga, there's pickleball. This is one movie you won't want to miss! Here's everything we know.

What is the movie Mother of the Bride about?

Image via Netflix

Lana (Brooke Shields) is thrilled when her daughter Emma (Miranda Cosgrove) returns to the states from her time abroad. She's less thrilled, however, to learn that Emma is getting married on the other side of the world...in 30 days. Lana is ready to support Emma however she needs, but things take a turn for the worse when she realizes Emma's future father-in-law is the man who broke her heart in college. Watch the Mother of the Bride trailer here!

When can I watch Mother of the Bride?

Image via Netflix

Mother of the Bride begins streaming on Netflix Thursday May 9, 2024, which makes this the best movie to watch this weekend. You can check out the rest of our Most-Anticipated May Movies For 2024 to update your monthly watchlist!

Who's in the Mother of the Bride cast?

Image via Netflix

Alongside Brooke Shields and Miranda Cosgrove as Lana and Emma, we'll see Chad Michael Murray, Benjamin Bratt, Rachael Harris, and Sean Teale. Michael McDonald, Wilson Cruz, Tasneem Roc, and Dalip Sondhi also star.

Where was Mother of the Bride filmed?

Image via Netflix

Mother of the Bride was filmed on location in Thailand. That sounds like a dream! According to Miranda Cosgrove, the movie filmed for six weeks, and the cast and crew spent almost every minute together.

Why is the mother of the bride so important?

Image via Netflix

The mother of the bride can be an important part of any wedding ceremony (should the couple choose to include her). While she provides some serious emotional support for the bride, the MOB also helps with wedding planning. Plus, in the past, she's also had a role in making sure any religious, cultural, or traditional elements are incorporated into the ceremony. Basically, she's the bride's right hand woman! (In addition to the Maid of Honor, of course).

Are you excited to see Brooke Shields, Chad Michael Murray, and Miranda Cosgrove? Add the rest of our 54 Most-Anticipated Spring Movies For 2024 to your watchlist for your next weekend binge watch session.

Lead image via Netflix

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35 Tasty Salad Recipes That Make A Totally Satisfying Meal

Salad cravings come and go but they can definitely linger when you find the perfect mix of fresh, seasonal ingredients and an irresistibly delicious dressing. These hearty salads are all of those things, and stand on their own as a meal for one or a crowd. The versatility of each is what makes them shine as our very best salad recipes too. Top with your favorite protein for a delicious dinner, proudly bring along to a summer BBQ potluck, or pack for a week's worth of healthy lunches. Whether you're craving a taco-style salad, an all-veggie mix, or a spin on your favorite cuisine like Thai, Middle Eastern, or Southern-Style, these are the best salads to add to your recipe box.

Spring Mix Salad with Lemon Baked Tofu

Pack protein like lemon tofu and edamame to this salad that's filled enough to be its own stand-alone dish. The tangy vinaigrette is so refreshing too! (via Two Spoons for Brit + Co)

Butternut Squash Salad

Rich in nutrients, this veggie salad packs a mouthful of sweet flavors from the roasted butternut, paired with perfectly with a homemade apple cider dressing. (via Brit + Co)

Space Salad

This NASA-inspired recipe, originally developed for deep space travelers, only requires seven ingredients: soybeans, poppy seeds, barley, kale, peanuts, sunflower seeds, and sweet potatoes are all tossed together to create an (ahem) out-of-this-world salad. (via Brit + Co)

Strawberry Arugula Walnut Salad

Here's our favorite go-to spring salad recipe, chock full of fresh fruit + veg we love to savor all season long. (via Brit + Co)

Sweet Potato Salad

This hearty salad mixes together roasted sweet potato, fluffy quinoa, arugula, crumbled feta, and a quick + delicious hummus dressing. (via Live Eat Learn)

Whole30 Chicken and Avocado Salad

We recreated one of Pinterest's most popular Whole30 recipes and learned exactly what all the fuss is about, so good! (via Brit + Co)

Spring Chicken Salad With Sauce Verte

Low-carb fans will love this bright spring salad with seasoned chicken and a mix of veggies like asparagus, English peas, and plenty of greens. (via Brit + Co)

Pesto Chicken Avocado Orzo Salad

Grilled Cajun chicken, orzo, romaine lettuce, and avocado and peppers tossed together with a creamy thousand island dressing is a meal we'll happily add to our weekly salad rotation ASAP. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Roasted Golden Beet Salad With Farro

Roasted beets, farro, goat cheese, and crunchy almonds is hearty enough to serve as a meal on its own but also a dish you'll totally want to share. (via Barley & Sage)

Peach Salad

Peach lovers unite! This salad puts the juicy stone fruit front and center and finishes with a sweet and tangy olive oil dressing. (via Feel Good Foodie)

Summer Watermelon Radish Salad

Watermelon radishes are nothing like your average watermelon. Earthy and packed with a spicy kick, these vegetables go best paired with a simple balsamic vinaigrette. (via Brit + Co)

Curly Endive and Stone Fruit Salad

The best thing about salads is their versatility. Swap the endive here for radicchio, chicories, frisée or some other favorite and grill the stone fruit for added flavor. (via Most Hungry)

Easy Beef Taco Salad

Top this beef salad with your favorite taco toppings and an easy and delicious 2-ingredient dressing!.(via Salt & Lavender)

Spring Orzo Salad

Loaded with asparagus, peas, and a delicious lemon vinaigrette dressing, this salad will satisfy you through summer and beyond. (via Munching With Mariyah)

Shaved Broccolini, Brussel Sprouts, and Kale Salad

This gluten-free and vegetarian salad features shaved broccolini, Brussels sprouts and kale (*all* the greens) and is so easy to make. (via RachL Mansfield)

Grilled Buffalo Chicken Salad

Toss crispy romaine hearts, spicy buffalo chicken, and all your favorite veggies with a healthy and super tasty avocado ranch dressing for your next salad craving. (via The Endless Meal)

Apple Berry Walnut Salad

Berry season is a perfect time to make this salad, mixed with kale, red leaf lettuce, blackberries, blueberries, apples, and walnuts. (via Pink Owl Kitchen)

These Are The Best Salad Recipes To Mix Up This Summer

Snap Pea And Burrata Salad

Snap peas, cucumbers, radishes, and creamy burrata cheese is the healthy + totally satisfying mix we want in a salad. (via Cozy Cravings)

Santa Fe Chicken Salad

This Chili's copycat recipe is loaded with spicy chicken, yummy veggies, tortilla strips and a zesty Santa Fe sauce. (via The Girl on Bloor)

Winter Greens & Citrus Salad with Tahini-Ginger Dressing

The Japanese-style tahini-ginger dressing in this salad is so good that you'll want to drizzle it on all your veggies — sauteéd kale, steamed broccoli, and more. (via Season Cookbook x Brit + Co)

Panzanella Bread Salad

This salad made with grilled bread, heirloom tomatoes, capers and herbs can be served warm or cold depending on the season and mood. (via Veggie Society)

Authentic Fattoush Salad

Make the most of summer's best produce with a delicious dressing and crunchy homemade pita chips for the ultimate bread salad. (via Forks & Foliage)

Turmeric Rice Salad

Grains are a great way to turn a salad into a meal. This Mediterranean-inspired salad uses turmeric and rice to add a beautiful color, great texture and a lot of nutrition. (via Feel Good Foodie)

Vegan Grilled Club Salad

Inspired by the classic club sandwich, this salad uses similar ingredients grilled to perfection. (via The Edgy Veg)

Bright Winter Salad

This easy, 10-minute salad is packed with antioxidants and introduces dragonfruit to your salad go-to ingredients. (via No Eggs Or Ham)

Easy Fennel Arugula Salad

Mix in sundried tomatoes and artichoke hearts to create a simple and satisfying salad with huge flavor. (via GastroPlant)

Turkish Shepherd Salad

Tomato season is our favorite salad time. Add fresh summer tomatoes, cucumbers and onions, plus sumac, lemon juice and olive oil to make this tasty and refreshing salad in just 5 minutes! (via Give Recipe)

Thai Quinoa Salad

A simple Thai vinaigrette made of sesame oil, lime juice, fish sauce, ginger, and garlic turns your summer produce into a delightful feast! (via A Spicy Perspective)

BÒ LÚC LẮC (VIETNAMESE SHAKING BEEF) ON A BED OF WATERCRESS

This peppery, sweet, and savory bo luc lac is delicious served on a bed of crisp watercress, red onions, and cherry tomatoes, so salad-esque. (via Takes Two Eggs)

Kale Salad

This colorful kale salad made with a fresh strawberry vinaigrette is an ode to California cuisine. (via Culinary Hill)

Cauliflower Citrus Salad

This winter salad is a great one to bookmark come the holidays or try anytime you're craving crunchy and sweet. (via Allo Simone)

Chickpea Shawarma Salad

This plant-based version of the Middle Easter dish still has the same kick of spices but with hearty chickpeas and a dressing that’s tangy, sweet, and tart all at once. (via Chef Bai)

STRAWBERRY SPINACH SALAD & BALSAMIC DRESSING

This healthy summer salad is quick and easy, featuring toasted almonds, sliced cucumbers and in-season strawberries, plus an easy balsamic vinaigrette dressing. (via Two Spoons)

WATERMELON FETA BASIL BALSAMIC SALAD RECIPE

There are few things better than watermelon in season and this salad takes advantage of all of it with complimentary flavors of feta, basil, and balsamic. (via Cilantro Parsley)

Black Eyed Pea and Cornbread Salad

This Southern-style salad had us at cornbread, plus plant-based toppings that are healthy and delicious and totally filling. (via This Wife Cooks)

Follow us on Pinterest for more summer dinner recipe ideas and check out our online cooking classes for more ideas!

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6 Sephora Birthday Gifts You Can Score On Your Big Day In May!

May is here, and we're celebrating it by sharing which Sephora birthday gift you can get this month. That's right — I'm talking about all the freebies you can find! Well, not all of them — just enough to help you find new makeup, skincare, or haircare products to add to your vanity. After looking at the options Sephora has to offer this month, we're sure you'll have a hard time choosing from all the great options.

Let's jump into the 6 glamorous Sephora birthday gifts you can get this month!

How do I redeem my free birthday gift?

In order to redeem your birthday gift, you have to become a beauty insider. Signing up is completely free.

Are birthday gifts only available online?

Some of them are, but some can be picked up in-stores. You'll want to look online to see if the birthday gift you want has the "Available online only" or "Available in Store only" label.

Can I redeem more than one gift?

Wouldn't it be nice if we could have all the things? Unfortunately, you can only choose one birthday gift set.

Am I able to redeem a VIB or Rogue birthday gift if I haven't reached those tiers?

If you recently became a beauty insider, you'll be in the 'insider' tier. Here's the requirements to reach the next tiers:

VIB: Spend $350 in one year
Rogue: Spend $1000 in one year

You'll have to continue spending those amounts to maintain your VIB or Rogue status. At that point, you'll be able to redeem a VIB or Rogue birthday gift.

Other than that, you have free reign to choose from 7 other great options! Here's everything you can choose during your birthday month!

Kosas Lip & Brow Birthday Set

What's included:

Wet Lip Oil Plumping Treatment Gloss in Shade 'Unbuttoned' (Soft Warm Blush)
Air Brow Clear + Clean Lifting Eyebrow Gel with Lamination Effect

Kosas is known for their skincare-friendly makeup which makes this birthday gift so exciting. You'll get one of the best lip oils that'll gives your lips a boost of hydration thanks to hyaluronic acid and it'll make them look kissable. Additionally, you can give your eyebrows a little boost with Kosas' air brow gel!

Youth To The People Cleanse & Hydrate Skincare Birthday Set

What's included:

Superfood Gentle Antioxidant Refillable Cleanser
Superfood Air-Whip Lightweight Face Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid
Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Night Cream + Mask with Vitamin C

We stan a good skincare set that features different options for us to try. If you choose this birthday option, you'll get to sample Youth To The People's goodies that can easily be incorporate into your morning or nighttime regiment. From a pH-balancing cleanser to a Vitamin C-infused mask, your skin will appreciate this moisturizing birthday gift.

Moroccanoil Ultimate Hydration Birthday Set

What's included:

Moroccanoil Treatment Hair Oil
Hydrating Shampoo
Hydrating Conditioner
Hand Cream

Give your hair some TLC with Moroccanoil's ultimate hydrating set. Each product is infused with argan oil so you can trust that your strands will receive hydration that results in sleek hair.

Sephora Birthday Gift 250 Bonus Points

Then again, you can decide to have an extra 250 bonus points added to your account. I reached the VIB rogue tier by choosing this option one year and my total accumulated points allowed me to save $10 off my next purchase. It's a win even if it's not a gift set.

VIB

Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Look Birthday Set

What's included:

Matte Revolution Lipstick in shade Pillow Talk
Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray
Magic Cream Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid

If you've reached the VIB or Rogue tiers — congratulations! You'll get to take home this Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Look birthday set! If the pretty packaging doesn't catch your eye, then the gorgeous packaging and award-winning products will!

VIB

Summer Fridays On-the-Go Hydration Birthday Set

What's included:

Jet Lag Mask
Lip Butter Balm for Hydration & Shine in Shade 'Vanilla'

While Sephora's other birthday gifts won't change in April, there's a new Rogue VIB option to look forward to! Sephora loves surprising their amazing customers with hydrating birthday gifts and this set is right on time for all your vacation needs. The air on airplanes can be drying so you'll need Summer Friday's jet lag mask for your face and their lip butter balm for your lips!

Which of the Sephora birthday gifts will you be taking home this month?

Brit + Co. may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post is updated each month to reflect new Sephora birthday gift deals.

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These Are The Best Books To Celebrate AAPI Month

Within the expansive world of books, Asian American and Pacific Islander voices offer distinctive viewpoints and unique, thought-provoking perspectives to readers. These viewpoints help teach people about the rich culture and history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans. Plus, AAPI authors just tell really, really great stories! From heart-stopping thrillers, to swoon-worthy romances, to compelling memoirs— here are 16 books you should check out in celebration of AAPI Month!

Memory Pieceby Lisa Ko

In the 1980s, Giselle, Jackie, and Ellen were all outcasts who banded together to have friends and work towards their dreams. Now in the 2040s, the three of them are forced to confront the facts that the world around them has changed and their dreams must too. Giselle, a performer, must learn how to succeed in the elite social world. Jackie, a successful coder, must figure out how to still love his craft even as the coding industry shifts towards surveillance and monetization. And Ellen, a community activist, must come to terms with the increased policing and building that are going on in her neighborhood. This is a story of the changing world and how three lifelong friends must learn to navigate that change and build happy lives despite how different everything is.

The Fetishistby Katherine Min

Written by the late Katherine Min, The Fetishist is a tale of three individuals that explores race, femininity, and how complicated the feelings of family and grief can be. Twenty-three-year-old Japanese American Kyoko is full of anger and despair at the death of her mother, who was recently dumped by Daniel. She is determined to kill Daniel and make him pay for what he did, but her plans go wrong. Daniel is a violinist who is struggling to confront his past mistakes and move forward. Alma, Daniel’s lover, is a Korean American who is spending her final days wondering if she was truly loved in her life.

The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo

Yangsze Choo weaves a tale of old love, second chance, and ancient folklore. It is 1908 in Manchuria, the last years of the Qing Empire, when a woman is found mysteriously dead in a doorway. Suspicions are cast onto the foxes, spirits who are said to transform into beautiful people to lure victims. Detective Bao has been investigating the foxes but has never come close, until now. Meanwhile, Snow is a creature devoted to hunting her child's killer. Both are on a path from China to Japan, but what will happen as more deaths and tragedies follow in their wake?

The Nature of Disappearing by Kimi Cunningham Grant

All Emlyn wants to do is forget about her past. Forget about her best friend Janessa who doesn’t speak to her and forget about the love of her life and her ex, Tyler, who left her for dead on the roadside. Now, three years later, she is living a whole new life in her own trailer with a healthy community around her. But one day Tyler reappears with news that Janessa is missing, shoving Emlyn back into that world that she tried so hard to leave behind. Reluctantly, Emlyn joins Tyler on a mission to try to find her ex-best friend. As they explore deeper into the wilderness Emlyn begins to suspect that not all is as it seems and that she might be in just as much danger as Janessa.

The Catchby Amy Lea

Melanie Karlsen’s brand is about to collapse and she is doing everything possible to stop that from happening. That is why she currently finds herself in an east-coast Canadian fishing village. There she is learning that the stereotypical “all Canadians are nice” statement is not true, especially Evan Whaler. But when an accident lands Evan in the hospital and Melanie is mistaken as his fiancée, the two team up to appease his nagging family and save Melanie’s brand. As their relationship grows from something fake to something more, Melanie must decide whether to embrace this wild love or continue her perfect city life.

Kindlingby Traci Chee

Kindlings were once considered the elite, the fighters who used their magic to wage war at the cost of their own lives. Now that the war is over, the kindlings have been cast aside and forgotten, their magic outlawed. But when violence sparks in the countryside and a village comes under siege, seven kindlings must step up and fight one last time. But can they break through their past and find that peace that they have been searching for through this final battle? This standalone fantasy by Traci Chee explores the deepest parts of humanity and what it means to be lost and led back to find a future worth fighting for.

The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean

Ever since Detective Chelsey Calhoun’s sister disappeared twenty years ago, she has been searching for any clues as to what happened. As other girls go missing and are not found, Chelsey begins to give up hope. But when teenager Ellie Black, who disappeared two years ago, is found alive in the Washington State woods, Chelsey finally has hope again. There’s only one problem, Ellie will not say anything and it is now up to Chelsey to find out what happened and where Ellie was. For the sake of herself, her missing sister, and the girls who will continue to go missing if she does not solve this mystery.

The Djinn Waits a Hundred Yearsby Shubnum Khan

Akhbar Manzil has always drawn Sana close. With the abandoned estates’ dark halls, empty rooms, and mysterious East Wing, Sana wants to know more. When she ventures into the East Wing she finds a door that has been closed for centuries, a room that was suspended in time, and a young woman's diary. As Sana explores the diary and learns of young Meena, who tragically passed in the estate, something stirs. Watching and hunting Sana from the shadows, a grieving djinn from the time of Meena’s death has awoken. In this heartbreaking and mysterious love story, Shubnum Khan weaves a tale of searching for belonging.

Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan

With the Gresham Trust depleted and the family in severe debt, Rufus Leung Gresham is told by his mother to attend his sister's wedding at a luxury eco-resort and find a wealthy wife. Seducing a woman with money would save the family fortune and spare them from many scandals. But despite all of the wealthy and attractive women at the wedding, Rufus Gresham only has eyes for the humble girl next door. As a volcano erupts and the wedding goes up in flames, secrets are exposed, and his mother’s plans are revealed, can Rufus recover or will tragedy strike even further?

True Love and Other Impossible Odds by Christina Li

Grace Tang is a freshman in college, determined to move on from her heartbreaking senior year of high school and start her life new. But when her statistics class forces her to write an equation, she chooses to write an algorithm that will pair people with their perfect match. But some people are skeptical, including Grace’s coworker Julia. To prove her point, Grace starts dating her match, but as she grows closer and closer to Julia even she is finding herself starting to question the algorithm. Can Grace choose between the neat and predictable equations or will she risk a love that does not follow the formula?

Asking For A Friend by Kara H.L. Chen

This upcoming Young Adult novel by Kara H.L. Chen is the perfect summer rom-com to look forward to! There are only two things that Juliana Zhao is certain of; that she is a love expert and that she is going to win the Asian Americans in Business Competition. But when Juliana is dropped by her project partner and forced to pair up with frenemy Garrett Tsai, everything starts to fall apart. Arguments ensue and Juliana is forced to realize that maybe winning isn't everything and that her sheltered worldview won’t make her the perfect daughter or successful woman she strives to be.

Manila Takes Manhattan by Carla de Guzman

When Filipino musician and producer Mon Mendoza finds himself struggling to fit in while in New York City, he finds comfort in making some pancit canton, and unintentionally finds himself on a date with his neighbor. Actress Olivia Angeles has taken on so many characters, but the one she struggles most to embody is her true self. She finds that in a one-night stand with her insanely attractive and excellent cook neighbor. But now, one month later, Olivia and Mon find themselves working on the same movie. Can the two of them remain professional or will their steaming chemistry become too much?

You Know What You Did by K.T. Nguyen

Annie “Anh Le” Shaw had grown up poor but is now wealthy, with everything that she could ever want in her life. But when her Vietnam War refugee mother suddenly and unexpectedly dies, Annie’s perfect world begins to fall apart. Her OCD comes storming back, but her disturbing thoughts and fixations are actually coming true. As more people start to disappear and die, suspicions turn to Annie. To save her husband and daughter, she distances herself only to be found naked and next to a dead body in a hotel room. But all that matters is protecting her family, even if she loses herself in the process.

Their Divine Fires by Wendy Chen

Covering three generations of Chinese women and their love and affairs, this debut novel by Wendy Chen explores the ideas of ancestors, secrets, and folklore. In 1917, Yunhong falls deeply in love with a wealthy landlord's son, but when her brother ruins their wedding he ensures that her daughter will never know her father. As time passes her daughter, Yuexin, passes on stories to her daughters who try to unravel the family’s secrets. This novel dives deep into family history: what the ancestors get to decide to pass down to their future family, and what gets lost to time forever.

One Last Word by Suzanne Park

Sara Chae is the creator of the One Last Word app, an app that allows you to send a message to anyone after you pass away. With obvious and secure safeguards in place, these messages are only sent out after people are 100% confirmed to be dead. Or at least that’s what they are supposed to do. But when Sara wakes up to find that her messages were released, everything goes wrong. Drunk messages to her emotionally abusive mother, her ex-best friend, and a love confession to her high school crush, Harry Shim, all get spilled, leaving Sara (who is very much alive) to deal with the fallout. But when she is offered a mentorship program from none other than Harry, she realizes that this could be a path forward and could lead to everything she’s dreamed of.

In a Not So Perfect World by Neely Tubati-Alexander

When Sloane Cooper is offered an interview for her dream job as a video game designer at a top company she is jumping for joy. But somehow during the interview process, in front of an all-male panel, she finds herself promising to not get involved in any romance to stay focused on her work. Unfortunately for her, her extremely hot neighbor Charlie offers to take her on an all-inclusive trip to a tropical resort to make his ex jealous and return to him. Sloane agrees, thinking that the trip will be good for her to focus on her work. But can she resist falling in love with this man in such a romantic setting? His love life and her career depend on it.

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