For the fussy family

One Dish, Two Ways. Feeding the Whole Family Without the Fuss
By Jane Kennedy. Hardie Grant. $39.95.

What happens when the adults like it hot and spicy but the kids' tastes are still developing? Kennedy's book is genius. One dish, two ways. There's a little fiddling, separating things to add different ingredients here and there, but on the whole this is a book that will serve the whole family night after night. Good ideas for weeknights and weekends and some inbetween stuff too.

Best dish: Vietnamese grilled pork meatballs: off the skewer for the kids, in lettuce cups for the grownups.

For the health nut

The 20/20 Diet Cookbook
By Lola Berry. Plum. $34.99.

Plentiful offerings in this category this year. Paleo the diet of choice. Pete Evans was busy with two books – Healthy Every Day and Family Food – and the Clean Living lads pumped out a couple as well. But we love Lola, who lost 20kg in 20 weeks once she decided to eat real food. Her message is a little softer. She'll feed you and make you move and then sit down and paint your toes a delicious shade of pink.

Best dish: Carrot cake porridge: yes, cake for breakfast (well sort of).

For someone about to leave home

I'd Eat That
By Callum Hann. Murdoch. $24.99.

Callum Hann's the sort of kid that you hope your own university-headed child shares a group house with. Sure, he can cook, but it's his passion for passing on the message that it's not that hard that we love the most. This little book is full of simple but delicious recipes as well as plenty of information ranging from setting up a pantry to preparing perfect seafood. Put it in their suitcase and they'll thank you for it.

Best dish: Baked mac 'n' cheese with rosemary breadcrumbs: it will remind them of home.

For busy workers

Asia Express
By Marion Grasby. Plum. $39.99.

Grasby shows it's much easier to make your own Asian, cheaper and better for you than any takeaway you could pick up on the way home after work. Put the rice cooker on in the morning, make sure there's a few staples in the fridge and you'll have dinner on the table in no time. Must admit I love her Marion's Kitchen pantry packs that take all the hard work out of a green curry but this book made me realise how lazy I'd become.

Best dish: Crumbed coriander fish fingers: even the kids will eat them.

For vegetarians

A Modern Way to Eat
By Anna Jones. Fourth Estate. $49.99.

Didn't read the cover of this one before I opened it and only a few pages in I thought here's a book that is going to change the way I cook. And then I realised it was a vegetarian cookbook. Who would have thought. With beautiful photography and a simple approach, here's hoping this is the first of many cookbooks from Jones. Another mention in this section to Suzy's Spoon's Vegetarian Kitchen which made me feel the same way.

Best dish: Avocado, butterbean and miso salad for lunch. No more sandwiches.

For the retro cook

Three Sisters Bake
By Gillian, Nichola and Linsey Reith. Hardie Grant. $39.95.

There's something very old-fashioned about these three modern sisters who run a cafe in a village in Scotland. Food is all about family and sharing and things that taste good. From chicken and ham hock pie to dark chocolate and salted-caramel tarts. Throw in a little craft (who doesn't need a knitted mug cosy to keep their hot chocolate hot) and some interesting stories and you've got a book to get you through many a rainy afternoon.

Best dish: Sunshine chicken: super easy, makes you feel super happy.

For the man of the house

King of the Grill
By Ross Dobson. Murdoch. $39.99.

Let him think it's all about the grilling and nothing to do with all the work you've done in the kitchen. This is a collection of Dobson's favourite recipes from simple classics to ideas from all the corners of the globe. The barbecue is your best friend this time of year, from breakfast to dinner. Who wants to cook inside? There are recipes in here from his Fired Up Vegetarian cookbook which will give you plenty of ideas for non-meat eating friends.

Best dish: Potatoes with herbed labneh: do your sides on the grill as well.

For the adventurous cook

Bistronomy
By Katrina Meynink. Allen & Unwin. $49.99.

I loved Meynink's first book Kitchen Coquette but this one scared me senseless. Bistronomy is clever food without the stuffiness. Gastronomy meets bistro, it's become quite a movement in certain circles. There were only a few recipes that I would be game to try, but you'll know people who will gobble this book up. There's a French theme and many of the world's best chefs have helped pull it together.

Best dish: Slow-roasted shoulder of lamb, smoked potatoes and mint sauce: just where do I buy organic hay for roasting?