Autumn is arriving in Australia and New Zealand, but the hot days persist. Your summer saw backyard barbecues on long golden evenings, crisp salads and cold drinks on sticky afternoons, maybe some no-bake desserts when you couldn’t stand to turn on the oven in the heat. But you’ve exhausted your summer recipes. The fridge is stocked but creativity is dwindling. Shaking things up sounds great, if only you had the inspiration…

The right cookbook can be a total game-changer, guiding you toward new flavours, effortless meals, and impressive-but-easy dishes that make you look like you know exactly what you’re doing (even if you’re winging it). But with so many cookbooks out there, where do you even start? That’s where we come in. We’ve rounded up a list of summer-friendly cookbooks to help you shake up your warm-weather menu—think mediterranean, vibrant veggies, and light dishes that pack a flavourful punch.

Best of all, if you’re not ready to commit to another hardcover cluttering up your kitchen, why not borrow a digital version from your library? It’s the perfect way to explore recipes, taste-test a few, and see which ones truly deserve a permanent spot on your shelf.

Find our top picks below and on the Libby app for a summer menu glow-up!

Weber's Ultimate Veggie Barbecue by Jamie Purviance

The complete guide to a barbecue shake-up. Make veggies, fruit, and seafood the star of the show.

Sandwiches of History by Barry W. Enderwick

Revolutionize your sandwich. Perfect the classics, find surprises in new recipes, and chef up the greatest lunch since sliced bread.

Plant Power by Luigi Fontana

Professor Luigi Fontana’s guide to plant-based diets explains the key to healthy longevity.

My Mediterranean Life: Recipes and Stories by Sarah Di Lorenzo

It’s not just about the bright and bold flavours—the Mediterranean diet is a lifestyle, targeting health benefits and increased lifespan.

Eat Like a Girl by Dr. Mindy Pelz
🎧 Audiobook

Use food to find a healthier, more balanced life, with particular focus on hormones, blood sugar, and supporting a healthy gut.

Salad for Days by Alice Zaslavsky

Refresh your salad routine with bright colours, summery flavours, and palate cleansers.

Tasty by Chelsea Winter

No meat, no eggs, no dairy, no refined sugar. This plant-based recipe mecca is a must-read from New Zealand’s bestselling cookbook author.

Make It Easy: A Healthy Meal Prep and Menu Planning Guide by Danielle Walker

Meal-prepping made easy and flexible, with gluten-free, grain-free, and paleo recipes.

More Salad: Two Raw Sisters by Margo Flanagan & Rosa Flanagan

Veggie-lovers will remember the Flanagan sisters’ cookbook, Salad, which saw outstanding success—now find more excellent recipes in the appropriately named companion cookbook, More Salad.

Epic Salads by Jessica Prescott

Learn the five key elements to excellent salads: leaf, body, protein, dressing, and crunch.

Big Vegan Flavor by Nisha Vora

More than just a cookbook, Nisha Vora teaches flavour-first philosophy in this inspiration-packed vegan bible.

Broccoli & Other Love Stories by Paulette Whitney

Tasmanian market gardener Paulette Whitney shares horticultural wisdom on 55 vegetables, fruits, and herbs.

The Salad Lab by Darlene Schrijver

Experiment with ingredients and recreate celebrity-favourite salads to dine like the stars.

Health Nut: A Feel-Good Cookbook by Jess Damuck

Find irresistible recipes like Vegan Baklava Ice Cream and Orange-Scented Tahini French Toast in this health-forward cookbook.

The Cocktail Garden by Adriana Picker & Ed Loveday

Cocktails for every season, including fantastic summer recipes with incredible creative flavours found in the garden.

Come Hungry by Melissa Ben-Ishay

From the creator of the viral Green Goddess Salad comes a wide array of delicious dishes for any diet.

The Seriously Good Veggie Student Cookbook by Quadrille

The ultimate guide to vegetarian/vegan cooking for students.

Ottolenghi FLAVOUR by Yotam Ottolenghi & Ixta Belfrage

Elevate vegetables using ordinary ingredients to create extraordinary dishes.

Week Light: Super-Fast Meals to Make You Feel Good by Donna Hay

Australia’s most trusted home cookbook brings veggie and meat options to add life to your weekly routine.

*Title availability may vary by library & region.

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