America has long had a national obsession with Italian food. From wood-fired pizzas and glistening pastas to pastel gelato and clouds of feather-light tiramisu, Italian cuisine is always a crowd pleaser. With quality ingredients and some light reading, it’s also relatively easy to whip up some Italian fare in your own kitchen.

Whether you prefer the classic white sauces of Northern Italy or the rustic red sauces of the south—as well as vibrant modern twists on both—here are the year’s newest and most exciting Italian cookbooks.