Every-holiday cooking

Think of a holiday cookbook. Are visions of eggnog and pineapple-festooned ham popping to mind? First, ew. Second, Vegan Holiday Cooking from Candle Cafe ($22.99, Ten Speed Press) is not that kind of holiday cookbook. It's actually for all the holidays, including the Fourth of July, like with red, white and blue margaritas, a libation that means freedom—from animal cruelty, ya'll. The book's trio of authors include the co-owner, executive and pastry chefs from New York City's lauded vegan Candle Cafe restaurants. Holidays can be such food-based events, so this book could be quite handy in creating less social-pariah-ish moments when it comes to sharing meals—and not having to pass on the sweet potato latkes for Passover.