For many, this time of year is the best time of year. It means more gatherings with family and friends. It means you have mouths to feed with your homemade digestible delights. Ultimately, it means more excuses to eat, eat, eat, and...never stop eating. With weeks-ahead and down-to-the-minute menu planning in full swing, it's only natural to turn to the newest books in search of the perfect canapé, a crowd-pleasing side dish or the most decadent, drool-worthy desserts. We know the timer is ticking, so here's our roundup of this season's most noteworthy culinary compendiums.