The 5 Best Mediterranean Diet Cookbooks For Making Meals Quick

Celebrity Memoirs

Matriarch: A Memoir by Tina Knowles (April 22, 2025)

Beyonce's mom, Ms. Tina Knowles, is throwing her hat in the book ring with her upcoming memoir Matriarch and I don't know what to do with myself! She's made it more than clear that she's not only her daughters' biggest supporters, but Ms. Knowles has also proven she's just as business savvy as they are. This makes the term, "They get it from their mama" super appropriate. But, who is Ms. Celestine Knowles beyond that?

Matriarch is her way of introducing readers to the childhood experiences, grief, love, heartbreak and so much more that have shaped her into the woman she is today.

The Woman in Meby Britney Spears

The Woman in Me peels back all of the mysterious layers of Britney Spears but this time, her recollections are in her voice. She introduces us to her rocky childhood, acquiring fame and so much more in this moving memoir. It's Britney like we've never read about her before.

Willby Will Smith

Instead of letting the media continue speculating about his life, Will Smith also penned a moving memoir. From his days growing up in a sometimes volatile household to securing the title of one of the biggest superstars, Smith points out the cracks in his foundation.

Worthyby Jada Pinkett Smith

Jada Pinkett Smith is on a mission to reclaim her narrative with Worthy. Her recollection of her upbringing and various experiences leading up to being in the spotlight are eloquently penned in a way only she's capable of.

Thicker Than Waterby Kerry Washington

When an event prompts her parents to unearth a secret they never intended to tell her, Kerry Washington begins recounting her life from childhood trauma to discovering the acting world. Throughout the book, Washington takes readers on a journey that helps her answer a question she's always asked herself — will she get the answers?

We're Going to Need More Wineby Gabrielle Union

Gabrielle Union's prolific retelling of her life's stories are both hilarious, agonizing and heartfelt at the same time. Each page feels like you're sitting across from an old friend, drinking wine and catching up on life. Throughout We're Going to Need More Wine, Union introduces us to moments she's doubted herself, experienced sexual assault, and even talks about her first marriage. It's a must-read.

Love, Pamelaby Pamela Anderson

Pamela Anderson is finally getting her flowers — as she deserves — and it's beautiful to witness. Instead of letting everyone else tell her story in order to fit their narrative, she dives into who she really is in Love, Pamela. She also weaves in poetry she's written

Live Wire: Long-Winded Short Storiesby Kelly Ripa

I grew up watching Live With Regis and Kelly so I was excited to dive into Kelly Ripa's Live Wire: Long-Winded Short Stories. She takes her notable on-air personality and pours it into each page whether she's recounting motherhood or things she's experienced in her career.

Paris: The Memoirby Paris Hilton

If you grew up saying, "That's hot," every five minutes, then you were probably bit by the Paris bug. Made famous by her rich girl persona, she was able to market herself and carve a lane apart from the Hilton name. But her book Paris: The Memoir paints a different picture than the public came to know. In her own words, she describes who she truly is, the struggles she's faced and the beautiful life she is creating for her family now.

Finding Meby Viola Davis

Reading Viola Davis' Finding Me tore my soul open and lovingly put it back together again. It's a memoir that details her traumatic childhood and the things she's had to face in Hollywood. At the same time, tales of love and resilience are weaved throughout Finding Me that readers will be able to see that she did in fact find herself.

Mean Baby: A Memoir of Growing Upby Selma Blair

Actress Selma Blair takes readers behind the scenes as she remembers her upbringing that was shaped by being labeled a mean baby. She pulls back the layers of herself in Mean Baby: A Memoir of Growing Up and relates them to the woman she is today.

I'm Glad My Mom Diedby Jennette McCurdy

At first glance, Jennette McCurdy's I'm Glad My Mom Died immediately catches your eye and makes you exasperatedly ask "What?" But once you begin reading about McCurdy's fraught and toxic relationship with her mother, you realize the title is just one complicated peek at everything she's endured.

Scrappy Little Nobodyby Anna Kendrick

Anna Kendrick's impeccable timing in movies is all attributed to who she is off-screen. In Scrappy Little Nobody, she details going to school while still pursuing an acting career and various awkward moments she's had. It's a fun read when you're looking for a boost of dopamine and a little second-hand embarrassment.

You Should Sit Down For This: A Memoir About Life, Wine, and Cookiesby Tamera Mowry-Housley

Watching Sister, Sister was like a rite of passage for me, so it makes sense that reading a book by one of the Mowry twins brought a smile to my face.You Should Sit Down For This: A Memoir About Life, Wine, and Cookies is a mix of memories, her favorite snacks, and nuggets of wisdom written by Tamera Mowry-Housley.

The Office BFFs: Tales of The Office from Two Best Friends Who Were Thereby Jenna Fischer & Angela Kinsey

Calling all The Office fans! Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey wrote a book that details the beautiful friendship they built as a result of this classic TV series. They detail key moments from the set of The Office and all the inner workings of mom life in The Office BFFS: Tales of The Office from Two Best Friends Who Were There.

Born to Runby Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen is a *legend* in the music industry with a more than a memorable career. In Born to Run, he gives a readers a peek into his life leading up to the musician he became and everything that's shaped his life thus far, leaning into his innate storytelling ability and painting a poetic picture of life on the road to fame.

Bossypantsby Tina Fey

Tina Fey's longstanding comedic career has taken her from SNL all the way to the big screen but it's all a part of the dream she had as a little girl. Bossypants takes a look at Fey's life as she recalls various moments from her past and present.

Yes Pleaseby Amy Poehler

Before her own long stint on SNL, Amy Poehler appeared on Comedy Central and has ultimately created a career that's filled with her memorable comedic timing and goofy persona. She brings that same energy to Yes Please, and it'll remind readers why they fell in love with her in the first place.

Sorry Not Sorry: Dreams, Mistakes, and Growing Upby Naya Rivera

The late and ever-lovely Naya Rivera may have captured hearts during her time on Glee, and her book Sorry Not Sorry: Dreams, Mistakes, and Growing Up is sure to keep them. It details all the things she's learn to apologize for, and what she chose to be unapologetic about.

Open Bookby Jessica Simpson

Singer-turned-entrepreneur Jessica Simpson is known for hits like "With You" and "I Belong To Me" but she's also an author. Written in 2020, Open Book cracks open the parts of Simpson's life she's kept hidden from view.

Greenlightsby Matthew McConaughey

Confession — I immediately fell in love with Matthew McConaughey's southern drawl when I watched The Wedding Planner in 2001. Ever since the first moment he appeared onscreen, my young mind added him to my list of favorite actors. Reading Greenlights was a ride I wasn't ready to get off because it dared to expose every crevice of McConaughey's life in a way he's learned to make peace with. It reads like a masterclass in accepting every moment of life and I can't recommend it enough!

Pageboy: A Memoirby Elliot Page

Despite a stellar performance in Juno, Elliot Page couldn't shake the feeling that he wasn't living in his full truth — and then it happened. After a memorable moment of PDA, Elliot knew it was time for him to start making changes. Pageboy: A Memoir peels back all of the layers that covered Elliot — some doused with harm — to unveil who he really is.

Taste: My Life Through Food by Stanley Tucci

Stanley Tucci's incredible career as an actor allowed us to learn more about his equally impressive chef skills. After releasing The Tucci Cookbook and The Tucci Table: Cooking With Family and Friends, Stanley Tucci shared his memoir Taste: My Life Through Food with fans in 2021. It details his Italian-American background — the origin of his love for food — and the beautiful ways his life has revolved around cooking ever since.

My Name is Barbaraby Barbra Streisand

Simply put, Barbara Streisand is a living legend. Her career is as expansive as it impressive, and we love that. For the first time, she's telling her own story in My Name Is Barbara. From the streets of Brooklyn, NY to the big stage, Barbara's life is riddled with highs and lows that have shaped who she is today.

Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestonesby Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton's unforgettable style is well-known and has transcended generations. In Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones, she dives into when she fell in love with fashion and how she's made sure it's evident throughout her career.

The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop (Available September 17, 2024)

From her role in Dirty Dancing to playing the memorable grandmother in Gilmore Girls, Kelly Bishop's career has been full of highlights and she's ready to talk about it in her upcoming memoir The Third Gilmore Girl. Readers will learn more about the experiences that have shaped her — from marriage to career choices — and the way she chooses to move through life with optimism in sight.

Celebrity Cookbooks

Whiskey in a Teacupby Reese Witherspoon

Reese Witherspoon is the kind of actress (and person) I wanna sit down and reminisce on growing up in the south with. Since we can't have a face-to-face conversation, reading Whiskey in a Teacup is the next best thing. She talks about everything from having a book club to making the best southern biscuits ever.

Cooking from the Spirit: Easy, Delicious , and Joyful Plant-Based Inspirationsby Tabitha Brown

Known as the internet's vegan auntie, Tabitha Brown is the epitome of joy and making vegan food look absolutely delicious. For all the people who wish they could taste the recipes she shares with us on Instagram, Cooking from the Spirit: Easy, Delicious, and Joyful Plant-Based Inspirations is a great alternative.

Rebel Homemaker: Food, Family, Lifeby Drew Barrymore

Hollywood's darling Drew Barrymore brings readers into her home and kitchen where she shares tasty recipes, photos and more in Rebel Homemaker: Food, Family, Life.

Cravings: All Togetherby Chrissy Teigen

Chrissy Teigen has proven she's more than R&B singer John Legend's wife with her modeling career and larger-than-life internet presence, but she's also a *skilled* cook. With Cravings: All Together, Teigen shares her favorite comfort food recipes that she turns to time and time again.

Whole New You: How Real Food Transforms Your Life for a Healthier, More Gorgeous Youby Tia Mowry

I personally love this cookbook written by Tia Mowry because she shares how learning about the root of her painful period cramps — caused by her struggle with endometriosis — led her to start making healthier food choices. It's filled with recipes that helped me transform my own cycles and create yummy meals that I still rely on today.

I Love You: Recipes from the Heart by Pamela Anderson

After releasing her heartfelt memoir, Pamela Anderson's ready to share her yummy recipes with the world! I Love You: Recipes from the Heart will be a real treat because she's diving into what can be best described as comfort meals. People shared a portion of her press release that talks about why this cookbook means everything to her. She said, "This book has been a labor of love — from my heart, spilling out to the universe...with all my favorite things from my life of food and whimsy...inspired by my travels but mostly from the island I grew up on, a rainforest that deserves all the glory."

Our mouths are already watering!

Celebrity Children's Books

Big Words for Little Peopleby Jamie Lee Curtis

Jamie Lee Curtis has graced the big screen for decades, but she's since added celebrated children's author to her resume. Big Words for Little People helps young kids embrace bigger words even when they look intimidating.

Busy Bettyby Reese Witherspoon

Instead of writing another memoir or cookbook, Reese Witherspoon penned a tale about a little girl who has big energy with a personality to match. Perhaps the sweetest thing about Busy Betty is that our titular character is being celebrated for these things, even while learning to relate to the world around her.

Sweet Child O' Mineby Guns N' Roses

This children's book is all about Maya and Natalia Rose's adventures being surrounded by love and music. It's a beautiful depiction of the song by rock band Guns N' Roses that your little ones will request nightly.

The First Notes: The Story of DO, RE, MIby Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton

Julie Andrews and her talented daughter Emma Walton Hamilton share a love of helping young children appreciate the beauty of music. In The First Notes: The Story of DO, RE, MI, they introduce readers to Italian monk Guido. He's the reason why the musical scale exists together although he was initially ridiculed for his discovery.

Sulweby Lupita Nyong'o

Lupita Nyong'o's Sulwe is an amazing children's book about accepting the beauty of who we are instead of longing to look or be like others. It's a great addition to your little one's library as you work on affirming them.

The One and Only Sparkellaby Channing Tatum

Channing Tatum penned this hilarious and sweet tale of The One and Only Sparkella to celebrate the relationship a dad has with his young daughter. When Ella is discouraged because of her classmates' response to her colorful personality and style, her dad helps her embrace who she is so she's able to walk into school as the sparkly gem she is!

What causes cramps when someone is PMSing or on their period?

Consider yourself lucky if you don't struggle with PMS — I'd honestly love to trade places with you for a day. According to the Office on Women's Health, almost three in four women say they experience PMS, and the National Institutes of Healthnotes that one in ten women deal with painful period cramps every month. In other words, some of us are genuinely struggling to function without really understanding why we're in so much pain. What gives?

"Cramps, or dysmenorrhea, occur due to the release of chemicals called prostaglandins during menstruation. These chemicals cause the uterus to contract in order to shed its lining," Dr. Margolis says. What people tend to feel is the result of contractions" becoming "too intense," thus causing them to "cut off blood flow and oxygen to the surrounding muscle tissue, leading to pain." Dr. Margolis also wants you to know, "The higher the level of prostaglandins, the more severe the cramps are likely to be."

If that sounds painful, just know it is! I never thought about the actual process our bodies go through during menstruation, so understanding that better makes me want to be kinder to be my body. Still, does this mean cramps are normal?

Are period cramps normal?

Dr. Margolis says that period cramps are "a normal part of the menstrual cycle for many people." He explains that "mild to moderate cramps" typically occur towards the beginning of your period, as your uterus is contracting. IDK about you, but it's definitely nice to know that cramps are a part of the process and they don't necessarily mean anything's wrong. However, this doesn't mean you should ignore severe pain.

"If the pain is severe and disrupts daily life, it might indicate an underlying condition that requires medical attention," Dr. Margolis says. Only you know the level of pain you're able to handle monthly, but there are definitely some key factors that can help you identify what is considered "abnormal" when it comes to your period cramps.

When are severe period cramps considered abnormal?

"Severe cramps that are unmanageable with over-the-counter medications or last for an extended period may indicate underlying health issues," Dr. Margolis continues. Based on his experience, these conditions can be "fibroids, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)" which "often cause more intense pain."

Prior to my painful period cramps returning, I underwent Laparoscopy surgery in 2019 to rule out endometriosis as the culprit for unbearable cycles. My OBGYN didn't find that, but she discovered a large fibroid nestled in the side of one of my uterine walls which needed to be removed.

Some of the signs Dr. Margolis says you need to pay attention to are:

• Heavy bleeding
• Irregular periods
• Pain during sex
• Bleeding between periods

If you notice these symptoms, Dr. Margolis implores you to consult with your doctor about them. Truthfully, it took years for someone to take my pain seriously, so I also recommend you keep advocating for yourself if you're dealing with cramps that feel abnormal.

What's the worst thing to eat before your period?

Here comes my favorite topic — food! I love eating all kinds of food, but I'm having to relearn how to balance hormones all over again. Between that and my digestive system, I know my undisciplined eating is the root cause of painful period cramps, but I've forgotten what I should be avoiding.

Dr. Margolis says, "Highly processed foods, sugar, and salty snacks should be avoided. They can increase inflammation, contribute to bloating, and worsen cramps. Caffeine and alcohol can also dehydrate the body and lead to more discomfort during menstruation."

I feel like your jaw just dropped in disbelief because most of the things that make periods so painful taste so good. I mean, who doesn't love snacks, coffee, and yummy cocktails? Sigh...as much as we may love or crave them, they're not always the best things to indulge in when we're already going through so many bodily changes.

What foods should someone eat to lessen painful period cramps?

But, there's things we can do to lessen our chances of suffering every month. Dr. Margolis says, "Anti-inflammatory foods are particularly helpful for reducing period cramps." He says these include the following:

• Leafy greens like spinach and kale, which are high in magnesium and calcium
• Fatty fish such as salmon or sardines, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids that help reduce inflammation
• Nuts and seeds that contain magnesium, which can relax muscles and reduce pain
• Fruits like bananas and berries, which provide antioxidants and potassium, aiding in muscle relaxation and inflammation reduction
• Whole grains that are a good source of fiber and help regulate blood sugar, preventing spikes that may worsen cramps

Is it actually possible to avoid sugar before and during your period?

Sugar is in a lot of things we eat and drink so I asked Dr. Margolis if there's a way to avoid it altogether. He says, "It’s challenging, but not impossible to avoid sugar entirely. Cravings for sugary foods often increase due to hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle." I don't know about you, but I always crave specific things like sugary juice, muffins, or cupcakes right before and during my period. It's like my brain knows they're going to cause more harm than good, but my hormones demand them.

As a replacement, Dr. Margolis believes "reducing sugar intake by opting for natural sweeteners like fruits or healthier alternatives like dark chocolate can help curb cravings." Also, there's more benefits to putting down the artificial stuff. "Cutting back on sugar may also help in managing inflammation and stabilizing mood and energy levels during your period," says Dr. Margolis.

For the one that plans like it's a full-time job: 2025 17-Month Monogram Planner

Is there ever a better gift than something that'll help them keep their life in order? 2025, we're coming for you.

For the cozy-chic gal: UGG Classic Mini Boots

These mini UGG boots are so on-trend right now, any cool fashion gal will adore them as a gift.

Bring street style to their closet: The Oversized Brigitte Satchel by Melie Bianco

This bag fits everything your giftee could possibly need in the day-to-day – and then some.

For the skincare-obsessed: NuFACE Mini+ Gift Set

This slightly-bougie skincare device tones and lifts your face while targeting signs of aging, like fine lines and wrinkles. It'll be such a luxe upgrade to your giftee's current routine!

For the girl on the go: New Balance 530 Sneakers

These fashion-forward sneakers work well across a variety of outfits and occasions, like hitting the gym, going on a hot girl walk, or running weekend errands. The cool girl in your life will love pairing them with her favorite matching workout set and a sleek trench coat when it's cold out.

Being trendy is too easy: Cherry Lips Bag Charm

Bag charms are all the rage right now, so help them hop on the trend with this adorably eye-catching keychain.

To wear with her cowgirl boots: Worn/West Let's Go For a Walk Trucker Hat

Trucker hats are the perfect head gear for a casual-get up. Styles that make a statement like this one are perfect for the Western fashion lover!

Seasonal scent for their space: Icon Woody Fresh Balsam & Cedarwood Glass Candle

Anthropologie's candle selection is bomb – you're bound to find a scent your giftee will approve of. We recommend this seasonal woody scent encased in a festive, tree-dotted glass!

Unique lighter that looks like decor: Nomatiq Flume Electric Lighter

Pick up this electric lighter to coordinate with any candle gift. We promise they've never owned a lighter like this!

Okay, she's a bookworm: I-SEA Aviator Readers

Whether she's working through her current TBR list or starting off the workweek, these chic readers will help her see clearly. You can snag 'em in a handful of colors and different strengths based on her vision.

Straight to the point for the shoe lover: Maeve Pointed-Toe Moto Mary Jane Flats

All the cool girls are rocking pointed flats for winter. Bonus points for this pair being metallic!