15 Delicious Recipes That Don't Require Olive Oil

purple ube mochi

With olive oil prices (plus the rest of our grocery store go-tos) rising, we’re more aware than ever of just how many recipes feature this classic cooking staple. Trying to cut back on such a widely-used ingredient can leave you feeling less than confident with your meal prep. Keep reading for some delicious recipes that feature olive oil alternatives so you can make yummy food and save some cash at the same time.

The following recipes contain these oil alternatives. There’s a good chance you already have them in your pantry, but even if you don’t, they’re super easy to find!

  • Butter
  • Avocado oil
  • Coconut oil
  • Grapeseed oil

Recipes That Use Olive Oil Alternatives

    Avocado Oil

    French Crêpe Recipe

    Next time you’re binge watching Emily in Paris, make yourself a healthy portion of this recipe (which works great for breakfast and dinner, FYI). It’s sweet, chocolatey, and even though it’s bready, it doesn’t weigh you down.

    Gut-Friendly Zucchini Cacio e Pepe Recipe

    We love pasta recipes, but sometimes the pasta recipes don’t love us back. Gluten-free noodles and nutritional yeast (a swap for cheese) mean that this dish is delicious and gut-friendly at the same time.

    ​Coconut Oil

    Chocho Carrot Muffins

    These muffins are super healthy, but they’re also good enough that the family will want seconds. In addition to the coconut oil, they feature high-protein, high-fiber chocho flour, applesauce, and cinnamon.

    Gluten-Free Lemon Cake

    You only need a little bit of coconut oil to grease the pan for this cake. Lemon recipes make for the perfect spring treat (especially if said treat combines lemon and lavender). This recipe doesn’t call for icing, but feel free to drizzle some honey if you want another layer of sweet.

    Healthy Chocolate Sunbutter Cups

    Prepare for Easter candy season with a batch of these babies. You can use honey or maple syrup, but we prefer the thinner consistency of maple syrup especially when paired with nut butter.

    Baked Brussels Sprouts with Honey Glaze

    We can — and do — eat Brussels sprouts in every form they are presented to us (hello Keto Cheesy Brussels Sprouts Casserole). This honey glazed recipe is definitely the sweetest one we’ve seen yet.

    ​Grapeseed Oil

    Dominique Ansel’s Real Cronut Recipe

    We’ve never met a donut we didn’t like. This donut and croissant hybrid automatically gets two thumbs up from us. Make sure you stock up on your favorite sprinkles because you’re going to need them.

    Beef Bulgogi Meatballs

    These Korean meatballs are the perfect thing to go with pickles, on sliders, with a sweet and spicy sauce — or all of the above. With so many side and condiment options, everyone is sure to love this dish.

    Butter

    Butter Boards

    If you’re a butter fan, then you definitely need to try butter boards. Whether you make one larger board, or a smaller individual board, have plenty of breads, plus edible flowers and salts for a garnish, on hand.

    Ube Butter Mochi

    We’re totally confident that these chewy, buttery treats make for the perfect dessert. But whether they taste better on the day that you make them or a couple of days later is totally up to you. Either way, we’ll take some extra coconut flakes please.

    Wine Butter

    Make these five butters to accompany appetizers at your next dinner party. With sweet and savory options, it’s like a butter flight!

    ​Oil Free Recipes

    Stuffed Avocado

    We already love eating avocados on toast and out of a bowl, but using the avocado as the bowl? Genius. Stuff with scallions and shrimp, and enjoy.

    BBQ Dressing

    There are plenty of salad dressings that have oil as a main ingredient. Next time you’re craving a salad, opt for this creamy BBQ dressing (which has mayo, garlic, and onion) instead.

    Paleo Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

    Fried food without a drop of oil?! It’s almost too good to be true. Honestly though, we can’t imagine life without our air fryer. Once you make these tenders, we’re pretty sure you’ll feel the same way.

    Easy Avocado Pasta Recipe

    Our favorite pasta dishes are always creamy, and we can thank avocados (and cream cheese) here. The chili flakes, garlic, and lime juice make for an unbeatable combo.

    Follow us on Pinterest for more oil alternatives and delicious recipe inspo!

    All images and recipes via Brit + Co

    Get excited, because Trader Joe’s just brought back a seasonal flavor of one of their most beloved frozen desserts. Mini-sized and perfect for mid-day – or, let’s be real – midnight snacking, the Hold The Cone ice cream has gracefully returnedwith the taste of none other than coffee! Yum. TJ’s fans are already running to their nearest stores to grab a box (or two!), so you're definitely going to want to grab this limited-time item before it runs out.

    Scroll on to discover more about the Coffee Bean Hold the Cone! Mini Ice Cream Cones from Trader Joe’s.

    Trader Joe's

    Trader Joe’s Hold the Cone! Mini Ice Cream Cones category includes classics like strawberry, chocolate, and chocolate chip, but a newcomer just joined the lineup: coffee bean! The cones are truly a cult-favorite item amongst shoppers, including myself!

    Trader Joe's

    According to Trader Joe’s, the Coffee Bean Hold the Cone! Mini Ice Cream Cones feature mini chocolate sugar cones lined with a “chocolatey” coating that are then packed with a rich and “strongly flavored” coffee bean ice cream.

    Trader Joe's

    Chocolate and coffee is a truly stunning food combo, so coffee and dessert lovers will adore this new iteration. Additionally, their small size makes them absolutely irresistible for snacking sessions – I could honestly eat the whole box in one sitting.

    @traderjoesobsessed

    TJ’s fan account @traderjoesobsessed shared the returning find with their Instagram followers, and it was an instant hit among those who know and love ‘em, and people who have never tried the cones before.

    “Yassss my favorite flavor!!!” one person commented.

    “I will be buying two boxes tomorrow,” another declared.

    “I don’t understand why this is a seasonal flavor!” someone else pointed out.

    Reddit

    One box of the Trader Joe’s Coffee Bean Hold the Cone! Mini Ice Cream Cones is just $4, and that guarantees you 8 mini-sized ice cream cones to share – or keep all to yourself.

    You can find this new drop in between TJ’s freezer aisles next to so many more sweet finds like the Blood Orange Mochi and the Speculoos Cookie Butter Ice Cream. I’m craving ice cream already!

    Subscribe to our newsletter to discover more epic Trader Joe's products + new items!

    Summer is just around the corner, and that means laying by the beach or the pool and getting lost in a good book. To kick off beach read season, we’ve rounded up some of the most-anticipated books coming to shelves this summer. From enchanted star-crossed lovers, romantic summer flings, and thrilling forbidden loves, these books should definitely be packed in your suitcase for any and all of your summer vacation plans!

    Here are all the new books we can't wait to read this summer!

    Amazon

    Along Came Amor by Alexis Daria (May 27, 2025)

    Ava Rodriguez is a divorced school teacher who meets the handsome Roman Vásquez, for a steamy one night stand – or at least what was intended to be a one night stand. But when Roman shows up as Ava’s cousin’s best man, things get complicated. Ava tries to hide her dirty little secret from her family, but Roman wants to be all-in. What started out as no strings attached has become much more complex.

    Amazon

    Tell Them You Lied by Laura Leffler (May 27, 2025)

    Anna is beginning art school in New York and befriends Willow, a mysterious and moody art student who isn’t afraid to push boundaries. Five years later, Anna’s former muse Willow has turned into a shell of herself. When Anna tries to intervene in Willow’s life by staging a planned mugging, Willow goes missing on September 11th. Did Anna go too far, or did Willow play into Anna’s game all along? This thriller challenges the morality of revealing the truth when it may be better left unsaid.

    Amazon

    The Love Haters by Katherine Center (May 20, 2025)

    Katie Vaughn’s career is sinking fast—so she takes a daring gig profiling Coast Guard rescue swimmer Tom "Hutch" Hutcheson. The problem? She can’t swim but pretends she can. Worse, Hutch is her coworker Cole’s estranged brother. In Key West, Katie gets caught in a whirlwind of secrets, swim lessons, and sizzling chemistry. With hurricanes, stolen kisses, and a chance to be truly brave, she must decide if facing her fears—including love—is worth the plunge.

    Amazon

    Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry (April 22, 2025)

    Optimistic Alice Scott and Pulitzer-winning Hayden Anderson both land on Little Crescent Island to write the biography of reclusive heiress Margaret Ives. When Margaret offers a one-month trial, Alice is determined to win. She’s great with people, eager to impress her family, and, strangely, rattling Hayden. But Margaret shares only fragments of her story, and an NDA keeps Alice and Hayden from comparing notes. As tension rises and sparks fly, their own story—like Margaret’s—could be a mystery, tragedy, or love ballad, depending on who tells it.

    Amazon

    Audre & Bash Are Just Friends by Tia Williams (May 6, 2025)

    Audre, the junior class president and debate team captain, is spending the summer before her senior year writing her self help book, AKA her one-way ticket to Stanford. Bash, a mysterious new senior who everybody is crushing on, is spending his summer helping Audre complete her five wild dares to write about in her book. The scorching hot-summer leads to crazy chemistry the two friends can’t deny. Will Audre be able to maintain the friendship, or will she begin to fall for Bash?

    Amazon

    Love On Tour by Lee Adams (June 17, 2025)

    Music executive Christine Matthews lives a quiet life until a broken heel sends her tumbling in front of country star Austin Garrett’s tour bus. When Austin realizes she pitched him his latest hit, he invites her to be his date at the CMT Awards, catapulting her into the spotlight. Suddenly, she’s facing cyberbullying, unwanted attention, and growing feelings for Austin’s tour manager, Matt. As past trauma resurfaces and threats turn dangerous, Christine must decide if chasing success and love is worth the risk—or if walking away is the only way to protect her heart.

    Amazon

    It’s A Love Story by Annabel Monaghan (May 27, 2025)

    Jane Jackson, a former child sitcom star, is determined to make it as a Hollywood executive. Her mantra: fake it till you make it. But when she takes it too far and claims she can get popstar Jack Quinlan—her first kiss—to write a song for her movie, she’s in trouble. Now, she must turn to her old crush and frustrating cinematographer Dan Finnegan for help. Can Jane juggle her past and career, or will her lie unravel? This novel is perfect for those looking to escape the summer heat with an enemies-to-lovers romcom.

    Amazon

    Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid (June 3, 2025)

    Joan Goodwin has been fascinated by space since childhood. When she gets the chance to join NASA’s first group of women scientists in the space shuttle program, she leaps at it. Training alongside a Top Gun pilot, a brilliant scientist, and a bold group of astronauts, Joan forms unexpected friendships and discovers a love she never imagined. As they prepare for their first mission, she begins to question her place in the universe—until one fateful moment changes everything.

    Amazon

    King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby (June 10, 2025)

    Roman Carruthers returns home to find his father in a coma, his brother drowning in debt to criminals, and his sister struggling to hold their crematorium business together. When he tries to buy Dante’s way out, he learns the hard way that real gangsters don’t play fair. With no other options, Roman offers himself as collateral. As he’s pulled deeper into a dangerous game, Neveah searches for answers about their mother’s mysterious disappearance. But Roman isn’t as weak as they think—and he’ll do whatever it takes to protect his family.

    Amazon

    You Belong Here by Megan Miranda (July 29, 2025)

    Beckett Bowery thought she had her future planned out: stay in Wyatt Valley, Virginia and study at Wyatt College, the college her parents taught at. But when a tragedy leaves two men dead and her roommate goes on the run, she vows to stay as far away as possible from Wyatt Valley. Later when her daughter Delilah receives a full ride scholarship to Wyatt College, she is forced to confront her lingering fears and the fact that her past isn’t the only dangerous thing in Wyatt Valley.

    Amazon

    The Enemy’s Daughter by Melissa Poett (May 6, 2025)

    Thirty-seven years after the Republic fell, war rages between the five clans and the Kingsland. Isadora, an eighteen-year-old healer, saves lives—until she’s struck by a poisoned arrow from Kingsland assassin Tristan. Instead of letting her die, Tristan uses rare magic to save her, unknowingly binding them together. Their connection gives him access to her memories, the key to destroying her people. But Isadora can see into him too. To protect her clan, she must outmaneuver Tristan, and resist the dangerous pull between them, before he claims victory and her heart.

    Amazon

    Sounds Like Love by Ashley Poston (June 17, 2025)

    Joni Lark has a secret. She’s one of LA’s most coveted songwriters, but she can’t write anymore. Hoping to find inspiration, she returns home to Vienna Shores, North Carolina. But nothing is as she left it. Her best friend is distant, her mother’s memory is fading, and her family’s music venue is closing. Then Joni starts hearing a haunting melody and a stranger’s voice in her head. When the man behind the voice shows up in town, guarded and frustrating, they realize they must finish the song together or risk exposing their hearts and deepest secrets.

    Amazon

    No Man’s Ghost by Jason Powell (May 6, 2025)

    Charles Davids is a rookie firefighter starting his first week with the FDNY, struggling to prove himself to his new team. The job is grueling, the training intense, and the pranks relentless—but the dangers are real. Across town, Alan Johnson, bitter and unhinged after being kicked out by his wife, begins reporting fake fires at her apartment every night. At first, it’s just a cruel joke. But soon, Alan wants more than revenge. As the calls escalate, Charles faces a trial by fire that could make or break him—and put lives on the line.

    Amazon

    Ride with Me by Simone Soltani (May 20, 2025)

    After being left at the altar, Stella Baldwin dreads attending her cousin’s bachelorette party in Las Vegas. Meanwhile, Formula 1 driver Thomas Maxwell-Brown is desperate for a break from his crumbling career and bad press. When a wild night ends with a ring on Stella’s finger and Thomas as her husband, they realize staying married might actually benefit them both. It’s impulsive, reckless, and maybe exactly what they need. Because sometimes, what happens in Vegas doesn’t need to stay there.

    Amazon

    Such Good People by Amy Blumenfeld (July 8, 2025)

    During her freshman year of college, April’s life changed overnight. After meeting up with her friend Rudy one evening, he was arrested, she was expelled, and her future fell apart. Months later, she met Peter, a young attorney who helped her rebuild everything. Fifteen years later, April has a happy life, three kids, and Peter is running for local office. But when Rudy is up for parole and April’s past makes headlines, it threatens everything she’s built. Now, she must decide whether to protect her family—or the man who once saved her.

    Amazon

    One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune (May 6, 2025)

    Alice never expected to see Charlie Florek again. Years ago, she spent a magical summer at her grandmother Nan’s lake cottage, capturing a photo of three teens in a yellow boat that changed her life. Now a photographer who prefers life behind the lens, Alice returns to Barry’s Bay to care for Nan and find something she’s been missing. But when Charlie, now a charming and grown-up flirt, reappears, old feelings resurface. Long days on the water and stolen glances make Alice wonder if she’s finally ready to step into the frame or risk her heart again.

    Amazon

    Heir of Storms by Lauryn Hamilton Murray (June 3, 2025)

    Blaze’s birth unleashed a deadly storm that killed thousands, branding her an outcast and stealing her magic. Hidden ever since, she’s shocked when she and her twin brother are invited to compete for the empire’s throne. Suddenly thrust into the Golden Palace’s dangerous court, Blaze faces deadly rivals, forbidden love, and the possibility of reclaiming her lost power. Torn between a captivating Crown Prince and a darkly alluring stranger, Blaze must decide if she’s ready to step out of the shadows and claim a destiny no one ever believed she could have.

    Amazon

    A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna (July 15, 2025)

    Sera Swan lost her magic, her status, and her place in the magical Guild after a spell gone wrong. Now she runs an enchanted inn with her resurrected great-aunt, a mischievous talking fox, and a houseful of quirky guests. When she discovers a spell that could restore her powers, she enlists the help of Luke Larsen, a reserved magical historian with no interest in her chaos—or her charm. But as they work together, unexpected sparks fly. Sera soon realizes that the magic she craves may not be as powerful as the family she’s built.

    Amazon

    Charity Trickett Is Not So Glamorous by Christine Stringer (June 10, 2025)

    Charity Trickett arrives in Hollywood in 1997 determined to break into the movie industry. As an assistant to a blockbuster film director, she expects glitz and glamour but instead faces cutthroat coworkers, a failing love life, and a mistake that could cost the studio millions. Her bank account is running dry, and an FBI investigation threatens to derail her future entirely. With grit and heart, Charity must fight to keep her dream alive and avoid losing everything. Fans of Bridget Jones’s Diary will love this witty, behind-the-scenes Hollywood adventure.

    Amazon

    Can't Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan (May 13, 2025)

    Hendrix Barry has built a life most people dream of. With a successful business, amazing friends, and a loving family, she has everything except time for love. Caring for an aging parent and staying focused on her goals leave little room for romance, and she’s never met a man who could keep up. Until Maverick Bell. The charming tech mogul sees her in a way no one has before, but he’s off-limits if she plans to stay on course. When Maverick refuses to walk away, Hendrix must decide if love is worth changing her plans.

    Amazon

    What’s Yours is Mine by Jennifer Jabaley (August 5, 2025)

    Valerie Yarnell is a devoted single mother who has always supported her daughter Kate’s dream of dancing. But it stings when Kate idolizes her best friend Colette’s mother, Elise, a former prima ballerina married to the man Valerie secretly loves. When Kate outshines Colette at a major competition, tensions soar. Elise’s pressure on Colette intensifies, and the rivalry between mothers and daughters reaches a breaking point. Then a shocking attack shatters everything, exposing dark ambitions and unraveling secrets. Soon, both families will learn just how fierce and dangerous competition can be.

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    Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations

    Spring is the perfect time to brighten up your meals with fresh flavors – but when it comes to cooking, we tend to rely on only easy, breezy recipes. Whether you’re craving vibrant salads, light pastas, or seasonal desserts, these 13 dishes make the most of the season’s best ingredients and come together in a total pinch.

    If your meal routine needs a little refresh, these 13 easy spring recipes are just what you need!

    Brit + Co

    Strawberry Arugula Walnut Salad

    This vibrant spring salad is packed with seasonal ingredients and requires minimal effort (no oven needed, baby!), making it perfect for easy, breezy springtime cooking. Whether you serve it as a side or the main event, you'll enjoy the medley of both sweet and savory components like strawberries and feta. (via Brit + Co)

    Kurt Andre

    Spring Galette

    This galette recipe is basically the epitome of spring with its rustic, no-fuss crust and fresh fillings. Its folded edges look oh-so elegant for any occasion! Plus, you could easily swap the fillings based on your cravings or preferences. (via Brit + Co)

    The Real Food Dietitians

    Crispy Baked Cod & Lemon-Garlic Aioli

    While this dish is loaded up with protein and a deliciously crispy crust, it's still very light, fresh, and requires minimal prep for your springtime feasts. Adding lemon juice and capers brightens up each bite in no time! (via The Real Food Dietitians)

    Crowded Kitchen

    Vegan Spring Vegetable Pasta

    What better way to use the best seasonal veggies than to chop 'em up and throw 'em into a light pasta?! This easy spring recipe is also vegan-friendly! (via Crowded Kitchen)

    The Endless Meal

    Dill Carrots

    Dill is an elemental part of spring recipes, and it tastes so good when you toss some fresh carrots in it alongside the lemon dill dressing and feta cheese this pick calls for. This would make a stunning side dish! (via The Endless Meal)

    Averie Cooks

    Fresh Spring Rolls & Peanut Sauce

    Is it even spring if you don't make spring rolls? Requiring no heat whatsoever, feel free to pack yours full of carrots, cucumber, cabbage, basil, tofu, shrimp, and more – just don't skip the peanut sauce for dipping! (via Averie Cooks)

    Half Baked Harvest

    Tzatziki Gyro Rice Bowls

    For a heartier spring recipe, these gyro bowls pull inspiration from Greek and Mediterranean cuisine and totally feel takeout-worthy. (via Half Baked Harvest)

    The First Mess

    Extra Veggie Vegan Gochujang Noodles

    These vegan gochujang noodles with *extra* veggies make a great, reliable meal for spring. You'll get some spice, some crunch, and insane freshness from all the seasonal ingredients! (via The First Mess)

    Bowl of Delicious

    Veggie Wraps

    Get even more of a veggie fix with these wraps that includes tons of different ingredients. If you want to bulk 'em up with protein, slather the wraps in hummus and stack some steak or chicken into each one. (via Bowl of Delicious)

    Barley & Sage

    Creamy Summer Pasta with Fresh Corn, Zucchini, & Burrata

    Dreaming of summer already? Us, too. This creamy pasta includes a medley of summery components like corn and zucchini for an ultra-satisfying bite. (via Barley & Sage)

    Culinary Hill

    Veggie Kabobs

    If the weather's nice enough, you should definitely get your grill goin' for these healthy kabobs! They make a great option for eaters of all kinds, especially if you're throwing a patio party. (via Culinary Hill)

    Live Eat Learn

    Easy Passion Fruit Mousse

    Now, onto the sweet stuff! Fruity desserts are bound to be big this spring – start with this insanely easy mousse that's tinged with passion fruit. Put the dish inside cute little cocktail glasses for extra flair! (via Live Eat Learn)

    Takes Two Eggs

    Strawberry Matcha Sago

    Sago is a show-stopping sweet pudding dessert that's typically loaded up with tapioca pearls, fruits, coconut milk, and more. This recipie takes it to the next level with a blend of seasonal strawberry and caffeinated matcha. Yummm. (via Takes Two Eggs)

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    Julia Roberts has given us some of the most iconic rom-coms in pop culture history, from Valentine's Day and Pretty Woman to Runaway Bride.

    If you're a Millennial or even a Gen Zer, you probably watched the movies as a tween or teen and gleaned (what you thought were helpful) insights about love, life, and relationships. After all, it's natural to look up to the woman on the big screen and want to follow in her footsteps.

    Well, allow us to present a different take on the matter. In our humble opinion, movies can be just as wisdom-packed when they show you behavior you shouldn't strive to emulate. So, here's what I learned not to do by watching Julia Roberts rom-coms.

    Scroll to see the lessons I took away from all my favorite Julia Roberts rom-coms!

    1. Don't say "yes" if you're not truly ready.

    In Runaway Bride, Julia Roberts plays Maggie Carpenter, a woman who leaves her fiancés at the altar multiple times, and her track record leads her to be called "the runaway bride" by a journalist.

    Perhaps there are two lessons here. Of course, while fleeing your own wedding day is bound to leave your partner with a whole lot of (valid) upset feelings, it's okay to say "no" and get out of a situation that isn't serving you, even if it feels like it's not what you're supposed to do.

    But at the same token, remember that you shouldn't feel pressured into saying "yes" in the first place when you aren't genuinely ready to tie the knot with someone.

    Being ambushed by a romantic proposal or facing expectations of marriage following a long-term relationship can be frightening. Still, don't allow yourself to be backed into a corner. Learn from Maggie's mistakes and say "yes" on your terms.

    2. Manipulation isn't the way to get what you want.

    My Best Friend's Wedding follows childhood best friends Julianne, played by Julia Roberts, and Michael, portrayed by Dermot Mulroney. They made a pact to marry each other if they were still single at 28 years old, yet four days before Julianne's birthday, she learns Michael is marrying another woman.

    So, she attempts to break up her best friend's wedding, but let's just say it doesn't end well. I'm sure that all viewers could sympathize with Julianne's feelings of jealousy and heartbreak. Even so, this movie shows that trying to force someone into a relationship they don't want is manipulative (and won't work).

    The lesson here? Respect other people's choices and realize that not every single romantic feeling has to be reciprocated.

    3. Fame won't solve your problems. 

    In Notting Hill, Julia Roberts plays Anna Scott, a famous actress who falls for the charming bookshop owner, William. Despite being a beloved film, it also serves as a master class in how fame can breed a whole host of relationship issues.

    First off, Anna cheats on her boyfriend with William and cites the pressures of fame as an excuse. Instead of owning up to her actions, she seems to think that being a celebrity gives her a free pass to make poor decisions.

    Then, Anna later takes it a step further by badmouthing William to strangers, again justifying her behavior as a consequence of her famous status. If that wasn't enough, when paparazzi harass her and follow her to William's house, she tries to pin the blame on him.

    The takeaway here is that getting famous will not be a glamorous solution to all your problems. Rather, it often makes things worse. The spotlight can turn a person into a chaotic, out-of-touch mess who can't take responsibility for their actions.

    Don't rely on grand gestures to fix your relationship. 

    Finally, Valentine's Day is filled with romantic, grand gestures. From declarations of love to over-the-top surprises, the film portrays these moments as a way to fix whatever's wrong in a relationship. In reality, these gestures are surface-level and don't actually address deeper issues at play.

    The real lesson is that true connection and lasting relationships are built on open communication, trust, and support. These things go much deeper than a bouquet of roses or an elaborate dinner.

    Yes, grand gestures may be exciting, but they won't magically solve being on different pages with your partner.

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    Today, many at-home libraries look a lot different than they did just a decade ago.

    First, thanks to inspiration and ideas shared by avid readers on social media, classic shelving has gotten a major upgrade, with plenty of people using built-ins, DIY-ing shelving to look like built-ins, or displaying books in more unconventional stands.

    Literature lovers are also upping their reading game by incorporating warm lighting, cozy chairs, and other viral bookworm accessories.

    What's arguably the most new, though, is the introduction of colorful "sprayed edges" on the books themselves. Perhaps it goes against the classic mantra, "Don't judge a book by its cover," but this trend has taken over the reading scene. This is why!

    Here's everything you need to know about sprayed edges books!

    What are books with sprayed edges?

    Books with "sprayed edges" have their page edges painted, which adds a bold pop of color or reveals an illustration when the book is closed. They're typically designed to complement the cover and invite you into fictional worlds before you even crack a story open.

    So, this extra detail has become extremely popular among readers everywhere. It turns any ordinary book into a visual statement and provides book lovers with tons of new opportunities to display their collections.

    In fact, some people have opted to begin exhibiting their books with the edges facing out as opposed to the spine. With this technique, your shelving practically transforms into a mosaic of art instead of just a storage area.

    When did books with sprayed edges start?

    It's important to note that while viral fantasy and romance novels have popularized this trend recently, the concept of decorating book edges has been around for centuries.

    In 17th-century England, for instance, a technique called fore-edging, or painting watercolor scenes along the edges of books, became popular. Some novels have even been adorned with gold or silver leaf.

    More on books with sprayed edges:

    Nowadays, the process of mass-producing books with sprayed edges has been streamlined, with publishers using high-powered machines to keep up with the demand. Plus, countless readers have been DIY-ing this effect for years, using tools ranging from spray paint to markers.

    The result makes books feel more exclusive, and they're often even labeled as such, being called "deluxe" or "special editions."

    If you want to get your hands on some, you're in luck, too. Various highly anticipated books are being released this year with sprayed edges, including The Lotus Shoes by Jane Yang, Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros, and Last Twilight in Paris by Pam Jenoff (Signed B&N Exclusive Edition).

    Additionally, even some older bestsellers will get their turn to shine with the release of special editions featuring sprayed edges.

    Kristin Hannah's historical fiction novel The Nightingale, for example, will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a deluxe edition. Readers won't just get sprayed edges but also a new dust jacket, a gold-foil stamped cover, and a ribbon bookmark.

    Still, while social media platforms have helped fuel the demand for colorful, eye-catching books, not every work will get such special treatment. Since sprayed edges add to production costs, publishers have to carefully choose which titles get them.

    Nonetheless, one thing is certain: fantasy, romance, and speculative fiction books tend to feature them the most, as readers who enjoy these genres really seem to appreciate the decorative aesthetic.

    Looking for more book news? Be sure to sign up for our newsletter!

    Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.