Whether you decide to give it as a gift, or simply cook from it this holiday, Southern Pies by Nancie McDermott is a fantastic present for the entire family.

As you know, I love all things Southern and even though I don't have a sweet tooth, I can't help but be enchanted by Southern desserts. But many people up my way aren't exposed to much of this food, which is why Southern Pies: A Gracious Plenty of Pie Recipes, From Lemon Chess to Chocolate Pecan is high on my gift lift this year. What are the chances that someone will have it? That's what I'm talkin' about!

And this book has everything you need whether you're a novice or expert (I, for one, am not a great baker). I truly appreciate the fact that there are sections on "Patching Holes" and "Meringue Anxiety," for those of us who are not as confident with baking as others, ahem. So I'm going to work my way up through the ranks, as it were. There are 70 pie recipes in here, so it gives me dishes to work towards. That and the tons of different pie crusts that it's going to take me awhile to get the hang of (If only I had a Southern grandma to show me!).

But just reading through the names of the recipes alone ought to get you drooling - Mrs. Natha Adkins Parker's Lemon Cloud Pie, Butterscotch Pie, Molasses Pie, Brown Sugar Pie - and many are steeped in Southern history such as sweet potato pie, chess pie, pecan pie (oh my!). There are some that I can't wait to not only make, but eat, such as Martha Hall Foose's Sweet Tea Pie. Barry Maiden's Hungry Mother Spicy Peanut Pie and New Orleans Creole Coconut Pie!

When I'm thinking about pies to do for the holidays, I think I'm going to either make David Guas's Apple-Pecan Crumble Pie or Persimmon Pie, which I've never seen or heard of before. I don't know what Surry County Peach Sonker with Dip is like, but it sounds like a good conversation starter as does Black Walnut Pie and Mountain Home Soup Pie, don't you think?

And don't worry if you're a chocoholic - you can absolutely get your chocolate on with thanks to delectable recipes like Mama Irene's Chocolate Meringue Pie and Joe Trull's Peanut Butter-Banana Cream Pie with Fudge Sauce.

I might not be Southern or have a grandma from the south, but I've got this book in my pocket now. I think that's all I need.

Buy Southern Pies by Nancie McDermott now.