If you have ever watched a television show, or read a book, and wanted to create some of the meals you see and read about, then your Abilene Public Library has some great cookbooks for you.

These are specially created books inspired by hit television shows and novels so that anyone can add some spice to their culinary arsenal of recipes.

A personal favorite is “The Desperate Housewives Cookbook” inspired by the hit ABC show. Following the quirky relationships of four central female friends, you can learn how to make the popular meals made famous by them. Whether cooking up Bree’s impressive dishes such as Braised Duck and Saltimbocca; Lynette’s on-the-go meals like Muenster and Coleslaw Wraps; or Susan’s “I have no kitchen skills” recipes like Foolproof Macaroni and Cheese or Salad of Roasted Peppers, Fresh Mozzarella and Arugula, this great cookbook will perfectly marry your love of the show with cooking. A great series by HBO that glued people to their seats each week, while featuring great Italian meals, was the show “The Sopranos.” The book inspired here is titled “The Sopranos Family Cookbook,” by Allen Rucker, and it brings homestyle family cooking to your table. Great recipes you can learn to prepare are the perfect Marinara Sauce, classic Italian dishes of Pasta Fagiole and Panzerotti, traditional Sicilian meals of ’Shcarcole and Garlic, as well as tips on making a great cannoli. Complete with stills from the show and introductions by the characters, this book will show you how to live the good life with the food of the Sopranos.

If one wants a change of pace, take a look at “Jan Karon’s Mitford Cookbook & Kitchen Reader,” by Jan Karon, author of the popular series of books. In this cookbook, Karon has compiled over 150 southern influenced recipes that are featured in her novels. Fans of this series will go crazy over such signature Mitford recipes as Father Tim’s Beef Tenderloin, Uncle Billy’s Sweet Potato Pie, Lottie Greer’s Fried Chicken and Esther’s three-layer Marmalade Cake. Loaded with great extras, this companion to Karon’s popular novels is a must read for anyone who loves the fictional world of Mitford, N.C.

If you prefer to delve into the cuisines of popular mystery writers, try “Food to Die For: Secrets from Kay Scarpetta’s Kitchen,” by best-selling mystery author Patricia Cornwell. Scarpetta is the title heroine and medical examiner from Cornwell’s hit books, and this cookbook offers some of the characters’ favorite recipes such as Italian Sausage Pizza, Pollo al Limone, Marino’s Breakfast Bagel Sandwich and more. Complete with full color illustrations and excerpts from 11 of the novels her food references, these dishes will be a hit to Cornwell fans.

Additionally, you could try picking up one of best-selling author Diane Mott Davidson’s clever culinary mystery series such as “Chopping Spree,” “Sticks and Scones,” “Dark Tort” and more. In her novels, not only does she provide you with a great food related mystery, but she includes recipes as well. Try any one of her 14 novels and test some of her recipes out for yourself. It makes for tasty reading. This list could go on as Abilene Public Library offers more titles similar to these. Make sure to stop by and look for the books mentioned here, or ask library staff to recommend additional titles. You’ll be surprised at just how much better your meals can be when you allow your favorite books and shows to inspire you.

Tremain Jackson is South Branch manager of the Abilene Public Library.