Over the years, dinner parties have become less formal, and hosts are pretty much free to make their own rules. This generational shift is the driving ethos behind Gatherings: Casual-Fancy Meals to Share, the user-friendly cookbook from America's Test Kitchen (Spiced). This book's 140 internationally inspired recipes provide step-by-step outlines for each chef's ideal dinner party, including appetizers, sides, main courses, drinks, and desserts. There's something here for every taste: a Viet-Cajun Shrimp Boil; a Midwestern family feast with Vintage Triple-Layer "Christmas" Jello; Grill-Smoked Pork Butt; and "Nachos!"; complete with Candied Bacon S'mores for dessert. Accompanied by crisp, vibrant close-up images of each item, these helpful recipes take the stress and guesswork out of planning a gathering. Even inexperienced cooks will find inspiration--and maybe even enough confidence to send those invitations. --Angela Lutz, freelance reviewer