The fireworks have come and gone, unless you have overzealous neighbors… But don’t worry there’s still plenty to celebrate in the United States! It’s grilling month ladies and gentlemen! It’s the only time of the year no one will judge you for spraying copious amounts of lighter fluid on an already burning surface…in your shorts and flip flops. What’s not to love?

Grills have been around for a long time. Long before Christopher Columbus’ parked his ship on American soil, the natives were having grill outs in their backyards. Well kind of. The Arawak, the first people Columbus encountered on his famous voyage, used a wooden structure to cook meat on.  It’s only gotten better over time. Here’s some ‘hot’ titles to help you become King (or Queen) of the backyard!

101 things to do with a BBQ by Steve Tillet: Tillet gets you out of the kitchen with these tasty grill recipes. Covering everything from Poppin’ BBQ Popcorn, Blue Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms, Stuffed Tomatoes on the Grill, Grilled Onion Bloom, Seafood Pesto Pizza to Chocolate Banana Bang-a-rang. You may never need the kitchen again.

BBQ Joints by David Gelin: Gelin takes us to the heart of the South where BBQ was born. Learn the tips and tricks of the trade from the people who know it best. Just be careful, you might fall in love with these ‘national heroes’ along the way.

Mastering the Grill by Andrew Schloss, David Joachim, and Alison Miksch: This book turns the science of grilling into an art form. It comes complete with 350 mouthwatering recipes and critical know-how from the pros themselves, so it’s sure to be a page tuner. Watch out for the not safe for work photos…they look so delicious you might be tempted to get started early.

Raichlen’s Tailgating by Steven Raichlen: It’s grilling on the go! Tailgating is an essential American pastime. With recipes like Stuffed Grill-Roasted Jalapeño Peppers, Beer-Can Chicken, Santa Maria Tri-Tip and Coconut-Grilled Pineapple, your space will be the game time hot spot. Just be careful the delicious smells might distract wayward fans from the all important ‘TOUCHDOWN!’

The Ultimate Guide to Grilling by Rick Browne: Browne covers the basics with recipes like Coca Cola Chicken, Aw Shucks Grilled Corn, BBQ’d Apple Pie, and Rodney’s Tequila Porterhouse to satisfy any appetite. But he also goes above and beyond the call of duty with chapters dedicated to sauces, rubs, and even vegetarian options.

To add any of these titles to your collection, visit Content Reserve today.

*Title availability may vary due to geographic location.

Christina Bernecker is a training associate at OverDrive.