Made butternut squash bisque for my contribution to the feast at the in-laws.
Roast cubed peeled squash, a few smashed garlic cloves, 2 diced medium onions, a few carrots, salt, white pepper, turmeric, paprika, smothered in oil until everything is soft. Then into the blender with a couple quarts of chicken stock until smooth.
On the subject of cookbooks, I tend to just look for techniques and food-spice combinations that I can put together in interesting ways myself vs. following a recipe.