I frequently mention a cookbook I have when posting a recipe. I’m from the old-fashioned school as I like books; I like to hold them and flip through the pages and marvel at the pictures. I learn about the author, the cuisine and frequently stories about the region. Maybe because I have always loved books is why I probably became a teacher/librarian (retired).
My office is full of “cookbooks” and other interests such as gardening, autobiographies of women, odds and ends… Having just moved 9 months ago I did a lot of “cleaning” and donated a number of books to local agencies or there would be a lot more.
My kitchen library with a few of my favorites…
I like to decorate with books…
Overflow – not much space left. Note the container on bottom shelf – full of recipes to try. Oh, and I have a file drawer too of recipes I would like to make, organized by holiday and subject!
Reading material for guests – you won’t find many novels, fiction, thrillers and such.
Yes, I do use the internet but it will never replace my love for books. Things are too easy for people now with all the media sources such as Pinterest and the internet. Me, lean back in a comfortable chair, maybe with a cup of coffee or glass of wine (depending on the time of day) and enjoy reading one of my many cookbooks. The weather is turning nicer and there is nothing better than enjoying the sun while reading about faraway cultures and all the good recipes I could make 🙂
Linking to Fiesta Friday #215 and the two co-hosts Laurena @ Life Diet Health and Alex @ Turks Who Eat
Wow! That’s a serious collection!!!!!
I’m with you, I love a real book 🙂
Thanks Elaine – I do like my cookbooks 🙂 Smaller after I moved but I keep buying new ones…
😀😀😀😀😀
Nice post
Thank you!
I’m happy to see that I’m not alone! Cookbooks galore (love a real book too) and bins of magazine recipes torn out- ready to try. 🙂 It’s a great way to live. 🙂
I think I have about 4 magazine subs right now and yes I tear out the pages and organize them by priority – low and high! Also, if they are on a certain recipe they go into my file cabinet. My cookbooks I write down the name of recipes to try and page number and sometimes put a “star” by it – meaning make soon 🙂
Judy, what a wonderful post and look at all those books!! Hours of fun reading! I know what you mean, I thoroughly enjoy the cover and pages of a book over the kindle.
Thanks Mary – I don’t have a kindle but I do enjoy reading my cookbooks. There ususally is so much more information than just recipes 🙂
I have recipes kept in a scrapbook cookbook and I get many on Pinterest. 😊
I never use Pinterest either except to post my own recipes. I like to look through but never used any recipes…
Many recipes are great but there are the flops and then I just laugh because that’s all you can do. Happy days, Judy.
I told myself, “No more cookbooks!” since my shelves are overflowing. That was 3/4 yrs ago when I started food blogging. Since then I haven’t bought any, but have received a few as gifts. But you’re right, though, holding an actual book and flipping thru the pages back and forth is just not the same as reading and googling online. The first one is a much more pleasant activity!
I recycle and donate books that I no longer find so useful to the library and other agencies. Of course I go through them first and make copies of any recipes I want to make. If I find there are too many recipes I want to copy I will keep the cookbook. I like to keep up-to-date on new chefs, recipes, etc… When I moved, the gardening books took the biggest hit!
Turks Who Eat did not stop by – I guess she is not into books!
Maybe she’s responsible for odd numbers?
Such an impressive collection you have! I’ve lost quite a few cookbooks over the years, due to moving frequently, so my collection is not what it used to be. I couldn’t agree with you more – reading a good cookbook and getting ideas leisurely is nothing like searching the internet. 🙂
Thanks Ronit – just about every day I manage to find time to look through recipes, whether in a cookbook, magazine or my files. It’s just what I enjoy doing… The internet does have its purpose but give me something to “hold” any day 🙂
I love books too. I have a kindle but there’s nothing like absorbing the information your reading from an actual page. I’ve given some of mine away too and it’s always a difficult decision paring them down. I love the idea of sitting outside especially if I can take a glass of wine with me!
It gets harder to downsize my cookbooks but there are always some that once you’ve bought them, looked through them, they don’t really appeal to you. I always donate to the library or another agency like the Women’s City Club. I mainly hit my gardening books on this latest move. I actually sat outside recently looking through a cooking magazine, but it was too early for wine 🙂
Awesome… I love physical cookbooks! I just poke through them and think and dream…. and sometimes cook 😉
Me too! I guess that is kind of obvious 🙂 I’m rather organized so when I need a certain recipe or cuisine I usually know where to look.
Nice and wonderful post.
And appreciate your good collection of books
Thanks – I’m glad you do! Cookbooks are my choice of reading material and I certainly learn a lot in every one; whether it’s about the author, cooking techniques, ingredients, a particular cuisine…
Arggghhhhh! It looks like my house!!! So many cookbooks. And I keep buying them! Nothing like a move to go through all the stuff.
Me too Mimi – but while moving I was able to downsize a little. I always can make room for another bookshelf 🙂
What an amazing collection you have. I have to admit, I am a book person. I love the feel of a book….internet is fine, but give me a book any day !!!
Thanks Lynne – I’m glad you are. Some people read novels, fiction, etc. but I truly enjoy reading my cookbooks/magazines. The internet is last and does come in handy – some times 🙂
My house is the same way. I have cookbooks in 5 different locations. I love reading them like I’m reading a novel. Awesome! 😀
I knew there were a lot of people like me who love their cookbooks. I not only like good recipes, but pictures and good stories 🙂
I would love to spend time in your library! I have a similar addiction, I mean passion!
LOL – two words that fit me perfectly, Liz! Even though I downsized my collection I am slowly building it back up 🙂
Wow that is a huge amount of books! I also love cookbooks. Reading through the pages and seeing the pictures! Love it
Thanks Lynn – I love my cookbooks/gardening books. I mainly downsized my gardening books as I moved to a condo from a 1 acre house.
I have got rid of some of my cookbooks over the years. Only to regret it.
Me too even though I have tried to be careful there are always a few I regret donating. Luckily, some cookbooks are still available…
Wow! I thought I had a lot of cook books but your collection blows mine out of the water! I’m thinking “Cooking with Jeffrey” is going to be my next purchase! Would you recommend it?
Ina is one of my favorite chefs and I have all 10 of her cookbooks – so yes I do recommend this one. She shares stories and recipes from friends, including her own. Rarely have I made any dish that I didn’t like 🙂
I’m exactly the same with recipes. Must be a real book! And I do love cookery books. Slightly jealous of your collection! There’s some great titles there
Thanks so much – when I moved I downsized my collection a little but I keep adding new cookbooks 🙂