Are you willing to admit just how many cookbooks that you currently own?

[DmOrtega]

When I last counted (about 2 years ago) I had about 300. I don't buy as many at a time any more, but they still keep coming. Shhhhhh .... don't metion this to my husband. He already thinks that I have too many.

[kwormann]

Can I say, WOW??? I thought I had a few! Although, I dont have as many as I used to, in the last move, I sold several to Half Price Books...I would guesstimate at probably 20 currently......

Kim

[funnybone]

I have some on a shelf, others in boxes, others that are "homemade books", but I will guess about 125.

I just ordered Complete Cooking Light from Amazon yesterday (they sent an e-mail that is was shipped yesterday as well). I was procrastinating doing so for a while, then took the plunge. I can't wait to receive it (tomorrow or Monday!) Gotta hide it on the shelf before hubby sees it - lol. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[kima]

WOW!! I use to own about 200 but with various moves I have gradually cut that number in half. I gave many to the library and took some to second hand bookstores. I now really miss some of them and wonder what I was thinking. Some I don't miss at all and can't even remember. I even think about rebuying a few of the ones I gave away but so far have resisted. It is not like I don't have enough recipes right now to last a life time. It is an addiction. I do not know anyone else (exept my cookbook writer friend) who has more than a dozen- in fact most of my friends and family have my old books (the ones with alot of meat dishes since we are mostly vegetarians) So to answer your question I have about 100. Don't you love perusing through people's bookshelves- you can learn so much about a person!!

[Kerri]

Okay, I have 3 hard cover books. This doesn't count the photo albums of clipped recipes though. Of those, I have 2. I just don't have room for them right now, but after we get our house, I want the cooking light ones, the moosewood one, well, I am just going to go crazy!! I can't wait!

[Donnalee]

I have about 50 cookbooks, but I only use about two of them, plus I use my binder full of recipes copied off this board.

[Gail]

http://cwm.ragesofsanity.com/cwm/cwm/eek2.gif

...and I thought I had a lot!

[Hockinginn]

I have about eighty on shelves in the kitchen and another fifty or sixty in boxes. Not to mention around six years worth of Food and Wine, Bon Appetite and Gourmet mags, and two years worth of Cooking Light and Saveur. Oh, and about two hundred printed from the internet recipes.

[crlykat]

WoW DmOrtega! Thats a lot of cook books! I only own about 16, my favorites being Moosewood Restaurant Daily Special and Cooking Light years 1993 through 1996. Course I have files upon files on the computer too. And I just bought Culinaria Hungary to make my husband desserts he remembers from his childhood.
I want other Moosewood and Steven Raichlen too, so Im sure my number will go up!

[heidibowman]

"Gotta hide it on the shelf before hubby sees it - lol. " http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif[/B][/QUOTE]

How funny! I, too, try to hide my newest acquisitions from my SO by filing it on the shelf right away.

Have gotten into the bad habit of ordering at least one cookbook from Good Chef every month. Sometimes it's 2 or 3 (or 5 like last time http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/redface.gif).

I'm hooked on cookbooks with light themes right now. I've got so many recipes ear-marked between my CL's and my cookbooks that I could go without eating the same thing twice for years, I'm sure! (But, at least I'd be "healthy" http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif)



[This message has been edited by heidibowman (edited 04-20-2001).]

[JoC]

I recently had about 500. I'm afraid my idea of excitement is curling up with a good cookbook and reading it like many people read a novel. However, there are quite a few I never use, so I have been in the process of giving many away.

[DmOrtega]

My books have been acummulated over about 12 years. Still, it is a lot of cookbooks. I put a built-in bookshelf, near the kitchen, to house all of the books. I have never collected things, with the exception of my books. I do go thru them from time-to-time and give away books. Depending on the time of year and my mood I look at 75% during a year. There are times however, that I can't remember which book I saw a particular recipe in and that drives my crazy. I guess there are worse things that I could do with my money and time with.
FYI: I have lots of other books too. Gardening, crafts, kids books (for my children), Oprah book club books. My cookbooks are my favorites though.

[emilycat]

Good grief! I only dream of having so many! (Of course, the fun is in getting there... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif )

I have about 30, and am of the firm belief that I'll never tire of buying them http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[lanie]

I probably have in and around 200 - but remember I am OLD and have been collecting for a LONG time!!!!!!! I have actually laterally, only been buying magazines due to this wonderful board.
http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

[DmOrtega]

Gail --- very nice smiley.

[woodsl]

I just counted them and I have 160. However, most of them I don't use, and part of the 160 includes a stack of about 30 that I am planning to give away.

[DmOrtega]

heidibowman --- my husbands always spots the new ones, even the hidden ones. Once I have it out, he just knows. I just don't understand how he does it.

[AndreaU]

300... WOW! I guess I never realized the extent of my collection- about 110- though I tend to favor a dozen or so. Lately, on my true days off (not those used for running errands and cleaning and stuff), I go through ones I haven't visited for a while and look for recipes I'd like to try.

[Gail]

Y'know, after reading this, you ladies have influenced me to run right out and buy...oh, say, another 125 or so cookbooks. And when my husband objects, I intend to whine, "I hardly have any at all..." (The official count, BTW, tallied 93)

[maizeyoats]

Well, I just started counting the cookbooks which is something I have not done before. I got to 500 and quit....quite a bit to go.
Of course, I do not know what I have and many (most) I haven't looked at in years.
I guess this is my addiction.

[Jewel]

I can't believe you people!! Do we need to start some sort of 12-Step Program for Cookbook Junkies??? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif We're going to be out on the streets soon, wandering around in back alleys looking to score a 1997 Moosewood. We're sad.

This coming from a woman that recently purchased (in a 48 hour period I might add) ten Cooking Light Annuals from 1990 to 1999 (off Ebay, total price for all ten was less than $60), all ten 1999 CL magazines (back then I threw them away after reading them) and half of the 1998 issues. Buying on Ebay makes sense at the time and is an incredible rush...but once they start arriving in the mail it becomes evident that I have NO where to put them! I have decided to get rid of about 10 of my other cookbooks that I don't use, and that will leave me with about 20 total, most of them CL books.

Psssst...anyone want to score a little 'Betty Crocker Healthy Dinners'??? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/tongue.gif

[patsyk]

I must say I am at the LOW end with in comparison to the rest of you ladies... but, then my dh keeps my cookbook buying in check! I have 30-40 so far - not including 4 1/2 years worth of cl issues (starting getting them as soon as we got married)... and since he has high cholesterol... only really use 2-3 of the cookbooks regularly and the rest of my cooking comes from CL! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[emilycat]

Jewel,

I just wanted to say that you crack me up all the time -- I love your posts; they consistently draw huge belly laughs from me!
http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

Emily

[Gina O]

Wow, do I feel completely inadequate with my pathetic little collection of 63 cookbooks! Guess I'd better get shopping. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

I will say this thread is one of the funniest I have read in a long time, thanks for the laughs!!!

BTW, I am currently thoroughly disappointed with Amazon... I ordered some books from them that were shipped on the 12th via UPS, and am still awaiting their arrival. Has anyone else had problems with them? I order stuff on line pretty often and usually get my packages in 3-4 days. Gina

[chefbec]

I knew I had a lot, but I never really counted them...UNTIL NOW! I have over 300!! And I already know of at least 2 more I want to buy! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/redface.gif

[Beth]

I guess I'd admit it, but I'd have to count them. Last count was somewhere between 220 and 250, not counting 50 more on my Master Cook. I'm glad to know a few of you can top me. I also have an obsene number of cooking magazines and clipped recipes.

DH and I used to cruise used bookstores on the weekends, but after a while we got too busy with planting, cooking and kids. Plus, after a while, you just get pickier about what you'll pay for. A book has to add something as a resource or an inspiration.

That said, my arm is being twisted by an ad for the Good Cook book club I got last week. Buy 5 books and only have to buy one more....can you feel it too? Ouch, ouch! Uncle! Aunt Jemima, Betty Crocker or somebody! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

[LaraW]

Well, I just counted mine and came up with 57, somewhat pathetic compared to some collections out there! As I was looking through them just now, I noticed how many were books that were given to me as gifts, and not ones that I bought. Maybe that's why I have so many that I don't use much. They may not have been things that I would have bought for myself.

Of course this does not count any back issues of CL, Shape Magazine, Cooks Illustrated, etc., or any computer files.

I remember my grandma telling me when I was a kid that she had over 200, so that's where I must get it from. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif Its her fault!

[foodiedelite]

You all have me beat. I'm a lightweight with under 50. My true addiction (besides belgian chocolate) is cooking magazines. I had hundreds stored in a warehouse from a move last summer and went to pick them up several months ago. Much to my dismay the roof had leaked and many of my magazines were d e s t r o y e d! We're talking mold and pages sticking together. I felt like a long time friend had died.

[kwormann]

I have reported all of this to DH and let hom know I need more cookbooks!!!

I suppose I could count 6-7 more with Mastercook..the recipes they had in there and the LARGE cookbook Ive added with recipes from here! I ve been on a kick lately, so I think Ill be buying more, as soon as I can find the ones I truely want! (Borders had a pitiful selection last night)

Kim http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by kwormann (edited 04-21-2001).]

[chefbec]

Originally posted by Beth:
I guess I'd admit it, but I'd have to count them. Last count was somewhere between 220 and 250, not counting 50 more on my Master Cook. I'm glad to know a few of you can top me. I also have an obsene number of cooking magazines and clipped recipes.

DH and I used to cruise used bookstores on the weekends, but after a while we got too busy with planting, cooking and kids. Plus, after a while, you just get pickier about what you'll pay for. A book has to add something as a resource or an inspiration.

That said, my arm is being twisted by an ad for the Good Cook book club I got last week. Buy 5 books and only have to buy one more....can you feel it too? Ouch, ouch! Uncle! Aunt Jemima, Betty Crocker or somebody! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

Beth, I joined Good Cook, and it was a great deal. I got 3 books for $1, another one at half price, then only had to buy one more as I recall at their discounted price. I still get their catalogs and it keeps me up to date on new cookbooks, and a few times a year they offer buy one at club price, get all the others half off regular price. Just know that they charge you a lot for shipping and they charge sales tax in PA. Sometimes I can get better deals with Jessica's biscuit. But you can quit at any time if you do it.

[JennieL]

Wow, I think I need to go shopping and catch up! Once my daughter did accuse me of liking my cookbooks better than her.

[Jewel]

Originally posted by emilycat:
Jewel,

I just wanted to say that you crack me up all the time -- I love your posts; they consistently draw huge belly laughs from me!
http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

Emily

Awww...thanks Emily. The only way I can enjoy life is to laugh at it! Sometimes, my twisted sense of humor flows into my fingers while I'm typing! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[Kristilyn1]

I guess I must be a freak. I own three. The CL Complete my MIL bought me for Christmas and then I have a Fanny Farmer cookbook and a Better Homes and Gardens cookbook. I count on those two for the classic recipes that I occasionally need. Other than that, I go online if I need a recipe.

Kristi

[Beth]

Originally posted by Kristilyn1:
I guess I must be a freak. I own three. Kristi

No freaks. We'll just call you a newbie, and if the bug never bites, we'll call you efficient.

I had to drop into Barnes & Noble today to check out some of the books I was thinking of ordering on the Good Cook club deal. The latest one they sent me is 4 book for $1 each, one for half price, an apron and I buy one book in the coming year. I think I will have at least one left over and waiting.

This thread reminded me that I had thought of building bookshelves into the corner between my door into the garage and the door outside just off my kitchen. And I was about to make a "mudroom" in that space. Hmm. Books or hooks, books....hooks, books....hooks.....

[crc77]

I had no idea how many cookbooks I have so I ran to the kitchen and counted. Seems like I have some work to do! I have 51 in the kitchen and 10-15 in a box that haven't been unpacked from my move last summer. Don't miss those but can't get rid of them. What about all those cookbooks you borrowed from the library?? The library supports my habit or I'd be broke or on the streets.. I just bought Julia's Kitchen little book and was pleasantly surprised how much I liked it! Cheryl

[food girl]

I can admit to only 3 cookbooks. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/tongue.gif

It must be a creativity thing, although I don't have many cookbooks I do have a vulgar amount of stashed and hidden art supplies. Under my bed I have no fewer than 60 sheets of art paper.

Hey DmOrtega wouold you like some nice banana-paper book covers? What about some rice paper bookmarks?
Lisa

[Mamafus]

I would guess that we have about 50 cookbooks and CL from I don't know how long??? Maybe 4 years?

Since you all have probably pretty much cookbook out there, anyone want to recommend a good Chinese or Asian cookbook. Seems like the ones I have don't have very good sauces.

[MorningAWalker]

Hi folks, With all of these excess cookbooks collecting dust, have you thought of creating a cookbook exchange? List the ones you don't want and swap? Just a thought. BTW, I think I have about 12. Moosewood being the best so far...the Indian food is wonderful, but so time consuming!

[kima]

Just wanted to say to all you "underachievers" (those with under 50 cookbooks) not to worry. I think most of us obsessive types would have to admit that we probably use 10-12 books regularly and the rest don't get much use. I know I have become much more discriminating about what I buy. Afew good books and CL are all you really need (now WANT is another matter). This from the girl who dare not go in a bookstore right now- those Barefoot Contessa books are calling my name!!

[breadmama]

Wow - a fellowship of foodies who love cookbooks and the acquisition of same as much as I do! (Or more...could that be possible?) This thread is a crack-up - I thought I had a lot, but I'm not near 100 yet. I am over 50, though, and can't seem to part with my old Eating Wells, Cooking Lights, and random veggie ones and Bon Appetits that I buy at Borders! You all have given me some ammo if I receive any flack about adding to my collection. I usually start by saying, "Well, you know, I needed another cookbook..." http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif Glad to know I'm not alone in my reading cookbooks before bed habit, too!

[breadmama]

Wow - a fellowship of foodies who love cookbooks and the acquisition of same as much as I do! (Or more...could that be possible?) This thread is a crack-up - I thought I had a lot, but I'm not near 100 yet. I am over 50, though, and can't seem to part with my old Eating Wells, Cooking Lights, and random veggie ones and Bon Appetits that I buy at Borders! You all have given me some ammo if I receive any flack about adding to my collection. I usually start by saying, "Well, you know, I needed another cookbook..." http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif Glad to know I'm not alone in my reading cookbooks before bed habit, too!

[lengels]

Wow! I thought I had a lot! At last count I had 112. I have been inputting them into a database so it is easier to find those recipes I have tried and enjoyed. It was getting hard to find recipes when my husband would ask me to make something I had made before.

[Beth]

I may have a dozen or so that I would call "general" or "All-pupose" ccokbooks that I use more than others, but then there are the more specific categories that track my adventures...a half dozen or so on breads, another on preserving and pickling. Cookies and holidays have a corner all their own....

[Mousie29]

Around 12?

I am striving for a simple lifestyle and have sold/thrown away a lot.

I figure with Moosewood, CL Complete, CL Five-Star and D. Madison's "Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone", why bother with more since there are so many recipes that I want to try.

[makedah]

I have nine, but could get by with three: CL Complete, Moosewood low-fat and Moosewood Cooks at Home. Selling to half-price books sounds like a good idea.

I want the Ultimate Southern Living Cookbook (they need to release a collection of their recent light recipes) and I need to get some Cook's Illustrated, more for technique than for recipes. But frankly, I don't know where to start with them!

[emilycat]

Makedah,

Interested in my Ultimate Southern Living book? I never use mine! Seriously, I'm not sure I could part with it, since my mom gave it to me as a gift for Christmas one year when I was starting my budding collection, but I just thought it was kind of funny that you want one so badly and there's one sitting, virtually untouched, on my bookshelf http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Chefmom]

Oh goodness!! I think that I would have in the hundreds if they were all in one place to count!! I have some in my "library" which is a great space at the top of the stairs, but then I keep some here at the computer, on my bed's headboard, um, on the Tv's entertainment center, on my other desk on the back porch, um, and anywhere else there is a shelf to put books!!!!

And we won't EVEN go into the binders of magazines that I have. I wish you could buy them bound like Cook's Illustrated does, that would save space. Although I am thinking about having my taste of home collection cut and bound at the local copy place. Why buy the year's recipe books when you have all the issues in the first place!!??

Of course my collection is always growing with the discount places, ebay and sales that are too good to pass up!!!!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Someday I hope to invest in the Adobe software so I can store my magazines on CD's.
Number of cookbooks is one thing, but geez!! Let's talk number of MEGA bytes of recipes. Hubbie and I just bought a CD writer and I'm dumping all of my recipe files onto CD's, wow, I never realized how much of the hard drive was taken up by ME, I always blamed the kids' games........

And of course, they are always coming out with new magazines, new cookbooks, new websites of recipes.......it never ends!!!

Tami

[Julie O]

Gina O-

Usually Amazon gets books to your door very quickly, but sometimes they have to ship your order from one of their locations that is far away from where you live. Then, it will take up to 10 working days.

As for my cookbook collection, I'm always reading a few before going to bed, a few by the tv, and a couple in the kitchen plus my bookshelf collection. So, I don't know how many I have, but I think it's under 50. I'll have to tell my husband about some of you guys the next time I buy a cookbook and he says "ANOTHER COOKBOOK!"

I love the idea of cookbook exchanges. I've considered starting one up with my cooking club but always seem to forget to mention.

[Vanessa]

Quite a few but I have many yrs worth of cooking magazines. I just cannot through them out. Not only I have cookbooks but I started my own books by cutting, writting down recipes etc. I am in notebbok #7. Hubby promised to finish making indexes for them (in excel program).

[tovie]

Um, around 110, and that's not counting those little ones they have at the checkout at the grocery store. I was afraid to count those (bg)

And let's not even mention the printouts from the internet or the notebooks full of magazine clippings and handwritten stuff...

But I have quite a lot of sewing and craft books and fiction too.

[gertdog]

I had about 110 at last count. We bought a bigger bookshelf last summer to hold them all!

Our town has a big used booksale every fall, with a fantastic selection of cookbooks. Every year I go on the first day and pick up anything that interests me and is in decent shape... hard to go wrong for just a few dollars a book! Then in the spring I go through my bookshelf and select books to donate to the book sale. Often, books that I bought in the fall go back to the sale in the spring, but I get the chance to peruse and experiment on my own time!