King or Queen of Cookbooks

[cookieee]

Just for the heck of it, I think we should find out once and for all, who has the most cookbooks. I'll start it. I only have 190. I know a lot of you can really beat that.

[jtoepfert100]

I'm going to bet that MISSINDI or wallycat wins. :cool:

[sneezles]

Well, I have 293 just in this house but have 2 other houses where I have books stored...

[mbrogier]

I've got around 100, but I'm still beginning my collection. :D

[sugarbaby]

Beat 24!...oh. Hey, I'm not quite 30 years old, give me time! 293????!!!!! Wowzers!

[KAnn]

I need to do an accurate count when I am at home, but I am estimating that I have about 250 or so... when I moved a few years ago I donated/gave away about 50, I think. I began collecting cookbooks in the late 70's so that is not too bad.... :D

[juliew]

I have about 80. I could see myself maybe owning a couple hundred (which is a LOT more than most people could ever own). I don't know that I would get a whole lot more than that at any one time. I am able to get rid of books that I am not interested in, so I can keep purchasing even if I've reached that number.

[wallycat]

I think Val's mom had 800 and counting....I don't think even I have come that close.
I've stopped counting after 500...so 500+ :D Of course, maybe I am on Val's mom's heals!!

[Home Chef]

Thanks Wallycat! I was reading the responses and thought "maybe I do have a problem" but felt better after reading your response.
When I did an inventory list I have 560 but that can change at anytime. Even when I think I'm done, another joins the cart frequently at Costco. OR I read this board and see one I have to have.

[mbrogier]

www.zooba.com has added several great cookbooks to their list. :D

Tyler Florence's Eat This Book is on it's way to me right now. I only had 4 books in my list, and I added 7 more this morning. :p

[tea4one]

I'm going to bet that MISSINDI or wallycat wins. :cool:
I agree and I only have 521.

[gaja]

I agree and I only have 521.

I love this - "only" 521 ;) My fiance thinks that I have a cookbook addiction with my little 100 or so collection. Ha! Just wait until I show him this thread...

[cookieee]

Beat 24!...oh. Hey, I'm not quite 30 years old, give me time! 293????!!!!! Wowzers!

Sugarbaby, your so funny. Thanks for the laugh. You do know that in a little while you won't be buying cookbooks, you will be buying Nursery Rhymes and Good Night Moon, Walter the Farting Dog (did you know that is a real popular book, several in that series. Bought them for my grandkids. :eek: :D ) I can't go into a book store without buying for the kids. But I still manage to get a few cookbooks here and there ;)

[drewberry4]

Hahahahaha oh my god, I have like eight. Good lord, ladies!!!! Five hundred?!

[Aninha]

Beat 24!...oh. Hey, I'm not quite 30 years old, give me time! 293????!!!!! Wowzers!

Same here!!! Not 30 yet, and only have around 30 cookbooks or so... and my DH thinks I have a lot, "why would I need more?" he asks... maybe I should introduce him to you all, it might help changing his mind a bit! ;)
Ana

[cherylopal]

I have like eight.

Eight??? Well, that was helpful when you moved! :D

Well, I consider myself a brownie with just under 100. :rolleyes:

[MISSINDI]

I'm here! I'm here! It's been awhile since I've counted, but I'll be back tomorrow with a total. ;)

[zackaboo]

I am curious as to how most of you seem to know exactly how many cookbooks you have...did you run off and count :) or do you have a written inventory??? I have no idea how many I have although I am sure that it is fewer than a hundred.

Mbrogier, I second your thoughts on Zooba. They have some great selections available and I have added a lot to my collection from my membership there.

[cookieee]

I promised myself that I was not going to use this as a plug, but to quickly answer your question, some of us know how many cookbooks we have because it helps us to play the Game.

[cookieee]

Went grocery shopping tonight. Make my number 191. Williams-Sonoma Meat & Poultry was on sale. I swear, my DH made me buy it. He also said he would cook from it. It is a beautiful book.

[Gecko]

I just did a quick count and came up with 310.

[tea4one]

I love this - "only" 521 ;) My fiance thinks that I have a cookbook addiction with my little 100 or so collection. Ha! Just wait until I show him this thread...
I consider myself a collector of cookbooks. It's just another one of my many "hobbies" not all of the books are worth keeping and some were regrets but I can't let go, at least not yet, I've tried.

[tea4one]

I am curious as to how most of you seem to know exactly how many cookbooks you have...did you run off and count :) or do you have a written inventory??? I have no idea how many I have although I am sure that it is fewer than a hundred.

Mbrogier, I second your thoughts on Zooba. They have some great selections available and I have added a lot to my collection from my membership there.
I have a list stored right on my computer.

[Slowcooker]

I'm out...174. I thought I was "finished" adding to my cookbook collection, but judging from the totals everyone else has, I'm just getting started :D
On my wish list: Barefoot Contessa, and One Smart Cookie. Also, I heard people discussing the Big Taste Cookbook?? by Steven Raichlen?? I think?? (forgive me if I got the title or name wrong- but I did spot it at TJ Maxx a few weeks ago, and didn't buy it :mad:. Maybe it's still there...)

I'm so happy I put my cookbooks on a spreadsheet. It's very helpful on Sundays (hint,hint) so I can find out instantly what book I'll be making a recipe from!
Another benefit: sometimes I can't remember the exact name of a cookbook I want to look at- one browse through the list, and I can find it :)

[cookieee]

I'm out...174. I thought I was "finished" adding to my cookbook collection, but judging from the totals everyone else has, I'm just getting started :D
On my wish list: Barefoot Contessa, and One Smart Cookie. Also, I heard people discussing the Big Taste Cookbook?? by Steven Raichlen?? I think?? (forgive me if I got the title or name wrong- but I did spot it at TJ Maxx a few weeks ago, and didn't buy it :mad:. Maybe it's still there...)

I'm so happy I put my cookbooks on a spreadsheet. It's very helpful on Sundays (hint,hint) so I can find out instantly what book I'll be making a recipe from!
Another benefit: sometimes I can't remember the exact name of a cookbook I want to look at- one browse through the list, and I can find it :)

Hi Slowcooker, do you mean "The Big Flavor Cookbook"? It's one of a few of his that I don't have. What could you mean about Sundays? :rolleyes:

[Slowcooker]

[QUOTE=cookieee]Hi Slowcooker, do you mean "The Big Flavor Cookbook"? QUOTE]
THAT'S IT!!!! :D

My first attempt at quoting :( I guess I'm in for another 6 hours trying to figure out how to do that

[cookieee]

[QUOTE=cookieee]Hi Slowcooker, do you mean "The Big Flavor Cookbook"? QUOTE]
THAT'S IT!!!! :D

My first attempt at quoting :( I guess I'm in for another 6 hours trying to figure out how to do that

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D as usual

[Robyn1007]

[QUOTE=cookieee]Hi Slowcooker, do you mean "The Big Flavor Cookbook"? QUOTE]
THAT'S IT!!!! :D

My first attempt at quoting :( I guess I'm in for another 6 hours trying to figure out how to do that

Slowcooker, quoting is actually fairly easy on this board. Start by just hitting the quote button the bottom right corner of the post you want to quote. You can edit the quote as you please but just don't mess the the bracketed coding. If you look above at my quote of your post you can see that the part that you wanted to quote Cookieee on you removed the [/ in front of the ending QUOTE]. Does that make sense?

ETA: My cookbook collection is pathetic so I won't even bother to post a count but the funny part is that my friends think I have a problem. :eek: :p

[CompassRose]

I'm not in the Missindi or Wally class. The last time I pruned out, I was left with about 350... but I've, uh, bought more since then. :o Also, I never actually got round to taking the two boxes of rejects over to the University Women's Book Sale in the spring, so they're still up in the attic. So technically, something over 400.

[cookieee]

[QUOTE=Slowcooker]

Slowcooker, quoting is actually fairly easy on this board. Start by just hitting the quote button the bottom right corner of the post you want to quote. You can edit the quote as you please but just don't mess the the bracketed coding. If you look above at my quote of your post you can see that the part that you wanted to quote Cookieee on you removed the [/ in front of the ending QUOTE]. Does that make sense?

ETA: My cookbook collection is pathetic so I won't even bother to post a count but the funny part is that my friends think I have a problem. :eek: :p

Hi Robyn, thanks for helping slowcooker out. I'm not too clear on this stuff myself. :confused: What is it with friends that don't enjoy what we enjoy and have a hard time understanding why we do? Sorry, that is a sore spot with me. Lost what I THOUGHT was a friend because of it.

[Sol]

I haven't counted my cookbooks since we moved last year, but I'm guessing close to or over 300. My project is to straighten up and get my cookbook room in order when DD goes back to school. Then I'll get a "real" count. :)

[cookieee]

Sugarbaby, your so funny. Thanks for the laugh. You do know that in a little while you won't be buying cookbooks, you will be buying Nursery Rhymes and Good Night Moon, Walter the Farting Dog (did you know that is a real popular book, several in that series. Bought them for my grandkids. :eek: :D ) I can't go into a book store without buying for the kids. But I still manage to get a few cookbooks here and there ;)

PS Forgot to add. There is also Walter, a stuffed dog that does you know what. It is so funny. I don't know what grade you teach, you probably know all about this stuff ;)

[Robyn1007]

[QUOTE=Robyn1007]

Hi Robyn, thanks for helping slowcooker out. I'm not too clear on this stuff myself. :confused: What is it with friends that don't enjoy what we enjoy and have a hard time understanding why we do? Sorry, that is a sore spot with me. Lost what I THOUGHT was a friend because of it.

Ah, my friends give me a hard time about it but they are totally supportive of my love of cooking (they better be, they benefit frequently :p ). I think it makes for a great group of friends when we all have different strengths, for example, I have two friends that are bartenders so when we get together, I cook, they mix drinks! :D

[greysangel]

I'm not a collector at all so I guess I don't get it. The idea of having 100 never mind 500 cookbooks actually fills me with anxiety...that many recipes I'm not getting to etc.. I weed the cookbook "collection" I do have ..anything I don't use gets thrown on paperbackswap. Right now I have the most I've ever had and it's about 25.

[cookieee]

[QUOTE=cookieee]

Ah, my friends give me a hard time about it but they are totally supportive of my love of cooking (they better be, they benefit frequently :p ). I think it makes for a great group of friends when we all have different strengths, for example, I have two friends that are bartenders so when we get together, I cook, they mix drinks! :D

You are a very lucky woman. To know two bartenders, I mean :D No, I really mean to have great friends to support your interest. ;)

[LakeMartinGal]

I have about 45 cookbooks, if you don't count the pamphlets (hence my suggestion, Cookieee, for the GOTW... ;) ) Those are just the 'active' ones, though. I have some low-carb cookbooks downstairs from that phase. They just take up space... :rolleyes:

[Cherise]

Well I have a lot, but not nearly as many as some. I counted this morning, and came up with 194. I guess I need to get a few more to put me over 200. :D I've actually been pretty good as of late, and haven't bought any new ones lately. I know one of my next ones will be Barefoot in Paris. I've been eyeing that one for awhile.

[sneezles]

Beat 24!...oh. Hey, I'm not quite 30 years old, give me time! 293????!!!!! Wowzers!


I've spent the past year or so giving cookbooks away but was at about the same place you are when I was your age. I still buy cookbooks but find I don't use some of my older ones so those are the ones I give away...

[cookieee]

I've spent the past year or so giving cookbooks away but was at about the same place you are when I was your age. I still buy cookbooks but find I don't use some of my older ones so those are the ones I give away...

I have a copy machine, so when I make a donation to Goodwill, I make a copy first of any recipe that I might want to make ;) It's a shame our walls aren't made of rubber :D

[tyroleancutie]

I only have 32 - but when I first joined here I had 3. So maybe it's the CLBB fault that I bought so many books since October 2005 :D

[cookieee]

I only have 32 - but when I first joined here I had 3. So maybe it's the CLBB fault that I bought so many books since October 2005 :D

bad bb, bad bb, oh wait, GOOD BB GOOD BB

[dcollier]

I'm guessing that I have around 75 or 80. I must say that most of you have made me feel much better about myself! My DH tells people that I have a "problem" with cookbooks. I have to admit, though, that I DO read them like novels. I had promised myself that I wouldn't buy another one this year, but since I've just discovered that I DON'T have a problem.... :D

[KAnn]

I have about 100 more or so in storage at my Dad's....I began collecting cookbooks in about 1976 and I have weeded out many over the years as my interests have changed, etc. If I hadn't moved so often I would probably have kept them all...it would be interesting to know how many I have actually owned altogether as opposed to what I have now on my book shelves.

I always tell people that one could have worse vices! :p :D

[Slowcooker]

Slowcooker, quoting is actually fairly easy on this board. Start by just hitting the quote button the bottom right corner of the post you want to quote. You can edit the quote as you please but just don't mess the the bracketed coding. If you look above at my quote of your post you can see that the part that you wanted to quote Cookieee on you removed the [/ in front of the ending QUOTE]. Does that make sense?



Thanks for troubleshooting Robyn :D :D Now I'm going to be a quotin'fool! :p

[cookieee]

Thanks for troubleshooting Robyn :D :D Now I'm going to be a quotin'fool! :p

And I bet that didn't take you 6 hours, did it? :D

[Slowcooker]

Hi Robyn, thanks for helping slowcooker out.

Look Cookieee, I did it :p
By the way, I noticed we have almost the same amount of cookbooks! I'll have to get some fun ones to match your total!

[Slowcooker]

I'm not a collector at all so I guess I don't get it. Right now I have the most I've ever had and it's about 25.

Anything more than three is a collection :)

[sugarbaby]

PS Forgot to add. There is also Walter, a stuffed dog that does you know what. It is so funny. I don't know what grade you teach, you probably know all about this stuff ;)

Walter sounds strangely familiar to my own dog! I teach innter city 9th graders, and believe it or not, they're still into anything that farts, although they would never admit it!

[juliew]

it would be interesting to know how many I have actually owned altogether as opposed to what I have now on my book shelves.

:D

I think if we count cookbooks I have owned and then later got rid of, I'd have to add another 50 or so to my total.

[cookieee]

Walter sounds strangely familiar to my own dog! I teach innter city 9th graders, and believe it or not, they're still into anything that farts, although they would never admit it!

Sugarbaby, just between you and me :p , DH SAYS he buys these things for the grandkids. Boys never grow up. Sometimes thank goodness :D

[cookieee]

I'm guessing that I have around 75 or 80. I must say that most of you have made me feel much better about myself! My DH tells people that I have a "problem" with cookbooks. I have to admit, though, that I DO read them like novels. I had promised myself that I wouldn't buy another one this year, but since I've just discovered that I DON'T have a problem.... :D

Same here :rolleyes:

[cookieee]

Is anyone else having problems with the bb acting up?

[cookieee]

Look Cookieee, I did it :p
By the way, I noticed we have almost the same amount of cookbooks! I'll have to get some fun ones to match your total!

Good going Slowcooker, ;) I will stop buying cookbooks until you catch up with me. Would you mind buying 17 cookbooks by next week? :eek: :D

[cherylopal]

I teach innter city 9th graders, and believe it or not, they're still into anything that farts, although they would never admit it!

Sounds like my DH (like yours cookieee) and he's well beyond 9th grade!

[cookieee]

Sounds like my DH (like yours cookieee) and he's well beyond 9th grade!

I have to keep him out of the toy aisle when we go grocery shopping. :rolleyes: But when he and the kids get together, they do laugh a lot and have a good time. Thank goodness my daughter knows it's just good harmless fun.

[Slowcooker]

Would you mind buying 17 cookbooks by next week? :eek: :D
I'm sure I could find a good "lot" on ebay :D

[beacooker]

The idea of having 100 never mind 500 cookbooks actually fills me with anxiety...that many recipes I'm not getting to etc..

You and me both! When I had more free time and cooking was more of a hobby, my bookshelf of cookbooks with recipes I wanted to try just seemed like enormous To-Do lists that I was never going to be able to complete. Yet still I would buy more cookbooks. Finally, I realized that for me, buying more cookbooks and constantly cooking new dishes was no longer really about a love of food, it was about feeling like I wasn't accomplishing enough; yet no matter how many new cookbooks I bought or new dishes I tried, I was never going to be satisfied. Plus, I was spending a lot of money on food and cookbooks, and gaining weight because I would always force myself to eat even if I wasn't really hungry, because if I didn't eat, I couldn't cross another recipe off my mental list.

Now my blood pressure is up just thinking about all this!! I sometimes miss my cookbook-buying, mass-recipe-trying days, and would like to think that maybe in a few years I will be able to see cooking as a hobby again, without all the extra pressure that I was putting on myself.

[cookieee]

I'm here! I'm here! It's been awhile since I've counted, but I'll be back tomorrow with a total. ;)

MISSINDI, WHERE ARE YOU?



Home Chef has 560

560 -----Going once

560 -----Going twice

[Slowcooker]

MISSINDI, WHERE ARE YOU?



Home Chef has 560

560 -----Going once

560 -----Going twice
I reckon it must take a while to count up to a million.....

[cookieee]

I reckon it must take a while to count up to a million.....

That's a good one slowcooker :D :D :D

[MISSINDI]

Sorry - I'm here! Not even close to a million -- thank goodness! I have three bookcases in my office and that's 932. There are a few boxes I packed up and put in the basement to make space (construction). I use them a lot, both in cooking, inspiration and research, especially with the food journalism work I've been doing. I've also been more selective lately ... only 2 new cookbooks in the last few months (gasp!), and have even been paring down (speaking of which, I have 5 SL Annuals available for shipping costs, if anyone's interested). It's really the only "personal" thing I spend money on ... not into designer labels, jewlery, etc., so there are definitely worse things I could be into. ;)

[tholbrook]

I have 77, so I'm not even in the running.
And many of the ones I have haven't been opened in years, so I really should whittle down my collection...

[cookieee]

Cookieee be good, don't say it. Cookieee be good, don't say it. I'm trying guys.

[cookieee]

Sorry - I'm here! Not even close to a million -- thank goodness! I have three bookcases in my office and that's 932. There are a few boxes I packed up and put in the basement to make space (construction). I use them a lot, both in cooking, inspiration and research, especially with the food journalism work I've been doing. I've also been more selective lately ... only 2 new cookbooks in the last few months (gasp!), and have even been paring down (speaking of which, I have 5 SL Annuals available for shipping costs, if anyone's interested). It's really the only "personal" thing I spend money on ... not into designer labels, jewlery, etc., so there are definitely worse things I could be into. ;)

MISSINDI, I guess there is no sense in waiting for someone to top that.

CONGRATULATIONS, QUEEN MISSINDI

(GingerPow, where are you when I need you? I could use a crown for MISSINDI please)

[Terri_A]

http://www.fotosearch.com/thumb/ICL/ICL144/HOF_090.jpg

May Queen MISSINDI find enough new cookbooks to put her over 1000 for the next count!!!

[cookieee]

http://www.fotosearch.com/thumb/ICL/ICL144/HOF_090.jpg

May Queen MISSINDI find enough new cookbooks to put her over 1000 for the next count!!!

Terri, thanks for the crown for the Queen

[Slowcooker]

I have 77, so I'm not even in the running.
And many of the ones I have haven't been opened in years, so I really should whittle down my collection...

Cookieee, for the sake of the poor cookbooks at risk of being whittled:
tholbrook! Check out Sunday Game of the week!! rules posted on game #8 :D :D :D


Congratulations MISSINDI! You're my idol!

[MISSINDI]

You guys are crazy. :D Once the office is done, I'm going to reorganize them and do some culling. Just unshelved a dozen annuals and admittedly there are probably a few more I don't need. ;)

[tholbrook]

Cookieee, for the sake of the poor cookbooks at risk of being whittled:
tholbrook! Check out Sunday Game of the week!! rules posted on game #8 :D :D :D Thanks! I've seen the game going on but I was gone from the boards for awhile and missed the rules. Maybe I'll join in now... :D

[brinkleyls]

I'm so happy to see this thread! I've been married for 25 years (to the same man) and it is a family joke about my cookbook collection. I'm going to have to go count now!! Actually, we're getting ready to move into our new home and I need to catalog them. This is a good reason to do so. I have noted my "cookbook collection" in my will, so that they are not just thrown away!! :rolleyes:

[cookieee]

Cookieee, for the sake of the poor cookbooks at risk of being whittled:
tholbrook! Check out Sunday Game of the week!! rules posted on game #8 :D :D :D


Congratulations MISSINDI! You're my idol!

I didn't do it guys, Slowcooker did.


Thanks Slowcooker ;)

[cookieee]

Well folks, it's been a year. That time again to crown a QUEEN OR KING OF COOKBOOKS. Will MISSINDI retain her crown with 932 cookbooks or will she pass it on to someone else?

So, how has eveyones collection faired since last year? Have we added or cleaned house?

I must have cleaned house. Last year I had 190 cookbooks, today I only have 180.

How are you all doing?

[heavy hedonist]

I have less than 70 real cookbooks, having whittled, then bought, before my recent relocation; but I have 2 1/2 of those big plastic Sterlite bins, the kind made for storing winter clothes and such, full of food mags. 13 years worth of F&W alone! I can't even move one of the bins across the floor by myself, they're so heavy. :( :rolleyes:

[LakeMartinGal]

I've done some culling and bought new books, and now I have 52! That's 2 less than last year, but they're way thicker, as one of the books I bought is the 75th Anniversary edition of Joy of Cooking!;) I have VERY limited space where I'm to keep cookbooks, and even so, I've moved two of them into the reference section -- an old Betty Crocker that has the timing for roasting turkey in foil, and Alton Brown's "I'm Just Here for More Food.";)

[Kristal]

I just counted and I have 529. :o I actually have been pretty restrained the last six months---only getting one cookbook a month through zooba, and anything else through paperbackswap. Still, I think I may have a few too many! :D

[testkitchen45]

. . . my bookshelf of cookbooks with recipes I wanted to try just seemed like enormous To-Do lists that I was never going to be able to complete. Yet still I would buy more cookbooks. Finally, I realized that for me, buying more cookbooks and constantly cooking new dishes was no longer really about a love of food, it was about feeling like I wasn't accomplishing enough; yet no matter how many new cookbooks I bought or new dishes I tried, I was never going to be satisfied.

There's a lot of wisdom in that post. I love trying new recipes, but it's true that the uncountable backlog of untried recipes can seem pretty discouraging . . . and yet it's sure fun to page through a new cookbook, thinking, "I can do that!" :)

Which explains why I just got a few more . . . :D

[cookieee]

I have less than 70 real cookbooks, having whittled, then bought, before my recent relocation; but I have 2 1/2 of those big plastic Sterlite bins, the kind made for storing winter clothes and such, full of food mags. 13 years worth of F&W alone! I can't even move one of the bins across the floor by myself, they're so heavy. :( :rolleyes:

Wow Mari, 13 years of F&W. What a treasure. If "magazines" ever gets picked for the SGOTW, you will have a great time finding something to cook from all of those . ;)

[CindyWeightWatcher]

I'm guessing about 250 depending on whether you count the Special Edition "magazines" or not. Remember we had a thread on this once and pictures of everyone's collection were posted!

[heavy hedonist]

Anything more than three is a collection :)

greysangel, I've got around 70, and i don't collect either-- iread them, greedily, like some women read love novels, and reread for inspriation and to create possibilities in my brain.
i can see myself having a bigger and bigger shelf easily... :D :D

[granolagirl]

932!?!? Wow. For those of you with hundreds of cookbooks, do you use recipes from them or do you just collect them?

I have about 30 and my husband thinks that is A LOT. ;)

[cookieee]

[QUOTE=granolagirl;1247164]932!?!? Wow. For those of you with hundreds of cookbooks, do you use recipes from them or do you just collect them?

I have about 30 and my husband thinks that is A LOT. ;)[/QUOTE

Weeelllllll, since you asked:rolleyes: :D

Some of us use our cookbooks every week when we play the Sunday Game of the Week. That is why the game was started. To help and encourage us to use them and not just let them sit on the shelf. And I am sure a lot of people use their cookbooks all the time that don't play the game.

[MISSINDI]

932!?!? Wow. For those of you with hundreds of cookbooks, do you use recipes from them or do you just collect them?

I have about 30 and my husband thinks that is A LOT. ;)

Can't speak for others, but I do cook from them, use them for research, read them - you name it. In our recent move, I probably got rid of 20 or so, and have been very careful (choosier) about adding anything to the collection. The movers managed to break 3 wooden bookcases in the move, so right now a lot of them are still in boxes. Once I get a bit more organized (read: buy shelves to replace the broken ones), I'm going to eBay and Craig's List a little more of them.

[AZgal]

Weeelllllll, since you asked:rolleyes: :D

Some of us use our cookbooks every week when we play the Sunday Game of the Week. That is why the game was started. To help and encourage us to use them and not just let them sit on the shelf. And I am sure a lot of people use their cookbooks all the time that don't play the game.

LOL! I knew you wouldn't be able to resist!:D

[Tashakcooks]

I'm at almost 100, and I'm only 27. I think I'm on the right track.

[tea4one]

Before I give an update I must say that I am a collector. I use them for research and occasionally refer to one particular one for a certain recipe and then try and find another recipe for the same dish in another one and compare them with one another. I have also made purchases that were regrets but can't let them go yet. I swear if there were digital/computer copies of cookbooks I know for a fact I would have 2-3 times more than what I have now.
Ok I went and checked the list I have on my computer and it is at 748 and that doesn't include all of them. I even have more ordered. I also know there are non-cookbook books on the list but I would probably keep them with the cookbooks, one example of a non-cookbook book is Martha Stewarts Homekeeping handbook.

[cookieee]

WOW, it has been almost 4 years since we crowned a King or Queen of Cookbooks :eek:

This time I am not going to hold back. The Cooking Game of the Week is back and I am going to plug it until everyone plays. :eek::D:D Just joking. ;) But I really hope everyone would like to update their cookbook count. The Queen is MISSINDI with 932.

I really had fun rereading all of your posts. ;)

[KAnn]

I think I am at about 400+.....still love them and continue to add to my collection! I have probably given away/donated about 100+ over the years.

[tea4one]

About a year ago I donated over 300 of mine and need to do it again. I really don't miss them that much. If I get them back I think I'll buy a digital copy of them. I'd save space in my home.

[veschke]

I have ~120. When we moved last year, I probably got rid of 50 -- mostly impulse purchases and well-meant gifts, or ones that no longer reflect the way I cook. Some of them I use a lot, others are more to look at.

I'm intrigued by the idea of having ten times as many as I do! Could do breakfast lunch and dinner from a different book for an entire year... with the aid of a personal assistant. :)

[gabbyh]

Time for me to count...7 bookcases stuffed, and a shelf around the top of my kitchen...and various piles, lol...I'll be back later with a total:D

~Gail

[ADM]

I have over 1,000 cookbooks - maybe more (just not all are immediately available for a hands-on count). When my DD went to BCI culinary school she told me I had more cookbooks than the school library.

Some have been autographed by the author. I shelve them by category: Reference, Mexican, Greek, Irish, Italian, Regional, etc. It is easy to pick a book when needed. I've cooked at least something from each. Some, I mainly read like a novel, and some actually are novels, such as culinary mysteries. I have gradually been giving a GD the cookbooks based on famous childrens literature.

I have never thought that just because a cookbook was old, it was unaccaptable to cook from. At one time I decided I had so many cookbooks that I would never buy another one that cost over $1.00. Well! You'd be amazed to know how many fit that category at used book stores and auctions. I was pretty good about that, but after awhile there were too many tempting new cookbooks available, although have practically none that you all most often refer to.

The first cookbook I bought after I was married cost $3.95, and that was a fortune that had to be eked out of a tight grocery budget. That $3.95 would be $40, or even more, now.

My hometown cooklbooks (those where I live) date back to the 1890's but the most are after 1904 and many are church cookbooks. When you read them it is interesting to see what were the most popular recipes in different years - which recipes have come back into culinary fashion - or never left. A recipe name may change but the basic ingredients are almost identical, allowing for the submitter's personal tweaks.

[cookieee]

Hi Selma, so far, looks like you are the new Queen of Cookbooks. What a treasure you have there. Thank you for sharing that with us.

[DanaSD]

great thread - I missed it the first time around.

I've never counted but I would estimate around 200 (I've always been scared to count thinking any number over 100 was out of control but the boards make me feel 'normal'). About another 50 at my shop. In my pantry (which is quite large and one of the major reasons I selected our floor plan when we bought) I have one set of shelves full of books. I try to keep my collection to fit on these shelves but right now there are a bunch squeezed in on top of other books. In our old house I had 2 book shelves in our reading loft (cookbooks only, no other books in our loft - the rest were put back in the office).

How do you store all your books? especially those of you who have 500-1000?

[LakeMartinGal]

Here's the "real" answer! (http://www.sungazette.com/page/content.detail/id/562235/Montoursville-cook-achieves-Guinness-world-record-status.html?nav=5009):p

[cookieee]

1,225, I bet ADM has her beat.:D

[DanaSD]

we could have a guiness book world records holder on our boards, :)

[dcollier]

Because I'm participating in Cooking Game of the Week for the first time, I had to count my cookbooks several weeks ago, and I have 75. I have to tell, though, that I just donated 15 to our church's annual yard sale, and I also donated at least 20 to the Salvation Army in early December. My house is small, so 75 is the number that I can "comfortably" keep these days. When my DH mentions my "problem with cookbooks," I, too, remind him that it's a "collection!"

Denise

[cookieee]

and when anyone says anything about my over 200 binders, DH just smiles, because he knows how many delicious meals he's had over the years because of my "hobby" (and the game:D)

[DanaSD]

so I finally decided to count my collection - just counted the books at home, not those at my shop (which bare mostly baking and cake decoration).


198

and then I went to Costco today and bought our best bites..so 199

And I really think I need to hit 200 so off to check my amazon wish list to pick #200, :)

[cookieee]

so I finally decided to count my collection - just counted the books at home, not those at my shop (which bare mostly baking and cake decoration).


198

and then I went to Costco today and bought our best bites..so 199

And I really think I need to hit 200 so off to check my amazon wish list to pick #200, :)

:D:DLove the way you think;)

[veschke]

.

Reported.

I just organized my cookbooks at home finally. I'm going to put some away into storage, but I figure that frees up space to buy more, right...?

[cookieee]

Reported.

I just organized my cookbooks at home finally. I'm going to put some away into storage, but I figure that frees up space to buy more, right...?
Thanks for reporting. What a shame, they just start letting new people join yesterday:rolleyes:

Right, buy away, and then tell us what you bought. :D ;)

[tovie]

Finally got around to counting this afternoon. Guess I've got a ways to go if I want to beat ADM :D I've got about 492. That's just what's on the shelf, though.

If I walked around the house and cleaned the car out, I'd guess I could add another 20-30. I read cookbooks like novels, so they're stashed here and there, and I have several ongoing cooking projects, so there's several stacks with a notebook on top around the house.

[cookieee]

Finally got around to counting this afternoon. Guess I've got a ways to go if I want to beat ADM :D I've got about 492. That's just what's on the shelf, though.

If I walked around the house and cleaned the car out, I'd guess I could add another 20-30. I read cookbooks like novels, so they're stashed here and there, and I have several ongoing cooking projects, so there's several stacks with a notebook on top around the house.

Hi, you may not have beaten ADM, but 492 is still a lot of books. :eek:. Just curious, what kind of ongoing cooking projects are you doing?

[lengels]

OK, so I am particular about my cookbooks. I keep them all on a spreadsheet and at last count I have 314. I also (don't laugh at me) code them so I know when I use one. My goal is to use a recipe out of each book by the end of the year. So far I am on track.

[cookieee]

OK, so I am particular about my cookbooks. I keep them all on a spreadsheet and at last count I have 314. I also (don't laugh at me) code them so I know when I use one. My goal is to use a recipe out of each book by the end of the year. So far I am on track.

Who's laughing? I love to hear when someone is so organized. Good luck, please keep us posted on how things are going. If you need any help, you know where to find us.(CGOTW;))

[tovie]

Hi, you may not have beaten ADM, but 492 is still a lot of books. :eek:. Just curious, what kind of ongoing cooking projects are you doing?

I've done a vegetarian grilling class at church the last several years. I'm seriously running behind this year on deciding what I'm doing, so I have a big pile of books and magazines that have grilling and barbecuing recipes in them stacked up next to the computer (they're not all grilling books, a couple are about grilling, the rest just have a grilling section or stuff in them I think would work nice on the grill).

Also, I've had to quit eating dairy, so I've been playing around with vegan cheese recipes. I found a couple that are really, really good and kind of got talked into doing a class on that at church sometime in the fall. I need more than just the couple recipes that I've liked (and people want more 'flavors'), so I have a big pile of vegan and vegetarian cookbooks (and a ton of printouts) stacked by the couch for that project.

And then I usually have a pile of whatever my usual ethnic obsession is, either bookmarking recipes I want to try or trying to figure out how to make something I had at a restaurant. Right now I've sort of got two obsessions. One is Thai/Vietnamese/Malaysian, and so those are piled up in my bedroom. The other is Indian cause I managed to pick up some of Tarla Dalal's cookbooks cheap and so they're scattered all over the couch (one on Indian desserts, one on Indian pickles, one on street food and several others and all with very nice pictures).

[cookieee]

I've done a vegetarian grilling class at church the last several years. I'm seriously running behind this year on deciding what I'm doing, so I have a big pile of books and magazines that have grilling and barbecuing recipes in them stacked up next to the computer (they're not all grilling books, a couple are about grilling, the rest just have a grilling section or stuff in them I think would work nice on the grill).

Also, I've had to quit eating dairy, so I've been playing around with vegan cheese recipes. I found a couple that are really, really good and kind of got talked into doing a class on that at church sometime in the fall. I need more than just the couple recipes that I've liked (and people want more 'flavors'), so I have a big pile of vegan and vegetarian cookbooks (and a ton of printouts) stacked by the couch for that project.

And then I usually have a pile of whatever my usual ethnic obsession is, either bookmarking recipes I want to try or trying to figure out how to make something I had at a restaurant. Right now I've sort of got two obsessions. One is Thai/Vietnamese/Malaysian, and so those are piled up in my bedroom. The other is Indian cause I managed to pick up some of Tarla Dalal's cookbooks cheap and so they're scattered all over the couch (one on Indian desserts, one on Indian pickles, one on street food and several others and all with very nice pictures).
Wow, you weren't kidding when you said you had some projects going. So you teach the classes?

[Alleycat]

I can't believe how many books some people have! I have about 350, but I have to do some serious thinning of the herd. One of the kitchen bookcases was a casualty in our recent kitchen renovation.

I have a lot of those BH&G special interest magazines too, and so many holiday cooking magazines (cookies, appetizers, baking) -- so I've been going through those too. I'm going to need a few more binders!

As was posted earlier, about being overwhelmed by having too many books on the shelves, I don't feel overwhelmed. But I do feel like I would use my books more if I had fewer of them. I enjoy reading them, but some I have never used. I'm trying to think of someone else enjoying and loving them as favorites, which makes it easier for me to give them away :)

[tovie]

Wow, you weren't kidding when you said you had some projects going. So you teach the classes?

Sometimes I teach a class, sometimes I just help with part of it. My church usually has a class once a month on health and temperance (usually involves food/diet). Sometimes they bring people in to cover topics, might be a doctor to talk about diabetes and diet or to talk about setting up an exercise program.

Other times someone from the health and temperance team or from the church will do a class on something they're good at. I've done one on spices and seasoning food, and one on quick breads. And sometimes we do sort of a group effort, where several people teach the class. Like we did one on canning and preserving and different people covered water bath, pressure canning, freezing, etc. I did a section on pickling.

Unfortunately they haven't gotten to hands-on in the kitchen classes, which is where I'd really like them to go, but we provide recipes, a demonstration and discussion, and a meal/tasting.

The grilling class started one year when I heard someone say now they were a vegetarian they might as well throw their grill out. I couldn't quite believe it. I'm not a vegetarian but I still grill all sorts of stuff other than meat. Several people bring their grills and help, although I usually plan most of the menu.

[cookieee]

It sounds like you belong to a great Church. It must be rewarding to be able to share with everyone what you know about certain things. I would love to be able to attend one on grilling. ;) Hope they get around to the hands-on in the kitchen. That class would really be interesting. ;)

[lindrusso]

Here's the "real" answer! (http://www.sungazette.com/page/content.detail/id/562235/Montoursville-cook-achieves-Guinness-world-record-status.html?nav=5009):p

I saw this thread pop up and was just coming here to post that. :) She lives in my town. Don't know her though.

I have no desire to collect cookbooks. I have a few that I like and use, but that's about it. Don't have the mental or physical space - after a certain point, for me, it all just becomes mental and physical clutter. I can't even handle magazine subscriptions anymore. :)

[tovie]

It sounds like you belong to a great Church. It must be rewarding to be able to share with everyone what you know about certain things. I would love to be able to attend one on grilling. ;) Hope they get around to the hands-on in the kitchen. That class would really be interesting. ;)

I did a hands-on baking class with some of the kids several years ago and it was utter insanity but I loved it at the same time. And adults would be easier. I think. I hope :D Well, at least it would be smaller class sizes.

It was 22 kids, ages 9 to 18, and I helped them get their baking honor. The class was one night a week for a couple months and we did yeast bread, quick bread, biscuits, pie crust, cake and cookies (i think that was it).

Looks like you're in Florida, so that's a bit far for a class in Michigan ;) I've posted some of the grilling recipes in the past. I'll post whatever turns out really good in this year's grilling thread.

[tholbrook]

....And then I usually have a pile of whatever my usual ethnic obsession is, either bookmarking recipes I want to try or trying to figure out how to make something I had at a restaurant. Right now I've sort of got two obsessions. One is Thai/Vietnamese/Malaysian, and so those are piled up in my bedroom. The other is Indian cause I managed to pick up some of Tarla Dalal's cookbooks cheap and so they're scattered all over the couch (one on Indian desserts, one on Indian pickles, one on street food and several others and all with very nice pictures).

Tovie, have you tried any of the pickle recipes? I have a few Indian cookbooks (mostly Iyer and Jaffrey) and they have pickle recipes ... but I've been looking for some focused mostly on pickle/chutney, but haven't had much luck. I'll have to check out her books...

My obsession is mostly Indian food, although we do a lot of Thai as well. I haven't really explored much Vietnamese cooking, other than making spring (summer?) rolls. Any recommendations on good cookbooks?

[cookieee]

I did a hands-on baking class with some of the kids several years ago and it was utter insanity but I loved it at the same time. And adults would be easier. I think. I hope :D Well, at least it would be smaller class sizes.

It was 22 kids, ages 9 to 18, and I helped them get their baking honor. The class was one night a week for a couple months and we did yeast bread, quick bread, biscuits, pie crust, cake and cookies (i think that was it).

Looks like you're in Florida, so that's a bit far for a class in Michigan ;) I've posted some of the grilling recipes in the past. I'll post whatever turns out really good in this year's grilling thread.

Wow, I thing you deserve a gold medal for that. (pun intended:D) Seriously, that was very nice of you to do that. I bet the kids were happy to attend. They probably will carry that knowledge with them the rest of their lives. At least, let's hope.;)

[cookieee]

I can't believe how many books some people have! I have about 350, but I have to do some serious thinning of the herd. One of the kitchen bookcases was a casualty in our recent kitchen renovation.

I have a lot of those BH&G special interest magazines too, and so many holiday cooking magazines (cookies, appetizers, baking) -- so I've been going through those too. I'm going to need a few more binders!

As was posted earlier, about being overwhelmed by having too many books on the shelves, I don't feel overwhelmed. But I do feel like I would use my books more if I had fewer of them. I enjoy reading them, but some I have never used. I'm trying to think of someone else enjoying and loving them as favorites, which makes it easier for me to give them away :)

Hi Alleycat, good to hear from you, it has been awhile. I see on another thread that you have Gwyneth Paltrow's new cookbook "My Father's Daughter". Did you see she is on the cover of Bon Appetit? Nice article and they list some of her recipes. The Grilled Chicken with Peach BBQ Sauce sounds good. :p:pdrool drool :D

Do you remember a couple of years ago we discussed recipes in binders? Then I had 205, now I have 224. I told you to watch out that it can get out of control :D Just wondering how many do you have by now?

[tovie]

Tovie, have you tried any of the pickle recipes? I have a few Indian cookbooks (mostly Iyer and Jaffrey) and they have pickle recipes ... but I've been looking for some focused mostly on pickle/chutney, but haven't had much luck. I'll have to check out her books...

My obsession is mostly Indian food, although we do a lot of Thai as well. I haven't really explored much Vietnamese cooking, other than making spring (summer?) rolls. Any recommendations on good cookbooks?

I have not tried anything from the pickle book (unless it was also in another book). Mostly I've tried several recipes from her Mumbai Street Food book. I've become addicted to bhel puri and sev puri (and I've tried several chutney recipes that go with those recipes. And I've also done a couple dal recipes.

The pickle book is called Achaar aur Parathe (http://www.amazon.com/Achaar-Aur-Parathe-Tarla-Dalal/dp/8186469540/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1306362391&sr=8-1). It's mostly pickle recipes with a small section of bread recipes in the back. Amazon will let you 'look inside.' I've found that a lot of recipes in her books can also be pulled up on her site, (http://www.tarladalal.com/) although some require membership to view.

I was also considering this book, Nita Mehta's Chutneys, Pickles and Squashes (http://www.amazon.com/Mehtas-Chutneys-Pickles-Squashes-Vegetarian/dp/8176760048/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2XFMSRN7YF0SL&colid=1SBPEWX5D8O5L), but I hate it when you can't see what's actually in the book (although I see I can actually get a copy for $2 so I might break down and buy it :D )

I don't really have a Vietnamese cookbook recommendation. I had Vietnamese food for the first time last fall and have picked up a couple cookbooks because I really enjoyed it but I haven't tried much from them to really recommend one. Spring/summer rolls are on the top of my list to try cause no one makes them around here (the unfried version), but I've only gotten as far as buying the wrappers and the ingredients for the dipping sauces :rolleyes:

[tholbrook]

Thanks Tovie!

I'm glad you gave me the name of the cookbook with all the pickle recipes - I couldn't figure out which one it was. Apparently she has written a LOT of different cookbooks, so I'll have to decide on a few. Do you find her ingredients/instructions to be pretty accurate? I glanced through a couple of her [free] online recipes, and her recipe for "Malai Kofta" had no cheese, other that 1/2 tablespoon of pasteurized cheese (huh? in Indian food?) sprinkled on top.

Hope you get to make the summer rolls (the ones with rice paper) soon - I haven't made them in awhile, but now I've craving them! :)

[tovie]

I haven't had a chance to read much of the pickle book to see how detailed it is or if anything's hard to follow, but I haven't had any problems with what I've made from the Street Foods or the Dals book (my only issue was she pretty much assumes you have a pressure cooker, especially for the dals, and if you don't you've got to figure it out yourself... I had to spend a fair amount of time with google looking up cooking times and ended up printing a little chart to stick in the front of each cookbook - but this is something I've noticed with a lot of Indian sites and cookbooks).

Her Mithai cookbook (Indian desserts) I've read over pretty good (and bookmarked a bunch to try :D ) and there are places in it where the instructions aren't very good. Where she assumes you should know how to do things or is really vague about putting the finished product together. Or I might just be having a harder time with it because I'm not as familiar with Indian dessert terms. Hard to say.

I'm not sure what to say about Malai Kofta :D She does have more than one recipe for it, though, and some of the others look more like what I thought was malai kofta. She does have some odd little books where she makes the recipes healthier, bakes instead of fries, does other different things with them, does strange things with soy/tvp, etc., and I've noticed that sometimes the recipes from those books are kind of different from what you're expecting when you pull them up.

I'll try and flip through the pickle book this week and see what I think of her instructions.

[cookieee]

bumping up for Heather

[cookieee]

Hi everyone ;)


Laura's thread about buying any cookbooks lately reminded me of this thread.

In 2006 the Queen of Cookbooks was Missindi with 932 cookbooks.

In 2011 the Queen of Cookbooks was ADM with about 1,000.

It is now 2013. Who is the King or Queen of active members of the CLBB? How many do YOU have?;)

[Beth]

Too many, but not that many.

[fldivegirl]

Too many, but not that many.

Same here.

[cookieee]

There aren't that many active members this year. Who knows, one of you could have the most.:D

[gabbyh]

I'm pretty sure I'm well over 1,000...but I'm off to Vegas for a business trip for a few days, so I'll count when I return :D

~Gail

[cookieee]

I'm pretty sure I'm well over 1,000...but I'm off to Vegas for a business trip for a few days, so I'll count when I return :D

~Gail
My goodness Gail, that is amazing!!!!!!!

Have a good safe trip.;)

[tovie]

My guess is Gail is going to win :D But I'll count mine again cause I know I've added quite a few since the previous count. Although... do I really want to know how bad my addiction is :D

Editing to add I've got around 626.

[Ohioan]

Well, well, I was feeling like a greedy-guts, but now I feel virtuous! I have a mere 300 or so. (I've added a couple and given away a few since the last count.)

Cheers,
Phoebe

[cookieee]

My guess is Gail is going to win :D But I'll count mine again cause I know I've added quite a few since the previous count. Although... do I really want to know how bad my addiction is :D

Editing to add I've got around 626.

Tovie, that is a very impressive number.;) Just curious, is there a category that you would say you have the most?

For me, I would have to say I have more books on bbq/grilling (around 60) than any other types. Opps make that 62, forgot the two new ones. Next would probably be Mexico/Southwest (around 20)

[swedish cook]

I'm amazed by the cookbook collections you all have. Do you read through the whole book when it's new? How long ago did you buy the first one? Genuinely interested to know.
Hovering at the opposite end of the bell curve are the eight cookbooks on my shelf. Smitten Kitchen and My Calabria being the most recent acquisitions.

[cookieee]

Well, well, I was feeling like a greedy-guts, but now I feel virtuous! I have a mere 300 or so. (I've added a couple and given away a few since the last count.)

Cheers,
Phoebe

Hi Phoebe, miss you and your wonderful sense of humor. :D I would not call 300 cookbooks "mere". That is about double what I have. Hey Phoebe, about using #63? Keeping your tootsies warm?

[cookieee]

I'm amazed by the cookbook collections you all have. Do you read through the whole book when it's new? How long ago did you buy the first one? Genuinely interested to know.
Hovering at the opposite end of the bell curve are the eight cookbooks on my shelf. Smitten Kitchen and My Calabria being the most recent acquisitions.

Hi swedish cook, I know you are talking to the "big" collectors, but I just want to add my 2 cents.:D As best as I can recall, I think my first cookbook was the familiar pink and white cookbook by Better Homes and Garden. Back in the 50's:eek::D No, sorry to say, sometimes I just glance at them and then they wind up in the bookshelf, hence the reason for starting the cooking game.:D

[tovie]

Tovie, that is a very impressive number.;) Just curious, is there a category that you would say you have the most?

For me, I would have to say I have more books on bbq/grilling (around 60) than any other types. Opps make that 62, forgot the two new ones. Next would probably be Mexico/Southwest (around 20)

Sat down a couple weeks ago to start plotting the grilling class for this summer and thought of you :D I do have a nice stack of grilling books and magazines, although nowhere near 60.

For a category, I guess if you want to just say ethnic food in general that would be what I have the most of. Thai, Indian, Malaysian, Middle Eastern, Chinese, Korean, Mexican, Brazilian, whatever, etc., as well as a bunch of what might not be quite ethnic but I tend to class it with it, a bunch of books on historical/ancient cooking. Bible times, ancient Greece, ancient Egypt, prehistoric, etc.

I also do a fair amount of vegan/vegetarian and nondairy cooking, so I'm starting to get a fair sized collection of those cookbooks (although to be fair, a chunk of those were my mom's :D )



I'm amazed by the cookbook collections you all have. Do you read through the whole book when it's new? How long ago did you buy the first one? Genuinely interested to know.
Hovering at the opposite end of the bell curve are the eight cookbooks on my shelf. Smitten Kitchen and My Calabria being the most recent acquisitions.

I have read most of mine all the way through. The learning is just as much fun as the cooking.

I'm not sure how long ago I bought my first one. It was probably one of those little checkout ones that are so prevalent now. When I was a kid my mom had a Betty Crocker cookbook and one called An Apple a Day and that was pretty much it. Anything else was on recipe cards from family and friends. She left me the Betty Crocker one to use after I graduated from high school when she and my dad moved to Illinois and she gave me my own copy of the Apple one (probably for graduation). I used the library for a long time. The library here has an excellent cookbook collection, more than two entire rows, and will often purchase cookbooks when I ask.

I belonged briefly to one of those book clubs in the early 90s, so my first cookbook probably came from there but I have no idea what it was. I should go through some of the older ones and see if anything rings a bell.

It wasn't until half.com and amazon came along and I could buy used that I really started buying very many as they were just too expensive for me before then.

[Ohioan]

I'm amazed by the cookbook collections you all have. Do you read through the whole book when it's new? How long ago did you buy the first one? Genuinely interested to know.
Hovering at the opposite end of the bell curve are the eight cookbooks on my shelf. Smitten Kitchen and My Calabria being the most recent acquisitions.

I'm not sure, but I think I got my first cookbook in the early 1950s, when my mother and I were first on our own and it became my job to cook at least half the time. And yes, when I get a new cookbook, I read all through it -- in fact, when I can, I tend to take it out of the library first, to see whether I want to invest the space for it. (I've reached the point where book space is more at a premium than money.) :rolleyes:

And speaking of the library, there's no way I can count the number of cookbooks I've had out of the library!

Cheers,
Phoebe

[Ohioan]

Hi Phoebe, miss you and your wonderful sense of humor. :D I would not call 300 cookbooks "mere". That is about double what I have. Hey Phoebe, about using #63? Keeping your tootsies warm?

Well, my tootsies were pretty chilly today, but at least they were dry -- no snow except flurries for three whole days now! Alas and alack (or, as one of my friends used to say, Alice and Alec), they're predicting lots of snow for tomorrow. Woe.

As for book #63, I just pulled it out and looked through it, carefully leaning back from my desk so as not to drool into my keyboard. I'll have to go to the store, though, before I can make any of the things I drooled over -- and since tomorrow may be snowy (see above), that probably won't be until Thursday. I pinkie-promise I'll report on results as soon as I have any, but it'll have to be in a new thread, right? Or are you going to give us another game this week? (Guilt trip passengers, prepare to board.) :p

Cheers,
Phoebe

[cookieee]

Sat down a couple weeks ago to start plotting the grilling class for this summer and thought of you :D I do have a nice stack of grilling books and magazines, although nowhere near 60.

For a category, I guess if you want to just say ethnic food in general that would be what I have the most of. Thai, Indian, Malaysian, Middle Eastern, Chinese, Korean, Mexican, Brazilian, whatever, etc., as well as a bunch of what might not be quite ethnic but I tend to class it with it, a bunch of books on historical/ancient cooking. Bible times, ancient Greece, ancient Egypt, prehistoric, etc.

I also do a fair amount of vegan/vegetarian and nondairy cooking, so I'm starting to get a fair sized collection of those cookbooks (although to be fair, a chunk of those were my mom's :D )




I have read most of mine all the way through. The learning is just as much fun as the cooking.

I'm not sure how long ago I bought my first one. It was probably one of those little checkout ones that are so prevalent now. When I was a kid my mom had a Betty Crocker cookbook and one called An Apple a Day and that was pretty much it. Anything else was on recipe cards from family and friends. She left me the Betty Crocker one to use after I graduated from high school when she and my dad moved to Illinois and she gave me my own copy of the Apple one (probably for graduation). I used the library for a long time. The library here has an excellent cookbook collection, more than two entire rows, and will often purchase cookbooks when I ask.

I belonged briefly to one of those book clubs in the early 90s, so my first cookbook probably came from there but I have no idea what it was. I should go through some of the older ones and see if anything rings a bell.

It wasn't until half.com and amazon came along and I could buy used that I really started buying very many as they were just too expensive for me before then.

How sweet of you. If you need any suggestions or help, just let me know.;) I'm with you, I love ethnic cookbooks. Today I started working on my African, Asian recipes in binders, bringing them up to date. Didn't realize I had so many Chinese recipes. :rolleyes::D Would love to browse through your historical/ancient cooking books. Yes, Amazon is my favorite for the same reason.;) Don't you just love the ones that sell for a penny but charge you $3.99 S & H.?:rolleyes:

[cookieee]

Well, my tootsies were pretty chilly today, but at least they were dry -- no snow except flurries for three whole days now! Alas and alack (or, as one of my friends used to say, Alice and Alec), they're predicting lots of snow for tomorrow. Woe.

As for book #63, I just pulled it out and looked through it, carefully leaning back from my desk so as not to drool into my keyboard. I'll have to go to the store, though, before I can make any of the things I drooled over -- and since tomorrow may be snowy (see above), that probably won't be until Thursday. I pinkie-promise I'll report on results as soon as I have any, but it'll have to be in a new thread, right? Or are you going to give us another game this week? (Guilt trip passengers, prepare to board.) :p

Cheers,
Phoebe

Oh I hate those guilt trips. I never know what to pack.:rolleyes::D. If you can find it, why not post it on the last game? (#80). No reason why we can't still us that one. Just number your post #80.1 :D Can't wait. What is your #63?

[Ohioan]

Oh I hate those guilt trips. I never know what to pack.:rolleyes::D. If you can find it, why not post it on the last game? (#80). No reason why we can't still us that one. Just number your post #80.1 :D Can't wait. What is your #63?

My #63 is Nonna's Italian Kitchen, a vegetarian cookbook by Bryanna Clark Grogan. Interestingly enough, this book covers two of my three main categories in my cookbook collection: Italian, Chinese (and Korean), and vegetarian.

Okay, okay, you don't have to go on this guilt trip. But just wait.... ;)

Cheers,
Phoebe

[swedish cook]

Thank you cokieee, tovie and Phoebe for answering my questions. Special thanks for not mocking me :)

My oldest cookbook is also from the 1950's - a thin, falling apart paperback from Home Ec. Next one was purchased in the 60's when caring college friends took me under their wings, helped me gain some kitchen confidence and recommended a small hardback book. Still pull these out for basics.

Regarding libraries, I'm eternally grateful to The Central Library in downtown Denver. In the early 1970's I didn't think of packing my recipe cards for "only" a couple of years. Instead I discovered a treasure of ethnic cookbooks :D

[cookieee]

Thank you cokieee, tovie and Phoebe for answering my questions. Special thanks for not mocking me :)

My oldest cookbook is also from the 1950's - a thin, falling apart paperback from Home Ec. Next one was purchased in the 60's when caring college friends took me under their wings, helped me gain some kitchen confidence and recommended a small hardback book. Still pull these out for basics.

Regarding libraries, I'm eternally grateful to The Central Library in downtown Denver. In the early 1970's I didn't think of packing my recipe cards for "only" a couple of years. Instead I discovered a treasure of ethnic cookbooks :D

Your welcome Swedish cook.;)

Regarding libraries, I really love the fact that so many people here on the BB use libraries. As a lover of books, I am glad they are helping to keep their libraries open. I really would hate to see books become obsolete:(

[KAnn]

I bought my first cookbook in 1976 and still have it-The Margaret Rudkin Pepperidge Farm Cookbook. She virtually taught me to bake bread which I did a lot of during my years at college in the early 80's. I have older cookbooks that I cherish because they belonged to my grandmothers. Over the years I have thinned out my collection-usually because my tastes/interests have changed but I continue to acquire new ones all the time. I think I have about 400 or so....some are in storage for awhile. I would guess that I probably would have about 700 had I not thinned out my collection over the years and donated so many (usually when moving or sometimes just to donate.)

[dsignpeach]

My friend Ana Raquel has over 6000 cookbooks, most of them signed. Really.!!!