I had far too many cookery/recipe books, considering that most of the recipes I use are in a tatty old ring binder in tatty plastic punched pockets.
They were taking up most of one shelf in the living room and when I brought home a dozen books from the two charity book sales that I visited recently something had to be moved out to make room for them.
A sort out was definitely needed.
For instance, how many books about preserving does a person need?
I've only got one Delia book and one Mary Berry
But way back, many years ago, these penny saving books were used a lot.
A dozen books went off to the charity shop and made me a space for the books bought from the charity book sales but I still kept 18 recipe books- just in case - probably still too many.
(Thanks to Penny who suggested this back in October when I asked for ideas)
Back Tomorrow
I think recipe books might dwindle a bit with all the recipes being put on Instagram posts. I have far too many too, I use my cookery 'bibles' on repeat and you can tell because they're stained and dog eared. Every now and then I look in the charity shop for a new to me book, enjoy looking at the recipes and maybe try something out then donate it back or keep it and donate something I haven't used in ages.
ReplyDeletePenny
Thank you for the suggestion for R
DeleteI've got a binder too and have culled my recipe books. I still have the Shirley Goode ones but they are dropping to bits and may go in the next cull.
ReplyDeleteRecipe books seem to just multiply when no-one is looking... some recipes seem so old fashioned now.
ReplyDeleteI have kept my Delia books and, like yourself, a folder of favourites. If I need inspiration these days, I just look on the web. Catriona
ReplyDeleteI have well over 200 cook books. Some over 60 years old. I would never get rid of any of them.
ReplyDelete200!! that's amazing.
DeleteI suppose some of the smallholders’ cookbooks provided necessary income and were useful for frugal recipes.
ReplyDeleteThis made me smile ! As a very poor cook I have never ever owned a cook book (some people here may say I should !) :-) But in my defense I have way too many books of other kinds anyway, so no room for more.
ReplyDeleteMaguy
You've done well to still have Shirley Goode's books in reasonable condition. I remember her saying that she was disappointment in the binding and in the paper that was used. It was done to keep costs as low as possible but one twist of the spine and they started falling apart. I have a few of the same books, but I am getting ruthless at letting books go now.
ReplyDeleteThe Shirley Goode books have to be handled carefully - they have lots of loose pages.
DeleteI had a drastic recipe book cull just before we moved earlier in the year, but I still have rather a lot. You brought back memories with the Shirley Goode books, she was very popular at one time wasn't she..... 😀
ReplyDeleteAlison in Devon x
I have 7 recipe books and a little file box of recipes on notecards. Also, I will look online and print out a recipe, if I can't find what I want in my books. I just took out my Thanksgiving recipe folder the other day so I can make my list for next week!
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for comments!
ReplyDeleteI own two cookbooks. My mother's very old "Joy of Cooking" and a "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" which was given to me by a guy when I was in my late 20's. Neither are used very much. Nobody looks at my kitchen bookcase and thinks... she's a great cook.
ReplyDeleteI've got the money saving ones but had a cull when I moved.
ReplyDeleteHad a drastic cull of cookbooks when we moved, but kept all the frugal ones, plus the Nigel Slater's that daughter bought me. Xx
ReplyDeleteI have been slowly decluttering my cookbooks as well. I will have to go through once again to see how many more I can get rid of in the new year.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I've been decluttering my cookbooks. I don't use them all and there are only a few special ones - one Mum gave me, one I used to use in school, a couple of really simple vegetarian ones. Most of the ones I kept were ones I got when in England.
ReplyDelete