by Kathleen Tyree
I am thankful for the vast and ever-changing collection of cookbooks in our library system. Cooking has always been passion for me. Mom went through a nouveau cuisine phase when I was the only child left at home, and this had a huge impact on my understanding of food and dining. But cookbooks are expensive! By checking out the new offerings at the library, I can decide if a book is worth purchasing for my personal collection.
(Of course, by using my tablet in the kitchen I can go to Saveur or Food 52 and follow recipes online. But that just isn’t “the same”.) I also shop at the Friends of Linebaugh Library book sales for cook books – great deals and adventure found there.
According to my records in Goodreads, I average 10 cookbooks every year (this doesn’t count the dozens I flip through when they are returned by other patrons). Thanks to my library, that’s $300+ saved annually on just cookbooks!
Favorites from the RCLS shelves:
- Smitten Kitchen
- Local Flavors
- River Cottage VEG
- True Food
- Steaks, Chops, Roasts, & Ribs
- One Pot (did buy)
- One Pan & DONE
- Super Tuscan (did buy)
I always try at least one recipe, that’s why they are written after all.
Here are a few I enjoyed, so glad they’re at the library because I’d never buy:
- Haute Dogs
- Ultimate Pound Cakes
- Jam It, Pickle It, Cure It
- Mason Jar Salads
- The History of Food in 100 Recipes
I found this last one when walking through the 641s at Smyrna Public Library. Not an item I would have thought to search for, didn’t know it existed! My husband and I have been very pleased in learning the history of bread, pasta, potatoes, and more through historic texts and tapestries.
Thank you, RCLS, for anticipating this foodie’s need to learn more about food!
RCLS Reads 