I was taking down the Christmas decorations today ... I've hung on a lot longer than I usually do with them as the days have been so dismal that having the various sets of sparkly lights has been a real mood lifter, but hey today was their last day ... their batteries told me so!!
Anyway while I was doing that I started playing around with my books and relocating some of them to their 'right' places. Do books have right places? I'm happy with books anywhere around me, but occasionally I guess it's nice to put like with like, so today was the turn of the cook books to gather together in the kitchen.
Most of the ones I own are now here on the top kitchen shelf so I took a photo of them. I apologise for the terrible lighting, but the day is dreary and the only sources of natural light in my hallway/kitchen are the panel by the front door, half hidden by the SMEG and the Velux window in the ceiling.
I also apologise for the slight blurriness of the photos, the shelf is above my head height and I still have trouble reaching up. I tried to balance on my little step stool, but then I was the wobbly one and much too close to the books to get more than a few of them at a time.
I've only recently started reading Nigel Slater's books. The Christmas Chronicles was my winter reading and the Kitchen Diaries accompanied me through 2023.
ReplyDeleteThe Kitchen Diaries are absolutely brilliant aren't they, possibly my favourites out of all his books.
DeleteTotally agree about Nigel. Why two copies of "Cooking on a bootstrap"?. My "frequently referred to" books are on the lower shelf near the hob (dairy cook book, Good Housekeeping cookbook etc) "reading for pleasure" ones are on the bedroom shelf.
ReplyDeleteLuckily for me this shelf is directly above my only worktop space, so they are always right on hand. I use them, give them a quick wipe and then it's straight back on the shelf for them.
DeleteI have two copies of Jack's book as I took part in the original 'Kickstarter' crowdfunding for the self published limited edition version of the book, and then I bought the Bluebird version when they gave her a book deal. They do differ slightly.
I'm a reader of cook books too! I do love Hugh F-W books. I downsized my collection (I had over 100) when I moved to this house and will probably need to do it when I move again. I've followed Madeleine on YouTube for years. I'm thrilled she's got a book out now :-) xxx
ReplyDeleteI used to have all Hugh's books, most of them signed by him on our many visits to River Cottage/Home Farm when we lived in Oxfordshire. They are usually very 'meaty' so a lot of them went in my massive downsizing of my book collection while we lived in Wales. Yes I've followed Madeleine for a few years too, since her minimalist days in their first little cottage. I mostly like the cooking, shopping and eating out bits of her videos, she can be a bit of a waffler at times ... the book is very good.
DeleteLike Angela above, totally agree about Nigel Slater, just enjoyed a reread of his A Christmas Chronicles.
ReplyDeleteI really must remember to pick up one of the Ella books you recommend next time I'm at the library, that will be an enjoyable read I'm sure. My OH bought me Johannesburg Radebe's autobiography for Christmas - a bit random ( although I do enjoy Strictly) i read it quickly and was very impressed by his openness, in particular, his childhood experiences , which were challenging, I found moving.
Alison in Wales x
Nigel is brilliant isn't he, I can read his books and watch his tv shows over and over again. They are very relaxing ... and of course very foody. :-)
DeleteI had to Google Johannes Radebe as I have never watched Strictly. Gosh he's a good looking lad isn't he and has been through so much to get where he is today. I love the occasional biography or autobiography, it's nice to learn more about someone you like isn't it.
Sorry should read ' Johannes ' auto correct 😉😩
ReplyDeleteAlison x
Auto correct is brilliant isn't it. :-)
DeleteAlthough I copy and pasted what you put originally ... 'Johannesburg' ... and I found him straight away. Clever computer.
😀
DeleteAlison x
👍
DeleteAs an ex-chef, reading a cookbook wouldn't appeal in the slightest! Mind you, I'm currently reading Pat Barker's Regeneration which is about young me being blown to bits in the trenches of WWI and that probably wouldn't be most people's idea of enjoyable read! xxx
ReplyDeleteOh gosh no ... I don't think I would want to read that. I find I can't even watch war films these days, I used to. I'll stick with Nigel et al.
DeleteHello! That is a fabulous collection!
ReplyDeleteIt's a lot smaller than it used to be, but now contains just the books I love and actually use. :-)
DeleteBrilliant collection of books! I only have a few cookbooks now as I confess to watching Jamie Oliver TV progs like £1 meals :0/ I find the recipes much easier to follow when there are just a few ingredients and a 'chuck in a bit of this or that' style! I've just finished reading the new Richard Osman Murder Club book (from the library) thoroughly enjoyed it and then moved onto Jenny Colgan's Midnight at the Christmas bookshop. I want to finish reading it before the Christmas feeling gets lost!
ReplyDeleteAngie x
Yes, meals with just a few ingredients and the ability to alter it to suit your own tastes are the best aren't they. I find I browse a recipe book and then make a dish that is similar to the recipe but not always the same as it.
DeleteI have put all my Christmas themed books back on the shelf until next year, I just can't enjoy them the same when Christmas is over, so I know what you mean about wanting to finish yours.
Amazing collection! I used to have quite a few cookbooks and then one day my DH's 12 cup coffee station malfunctioned and overflowed the entire contents down to the (wire) shelves below...yep, where all the cookbooks were kept. Lost about half of them to the hot coffee deluge (a bit harsh since I only drink tea, don't you think?). Have not bothered to replace any. Biggest loss was one of the original Moosewood Restaurant (vegetarian) cookbooks. Ah, well.
ReplyDeleteMary (still ungoogled :).
Oh gosh, what a disaster!! It does highlight that things (even books) are not really needed that much when we can lose them like that and not have the urge to replace them. I guess it's forced or accidental minimalism. :-)
DeleteI have a few (well more than a few truth be told) that are located in my kitchen. The only problem is I have to get my small step ladder out to reach them or put them back.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I can just about reach them to bring them down one at time to use, as long as they don't slide backwards on the shelf. But happily my little steps are located in the gap between my desk and food cupboard directly opposite if that does happen.
DeleteI thought wow that's a lot of cookery books,,,,, I've just counted the bottom shelf of one of my bookcases and I'm hanging my head in shame:( Strange how my cook books are on the bottom shelf:(
ReplyDeleteI always estimate that I have a lot less books than I actually have, it's shocking when you do a stock take isn't it. :-)
DeleteJust clicked on your old blog Sue,don’t know why perhaps I was hoping you would come back🤗 hope you and the family are ok and the 🐈and 🐶,from another 🐈owner !
DeleteLots of people are using the old blog as a route to get to this one at the moment, so you are not the only one. :-)
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