Books are strange things and I am a strange person …

Ever since I was very young, I have been reluctant to throw out books.  I still have Lassie Come Home, a book I remember my mum buying me at a book sale at my primary school library.  I have my school English and maths books.  In fact, I have every book I have ever bought (except university text books, they have long gone.  I quickly realised old editions of text books are useless).

I understand the time will come when I won’t have two houses and I will have to cull but, in the meantime, they are safe on my shelves.

For some reason, I think if I throw out a book, I will be throwing out a piece of the jigsaw puzzle which is me.  It is like there is a mythical person out there who needs to find out who Glenda is and each book and CD (for that matter) I have ever owned is a clue to my identity.  Even books I didn’t like will give this mythical person a clue as to who Glenda is and, therefore, cannot be thrown out.

So, too, it is with cookbooks.  I don’t know how I started to accumulate them but accumulate them I did.  Before I knew it, people started realising I liked them and started buying them for me, too.  I got more and more.

It is not that one needs any cookbooks.  One can just go on the internet and find any recipe they want or key in a few ingredients and find tonight’s dinner.  Nonetheless, I like cookbooks.

Once I have decided to buy a new cookbook, I get all excited in anticipation.  If it is coming by mail I get all expectant as the day of arrival draws near or if I am going down to the local shop to buy it, I get all tingly on the journey there.  Cookbooks are wondrous things.

I am also interested in what cookbooks other people own.  If a blogger has listed their cookbooks, I read the list expectantly looking for ones we have in common.  On Eat Your Books, I read the lists of complete strangers who have a number of books in common with me trying to find a link.  Since I am so interested in the cookbooks others own, I thought some of you may be interested in the cookbooks I own.  Well, if so, here is a list…

There are a few missing. I am not at Perth at the moment and know of a couple that I haven’t included but don’t have their full names so I will have to add them later.  There may be a few spelling mistakes and missed words but I did my best.  Also, the classification may be a bit weird but I had to decide how to classify each book so, please, forgive the arbitrariness of it.  I tried to keep all books by the same author together.

So what does my list tell me about me?  Well, there were definitely a few stages that never lasted, the Vegetarian and Low Fat only scored a few books and they were when I was young and into that type of thing, as all young people tend to be :).  Microwaving??? What were we thinking?

There were the Chinese and Thai stages which were short lived and Indian phase which has endured.  I love that country and its people.

There are books galore I bought whilst I was working, as escapism from the daily grind that is corporate life.  And there are some gifts that I may never look at but it is interesting that someone who loves me thought I would be interested in them and so they hold a special place, too.

There are three books that used to be my mum’s: The Australian Women’s Weekly Cookbook (1st edition)  by Ellen Sinclair and Australian Women’s Weekly; Deep Freeze Cookery by Norma McCulloch; and South East Asian Cookbook by Charmaine Solomon.  A motley collection in any one’s language.  She also had an early edition of CWA Cookery Book and Household Hints by Country Women’s Association but I didn’t score that one in the divvy up :(.

The Bread list is very interesting.  Homemade Bread by Farm Journal Food Editors is one of my first books.  I bought it about 30 years ago.  Clearly, I have always been interested in bread making, but my collection has expanded exponentially in the last few years.  More time, I think, explains that.

The Middle Eastern List is the most fascinating.  Greek and Middle Eastern Cooking by Donna Hay and A New Book of Middle Eastern Food by Claudia Roden are two of my first books and they have been regularly added to over the years.  I can’t remember why, 30 years ago, I decided to throw a Middle Eastern dinner party and needed books on the subject but my interest in the topic has not waned.  I love the food.  It is in my soul.  I would love to go back to Lebanon if only the troubles nearby would settle down.

Anyway here is my list … I would love to see your list if you have one.

Middle Eastern and there abouts

1. Arabesque: Modern Middle Eastern Food by Greg Malouf and Lucy Malouf
2. Moorish: Flavours from Mecca to Marrakech by Greg Malouf and Lucy Malouf
3. Turquoise: A Chef’s Travels in Turkey by Greg Malouf and Lucy Malouf
4. Saraban: A Chef’s Journey through Persia by Greg Malouf and Lucy Malouf
5. Saha: A Chef’s Journey Through Lebanon and Syria by Greg Malouf and Lucy Malouf
6. Malouf: New Middle Eastern Food by Greg Malouf and Lucy Malouf
7. A New Book of Middle Eastern Food by Claudia Roden
8. Arabesque: A Taste of Morocco, Turkey, and Lebanon by Claudia Roden
9. The Culinary Heritage of Lebanon by Ramzi Choueiry
10. The Cooking of the Eastern Mediterranean: 215 Healthy, Vibrant, and Inspired Recipes by Paula Wolfert
11. The Slow Mediterranean Kitchen: Recipes for the Passionate Cook  by Paula Wolfert 
12. The Food of Morocco  by Paula Wolfert
13. Mediterranean Clay Pot Cooking: Traditional and Modern Recipes to Savor and Share  by Paula Wolfert 
14. The Ottoman Kitchen: Modern Recipes from Turkey, Greece, the Balkans, Lebanon and Syria by Sarah Woodward
15. Oranges & Lemons: Recipes from The Mediterranean by Sarah Woodward
16. Classic Mediterranean Cookbook by Sarah Woodward
17. Turkey: Recipes and Tales from the Road by Leanne Kitchen
18. Purple Citrus & Sweet Perfume: Cuisine of the Eastern Mediterranean by Silvena Rowe
19. Turkish Bakery Delight by Deniz Akcakanat
20. Man’oushé (Inside the Street Corner Lebanese Bakery, Volume 1) by Barbara Abdeni Massaad
21. The Lebanese Kitchen by Salma Hage
22. Modern Flavours of Arabia by Suzanne Husseini
23. Armenian Cuisine by Aline Kamakian and Barbara Drieskens
24. Maha: Middle Eastern Home Cooking by Shane Delia
25. Whispers from a Lebanese Kitchen by Nouha Taouk
26. Lebanese Cooking – An Introduction to This Special Middle Eastern Cuisine by Susan Ward
27. Jerusalem by Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi
28. Ottolenghi The Cookbook by Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi
29. Plenty by Yotam Ottolenghi
30. The Food of Morocco: Authentic Recipes from the North African Coast by Fatema Hal
31. Mediterranean Cook Book by Australian Women’s Weekly
32. Jamie Does… by Jamie Oliver
33. Greek and Middle Eastern Cooking by Donna Hay
    
    Greek
34. Greek Cookery from the Hellenic Heart by George Calombaris
    
    Italian
35. Carluccio’s Complete Italian Food by Antonio Carluccio and Priscilla Carluccio
36. Two Greedy Italians by Antonio Carluccio and Gennaro Contaldo
37. Two Greedy Italians Eat Italy by Antonio Carluccio and Gennaro Contaldo
38. Theo & Co. The Search for the Perfect Pizza by Theo Kalogeracos
39. River Cafe Cookbook Easy by Rose Gray and Ruth Rogers
40. Simply Italian by Sophie Braimbridge
41. Nigellissima: Instant Italian Inspiration by Nigella Lawson
42. Twelve: A Tuscan Cookbook by Tessa Kiros
43. Risotto! Risotto!: 85 Recipes and All the Know-how You Need to Make Italy’s Famous Rice Dish by Valentina Harris
44. The New Pasta Cookbook: Bay Books Cookery by Joanne Glynn
45. Pasta Perfect by Anna Del Conte
46. Buon Appetito Regional Italian Recipes by the National Italian-Australian Women’s Association
47. Heart of Sicily: Recipes and Reminiscences of Regaleali – A Country Estate by Anna Tasca Lanza
    
    French
48. Cooking and Travelling In South-West France by Stephanie Alexander and Simon Griffiths
49. The French Kitchen: A Cookbook by Joanne Harris and Fran Warde
50. The French Market: More Recipes From a French Kitchen by Joanne Harris and Fran Warde
51. French by Damien Pignolet
52. French Provincial Cooking by Elizabeth David
53. Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Volume One by Julia Child and Louisette Bertholle and Simone Beck
54. Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Volume Two by Julia Child and Simone Beck
55. Manu’s French Bistro by Manu FeildelIndian
56. Tasting India by Christine Manfield
57. Madhur Jaffrey’s Quick and Easy Indian Cookery by Madhur Jaffrey
58. A Taste of India by Madhur Jaffrey
59. Madhur Jaffrey’s Ultimate Curry Bible by Madhur Jaffrey
60. Curries From the Sultan’s Kitchen: Recipes from India, Pakistan, Burma & Sri Lanka by Doris M Ady
61. Pat Chapman’s Curry Bible: Every Favourite Recipe from the Indian Restaurant Menu by Pat Chapman
62. Meena Pathak’s Indian Cooking for Family and Friends by Meena Pathak
    
    Australian 
63. Belinda Jeffery’s 100 Favourite Recipes by Belinda Jeffery
64. Belinda Jeffery’s Tried-and-True Recipes by Belinda Jeffery
65. Mix & Bake by Belinda Jeffery
66. The Country Cookbook: Seasonal Jottings and Recipes by Belinda Jeffery
67. Desserts  by Belinda Jeffery
68. Maggie’s Farm by Maggie Beer
69. Maggie’s Orchard by Maggie Beer
70. Cooking with Verjuice by Maggie Beer
71. Maggie’s Table by Maggie Beer
72. Maggie’s Kitchen by Maggie Beer
73. Maggie’s Harvest by Maggie Beer
74. CWA Cookery Book and Household Hints by Country Women’s Association
75. The Cook’s Companion: The Complete Book of Ingredients and Recipes for the Australian Kitchen by Stephanie Alexander
76. Stephanie Alexander’s Kitchen Garden Companion by Stephanie Alexander
77. Your Place or Mine? by Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris
78. Gary Mehigan’s Comfort Food by Gary Mehigan
79. The Seasonal Kitchen by Beverley Sutherland Smith
80. Balance: Matching Food and Wine, What Works and Why by Lyndey Milan and Colin Corney
81. The Real Food Companion by Matthew Evans
82. Marie Claire: Zest by Michele Cranston
83. Marie Claire: Fresh by Michele Cranston
84. Marie Claire Flavours by Donna Hay
85. Marie Claire Pasta by Jody Vassallo
86. Marie Claire Dining by Donna Hay
87. Marie Claire Cooking by Donna Hay
88. The AWW Country Collection by Australian Women’s Weekly
89. The Australian Women’s Weekly Original by Ellen Sinclair and Australian Women’s Weekly
90. Easy Entertaining Cookbook by Australian Women’s Weekly and Pamela Clark
91. Dinner Party Cookbook by Australian Women’s Weekly
92. Dinner Party Cookbook, No. 2: New, Exciting Recipes for All Seasons by Australian Women’s Weekly
93. Brunches and Lunches by Australian Women’s Weekly
94. Best Ever Recipes by Australian Women’s Weekly
95. Light and Luscious Summertime Cookbook by Pamela Clark and Australian Women’s Weekly
96. Quick Smart  
97. New Complete Book of Cookery by Margaret Fulton
98. The Margaret Fulton Bessemer Cookbook by Margaret Fulton
99. Margaret Fulton’s Book of Casseroles by Margaret Fulton
100. The Barossa Cookery Book 1000 Selected Recipes
101. Homecooked Favourite Recipes from Australian Kitchens Recipes selected by Maggie Beer, Valli Little and Ian McNamara
102. The Babette Hayes Australian Cookbook by Babette Hayes
103. Fresh: The Best of Summer/Autumn Produce and How to Use it by Margaret Johnson
104. MasterChef Australia: The Cookbook (Volume One)  
105. Delicious: 5 Nights a Week: Every Recipe you’ll Need for Midweek Cooking by Valli Little
106. Step by Step Australian Cooking
107. Extra Virgin: Australian Companion to Olives and Olive Oil by Karen Reichelt and Michael Burr
108. Quick ‘n’ Easy Chicken by Robyn Martin
109. Country Gardens Country Hospitality by Holly Kerry Forthsyth
     
     English/Irish 
110. The Naked Chef by Jamie Oliver
111. How to Eat: The Pleasures and Principles of Good Food (UK) by Nigella Lawson
112. The Kitchen Diaries: A Year in the Kitchen with Nigel Slater by Nigel Slater
113. The River Cottage Cookbook by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall
114. Irish Country Cooking by H Walsh
115. 1000 Favourite Recipes by Marguerite Patten
     
     The Americas Generally
     
     
116. Joy of Cooking by Irma S Rombauer and Marion Rombauer
117. Who’s Your Mama, Are You Catholic, and Can You Make a Roux? A Cajun/Creole Family Album Cookbook by Marcelle Bienvenu
118. Celebrating Island Style by Wanda Adams
119. Favourite New Orleans Recipes by Suzanne Ormond, Mary E Irvine and Denyse Cantin
120. The Complete Caribbean Cookbook by Pamela Lalbachan
121. Mexican Cooking Class by Patricia Lake and Sharon Lee Barkhurst
122. Mexican Cooking by Roger Hicks
     
     Africa Generally 
123. Mma Ramotswe’s Cookbook by Stuart Brown
     
     Asia Generally 
124. Spice: Recipes to Delight the Senses by Christine Manfield
125. Stir by Christine Manfield
126. The Complete Asian Cookbook by Charmaine Solomon
127. South East Asian Cookbook by Charmaine Solomon
128. Charmaine Solomon’s Family Album by Charmaine Solomon
129. Thai Cooking Class by Patricia Lake and Somi Miller
130. Margaret Fulton’s Book of Chinese Cooking by Margaret Fulton
131. A Flash in the Pan: 100 Fast and Furious Recipes for Wok and Stir-fry by Liz Trigg and Shirley Gill
132. Chinese, Cooking Class Cookbook by Australian Women’s Weekly
133. Sensational Stir-fries: Fast, Fresh and Flavoursome by Australian Women’s Weekly
134. New Idea’s Let’s Cook Chinese by Maggie Han Hawthorne
     
     Baking
     
     
135. Patissier by Emmanuel Mollois
136. Et Voila!: French Pastries from Choux Cafe  by Emmanuel Mollois
137. Merle’s Kitchen by Merle Parrish
138. Bourke Street Bakery: The Ultimate Baking Companion by Paul Allam and David McGuinness
139. Tarts and Pies: Classic and Contemporary by Philippa Vanstone
140. Tarts: Sweet and Savoury by Gourmet Traveller
141. Pastry: Savoury and Sweet by Michel Roux
142. Le Cordon Bleu Dessert Techniques: More Than 1,000 Photographs Illustrating 300 Preparation and Cooking Techniques for Making Tarts, Pies, Cakes, Icings, Doughs, Pastries, Meringues, Mousses, Soufflés, Custards, Crêpes, Biscuits, and More  by Bridget Jones and Le Cordon Bleu and Laurent Duchene
143. Muffin Magic: Cholesterol Free & High Fibre Recipes by Diana Linfoot
144. Classic Essential Pies by Family Circle
145. Sticky and Steamed Puddings by Family Circle
146. 1 Dough 100 Cookies: Take One Basic Recipe and Make 100 Types of Cookies by Linda Doeser
     
     Confectionery
     
     
147. The Home Confectioner by Lois Stocks
148. Making Artisan Chocolates: Flavor-Infused Chocolates, Truffles, and Confections  by Andrew Garrison Shotts
149. Chocolates and Confections at Home with The Culinary Institute of America by Peter P. Greweling and The Culinary Institute of America
     
     Bread
     
     
150. Homemade Bread by Farm Journal Food Editors
151. Wild Sourdough: The Natural Way to Bake by Yoke Mardewi
152. Sourdough: From Croissants to Gluten-free Wholegrains  by Yoke Mardewi
153. My Bread: The Revolutionary No-Work, No-Knead Method by Jim Lahey and Rick Flaste
154. Crust: Bread to Get Your Teeth Into by Richard Bertinet
155. Dough: Simple Contemporary Bread by Richard Bertinet
156. Local Breads: Sourdough and Whole-Grain Recipes from Europe’s Best Artisan Bakers by Daniel Leader and Lauren Chattman
157. The Handmade Loaf: Contemporary European Recipes for the Home Baker by Dan Lepard
158. Bread: A Baker’s Book of Techniques and Recipes by Jeffrey Hamelman
159. Flatbreads & Flavors: A Baker’s Atlas by Jeffrey Alford and Naomi Duguid
160. English Bread and Yeast Cookery by Elizabeth David
161. Discovering Sourdough by Terese L. Hosier Greenway
162. Brother Juniper’s Bread Book: Slow Rise as Method and Metaphor by Peter Reinhart
163. The Bread Baker’s Apprentice: Mastering the Art of Extraordinary Bread by Peter Reinhart
164. The World Encyclopaedia of Bread and Bread Making: Full-colour Visual Catalogue of the Breads of the World – From France and Italy to the West Coast of America by Christine Ingram and Jennie Shapter
     
     Preserving
     
     
165. A Year in a Bottle: How to Make Your Own Delicious Preserves All Year Round by Sally Wise
166. Out of the Bottle: Easy and Delicious Recipes for Making and Using Your Own Preserves by Sally Wise
167. Mouneh (Preserving Foods for the Lebanese Pantry, Volume 1) by Barbara Abdeni Massaad
168. Ball Blue Book Guide to Preserving
169. Look’n’Cook Spicy Pickles and Chutneys
170. Complete Guide to Home Canning and Preserving US Department of Agriculture
171. Jams, Preserves and Chutneys (Basic Basics) by Marguerite Patten
172. Make Your own Jams and Jellies
173. The Book of Preserves  by Australian Women’s Weekly
174. Jams Pickles & Chutneys by Family Circle
175. Pickles and Chutneys by Australian Women’s Weekly
     
     Barbecuing
     
     
176. The Great Barbecue Cookbook by Australian Women’s Weekly
177. BBQ: Food for Friends by Jane Lawson and Vanessa
178. Australia’s Own Cookbook for The Weber Q by Ross McDonald and Margaret Kirkwood
179. Chargrills & Barbecues by Family Circle
     
     Fruit 
180. Jane Grigson’s Fruit Book by Jane Grigson
181. Plum Recipe Book Roslyn Deakin
182. Lemon Recipe Book Roslyn Deakin
183. Apricot Recipe Book Roslyn Deakin
184. Quinces Recipe Book Roslyn Deakin
185. The Complete Avocado Cookbook by Christine Heaslip
186. Lemons & Oranges Bridget Jones
     
     Christmas
     
     
187. The Christmas Book (Australian Women’s Weekly Home Library) by Australian Women’s Weekly
188. Favourite Christmas Treats by Jacki Pan-Passmore
189. ABC Delicious Christmas every recipe you will ever need for the festive season
     
     Cheese
     
     
190. The World Encyclopedia of Cheese: A Feast of International Dishes by Juliet Harbutt and Roz Denny
191. Home Cheese making by Neil and Carole Willman
192. Home Cheese making by Ricki Carroll
193. Cheese Slices by Will Studd
     
     Vegetarian
     
     
194. Meatless Menus Cookbook by Donna M Paananen
195. Vegetarian Cuisine by Louise Godwin
196. Exciting New Ways with Vegetables by Jacki Pan-Passmore
     
     Microwave
     
     
197. Microwave Cookbook by Australian Women’s Weekly
198. Microwave Cookbook 2 by Australian Women’s Weekly
199. Microwave Cookbook by Pat Jester
200. Combination Microwave Cookbook by Bridget Jones
     
     Slow cooking
     
     
201. A Year of Slow Food by David and Gerda Foster
202. Slow Cooking: Not So Fast Food  by Joanne Glynn
     
     Low Fat and Healthy
     
     
203. Natural Fibre Cooking by Karen Plageman
204. Passion for Pulses: A Feast of Beans, Peas and Lentils from Around the World by Nancy Longnecker and Brad Rimmer
205. Low Fat Cooking by Australian Women’s Weekly
206. Low Fat Way by Rosemary Stanton and Family Circle
207. The CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet: The New Scientifically Proven Diet by Manny Noakes and Peter Clifton
208. Healthy Heart Cookbook by Australian Women’s Weekly
209. Cooking for Your Life: The Key to Health and Well-being by Marlene Pentecost
210. Uses of Juices Extracted From Raw Fruits and Vegetable by CE Clinkard
     
     Homemade etc
     
     
211. All-Occasion Gifts from your Kitchen by Jean Paré
212. Home-made and at a fraction of the cost Polly Pinder
     
     Appetisers etc
     
     
213. Great Party Dips by Peggy Fallon
214. Party Dips!: 50 Zippy, Zesty, Spicy, Saucy, Savory, Tasty, Tempting Dips  by Sally Sampson
215. Canapes by Eric Treuille & Victoria Blashford-Snell
216. First Impressions: 175 Memorable Appetizers and First Course  by Betty Rosbottom
217. Sunset Hors d’Oeuvres: Appetizers, Spreads & Dips by Sunset
218. Fabulous Finger Food by Family Circle
219. The Pleasure of Cooking Collection, Crepes and Pancakes by Weldon Kevin
     
     Pressure Cooking
     
     
220. The Pressure Cooker Cookbook: 100 Contemporary Recipes for the Time-pressured Cook by Gina Steer
221. Pressure Cooking for Everyone by Rick Rodgers and Arlene Ward
     
     Spices
     
     
222. Spice Notes: A Cook’s Compendium of Herbs and Spices by Ian Hemphill
223. The Complete Book of Herbs and Spices by Brenda Little
224. The Magic of Herbs: Over 100 inspirational ideas for using herbs in the home and garden  by Jane Newdick Miscellany
     
     
     
225. Mastering Fermentation: Recipes for Making and Cooking with Fermented Foods by Mary Karlin
226. Apples for Jam: A Colorful Cookbook by Tessa Kiros
227. The Accidental Foodie by Neale Whitaker
228. Williams-Sonoma Essentials of Roasting: Recipes and Techniques for Delicious Oven-Cooked Meals by Rick Rodgers
229. Over the Top and on the Side: Ultimate Book of Sauces, Salsas, Dips, Dressings, Relishes, Raitas and Marinades by Silvana Franco and Shirley Gill
230. The Best of Salads and Buffet Cookery by Christian Teubner and Annette Wolter
231. The Yogurt Cookbook by Olga Smetinoff
232. Deep Freeze Cookery by Norma McCulloch
233. Fresh and Tasty Cheesecakes
234. The Incredible Australian Icecream Book by Elie PascoeReference
     
     
235. The Flavour Thesaurus Parings, Recipes and Ideas for the Creative Cook by Niki Segnit
236. Food the Definitive Guide written and researched by Kim Rowney, Lulu Grimes Kay Halsey Consultant Editor John Newton
237. Macquarie Dictionary of Cookery