Where do you find your cookbooks?
A post written by NO_Pam about the obsessive hoarding of cookbooks got me thinking about my cookbooks. I'm a young and struggling freelance writer so I never have a lot of money to blow on luxuries like cookbooks (they're so expensive), but I still find a way to purchase them often. I've found massive, hardback French cookbooks on sale at Borders for fifty percent off, this past week I found a Jacques Pépin cookbook at a used bookstore inside the library for a buck, I've found vegetarian cookbooks at thriftstores. My point being, I find a way to purchase beautiful cookbooks without having to shell out loads of dough. Though I would kill to be able to purchase new cookbooks. I've been dreaming about the French Laundry cookbook for months now. Anyhow, where does everyone get their cookbooks; bookstores, online? And where can you find the best deals on new cookbooks?
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24 Comments:
My best asset in finding cookbooks has been my local library! They are a wonderful resource as you have the ability to try before you buy. They have saved me hundreds on cookbooks I thought I'd love, but upon looking through them didn't like at all. Currently I have about 30 library cookbooks alone checked out, you can often renew them if no one else has a reserve on them, so I can go through them at a leisurely pace.
If I make more than 10 or so recipes, or refer to the cookbook a lot for it's information, I usually buy it from Amazon new or used depending on price. Sometimes when you include shipping, it's cheaper to buy new.
It seems to me so many people have forgotten what incredible resources libraries are, I have found mine invaluable! Everything is up to date where I can manage my card and choose books to reserve online and the book/dvd/magazine will be at the library when it comes in in a special area so I don't have to hunt around if short on time. You can also usually reserve items before they are out so you can have the book the day it comes out.
Also use my amazon wish list as well and let other people gift them!
bobcatsteph3 at 7:47AM on 03/18/08
I'm with you: find the books you want without shelling out a lot of cash. I rarely buy anything for myself, so my cookbook spree of the past few months has puzzled my husband. LOL Life is short, though, and it's been a lot of fun looking at all of my new finds.
I've purchased quite a few cookbooks from overstock(dot)com as well as a couple of book clubs. At Overstock, you can buy as many books as you want and have them all shipped for a total of $2.95 S&H, which is a steal on top of their low, low prices. They are committed to underselling Amazon, which is another good source for all types of books.
You can also try a book club, such as The Good Cook. You can get five books in an introductory shipment for under $30 with a commitment to buy one more book within a year. If you sign up for their email specials, it won't take long to receive a good offer so that you can get that commitment out of the way. Their everyday prices aren't that great but you can get some steals if you wait for the sales. I'm not sure if they have the kinds of cookbooks you're looking for, but there might be something there that you'd be interested in. The downside for you is that it's hard to tell what their full selection is until you join, because you can't peruse their entire inventory when you're selecting your cookbooks for the introductory package. Once you're a "member," you can view all of their cookbooks.
Books-a-Million occasionally has good deals but I haven't ordered anything from them. I've found that their online deals are usually better than their in-store prices.
Check to see if there are any big annual book sales in your community. My city has two during the year and while most of the books are used, many are "gently used" or like new and well worth the small price.
Good luck finding new treasures!
MelsDiner at 8:08AM on 03/18/08
Speaking as someone who had to wait seven years to be able to afford a copy of The Joy of Cooking (this was yeaaaaars ago...), I can sympathize. In those days, there were mass-market paperback cookbooks, too, although it was hard to use them, they were so small and wanted to close up as soon as you put them down. Community book sales are a good idea, and some thrift shops have book sections. I would encourage investigating books you never heard of before, stuff that might be ten or twenty years old. If you have Borders bookstores near you, their membership is free, and I've gotten coupons for as much as 40% off in their e-mailings. Used book stores are another possibility, and independent bookstores often routinely discount hardcover books.
It does take an investment of time to go on the hunt, but it's worth it, especially the big charity used book sales. Leave the purse at home so both hands are free, wear something with pockets so you can keep $, keys and cell phone there, and dive in. Our local one at least divides up books by content, so I'm not so apt to find a great old Marcella Hazan next to a biography of some obscure German film producer and a math text in Spanish. Good luck!
lemons at 10:01AM on 03/18/08
In one word: Everywhere. Lots of second hand book stores, thrift stores and occasionally an online used book site. I like to thumb through the new stuff at Borders or Books-A-Million to see what looks good.
I should make more use of the library!
chiff0nade at 10:17AM on 03/18/08
Amazon Marketplace. Under the "add to cart box," there's a "new and used" price where individuals or private bookstores/warehouses can list and sell their copies. it's a great way to get books very very cheaply, it's guaranteed by Amazon, and I use it often. I also sell through the same service.
renzata at 10:24AM on 03/18/08
I would like to recommend Albris.com. , an online seller of used books and remainders. I have purchased many book from them over the past two years, not just cookbooks, and have been very pleased.
NO_Pam at 10:41AM on 03/18/08
Amazon, ebay, thrift stores, garage sales, book stores, library sales, costco.
PerkyMac at 10:59AM on 03/18/08
Usually Borders or a neighborhood bookstore that focuses on exotic printed material (I love it!).
This is going off topic...
I like to flip through a book first and see if I'm comfortable with it. My first few cookbooks I bought were more out of desperation. One that stands out in my mind was a Greek cookbook I bought. It was the only one I could find after going from bookstore to bookstore - it had no pictures, missed steps, etc.
These days with the abundance of European and Asian cookbooks, I am able to buy what I really want: a cookbook that has pictures of what I am attempting to make...pictures of steps along the way is an added bonus.
Another type of cookbook I enjoy (not so much my husband) is the travelogue cookbook. I remember when Hot Sour Salty Sweet was first printed, I was ecstatic! I didn't care how much it cost, I HAD TO HAVE IT! It had a format I love in printed material, the pictures of the areas were wonderful,...oh yeah, and the recipes! ;) I no longer have it since I gave it to my father. Didn't have money for Xmas gifts one year (probably from buying too many cookbooks). He traveled extensively through the region, is an adventurous cook, and has a keen eye for beauty. Perfect gift - he loved it - even though it was second hand. :(
Cassaendra at 11:07AM on 03/18/08
half.com
aharste at 11:22AM on 03/18/08
i also joined 'the good cook' book club...
but i buy a lot used on amazon
cook eat FRET at 12:45PM on 03/18/08
I like to shop on my friends' bookshelves. If I find something I like, I'll look into purchasing later.
Stufsocker at 1:34PM on 03/18/08
I always start with the library if the books are available, which they usually are. I can keep them for up for 6 weeks, so by the time I've tried some recipes and the read the book I can then determine if I really NEED it in my kitchen or if I could just copy recipes I enjoyed.
Other than that, I just joined the Good Cook.
Carosone at 2:40PM on 03/18/08
Take a look at Zooba.com - I think they may be a remainder site for book of the month club family - any book is $10 including shipping - you queue them, and get one a month - Martha Stewart's most recent books have been on there, as have Oz & Roizen's "You" series. They have all kinds of books, too - when I'm not sure what I want for me in a given month, I order children's books - I always give the children in my life books for birthdays and Christmas - they already get "too many" toys. There have been some real treasures on this site, I have enjoyed it enormously. I keep a lot of books in my queue, and check in before the shipping date to prioritize (which of these books fits what I'm cooking/doing/reading this month?) - I also use e-bay, half.com, amazon marketplace, alibris, and campusi. And, sometimes, you'll find real treasures at Good Will for a dollar or two!
renewbee at 3:00PM on 03/18/08
I've gotten nearly 100 cookbooks from yard sales alone. Granted, my mother is the one who goes to the yard sales, thus saving me the agony, but she has had great luck finding them. It seems to me that a lot of people get expensive cookbooks for Christmas, then realize they're never going to use them, and so they unload them for $1 each. Their loss, my gain.
sarahbeam at 3:30PM on 03/18/08
Jessica's Biscuit (ecookbooks.com) has a good selection of cookbooks and they seem to get new books faster than other sites, including amazon. They used to be retail priced but now they offer the same discounts as amazon AND they also offer free shipping if you spend more than $25.
Cindy at 5:19PM on 03/18/08
I use Amazon to keep track of books I want to purchase, but then I peruse them at Borders or Barnes and Noble before ordering online. This process removes me from the impulse of buying the supposedly latest and greatest when I happen upon them at the bookstores.
Another great place to buy cookbooks are stores like TJ Maxx, Home Goods, Marshall's, and Tuesday Morning. They often have books that are a year or two old by the celebrity chefs, often at one third the original price. In fact I just bought two books there over the weekend. Impulse buys yes, but for a total of $12 not really a splurge.
Otabenga at 5:23PM on 03/18/08
I love the book sales at the local library, prices range from .75 to $2.50 how can you go wrong? They not only have books that were on their shelves but books that are donated to them. If I buy a book that I really don't want, I donate it to them, round and round the circle goes.
elaine nan at 9:15PM on 03/18/08
Antique malls and flea markets can have some great bargains. Particularly if the seller doesn't specialize in books -- I've picked up hardcover cookbooks for a quarter.
Estate sales are good for cookbooks as well as interesting cooking gadgets.
Alibris.com is good, if i'm looking for a particular book.
dbcurrie at 10:35PM on 03/18/08
ecookbooks.com, aka jessica's biscuit
and the library -- I couldn't believe they had a copy of Pork & Sons
which is one of those many books I want yet probably should not buy until I've hung out with it a little more...
guido at 11:54AM on 03/19/08
Some of my nicest books are from library sales, & often are in near-pristine condition. Lots of others have come from thrift stores, yard sales, used bookstores & estate sales. I'm with the previous commenter in that I "test drive" new books that look interesting from the local library before committing to a volume of my own.
Melinda at 12:21PM on 03/19/08
I get mine from Border's marked-down section. I paid $6USD for a low-carb slow cooker cookbook from Better Homes & Gardens. LOVE it.
BITTER at 12:49PM on 03/19/08
alibris.com or amazon.com for used copies of books I check out at the library first. They are just a fraction of the cost of bookstores!
Also, garage sales and thriftshops are a great place to find little treasures.
Brownie at 3:57PM on 03/19/08
Tell people of your cookbook obsession. Several times friends and family members have offered me old cookbooks when they are cleaning out. They just want to know they are going to a good home.
Antique stores - often have cookbooks from 40s through 80s - all very affordable
lobster6 at 5:23PM on 03/19/08
Try Epicurious on line...they sell at about 40% less
margot at 11:07AM on 03/22/08