I’ve been a self-confessed book nerd since the day I learned how to read. Actually, probably since the first day my parents read a book to me. Last night I sent out a tweet saying, “Paying my library fines online. Yup, library fines.” and I started thinking… How far have books and reading come, while at the same time, staying so traditional? I mean, I’m still going to the library, but now I’m paying my fines online. Luckily, there hasn’t been much of an inflation in library fees… My library charges 30 cents a day for overdue books!
I always longed for a job where I could just sit around and read. Which is pretty much exactly why I went to grad school at Emerson College to get my Master’s in Writing and Publishing. And while I do currently do some editing work, I became much more of a writer… and a pleasure reader.
These days, I get most of my recipes off the Internet, but I still say there’s nothing like a good old hardcover (or paperback, really) cookbook. That’s why I’ll continue getting most of Martha Stewart’s cookbooks, even though I can get every single one of the recipes online.
A long time ago, I posted about my parents’ love for cookbooks… And you can clearly see where I got my addiction from:
But I read so, so much more than just cookbooks. And I absolutely love how reading has come to the Internet and social media. People are simply talking about books more online, whether it’s sharing what they’re reading or writing book reviews. I recently joined the social networking site Shelfari, and there are even more book sharing sites, like Good Reads, where you simply share what you’re reading with your friends. I started a “what I’m reading” series on my tumblr, where I just post a photo when I start reading a new book. Like so:
I utilize my library , independent bookstores, and all they have to offer. Boston has a totally beautiful public library, along with tons of branches, making it always easy to get to one (making it somewhat confusing why I’m always paying late fees).
The awesome thing about libraries in this age? You can sit at home and add the books you want to read right from your computer. Since a lot of the books I like to read are in high-demand and are never readily available in the library, I simply request the book and wait until my library emails me to tell me I can come and pick the book up. Does it get any easier than that?
And while I admit I’m Amazon-obsessed (I have an Amazon credit card and have prime membership, 2-day shipping!), I try to shop at my local bookstore when possible. My independent bookstore of choice is Brookline Booksmith and I’ve been known to hang out here whether I’m in the market for a book or not.
My favorite thing about the Booksmith (besides the books!) is the author events they hold. And they get some pretty awesomely, huge authors. Last year Chels and I attended an event with Chris Kimball of Cook’s Illustrated where we got to listen to a presentation and meet Chris Kimball and the cast of America’s Test Kitchen. So, I urge you to check out your local independent bookstore; you never know who’s going to be there! Take advantage of it.
The future? I’m at the point now where I have way more books than I can handle. I’ve lived in the same apartment for 5 years… One of the reasons? How the heck will I ever move all my books with me? But, even now I don’t have enough room for all of them and they’re scattered all around my apartment:
School books have been sent to a storage bin. I’ll likely never read most of them again and should probably just sell or donate.
And this is exactly why I’ve been doing my best to utilize the library more. Someday I’ll have a house with a room like this (Ladders are a MUST!):
But for now, I’ve forced myself to only buy the books I need and to borrow all the others. Tomorrow, I’ll be the lucky owner of an iPad 3G (thanks to my amazing boyfriend, Chris!) which has me seriously thinking about tablet books. I’ve always been pretty against them (there’s nothing like holding a real book in your hands!), but I’ll definitely be giving them a try. And of course, I’ll report back.
I’ll also certainly be pulling up tons of recipes and uploading lots of cooking apps on the iPad and bringing it into the kitchen with me (don’t worry, Chris, I will keep the case on and won’t let oil splatter on it… Sheesh). Check out how Helen of Foodista is using hers in the kitchen:
Of course, I’ll continue buying the cookbooks I really want to have in my library. But this is going to be pretty awesome, too. I’ve heard really fabulous things about the Epicurious app and can’t wait to check it out.
How have you changed your reading style over the last few years? And more importantly, what cookbooks do I absolutely need to own? And what novel should I read next?
[Sues]
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I’m in the same boat as you. It’s funny because I wrote a book review to post tomorrow and it’s funny because I couldn’t help but write about how I love reading and what I get out of it as a hobby. So many of the things you wrote I found myself nodding. I ADORE the Boston library and have thought that if I ever got married that would be a great place to do it. I also agree that nothing compares to looking through a hardcover cookbook. I always find it infinitely more enjoyable for menu planning than going online. Online is where I go when I am looking for somehing specific, books are for browsing. Ahhh, I could go on and on, but favorite cooking related book would have to be the flavor bible
ive become an avid cookbook collector lately! ive had to move them twice just to make room for more. i cant wait til summer when i can finally get some real aka non-school related reading. i love our library too, but the selection is so limited because we live in such a small town, but I also frequent the used bookstores.
p.s. i loved the help. chocolate pie….lol.
I’m with you and think a recipe book has that extra touch compared to the online version!
Isn’t it funny how we’re all so different? I am just not a reader…unless its something I’m SUPER interested in. I think everyone should own the better homes and gardens cookbook, the bride and groom cookbook is a necessity (from williams sonoma- once you’re married/engaged), something form a food network chef (I like Giadas books).
Love your blog! That looks like our house! We have storage containers of books and shelves of them as well!!
I love all of Nigella’s cookbooks. She positively makes you swoon. And Mark bittman’s How To Cook Everything is a must.
I love reading. I’ve been reading since I was a toddler, even before I learned words, I’ve been in love with books. Unfortunately and ironically, now that I’m in college, I don’t seem to have much time to read. And we don’t have a non-academic library. Sucks..:-(
Like you, I absolutely adore reading. My friends and I often swap reading books on a regular basis. Right now, I have about half a dozen books that aren’t my own and about the same out. It is complete honor system in terms of getting the books back in a timely manner and in good condition but it definitely helps all of us keep our book count down in our apartments as we’re all running into the same issue as you – not enough shelf space!
I can’t wait to hear what you think about the iPad. I’ve debated whether or not to do the Kindle, iPad – technology way to read books. I kind of love the good old fashioned cover to cover style.
I’m a HUGE fan of independent bookstores. Try to avoid Borders and B&N when I can.
great post….. I love reading nicholas sparks
I am such a book nerd as well. Any kind of book! For pleasure reading I always have at least 5 or 6 stacked in my “to read” list, and I jump from genre to genre…right now I’m reading “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” next is “The Tipping Point” and I just finished a Michael Pollan book. I like to have all my bases covered
As I was reading this I was thinking “aah she should go to the Booksmith!” but of course you do! I love the used book section. If I go there I have to leave my wallet at home. It doesn’t help that I have to buy every book I read, because I also want a library and I can’t give a book away once I love it. I will never read a book online…I love the feeel of them!
I find my recipes online too, but I love cookbooks! I get great ideas for pictures and more exciting things to do. I like to sit on the couch with 10 of them on a rainy day and just browse. I love Nigella and Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsey…the layouts of all of their books are so great!
I love to read, but recently I’ve learned that hanging on to old books really wasn’t doing me any favors. So this past move I got rid of nearly all of them – except the cookbooks!
Great to learn that there will be recipe apps on ipad – one application that I can tell my husband about. He is actually considering getting one through his job, maybe for me too
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I have a major book obsession too. I have a pile of about 90 unread books and I continue to add to the collection! Got Books is a used bookstore thats fabulous – most books are $1.99 and I believe all the money is donated to child literacy.
I still have a library card (and fines) as well. I do however, print most of my recipes off from various baking bloggers. I don’t save them in a digital file. Often, I just paste them into word, print and put into a cookbook. If that thing ever gets spilled on, I’ll be sad.
Yay for supporting libraries! They need it!
I love the Boston library… and I love that you can add books online and get an email when one is available (I actually got one this weekend…yay!). The only thing I don’t get at the library is cookbooks. For some reason I have to own them or I just go online. I like to take my time with them
I loved “The Help”! It was one of those books I was sad about finishing. How is “The Girl Who Played with Fire”? I just finished “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” and look forward to reading the next installment. I love the Boston Public Library in Copley. Watch out for the mice. =)
i love the williams-sonoma cookbooks but always end up bringing my laptop into the kitchen after finding a recipe online so i’ve stopped buying them.