since i know some of you are cookbook-deprived, owning only several
hundred or so, i thought this article from *slate* listing some
suggestions by food writers and others might be of interest:

<http://www.slate.com/id/2179838>

one of the books mentioned isn't a cookbook, really, but 'stand facing
the stove' the story of 'the joy of cooking' and irma rombauer. i
love irma, and when i found out she drank like a fish, well, that
sealed the deal. i ordered it from amazon, used and dirt cheap. two
books by fuschia dunlop on szechuan and hunan cooking got the nod as
well, and bruce cost's 'asian ingredients.'

your pal,
blake