Beatlesongs

Bad book week has passed and not a moment too soon. Back to recommendations with this book that breaks down the Beatles' albums song by song listing which Beatle wrote what song (Song Title-- Lennon 50%, McCartney 45%, Harrison 5%)(I would give a real example, but I've already packed the book). There are also notes about the circumstances that each song was written under. The author used tons of interviews as his sources and even though there are several books like this for the Beatles, to me this one seems to be the most informative. And does anyone else think it's just a tiny bit creepy that that on the song "Piggies" (on the White Album) George Harrison's mother wrote the line "What they need is a damn good whacking"?

The Joy of Cooking

I have four copies of this book. One is a reproduction issue of the first 1931 edition, once is a battered copy of the linked-to version (1973 "standard" edition, widely considered to be the best) that I got from a box of free for the taking stuff at a garage sale, a copy of the 1998 revision (which has the sloppy joe recipe my husband is crazy for), and the 2006 75th anniversary edition. All of these have different recipes, side notes, charts, and information to reflect the changing times and editors (the book began life chatty, became less so culminating in the "too impersonal" 1998 edition and is now on it's way back in the other direction.) I love this edition for pure reading enjoyment. There are innumerable weird recipes (four for frog legs alone) and huge sections on wild game, (including a recipe for porcupine), sauces, frosting and tons of details on obscure cooking topics. Some people think these recipes are only average, but I think they have a good work to result ratio, in addition to the books being historic documents and fine reading as well.

Emily Post's Etiquette

The edition in the link is the one I am holding as I type this. I also have editions from the 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's as well as a bunch of other etiquette books from different eras. The current volume is useful for adressing invitations (Dear Madam Ambassador) and giving hints on tipping. Old volumes can tell you how to have a dinner for twelve with only two live in servants, what to wear for tennis (white flannel) and how to conduct yourself if invited to a West Point "hop" by a cadet (don't aske for a miniature of his ring, you're proposing!!) I love the look into a very privledged (or social climbing) past that these books give and how they all in time, become historic documents. Someday the "Ten Rules of E-mail" will be as obsolete as telegraph etiquette.

Home Comforts

eeek! It's a reference book! And about homemaking no less. As virtually everyone reading this blog knows, I'm not know for my tidiness. This book, by Cheryl Mendelson (a lawyer living the dream of not practicing law) is pretty cool. Whether you want to know how to fold a fitted sheet or get gum out of your carpet (ahem, just an example) this book has the answers. There is a huge section on food safety which is vastly helpful for figuring out if that slightly moldly cheese is safe once you cut the mold off (answer if its a soft cheese pitch it, if it is a hard cheese you can try to save). This is a really helpful book and when I first bought it, I was inspired to clean my house A LOT. Sadly, that wore off but this book still has much to recommend it. (PS, for God's sake, buy a hardback, you'll split a paperback spine in seconds)