The Library

For the last 3 years of my bread baking, I have been using a select few bread books. I don't owe many bread cookbooks. That seems silly to me! And no I haven't had much luck using recipes from the internet.

How did I decide which books I want to use?

My method is that I go to the library, bring a few books home, read them, use them, renew them, use them and return them.

Why don't I buy books?

My thought is why should I buy a zillion books that I may or may not find useful?

Everyone has this idea that the library doesn't have you want, right?

The way I see it is that until I have tried all the books they have, why do I need other ones? You know how supply and demand works? Little demand at the library, it could shut down. So I am creating jobs, by using my local library regularly. They supply me with whatever books I want, yes I have requested special purchases in the past, and I just keep visiting the library. Some books I am on a waiting list, so I have to wait a week or two until the newly released book is purchased, but I am patient while I test out other books.

But isn't it easier to just have the book from the store?

Depends on how you define easy. Managing the household clutter seems to be the toughest reason to avoid bringing new stuff into the home. The main reason that I do not buy every book is that I do not need to ultimately store the books. My degree in Industrial Engineering has taught me about inventory and storage space. I have a bookshelf dedicated to the storage of library books. Always some room for a book or to and always something heading back to the library. But ultimately I can survive with a small bookcase and not have books overflowing, and never need to struggle with the decision of should I donate a book that I didn't really like but yet I bought it so maybe I could find a use for it. Naaah... just use the library!! :)

My method...

I have narrowed my favorite list down a bit and then I can buy what I really like.However, using the library keeps me accountable, because I have to return the book, so I know that I need to use it and keep motivated to keep trying the recipes before the book has to go back.

The Walk...

Oh, maybe you didn't realize, the library is a quarter mile from my home, so I can easily take a walk and get a breath of fresh air. It sure beats driving around to book stores and standing in lines.

So I'm sure you are curious to what's in my bookshelf...what I have tried, what I like, what I don't check out again, etc.... so next time, that's what I will blog about!