All along the bookshelves

… decision time!

How many books do you have in your collection - how many of them have you had for years and never actually opened or may be you've flicked through once and then shelved, doomed to that cookery book box in the sky.

May be you need to make space for books that you'd like to add to your collection but how do you decide which are to stay and which are to go.

My collection falls into different categories – reference, history, classics, new discoveries, favourite cuisine. Sometimes if you're lucky the categories overlap and you'll have a fantastic history book crammed full of recipes too.

What's the definition of a great cookery book – for me that would be a book that I refer to over and over again.

Buying cookery books is an addiction, like buying shoes or handbags and we all know that sometimes we don't get it right so the “never opened” books are easier to pull off the shelves and dust before finally deciding on their fate.

May be it's time to do a spot of recycling and send a box or two to your favourite charity shop so that someone else can benefit.

I know this won't be easy - think of it as you do when clearing out your wardrobe and the golden rule … if you haven't worn it for six months then you don't need it – out it goes or rather into the recycling bag/box – alternatively ask yourself which books would you take to your desert island or rescue from a burning building.

Bonne chance!