I am obsessed with cookbooks. As in, I regularly have to decide if I need to budget in monthly cookbook funds. Spoiler alert: there’s always cookbook money in the budget.

But like… have y’all seen cookbooks lately? Have you found yourself blissfully overwhelmed in the cookbook section of your local library or bookstore, gingerly lifting and paging through one book after another as the myriad flavor possibilities lure you in? Each pair of instructive recipe and intricately plated dish gets your complete attention, but only for a second. Another flashy book cover distracts you. There’s always more to discover. An hour will flick by like it’s nothing.

No? Just me? I know I can’t be alone. There’s such a wide array of cookbooks out in the world that it’s hard not to spend so much time appreciating them. A giant bookcase lurks in the corner of the living room now as a result of my ongoing appreciation.

I genuinely cannot get enough of adding to my collection, and every single minute spent in Seattle’s favorite bookstore (Book Larder) runs the risk of exponentially increasing my pile of cookbooks. Living within walking distance certainly doesn’t help since I think I fully black out when I step foot in their door.

But man, the things I’ve tasted thanks to the hours spent browsing seemingly endless options, thoughtfully considering which book would fill a perceived hole in my collection. I’m partial to region-specific books because a comprehensive interpretation of a cuisine ensures my iteration of it is authentic and respectful. These books also hone my skills of whatever cooking technique is central to the cuisine, be it braising, stir-frying, roasting, what have you. Defining flavors are allowed to clearly reveal themselves with this level of focus.

Plus, nothing is more fun than saying, “I must consult the tomes!” when kitchen research or planning is needed!

What’s your favorite cookbook? Is there a new one (or a dozen, if you’re like me) that you’ve had your eye on for a while?

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