I have been wondering what will happen to cookbook publishers in the Google era. Even though Peter and I have a large cookbook collection, we'll often Google, say, "gluten-free rolls" rather than look through our cookbooks. It's really easy, and by the way, our latest "gluten-free rolls" were excellent

The other day I noticed a shiny new cookbook on the desk of a young colleague named Joe. As someone who already has way too many cookbooks, I couldn't help asking if he is a cook himself. It turns out that Joe likes to cook. And more interesting, he collects old cook books from used-book stores or yard sales. He described one of his favorites in which the ingredients are measured by "a handful" or "a pinch".

Joe boasted that he owns a first edition of Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking. As a fan of her French Chef TV show, I remember buying a "first edition" of that classic when it came out.

So, yeah, I have a first edition of Mastering the Art of French Cooking too. Come to think of it, I guess I have a lot of first editions of books that were newly published when I bought them years ago.

At this age, I consider myself a first edition.