"Kittens For Dummies." When I adopted two last year it had been decades since I'd owned one. This book helped me know which pet foods and litters are the healthiest, which toys are safest. It also helped me identify when one of my babies was dehydrated. Turns out he needed a rush trip to the vet. Last but not least, I learned from this book how cats communicate so I could understand their needs. Far be it for me to rescue these little ones only to later neglect them!

The Encyclopedia of New York City by Kenneth T. Jackson. I'm a reference librarian in New York and I've found that this one is great for research or just for fun. It has amazing facts about the history of New York that's suitable for New Yorkers and tourists. I also love the New York Public Library Desk Reference-I use it all the time at home and at work.

The Gregg Reference Manual by William A. Sabin is a great tool when I have a question about proper grammar (helped a lot back when I was editing my boys' high school essays) or if I need a suggestion as to how to present a particular letter or memo. Helpful for home and business.

My favorite reference for the family is the Healthwise Handbook -- it helps me take care of myself and my family while giving very specific guidance for when we should be seen by a doctor and ideas for home treatment. It also has a web component for more information. It has kept me out of the emergency room more than once in the middle of the nigft, I love it so much I give it to friends as gift -- m ost recently to my 21 year old daughter, with a note reminder her that this was almost as good as mom.

My two favorite gardening books are Easy-Care Perennials, by Patricia A. Taylor, and Passalong Plants, by Steve Bender and Felder Rushing. Neither of them is comprehensive or technical, but they are both great sources for a beginning-level gardener. Both are written in a friendly conversational tone. Passalong Plants is downright hilarious in many places. You'll need more info on plants discussed here from other sources, but I wouldn't be without these for enjoyable descriptions of easy-to-grow plants.

Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook & What to Expect books for baby info.

'THE JOY OF COOKING' It has an answer for any question in the kitchen. It has basic recipes and some for more experienced cooks. I have a collection of cookbooks but if I could have only one that would be the one.

All the cook books from Churchs, Family Published books, Fund Raising Cook Books from the Scouts & Nursing Homes, and other Social Committee... these books have treasures... food you ate when going to a pot luck at church, or supplying a meal for a funeral gathing. These receipes are the heart and soul of the region you live in. I go to Half Price Books and find so many prizes....Keep looking at those publications, I am sure you will find several cook books that will make you smile... and eat!

The Joy of Cooking is my most frequently 'go-to' book at home, but at work as a children's librarian I have to say the World Book Encyclopedia--but that old standby is less usful these days with Google and the WWW..

The Concise Columbia Encyclopedia
The Joy of Cooking

The best reference cookbook is the Joy of Cooking. It has all the basics. I received my copy as a wedding gift 24 years ago and this year I gave the 75th anniversary edition my daughter who's starting out on her own.

The best reference cookbook is the Joy of Cooking. It has all the basics. I received my copy as a wedding gift 24 years ago and this year I gave the 75th anniversary edition my daughter who's starting out on her own.

I'd have to agree with the Real Simple magazine-I love to luxuriate in it when it first comes in. Then scour it and pull out half of the pages for reference.

I have to say my one and only reference tool, although not a book, has to be the internet. You can use it for everything from travel, recipes, homework help, looking up an old friend, gifts, etc. It is all I use other that the standard dictionary and my personal address book

Dictionary

The Kitchen Folio by Momagenda - it's a personal reference book with pockets for all of the papers that can clutter up the kitchen. You set up your own labeling system, so you can keep whatever papers come into your life organized and handy. I have sections for frequently called phone numbers, take out menus, sports rosters, etc. I even hot-glued library pockets to the inside cover to keep my kids' immunization cards in safe place. It's a great tool for organizing all of the papers that come home from school, church, work, the mail, etc.

1,000 Places to See Before You Die-I look through it before I go somewhere just to make sure nothing is missed!

That's easy: Real Simple Magazine. You guys cover everything!

All my South Beach Diet Books. It keeps me open to new receipes and trying new foods!

I love all my South Beach Diet Books. It keeps me open to trying new foods and receipes!

The Better Homes and Gardens Red Plaid Cook Book ... my husband and I use it often. Our first copy is tattered and torn, but we could not toss it away. Any question concerning herbs, vegetables, meat cuts, etc., etc. is answered within the pages of this book.

Reference Book Favorite... Martha Stewart Homekeeping Handbook (This household manual covers everything... Cleaning, Food Storage, Organization, Best Products, Useful Materials, Cutlery... individual uses, Laundry & Ironing Methods, Weekly Cleaning Plans, Tips for Security of the Home...etc. The best part of the Handbook is that each page has an introduction to the topic as well as each page listing helpful hints... Example: Bedroom> Linens this page discusses the history of Linens, explains everything you need to know about cotton, LISTS & DESCRIBES ALL THE DIFFERENT COTTON FIBERS and even covers a note about Organic Cotton which is becoming more prevalant in today's society.) This book has saved my life... You can read for days or you can use it as a quick reference by searching the Index in the back of the book.

I couldn't live without Feast by Nigella Lawson, especially during the holidays. It has entire menus for every occasion you can think of, from Thanksgiving to Seder, from kids' birthday parties to funerals, along with delicious everyday recipes. I used it to make my first turkey dinner this Christmas - for my boyfriend's extended family, no less - and they all raved about it.

New Basics Cookbook and How To Cook Anything!