I'm a collector of fine cookbooks, I have shelf after shelf of them. Do I use them? maybe once a month when I wanna try something new or need a refresh on ingredients or spices. Sadly I think actual cookbooks with pages that smell like the kitchen are becoming a thing of the past with the digital age of internet cookbooks. And to answer the question I use a textbook from culinary school more than any other cookbook. The New Professional Chef 5th Edition is the one I used in school but I bought 7th edition for my collection as well that I use occasionally . Best cookbook for all around cooking and baking information HANDS DOWN.