“Desperation Dinners” price has Beverly a bit steamed!
From
Beverly Mills
| December 08, 2009
In Coffee and Convo
I think everyone in America should own a copy of Desperation Dinners. For me, that’s a fairly bold statement. Although I am intensely proud of our first cookbook, I tend to be pretty private about it in public, unless I’m prodded or have downed a glass of Chardonnay.
But something has changed my mind, and here it is: While I was doing some Christmas shopping on Amazon.com, I decided to “visit” Desperation Dinners to see how it was coming along. That’s when I noticed, in fine print on the book's home page, that there are 115 used copies for sale starting at 26 cent each. Pardon me, but I find that downright insulting.
Sure Desperation Dinners has been out for 12 years and some of those 26-cent books have no doubt been well used and could be a bit stained. (Here's a photo of the tattered copy that I use constantly.)
But 26 cents? At 250 recipes, that boils down to one-100th of a cent per recipe. If you read the 83 customer reviews of the book on Amazon, I believe you’d quickly surmise that these recipes are worth a bit more than that! A dime each at least. But that would make the book cost $25, and the paperback – new -- sells at the Amzaon discount for roughly $11.
After I stomped around the house ranting about the injustice of 26-cent books and finally ran out of steam, I suddenly realized something: In this economy, this is a grand opportunity for our readers! If you’re willing to lay down roughly a quarter plus shipping, you can get a truly amazing cookbook that will help you stay home and cook really great meals that will save you tons of money because you won't be so inclined to call out for pizza and other dastardly stuff. (The recipes for So-Simple Salsa, page 245, and Alicia’s Chicken With Olives, page 146, are in my Humble Opinion worth their weight in gold.)
But you’d better hurry. I’m seriously contemplating buying all 115 copies myself just to get them off the market. Sorry, but I guess I’m still miffed. But really. Can you blame me?
Comments
From Samina - December 08, 2009
I have to concur with the previous poster - I've had & used my copy of DD for at least 10 of the 12 years that it's been out. My copy is covered with post-it flags, marking the recipes I go to over & over again. I can't imagine getting rid of mine, & I'll probably have to buy another one to replace it one day. That said, I expect that the ones on sale come from people who, even after all your help, still don't want to bother cooking & would rather eat out/order in each night! I know there are people like that!
From Pat Hoffmeister - December 08, 2009
I feel guilty, but I am finally going to get all three cookbooks. We are retired and living on a fixed income. Although I babysit (a lot and I'm 73 years old) for spending money, there just isn't enough money for extras. Thanks for mentioning this (I never go to Amazon.com because I know I will want to spend money). I hope you won't hate me.
From Beverly Mills - December 08, 2009
Thanks for the encouragement everyone! I truly feel better now. And thanks for letting me angst.
And Pat---don't feel guilty even one little bit! I would love for all of those 26-cent books to go to very good, loving homes. They are like my children, and I so hate to see them devalued!
If everyone will just snap up a copy or two at 26 cents, it will be like adopting Pound Puppies. 
From Jim Brady - December 08, 2009
What a bargain!!! I think I will buy some of those wonderful deals and give them to my friends. By the way, Desperation Entertaining is also a great bargain on the used market. The last time I bought some, they were under $10 and like new... If you want to find some of these, try eBay.com and search for the book titles.
From Beverly Mills - December 08, 2009
Thanks Jim! Let's get all those stray books into good homes!
From Pat Hoffmeister - December 18, 2009
I received Cheap,Fast, Good earlier this week. Already I have cooked the Autumn Pork Chops and the Beenie Weenie (my adaptation of the name). Both were well liked by my family. Now I have to find something to do with the 2 or 3 leftover pork chops. Yesterday, I received Desperation Cooking and Desperation Entertaining. I've already marked recipes to try. I'm so glad I was finally able to acquire these cookbooks, although I'm sorry you didn't get the full price. Only one of them looked used at all and I can't imagine why anyone would get rid of it.
From Beverly Mills - December 18, 2009
Hi Pat, don't give a minute of thought about us not getting the full price! We're just glad the books are finding a worthy home. Enjoy and happy holidays!
My Books
Our Cookbooks rock!
What you're saying..
My neighbor as taken my Cheap Fast Good cookbook and will not give it back! We are fighting over it (jokingly of course). Today she made some chicken thing with marmalade or mustard. She said it was delicious.
- Boo Zamek
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From Jason - December 08, 2009
Desperation Dinners was one of my first cookbooks and played a major role in shaping how I cook today. I keep all my cookbooks (frankly I have to many but some people collect stamps, rocks, etc.) but I think that yours has a certain sentimental value to it because I used it when I was young - so proud to put dinner on the table and so impressed that I could dictate what was going to be on the table that night. .26 cents is a bit of a bummer, but you're right there are fantastic opportunities for those with little cash to purchase the book and use it. Desperation Dinners gives me something Rachael Ray couldn't - I've yet to get her meals on my table in 30 mins and stopped trying, with your recipes I was able to do that and have learned a lot of time saving techniques that I will use for years to come. I would think it empowering to know you contributed to households you don't even know, sharing meals and time together. And even teaching a few rookies (12 years ago) some new ways to cook.