What are you favorite cookery books - and why?

[CountessDracula]

Have decided I need to buy 3 or 4 new books after a couple of years of not buying any.

I would like your recommendations. And if you can be arsed, your favorite recipe from your favorite book. Has to be something that doesn't take 100 years to cook but interesting, simple, delicious and a bit different if poss.

Not necessarily a cook book but have you had a look at the newer magazine "Delicious." Everything I've done out of it has worked and hasn't taken ages either. Also great section on what to feed kids. Personally, I love JO (any of them) but I wouldn't be without Delia, even if they do get a bit fussy some times