Hey everyone! I would like to throw out a few quick questions to you all regarding value added content in fiction books, especially cozy mysteries, like recipes, craft tips (knitting patterns, etc.), historical information, and more... Do "extras" like recipes or knitting patterns influence your purchase/read decision in any way? Would it influence whether or not you would be more likely to keep a book? Do you feel like you get more for your money when a book features additional information beyond (but related to) the story? Do you have any memorable examples (recipes or patterns you may have tried)? Any info/thoughts shared is always appreciated, thanks :) ~Melissa (currently reading CASHED IN by Jackie Chance)

I've tried several of the cookie and muffin recipes in the Hannah Swenson series.... YUMMY.. I've also done one x-stitch pattern from Monica Ferris,and ahve a second on my to-do for xmas presents list... I don't think they add any "value" to the reading for me, but they do get me thinking about things I'd like to try when I have the time and $. I've read the TIm Myers candle sereis and find myself slowing down to browse when walking through that section at Michaels... and wil probably do the same when I read the soap making series... I'd read a cozy with or without the extras, as long as the story & writing are good, and I enjoy the characters.

HTH :)

In some instances the extras add something to the reading experience.I have made a few dishes from recipies I found in mysteries that I was reading.It was a fun thing to do and they were for the most part pretty tasty.

I've done some of the home beauty treatments in the Bubbles series - and they worked out pretty well.  It was definitly value added to the book, but I think I would have kept them anyway. 

If it is a book that I want to read, it doesn't matter to me if there are extra goodies inside or not. But if they are included, so much the better. I do write down some of the recipes for instance, to try sometime.  I don't have space to keep many books after I have read them right now. My TBR "pile" is way too huge (three bookcases,  9 underbed storage containers and 3 milk crates to be exact) so any books I am finished reading is either given to friends, neighbors, posted back on PBS, or donated to a local thrift shop run for charities. I have also been known to leave some at the laundramat for anyone that wants them or give as freebies in book orders or BOB trades.

I don't think it matters too much about the recipes/patterns, but as Diane says, if they are included, so much the better.  I also have tried some of the Hannah Swenson recipes, Goldy Bears recipes by Dianne Mott Davidson, and am interested in the tea tips given by Theodosia Browning in the 'Tea Shop' series, although I am not much of a tea drinker.  As far as historical content goes, depending on the series I think they are the ones that I lean toward keeping.  But also as Diane states, my TBR pile is so huge - not quite as huge as hers, but close - that I really haven't kept many.  I love Robin Paiges historicals, and Kathy Lynn Emerson's Face Down....series. 

I'm new to cozies and originally started reading a series because of the recipes.  But I soon discovered that I enjoyed the books and the extra's didn't influence my decisions to purchase anymore.  I did purchase more, but not because of that.  That sentiment sounds wrong.  Anyway, I haven't yet tried any of the coffee, dessert or main meal recipes and have even let books go without writing them down or trying them.  But I have very few keepers.  Once I read a book, I'm done with it and ready for the next one.