Name one book likely in every American home

[Lord Manhammer]

Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Idk about every, but this one, I’d say, is pretty popular with many parents.

 

[nw6675]

I guess I will be the first to say a religious text of your faith. I'd venture to say there may even be one in some homes that don't practice organized religion.

 

[AppleDumpling]

Idk about every, but this one, I’d say, is pretty popular with many parents.

Interesting, I’ve never heard of it. I’m a boomer and my parents had the Dr. Spock Baby and Child Care book. In my generation, we all had What To Expect When You’re Expecting, and the related follow ups.

I guess I will be the first to say a religious text of your faith. I'd venture to say there may even be one in some homes that don't practice organized religion.

This was my first thought. The Bible. As far as novels, classics such as A Tale Of Two Cities or The Great Gatsby, which many of us read for school assignments. More recent would be the Harry Potter series, The Hobbit and LOTR series, and The DaVinci Code. And classic children’s books such as The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Goodnight Moon, and The Cat In The Hat. (Sorry, I named more than one. )

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Interesting, I’ve never heard of it. I’m a boomer and my parents had the Dr. Spock Baby and Child Care book. In my generation, we all had What To Expect When You’re Expecting, and the related follow ups.

I almost went with the What to Expect book here, but decided to go with Penelope instead. (I believe she’s from the UK, if I recall.) A few things she said really hit home with me when my kids were little. So, personal preference, really!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

BTW, Penelope has updated her book. (Before I have to put my flame suit on.)

https://www.nurseryworld.co.uk/opin...has-updated-her-best-selling-book-for-parents

 

[EricLaurie]

Dictionary

 

[fly girl]

Dictionary

You took mine. Lol

 

[Meriweather]

We still have Charlotte's Web.

Do have Better Homes and Garden Cookbook (2 editions),
Harry Potter series, The Hobbit and LOTR series,

None of the rest listed so far.

 

[focusondisney]

I don’t think there’s any book likely in “every American home”. Plenty of non Christian families so wouldn’t expect them to have a bible, & child free homes so no baby books there. And even most of my family doesn’t own that cookbook. Thirty years ago, I would have answered “the phone book”. But that’s long gone. I think our country is way too diverse to believe any single book is likely to be in every home.

 

[TCRAIG]

Maybe a school yearbook?

 

[PollyannaMom]

Name one book likely in every American home...

the owners' manual to the refrigerator

 

[Lord Manhammer]

I don’t think there’s any book likely in “every American home”. Plenty of non Christian families so wouldn’t expect them to have a bible, & child free homes so no baby books there. And even most of my family doesn’t own that cookbook. Thirty years ago, I would have answered “the phone book”. But that’s long gone. I think our country is way too diverse to believe any single book is likely to be in every home.

It was a quasi-rhetorical question because of course you are correct. I watched a YT video that discussed the Better Homes Cookbook which I'm gifting to a European friend as an example of classic American cookery. I think 50 years ago the Bible would've been it, but not anymore. Because we're a pretty diverse group on these boards I was curious if there is any literary commonality.

I do have the Joy of Cooking which is popular and Child's French Cooking tome.

 

[CindysFriend]

@focusondisney you reminded me of the days of THE phone book!!!

In a way, that was the Google of our youth! Well, that and encyclopedias.

@Pea-n-Me I loved Penelope Leach when I was expecting my first child 35 years ago. Great information. I learned a lot from her book.

 

[Forevermarypoppins]

my first thought
A PHONEBOOK!! Not anymore

 

[luvnwdwgal]

Cookbook

 

[Buzz Rules]

Thomas Paine's Common Sense. World Atlas/encyclopedia maybe?

 

[luvthatduke]

It was a quasi-rhetorical question because of course you are correct. I watched a YT video that discussed the Better Homes Cookbook which I'm gifting to a European friend as an example of classic American cookery. I think 50 years ago the Bible would've been it, but not anymore. Because we're a pretty diverse group on these boards I was curious if there is any literary commonality.

I do have the Joy of Cooking which is popular and Child's French Cooking tome.

LM: I would politely suggest that the Betty Crocker Cookbook is a better example.
I have my MIL's original (1950's) and I received the updated version as a wedding gift,
although that was 29 years ago!

 

[Lord Manhammer]

LM: I would politely suggest that the Betty Crocker Cookbook is a better example.
I have my MIL's original (1950's) and I received the updated version as a wedding gift,
although that was 29 years ago!

Hmmm, the Better Homes has been around since 1930...You really think Betty trumps Better Homes? I have better homes, joy of cooking (and another "joy" related book lol), child's book, and a handful of Indian books as Indian cuisine is my specialty. But this is something I will contemplate.

I also have a tagine book because my wife bought me one and I need to learn how to use it.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Don't think there is any published book but I would expect a note book of some kind, a photo album of some kind and a collection of family recipes.