Peg Bracken

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Peg Bracken (born 1918 in Filer, Idaho^[1]) is an author. Her writing style is down-to-earth and humorous.

During the 1960's and 70's, Bracken's writing reassured women that they did not have to be perfect to have a happy, well-managed home. Her most well-known book is "The I Hate to Cook Book", written in 1960. It was followed by "The I Hate to Housekeep Book" and "The Appendix to the I Hate to Cook Book". The two cookbooks were later published together as "The Compleat I Hate to Cook Book". All are illustrated with amusing line drawings by Hilary Knight (who also illustrated "Eloise" by Kay Thompson, among other works). The recipes are distinguished by unusual names. For example, one recipe is for "Wolfe Eggs," which are for eggs the way the fictional Nero Wolfe would cook them did he exist. She has also written humorous pieces for women's magazines.

Partial bibliography:

"The 9-Months' Wonder" (with Helen Berry Moore)
"The I Hate to Cook Book" (1960)
"I Try to Behave Myself" (1960), an etiquette guide
"The I Hate to Housekeep Book" (1962), a book of household hints
"Appendix to the I Hate to Cook Book" (1966)
"I Still Hate to Cook Book" (1967) UK edition
"I Didn't Come Here to Argue" (1969)
"Instant Etiquette" (1969) UK edition
"But I Wouldn't Have Missed It for the World" (1973) described as "the pleasures and perils of an unseasoned traveller"
"The I Hate to Cook Book of the Year: A Book of Days" (1977) UK edition
"The I Hate to Cook Almanack" (1980)
"A Window Over the Sink" (1986) "a mainly affectionate memoir"
"The Compleat I Hate to Cook Book" (1988)
"On Getting Old for the First Time" (1997)