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When my generation grew up, our only sources of knowledge were books, teachers, parents and friends. The encyclopedia was an item of luxury. We faced big limits in what we could learn, where we could be and who we could reach.

I'm not really book-smart.

My original concept was to provide a free encyclopedia for every single person in the world.

I have been collecting recipes and information for over 20 years, but three years ago, my editor said to me, 'You're a walking encyclopedia of food, so why don't you do an encyclopedia?'

When I was younger, I was full of smart things to say about all my books.

I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did.

I love everything about books. I love the content, the way they look and even the lovely way they smell. I think a book collection says something about you as a person, and certainly my books are something I'd want to pass on for future generations.

I'm really a library man, or second-hand book man.

I'm reading a book, because I'm brainy. No, it is a book - if you don't know, it is like a blog except bigger.

I am a big book collector. I love books.