We have a few. I just wanted to chime in and say I'm not sure Joy of Cooking really cuts it for much anymore. Maybe once in a great while for a basic something or other. But I have turned to the edition I got several years ago a couple of times and found it lacking.

I'm judging only by the new vegetarian version we just got, but I have to think the normal one is just as excellent: get Mark Bittman's How To Cook Everything It's a huge book, but it's completely approachable. And he talks about aspects of how to shop, what equipment to use, etc. in addition to having good modern recipes. Seems to be a good all around reference that could, hm, supplant Joy of Cooking? Oh, maybe not, but maybe it *should*.