I have no idea about the first cookbook in programming books (I think O'Reilly) but that's definitely a good idea. I always trying to keep a few slots empty in Safari to able to add a cookbook when I need it.
If you know your shit and if you are not an encyclopaedia they will help you.
It'd be a stupid idea to get cookbooks and read them start to end but when you need them you really need them. Check out some O'Reilly Cookbook Series
