I have a ton of books...I didn't really get them for the patterns, but just enjoy looking through them. For inspiration. But seldom do that now. Would love to have half the money spent on them, though I really don't have a lot compared to some.
The dumbest thing I ever bought was when the first mat/turntables (?) came out. I just had to have one. Well, it was oblong, and wobbled...I don't think I used it over once or twice. It is just as easy to have a smaller mat and turn it around. And takes up less space.
Also have one of the Jodi Barrows rulers and one book...I have experimented a little, but again, basically a complete waste of time.