Tomorrow's Garden

by Stephen Orr

Examples of sustainable gardening in different parts of the United States and using different materials and methods as well as different reasons people have for making gardens. Very nicely illustrated with photographs from the gardens visited and talks about.

This book is informative, interesting and lovely to look at.

Understanding garden design

by Vanessa Gardner Nagel

This hand-book of garden design includes how to lay out gardens, use sculpture and fabrics, combine plants, use irrigation systems, etc.

The Hobbit

by J. R. R. Tolkien

A tale of fantasy in which Baggins, a creature described somewhat like a small, beardless dwarf, unwillingly joins a band of dwarves in their quest to recover treasure stolen by a dragon called Smaug.

This book was very entertaining; I found it hard to put down. It's a classic children's story for a good reason.

Put 'Em Up!

by Sherri Brooks Vinton

This is a guide to preserving food, arranged by type of produce. There aren't many photos, but the instructions are detailed.

Clutter Busting

letting go of what's holding you back

by Brooks Palmer

A self-help guide to getting rid of the things that are preventing you from being happy. The author cites examples from his own "clutter-busting" business.

While I don't agree with the world-view expressed in this book, I do think it could be a useful tool in simplifying your life and deciding what really is important to you.

Denim Redesign

by Amy Barickman

Well-illustrated instructions for turning old jeans into skirts, jackets, aprons, bags, quilts and even just updated jeans. There was one tote bag design that I especially liked.

Photo Book

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The complete guide to a clutter-free home

by Philip Schmidt

This book has many tips for dealing with clutter as well as storage ideas and projects for every room. A good book.

Simple Country Wisdom

501 old-fashioned ideas to simplify your life

by Susan Waggoner

This lovely book from Country Living has chapters on things like how to clean, cook, decorate and garden with several tips in subcategories within those topics. There are nice photographs on almost every page.

I think this is a great book. The layout is easy to follow, the information is relevant, the pictures are beautiful. I was so inspired, I had to stop reading several times and go clean something. The book I read belongs to the library, but I'd love to have my own copy.

I found three mistakes: on page 46, "its prone to glaring" should be "it's"; on page 108, "Draping them over or chair" should be "over a chair"; and on page 157, "grocery story" should be "grocery store". But it's still a really great book.

Rodale's Vegetable Garden Problem Solver

by Fern Marshall Bradley

An alphabetical list of chapters on different vegetables, pests, plant diseases with detailed information in each. Very good.