Good Reads
As the weather turns chilly and we spend more time indoors, it’s the perfect opportunity to devote more time to reading books. It’s also the season of gift-giving, so there’s another reason to look for some interesting titles since books are a very green gift. Most are made of paper and can be passed down to friends and family members. And when they’ve reached the end of their usefulness or are no longer wanted, they be deconstructed for creative art endeavors, and eventually be recycled.
So, can we interest you in some books with environmental themes? Some are available at your local library, or through used book sites such as AbeBooks.com, in addition to retail stores.
To start at the very beginning, Rubbish!: The Archaeology of Garbage explores the discards of former civilizations. Authors William Rathje and Cullen Murphy reveal what garbage tells us about a population’s demographics and buying habits.
Incredible Trees of Virginia, by Nancy Ross Hugo, beautifully showcases Virginia’s most remarkable trees with photographs and stories that share the research of years searching for large, old, and storied trees. Some are associated with famous people and events, while other trees are associated with ordinary people in extraordinary ways.
Marni Jameson combines her been-there experience with insights from national experts—antiques appraisers, garage-sale gurus, professional organizers, and psychologists—to offer practical wisdom and heartwarming advice so you know with certainty what to keep, toss or sell when you need to clear out your house in Downsizing the Family Home: What to Save, What to Let Go. There is also an optional companion Downsizing Workbook.
How to Garden When You Rent by Matthew Potter is full of inspirational ideas for front and back gardens, balconies and patios, and any other available outdoor spaces the reader can plant up and enjoy. It includes a focus on different rental lease lengths, each showcasing key plant types to help identify how much time renters have, and how much money they want to spend, to create a successful plant or vegetable oasis.
For the children in your life, it’s never too early to introduce them to good environmental habits! Stuff by Maddie Moate is a kid-friendly take on how we make, use, reuse, and dispose of everyday items. It helps them understand where your stuff comes from, and what happens to it when you’re finished with it!
There’s also I Am Earth: An Earth Day Book for Kids by Rebecca and James McDonald introduces children ages 3-5 to the basic concepts of Earth science while also encouraging the importance of taking care of our special planet through environmental awareness and sustainability.
Hope this encourages you to set aside some time to explore the environmental world from the safety of your easy chair!