Casting off several knitting projects (and realizing I am lacking the required needle for the only project in the works) sent me off to my bookshelf last evening. I tend to go first to the craft books to choose my next project, but this week I prowled around the other shelves and found some gems that I wanted to share with you.
Some are old, some are new, some I've read many times, others I'm just working my way through for the first time. Here are a few favorites:
The Good Life by Helen and Scott Nearing: This classic book is the story of one couple's journey to a self-made and sustainable life. The Nearings are inspiring to me in every way.
Zapped by Ann Lousie Gittleman: This book was sent to me by the publisher to review and I've read several sections. The chapter I jumped to immediately was on cell phones and the information I found there informed our choice of new cell phones recently. I was happy to find good information on how to do my homework and make healthy choices with regard to EMFs.
The Twelve Stages of Healing by Donald Epstein: The is a wonderful book for understanding the connection between body, mind, and emotions. It gives a great understanding of where each of us is at this moment in our journey and provides tools to help us evolve in our greater health. I know. Hard to explain. But if you click the link you can read the description in Epsteins words.
Homemade Fun by Rae Grant: Another book I was sent by the author, Homemade Fun is a sweet book to start you and your children crafting. Simple, accesable projects joyfully presented. A good joyful first craft book for someone just dipping their toe in the crafty waters.
Radical Homemakers by Shannon Hayes: I know. I keep talking about this book. But if you haven't read it yet I promise you that it will change you. As one friend put it, "I think I found my religion." It's like that. Maybe my favorite book ever.
Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon: This is another book that I keep talking about, but I am compelled to mention it again because it is just so important. While Nourishing Traditions is not a book about tooth decay, our journey to heal Lupine's teeth is what led me to finally read this book that I had stashed with my cookbooks. Now we use it (or its principles) daily.
What's on your bookshelf that is inspiring change in your life?
Radical Homemakers is my favorite book ever too. It is like finding a new religion – it’s that profound.
I go back to a few of those just to re-read and dip into. Nice list!
Wow don’t remember last time I picked up a book. I do miss it
I got Nourishing Traditions for my birthday but have barely had time to read lately. I will try again. I’m adding Radical Homemakers to my list too. Thanks!
Just finished Radical Homemakers and returned it to our library wondering why we pay for health insurance, a big mortgage and so much more….
Lindsay,
I know many people (myself for years) who have it and have not read the bulk of it. Reading the text as well as the recipes was a big awakening for me.
Enjoy!
Rachel
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Radical Homemakers! About 3/4 of the way through the book right now! It changes how you think/look at life! I am SO inspired!
The book “Your Money or Your Life” by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin was mentioned in Radical Homemakers as having been a starting point for many of her interviewees. So I checked it out from the library and gobbled it down as fast as I could. I have yet to start the “steps” (technically speaking), but the overall philosophy has changed my thinking profoundly.
Susan,
I have not read this yet, but I now have it on my library list. Thanks for the reminder!!
~ Rachel
Thanks for posting about Zapped – it looks like there’s a lot of good info in there!
I am slowly making my way through you list. Radical homemakers came into our lives at the same time Gene Logsdon’s Two Acre Eden did, and the parallels are pretty awesome, he wrote in 1971. just thought you might like it, if you haven’t read it.
Have you ever done a favorite kid’s music post?
Kate,
Sounds wonderful. Ill put it on my library list!
~ Rachel