The holiday season has just begun and if you already start thinking about gifts, we hope you think about books. A good book is always a great gift! So how about a green-themed book that is both interesting/fun/valuable (or all at once) and affordable?To help you find the best green books to give as gifts this holiday season, Eco-Libris blog is continuing the tradition we started last year and presenting a new holiday guide. This year we have a very special guide with recommendations from people who are involved in the green economy, or as we call it "The Green Collar Holiday Gift Guide for Book Lovers ".
The guide includes 50 recommendations of great green-themed books that will be a good fit as holiday gifts. As you will see the guide is not only about the books, but also about the people who recommend it. We tried to personalize the guide as much as possible so we will learn not only about green books but also about the people who carry the green economy on their shoulders.
Therefore with each recommendation you will find a personal angle that presents the recommender, his workplace and/or why they chose that specific book to recommend on.
Today we present part 3 (out of five) of the guide. As you can see today and on other parts of the guide, we have some great people who are part of the green economy and also wrote great books which the recommend on. We hope you will enjoy the variety of offers and find here great ideas for green gifts. Enjoy!
21. "How to Cook Everything Vegetarian: Simple Meatless Recipes for Great Food " by Mark BittmanRecommended by: Tom Strong, co-founder of the startup company 50 Mile Farms
What the book is about? (from the author's website) Hailed as "a more hip Joy of Cooking" by the Washington Post, Mark Bittman’s award—winning book How to Cook Everything has become the bible for a new generation of home cooks, and the series has more than 1 million copies in print. Now, with How to Cook Everything: Vegetarian, Bittman has written the definitive guide to meatless meals–a book that will appeal to everyone who wants to cook simple but delicious meatless dishes, from health-conscious omnivores to passionate vegetarians.
How to Cook Everything: Vegetarian includes more than 2,000 recipes and variations–far more than any other vegetarian cookbook. As always, Bittman’s recipes are refreshingly straightforward, resolutely unfussy, and unfailingly delicious–producing dishes that home cooks can prepare with ease and serve with confidence. The book covers the whole spectrum of meatless cooking–including salads, soups, eggs and dairy, vegetables and fruit, pasta, grains, legumes, tofu and other meat substitutes, breads, condiments, desserts, and beverages.
Why would this book make a great gift? This massive tome is an impressively thorough compendium of high-quality vegetarian recipes and techniques. It's a big improvement over Bittman's previous How To Cook Everything for several reasons. First, it's better organized, with less repetition from recipe to recipe, and more variations included under basic recipes. Second, it's much more international in scope, without actually sacrificing quality control - if anything, the recipes are generally better this time around. Third, it's more technique-oriented, explaining the basics (such as beating egg whites) in better detail, while also including a lot of more exotic ideas (such as using hardened meringues as a container for custards or other desserts).
22. "Blessed Unrest" by Paul HawkenRecommended by: Ellen Osborne-Smith, Financial Management and Operations to meet the needs of today and tomorrow
What the book is about? (from the book's website) A leading environmentalist and social activist's examination of the worldwide movement for social and environmental change, Paul Hawken has spent over a decade researching organizations dedicated to restoring the environment and fostering social justice.
From billion-dollar nonprofits to single-person dot.causes, these groups collectively comprise the largest movement on earth, a movement that has no name, leader, or location, and that has gone largely ignored by politicians and the media. Like nature itself, it is organizing from the bottom up, in every city, town, and culture. and is emerging to be an extraordinary and creative expression of people's needs worldwide.
Blessed Unrest explores the diversity of the movement, its brilliant ideas, innovative strategies, and hidden history, which date back many centuries. A culmination of Hawken's many years of leadership in the environmental and social justice fields, it will inspire and delight any and all who despair of the world's fate, and its conclusions will surprise even those within the movement itself. Fundamentally, it is a description of humanity's collective genius, and the unstoppable movement to reimagine our relationship to the environment and one another.
Why would this book make a great gift? . Hawken does an amazing job of narrating the history of the environmental movement; from Abraham Lincoln, to Emerson and Thoreau, to John Muir, The Sierra Club, Rachel Carson, and so on. This is a book that you can learn from and cuddle up with, thus, in my opinion a great gift book. You may want to consider packaging it with the Ecology of Commerce also by Hawken.
Getting Personal: I have worked on poverty and workforce development issues in the public and non-profit sectors. Currently, I spend my time learning about the ways that expanded corporate, public, and individual priorities can energize progress on environmental and social justice issues. With this knowledge I hope to contribute to the growing efforts to incorporate social and environmental indicators into bottom-line decision making and day to day business operations.
23. " Strategies for the Green Economy: Opportunities and Challenges in the New World of Business" by Joel MakowerRecommended by: Alan Robinson, VP sales and business development at Greener World Media
What the book is about? (from the author's website) In Strategies for the Green Economy, Joel Makower distills his more than twenty years of watching the green business scene and offers insights and inspiration for understanding and untangling the complexities and controversies of profiting in the growing green economy.
Through real-life stories and first-hand experiences, Makower raises and answers complicated, fascinating, and resonant questions about the realities of greening your business. Whether catering to a shade of green customer (and there are many), or understanding what constitutes a "good enough" green company, whether selling everything from cars to coffee, or determining when to lead the market and when to follow it, Makower's engaging and realistic approach helps show the way.
Why would this book make a great gift? It would be a good gift for a reader who wants a well grounded "real-world" perspective on the green economy. Plus Joel is a good writer and so it's entertaining.
Getting Personal: At Greener World Media I help companies of all sizes growth their business through advertising programs designed to reach the influential readership of GreenBiz.com®, GreenerComputing.com, GreenerBuildings.com, ClimateBiz.com and GreenerDesign.com. The wisdom and facts from Strategies for the Green Economy have helped me do my job more effectively.
24. "The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals" by Michael PollanRecommended by: Elena Miller, Associate at McKinsey & Company
What the book is about? (from Barnes & Noble) A New York Times bestseller that has changed the way readers view the ecology of eating, this revolutionary book by award winner Michael Pollan asks the seemingly simple question: What should we have for dinner? Tracing from source to table each of the food chains that sustain us - whether industrial or organic, alternative or processed - he develops a portrait of the American way of eating. The result is a sweeping, surprising exploration of the hungers that have shaped our evolution, and of the profound implications our food choices have for the health of our species and the future of our planet.
Why would this book make a great gift? This book is about exploration of food, and how one man tries to reconnect to the natural and sustainable food chain we've become so distanced from. He explores these themes, but with the practicality of someone existing in a modern western society. It is extremely well written, very much a story that is engaging and thought provoking.
Getting Personal: Ellen is specializing in Sustainable Enterprise and Corporate Responsibility. She was also the president of the Net Impact chapter at the Kenan-Flagler Business School.
25. "On Empty (Out of Time)" by Bill RothRecommended by: Bill Roth, the author and the President of NCCT
What the book is about? (from the author's website) America's final "wake-up call". Since the 1974 oil embargo we have been promised Energy Independence and lower prices. Instead we are now paying 10 times more for oil and we are importing 4 times as much.
And we are now out of time. We face a recession because of high oil prices and the military cost of protecting someone else's oil fields. And a new crisis, Global Warming, is emerging.
On Empty graphically details the imminent threat of economic and environmental disaster and proposes fresh solutions for achieving a "Man on the Moon" crash program of deploying American-owned sustainable technologies. And it outlines how you, the American Consumer, will lead the charge.
Getting Personal: Bill Roth is no strange to the energy sector, with a career that included posts such as senior VP of marketing and sales with PG&E Energy Services and COO of Texaco Ovonics Hydrogen Solutions. Currently he is the President of NCCT, a San Francisco-based consulting firm helping businesses define and integrate Sustainability into their strategies, performance metrics, branding/marketing and business processes. He is also Entrepreneur.com's Green Business Coach.
Bill Roth is collaborating with Eco-Libris to plant a tree for every copy sold of the book.
26. "Living Green: A Practical Guide to Simple Sustainability" by Greg HornRecommended by: Nicole Bunink, account manager / eCommerce consultant
What the book is about? (from Amazon.com) Over 85% of Americans today express concern about health and the environment, but only a small fraction say they know where to begin. Whether you are concerned about climate change, personal health, or just want to live more lightly on the planet, this book is for you. It helps you get past the worry and take positive action to improve both your health and the health of our environment.
Based on a lifetime of research and practice, this practical guide for living green offers advice and solutions you can easily put into practice, like:
*The 10 foods you should always eat organic to avoid pesticides, herbicides, hormones and antibiotics. *Affordable and practical ways to offset your "carbon footprint" and neutralize your personal impact on global warming. *The most chemically-intensive personal care, household cleaning and lawn care products, and their effective natural alternatives. *How soft plastic water bottles hurt your health, your pocket book and our environment, with a simple and refreshing alternative. *How a simple carbon filter can dramatically improve your everyday health and potentially add years to your life.Why would this book make a great gift? This book is a great gift for the people who do not have a whole lot of money to spend on Christmas presents it is great gift for people who want to make a start with green living. Since it is free (With compliments of The Vitamin Shoppe) it is available for everyone to give and if you do have some budget you can spend extra money on buying green gifts like organic body cosmetics, water filters etc. So lets use the holidays for some responsible spending this year and make a difference... It is the thought that counts.
Getting Personal: I had my green shock recently when I started paying attention to what I consume. Having worked in retail for most of my live I made some realizations about how we consume and the effect it has on our minds, bodies and the world. I believe we can do better so am now looking for greener pastures to apply my skills in and start contributing to a more sustainable economy. This book helped me in my process of awareness...
27. "Silent Spring" by Rachel CarsonRecommended by: Leah Oviedo, CEO at Find a Green Store
What the book is about? (from Barnes & Noble) Rarely does a single book alter the course of history, but Rachel Carson's Silent Spring did exactly that. The outcry that followed its publication in 1962 forced the government to ban DDT and spurred revolutionary changes in the laws affecting our air, land, and water. Carson's book was instrumental in launching the environmental movement. It is without question one of the landmark books of the twentieth century.
Why would this book make a great gift? Silent Spring is a great book, because even though it was written 40+ years ago, it seems very prevalent to our current poisonous environment. It talks of problems and solutions.
Getting Personal: Rachel Carson was one of many that inspired me to think of the consequences I can have on the planet.
28. "Beyond Green: Toward a Sustainable Art" by Stephanie Smith and Victor MargolinRecommended by: Michael DaCosta, Marketing Consultant at Portuguese Order of Architects
What the book is about? (from Amazon.com) Balancing environmental, ethical, economic, and aesthetic concerns, sustainable design has the potential to transform everyday life and has already dramatically reshaped the practice of architecture. Beyond Green introduces a new generation of international artists who work at the intersection of sustainable design and contemporary art.
The book explores the ways that this design strategy is being used-and sometimes intentionally misused-by an emerging group of artists who combine fresh aesthetic sensibilities with constructively critical approaches to the production, dissemination, and display of their art. Lavishly illustrated, the book also includes texts by and interviews with individual artists, along with substantial essays by exhibition curator Stephanie Smith and design historian Victor Margolin. What results is a bracing volume that will be of interest to practitioners and aficionados of design and art alike, as well as to environmentalists.
Why would this book make a great gift? It depends on the context, but I think a present or gift should stimulate thought or new thinking so that is why I thought of this book. It's also a nice reminder that Sustainability can also be fun...
29. "Green Goes with Everything: Simple Steps to a Healthier Life and a Cleaner Planet" by Sloan BarnettRecommended by: Michel Leblanc, Owner of a Shaklee Distributorship
What the book is about? (from Barnes & Noble) Imagine if your best friend gave you vital information that could protect you and your family, and save you money, and help the planet. Imagine if you were given clear, simple choices, small changes that could have a big impact on your life. And you could still wear leather shoes and deodorant. You'd listen, right?
Well, think of Today show contributor Sloan Barnett as that friend. A mother of three, a dedicated consumer advocate, Sloan gives us a fast, simple, down-toearth primer on the ways our homes are making us sick, and what we can all do to transform them into the safe sanctuaries we want and need them to be.
Sloan exposes the toxic truth behind the household products we use every day -- from laundry detergent to toothpaste to lipstick. She explains how these and other seemingly benign stuff can harm us and our children. She offers an array of alternatives, and inspires us to see that we're never helpless: Every day, we have the power to make better, smarter, safer choices.
Packed with common sense and sass, product picks and practical tips, Green Goes With Everything is for everyone who wants to live a healthier life.
Why would this book make a great gift? Basically, "Green Goes With Everything" is more of a reference guide to help the average person learn that we can take a few simple steps to help clean up our homes, our cities and our environment - no matter where we live.
The basic premise is to help people make greener choices without sacrificing convenience, budget, and more importantly on our health. The book also includes a 24-page directory of green resources at the back of the book, this in addition all the great hints, tips and invaluable information contained in the main chapters of the book.
Getting Personal: I've been involved with Shaklee Corporation for just over two years as an active distributor although I've been using their products since 1995.
Shaklee has been "green" since it was founded by Dr. Forrest C. Shaklee in 1956 with his two sons, and this AFTER he retired from his main career at chiropractor. Shaklee's reputation is primarily that of a natural nutrition company but they also offer natural cleaning, personal & beauty products and water & air treatment systems. It was the first company in the world to be certified Climate Neutral in 2000 and they remain committed to continue off-setting their carbon emissions through various projects and initiatives.
I feel very aligned with the values espoused by Shaklee, not just in terms of being a green company but for the exceptional quality of the products which are backed by rigorous scientific research and clinical studies. Why else would they have over 50 patents and patents-pending?
30. "Into the Trees" by Mike AaronRecommended by: Mike Aaron, Owner of Greensender.com
What the book is about? Into the Trees is a children's book about Mini G taking his first walk in the woods with his Dad. It is a tale of fun and discovery as Mini G sees, hears and feels the wonders of the natural world. At the end of the day, Mini G has unknowingly gained a greater appreciation of nature and a commitment to care for it. It is illustrated by acclaimed Baby Einstein artist, Nadeem Zaidi.
Why would this book make a great gift? At a time of year that is defined by thankfulness, goodwill and sharing, Into the Trees is a perfect gift for the littlest ones in your home this holiday season - as its a story about appreciating the invaluable gifts of nature.
Getting personal: After spending fourteen years in corporate marketing and advertising positions in Manhattan, Mike started Greensender.com in October of 07. Described as offering "green gifts, green goods, green ideas", Greensender's product catalog includes a variety of unique corporate and personal gifts.
Part of Greensender.com's philosophy is that the best caretakers of the planet are those that take the time to get to know it. As a result, Greensender believes that it is critically important to the future of our planet for young children to spend more time outside playing in, exploring and enjoying the outdoors. Into the Trees is beautifully illustrated book that brings this philosophy to life.
If you choose to give your friends or family this book as a present on the holidays, you are more than welcome to balance it out with Eco-Libris, add our sticker to the book and make it the perfect green gift for the holidays.
The Green Collar Holiday Gift Guide for Book Lovers - Part 1
The Green Collar Holiday Gift Guide for Book Lovers - Part 2
Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris
www.ecolibris.net
