The Green Collar Holiday Gift Guide for Book Lovers - Part 3

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 Bittman

Recommended 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).

Getting personal: Tom Strong co-founded the startup company 50 Mile Farms, a cleantech venture seeking to increase the quantity of local food production through high-yield, carbon-neutral innovations. He has an MBA from the University of Arizona, and a background in organizational development and training.

22. "Blessed Unrest" by Paul Hawken

Recommended 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 Makower

Recommended 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 Pollan

Recommended 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 Roth

Recommended 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.

Why would this book make a great gift? This is a must read that explains how the American consumer’s adoption of sustainable technologies will pull the world’s economy out of recession, solve Global Warming and gain American Energy Independence. This book is a gift of reasoned hope that outlines an economic and public policy path toward a cleaner, safer world with lower pump/meter prices. Its concluding message of hope and possibility fits perfectly with the Holiday Spirit.

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 Horn

Recommended 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 Carson

Recommended 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 Margolin

Recommended 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...

Getting Personal: I am personally interested in connecting the creative and commercial sectors: Sustainability seems to be an area where the two can co-exist to mutual benefit.

29. "Green Goes with Everything: Simple Steps to a Healthier Life and a Cleaner Planet" by Sloan Barnett

Recommended 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 Aaron

Recommended 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

An interview with Raz Godelnik on the podcast of 'Clean Green Winnipeg'

I had the pleasure to be interviewed on the podcast of Marlo Boux of the blog Clean Green Winnipeg.

We had a chat on Eco-Libris and how you can green your holidays with a couple of tips from the great book "Celebrate Green!"

You can listen to it right here. You can also find it at http://www.cleangreenwinnipeg.com/?p=603

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris
www.ecolibris.net

Eco-Libris, Ninja, Cowboy, Bear and a great picture

We always like to share great pictures like the one above that was sent to us by David Bruins, the author of the new children's book entitled "The Legend of Ninja Cowboy Bear" from a signing event that took place two weeks ago at Chapters in Burlington, Ontario.

Last October we wrote here on our new collaboration with David Bruins, where for every copy printed of "The Legend of Ninja Cowboy Bear", a tree will be planted with Eco-Libris. You can also find our logo on the cover of the book! In addition, the book is printed using vegetable-based ink, on 30% recycled paper, by a FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified printer.

"The Legend of Ninja Cowboy Bear" is an illustrated children's story about three friends who discover an important truth about equality, diversity and how to appreciate one another's unique traits. The pictures and prose work together to capture children's attention, spark their imagination, and impart a valuable lesson about the world around them. The book also include instructions on how to play the game Ninja Cowboy Bear.

The book is available now online (http://www.ninja-cowboy-bear.com/buy.htm) and in many bookstores in Toronto and its surroundings (see full list here - http://www.ninja-cowboy-bear.com/wheretobuy.htm).

We're going to have very soon a review of the book with a giveaway of one copy so stay tuned!

And you can find more great photos from the signing event (with many ninjas, cowboys, bears and kids and their parents that are having a lot of fun) at http://www.ninja-cowboy-bear.com/gallery/

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris
www.ecolibris.net

The Green Collar Holiday Gift Guide for Book Lovers - Part 2

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 2 (out of five) of the guide. As you can see today and on the upcoming parts, we have some 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!

11. "Greening Your Office: From Cupboard to Corporation, An A-Z Guide" by Amanda Cuthbert and Jon Clift

Recommended by: John Schafer, Facility Supply Sales Manager at Corporate Express, a Staples Company

What the book is about? (from the publisher - Chelsea Green) An A-to-Z guide for offices of all sizes, from energy use and better supply purchases to recycling and reusing materials, plus summaries of a range of renewable energy options, commuting techniques, and more. These tips help your workplace save money while reducing environmental impacts, and can boost employee morale in the process. Your choices for coffee, computer monitors, furniture, invoices, lighting, paper, stamps, and hundreds of other items can add up to a better world.

Why would this book make a great gift? It is an inexpensive, easy to read 70 page book with lots of simple ideas. I found it on Amazon for around $8.00..

Getting personal: I arrived late to the Sustainable Movement having spent the last 15 years selling institutional cleaning chemicals (most of which contained carcinogens, nervous system toxins and endocrine disrupters).

My last two years have been spent at Corporate Express (now owned by Staples). In that time we have launched a line of Green Commercial Cleaning Products, introduced many green products to the marketplace and have made strides to become more sustainable as a company (which includes testing bio diesel delivery trucks, using only FSC Certified paper, requiring any new buildings to be LEED certified - to name but a few items we are doing).

12. "Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman" by Yvon Chouinard

Recommended by: Mark Albion, an independent higher education professional and co-founder of Net Impact

What the book is about? (from Patagonia's website) Part memoir, part manifesto - legendary climber, businessman and environmentalist Yvon Chouinard, founder and owner of Patagonia, Inc. describes his life and his start in business as an itinerant climber selling pitons from the back of his car. Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman offers a look at the guiding principles that Chouinard used to build Patagonia into a global business - a business that has an environmental mission and is a fun place to work.

Why would this book make a great gift? I did give Yvon's book to my oldest daughter's entire graduating class two years ago. Wonderfully written, great story of bringing your passion into the center of your life, and wonderful insights easily digested on the environment.

Getting Personal: Wish I could suggest my new MBA career book, More Than Money, but it's another kind of green!

13. "Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things" by William McDonough & Michael Braungart

Recommended by: Jim Vitkin, Writer and research consultant

What the book is about? (from Cradle to Cradle's website) William McDonough's book, written with his colleague, the German chemist Michael Braungart, is a manifesto calling for the transformation of human industry through ecologically intelligent design. Through historical sketches on the roots of the industrial revolution; commentary on science, nature and society; descriptions of key design principles; and compelling examples of innovative products and business strategies already reshaping the marketplace, McDonough and Braungart make the case that an industrial system that "takes, makes and wastes" can become a creator of goods and services that generate ecological, social and economic value.

Why would this book make a great gift? Not only does it describe this critical sustainable design philosophy but the book itself is an example of cradle-to-cradle design. It is printed on a special plastic resin "paper" which was designed by Melcher Media, and is an example of what McDonough calls a "technical nutrient"; that is, a product that can be broken down and recycled or repurposed infinitely. So in the case of "Cradle to Cradle," the medium is also the message.

Getting Personal: Jim Witkin is a writer, research consultant and MBA student at the Presidio School of Management focused on social enterprise and ICT for development. He blogs regularly at Triple Pundit and also volunteers for kiwanja.net, a non-profit that provides SMS technology to NGO's.

* This book got many recommendations and here are just few more praises it received:

"For me, it is the book, "Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things" by William McDonough and Michael Braungart. It is an easy-to-read book without too many jargons or technical terms - yet, it is persuasive and it provides great ideas for remaking and redesigning our human environment." (Joeleen Hsu-Ling Low, Environmental Project Management)

"Besides the important subject matter (a new approach to product design) and its often poetic "manifesto-like" prose, it's literally a "green book" in that it's printed on synthetic paper made from plastic resins and inorganic filler. You can read it in the bath and drop it in the water if you're so inclined, though it is oddly heavy for a small book." (Luke Filose, Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and NGO engagement manager)

14. "Big Green Purse: Use Your Spending Power to Create a Cleaner, Greener World" by Diane MacEachern

Recommended by: Diane MacEachern, the author, president of Big Green Purse and publisher of the award-winning www.biggreenpurse.com.

What the book is about? (from Eco-Libris review) Diane MacEachern argues in Big Green Purse that the best way to fight the industries that pollute the planet, thereby changing the marketplace forever, is to mobilize the most powerful consumer force in the world-women.

This book is a call-to-action for women to use their power as buyers (women spend 85 percent of every dollar in the marketplace) to make a difference. MacEachern's message is simple but revolutionary: if women harness the "power of their purse" and intentionally shift their spending money to commodities that have the greatest environmental benefit, they can create a cleaner, greener world.

In the book, McEachern targets 25 commodities where women's dollars can have the greatest impact, including food, clothing, cars, computers, coffee, cleansers, furniture and flooring.

Why would this book make a great gift? Big Green Purse has been called "the big green bible" for the hundreds of useful green living and shopping tips it features. It's a present that will put "green" in your pocketbook, too. Following just a handful of the book's suggestions will save readers at least $4,000 every year in energy, water and resource costs. Give it for the holidays, then watch your friends and family enjoy it - and benefit from it - all year long.

Getting Personal: Big Green Purse: Use Your Spending Power to Create a Cleaner, Greener World, is Diane's fourth book. An award-winning entrepreneur, Diane has partnered with Home Depot, Whole Foods and other companies to clear up consumer confusion and make it easier to choose eco-friendly products and services.

Diane's books have reached hundreds of thousands of people with their "you can change the world" messages. She has been widely featured on such television programs as CNN Headline News, Live with Regis and Kathie Lee, and the ABC Network Television Earth Day Special. A frequent guest on Martha Stewart's "Whole Living" radio show, Diane will be featured in Glamour magazine's Earth Day 2009 special anniversary issue.

15. "Between Earth and Sky: Our Intimate Connections to Trees" by Dr. Nalini Nadkarni

Recommended by: Jade Leone Blackwater, Writer, Artist, Naturalist

What the book is about? Seeking to renew your sense of wonder this holiday season? Let Nalini Nadkarni inspire you with her latest book, Between Earth and Sky: Our Intimate Connections to Trees. Explore the many subtle and extraordinary ways that people rely on trees for the products they yield, the imagery they invoke, and the ecosystems they support.

Read additional reviews of Between Earth and Sky: Our Intimate Connections to Trees listed on our FaceBook group page: (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=61940790491).

Why would this book make a great gift? Nalini Nadkarni’s own sense of adventure, humor, and discovery invite readers of all ages and interests to find their own meaningful connections with trees and forests.

Getting Personal: Jade Leone Blackwater is a freelance writer who supported Dr. Nalini Nadkarni in the creation of Between Earth and Sky. In addition to her freelance writing at Brainripples (www.brainripples.com) Jade Blackwater authors Arboreality (www.arboreality.blogspot.com), a blog about trees, forests, conservation, and ecology.

16. Naturally Clean Green: Twelve Safe Ingridients for the Healthy Home by Candace Richmond

Recommended by: Michael Richmond, Director at the Green Clean Institute

What the book is about? No, it is not just another book, but a training and certification course for homemakers. This easy-to-read, informative course will teach you everything you need to know to create a Green Healthy Home, and give you the confidence that you are doing everything possible to protect the health of your family.

The book is by Candace Richmond, a former registered nurse and mother of three. The challenge faced by most homemakers is the confusion on the organic and natural products that can be used to clean nearly anything. The unsuspected surprise is the immense cost savings of using some of the readily available ingredient. This book highlights twelve items that can clean nearly anything and leave the house a safe place for people to live.

Why would this book make a great gift? the ability to receive a certificate as a Green Homemaker from the Green Clean Institute by sending in the test at the end of the book. Why not get credit for the training and your role as a Green Homemaker?

Getting Personal: Green Clean Institute offers Green Clean training and certification to janitorial and cleaning services. We also certify the buildings as GCI Green Buildings through our trademark program.

17. "Be an Everyday Humanitarian: Powerful and Sustainable Life Practices for Changing the World from Home" By Corrina Steward

Recommended by: Corrina Steward, the author, sustainable development and environmental consultant and coach

What the book is about? Be an Everyday Humanitarian is an e-book that guides you to live sustainably with balance in your life and self-purpose. To Be an Everyday Humanitarian is a decision to honor the small things in life and do them with integrity. Underneath the clutter of your life is YOU, the Everyday Humanitarian, who has a mission, purpose and the personal power to live it! It’s more than an ebook, it’s a manual for your life with 15 hands-on exercises that will transform the way you live AND make our world more sustainable. With a new message about sustainability, Be an Everyday Humanitarian adds another dimension to our understanding of a sustainable world.

Why would this book make a great gift? This is a hands-on tool kit that is great for anyone going through transitions, new graduates, soul-searchers and anyone looking to have more joy and harmony in their lives. For the environmentally-minded individual it is a great gift to remind them that taking care of ourselves is a gift to them and the environment. When we have peace of mind, we are more readily able to contribute positively to environmental change.

Getting Personal: (from Be an Everyday Humanitarian's website) My name is Corrina Steward and I know exactly how you feel. Life can seem overwhelming sometimes. You’re tired and stressed out all the time and wondering (hoping) that there’s a deeper meaning in life. Not to mention you are juggling a family, working and keeping up with everything that life throws at you. Your life feels like it’s on auto-pilot, and you’re not the driver.

You want life to be simple, more fulfilling and joyful.I want to tell you that everything is going to be fine. How can I say this? Because I have been there and in the process of giving up I stumbled, well tripped over (a few times), what I am about to share with you in Be An Everyday Humanitarian.

18. "Green Zebra: Local Savings for Sustainable Living"

Recommended by:Brian Quock, Director of Sales & Marketing at Owens Electric & Solar, Inc.

What the book is about? (from the Green Zebra's website) A coupon book, a directory, an educational resource, the brand new 2009 Green Zebra guide, with editions for San Francisco and the Peninsula/Silicon Valley show you how to have fun living green in the Bay Area, while saving thousands of dollars too.

Why would this book make a great gift? The Green Zebra is savings guide and coupon book loaded with Organic Restaurants, Eco-friendly products, tips and services, Activities and Get-aways. The cost is just $25 and would be a great gift to that person you love and care for.

Getting Personal: I work in the solar industry and we provide energy solutions for both residential and commercial applications in Northern California. We like working with organizations like Sustainable San Mateo County, SFSolar, SAMCEDA (Earn $10 for SAMCEDA by entering the code: SAM123 when purchasing your 2009 guide), and others who are working together for a better tomorrow.

19. "Worldchanging: A User's Guide for the 21st Century" by Alex Steffen (Author), Al Gore (Foreword), Bruce Sterling (Introduction)

Recommended by: Jeff Kart, Environmental Journalist, Blogger, Environmental Affairs, Green Guru

What the book is about? (from last year's guide) Worldchanging: A Users Guide for the 21st Century is a groundbreaking compendium of the most innovative solutions, ideas and inventions emerging today for building a sustainable, livable, prosperous future.

From consumer consciousness to a new vision for industry; non-toxic homes to refugee shelters; microfinance to effective philanthropy; socially responsible investing to starting a green business; citizen media to human rights; ecological economics to climate change, this is the most comprehensive, cutting-edge overview to date of what's possible in the near future - if we decide to make it so. The Worldchanging book contains over 600 pages, divided into 7 sections which include a vast range of topics.

Why would this book make a great gift? It's a dictionary, bible, encyclopedia of everything green. It's broken into sections, with items and ideas and information about ways people around the world are going green. There's also a companion web site and blog.

Getting Personal: I'm the environmental reporter for The Bay City Times, a mid-sized daily located in Bay City, Mich., near Saginaw Bay, in the state's largest watershed. I received Worldchanging as a Christmas gift a couple of years ago and have worn out the spine. I refer to the book often for ideas for stories and everyday life. It's a great, forward-thinking resource.

20. "The Rough Guide to Shopping with a Conscience: The Essential Handbook for Responsible Consumers" by Richie Unterberger and Duncan Clark

Recommended by: Erik Nelson, VP, Activism at Better World Club

What the book is about? (from the publisher's website - Rough Guides) "Sweatshops, fair trade, climate change, ethical investment, organic food...shopping can sometimes feel like a moral minefield. Which companies and products should we support or avoid? And which claims of social responsibility can we trust? The Rough Guide to Shopping with a Conscience cuts through the greenwash to answer these and many other questions.

• The Issues: Do boycotts work? Is buying local better? How can we reduce our impact on global warming?
• The Products: From coffee to cars, fish to furniture, pensions to plane tickets — the problems and the ethical options.
• The Companies: Where to shop and what to look for in food, clothes, banks, travel agencies and much more.

Packed full of information and with tips on how to do your own research, The Rough Guide to Shopping with a Conscience is the essential handbook for responsible consumers. (The paper used in this book was produced with 100% recycled fiber.)"

Why would this book make a great gift? As consumers, one of the best ways to affect change is by voting with our dollars, and supporting products and services that do right by the environment. And, hey, Better World Club is mentioned in it, too!

Getting personal: Better World Club is the nation's only eco-friendly auto club, providing 24/7 roadside assistance, insurance, and travel services. BWC contributes 1% of revenues to environmental cleanup and advocacy, lobbies on behalf of environmental issues, and offers the nation's only bicycle roadside assistance. Learn more at www.betterworldclub.com.

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

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Plant a tree for every book you read!