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!

Alternative Consumer is giving away a copy of 'Eco-Friendly Families' by Helen Coronato

We're always happy to update you on a giveaway of green books. This time it's our friends at Alternative Consumer that are having a giveaway of a great green book - Eco-Friendly Families by Helen Coronato.

Here are the details from Alternative Consumer:

To Enter - Simply enter a comment on this post telling us why you’d like to win this Great Green Giveaway.

Prize notification - via email, so be sure to add the following to your address book: m at AlternativeConsumer.com.

Entries must be received by 12n (ET), Mon., December 8.

Random Drawing takes place on December 8, 2008. One lucky winner will be notified by email. Winner needs to reply to notification within 24 hours in order to claim prize, otherwise their offer is null and void. Winner’s name will be added to this post.

Interested in participating (who wouldn't..)? here's the link to the post where you need to leave a comment - http://www.alternativeconsumer.com/2008/12/01/win-a-signed-copy-of-eco-friendly-families-great-green-giveaway/

Good luck!
Raz @ Eco-Libris
www.ecolibris.net

Go Green Revolution e-books are going green with Eco-Libris

How about two amazing green e-books that will transform your life, and if you apply just a few tips from these books you will greatly help the environment and reduce your monthly gas and electricity bills by up to 50%? Sounds good? it gets even better - for every package of these e-books sold a tree will be planted with Eco-Libris!

We're happy to announce on a new collaboration with AboutMyPlanet.com that are releasing today two books, one entitled "Go Green Revolution: My Life" and the second "Go Green Revolution: My Office Handbook". They focus on specific areas of your life and what you can do to go green and save money on your energy bill.

The books have interesting story behind them as you can read on AboutMyPlanet.com's website - " Just a few days ago I wrote an article on how I was able to save $550 a year by consolidating my office computers. When I saw that a small change like this saved me 50% on my energy bill, I knew that I needed to make it easy for people to go green. I then took a look at how many green tips we had on our website and decided we needed an easier way for people to see how they can go green and that's how our two ebooks were born."

"Go Green Revolution: My Life" is the main e-book that will talk about the different aspects of your life and how to go green and save energy in each of those areas. Together with it comes "Go Green Revolution: My Office Handbook", which is a shorter book that will talk about the different ways to get your office to go green and never look back. It will cover your typical day at the office and ways to make it a greener one. These e-books are offered together and now there's a limited time offer - you can get them in a discounted price of $19.99. The offer will run until AboutMyPlanet.com sell 100 books or the first 3 days from when they release the book for sale (whichever comes first). The regular price is $29.99.

As mentioned Eco-Libris will plant a tree for every package of these e-books sold. Not only that, but for the 50 first packages of e-books sold we'll match the purchase and plant one more tree for each one of the packages. AboutMyPlanet.com's commitment to the environemt is impressive - not only that these e-books won't have trees cut down for them, but they will also result in more trees planted!

There are other great green partners involved with these e-books that added great stuff to the buyers, such as Zinio that contributes the planting of 100 trees with us for books sold, Gaiam that gives $10 off coupon for their Eco Store for each book sold, Ocean Minded that will provide a few pairs of Eco Friendly Sandals which will be given away via a draw.

For the full list of partners and more information on the e-books and how to p please check the book's web page on AboutMyPlanet.com - http://www.aboutmyplanet.com/green-tips-book

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

The Green Collar Holiday Gift Guide for Book Lovers - Part 1

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.

We will bring you the guide in five parts that will be published in the next 10 days, starting today. Enjoy!


1. "Unbowed" by Wangari Maathai

Recommended by: Christina Venessa Becherer, Institutional Gifts Coordinator, Sustainable Harvest International (SHI)

What the book is about? The mother of three, the first woman in East and Central Africa to earn a doctorate, and the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, Wangari Maathai of Kenya understands how the good earth sustains life both as a biologist and as a Kikuyu woman who, like generations before her, grew nourishing food in the rich soil of Kenya's central highlands. In her memoir, Maathai describes the paradise she knew as a child in the 1940s, when Kenya was a "lush, green, fertile" land of plenty, and the deforested nightmare it became.

Discriminated against as a female university professor, Maathai has fought hard for women's rights. And it was women she turned to when she undertook her mission to restore Kenya's decimated forests, launching the Green Belt Movement and providing women with work planting trees. Founded in 1977, the Green Belt Movement mobilized thousands of women to plant trees in an effort to restore the country's indigenous forests.

Why would this book make a great gift? It is an inspirational and enlightening memoir that documents the remarkable achievements of an influential environmentalist and activist.

Getting personal: "Unbowed" first introduced me to the link between restoring indigenous forests and hunger, health and human rights.

The mission of Sustainable Harvest International (SHI) is to provide farming families in Central America with the training and tools to overcome poverty while restoring our planet's tropical forests. SHI is also one of Eco-Libris' planting partners.

2. "Green, Greener, Greenest: A Practical Guide To Making Eco-Smart Choices Part of Your Life" by Lori Bongiorno

Recommended by: Jennifer Kaplan, founder of Greenhance LLC, an EcoTuesday Ambassador and Adjunct Faculty of Marketing at Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia.

What the book is about? (from the book's website) Green, Greener, Greenest is packed with flexible tips for everyday life and helps you find the advice that fits your schedule, your budget, and your concerns. It cuts through confusing labels and hype and provides bite-sized solutions using the author’s innovative “green, greener, greenest” method – a three-tiered approach that allows you to find the exact information you are seeking, at the right level of commitment for you.

Green solutions lay out the easiest behaviors to change and least expensive products to buy. The Greener sections are for those who are willing to spend a little extra time or money on the issues important to them. Readers who have the time, budget, and inspiration to fully take on an issue can turn to the Greenest suggestions. The book also contains commentary from leading environmental experts and an extensive resources section to point you toward organizations devoted to global warming, healthy food, clean air and water, energy use, and other pressing challenges.

Why would this book make a great gift? "Green, Greener, Greenest" is a book filled with practical information on how to green your life in a framework of setting priorities and making inevitable trade offs. This book will help your friends choose a level of green they can actually live with.

Getting Personal: Jennifer Kaplan is a well-respected voice in the green space. She is author of the upcoming book The Green Opportunity coming soon from Penguin Press (USA) and a regular contributor to the Green Options Media blog, Ecopreneurist.com, as well as guest blogger for a variety of environmental blogs.

3. "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: An Easy Household Guide" by Nicky Scott

Recommended by: D Saunders, Vice President at Omegableu Enterprises LLC

What the book is about? (from the publisher - Chelsea Green) "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" answers all of your recycling questions with a complete A-Z listing of everyday household items and how to recycle them. From old cell phones and E-waste to expired medicines and motor oil this little guide shows you where you can send your unwanted items and how you might make a bit of money while you’re at it. Also includes great ideas for reducing consumption and your volume of trash—ideal for businesses and consumers alike!

• What do you do with your old mobile phone?
• Where can you take your old car batteries?
• Which foods are compostable?
• What happens to the stuff you recycle?

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle is packed with ideas for cutting your consumption and reducing your rubbish. It’s an invaluable guide for anyone who wants to slim their bin and help stop the earth going to waste.

Why would this book make a great gift? It's a easy to follow house hold guide to going green that is organized from a-z with websites for additional resources.

Getting Personal: Being an online activist of the green movement, I picked this book up to help me give great tips to my audience, on my blog (www.onegreenmama.blogspot.com). My web directory www.thesupergreenpages.com is a new database for green businesses to list their business for free and for the public to locate services they need. During the creation phase of my website, my research led me to learn more about green jobs and the urgent need for these jobs. I thank God we have a President-Elect who shares that vision. I believe, not only will green job stimulate the economy, they will help save the planet.

4. "Wild Law: Protecting Biological and Cultural Diversity" by Curmac Cullinan

Recommended by: Mandy Lebides, Owner of Partners for Change, a specialised boutique consultancy dedicated to business improvement.

What the book is about? (from the publisher - Green Books) We are rapidly destroying our only habitat, Earth. It is becoming clear that many of the treaties, laws and policies concluded in recent years have failed to slow down, let alone halt or reverse, this process.

Cormac Cullinan shows that the survival of the community of life on Earth (including humans) requires us to alter fundamentally our understanding of the nature and purpose of law and governance, rather than merely changing laws. In describing what this new ?Earth governance? and ?Earth jurisprudence? might look like, he also gives practical guidance on how to begin moving towards it.

Wild Law fuses politics, legal theory, quantum physics and ancient wisdom into a fascinating and eminently readable story. It is an inspiring and stimulating book for anyone who cares about Earth and is concerned about the direction in which the human species is moving.

Why would this book make a great gift? Wild Law makes good holiday reading because if you are already interested in saving the planet this book will talk to your soul and if you are only embarking on that journey then it will convince you that you have taken a step in the right direction.

Getting Personal: I live in Cape Town, South Africa, probably one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I am a consultant specialising in organisational change. I have a particular interest in facilitating change related to making organisations operate more sustainably and have some very definite ideas about that.

5. "Gorgeously Green: 8 Simple Steps to an Earth-Friendly Life" by Sophie Uliano

Recommended by: JoAnne Bassett, Perfumer and Owner at JoAnne Bassett, an online boutique for exclusive bespoke natural perfumes.

What the book is about? (from the publisher - HarperCollins) Are you confused by all the advice you hear and see daily on how to "go green"? Do you want to incorporate earth-friendly practices into your life, but you don't know where to start? Don't stress! Green guru Sophie Uliano has sorted through all the eco-info out there and put everything you need to know about living a green lifestyle right at your fingertips.

In 'Gorgeously Green', Sophie offers a simple eight-step program that is an easy and fun way to begin living an earth-friendly life. Each chapter covers topics from beauty to fitness, shopping to your kitchen—even your transportation. Whether it's finding the right lipstick, making dinner, buying gifts, or picking out a hot new outfit, finally, there is a book that tackles your daily eco-challenges with a take-charge plan.

Why would this book make a great gift? Gorgeously Green is a great resource and gift book. If you page through this book you will find green products for every facet of your life. These include products for the home, personal care, fitness, shopping for clothes, food, travel, and the "green" lifestyle.

Getting Personal: JoAnne Bassett, Couture Natural Perfumer is listed in this book. I create all natural eau de toilettes, eau de parfums, and botanical perfumes. My specialty is creating custom perfumes with rare and precious oils.

I source sustainable, fair trade essential oils and botanicals that are wild and some organic. I use minimal packaging and do not use any chemicals but use natural botanical materials that support small family farms.

6. "Confessions of an Eco-Sinner: Tracking Down the Sources of My Stuff" by Fred Pearce

Recommended by: Hendrik Morkel, an environmental expert at Climate Counselor Oy, a small environmental consulting company in Finland.

What the book is about? (from the publisher - Beacon Press) Where does everything in our daily lives come from? The clothes on our backs, the computers on our desks, the cabinets in our kitchens, and the spices behind their doors? Under what conditions-environmental and social-are they harvested or manufactured?

In Confessions of an Eco-Sinner, Fred Pearce shows us the hidden worlds that sustain a Western lifestyle, and he does it by examining the sources of everything in his own life; as an ordinary citizen of the Western world, he, like all of us, is an "eco-sinner." In conversational and convivial prose, Pearce surveys his home and then starts out on a global tour to track down, among other things, the Kenyans who grow and harvest his fair trade coffee (which isn't as fair as one might hope), the women in the Bangladeshi sweat shops who sew his jeans, and the Chinese factory cities where the world's computers are made.

It's a fascinating portrait, by turns sobering and hopeful, of the effects the world's more than 6 billion inhabitants-all eating, consuming, making-have on our planet, and of the working and living conditions of the people who produce most of these goods.

Why would this book make a great gift? This is a book about following everyday stuff - cloths, food, electronics - from its birth place to its graveyard, or more often, its recycling plant. Its written in an easy to understand way, so that also non-environmentalists can understand it, and I found it very interesting to learn where my stuff comes from, and where it will end up after I throw it away.

Getting Personal: I am an M.Sc. (CEM) and work as an environmental expert at a small, Finnish, environmental consulting company, Climate Counselor Oy. We help SMEs to improve their environmental performance by assisting them implementing an EMS and/ or obtaining an environmental label. I've always been interested in social and environmental matters, so living and working with the environment in mind was a natural choice for me.

7. "Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution - And How It Can Renew America" by Thomas L. Friedman

Recommended by: Saar Herman, CEO at Global Content and Research LTD

What the book is about? (from the author's website) Thomas L. Friedman's no. 1 bestseller The World Is Flat has helped millions of readers to see globalization in a new way. Now Friedman brings a fresh outlook to the crises of destabilizing climate change and rising competition for energy—both of which could poison our world if we do not act quickly and collectively. His argument speaks to all of us who are concerned about the state of America in the global future.

Friedman proposes that an ambitious national strategy—which he calls "Geo-Greenism"—is not only what we need to save the planet from overheating; it is what we need to make America healthier, richer, more innovative, more productive, and more secure.

As in The World Is Flat, he explains a new era—the Energy-Climate era—through an illuminating account of recent events. He shows how 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, and the flattening of the world by the Internet (which brought 3 billion new consumers onto the world stage) have combined to bring climate and energy issues to Main Street. But they have not gone very far down Main Street; the much-touted "green revolution" has hardly begun.

With all that in mind, Friedman sets out the clean-technology breakthroughs we, and the world, will need; he shows that the ET (Energy Technology) revolution will be both transformative and disruptive; and he explains why America must lead this revolution—with the first Green President and a Green New Deal, spurred by the Greenest Generation.

Why would this book make a great gift? It is written in a simple, straight forward language, and in many ways take off from where Al Gore is and pushes the matter a bit further. More than anything else, it focuses is on the inspirational side of possible solutions, and the building of a better future while overcoming the current challenges. It is a mainly focused on the US, but I think the point can be easily applied anywhere. If anything, it is the book that got many of us to say -o.k, at least now I know how to take the first few steps toward my part in helping the plant.

Getting Personal: I run a small Research group which provides information for the Global Green and Clean-tech market. It is its early stages right now, and so most of the clients approach us directly. We are happy to refer to other service providers in the various aspect of green as most of our work is in-depth market and commercial research. Around 2005, I started to combine more of the environmental side into my professional life.

I started with Green related projects (Solar-Thermal power generation, Environment protection, social responsibility and others), which later moved into a full time Green project management/ consultancy. S.E Asia was where most of my initial projects took place. Being part of Green and Healthy lifestyle initiatives; seeing them grow from ideas and bloom into life changing endeavors which helps both the society and the earth were the most rewarding process of my life.

I love Thomas Friedman - Hot Flat and Crowded as it helped many of my friends, and colleagues to understand the problem in and direct towards the different possible solutions.

* This book got many recommendations and here are just few more praises it received:
"The new Tom Friedman's book "Hot, Flat and Crowded" is an eye opener for those who are not yet sure about 'global warming'. It is factual, up-to-date and explains why the US needs to make serious and immediate changes before it's too late. A must!!!! (Rakefet Bachur, Marketing consultant)

"The subtitle says it all "Why We Need a Green Revolution - And How it Can Renew America". He is passionate about the subject, and makes persuasive economic arguments. This makes it an especially good book for someone unsure of the merits of Green Business - no point just preaching to the choir! Very topical also in that it may give insights into some of the "big picture" projects our new administration may promote." (Maura Raffensperger, Productivity Consultant at OrgRx.com)

8. "Eco Chick Guide to Life: How to Be Fabulously Green" by Starre Vartan

Recommended by: Paige Wolf, owner of Paige Wolf Media & Public Relations

What the book is about? This book offers hundreds of ideas on how to be ecologically smart and still be stylish and trend-setting. You don’t have to sacrifice to go green - you can eat well, dress well, and live well once you learn how to. Learn where to shop for vintage and recycled jewelry (mining practices for gold and silver are notoriously polluting). Wear sustainable threads - organic cotton, peace silk, bamboo - or look for funky reconstructed designs made from vintage fabrics. Find shoes made from naturally tanned and dyed leather, hemp, or made from recycled materials...that still look incredibly chic.

Make your next party fabulous with organic beverages, seasonal food from the farmer's market, and more. Pretty-up with organic, biodegradable hair products, body washes, moisturizers, and make-up - better for you and the planet’s water supplies! How to earn points while convincing your boss to go green in your office. Save cash with some Earth-loving swaps around your apartment, dorm or house.

Why would this book make a great gift? Perfect for the stylish friend who thinks going green is “crunchy” or just doesn’t know how to go green.

Getting Personal: Paige Wolf Media & Public Relations (PWMPR) is an eco-friendly lifestyle public relations firm based in Philadelphia. PWMPR has made a commitment to serving clients using the most ecologically friendly and sustainable methods available while still communicating their message to targeted demographics.

9. "The Lazy Environmentalist" by Josh Dorfman

Recommended by: Marcella Barrière, owner of FenixRizing LLC | rockin' revolutionaries

What the book is about? (from the publisher - Stewart, Tabori & Chang)
In The Lazy Environmentalist, Josh Dorfman-host of the Sirius Satellite Radio program of the same name-provides comprehensive guidance to fashion-forward consumers who are as concerned about the long-term health of our planet as they are about the design of their bathroom fixtures. Covering topics that range from clothing to electronic gadgetry, home decor to recreation, and gardening to financial investment, Dorfman lets us know which trends to watch and which eco-conscious products-cars, toothbrushes, cell phones, pet accessories-to buy. Green, it turns out, can be an extremely stylish color.

Why would this book make a great gift? for those that aren't yet wholeheartedly committed to being green, this book eases them into it instead of making them feel like they have to immediately change every aspect of their lives to help the environment.

Getting Personal: FenixRizing LLC provides eco-solutions to the entertainment and event industry. Whether you are coordinating an intimate gathering or producing a large outdoor festival or concert, we will work with you to create a tailored program that meets your specific needs. We intend to banish the stereotype that going green means a lack of style or an absence of luxury.

10. "The Better World Shopping Guide: Every Dollar Makes a Difference" by Ellis Jones

Recommended by: Carol Hink, Synergetic Consultant at Flying Bridge 360, Lara Pearson, Leader and Owner at the Law Office of Lara Pearson, Ltd.

What the book is about? (from the book's web page) The only comprehensive guide for socially and environmentally responsible consumers available, this book ranks every product on the shelf from A to F so you can quickly tell the “good guys” from the “bad guys” — turning your grocery list into a powerful tool to change the world. Representing over 15 years of distilled research, data is organized into the most common product categories including coffee, energy bars, computers, gasoline, clothing, banks, cars, water and more.

Also included is a summary of the essential information about particular product categories, profiles of the best and worst companies, practical buying tips and the most useful online resources available.

Why would this book make a great gift? (Carol) It empowers the consumer by providing a quick reference book with a rating system for different companies and their products according to their impact on the environment. They even list "corporate heros" and "corporate villians." It is a real eye opener and helps you make more informed choices in the market place.

(Lara) The Guide is a small book that easily will fit in your purse or jeans pocket whenever you go shopping.The Guide's ratings are easy-to-understand letter grades, each of which is category specific.

Getting personal: (Carol) My life took a radical shift about 3.5 years ago. I was burnt out of working in the corporate world, unhappy and disillusioned with the way people treated each other in the workplace. So, I left corporate and started my own consulting business. During this transition period, I took a trip with my husband to New Zealand. We rented a campervan and traveled the South Island for 2 weeks. It was an amazing experience and we both came back altered forever. We never felt more connected to Mother Earth then at that point.

My priorities shifted and my journey to a more natural, organic and green life began. It is important to me that I make better choices when shopping which is how I came to find and love Ellis Jones’ book. It is a fantastic pocket guide to empower you with information on the companies making products and their footprint so to speak.

As my personal life became greener, it became part of my core being and naturally steered by business focus to help entrepreneurs who are in these very same fields. That is where my heart is and it has become a calling to help those that are on this same mission. I act as a co-pilot helping these entrepreneurs figure out how to make their dream a reality so they leave a positive impact in the world.

(Lara) The Law Office of Lara Pearson is an environmentally and socially conscious law firm handling trademark and copyright issues. We’re a B Corp, Co-op America & 1% for the Planet member. Lara also is an Affiliate Member of SVN, who serves as Secretary of the Board of 1% for the Planet and on the Advisory Board of Rock the Earth. Our law firm uses the Guides as business cards by gluing our business cards in the front inside cover and handing out the guides to friends, colleagues and clients. VOTE! with your dollars. Use this Guide.

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.

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Plant a tree for every book you read!