This week's 10 recommended green ebooks: A Taste for Green Tangerines and 9 other great green ebooks!

We're back again with our weekly ten recommendations on green ebooks!

Just a reminder - Each week we present you here with list of 10 recommended e-books on a variety of green issues - from climate change and conservation to sustainable living and green marketing. Most of these green ebooks are new and were either released in the last month or two or about to be released (but already available as ebooks).

The links of these ebooks are to Amazon.com and I apologize in advance to all the Nook, iPad, Kobo and Sony Reader owners. I hope you can easily find an ebook you'll like on other ebookstores. This is also the place to disclose that we're taking part in Amazon's affiliate program and therefore will receive a small percentage of every purchase made using these links. We hope you don't mind! You can find all the lists published so far on our recommended green ebooks webpage.

Without further ado, here's this week's list of 10 recommended green e-books:

1. A Taste for Green Tangerines by Barbara Bisco - Black Lotus Publishing Ltd. (April 25, 2011)

2. Tree Talk by Ana Salote - Speaking Tree (April 14, 2011)

3. Confessions of a Greenpeace Dropout: The Making of a Sensible Environmentalist by Patrick Moore - Beatty Street Publishing Inc. (April 17, 2011)

4. eco+waza by Reina Otsuka - Ecotwaza Co., Ltd. (April 3, 2011)

5. China's Green Revolution: Energy, Environment and the 12th Five-Year Plan by Tan Copsey (Author), Olivia Boyd (Author), Hu Angang (Author), Liu Jianqiang (Author), Yang Fuqiang (Author), Feng Jie (Author), Shin Wei Ng (Author), Linden Ellis (Author), Sam Geall (Author), Isabel Hilton (Editor) - chinadialogue (April 14, 2011)

6. Redesign by 2048: Sustainable Ways to Save Energy, Water, and Money for Existing Homes. by César Arizmendi - Amazon Digital Services (April 26, 2011)

7. Sustainable Highways, Pavements and Materials by Kasthurirangan Gopalakrishnan - Transdependenz LLC; First Edition edition (April 25, 2011)

8. Green Bugs by David Nivala - David Nivala (April 13, 2011)

9. Hot Air: Meeting Canada's Climate Change Challenge by Jeffrey Simpson - Emblem Editions; Reprint edition (April 13, 2011)

10. Confronting Climate Change by Constance Lever-Tracy - T & F Books UK (April 6, 2011)

See you next week!

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Promoting sustainable reading!

SHI & Eco-Libris: Launching Culantro Rojo Organics

I'm happy to update you on a new article of Eylon Israely of Eco-Libris that was published on the spring newsletter of our planting partner, SHI.

Eylon wrote a great article that is focused on Culantro Rojo Organics, Panama’s first organic C.S.A. supplied chiefly by SHI’s farmers, which he established after relocating to Panama in 2008. I see Culantro Rojo Organics not only as an innovative social venture, but also a green initiative that has developed from Eco-Libris and the relationship we established over the years with SHI. I hope we'll see more of such green initiatives incubated in Eco-Libris in the upcoming years!

You can read the article at http://sustainableharvest.org/news-articles/articles/newsletter-articles/partnerships-in-action (The second one from the top).

To learn more on Culantro Rojo visit http://www.culantrorojo.com/

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris
Eco-Libris: Promoting sustainable reading!

Would you pay $5-$10 for author events at bookstores?

GalleyCat reported yesterday that starting in May, Boulder Book Store will begin charging fees for author events and attendees can expect to pay $5 to $10 for admission. At the same time, each ticket will be accompanied by a $5 coupon towards the cost of the book or any purchase the day of the event.

Why? "Owner David Bolduc emailed customers to explain: “Publishers place certain expectations on us when we host events, and so in order to continually attract authors, we must fulfill these expectations. Oftentimes, in return for sending an author to a bookstore, publishers expect us to attract a certain number of people and sell a certain number of books.”"

I tried to understand the logic behind this decision and frankly I don't get it. I can see why a coupon provided to customers attending these events can generate more sales, but I wonder how charging people $5-$10 for an event they were used to attend for no charge would get more people to these events.

My feeling is that if the event is hosting a popular author people would be more willing to pay a fee for the event, but in most cases they won't and the result would be that these events will have less attendance and will generate less sales.

Author events are one of the great added values bookstores provide to their customers. At the same time it makes sense that bookstores would like to make the most out of these events and use them to increase both traffic and sales in the store. Unfortunately I don't think charging for these events is the most effective way to reach these goals.

Wouldn't it make more sense to give a $5 coupon to people who attend these authors events, which can be used within one week only at the store?

What do you think? Would you pay $5-$10 for author events? Please feel free to comment and share your thoughts with us.

You can find more resources on the future of bookstores on our website at www.ecolibris.net/bookstores_future.asp

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Promoting sustainable reading!

What Love Is...A-Z by Elle Febbo is joining the "100 Trees Project" of Infinity Publishing and Eco-Libris

Last June we announced our new collaboration with Infinity Publishing, a leading self-publishing company. Infinity launched with Eco-Libris the "100 Trees Project,"a new program to promote environmental sustainability among its authors.

Through the program, authors that publish with Infinity are able to plant 100 trees for the title they publish. These authors also have the option to add a special "100 trees planted for this book" logo to their book's design, as a way to showcase their commitment to environmental sustainability.

Today we're happy to update you on a new book joining the program - What Love Is...A-Z by Elle Febbo, A colorful and inspiring journey for children through the ABC’s of LOVE. Inspirational and thought provoking, these simple, yet powerful affirmations serve as a reminder that Love is the answer, and that the language of Love is Universal.100 trees will be planted for this full color book with Eco-Libris!

What's this book about? Here's a description of What Love Is...A-Z:

A colorful and inspiring journey for children through the ABC’s of LOVE. Inspirational and thought provoking, these simple, yet powerful affirmations serve as a reminder that Love is the answer, and that the language of Love is Universal. To plant the seed of Love in the hearts of our children, to Love and be Loved, to create kind environments, and empower our youth; this will change the world as we know it today, and set a brighter future for all of our tomorrows.

About the author: Elle Febbo is an Author, International Journalist, Inspirational Speaker, and Social Advocate. Elle has been a leader in Business and Social Charities since 2003, with appearances on radio and television.

Elle survived abuse as a child, and spent years in foster care. She now strives to shed light on the power of Love, Compassion, and Uniting for Purpose, advocating a commitment to the betterment of All, starting with our youth. She passionately inspires the masses to live and work from the heart for a more rewarding, and spiritually accomplished life experience. Elle lives in Los Angeles with her family.

What Love Is...A-Z is available for sale on Infinity's website.

Other books on the "100 Trees Project":
The Last Original Idea: A Cynic's View to Internet Marketing by Alan K'necht and Geri Rockstein

Buffalo on the Ridge by Deanna Meyer

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Promoting sustainable reading!

Global Sky's tree planting initiative celebrates the planting of more than 2,000 trees!

In August 2009 we announced here on a new collaboration with Global Sky, a leading call center provider that pledged to plant one tree with Eco-Libris for every call center seat filled as part of their ongoing efforts to unify and share resources around the world.

Their initial goal was to plant 1,000 trees but they quickly surpassed it and this Earth Day Global Sky celebrated the planting of more than 2,000 trees on their behalf so far!

This is not their only step to support the environment - Global Sky offers a 10 percent discount to companies participating in environmentally focused efforts. Global Sky's clients include Fortune 500 companies as well as progressive entrepreneurs and global executives and we hope many of them will follow suit and take more action to go green.

We salute Global Sky for their efforts and ongoing commitment to the environment! To learn more about Global Sky visit http://www.global-sky.com/

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: promoting green reading!

Happy Earth Day - Reason no. 41 on our 41 Reasons to Plant a Tree for Your Book Campaign

Today is Earth Day, which means it's the last day of our Earth Day campaign - 41 Reasons to Plant a Tree for Your Book, where we shared with you for 41 days 41 reasons provided by reader, authors and publishers in celebration of the upcoming 41st anniversary of Earth Day!

With more than 190,000 trees planted so far on behalf of readers, authors and publishers working with Eco-Libris, it's no surprise that we think planting trees to green up books is a great idea.. But we also want to hear what readers as well as authors and publishers we work with think about it and why they believe planting trees for their books is a good idea.

We got great replies and you can find them all on our Earth Day 2011 page. Today we would like to share with you the last reply, no. 41:

Reason no. 41:
It just makes me happy to know that new trees are planted on behalf of my books. - Kelley

Thank you Kelley for sharing with us your thoughts on planting trees for your books! Thank you also to all the other readers, authors and publishers who sent us their replies. You're inspiration to all of us.

We also want to thank our partners who contributed wonderful prizes, including Strand Bookstore and Simon & Schuster Audio and many more authors and publishers whom we collaborate with. Last but not least, thank you to Susan Newman who designed the campaign's logo. Thank you all!

We had a lot of fun in the last 40 days. We hope that you enjoyed the campaign as well and found it interesting, valuable and hopefully inspiring!

Happy Earth Day!
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Promoting sustainable reading!

Green Book of the Week - Two children's books of Eifrig Publishing for Earth Day

In celebration of Earth Day we're reviewing today not one, but two new books released by Eifrig Publishing, a green publisher of Pennsylvania focusing on self-esteem and eco books for kids and also a new partner of Eco-Libris. These children's books that are a great fit for Earth Day, but also a great read for the rest of the year.


Abby's Adventures - Earth Day...and the Recycling Fashionista

Authors: Suzanne Ridolfi and Dawn Griffin

What this book is about:
It is time for the Earth Day celebration, and it seems like all of Abby's great ideas keep turning into chaos. Join Abby as she learns about the real process of turning plastic bottles into clothing and stuns the class with her Earth Day project, while also learning an important lesson of persevering, even when being mocked for her efforts.

This book is a wonderful teaching tool for schools working on recycling/environmental units, with a truly tangible tale of what every child can do to improve the planet.

This beautiful book is printed on FSC-certified coated 60% recycled PCW paper, which means it is saving trees and will last for generations!

What we think about it:
This is a great story, not just for Earth Day, but for all other days. At the beginning of the story, Ryan, one of the kids in the class as k the teacher "What can we do We're just kids" and she replies "We can all help, no matter how old or young we are." This is one of the main themes of the book, which educates kids that everyone, including kids, can go green and adopt greener habits - it's just a matter of awareness and will.

The story line is very interesting and together with the beautiful illustrations it creates a book that is both educational and fun. My 3-year old daughter enjoyed listening to it and kept asking me questions about the story and the ideas the kids had for Earth Day. I'm not sure how much she understood as she's still young but I won't be surprised if next year on Earth Day, she'll also try to make herself a dress from recycled bottles, as I definitely see her growing to be a recycling fashionista, just like Abby!

Well Earth Well Me!

Author: Kenda Swartz Pepper

What it is about:
has been created to empower small people to take little steps to make big changes. What are some of the choices you can make to help create a well earth and a well you? There are many options, ideas, and solutions! Well Earth Well Me!includes 15 tips for kids to maintain a healthy self and a healthy earth. But don’t just stop there, the best solutions are created from within your heart!

This beautiful book is also printed on FSC-certified coated 60% recycled PCW paper, which means it is saving trees and will last for generations!

What we think about it:
Just like "Abby's Adventures - Earth Day...and the Recycling Fashionista", this book is about increasing kids' awareness to environmental issues and showing them how they can do something about them. It's also not just educational tool, but also a fun book, which I believe to be a necessity when it comes to empower kids to do the right things.

The book is also providing a lesson that is also important to parents - the wellness of the planet equals in most of the time our own wellness. Whether it's about eating fruits, keeping trees alive, reducing electricity usage or even keeping our environment clean - in all cases it's a win-win no matter how you look at it.

This book provides a great way to parents and kids to explore together ways to go green and how to benefit both Mother Earth while improving their own well-being.

To learn more about these books and other great children's books of Eifrig Publishing, visit http://www.eifrigpublishing.com/. If you are interested in getting them for their schools, NPOs, or other organizations, please contact the publisher for discounted pricing.

Happy Earth Day!
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Promoting sustainable reading