Books

Here are a few of the books I rely on or have been inspired by. If you're interested in adding any of them to your home library, I encourage you to patronize your local brick-and-mortar bookseller, if you have one. If that's not a good option for you, clicking on or mousing over the links or images below will take you to Amazon.com ordering information..

Birds

The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North AmericaThe Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America

The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North AmericaThe Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America


National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, Fifth EditionNational Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, Fifth Edition

Birds in Minnesota
Birds in Minnesota

A birder's guide to Minnesota: A guide to over 500 birding locations in Minnesota

Wild About Minnesota Birds: A Youth's Guide to the Birds of MinnesotaWild About Minnesota Birds: A Youth's Guide to the Birds of Minnesota



Food: Real, Local, Sustainable and Humane


Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life (P.S.)Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life
Barbara Kingsolver. Responsible for a lot of new "locavores."

In Defense of Food: An Eater's ManifestoIn Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto
Michael Pollan. 'Nuf said.


The New Laurel's KitchenThe New Laurel's Kitchen
Laurel Robertson's classic vegetarian cookbook is so much more than just a book of recipes -- more like a trusted friend who helps you learn your way around a kitchen and shares her favorite recipes.

Jane Brody's Good Food GourmetJane Brody's Good Food BookJane Brody's Good Food Book and Jane Brody's Good Food Gourmet
My standbys. Healthy, balanced, delicious recipes that include meat while emphasizing  whole grains, beans, fruits, and vegetables.

Real Food: What to Eat and WhyReal Food: What to Eat and Why
Research-based insights on why some of the most widely accepted nutrition "wisdom" of the past 50 years is just plain wrong. The information about industrial vs. traditional fats is particularly enlightening.

The Compassionate Carnivore: Or, How to Keep Animals Happy, Save Old MacDonald's Farm, Reduce Your Hoofprint, and Still Eat MeatThe Compassionate Carnivore: Or, How to Keep Animals Happy, Save Old MacDonald's Farm, Reduce Your Hoofprint, and Still Eat Meat


Gardening

The Wisconsin Garden Guide: The Complete Guide to Vegetables, Flowers, Herbs, Fruits and Nuts, Lawn and Landscaping, Indoor Gardening The Wisconsin Garden Guide: The Complete Guide to Vegatables, Flowers, Herbs, Fruits and Nuts, Lawn and Landscaping, Indoor Gardening
I have the earlier edition of this book by Jerry Minnich, dating from my years in Wisconsin in the '80s. It's a good, practical guide for novice or intermediate gardeners in our northern climate.

The Garden Primer: Second EditionThe Garden Primer: Second Edition
Again, I have an earlier edition. This is a great all-round how-to book with nice illustrations and diagrams.

Rodale's Color Handbook of Garden Insects (PBK)

I have found this one of the most useful books in my collection over the years.