SalemNews.com, Salem, MA
Lifestyle
Books to keep the green course
Published: February 6, 2009
Over the last six months a few people have asked me if I ever find there is a shortage of green living subjects to write about.
It's something I didn't consider when I stepped up to the challenge of developing Green Quick Fixes because, like any subject, a multitude of nuances in eco-conscious theory and practice exist and angles of discussion are virtually unlimited.
However, the question has made me think of a helpful green living column for the chilly times — when many like to hibernate at home with a good read. The titles referenced — some of which I have not yet read myself, but are highly recommended — will certainly green your reading list.
Babies, children and teens
"Green Babies, Sage Moms: The Ultimate Guide to Raising Your Organic Baby" by Lynda Fassa
"The Lorax" by Dr. Suess
"The Berenstain Bears Don't Pollute (Anymore)" by Stan & Jan Berenstain
"Generation Green: The Ultimate Teen Guide to Living an Eco-Friendly Life" by Linda Sivertsen and Tosh Sivertsen
Cleaning
"Greenup Your Cleanup" by Jill Potvin Schoff
"The Naturally Clean Home: 100 Safe and Easy Herbal Formulas for Non-Toxic Cleansers" by Karyn Siegel-Maier
"Vinegar: Over 400 Various, Versatile, and Very Good Uses You've Probably Never Thought of" by Vicki Lansky and Martha Campbell
Construction and decorating
"Building Green: A Complete How-To Guide to Alternative Building Methods" by Clarke Snell and Tim Callahan
"Green Building Resource Guide" by John Hermannsson
"Ecodesign: The Sourcebook" by Alastair Fuad-Luke
Eating and drinking
"To Buy or Not to Buy Organic: What You Need to Know to Choose the Healthiest, Safest, Most Earth-Friendly Food" by Cindy Burke
"Eat Fresh: Cooking Through the Seasons" by Annabel Langbein
"Eating New England: A Food Lover's Guide to Eating Locally" by Juliette Rogers and Barbara Radcliffe Rogers
SDLqBottlemania: How Water Went on Sale and Why We Bought It" by Elizabeth Royte
General living
"Green, Greener, Greenest" by Lori Bongiorno
"Eco-Friendly Families" by Helen Coronato
"Green Living: The E Magazine Handbook for Living Lightly on the Earth" by the editors of E
Gardening & landscaping
"The Eco-Friendly Garden: Work with Nature in Your Own Backyard" by Patricia Pennell
"Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson
Traveling
"Fodor's Green Travel: The World's Best Eco-Lodges & Earth-Friendly Hotels"
"Lonely Planet Code Green: Experiences of a Lifetime"
"The Ethical Travel Guide: Your Passport to Exciting Alternative Holidays" by Polly Pattullo
Reducing energy consumption
"The Homeowner's Handbook to Energy Efficiency: A Guide to Big and Small Improvements" by John Krigger and Chris Dorsi
"Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings" by Alex Wilson, Jennifer Thorne and John Morrill
"The Massachusetts Audubon Society's Energy Saver's Handbook for Town and City People" by Ronnie D. Lipschutz
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Andrea Fox, a Beverly resident, has been writing about environmental sustainability for eight years. She is a member of the Society of Environmental Journalists and a watershed protection advocate in Salem Sound Watershed.
