Green Living Books for 2012

Simple Organic has put together a list of their 12 recommended Green Living books for 2012 from green living, green family and children, health and beauty, and gardening and homemaking. Make 2012 the best year yet and decide to live a greener and more sustainable life.

Do you have a 2012 green tip? Tell us on our Facebook page and help us put together the 2012 Live GreenDeals List.

General Green Living Books

• Sara Snow’s Fresh Living: The Essential Room-by-Room Guide to a Greener, Healthier Family and Home by Sara Snow – I got this from the library this past year and read it cover to cover. Some of it is pretty basic green living information, but I definitely learned a lot of new things from it as well, so much so, that this is one I would definitely consider buying to add to my personal collection as a great book to reference on all things green living.

• Green Like God: Unlocking the Divine Plan for Our Planet by Jonathon Merritt – I picked this one up used from Better World Books because it came so highly recommended from Megan at Sorta Crunchy.  I am just a few chapters in, but it is definitely good stuff for those of us who are Christians and also care about God’s creation.

• Go Green, Save Green:A Simple Guide to Saving Time, Money, and God’s Green Earth by Nancy Sleeth – This book is a thorough resource for those that are interested in green and frugal living. She covers just about every topic you could think of, along with great research and statistics. This is a book I reach for off my shelf often to use as a resource.

Homemaking and Gardening Books

• Clean House Clean Planet by Karen Logan – I’ve heard good things about this book and have been meaning to read it for a while, so it’s on my list of books to read this year.

• The Backyard Homestead: Produce all the food you need on just a quarter acre! by Carleen Madigan – I think I’ve checked this book out from the library at least three times, and kept it past it’s due date each time.  I’m sure with the library fines I have accrued I could have just bought a copy for myself, which I’m planning to do next year! This book is just such a great resource for gardening all different types of fruits and vegetables, especially in small spaces, like we do in our front yard raised beds. I also love reading about raising animals and many other things the book includes, that I dream of doing one day.

• Make Your Place: Affordable & Sustainable Nesting Skills by Raleigh Briggs – This is another book that I’ve heard great things about and have had my eye on for a while. The tagline sounds like exactly something I would love to read!

Family and Children Books

• Raising Baby Green:The Earth-Friendly Guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Baby Care by Dr. Alan Greene – I think this is one of those classic green family living books, and I’ve never read it.  I’m especially interested in reading it this year with being pregnant and looking forward to another baby to care for in a eco-conscious way.

• Healthy Child, Healthy World: Creating a Cleaner, Greener, Safer Home by Christopher Gavigan – I picked this book up on a bargain book table and am really glad I did.  Of course, the Healthy Child website is an amazing resource for reducing our children’s exposure to toxins and chemicals in their environment, and this book is a great resource for walking through different areas of life and gives specific and practical ways for families to green their homes and their life.

• Smart Mama’s Green Guide: Simple Steps to Reduce Your Child’s Toxic Chemical Exposure by Jennifer Taggart – I think I’m finally at a place on my green living journey where I am ready to read this book. Jennifer blogs at The Smart Mama, and although I think her work and writing is really important, I was a little overwhelmed and intimidated by it at first. But now that so many of the changes I’ve made are like second nature to me, I feel like I’m ready to take it to the next level of reducing toxins and chemicals in our home, and I’m hoping this book will help me with that.  I’m looking forward to reading it this year.

Health & Beauty Books

• Do It Gorgeously: How to Make Less Toxic, Less Expensive, and More Beautiful Products by Sophie Uliano – I follow Sophie on twitter and have interacted with her as a part of the #healthychild twitter parties and she always has great tips and advice. I’m really looking forward to reading this book and diving into making more of my own beauty products at home.

• Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health: 175 Teas, Tonics, Oils, Salves, Tinctures, and Other Natural Remedies for the Entire Family by Rosemary Gladstar – I picked out this book from a list of recommended books by Stacy at A Delightful Home.  I’m brand new to making natural remedies at home, and I think that this book would be an awesome resource to have on hand.

• Green Beauty Recipes: Easy Homemade Recipes to Make Your Own Organic and Natural Skincare, Hair Care and Body Care Products by Julie Gabriel – I’ve heard good things about this book, and am hoping to find it at the library so I can check it out for myself.  I’m really interested in learning more about and expanding my repertoire of  homemade personal care products this year.