wherever you live this book can help
930377
A rich compendium of sustainable building practices, don't think that if you live in Chicago this book can't be a great reference. Did you ever hear of thermal labyrinths? Read about them here. This is a reference book; it's packed with information and supporting charts, graphs and numbers. You won't be snuggling up in an easy chair to absorb its facts, but a sitdown with it for an hour will give you an idea of what is available for future use. (translation from the German, so the language is a shade exotic)
3843986
This book is not only a good book about how schools and teachers should be but it is also helpful to those who home educate. I found it also helped me to heal some of the issues that came up during the years of my own schooling.
On the one hand this book is filled with such common sense advice that you would think that it does not need saying  yet unfortunately as with so many things that are common sense it does need saying.
Many of the principles here apply to many aspects of everyday life both as an adult and as a child.
It is hard to see these ideas being put to use in any large-scale way  and that is a shame.
2086104
Reading an "encyclopedia" may sound stange, but this book is more a comprehensive compendium of shared information and experiences written more like short stories, that can apply to the most primitive to modern day living.  From the most rural or to an urban setting.  You will find good common sense guidelines to determining what is right for you and how to achieve your dream. The information in this book can help you to live in harmony with the environment and be the most self sufficient, wherever you are. This is not just categorized facts, but personal stories and great reading! It also lists references to books and internet resources for researching. I love it and can hardly put it down.  I pick it up and read any time I get a few minutes.  I highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in getting back to basics!
3445681
An amazing book if you are looking for inspiration on how to live in community.
4161512
There are 52 tips in this self-help health manual for making small but significant changes in your way of life, one change per week for the next year. There is not a whole lot of extreme suggestions; most of them we already know as good for health and well being. But there is something about having these food, exercise, green living, mental well being and attitude changes laid out for you in chapters, with details, some scientific information,  and a lot of encouragement.

I'll keep this book for certain tips, especially on which safe products are good for cleaning,  and checking on food values and any foods that are risks for contaminants. I also like the stretching exercise tips.

A complimentary copy of this book was sent to me by Amazon Encore.
2435691
In a culture of "busy-ness" and isolation, Sally Clarkson's Life Giving Table calls us to a place where we can stop and connect. Her stories and style of writing are encouraging and will leave you with practical tools to build your very own life-giving table in your home. This book will not only feed your soul through her life stories, but is also full of lovely, practical comforting,  recipes and ideas you can easily implement. If you are looking for encouragement in your journey, and tools  to build your family and bring them closer together, The Life Giving Table is a wonderful gift for the journey.  Our culture needs this book, life and healing begins at the table.  Thankful for Sally's words and call to all of us to create beauty and life in all that we do.
1451188
One of my friends lent me this book during a difficult time in my life. The encouragement it offers and the actions you can take really helped me deal with some unfortunate events in my life. If you have something big in your life that's keeping you down, then get this book. It will help.
1016089
An easy uncomplicated book to utilize in your daily life. Everyone who reads it is allowing them to begin to live a happier life and others around you will also benefit.
2397422
"Expat woman: Confessions" is a book serving multiple purposes. It should definitely  be on the "What I really need to bring along" checklist of every expat, women and men.
In a clear cut structure the authors deal with 50 "what to do" questions from expat women living abroad or considering a life abroad.
The book may serve as a book of reference for the expat who is encountering  serious  problems: What to do when you get seriously ill abroad, your spouse suddenly dies, you lose your job or your child is rebellious about living abroad? The authors offer a broad range of practical and realistic solutions to all kinds of tricky situations.
The book can also be a source of comfort in tough times. The authors are really doing well in starting each of their replies with a sympathizing remark. They acknowledge the seriousness of the problem, at least for the person who brings up the issue, and they give all kinds of credits to the thinking and acting the questioner already did on that issue. The question putter will realize that she is not the only one in the whole world who is encountering this problem. That in itself may be a big solace!
What I value most in this book, however, is that it is serves as an antidote to the unwritten expat rule of life that  "living abroad is always joyful and whoever thinks otherwise will not be given any attention".
Thank you, Andrea Martins and Victoria Hepworth for giving the expat world this precious book!
436417
This book is the "Heloise" of boating and more.  It contains lots of helps that can be used in everyday life.  For example:  Pg 10 - "If your problem is a broken fan belt and no spare, try panty hose.".  I wish I'd had that tip when I broke down in the Arizona desert and had to hitch hike to get a fan belt replacement.
999243
Such an amazing book that can help you improve in so many aspects of your life.  So grateful for this book
211453
This book comes at a time when 80 million Boomers are entering traditional retirement age. This generation questioned the status quo as they became adults in the 60s and 70s, so it comes as no surprise that they are searching to redefine how they want to live in their elder years. With many families spread across the country and friends living across town, it makes sense to find a close-knit community of neighbors or housemates to be with for mutual support and companionship. But how does one find that? Marianne Kilkennys book is made to order. She brings up essential questions to guide the reader through an inquiry into what they really want in terms of home and community, and how they can achieve their dreams. If these are your questions, this thoroughly practical book will help you redefine, reimagine and find a deeply supportive home for this stage of your life.
My only criticism of the book is that, except for a minor list, the author does not provide descriptions and stories of the many housing and community options that happening across the country and beyond.
1027607
I must preface this review by mentioning that my interest in looking into living in various places across the U.S. is independent from the fact that both my husband and I have mutually agreed on following our shared intent to settle/reside  in the Washington D.C. area together by the time we are both in our 60s (a long distance marriage would only be a last resort for economic reasons).  However, I have been looking at various books of places across the U.S. because it has recently occurred to me (just yesterday) that my husband and I both have equal opportunity in keeping our career/professional options open in terms of moving for work  and then moving back to the D.C. area years from now after certain financial, educational, and /or professional/career goals are accomplished(if necessary for a myriad of reasons). However, I wish to avoid saying anything further out of respect and consideration for my husband, my mother-in-law, my concerned family members, my friends, allowing ample time to let my employer know etc. This Newcomers Handbook for Moving To and Living In Los Angeles by Heidi Deal, Joan Wai, and Holly Tri (6th edition including Santa Monica, Orange County, Pasadena, and the San Fernando Valley). The feature on neighborhoods such as Orange Countys Yorba Linda, Fullerton (pages 122-123), additional relocation and moving information (pages 151-152), radio stations while getting settled as well as newspapers/magazines (pages166-167), and  cultural life (pages 236-237) feature in this guide. There are also written inclusions of luxury living, middle range lodgings, and inexpensive lodgings on pages 328-332. Last, but not least, there is a section on useful phone numbers and websites (pages 359-373 as well as much more information in this book).
3883230
I've lived in New Hampshire/Mass./Maine my whole life, but when you live somewhere you forget about all the "to do" ideas and locations within an easy drive. You take them for granted, and never even notice.

So this book would be as ideal for a long-time resident of a region, as much as a tourist who is planning a trip. I was surprised by a lot of the 'touristy' things I've let pass me by - but thanks to this book, the effort of locating and coordinating short trips would be pretty easy. I already know the area's "infrastructure," like roads and directions, so this book provides the specific details.

Obviously, it's also great for tourists planning a first-time trip. You do sort of need your own ideas so you'll know what to look for. It's organized by region, not activity, but that's probably the best way.

One potential problem (with any book like this) might be keeping it current. Portsmouth, NH has a lot of restaurant turnover, for example, and it's likely that venues listed in the book will have changed names or closed in a year or so. But, restaurants are just a small part of the book anyhow.

Plus, it limits the content to just a few restaurants, when most of these communities have many more than that. Focus on a handful is fine - but an index of another dozen or more would be a good addition. And, they ALL wouldn't change names or whatever, so it would just add to the comprehensiveness (but the book can only be so long, so it's always a tradeoff).

Definitely a useful resource that we hope to use for some new travel/activity ideas right in our backyard.
4243664
I really love this book. It's handy. You can bring it anywhere. I really recommend this book. You will learned a lot from this book.
747249
I have owned this book for about 3 years now and it by far the most helpful home book I have ever owned. I think this is a book for people that are very aware of their five senses and want a home that is intimate, simple, nurturing and pleasurable. Crawford cover the five senses, examining how to enhance your home experience with fabrics, textures, smells, sights, sounds, tastes and sights. She focuses on using natural materials rather than chemical ones. Cotton, silk, cashmere, natural stone, aromatherapy, flowers, etc. are all discussed. There is a great directory towards the end on what businesses she recommends finding the best, natural materals discussed in the book. I also love that the cover of the book itself is textured. I always ome back to this book for guidance on what I really need in my home to make it a warm, intimate, senual, pared down and happy place.
3169038
This book has some great suggestions for those who would like to make a difference and leave this world a better place than they found it.