I was really excited when just days before my Christmas holiday I was able to get my hands on a copy of Sleeping Naked is Green: How an Eco-Cynic Unplugged Her Fridge, Sold Her Car, and Found Love in 366 Days by Vanessa Farquharson. I first heard about Vanessa through her blog Green as a Thistle (I’ve mentioned it previously), which has since gone off the air but you can still read the archives online.

What a great read! Especially during a time of year that is often filled with consumption. I took it with me to my parent’s house for the holidays, and boy did it peak the interest of many of the people who saw it. A great way to start earth-minded discussions without being preachy or forcing the topic on someone that isn’t interested, I might have to start carting more eco-books around with me.

Last week when I saw that I was nearing the end of the book I felt a little sad, like a friend was moving away, because I knew that very soon I would no longer be reading about Vanessa’s quest. I am quite fond of her writing style, especially on such a hot topic – she’s a real person who’s struggling with keeping our planet healthy but also living a full life that includes travel and the occasional piece of beef. She’s not afraid to admit her faults to the masses and laugh at herself along the way.

This book isn’t for hardcore earth protectors but more for the average person looking to reassess their living habits. If you’re looking for some simple tips about how to live greener by using recycled toilet paper and plugging your home electronics into power bars, then this book might be for you.

{image: wiley}

No Impact Man by Colin Beavan was my muse last week at the cottage.  This is another book that I just couldn’t put down!  It is a guided tour of the year that the author and his family set out to reduce their impact on the planet:

• eradicating garbage
• all but eliminating any non-self-propelled means of transportation
• making wiser food choices
• greening their home

An engaging account of their trials, tribulations, and experiences described in a very human, easy to relate to way. It was so nice to read a book that is this radical but written by every day people who have just decided to take matters into their own hands. It was inspiring to hear of their struggles and the way they balanced the no impact project with what was practical.

I did find myself wanting more in the way of day-to-day tips, but this just isn’t that kind of book. Never fear though, there’s a great appendix in the back that lists all kinds of resources depending on which aspect of the project you’re interested in.

So what am I going to do now?  For starters I plan to:

• unplug the television
• search for bulk food stores in our area that will let us bring our own reusable containers
• try to reduce car use – this one I’m still working out the details on, a lot of my photo shoots lately have required driving out of the city
• eat more locally

What are your favourite books full of ideas to help save the planet? What are some simple things you do?

{image: Amazon.ca}

PS. A while ago I blogged about the documentary film that compliments the project, No Impact Man, the movie.

I just picked up the book Go Green, Live Rich by David Bach with Hillary Rosner.  You must get yourself a copy!  Like David Bach’s other books it’s a very informative easy read and with chapters like “Drive Smart, Finish Rich”, and “Shop Green, Spend Less” it’s likely you’ll find some tips that will both cause you to live a greener lifestyle and save some money along the way.  I’m off to calculate my carbon footprint now!

For more information about this book head over to David Bach’s website.