Birds
The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America
The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America
National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, Fifth Edition
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 Minnesota
Food: Real, Local, Sustainable and Humane
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life
Barbara Kingsolver. Responsible for a lot of new "locavores."
In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto
Michael Pollan. 'Nuf said.
The 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 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 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 Meat
Gardening
The Wisconsin Garden Guide: The Complete Guide to Vegetables, 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 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.
