By Dave Peiser

 

When I was younger and learned about Aladdin, the lamp and the Genie, I thought deeply about what I would wish for if I had those three wishes. I came to the conclusion that my first wish would be for a million more wishes. In a similar way, for this month, I advocate for reading books as the green tip of the month. This limitless source of tips, methods, and ways to live a life of greenliness, is like the fulfillment of one of the wishes from Aladdin's lamp.

 

If you're just tipping your toe into the sea of green living, there are a number of easy, quick reads that can quickly help you on your way. One book I like is Go Green, Live Rich: 50 Simple Ways to Save the Earth and Get Rich Trying by David Bach. There's not more than one tip per page, with colorful pictures and he just has a way of making you feel like it will be easy to follow many of the suggestions. A great book with lists of things you can do is It's Easy Being Green: A Handbook for Earth-Friendly Living by Crissy Trask.

 

If you like a more literary style, try Living Green: A Practical Guide to Simple Sustainability, by Greg Horn. 

 

Into Pink? Into Style? Read Gorgeously Green: 8 Simple Steps to an Earth-Friendly Life, by Sophie Uliano and Green Chic: Saving the Earth in Style, by Christie Matheson.

 

And for a global perspective on how great an opportunity new Energy Technology "E.T." will be, read a favorite of mine, Thomas Friedman's Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution--and How It Can Renew America.

 

Dare I say these would be great, useful, help-the-earth holiday gifts?

 

Update 11-30-08

 

This week I've been reading The World Without Us by Alan Weisman, an imaginitive concept of what would happen to the earth if mankind all-of-a-sudden vanished. Would the world be better or worse, and how quickly would things change? What changes could we make today to reduce the likelihood of this occurring? A great read.

 

And for the holidays - here's a great find: When Santa Turned Green.  It's November up in the North Pole, and everything's going along smoothly at Santa's workshop until he discovers a leak in his roof. Santa soon learns that this little leak is connected to a far bigger problem: The North Pole is melting because of global warming! Faced with the reality of what this could mean for Christmas - not to mention the planet and the future - Santa is determined to turn things around. Written by Victoria Perla with illustrations by Mirna Kantarevic. Hardcover. 38 pages. Printed on 100% recycled paper with soy ink.