My 2012 Reading List

I love reading more than just about anything. OK, I love Epoisses cheese more. But reading runs a close second.

Recently I posted a list of my favorite books of 2011. Instead of waiting until the end of the year to tell you what I already read, why not also post the list of books I plan to read this year?

I love using the Amazon wishlist to keep track of what I want to read. Plus, it occasionally compels people to buy me gifts.

Here’s what’s on my reading list this year. Feel free to copy and steal what you like. We can compare notes in December!

Oh, and yes, I know this is a very long list. I’m ambitious about my reading this year. But I’m trying to work less this year and reading is one of the most relaxing and enjoyable things I can think of.

Plus, this is just one book a week. Well, I’m running a little behind but I can catch up. Especially if I turn off the TV at night (which I prefer to do).
And think of how much smarter I’ll be 10 months from now.

Books About Hormones

1. Hypothyroidism Type 2: The Epidemic by Dr. Mark Starr

I am in the middle of reading this book right now and it is completely fascinating. In fact, it is this book that convinced me that I am hypothyroid. (I just started taking dessicated thyroid and iodine again. I was unsure about being hypothyroid before but now I am convinced.)

A huge number of people are hypothyroid and this book shows you how to tell if you are.

For example, here are some photos from the book showing what myxedema is, and how you can tell if you have it. Myxedmea is a common symptom of hypothyroidism (although not everyone who is hypothyroid has it).

Once you read this book, you’ll be looking at everyone you know and pinching their upper arms.

I’ll be posting a book review soon. But don’t wait — pick up a copy. You won’t regret it.

2. Hypothyroidism: The Unsuspected Illness by Broda Otto Barnes

After I finish reading Hypothyroidism Type 2: The Epidemic, I’m going to start plowing through all of the books by Dr. Broda Barnes. Broda Barnes was the one who influenced Mark Starr (as well as Matt Stone of 180 Degree Health).

Dr. Broda Barnes teaches that most thyroid tests are inaccurate, and that we can find out if we are hypothyroid simply by taking our temperature in the morning when we wake up. It is so sad to me that doctors have gotten away with this. Most doctors these days don’t even see a problem with a body temperature below 98.6. When I was growing up, I remember this was considered normal and anything below 98.6 was seen as problematic.

In the past few months, I’ve gotten my temps up from the low 97s during the day up to averaging around 98.2-98.3. I did it by eating more and eating more carbs in particular, but I just started on dessicated thyroid and iodine, and I plan to add dessicated adrenal, so we’ll see how I improve in the coming months. (More on this in an upcoming post.)

3. Hope for Hypoglycemia: It’s Not Your Mind, It’s Your Liver by Broda O., M.D., Ph.D. Barnes

In this book, Dr. Broda Barnes explains how hypothyroidism causes your liver to slow down which causes hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia can cause all kinds of problems, from adrenal fatigue to alcoholism.

 
 
 

4. Solved the Riddle of Heart Attacks by Broda O. Barnes

In this book, Dr. Broda Barnes explains how hypothyroidism causes heart disease. I know a little about this theory, because Mark Starr writes about it in Hypothyroidism Type 2: The Epidemic, and it makes a whole lot of sense.

 
 
 

5. The Miracle of Natural Hormones by David Brownstein

If you haven’t read any books by Dr. David Brownstein, you are in for a treat. In this book, he explains how the use of natural hormones and other natural treatments can reverse many chronic conditions including heart disease, PMS, menopause, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, migraine headaches, hypothyroidism and many more conditions.

 
 

Books About Nutrition

6. Vitamin K2 and the Calcium Paradox: How a Little-Known Vitamin Could Save Your Life by Kate Rheaume-Bleue

Lots of folks know about the importance of vitamin D, but few of use realize that vitamin K2 is equally important. With the introduction of skim milk, margarine and the move away from liver and other organ meats, this critical nutrient has practically vanished from our modern diet.

 
 

7. Bacteria for Breakfast: Probiotics for Good Health by PhD, RPh Kelly Dowhower

So many people are suffering since the advent of antibiotics, the birth control pill, and chlorinated water. The epidemics we are seeing in food allergies and auto-immune disesase are not really surprising when you consider what we’ve done to our gut flora.

 
 

8. Traditional Foods Are Your Best Medicine: Improving Health and Longevity with Native Nutrition by Ronald F. Schmid

This is one of those books I’ve been meaning to read for years but simply never got around to it. I love Dr. Ron and very much enjoyed his other book, The Untold Story of Milk: Green Pastures, Contented Cows and Raw Dairy Products.

 
 

Books About Food History

9. Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies by Jared Diamond

I’ve been looking forward to reading this book forever. I’m especially interested in it now, since so many people are eating paleo. I’m curious to learn about the history of agriculture: grain production and domesticated animals.

If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you can read this book for free!

 

10. A Thousand Years Over a Hot Stove: A History of American Women Told through Food, Recipes, and Remembrances by Laura Schenone

I’ve had this book on my wish list for years. I’ve always believed that there’s too much HIStory and not enough HERstory. I want to hear the stories of our female ancestors — what they ate and how they cooked.

 
 
 

11. Eat My Words: Reading Women’s Lives Through the Cookbooks They Wrote by Janet Theophano

Another book about women, food and history.

 
 
 
 
 

12. The Little House Cookbook: Frontier Foods from Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Classic Stories by Barbara M. Walker

I loved Little House when I was a kid. I think it’s partly responsible for developing my love of food. I am looking forward to reading this book.

 
 
 

13. The Big Oyster: History on the Half Shell by Mark Kurlansky

Mark Kurlansky is one of my favorite authors on the planet. I have never had time to finish one of his books because I’ve always been so busy. But this is my year devoted to reading and I intend to finish three of his books, starting with The Big Oyster.

I love oysters and I was shocked to find out that they’ve almost been completely wiped out. Oysters were abundant one hundred years ago and people ate them like peanuts. Oysters are critical to the health of our oceans, as they filter and clean the water. I’m looking forward to delving into this history of oysters.

 

14. Cod: A Biography of the Fish that Changed the World by Mark Kurlansky

From oysters to cod. I’m especially interested in cod because I am such a fan of cod liver oil. But any book by Kurlansky is going to be good.

 
 
 

15. Salt: A World History by by Mark Kurlansky

Another book by Kurlansky — this one’s about the history of salt.

 
 
 
 
 

Books About Natural Swimming Pools

16. Salt Water Pool 101 by John. R. Clark

Speaking of salt, I’m very interested in salt water pools. We are planning to buy a house this spring and that house will include a pool out back (we live in Vegas, after all). The more I’ve learned about how bad chlorine is for you (particularly for your gut flora), I do not want a chlorinated pool.

Most homes have pools with chlorine, so I’ll have to learn how to make the switchover. Salt water pools aren’t perfect — they still have chlorine. But from what I understand, it’s a lot less than regular chlorinated pools.

17. Natural Swimming Pools: Inspiration For Harmony With Nature by Michael Littlewood

This book looks really cool. It goes beyond salt water and moves into the realm of totally natural swimming pools. I can’t wait to read this one.

 
 
 

Books About Solar Power

18. Convert Your Home to Solar Energy by Joseph R. Provey

Having moved to Las Vegas, I am really interested in utilizing solar power to cut down on our electricity bills. Obviously I’m not going to do the conversion myself (too busy!) but I want to learn enough so that I can make educated decisions.

Alternative energy is one of those things that most of us want to do but we just don’t have the time to research it. I’m making the time this year.

 

19. How to Solar Power Your Home Everything You Need to Know Explained Simply (Back-To-Basics Conserving) by Martha Maeda

Aother book on solar power.

When I want to learn something, I think it’s often better to order a few different books. This way I can glean a lot more info than if I just picked up one book.

In these situations, what I do is put the books I want on my Amazon wishlist, and then I’ll check with my local library to see if they have them.

 

Books About Baking Bread

20. Peter Reinhart’s Whole Grain Breads: New Techniques, Extraordinary Flavor by Peter Reinhart

I’ve become obsessed with bread lately. Not only has eating more grains helped raise my body temperature (scroll up to see the Hormones books above), but I just love baking sourdough bread. It’s so easy and so much fun.

And cheap! I can make a loaf of gorgeous, artisanal sourdough whole grain bread for about $1. And it does impress the dinner guests.

 
 
 

21. Local Breads: Sourdough and Whole-Grain Recipes from Europe’s Best Artisan Bakers by Daniel Leader

Another book I want to add to my collection. This won’t be a book that I get from the library. I need to own this one.

 

22. Wild Sourdough: The Natural Way to Bake by Yoke Mardewi

I bought this book last year and it got stuck in a storage facility in the process of our move. I can’t wait until we move to our new house so I can get this out and read it!

 
 
 

Books About Preserving Food

23. Homemade Living: Canning & Preserv​ing with Ashley English: All You Need to Know to Make Jams, Jellies, Pickles, Chutneys & More by Ashley English

My mom has been canning for a few years now, winning blue ribbons for her jams and jellies at the Texas State Fair. Since I’ve been eating more carbs and sourdough bread, I’m a big fan of jelly on my toast.

I love the idea of having a pantry full of homemade jam. And then I shall make linzer cookies for Christmas.

 

24. Canning for a New Generation: Bold, Fresh Flavors for the Modern Pantry by Liana Krissoff

This is my mom’s favorite book on canning. I will be buying this one.

 
 
 
 
 

25. The Joy of Pickling: 250 Flavor-Packed Recipes for Vegetables for All Kinds of Produce from Garden or Market by Linda Ziedrich

All the best picklers and fermenters I know swear by this book. I have been meaning to read it for years.

 
 
 

26. Root Cellaring: Natural Cold Storage of Fruits & Vegetabl​es by Mike Bubel

Root cellaring is a tradition which should be resurrected. It’s ridiculous how dependent we’ve become on our refrigerators and freezers.

 
 
 

27. Charcuterie: The Craft of Salting, Smoking, and Curing by Michael Ruhlman

I want to make my own bacon and prosciutto. Salting and smoking was good enough for our ancestors throughout history. I want to learn these traditions.

 
 
 

28. The Art of Making Fermented Sausages by Stanley Marianski

I love sausages even more than bacon. Need I say more?

 
 
 
 
 

29. Variety Meats (The Good Cook Techniques & Reci​pes Series) by Editors of Time-Life Books

This book isn’t about food preservation; it’s about organ meats. Which in a way, is about food preservation because most people don’t eat the organs. I am into eating the whole beast, as Chef Fergus Henderson says.

 
 

30. Artisan Cheese Making at Home: Techniques & Reci​pes for Mastering World-Class Cheeses by Mary Karlin

Cheese making will be my next foray after sourdough bread baking. And it’s only natural. When you have bread, you need cheese.

 
 
 

31. Home Cheese Making: Recipes for 75 Delicious Cheeses by Ricki Carrol

I can’t wait. 75 different kinds of cheese!

 
 
 
 
 

32. The Home Creamery by Kathy Farrell-Kingsley

I’m curious about this book since I am thinking of getting some goats (or camels!).

 
 
 

33. Homemade Living: Home Dairy with Ashley English: All You Need to Know to Make Cheese, Yogurt, Butter & More Ashley English

One more book about making food from the milk of domesticated animals. Don’t you think everyone should know how to do these things?

 
 
 

Books About Cooking Technique

34. Le Cordon Bleu’s Complete Cooking Techniques by Jeni Wright

Every cook should have this book. I’ve skimmed through it on many occasions, but I need to own it.

 
 
 

35. Ratio: The Simple Codes Behind the Craft of Everyday Cooking by Michael Ruhlman

The chefs who consistently win on Chopped and Top Chef are the ones who have studied and practiced technique. This book is an homage to cooking technique.

I love Michael Ruhlman. I’m a long-time fan of his books and his blog.

 

Books About Homesteading

36. Folks, This Ain’t Normal: A Farmer’s Advice for Happier Hens, Healthier People, and a Better World by Joel Salatin

Everybody’s raving about Joel Salatin’s latest book. Joel has been my hero since I first heard about him in college in the mid 1990s.

Can’t wait to read it!

 

37. The Small-Scale Poultry Flock: An All-Natural Approach to Raising Chickens and Other Fowl for Home and Market Growers–With information on building … feed, and working with poultry in the garden by Harvey Ussery

I actually won this book in a raffle at last year’s Weston A. Price Foundation conference. Harvey Ussery is one of the leading experts on sustainable farming, and I can’t wait to read this book.

Yes, we will have backyard chickens at our new house in Vegas. I will love having our own supply of pastured eggs, and Kate will have so much fun. I do believe I will need to hire someone to help care for them — I’m just too busy.

 

38. Homemade Living: Keeping Bees with Ashley English: All You Need to Know to Tend Hives, Harvest Honey & More by Ashley English

I think everyone with a backyard should be keeping bees these days. Considering the fact that they are being wiped off the face of the earth. And won’t it be fun to have a source of local honey right out the back door?

 
 
 

39. The Backyard Homestead Guide to Raising Farm Animals: Choose the Best Breeds for Small-Space Farming, Produce Your Own Grass-Fed Meat, Gather Fresh… Rabbits, Goats, Sheep, Pigs, Cattle, & Bees by Gail Damerow

I don’t know if I will actually raise my own rabbits and goats, but I’m very curious about it. It sure would be nice to have my own raw goat milk, seeing how raw milk is illegal here in Nevada.

 
 
 

40. The Backyard Homestead: Produce all the food you need on just a quarter acre! by Carleen Madigan

I think this book looks very inspiring. There is nothing more empowering and liberating than growing your own food.

 
 
 

Books About Water Storage and Recycling

41. Mini Farming: Self-Sufficienc​y on 1/4 Acre by Brett L. Markham

Another one I’ll check out at the library if I can. I need multiple sources to get my head wrapped around a topic! If I like it, I’ll buy it.
 
 
 
 
 

42. The Complete Guide to Water Storage: How to Use Gray Water and Rainwater Systems, Rain Barrels, Tanks, and Other Water Storage Techniques for Household and Emergency Use (Back-To-Basics​) by Julie Fryer

Here in the desert, we need to learn more about how to save and store water.

 
 
 
 
 

43. Water Storage: Tanks, Cisterns, Aquifers, and Ponds for Domestic Supply, Fire and Emergency Use–Includes How to Make Ferrocement Water Tanks by Art Ludwig

More on water.

Even if you don’t live in the desert, I think learning how to store water is something everyone should learn. We Americans waste so much water. It’s disgusting!
 
 
 

44. The New Create an Oasis with Greywater: Choosing, Building and Using Greywater Systems – Includes Branched Drains by Art Ludwig

Very interested in the whole greywater movement. This is especially important if you have a garden and grow your own food.

 
 
 

Books About Water Straw Bale Houses

45. Serious Straw Bale: A Home Construction Guide for All Climates (Real Goods Solar Living Book) by Paul Lacinski

We plan to buy a house this year, but eventually I am very interested in building a straw bale house or other type of energy-efficient home.

 
 
 

46. The Straw Bale House (Real Goods Independent Living Book) by Athena Swentzell Steen

Another book to check out at the library.

 
 
 
 
 

Books About Parenting

47. The Contented Little Baby: The Simple Secrets of Calm, Confident Parenting by Gina Ford

If I am fortunate enough to get pregnant again this year, I will be reading this book. My good friend, Emily Bartlett from the Holistic Kid blog swears by it.

 
 
 

48. Free-Range Kids, How to Raise Safe, Self-Reliant Children (Without Going Nuts with Worry) by Lenore Skenazy

This book was recommended to me by Kristen at the Food Renegade blog. It’s about a mom who decided to let her child ride the NYC subway home alone.

I’m very curious about this approach as John Taylor Gatto (see below, under Books About Homeschooling) is always talking about how important it is to help our children become independent, and to not artificially extend childhood.

 

Books About Homeschooling

49. The Underground History of American Education: A School Teacher’s Intimate Investigation Into the Problem of Modern Schooling by James Taylor Gatto

Kate and I officially start homeschooling this fall (she’ll be 5).

I adore John Taylor Gatto and can’t get enough of him.

 
 
 

50. Weapons of Mass Instruction: A Schoolteacher’s​ Journey Thro by John Taylor Gatto

Another classic by John Taylor Gatto.

 
 
 
 

51. The Unschooling Unmanual by Nanda Van Gestel

I don’t know enough about unschooling and I’m looking forward to learning more.

 
 
 
 

52. Free at Last: The Sudbury Valley School by Daniel Greenberg

I’ve heard so many good things about this school. They were one of the leaders in the unschooling movement.

 
 
 
 

How About You?

What are you reading or looking forward to reading this year? Please share your book suggestions in the comments below.

Photo credit: DSC02082 by Meg Stewart, on Flickr
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