It’s always good to relax with a book but I find that in the summer I seem to want to read even more! I love books! I would love to have a little bookstore with a little cafe where I could sell homemade treats and have live music. So I thought I’d share a few homemaking and gardening books with you in case you’re looking for some new summer reading.
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One of my favorites is “Home-Making” by J.R. Miller. which I got from Vision Forum.com but it seems they are out of stock right now. It’s also available through amazon but for some reason it’s titled “The Family” even though it’s got the same cover as mine. It’s also available online free here, if you’d like to have look before purchasing. It was originally published in 1882 and it’s not a how to take care of a home type book. It’s more about the relationships between people in a home – wife and husband, parents and child and how each plays a particular role in creating a lovely home life. It’s so beautifully written! Here’s a snippet:
“Love may build its palace of noble sentiments and tender affections and sweet charities, rising into the very clouds, and in this splendid home two souls may dwell in the enjoyment of the highest possibilities of wedded life; but this palace, too, must stand on the ground with unpoetic and unsentimental stones for its foundation. That foundation is good housekeeping. In other words, good breakfasts, dinners and suppers, a well-kept house, order, system, promptness, punctuality, good cheer – far more than any young lovers dream does happiness in married life depend upon such commonplace things as these.”
I just finished “The Backyard Homestead” and really enjoyed it! She has drawings of what you can do with 1/10 of acre, 1/4 of an acre or a half an acre. Great gardening and extending the season tips, cidermaking, drying fruits (which you don’t really hear too much about), herbs, growing grain, keeping chickens, making sausage and lots more. It’s good to learn and research these things even if don’t have the space or time to do them yet!
I always look to see what people have on their bookshelves! Do you? When I’m looking at a picture in a magazine and they have books on the tables, I always try to see the titles! I tried to place most of the books shown in this post in the Amazon widget to your right, but I’m still working on it – it’s easier and faster than me talking about each book.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Happy Summer Reading!! I just finished a book..by James Patterson and now I am reading Still Summer by Jacqueline Mitchard. Love chalk board sign.
I have been reading more since spring too. I think the longer days seem to give more time to do things like that. I was just thinking I needed some suggestions for good reads, thanks:>)
I'm off to contine reading another John Grisham right now…
Have a pile of magazines to look at again too!
I love that quote! That's so beautiful. Thank you for the suggestions; I'm always looking for book recommendations.
I love books too. Have fun reading. I just finished Debbie MacComber's new book, along with a couple of Debbie Mumm quilting books. I really enjoy seeing how Debbie Mumm decorates with quilts.
These look like wonderful books, Manuela. I think I read more during summer, too.
Happy Weekend!
I spotted one of my newest favorite books in your stack – The Gentle Art of Domesticity. I just love that book, and keep renewing it from the library. I know, I should just buy it. This summer I am planning on indulging in a little bit of whimsy, and am planning on reading The World of Pooh.
Mary Lou
I just love homemaking cooking and gardening books as well. I always have my eyes peeled at charity shops and car boot sales for any of these especially the older books.
Margaret
I have tons of books, a lot of it text books but also alot of good reading books, and homemaking books as well. A nice coffee shop would be really nice, I would patronize. If that is one of your dreams, why not work on it happening. Have a great weekend.
I so wish I had time to read but by the time I get the girls in to bed I'm worn out. I do have a few books I would like to read, I'm waiting when they are back in school.
For now I'm enjoying the summer with them.
Ally
I am the same way! I just made a trip to Half Price Books today to get a couple books for the summer. I love the pics you took….very cute! Happy summer reading to ya!
I recently got a movie from Netflix, I think it's name is "the Secret Life of Mrs. Beeton"
about the author of one of the books in your picture.
It's just a little dark and very sad because she dies at 28 and all her babies die before she does.
But the story is remarkable, lots of funny scenes, and the scenery is wonderful too.
Yes, I totally look at others book shelves. It is always weird to me when someone has no books, though I know that doesn't necessarily mean that they don't read—I just love to pick up books over and over again and they are just so pretty. I also look at books titles in magazines. : )
Looks like some interesting reading. I need to get The Backyard Homestead. Sounds very interesting.
Did I miss the crown before? I love it. Fleur delis heaven.
There is just something about being able to sit outside and read a good book! The Backyard Homestead sounds interesting and the amazon price is reasonable too. I just finished Quite a Year for Plums by K Wright. It was a quirky read, but I was drawn in by the name. Prior to that I read the Journal of Helene Berr. Now I'm on Before Green Gables…I hope it's as good as the original!
You have an interesting collection! I love reading, but find myself to be very picky when it comes to books!
I should write down a few of your books and look them up at our local library.
Thank you!
Thanks Manuela……. these are book I have heard of ….. they sound like a must….. I have been looking for some good books..
HUgs
Linda
Am I just strange, or should husbands read some of these books about homelife?
Manuela,
I have the book Home Making too! FYI they renamed it last year, I guess people were thinking it was more of a "homemaking" book like "Home Comforts" than about the family that makes the home!
I've thought about purchasing Homemaking. It sounds wonderful.
I'm still working on my "Summer of All Things Lovely", although interrupted by company. It is rather tacky to have one's nose in a book while entertaining visitors. 🙂
I'm a book junkie! I have Home Comforts and love it. I just finished a book this morning and am about to reach into my bin of book to start another in a few minutes. Happy Reading!!
I'm with you: I love to read, and I always want to know what someone else is reading. That's one thing I always look for when I view a blogger's profile.
And I'm a re-reader. Maybe I'm just a slow learner, but if there's something that has touched me, I love to read it over and over. I love new books, but I never get tired of re-reading something I love.
Enjoy your summer reading and thanks for the recommendations!
Hi Manuela
I always look at people's bookshelves too! I find it so interesting to see what people read. Hope you are enjoying your weekend.
((hugs)) Rhondi
I know what you mean about checking the title in photos of rooms in books or magazines!
Did you ever see the PBS feature on Mrs. Beeton? It was charming, full of twists and had a surprising outcome.
I totally love reading and in the summer I try to really accomplish a lot since the school year is so busy! Love your book choices!
Godmorning,
I love your blogg and i wonder if I can borrow some pictures to my blogg!
Regards from Sweden and Agneta
Thank you for stopping by my blog…You have a great blog here…and thank you for the great ideas for summer reading. I like to sit on my garden swing and get lost in a book…have a nice day!
Hi Manuela 🙂
I love a good book and these seem to fit what I'm looking for. Thank you for the suggestions 🙂
Have a beautiful Sunday!
xoxo,
rue
Well, first of all, I'd ask you to hire me at your book/nook/cafe. But I wouldn't be a very good employee b/c I'd want to read books all day!
I saw The Secret Life of Mrs.Beeton, now I guess I should read her book!
Happy reading!
ThanX for the summer reading recommendations! I love perusing the bookshelves in others' homes and smile when I see guests do likewise at my house ~ it's great sport!
I see why I like you soo much, we have all the same books xoxoxo Clarice