A Book to Share - Great Winter Reading

I love to read books on growing and using herbs.  I have a huge list of books and this winter I will share my recommendations (I need to put the list into some thoughtful order before I share it).  However, in the spirit of holiday gift giving I thought I would share two great books I recently came across that I think make a perfect addition to the herbal bookshelf.

First is a book from Storey Publishing which is a great publisher of herb booklets and guides to using herbs from some very well-known herb writers and growers.  I love all the topics they have published including items by Bertha Reppert, Maggie Oster and Joyce Wardwell.  I wanted to focus your attention on a book by Rosemary Gladstar entitled Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health.  This is a republishing and compiling of several publications by Ms. Gladstar that isl well worth reading.  As we enter the cold and flu season it might be a good time to look at herbs as a way of keeping ourselves healthy all the time and this book has many tools for doing just that.  Simple easy-to-follow recipes and years of knowledge flow out of its pages.  You can get yourself a copy here: Rosemary Gladstar's Herbs for Vibrant Health

Second is a publication I have not been able to put down since it came to my mailbox this week.  It is the newest book from The Essential Herbal magazine and editor Tina Sams, entitled By The Hearth.  This compilation excerpts articles from the Fall and Winter editions of the magazine's first five years, 2002-2006.  It is chocked full of great recipes, articles and herb-related observances that are too good to be overlooked.  From beginner to long-time enthusiast you will find something is this book to perk up your herbie mind!  And it is a smooth read.  I've skimmed it cover to cover twice and found something to delve into both times.  I have not read every article yet, but I have read many and there is not a bad one in the house.  With Thanksgiving approaching I just loved the feature on herb roasting a turkey for the first time.  I had to go update my website recipe of the month because of it. This wonderful book is available by contacting the Essential Herbal directly for The Essential Herbal By The Hearth.

Although I want to publish books on herbs (the only books I've done so far are cookbooks), my schedule and other responsibilities conflict with this endeavor, but as I gather my thoughts on herbs together in this blog, perhaps a book will be forthcoming.  Until then, enjoy these two wonderful publications instead.
     ~ Marcy Lautanen-Raleigh