Reading is one of my favorite pastimes and my daughter, who is also a bookworm, and I have spent many enjoyable hours at the used book store in Chattanooga. My favorite books to read are books where I actually learn something like how to books or cookbooks.
These are the books that I've been reading this summer:
These are the books that I've been reading this summer:
Be Thrifty, How to Live Better with Less, written by Pia Catton and Califia Suntree. I have to admit I like the fact that this book comes with penny imbedded in the cover. This book has been a really informative book to read and is somewhat like the Tightwad Gazette in many regards.
The Best of Mennonite Fellowship Meals by Phyllis Good. I had been wanting this book for the longest time when I happened to find it at a yard sale for $1 this summer. I like the fact that many of the recipes in here are made with just a few ingredients and are pretty simple to put together.
The Plan Ahead Cookbook and Eating Well for Next to Nothing, both written by Ceil Dyer. I first learned about the Plan Ahead Cookbook from Carol at CT on a Budget. I bought this book on her recommendation because she mentioned that it was a great tool for using up leftovers and she was right.
The Plan Ahead Cookbook reminded me of the book that Amy D. wrote about in the Tightwad Gazette called The Use-It-Up Cookbook: A Guide for Minimizing Food Waste by Lois C. Willand. In fact, I think the Ceil Dyer book is even better that the Lois Willand book. The Eating Well for Next to Nothing book also has some good and basic ideas for saving money on eating, although the majority of the book is recipes. Both of these can be found at Amazon for less than $1.00.
The Old Time Art of Thrift written by Ken Tate. This is not your ordinary thrift book. This is a collection of stories from people who either grew up during the Great Depression or had parents who grew up during the Great Depression. While this book can be found at Amazon for just a few pennies, I would not recommend it for someone who is wanting to learn how to save money and be frugal as it is not an instructional guide, but rather a collection of stories.
Those are the books that have caught my attention this summer.
What's been on your summer reading list?
Belinda
© Belinda Richardson and Frugal Workshop, 2012.
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do, do without”
Belinda,
ReplyDeleteGlad you discovered that book by Ceil Dyer and liked it. It's a classic in a frugal kitchen, IMO. Although I consider myself a pretty accomplished cook, there are times when I need an idea boost and if there is a food item that needs to be used up, that book really helps me to accomplish that goal, sometimes it's just suggesting a recipe that I hadn't thought of!
Nice post, thanks also for the additional book recommendations. I'll have to see if I can get them thru my library.
Thank you, Carol. I like to use the cookbooks as an idea booster too. It's interesting to me to read different recipes and see the differences between cooks too. I also love reading a recipe and finding that I have all the ingredients on hand to make a dish. And I agree, those books about using up leftovers have some good ideas that I hadn't thought of before.
ReplyDeleteHi Belinda,
ReplyDeletethat looks like a great book list. I like those how-to/thrift sort of books, as well. All the Mennonite books I've read are fabulous. I'll check out the rest of your reading list. Maybe our library has a couple of them, or can get them for me. Thanks!
You're welcome, Lili. :) I have two Mennonite books, the More with Less Cookbook and Living More with Less, which are both really good books. I would love to hear any other recommendations you have on the Mennonite books. :)
ReplyDeleteThese sound really interesting; I'll have to check them out.
ReplyDeleteI have a cookbook called "From a Monastery Kitchen" that is fantastic. Uses simple ingredients; no meat (though some fish recipes), very cost effective. Does tend to use lots of dairy (milk, cream, cheese). I've made some really nice things from it.
That sounds like a great read, Pamela. I'll have to check that one out too. Thanks for the suggestion. :)
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