Looking.....for a few good books!

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OK, I'm getting motivated and I'm trying to get things in order for my very first homestead, Which by the way is in South Dakota :) I've been looking on the net for books that explain home repair. Does anyone know of a good book on the market that can explain how to- replace plumbing, upgrading electrical, replacing windows, repairing wood floors, etc.... I don't want to buy the wrong book. Most of the books I've been looking at cost around ~$40.00 each. I want to make sure I spend my dollars wisely. Any suggestions is appreciated!

Rita

-- Rita (Rlynchjarss@aol.com), March 04, 2002

Answers

Check out your local library before you go and buy anything. MOst of the time you only need the book for a few projects and then poof there goes that 40 dollars that could have gone to something else. I have had wonderful luck with our library! They have a great do it yourself section!

-- Nan (davidl41@ipa.net), March 04, 2002.

Rita, Countryside magazine and Lehman's (to name a few) have a pretty good selection of those books. Once you decide, do yourself a favor and go to www.half.com You can find nearly any book in print new or used at great prices. It allows me to buy more of those expensive books than I could otherwise have. I find that the kind of books we read are generally the cheapest!

-- DAVID Constantin In Wisconsin (cajundavid@hotmail.com), March 04, 2002.

Rita, You should also check to see if your library has a book sale room. I've been picking up books that people donate to the library for them to sell. I've gotten a lot of good books on home repairs, etc. I just got one this weekend on what to do before the vet arrives (for animals). Took everyone's advice on building a good, sound library of my own.- Sheryl

-- Sheryl in NJ (all295@aol.com), March 04, 2002.

Rita,

Reader's Digest has a home repair manual that covers just about everything in a general way. I think it is pretty good.

Sincerely,

Ernest

-- http://communities.msn.com/livingoffthelandintheozarks (espresso42@hotmail.com), March 04, 2002.


Library is the best place. Then if the book covers most everything you need go purchase it. Just curious- Where in SD? Hubby and I were both born and raised there, now living in MN.

-- lori lammers (maw1215@yahoo.com), March 04, 2002.


check yardsales a lot of those TimeLife books are starting to show up. I also agree with the person who suggested the library. You can also look in Lowe's, if you have to buy one they have some good ones.

-- Tim (goathillfarm50@aol.com), March 04, 2002.

Ernest is right, Readers Digest. My husband can fix most everything but will check in that book. On buying books...I always check out books at the library and book stores. If I think it's something I will really use, then I buy it (try to find used online).

-- DW in CO (djwallace@sotc.net), March 04, 2002.

Go to google, type in How things Work, click search. BINGO, theres your book in hand with any subject you need to ask about.

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), March 04, 2002.

Libraries are an excellent resource both local and internet, University extension publications (local and internet), might also keep checking the internet as things are constantly being added/updated, like: DIY Online, http://www.diyonline.com/servlet/GIB_BaseT/Homepage.html? session.channelID=0&session.ccid=0

-- BC (desertdweller44@yahoo.com), March 04, 2002.

Like others have said, look at the books in the library and even bookstores. Then if you have to have the book look it up at www.bibliofind.com. Chances are you'll find a used book dealer with the book in stock and at a good price.

-- Darren (df1@infi.net), March 04, 2002.


Go into Amazon.com and the barnes and noble websites. They have used book dealers. It is amazing how reasonable many of the books are and usually they are in good repair. Well worth the effort. You can save big bucks and the shipping is sometimes included. Ken

-- Ken in Maine (Kenjan@pivot.net), March 04, 2002.

We've used the Stanley Book of Home Repair and Improvement and The Reader's Digest Do-It-Yourself Manual many times. As stated already, check some out at the library and see what works for you. Then go to half.com to buy them.

-- Cindy in NY (cjpopeck@worldnet.att.net), March 04, 2002.

Rita, don't overlook the used book stores. I like "The Way Things Work" as a supplement to the "how to" stuff. I like to know "why". I should have paid more attention to how my dad did repairs but it was my brother that was in on that stuff, I was with my horse! Now I am wishing I knew more about home repair. Even us girls need that these days! LQ

-- Little Quacker (carouselxing@juno.com), March 04, 2002.

I'll take the readers digest any day.I have Time,black and decker,this old house and a few others,but I always end up with the readers digest,easy to read.The one I have is-The new and complete do-it youreself manual.also check Half.com for good book prices. Dave(central WI)

-- Dave (duckthis1@mybogusemail.com), March 04, 2002.

You can always check out your local library and get books to read and then buy what you really are interested in. A few of my favorites are...Country Women by Jeanne Tetrault..Practical Homesteading by John Vivian..An Encyclopedia of Country Living by Carla Emery..and for reading pleasure..Wilderness Mother by Kawatski...Hard Times in Paradise by David and Micki Colfax. I would check them out on E- bay...click on books and then "homesteading' and "Wilderness" and then see if they are cheaper on half.com They usually are. Good Luck and Good Reading !!!

-- Helena (windyacs@npacc.net), March 04, 2002.


Check out "Home > All Categories > Books > Nonfiction > Home" and "Home > All Categories > Books > Nonfiction > Gardening" on ebay. I have saved the "new today" listings for each of these categories in my "Favorites" folder ("http://listings.ebay.com/aw/listings/newtoday/all/category1125/index .html" and "http://listings.ebay.com/aw/listings/newtoday/all/category11112/i ndex.html") and try to find 15 minutes every day to check them out. The best books on homesteading by far are those published by Rodale but there are many other gems such as the Foxfire books, the Whole Earth catalogues, those authored by Helen and Scott Nearing, Mother Earth News, Organic Gardening and Countryside magazines, Reader's Digest manuals, etc. Whether you buy or not, you'll probably find ebaying fun and informative.

-- Orest (greyjayca@yahoo.com), March 05, 2002.

I review any books I'm considering for my collection, by borrowing them from the local library first. 9 out of ten times if they don't have it, they have access by means of an inter-library loan program that borrows books from other libraries all over our state. Many times I thought I just had to have a certain book and after reading it, only gleened a few things. If this is the case, just photocopy the parts that you will use.

-- Harmony (harmonyfarm57@hotmail.com), March 05, 2002.

Lots of good answers here! And I would also like to emphasize the interlibrary loan program at your local library. They should have a set of "books in print" listings -- check with the subject one, and then just ask for any you'd like to preview before buying. They'll have a form for you to fill out. I've gotten books from all over my region; it's kind of neat to see all the places they come from.

-- Marcia in MT (marciabundi@myexcel.com), March 05, 2002.

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