If a blogger I read and like comes out with a book, I'll buy it. Since I am WELL aware of the hours that goes into blogging, providing regular quality content for (in most cases) free, by the time they have a book deal, I'm more than willing to plunk down some dollars.
Here are a few that I've read in the last several months that I recommend:
A Beautiful Mess Photo Idea Book by Elsie Larson and Emma Chapman of A Beautiful Mess
I've read A Beautiful Mess the blog for years now, it's one of my favorites. Elsie and Emma are really pretty different from me, but I'm so drawn to their aesthetic and their creativity. I bought their photo idea book right away and also purchased a few for friends. If you like their blog, you'll like their book. I got several new ideas and was inspired throughout. I love having something like this on the shelf.
Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh of Hyperbole and a Half
I never read Hyperbole and a Half regularly, but last year someone linked to her post about depression and it was one of the most brilliant things I've ever read on the web. So I became an instant fan. Her book just came out this month and I picked up a copy when I saw others talking about it. It's not a memoir or a knowledge, the book is full of her illustrations and written in a similar way to her blog posts. Which is to say funny, touching, often sad, very very smart.
A Homemade Year by Jerusalem Greer of Jolly Goode Gal
Oh, how I need to take many pages from this book. She says,
"I set out to find a way that would create traditions of faith for our family through the rhythm of the liturgical calendar, using fun, modern, colorful crafts and recipes. In our home I have found that even the most common tactile acts such as kneading bread dough, threading a needle, or gluing paper can be important spiritual practices, especially when paired with intentional conversations and repetition over many years."
Beautiful pictures, easy instructions, and thoughtful commentary.
You can also read an interview I did with Jerusalem Greer about my faith.
Blog Design for Dummies by Melissa Culbertson of Momcomm
I think Momcomm is a must-read blog for bloggers. I learn so much from Melissa and Momcomms postings, and I was lucky to meet her at the Type A conference last year.
Disclosure: I might be a bit biased towards this book because HH is featured right there in the DIY section. (Yes, I do all the blog design here myself.) But if you need some help with your blog design or if you're a newbie blogger, you might want to pick up Blog Design for Dummies. It is just full of so much information.
A Year of Holidays cookbook by Ree Drummond of The Pioneer Woman
I've made it no secret that I'm a major fan girl of fellow Oklahoman Ree Drummond. A friend sent me a picture of the Dr. Pepper cupcakes from this latest cookbook and I went right out and bought it that day. I like Ree's cookbooks because they are full of photos, great for someone like me who is still learning her way around the kitchen. A lot of her recipes are too complicated for my skill level or for my everyday use, but I own all of her cookbooks and have made staples out of recipes in each of them.
Steal Like An Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative by Austin Kleon
This is my new favorite book for creatives and I want everyone I know to own it. It just spoke to me. It's big and graphic, not like a book you sit and read, but something I want to keep within arms reach of my laptop so I can read a few sentences and be re-invigorated.
This would be a fantastic stocking stuffer for any artists you know.
Actually, any of these would make good gifts for the right person. And this is precisely what I love about the internet - there's something for everyone. All the time. Every minute.
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My book reviews page (still a work in progress) can be found here. Or just follow me on GoodReads.
