Best How-to & Home Improvement
This #1 New York Times best-selling guide to decluttering your home from Japanese cleaning consultant Marie Kondo takes readers step-by-step through her revolutionary KonMari Method for simplifying, organizing, and storing. #1 New York Times Best SellerAmazon's Best Book of 2014 in Crafts, Home & Garden. "Ms. Kondo delivers her tidy manifesto like a kind of Zen nanny, both hortatory and animistic." a literal how-to-heave-ho, and I recommend it for anyone who struggles with the material excess of living in a privileged society. A totally reasonable, scary cult that works, doesn’t kill people (a bonus), but does drastically change your life. the Japanese expert’s ode to decluttering is simple and easy to follow." "Reading it, you glimpse a glittering mental freedom from the unread/uncrafted/unworn, buyer’s remorse, the nervous eyeing of real estate listings. "All hail the new decluttering queen Marie Kondo, whose mess-busting bestseller has prompted a craze for tidying in homes across the world . "How could this pocket-sized book, which has already sold over 2 million copies and sits firmly atop the New York Times Best Seller list, make such a big promise? Marie “KonMari” Kondo runs an acclaimed consulting business in Tokyo helping clients transform their cluttered homes into spaces of serenity and inspiration. With a three-month waiting list, her KonMari Method of decluttering and organizing has become an international phenomenon. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up is a best seller in Japan, Germany, and the UK, with more than two million copies sold worldwide, and has been turned into a television drama for Japanese TV. She has been named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time , featured on more than thirty major Japanese television and radio programs, and profiled in the Sunday Times , Red magazine, You magazine, the New York Times , USA Today , NPR's Here & Now , Slate , Family Circle , and the London Times, who has deemed her “Japan’s preeminent guru of tidiness, a warrior princess in the war on clutter.”.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I grew up in a cluttered house and married the King of Clutter (he's the type of person who'll open a credit card bill, pay it online, and then just leave the empty envelope, inserts, and bill itself randomly strewn on whatever surface happens to be nearby). It's a breath of fresh air and positive energy that brings real joy to the process of "tidying up." My clothes are all mine (which also means that they're in nowhere near as terrible a state as other things in my house), so going through them affects only me and involves only my own feelings. Her advice may sound silly at first, but if your belongings inspire feelings of unhappiness, guilt, etc., her anthropomorphism of them can really help you change your viewpoint in a positive direction. That is likely to carry a different level of meaning for someone in Japan than in the U.S. Other references to spiritual practice and feng-shui are not likely to resonate the same way for an American audience. There is a lot of discussion of travel toiletries, but very little about kitchen utensils, toys, or other items found most often in a family home. I'm now a week in, and 6 months seems like hardly enough time to tackle all the junk in my house, but I can fully see how this can be a life-changing process."
"I was browsing Pinterest one day and stumbled upon the "konmari method" and was intrigued, so I bought this book for kindle and read it in about an hour. I always thought I was a very organized person (because everything I owned had a designated, labelled place and my house was always super clean), but after reading this book I realized I was nothing more than a skilled hoarder. I probably discarded well over 100 bags of clutter in that 6 weeks and earned over $400 selling the big-ticket items via social media, which I used to make my house prettier."
By renovating homes in Waco, Texas, and changing lives in such a winsome and engaging way, Chip and Joanna have become more than just the stars of Fixer Upper , they have become America’s new best friends. Even back then Chip was a serial entrepreneur who, among other things, ran a lawn care company, sold fireworks, and flipped houses. The time Chip ran to the grocery store and forgot to take their new, sleeping baby Joanna’s agonizing decision to close her dream business to focus on raising their children When Chip buys a houseboat, sight-unseen, and it turns out to be a leaky wreck Joanna’s breakthrough moment of discovering the secret to creating a beautiful home Harrowing stories of the financial ups and downs as an entrepreneurial couple Memories and photos from Chip and Jo’s wedding The significance of the word magnolia and why it permeates everything they do The way the couple pays the popularity of Fixer Upper forward, sharing the success with others, and bolstering the city of Waco along the way. CHIP AND JOANNA GAINES are the founders of Magnolia Homes, Magnolia Market, and Magnolia Realty in Waco, Texas.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"They have overcome adversity and have built a life full of love, family, talent, professionalism keeping their faith first and foremost."
"Great reading couldn't put it down made me smile,laugh and see some things in life we all go through similar."
"I have been a huge fan of Joanna and Chip right from the very first show."
"This is a must read for all Fixer Upper fans."
"I could hear their voices as I read the words and I love this couple even more after reading this book."
"I would recommend this book to: fans of Fixer Upper, but also to young parents, young adults, people who are trying to figure out their place in the world."
"Cute book, easy read!"
"Chip and Joanna solved that problem magnificently - I always knew who was speaking which brought additional richness to the work. It is also a very encouraging book in a time when we all need that little boost to chase our dreams, but don't be deceived into believing all has been rose petals and blue skies."
She has learned what it takes to bring a home out of Disaster Status, which habits make the biggest and most lasting impact, and how to keep clutter under control. Her reality-based cleaning and organizing techniques debunk the biggest housekeeping fantasies and help readers learn what really works. Today, Dana shares realistic home management strategies and a message of hope for the hopelessly messy through her blog, weekly podcasts, and videos.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"But I bought this book because I wanted to be sure there weren't any concepts I missed and as a thank you to her for her blog and podcasts because her methods have already changed my life. The other disappointment was that I kept hoping for a concise summary of her methods at the end of the book since her writing style can be a bit ramble-y but it never came. Summary: First, do daily habits: dishes, sweeping kitchen, five minute pickup, bathroom check. Second, do laundry day. Helpful Philosophies: Container concept. Efficiency isn't necessarily the way to go (surprisingly). Simplify decluttering, no half-way points. Take it there right now. One in one out only when you've reached equilibrium. Housekeeping is not a project. Pre-made decisions. Non-negotiable tasks. Regrets will happen but you'll get over it. Do the easy stuff first. Visibility Rule. Head Explosion Rule. The True Value of an Item. Live in the present and not for the future or next stage of your life."
"I've been following Dana's blog for about 2 years now through 3 moves that eventually landed us in our own home. Dana doesn't beat around the bush when she tells you how she improved her home. Setting up routines for doing the dishes and laundry made the biggest difference for her and for hundreds of people who have read her blog and her book. But at the end of the day when I can't cook or serve supper that beautifully arranged closet isn't going to feed my husband. If you've ever felt hopeless about your home, the piles of dishes and laundry, the junk stacked on the floor and flat surfaces."
"If you are a follower of Dana's blog and/or podcast, "A Slob Comes Clean", you will find some of the material familiar, but I still believe that it is worth purchasing. I would have read it anyway - I even kept the preorder I placed before I received the Advance Reader Copy because I figured it is a small thank you to Dana for writing her blog."
Best Home Carpentry
The first edition of UNDERSTANDING WOOD FINISHING has sold hundreds of thousands of copies and is widely regarded as the bible of wood finishing. With its clear writing and engaging style, this is without a doubt the best researched, most authoritative, and easy-to-follow book on the subject. The latest technical updates on materials and techniques—from spray guns to French polishing Detailed instructions and explanations that take the mystery out of the science More than 300 color photos that help you distinguish between products, make decisions, and solve problems More than 40 must-have reference tables and troubleshooting guides. With its clear writing and engaging style, this is "without a doubt the best researched, most authoritative, and easy-to-follow book on the subject," notes Steve Shanesy, Popular Woodworking magazine editor.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"For example, I now know that a stain does not protect the wood like a finish (like a clear polyurethane) does...stain is different then a finish. I have also learned neat stuff like stains have 4 qualities: colorant (pigment or dye), amount of colorant to liquid ratio, binder (oil, varnish, lacquer or water base), and thickness. From what other people in the trade have been telling me lately varnish is not a really different finish then say polyurethane."
"As far as the book content, Flexner delivers great information in a manner thats easy to follow and understand."
"I really like Bob Flexner's writing and I enjoy his articles in Popular Woodworking so I decided to order this book since finishing is what I struggle with the most."
"This book will help you sort through these many deceptions to choose the finishing product that is what you want."
"A very detailed and comprehensive book on all the different types of finishing options for wood."
"Ton of information in this book which can be a bit overwhelming."
"The one-stop "go-to" book for learning about wood finishing."
"This was a great help to me for refinishing my rocking chair."
Best Cleaning, Caretaking & Relocating How-to
This #1 New York Times best-selling guide to decluttering your home from Japanese cleaning consultant Marie Kondo takes readers step-by-step through her revolutionary KonMari Method for simplifying, organizing, and storing. #1 New York Times Best SellerAmazon's Best Book of 2014 in Crafts, Home & Garden. "Ms. Kondo delivers her tidy manifesto like a kind of Zen nanny, both hortatory and animistic." a literal how-to-heave-ho, and I recommend it for anyone who struggles with the material excess of living in a privileged society. A totally reasonable, scary cult that works, doesn’t kill people (a bonus), but does drastically change your life. the Japanese expert’s ode to decluttering is simple and easy to follow." "Reading it, you glimpse a glittering mental freedom from the unread/uncrafted/unworn, buyer’s remorse, the nervous eyeing of real estate listings. "All hail the new decluttering queen Marie Kondo, whose mess-busting bestseller has prompted a craze for tidying in homes across the world . "How could this pocket-sized book, which has already sold over 2 million copies and sits firmly atop the New York Times Best Seller list, make such a big promise? Marie “KonMari” Kondo runs an acclaimed consulting business in Tokyo helping clients transform their cluttered homes into spaces of serenity and inspiration. With a three-month waiting list, her KonMari Method of decluttering and organizing has become an international phenomenon. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up is a best seller in Japan, Germany, and the UK, with more than two million copies sold worldwide, and has been turned into a television drama for Japanese TV. She has been named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time , featured on more than thirty major Japanese television and radio programs, and profiled in the Sunday Times , Red magazine, You magazine, the New York Times , USA Today , NPR's Here & Now , Slate , Family Circle , and the London Times, who has deemed her “Japan’s preeminent guru of tidiness, a warrior princess in the war on clutter.”.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I was browsing Pinterest one day and stumbled upon the "konmari method" and was intrigued, so I bought this book for kindle and read it in about an hour. I always thought I was a very organized person (because everything I owned had a designated, labelled place and my house was always super clean), but after reading this book I realized I was nothing more than a skilled hoarder. I probably discarded well over 100 bags of clutter in that 6 weeks and earned over $400 selling the big-ticket items via social media, which I used to make my house prettier."
"I grew up in a cluttered house and married the King of Clutter (he's the type of person who'll open a credit card bill, pay it online, and then just leave the empty envelope, inserts, and bill itself randomly strewn on whatever surface happens to be nearby). It's a breath of fresh air and positive energy that brings real joy to the process of "tidying up." My clothes are all mine (which also means that they're in nowhere near as terrible a state as other things in my house), so going through them affects only me and involves only my own feelings. Her advice may sound silly at first, but if your belongings inspire feelings of unhappiness, guilt, etc., her anthropomorphism of them can really help you change your viewpoint in a positive direction. That is likely to carry a different level of meaning for someone in Japan than in the U.S. Other references to spiritual practice and feng-shui are not likely to resonate the same way for an American audience. There is a lot of discussion of travel toiletries, but very little about kitchen utensils, toys, or other items found most often in a family home. I'm now a week in, and 6 months seems like hardly enough time to tackle all the junk in my house, but I can fully see how this can be a life-changing process."
Best Do-It-Yourself Home Improvement
─ Clutter free solutions for an organized home. Real Life Organizing offers clutter free storage solutions and advice that can help you create a Pinterest worthy home on a small budget: Learn how to organize your home, simplify life and have more time for the things you love. Simplify your life: In her debut book, Real Life Organizing , Cas walks you through the steps you can take to create a beautiful, organized, clutter free, and almost self-cleaning home ─ a DIY Pinterest home. Create a Household Management Binder Make a “Kids Cupboard” in your kitchen Create an IN/OUT system Organize paperwork based on your unique style Create a Kitchen Command Center Organize your holidays with a gift closet Build the best toy organizing system And, enjoy a DIY Pinterest home. - Keitha, from The Bajan Texan and founder of Home Made Luxe subscription box. I love knowing that if she came into my living room and saw a giant pile of unfolded laundry, we would laugh about it. “Cas is relatable and real, and makes having an organized home attainable for today's busy person.”. The Organized Clutterbug is also a very busy mom of three small children, two cats and a dog named Oscar Meyer Weiner. She loves sharing her favorite home organizing tips, tricks and practical advice on her popular YouTube channel, blog and weekly podcast.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"If "I" can find something that inspires me as much as this wonderful young woman and her smart, sassy, silly, nurturing, down to earth style then everyone will. I've already made big changes and am reaping the benefits.. As we age we might not have the patience or energy on some days to run around like a chicken with our heads cut off trying to find that "whatchathingy" we KNOW we own."
"I am also returning a favor to all the reviewers I depend on before buying something on Amazon. I have several books on decluttering and organizing, including Marie kondo and Peter walsh, this is the best one. The author, cas aarssen, gives detailed advice on where to start and what kind of "clutterbug" you are. I wanted to suggest my favorite chapter but the whole book is great advice."
"I've read many organizing books and this is by far the BEST!"
"It made me realize that I don't need to set aside a whole day or weekend cleaning out a room or closet; instead, just spend a few minutes organizing a shelf or getting rid of a couple of things each day and in time, your space will be organized."
"I love this book so much!"
"Especially liked the breakdown of people's different organizing styles."
"Love her you tube channel."
"Organizing how to's for busy people."
Best Electrical Home Improvement
Simply put, you won’t find a more complete and up-to-date book on home wiring: from basic skills—including an overview of electricity and wiring safety; wire, cable, and conduits; boxes and panels; switches; and receptacles—to foolproof circuit maps for 30 common wiring set-ups and step-by-step walkthroughs of every essential home wiring and electrical repair project, this book teaches you everything you need to know. For a remodel, mark the mirror location, run cable, and position boxes before drywall installation. You can also retrofit by installing new boxes and drawing power from the existing fixture. The size of your mirror and its location on the wall may affect how far apart you can place the sconces, but 36" to 40" apart is a good guideline. Drywall saw, drill, combination tool, circuit tester, screwdrivers, hammer, electrical boxes and braces, vanity light fixtures, NM cable, wire connectors, eye protection. Make the opening large enough that you have room to route cable from the existing fixture to the boxes. Install the boxes about 66" above the floor and 18" to 20" from the centerline of the mirror (the mounting base of some fixtures is above or below the bulb, so adjust the height of the bracing accordingly).
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I wanted to know how three-way switches do their magic (it's the traveler wire), and I wanted to know tricks of the trade about how to put a switch in the middle of a "run" of lighting wires or at the end, and how would I properly tie into existing circuits."
"This book is PERFECT!"
"With this book I have learn so much about wiring my house have already done socket, wall switch, and run new wiring."
"great for a home owner, but always remember to get county to inspected."
"Great book for the basics, has helped me with a few home projects."
"Good book with pictures for basic remodel and initial installation."
"It is a great book with good quality pictures in detail."
"Makes it much easier than I anticipated."
Best Estimating How-to & Home Improvement
The secret way to NOT budget and still save money The problem with budgets (and why most fail) How to stick to a budget- no matter what you're struggling with How to break free (and stay free) of debt Proven methods to save money and get ahead. Brilliant Budgets and Despicable Debt comes with a free downloadable workbook available now at www.how2without.com. It is never too late to learn how to budget and pay off debt, and if you've struggled in either of these areas before, then I think you'll love my fresh take, and useful tips and tricks. Brilliant Budgets and Despicable Debt contains all my favourite ways to create and use budgets, pay off, and stay out of debt, as well as tips and tricks for staying on track and achieving your goals.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This book is for people who want to budget but don't know where to start, who suck at budgets but maybe just need to find the right one for them - this is a must read for those wanting to get ahead, break their bad spending habits, and to actually work out where all their money is going."
"You sure drop some knowledge and tell readers exactly how to do their budgeting, and even with non-traditional and creative and innovative ways."
"The book starts by addressing all the reasons we can think of NOT to budget, and counters that with very good reasons why we should. It then goes into detail of the various budget strategies available, with how to implement them."
"I read the author's first book 'Mortgage Free' and absolutely loved it because of the many different ways that she outlines for saving and making money."
"I love the way the author breaks down the problems of budgeting into 3 points - Time, Knowledge and Emotion. Until you analyse your budgeting like this, you don't realise how your emotions are affecting your finances and how we all have different perceptions of money and budgeting from our own personal experiences and beliefs."
"I'd recommend this book to anyone looking for a way to assess their spending and saving habits in a way that offers realistic strategies for improving their finances."
Best Furniture How-to & Home Improvement
It's easy to build inexpensive, quality furnishings with this indispensible collection of woodworking projects from Ana White, the popular blogger who has inspired millions of homemakers with her stylish furniture plans and DIY spirit. "Ever wrestled with nails, screws, and hex wrenches on 'ready to assemble' shelves, chairs, or tables, all the while thinking that you could just as easily make the design cheaper and better from scratch? Ana White is a mother and homemaker from Alaska whose popular blog Ana-White.com is one of the most trusted resources for helping people improve their homes by building furniture.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This book is simply the gateway to a world of awesome projects."
"This book has all the plans you need."
"I purchased this book to help me get started with the most essential tools and supplies."
"I've always been a creative person but most of my projects went to customers, like draperies, or as gifts to family,like machine embroidery and thread crocheted christening gowns."
"I just received this book over the weekend and have yet to make project yet."
"My husband is and experienced contractor/builder, and I have the advantage of his skills to help me, but I am sure with a lot of study and review of the plans, I would still be able to build the projects here even if neither of us had ever built before. Ana's inspiring story is also featured in this book, I read that over a couple of times - it is another confidence builder."
"Lacking confidence held me back for way too long and Ana's clear, concise and often humorous blog posts and now her book helped me build up the courage to start building at almost 60 years old!"
"I found her blog months ago and learned so much of the basics from it, but I didn't actually start building until I got this book in my hands. Where most "beginner" builder books start at easy plans, she starts out at the actual beginning."
Best Hand Tools
The book takes beginners through all of the basic techniques needed to tackle a wide range of machining operations. The wide range of projects provides items that are both interesting to make and useful in the workshop, including a cylindrical square, a between-centers test bar, hole and distance gauges, tailstock die holders, precision tapers, screw jack, two wheel knurling tool, mill drill spindle and more. Buyers of this book not only get a training manual on using the lathe, but also receive practical instruction on how to apply the knowledge that it presents. Harold Hall is the author of several of Special Interest Model Books Workshop Practice Series titles.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Very good explaination based around useful project which real completed my knowledge."
"Another good book for reference."
"Excellent well written clear instructions."
"Great learning and reference book."
"I really enjoy his writing style and he fully explains eah concept so there is no guessing or incomplete info."
"Even though I also ordered the above book from Amazon, they didn't know or bother to warn me that this IS THE SAME BOOK with a different title!"
Best Heating & Air Conditioning How-to
Simple Guide to Over-the-Air Free TV sets itself apart by providing non-techs with over 110 pages of useful cord cutting information and a step-by-step guide to successful cord cutting. Simple Guide to Over-the-Air Free TV explains how supplementing OTA TV with streaming media players like the Roku 4, Amazon Fire TV and Chromecast, in combination with streaming media services like Netflix, Hulu, Showtime, HBO Now, Amazon Video and Sling TV, can create personalized, inexpensive options to bundled cable or satellite programming packages. If you are looking for a straightforward how-to manual to help you cut the cord, read Simple Guide to Over-the-Air Free TV and to learn how to save money and start enjoying TV on your terms today!
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I've already ordered a Mohu antenna which will have a trial run next week in my son's apartment."
"Roku 3 love the free "Crackle" channel; 3. Subscription to SlingTV (may upgrade to add HBO when that becomes available) and took advantage of their free Roku Stick offer (for MIL's TV)."
"I was thinking I wished someone had written something like this as I was crawling through the options one by one - and lucky for me, someone did."
"Applying the ideas in this book and purchasing some of the suggested products for two different homes has ended up saving a total of $2640 per year in Cable TV cost."
"Great, short overview of one way to simplify your life and still get what you need."
"Well written and informative in a language that makes it easy to understand."
"An excellent book for anyone who is considering going to a over the air antenna or who is interested in lowering the cost of TV."
"For the total newcomer to OTA use it provides many insights and links to more information."
Best Home Repair
Home Comforts is a readable explanation for both beginners and experts of all the domestic arts -- choosing fabrics, keeping the piano in tune, caring for books, making a good fire in the fireplace and avoiding chimney fires, ironing and folding, setting up a good reading light, keeping surfaces free of food pathogens, and everything else that modern people might want to do for themselves in their homes. Home Comforts is based on her domestic education, which she acquired while growing up on a farm in the hills of Greene County, in southwestern Pennsylvania, from her grandmothers, aunts, and mother. The result is a warm, good-humored, engagingly written book with a message and a point of view, one that is overflowing with useful reflections and information. You can read Home Comforts for thoughtful entertainment or use its ample index to help you find the answers to practical domestic questions. · The most exhaustive and reliable information on fabrics, textile fibers, and their laundering, drying, and other care that exists for nonprofessionals. · A summary of laws applicable to the home, including privacy, accident liability, contracts, and domestic employees.·. Mendelson's well-researched book includes meticulous sections on food (for example, which foods belong in the fridge versus the pantry, food storage times, picking the freshest fruits and vegetables, and keeping your kitchen and food sanitary) as well as laundry (caring for various fabrics, how to read--and read between the lines of--clothing care labels, and removing stains). This is a comprehensive reference book that should serve homemakers well and induce a greater appreciation for the effort and specialized knowledge that go into keeping house. There are extensive sections on food, clothing, cleanliness, daily life, and safety, with information on negligence, domestic employment laws, insurance, and even the impact of clothing label laws on our laundry.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Bought as an xmas gift for my 18 year old, it had tips on almost everything."
"It had some decent information, but there was a bit to much fluff in it."
"I can't think of a single household issue that is not in this book."
"Excellent reference book."
"Amazing reference, though interesting to read straight through."
"Best home reference on the planet!"
"An excellent resource for both the beginner and advanced home maker."
Best Household Hints
In fact, that's the single biggest reason that there are so many remodeling horror stories. You will learn how to identify and select the perfect professional remodeler for your project, save thousands of dollars in the process, and preserve your sanity too. Everything needed for a successful professional remodeling experience is inside! Jannine Wooten - Real Estate Investor, Remodeler "Spend a few dollars on this book, there's a good chance you will get it back 100-fold." Ray Brehm - #1 Bestselling Author & Entrpreneur "Molinelli's enthusiasm for the subject shines through on every page of this invaluable guide, and it's quite infectious."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Great book and well done."
"I'd have saved a lot of money and made a lot more when I sold."
"Saves you time, money & a lot of frustration."
"Without Going Bonkers or Broke: Eliminate 3 Critical Mistakes and Save Thousands Using This Proven Step-by-Step Method," Jim Molinelli succinctly and concisely boils down a lifetime’s worth of experience in the remodeling business in this well-written guide. He provides the expert guidance needed to take you from developing realistic plans and budgets through selecting your project professionals and entering into contracts -- all while keeping your sanity. Jim guides you through the planning process from your first inklings of a desire to remodel, to the final, detailed specifications needed to accurately and completely define your project. The final two sections contain information on how to interview and select your remodeling professionals, including how to guidance on evaluating proposals, managing costs, and negotiating. With Jim's decades of experience in the remodeling business, these insights are invaluable to those of us who have never had any exposure to the subject outside of HGTV shows."
"A first rate guide to remodeling your home written as if the author was sitting across from you at your dining room table answering all of your questions."
"It gave me valuable insights on what I could personally do to improve my home without costing an arm and leg."
"Jim said up front his goal was to teach the readers how to approach a remodeling project. His examples were specific to his goal of teaching the readers how to get ready for a remodeling project."
"Who knew reading about remodelling could be so enjoyable?Jim Molinelli's wonderfully written book is a must have for anyone who wants to remodel without going crazy. Here's why: If you have ever remodelled a house then you know what a painstaking experience it can be. With all this on the line, most folks will jump head first into the remodel process with excitement and their budgeted money burning through their pocket. This book is the start of your remodel team."
Best Masonry Home Improvement
Design of Reinforced Concrete, 10th Edition by Jack McCormac and Russell Brown, introduces the fundamentals of reinforced concrete design in a clear and comprehensive manner and grounded in the basic principles of mechanics of solids.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Easy to understand and easy to follow through."
"I like the way they explain the concepts."
"Because the book doesn't include all the subjects I'm interested in."
"Solid book."
"Yeah it helped me alot !!"
Best Plumbing & Household Automation
You might not have to call a plumber; get the most comprehensive, up-to-date book on home plumbing for DIYers of all skill levels instead! The editors of Cool Springs Press have produced the highest quality DIY home improvement books for more than 30 years.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This book has allowed us to sail through the worries of shoddy plumbing with much greater understanding and the ability to do basic repairs."
"Another well chosen book for a young friend who has just started his architectual renovation firm in Monterrey, Mexico."
"Very useful and therefore valuable possession."
"Very helpful and easy to follow."
"Excellent product."
"This book has 227 pages covering supply lines/repairs/tools/etc, but only has a few paragraphs on about 11 pages covering drain pipes."
Best Power Tools
The Complete Guide to Sharpening. Leonard Lee is a contributor for Taunton Press titles including The Complete Guide to Sharpening.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Great book but only one somewhat brief section on sharpening knives."
"This book covers all the usual sharpening tasks."
"This book includes incredible detail to suit those who simply want to sharpen a knife, to the science and detail behind WHY it's sharpened the way it is."
"I was a little nervous to sharpen my woodworking tools before buying this book."
"Anyone interested in keeping things sharp should buy this book."
"If you think you want to know something about sharpening, read this book."
"The husband has assured me this is *the* book on sharpening."
Best Reference How-to & Home Improvement
In these pages, the beloved Bill Bryson gives us a fascinating history of the modern home, taking us on a room-by-room tour through his own house and using each room to explore the vast history of the domestic artifacts we take for granted. With waggish humor and a knack for unearthing the extraordinary stories behind the seemingly commonplace, he examines how everyday items--things like ice, cookbooks, glass windows, and salt and pepper--transformed the way people lived, and how houses evolved around these new commodities. A visit to the kitchen prompts disquisitions on food adulteration and gluttony; a peek into the bedroom reveals nutty sex nostrums and the horrors of premodern surgery; in the study we find rats and locusts; a stop in the scullery illuminates the put-upon lives of servants.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I even learned that Christopher Columbus didn't discover North America."
"They were grunts toiling in filth and disease, polluted by nonsensical myths and beliefs, oppressed by a shameless ruling class, often starved, often sent off to wars to die or become hideously maimed. I mean who the heck spits into ones handkerchief and then stuffs it back into one's pocket but a filthy pig! If you're an average American, you're in the top 1% of the world, so when's the last time you noticed a working class American open his wallet book for some poor peasant in Pakistan, Kenya, or Indonesia??? If you went back in time, a statistician would bet you would wind up being in the 99%, a peasant, but worse than today, because back then, without the development of media, the rich could do whatever they wanted with the peasants including all their children, and the peasants were lucky enough to live to adulthood with all the disease, war, filth, stress, and starvation. The rich ate well, the poor ate empty starches!!! But the true gem to this book is showing off how absolutely disgusting and horrible life was back in the day."
"Information about our homes that is very interesting and mostly unknown in today's world."
"It is thick and sprawling and slow moving at times--- but both the quantity and quality of historical stories contained within this book are amazing, and it is all held together by the overarching story of Bill just walking along, room to room, inside his countryside home."
"This book reminds me of my husband, who starts on a possibly relevant topic and then repeatedly segues into another and another and another that suggest themselves to him as he goes along, and suddenly he is far afield, having built up a huge head of steam and left his puzzled audience somewhere behind him."
"Bill Bryson is incredible."
"Likewise, despite some eyebrow-lifting statements and the work's lack of citations, Bryson's genuine, almost boyish, delight in his stories and his exceptional gifts as a writer make it easy to forgive the book its literary transgressions."
Best Roofing Home Remodeling
This #1 New York Times best-selling guide to decluttering your home from Japanese cleaning consultant Marie Kondo takes readers step-by-step through her revolutionary KonMari Method for simplifying, organizing, and storing. #1 New York Times Best SellerAmazon's Best Book of 2014 in Crafts, Home & Garden. "Ms. Kondo delivers her tidy manifesto like a kind of Zen nanny, both hortatory and animistic." a literal how-to-heave-ho, and I recommend it for anyone who struggles with the material excess of living in a privileged society. A totally reasonable, scary cult that works, doesn’t kill people (a bonus), but does drastically change your life. the Japanese expert’s ode to decluttering is simple and easy to follow." "Reading it, you glimpse a glittering mental freedom from the unread/uncrafted/unworn, buyer’s remorse, the nervous eyeing of real estate listings. "All hail the new decluttering queen Marie Kondo, whose mess-busting bestseller has prompted a craze for tidying in homes across the world . "How could this pocket-sized book, which has already sold over 2 million copies and sits firmly atop the New York Times Best Seller list, make such a big promise? Marie “KonMari” Kondo runs an acclaimed consulting business in Tokyo helping clients transform their cluttered homes into spaces of serenity and inspiration. With a three-month waiting list, her KonMari Method of decluttering and organizing has become an international phenomenon. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up is a best seller in Japan, Germany, and the UK, with more than two million copies sold worldwide, and has been turned into a television drama for Japanese TV. She has been named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time , featured on more than thirty major Japanese television and radio programs, and profiled in the Sunday Times , Red magazine, You magazine, the New York Times , USA Today , NPR's Here & Now , Slate , Family Circle , and the London Times, who has deemed her “Japan’s preeminent guru of tidiness, a warrior princess in the war on clutter.”.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I grew up in a cluttered house and married the King of Clutter (he's the type of person who'll open a credit card bill, pay it online, and then just leave the empty envelope, inserts, and bill itself randomly strewn on whatever surface happens to be nearby). It's a breath of fresh air and positive energy that brings real joy to the process of "tidying up." My clothes are all mine (which also means that they're in nowhere near as terrible a state as other things in my house), so going through them affects only me and involves only my own feelings. Her advice may sound silly at first, but if your belongings inspire feelings of unhappiness, guilt, etc., her anthropomorphism of them can really help you change your viewpoint in a positive direction. That is likely to carry a different level of meaning for someone in Japan than in the U.S. Other references to spiritual practice and feng-shui are not likely to resonate the same way for an American audience. There is a lot of discussion of travel toiletries, but very little about kitchen utensils, toys, or other items found most often in a family home. I'm now a week in, and 6 months seems like hardly enough time to tackle all the junk in my house, but I can fully see how this can be a life-changing process."
"I was browsing Pinterest one day and stumbled upon the "konmari method" and was intrigued, so I bought this book for kindle and read it in about an hour. I always thought I was a very organized person (because everything I owned had a designated, labelled place and my house was always super clean), but after reading this book I realized I was nothing more than a skilled hoarder. I probably discarded well over 100 bags of clutter in that 6 weeks and earned over $400 selling the big-ticket items via social media, which I used to make my house prettier."
Best Small Appliance Repair How-to
This #1 New York Times best-selling guide to decluttering your home from Japanese cleaning consultant Marie Kondo takes readers step-by-step through her revolutionary KonMari Method for simplifying, organizing, and storing. #1 New York Times Best SellerAmazon's Best Book of 2014 in Crafts, Home & Garden. "Ms. Kondo delivers her tidy manifesto like a kind of Zen nanny, both hortatory and animistic." a literal how-to-heave-ho, and I recommend it for anyone who struggles with the material excess of living in a privileged society. A totally reasonable, scary cult that works, doesn’t kill people (a bonus), but does drastically change your life. the Japanese expert’s ode to decluttering is simple and easy to follow." "Reading it, you glimpse a glittering mental freedom from the unread/uncrafted/unworn, buyer’s remorse, the nervous eyeing of real estate listings. "All hail the new decluttering queen Marie Kondo, whose mess-busting bestseller has prompted a craze for tidying in homes across the world . "How could this pocket-sized book, which has already sold over 2 million copies and sits firmly atop the New York Times Best Seller list, make such a big promise? Marie “KonMari” Kondo runs an acclaimed consulting business in Tokyo helping clients transform their cluttered homes into spaces of serenity and inspiration. With a three-month waiting list, her KonMari Method of decluttering and organizing has become an international phenomenon. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up is a best seller in Japan, Germany, and the UK, with more than two million copies sold worldwide, and has been turned into a television drama for Japanese TV. She has been named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time , featured on more than thirty major Japanese television and radio programs, and profiled in the Sunday Times , Red magazine, You magazine, the New York Times , USA Today , NPR's Here & Now , Slate , Family Circle , and the London Times, who has deemed her “Japan’s preeminent guru of tidiness, a warrior princess in the war on clutter.”.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I grew up in a cluttered house and married the King of Clutter (he's the type of person who'll open a credit card bill, pay it online, and then just leave the empty envelope, inserts, and bill itself randomly strewn on whatever surface happens to be nearby). It's a breath of fresh air and positive energy that brings real joy to the process of "tidying up." My clothes are all mine (which also means that they're in nowhere near as terrible a state as other things in my house), so going through them affects only me and involves only my own feelings. Her advice may sound silly at first, but if your belongings inspire feelings of unhappiness, guilt, etc., her anthropomorphism of them can really help you change your viewpoint in a positive direction. That is likely to carry a different level of meaning for someone in Japan than in the U.S. Other references to spiritual practice and feng-shui are not likely to resonate the same way for an American audience. There is a lot of discussion of travel toiletries, but very little about kitchen utensils, toys, or other items found most often in a family home. I'm now a week in, and 6 months seems like hardly enough time to tackle all the junk in my house, but I can fully see how this can be a life-changing process."
"I was browsing Pinterest one day and stumbled upon the "konmari method" and was intrigued, so I bought this book for kindle and read it in about an hour. I always thought I was a very organized person (because everything I owned had a designated, labelled place and my house was always super clean), but after reading this book I realized I was nothing more than a skilled hoarder. I probably discarded well over 100 bags of clutter in that 6 weeks and earned over $400 selling the big-ticket items via social media, which I used to make my house prettier."
Best Home Design Remodeling & Renovation
By renovating homes in Waco, Texas, and changing lives in such a winsome and engaging way, Chip and Joanna have become more than just the stars of Fixer Upper , they have become America’s new best friends. Even back then Chip was a serial entrepreneur who, among other things, ran a lawn care company, sold fireworks, and flipped houses. The time Chip ran to the grocery store and forgot to take their new, sleeping baby Joanna’s agonizing decision to close her dream business to focus on raising their children When Chip buys a houseboat, sight-unseen, and it turns out to be a leaky wreck Joanna’s breakthrough moment of discovering the secret to creating a beautiful home Harrowing stories of the financial ups and downs as an entrepreneurial couple Memories and photos from Chip and Jo’s wedding The significance of the word magnolia and why it permeates everything they do The way the couple pays the popularity of Fixer Upper forward, sharing the success with others, and bolstering the city of Waco along the way. CHIP AND JOANNA GAINES are the founders of Magnolia Homes, Magnolia Market, and Magnolia Realty in Waco, Texas.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"They have overcome adversity and have built a life full of love, family, talent, professionalism keeping their faith first and foremost."
"Great reading couldn't put it down made me smile,laugh and see some things in life we all go through similar."
"I have been a huge fan of Joanna and Chip right from the very first show."
"This is a must read for all Fixer Upper fans."
"I found the back story of how the Gaines met, and got started, to be very interesting, and I would recommend this book to others … particularly someone who enjoys the TV show or has a passion for revitalization."
"Reading the history that led to "Fixer Upper" is fascinating, and it just makes me love the Gaineses and the show all the more. So The Magnolia Story is not a literary marvel, but it does appear to be true to who the authors are in real life (or at least on TV)."
"Chip and Joanna serve as role models for a marriage and individuals alike with their kind hearts and loving ways."
"I can't even imagine my husband making those kinds of decisions without my input, but their relationship comes off as very balanced despite these peculiarities."
Best Bathroom Remodeling
In the process she realized the less she had, the more she could value the things that truly matter in life: friendship, family, self-care, and coziness. More With Less is based on a rational approach to minimalism but Miss Moore takes the idea further. In More With Less the downsizing process parallel runs with ideas on how to make your living space homely. Get ready to sweep away the clutter, organize your belongings, and warm up your precious relationships.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This book is a collection, in a very organized way, naturally, all the best advice you need to know to declutter your home from room to room, and make it cozy at the same time."
"I recommend this book to any one who is struggling to love their home because of clutter and lack of organization."
"I wasn't sure if it would be worth the money to buy it when I can get this information all over the Internet but I'm so glad I bought it."
"A welcome break from the rest of the minimalist decluttering books that are all about living with one shoe and one chair in an empty room."
"Next is my desk and then my business supply and tools hall and then the hall closet and steps to the garage (which I keep half of one step regularly covered."
"Minimalism is, at best, uncomfortable."
"The main thing that I've taken away from the different books that I've read on decluttering and minimalism--is find what works for you and start small, and take your time."
"Biggest weakness: The book is full of stereotypes, cliches, and generalizations."
Best Christian Dating & Relationships
By renovating homes in Waco, Texas, and changing lives in such a winsome and engaging way, Chip and Joanna have become more than just the stars of Fixer Upper , they have become America’s new best friends. Even back then Chip was a serial entrepreneur who, among other things, ran a lawn care company, sold fireworks, and flipped houses. The time Chip ran to the grocery store and forgot to take their new, sleeping baby Joanna’s agonizing decision to close her dream business to focus on raising their children When Chip buys a houseboat, sight-unseen, and it turns out to be a leaky wreck Joanna’s breakthrough moment of discovering the secret to creating a beautiful home Harrowing stories of the financial ups and downs as an entrepreneurial couple Memories and photos from Chip and Jo’s wedding The significance of the word magnolia and why it permeates everything they do The way the couple pays the popularity of Fixer Upper forward, sharing the success with others, and bolstering the city of Waco along the way. CHIP AND JOANNA GAINES are the founders of Magnolia Homes, Magnolia Market, and Magnolia Realty in Waco, Texas.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"They have overcome adversity and have built a life full of love, family, talent, professionalism keeping their faith first and foremost."
"Great reading couldn't put it down made me smile,laugh and see some things in life we all go through similar."
"I have been a huge fan of Joanna and Chip right from the very first show."
"This is a must read for all Fixer Upper fans."
"Reading the history that led to "Fixer Upper" is fascinating, and it just makes me love the Gaineses and the show all the more. So The Magnolia Story is not a literary marvel, but it does appear to be true to who the authors are in real life (or at least on TV)."
"I can't even imagine my husband making those kinds of decisions without my input, but their relationship comes off as very balanced despite these peculiarities."
"I would recommend this book to: fans of Fixer Upper, but also to young parents, young adults, people who are trying to figure out their place in the world."
"Cute book, easy read!"
Best Biographies of Religious Leaders
By renovating homes in Waco, Texas, and changing lives in such a winsome and engaging way, Chip and Joanna have become more than just the stars of Fixer Upper , they have become America’s new best friends. Even back then Chip was a serial entrepreneur who, among other things, ran a lawn care company, sold fireworks, and flipped houses. The time Chip ran to the grocery store and forgot to take their new, sleeping baby Joanna’s agonizing decision to close her dream business to focus on raising their children When Chip buys a houseboat, sight-unseen, and it turns out to be a leaky wreck Joanna’s breakthrough moment of discovering the secret to creating a beautiful home Harrowing stories of the financial ups and downs as an entrepreneurial couple Memories and photos from Chip and Jo’s wedding The significance of the word magnolia and why it permeates everything they do The way the couple pays the popularity of Fixer Upper forward, sharing the success with others, and bolstering the city of Waco along the way. CHIP AND JOANNA GAINES are the founders of Magnolia Homes, Magnolia Market, and Magnolia Realty in Waco, Texas.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"They have overcome adversity and have built a life full of love, family, talent, professionalism keeping their faith first and foremost."
"Great reading couldn't put it down made me smile,laugh and see some things in life we all go through similar."
"I have been a huge fan of Joanna and Chip right from the very first show."
"This is a must read for all Fixer Upper fans."
"I would recommend this book to: fans of Fixer Upper, but also to young parents, young adults, people who are trying to figure out their place in the world."
"Cute book, easy read!"
"Chip and Joanna solved that problem magnificently - I always knew who was speaking which brought additional richness to the work. It is also a very encouraging book in a time when we all need that little boost to chase our dreams, but don't be deceived into believing all has been rose petals and blue skies."
"Loved, Loved, Loved this story."