Book review Monday

Back by popular request, here's my Book Review Monday recommendation.

Last week, a reader asked if I had any recommendations for books on soap-making. We have two such books in our library:

The first book, "The Art of Soap Making," is a Harrowsmith publication dating back to 1979 (hilariously, it bills itself as "a contemporary primer," which of course it was at the time). This was, possibly, the very first book I bought for myself having to do with homesteading and self-sufficiency. I was in late high school at the time, and already I was tugged in that direction.

For its time, it's a handy little book (123 pages in length), though harder to find these days.

Later, I bought a more comprehensive guide called "The Soapmaker's Companion."

This is a decidedly more in-depth reference, 281 pages in length.

Both books are excellent. "The Art of Soap Making" is better for beginners, while "The Soapmaker's Companion" covers both beginning recipes as well as more advanced options.

That said, I should make it clear I've only made soap a few times in my life. It's simply not one of my passions. However I love homemade soap and have enjoyed using various kinds many, many times from many different sources.

In other words, if soap-making is a passion for you – go for it.

Meanwhile, Don had his own book recommendation, "The Ultimate Guide to Farm Mechanics."

This is another modern compendium reprint of three older publications (from 1922, 1908, and 1884).

It is a decidedly hefty 1,049 pages in length, and contains a wealth of information.

(Obligatory disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Affiliate, if you purchase through those links, I earn a small commission. Thank you!)

So there you go, your book reviews du jour. If anyone has any more "book review requests," let me know and I will review them if I can. Happy reading!