Chelsea Green Staff Picks for Your 2023 Reading List

Mini-Forest Revolution

We’ve long heard that we need to plant trees—in order to sequester carbon, to restore wildlife habitat, to decrease soil erosion… But what if the message to plant trees is an oversimplified one?

That is precisely what Hannah Lewis proposes in Mini-Forest Revolution, introducing readers to a forest-planting method developed by the late Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki. Miyawaki shifts the proposition. We don’t need to plant trees; or at least not just any trees, anywhere. We need to create intact ecosystems of native vegetation that more adeptly perform the above functions and many more. I love discovering layers of nuance that previously eluded me, and reading Hannah’s book was certainly that kind of experience. (The concept of planting native forests is, itself, only one piece of the puzzle.) She also happens to be a beautiful storyteller who takes her readers on a global adventure to explore a burgeoning movement.

—Natalie Wallace, Editor

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Cold-Hardy Fruits and Nuts

With food security, scarcity, and shortages dominating headlines, I’ve become increasingly interested in the viability of growing my own nut trees. Also: what could be more practical—and hopeful—then creating my own edible environment that includes almonds, hazelnuts, and pecans?

In Cold-Hardy Fruits and Nuts, authors Allyson Levy and Scott Serrano have given me all the tools I need to make these nut tree dreams a reality. The information in this book is detailed, easy-to-use, and practical in that it presents each plant species with helpful sub-headings like: growth difficulty rating; taste profile; pollination and soil condition requirements; hardiness ratings; cultivars; and invasive plant warnings. On top of that, the photography throughout is outstanding! This book is going to be a go-to resource for years and years to come!

——Sean Maher, Director of Marketing and Sales Analytics

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The Seed Detective

I remember once reading a story about how chillies made their way to India and how I was shocked that something so inherently rooted in Indian cuisine did not originate in the subcontinent. Then when I got the opportunity to read (and work) on The Seed Detective, I was amazed by the stories of these rare vegetables that Adam has searched for all over the world. ⁠

The foodie in me was fascinated reading the stories of our very own Indiana Jones of vegetables and as an added bonus, his vast repertoire of ‘veggie’ knowledge helped me ace a couple of pub quizzes. This is the perfect read for anyone at all curious about where our food comes from and it will leave you with a deep respect and admiration for heritage growers everywhere.

—Harshita Lalwani, UK Marketing and Sales Assistant

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Wildcrafted Vinegars

Pascal Baudar never disappoints. His newest release, Wildcrafted Vinegars, is a must-have for any wild food or fermentation enthusiast!

Wildcrafted Vinegars challenged me to think of using homemade vinegar in a whole range of dishes that never crossed my mind (desserts, soups, jams, who knew?!) Whether foraging ingredients, harvesting from your garden, or getting them from your local grocery store, Pascal gives the perfect mix of experience and encouragement to experiment on your own. 

And if you are looking for additional inspiration and mouth-watering eye candy, his Instagram is one of my favorites. Drop him a follow at @PascalBaudar for some added motivation and stunning photography.

—Gretchen Kruesi, Director of Digital Development

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Cider Planet

As a self-proclaimed ciderhead, I was intrigued by Cider Planet at first sight. While I thought I knew plenty about cider before reading, this book showed me that there’s always more to learn. As I read Cider Planet, the book continuously opened my eyes to all the small details and intricacies that go into global cidermaking. 

From detailed histories of the world’s oldest cider-producing regions to descriptions of different apple varieties and orchard practices, author Claude Jolicoeur packs a punch of valuable cider-related knowledge into every page. Whether you’re a skilled cider maker, someone who’s curious about making cider, or simply a cider lover like myself, this book is sure to be the apple of your eye.

—Lani Panico, Digital Marketing Associate

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Our Wild Farming Life

What better gift to give or receive than Our Wild Farming Life by Lynn Cassells and Sandra Baer of Lynbreck Croft! I’ve been following their story since I first saw them on BBC 2’s This Farming Life and was so excited when I found out they had continued telling their story in a book. I daydream of having a homestead (and living in Scotland!) and was captivated by their incredible adventure. 

I was even more inspired listening to Lynn’s retelling of their story through the audiobook!

—Kirsten Drew, Publishing Partnerships Manager

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