girl wonder, some books I've found useful and enjoyed: Interior Design Master Class: 100 Lessons from America's Finest Designers on the Art of Decoration by Carl Dellatore: "Creating a library-worthy resource on design, the volume’s editor, Carl Dellatore, recruited one hundred top American interior designers to contribute essays on a particular aspect of design, interspersed with examples of their work. Useful for both aficionados and professionals, the volume reveals the meticulous and often heady process that goes into creating great interiors." There's a very good good write-up and interview with the author at the design blog Quintessence. Habitat: The Field Guide to Decorating by decorator Lauren Liess (who is basically self-taught, which is why she calls herself a decorator rather than an interior designer), who has a great blog (not updated much anymore) where she has explained her choices and decisions. Mary Gilliatt's Interior Design Course by Mary Gilliatt Domino: The Book of Decorating: A Room-by-Room Guide to Creating a Home That Makes You Happy by Deborah Needleman The Perfectly Imperfect Home: How to Decorate and Live Well by Deborah Needleman A few of the interior design books I've picked up in the past few years, which gave me a greater sense of appreciation for what interior designers and decorators do: The Interior Design Reference & Specification Book: Everything Interior Designers Need to Know Every Dayby Linda O'Shea, Chris Grimley, Mimi Love Interior Design Course: Principles, Practices, and Techniques for the Aspiring Designer by Tomris Tangaz Some earlier helpful threads in the GardenWeb Home Decorating forum: Where to go for "Home Decorating 101"? What's your favorite Interior Design Book?

Would you like some fluff? I need fluff in my life from time to time. I sometimes wake up in the middle of the night and read. I surely do not want something heavy at 3 a.m. I just want something to occupy my mind for 30 minutes. I’ve read 2 books by Susan Elia McNeal, Mr. Churchill’s Secretary and Princess Elizabeth’s Spy. Strong female protagonist and a little WWII history too. While we were in Italy, I read The Great Passage by Shion Miura, a novel about the compilation of a Japanese dictionary from the editor’s point of view. On one train, we were seated across a table from a Japanese publisher and his wife. I was so excited to talk to him about The Great Passage. His English was better than my Japanese but not good enough to converse about a book. If you like words, I think you’ll be intrigued by The Great Passage.

There was a national trend amongst the hipsters for "fancy toast". Usually avocado or some other veg spread, decorated by little bits that look like the bottom of the salad bowl after the leaves are gone. :) I've eaten some. Not bad, but you have to come from a cooking deprived household to think it's special. I have Nancy Silverton's book, which is interesting, but not really for beginners. Considering your relationship with baking in general, I wouldn't recommend it, though if you follow exactly without any deviation you could succeed. When I was starting, I used Local Breads by Daniel Leader, but it's more about European style bakery baking than what you're probably looking for, and it's full of errata. You can find lists of errors and corrections online, but then you have to amend the book. It's also not one I'd recommend for you. Most of my bread books, of which I have many, are very particular to the author and not really meant to be baked from like a Betty Crocker cookbook. I get your desire. Someone may know of a good one for what you're asking. I haven't seen one. I know you don't want to live online, but maybe you could do your research and print out the bits you need? Try Sourdough.com and Breadtopia.com and don't go any farther before you already have some success under your hands.

There are various sources out there. I don't find them to be too technical but then my experience is different from yours. You might want to check them at a library or similar before purchasing. Should all be available through Amazon. Ken Druse - Making More Plants Henry Kock - Growing Trees From Seed Michael Dirr - Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation