Old Style Inspiration Books

THIRZAH

I like "Nella Last's War"-a WW2 diary kept by a housewife in Barrow in Furness.

Penelope_Penguin

Hi there :beer: As this thread has now fallen from the front page of Old Style, I'll add it to the existing thread on Old Style Inspiration Books to keep ideas together.

Penny. x

Mrs_Cupier

Can I add a couple of children's books to the list?

We've recently rediscovered the 'Abigail' books by Moira Miller - Oh Abigail! and Abigail Again. There may be a third, but I'm not sure of the title. They were written in the very early eighties, and we read them as children. Now I'm reading them to my three and it's like a different world. Trainers were a new and exciting concept. You could slide about in the back of the car because rear seatbelts weren't compulsory. But best of all, is the absolute unthinking OSness of the stories. Need a new frock? Make one. Want new shoes? Only if you actually need a pair. Mum busy (baking because it's Saturday and there's to be cake for tea)? Entertain yourself for half an hour! Off to school for the first time? Have hand-me-down shirts and jumpers and like it!

When we read them, that's just how life was. What's interesting is that my children don't query the making, baking, entertain yourself bits - but were astounded that cameras needed film in them .....

Sweet_Pea_2

OOhh! I was only thinking about this thread the other day when I was reading a book from the library called Ripe for the picking by Annie Hawes. I dont know if its been mentioned previously on this thread but its fantastic! Its set in the Italian countryside so it makes you feel all holidayish as you read it but it's really OS too. When the hm wine runs out, they had to make do with horrible shop bought stuff until the next batch of wine was ready, everything was hm, the descriptions of the food will make you drool. Also all the bottling, baking, and preserving are reaaly inspirational. The way of thinking is why rely on a well paid job that could vanish in a puff of smoke to feed your family when you can grown enough food to feed your family.
I collected the first in the series from the library today, (Ripe for the picking is the second) the first is Extra Virgin.
The Abigail books as mentioned by the previous poster look interesting, must investigate those for DD.

mardatha

Hi TVT, I have that very book here ( the road to nabs end) and have just finished it..it will certainly stick in my mind. as will Angela's Ashes, but I hated that book, reminded me too much of my own irish mother....
I liked Nella Lasts war, read it many years ago... Liked the one already mentioned "A House By The Shore" of the hotel in Harris......liked hannah Haukswell and also Barbara Woodhouse's life story. and my own all-time fav book & film - The Railway Children !!:D

mardatha

am bumping this thread shamelessly cos I think its a good one ! LOL

moanymoany

I know it's a cookery book, but it is also more than that - my 'More with Less' cookery book arrived yesterday and it is very good. There are some unusual recipes, but lots of cheap and tasty sounding things to eat.

mardatha

I've ordered the "hovel in the hills" one from amazon....

foreversomeday

I must admit I haven't read through the whole thread but had to add my recommendation - The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio. By Terry Ryan.

I picked it up at a car boot sale ages ago to make up numbers (it was 5 books for 50p or something) and wasn't really sure if I'd like it but it was fantastic.

It is the story of a woman who lived in America in the 1950s/60s and had 10 kids, her husband was an alcoholic and regularly drank most of his wages so she kept the family alive by entering contests and writing jingles for adverts. The book is written by one of her (now grown up obviously) children and it is a true story which makes it all the more inspiring. I like to think of it as an older version of people on MSE doing surveys, mystery shopping and of course online competitions. There's a bit in the book where she finds a group of women who also do contests and they all write to each other, it reminded me of this board and the lovely supportive messages to each other.

It's just a brilliant inspiring book and the cheapest copy on amazon at the moment is 33p, also Martin posted the free next day delivery loophole on his email this week so there is no excuse!

moanymoany

I bought the 'More With Less' cook book and also the 'Living More With Less', both by Doris Janzen Longacre and contributions by many, many others.

I am not a religious woman and I find the Christian Fundamentalists quite terrifying, however, this religion based book has inspired me. The religion in the book is Mennonite.

Clearly the basis of the Mennonite religion is simple living and serving the poor in not only the USA but also throughout the world. This book gives many ideas on simple living. They range from children's toys and entertainments to ideas on how to spend adult leisure time.

It also has lots of letters telling their own stories of simple living and also insights into what our lives are governed by.

One man had been to China and had wondered how the Chinese people could live whilst being bombarded by political slogans everywhere, on walls, on television. On his return to the USA he realised that it was just as bad there. The difference was that the bombardment was advertising, advertising encouraging people to buy, buy, buy - mostly what they didn't need and sadly as we are all seeing now, couldn't afford.

It does have a lot of information and ideas on what to make and how to make it, but it is more than that. There is a lot of religious language, but there is also a mine of ideas to live simply and in tune with the Earth and it's people.

It includes a way of making sandals from tyres. Simple patterns for making a one piece shirt, children's toy ideas, and recipes to feed 50 people among many other things!

Wonderful book. :j So glad I bought it.