House & Home

Finding the perfect house is never easy. Rebuilding one from a crumbling pile—to say nothing of making it into a home—is even harder. With their infant son in tow, David Giffels and his wife comb the environs of Akron, Ohio, in search of just the right house for their burgeoning family. Running through David's head the whole time are the lyrics of a Replacements song, ". . . Look me in the eye, then tell me that I'm satisfied," and it gives all the more purpose to their quest. But nothing seems right . . . until they spot a beautiful, decaying Gilded Age mansion. A former rubber industry executive's domain, the once grand residence lacks functional plumbing and electricity, leaks rain like a cartoon shack, and is infested with all manner of wildlife. But for a young man at a coming-of-age crossroads—"suspended between a perpetual youth and an inevitable adulthood"—the challenge is exactly the allure. All the Way Home follows Giffels's funny, poignant, and confounding journey as he and his wife and a colorful collection of helpers turn a money pit into a house that will complete their family. Nothing could prepare them for a home restoration epic that includes evicting squatters (both four- and two-legged), battling an invading wisteria vine, hunting a ghost, and discovering thousands of dollars in hidden Depression-era cash. But the story's heart lies deeper, in an unexpected series of personal hardships that call into question what "home" really means, and what it means to grow up. Written with the humor and insight of Bill Bryson and John Grogan, All the Way Home is the engaging tale of a young father's struggle to restore a house and find his way . . . without losing himself. more...

Price: $19.95

For six years, House & Garden editor-in-chief Dominique Browning has written a monthly column that weaves together personal stories and tips about home decorating, gardening, and raising children with universal themes of domestic life. In Around the House and in the Garden , Browning adapts and expands these well-loved pieces, adding dozens of new essays, to create an insightful and moving narrative about the solace and sense of self that can be found through tending one's home. more...

Price: $11.99

Discover Powerful Techniques and Features That Most Users Overlook. Whether you're designing houses, landscapes, or machines, there are AutoCAD tricks-of-the-trade that even seasoned users don't know—tips that can improve your skills, understanding, and productivity. more...

Price: $39.99

What do toads like to eat? Why do crickets sing? Why does a firefly glow? If you’ve ever longed to know more about the habits of the animals and insects that live in your backyard, here’s the book you’ve been waiting for! With Backyard Pets , you’ll find out how to catch and care for lots of different, easy-to-find critters, from terrific toads to slithering slugs. You’ll perform all sorts of investigations and activities, including discovering how snails eat and how caterpillars protect themselves, before you return your newly found pets safely to their natural home. And you’ll even find out how to attract birds and butterflies to homemade feeders and gardens so that you can observe them every day as they go about their amazing lives. more...

Price: $12.95

"Beeton's Book of Household Management" by Isabella Beeton is a classic work of literature that can be enjoyed by all. Download "Beeton's Book of Household Management" and enjoy another quality Digireads.com publication. more...

Price: $5.99