Design
Move beyond compact fluorescent bulbs and yard waste composting with The Northwest Green Home Primer, created by sustainable design experts Kathleen O'Brien and Kathleen Smith. The book itself shows plenty of thoughtful design—practical checklists, attention to budgeting, and case studies are balanced with glossy home photos that inspire serious coveting. www.greenhomeprimer.com

Wine
Dedicated wine connoisseurs are equal parts impressive and intimidating, and it's always something of a relief to learn from one who's just a regular guy. Steve Robert's Wine Trails of Washington was published in January; it covers 228 wineries, divided up into "tasting trails" that can be visited in a weekend. It avoids repetitive tasting notes and emphasizes the experience—which seems l ike the very best way to learn your way around wine. www.winetrailsnw.com

Food
It's easy to appreciate a cookbook that's just as fun to read as it is to use in the kitchen. The Washington Local and Seasonal Cookbook is exactly what it sounds like, with 90 recipes featuring fresh local ingredients. With a few years at the Herbfarm and as a teacher of seasonal cooking classes at PCC, author Becky Selengut provides not just great recipes but all sorts of traditions and trivia that relate to local food. www.seasonalcornucopia.com