In this series, we’ll pick some of our favorite things about Minnesota and share some related book suggestions. (We’re open to your suggestions! Comment below or email us and tell us some of your favorite MN things!)

This week we’re investigating all the cool things you can do in your backyard: relax! raise chickens! plant a garden! design a lovely outdoor living space with a patio table to catch all the winter snow!

Backyard Chickens: A Practical Handbook to Raising Chickens by Claire Woods
“The Backyard Chicken Handbook is an authoritative guide, from a fourth-generation chicken keeper, bringing simple yet practical knowledge which covers all aspects of raising healthy and happy chickens.
The handbook is suited to both first time keepers and veterans by providing varying degrees of detail to keep both readers engaged.”

Backyard by Donald M. Silver
“An exciting journey of discovery is as near as your own backyard: a place alive with creepers and crawlers, lifters and leapers, singers, buzzers, climbers, builders, and recyclers.”

The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters by Priya Parker
“Every day we find ourselves in gatherings, Priya Parker says in The Art of Gathering. If we can understand what makes these gatherings effective and memorable, then we can reframe and redirect them to benefit everyone, host and guest alike. The result is a book that’s both journey and guide, full of big ideas with real-world applications that will change the way you look at a business meeting, a parent-teacher conference, and a backyard barbecue.”

Backyard Bears: Conservation, Habitat Changes, and the Rise of Urban Wildlife by Amy Cherrix
“Part field science, part conservation science, Backyard Bears looks at black bears—and other animals around the globe—who are rapidly becoming our neighbors in urban and suburban areas.”