You can find a lot of information on the internet about living off the grid, but there’s nothing like flipping through a book to start a new journey.
My shelves have a range of volumes that, along the way, have become my firm companions. books provide a way to get inspired and find the energy and motivation to pursue your goals and go off the grid, or a helpful “how to” tool that I can support alongside you as you embark on a new project.
You are reading: Books about living off the grid
The books here offer you a range of those possibilities. Whether you’re just getting started living off the grid or you’re well on your way but want to know more about solar power, DIY, or growing food, there’s probably a book to help you on your way.
living off the grid by nick rosen
about the author
nick rosen is probably the uk’s guru in terms of life offline. Nick, an award-winning documentarian, journalist and activist, has spent time all over the world, so his writing is informed from beyond his UK home. Although some of the information in his book relates to the UK, his ideas and practices are fully transferable to other climates, including the United States. Nick has also started a website following the content of his book, but with a more global vision.
The book is particularly meaningful because you feel its drive and purpose in its writing. I found this hugely inspiring in the fact that there is a point in disconnecting from the grid that serves beyond ourselves. There are also several videos of him giving interviews or talks:
what does it cover?
This book brings a sense of typical British pragmatism to a globally shared idea. it shows so many of the different ways people can move towards an off-grid life that leaves you feeling like anything could really be possible.
The first section travels around the world, meeting different people and hearing their reasons for living off the grid. it’s fascinating to discover the different ways they achieved their goal.
The second section provides helpful initial information on critical topics such as power generation, shelter, lodging, and water.
why it should be on your shelf
- an easy read with more of a narrative flair than some books, but one that leaves you feeling thoroughly inspired.
- a UK perspective on life off the grid providing excellent and universally applicable information.
- an excellent starter book that will help you develop a plan for living off the grid.
get your copy on amazon.
Many of these great books and thousands more are available on Kindle Unlimited. or you can subscribe to audible plus for access to an incredible selection of audiobooks.
‘go off the grid’ and ‘live off the grid’ by gary collins.
about the author
gary collins had a longstanding dream of building himself a house off the grid. after 20 years in the federal government, she made a move to stop burnout and simplify life. now, life off the grid is just part of a lifelong approach to it that takes into account nutrition, health, finances, purpose, and happiness.
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His down-to-earth, down-to-earth approach to life and living is one that is easy to come to terms with. he has the right amount of aspiration and inspiration to make you want to get up and make changes right away. get to know him a little:
You can also get insight into his approach and ethos from the your better life podcast or gary the simple life website
what do they cover?
The going off the grid approach is the journey to life off the grid. also take a good look at the reasons behind pursuing the dream in the first place. Gary talks about decluttering and simplifying her life as the best place to start a journey to living off the grid. she then goes on to trace the author’s experience of finding and buying his land, considering the design and construction of his house and the practical steps needed to actually build his off-grid home.
Gary’s 2019 book Living Off the Grid: What to Expect While Living the Life of Ultimate Freedom and Peace of Mind is the next step in the story. adapting to everyday life living off the grid presents the need for a completely different set of skills and strategies than those required to get there. In Gary’s easy style, he makes this transition seem not only possible but too attractive to miss.
He describes a rich community of people who share his lifestyle and are generous in sharing skills and offering help. he covers many of the highlights of what has become his way of life and honestly discusses some of the challenges, particularly in the chapters titled It Still Takes Money and My Top 10 Lessons.
why should it be on your shelf?
- take a holistic approach to living off the grid, recognizing it as a lifestyle in the fullest sense, something for the heart, body and soul.
- are well supported with additional resources and updated information on the podcast and website. you can take or leave this to some extent, but I enjoyed being able to continue
- taking the two volumes together provides a great insight into how to achieve your goals off the grid and then have them integrate into your life.
get ‘go off the grid’ or “live off the grid” from amazon.
life off the grid: how to start your journey off the grid by mike holsworth
about the author
mike holsworth has written a large number of books. her writing has most commonly focused on solar energy. here, however, she steps out of the details to take a more general look at why people live off the grid.
what does it cover?
Unlike some of the other books featured here, this book doesn’t have a strong “personal” voice where it’s easy to get involved in another like-minded person’s journey. Yet from the very first page of this book, Mike Holsworth leads with the compelling environmental case for going off the grid. Citing data from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development showing that “ill health and disease from polluted air, water, and environmental sources are expected to increase steadily through the year 2050,” it is impossible not to feel called to action. this thread remains strong throughout the book as we consider what it means to live off the grid, how to prepare for it, and how far off the grid is right for you.
why it should be on your shelf
- a clear and concise starter book, the kind that would make anyone think about the environmental benefits of living off the grid.
- takes a look at things from a strong environmental perspective , making it a useful alternative if you want to consider the impact you have on the world and the potential your changes might have.
- a useful alternative if you don’t want to get caught up in the ins and outs of someone else’s journey person.
get your copy on amazon.
the encyclopedia of country life, 50th anniversary edition. the original manual to living off the land and doing it yourself by carla emery
about the author
As this book proudly states, its contents were accumulated over 32 years, with the last major rewrite in 1994. The fact that this 2019 edition exists as a celebration of the book’s 50th anniversary only serves to confirm its continued place as a must-read book. have volume. carla emery passed away in 2005, having spent her entire life sharing her skills through this encyclopedia and the publicity that accompanied it. Living for more than thirty years on a farm in Idaho, the mother of seven had a passion for preserving the skills of a previous generation, as well as championing how vital they could be to a farm now and in the future.
what does it cover?
Not specifically aimed at those who want to pursue a life off the grid, this entire book could quickly become one you couldn’t live without. covers everything that would make your isolated house your home. chicken farming; making cheese, sausages or soap; everything from planning your garden to preserving the fruits of your harvest; natural remedies and skin care; even how to deliver a baby.
Although this book covers a wide variety of topics, its breadth does not detract from its value. in his approach, it almost feels like you’re getting advice from a wise old family member. details are carefully described and incredibly insightful. emery has taken the time to include things like:
- what kind of property could you get half an acre, one acre, two acres, ten acres, etc.
- emergency measures and precautions as far as clothing to have and supplies possible you need.
- a glossary of potentially unknown terms so you can get the best understanding of everything.
why it should be on your shelf
- all the homey goodness of a farm to your off-grid world.
- The tone of this book is the perfect balance between warm and comforting, authoritative and informative. it’s a great read, but it’s also full of practical and sometimes surprising information.
check the latest price of the encyclopedia of country life on amazon.
off-grid solar by joseph p o’connor
about the author
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joseph p o’connor is a solar entrepreneur and has been developing his specialty for over ten years. he lives and breathes renewable energy by working in the industry and advising on everything from design and construction to new product development and testing. his ethos of sharing knowledge really comes through, and he has some very helpful tips and ideas.
Once again I liked the support and backup from the linked website found at offgridsolarbook.com. not only did it re-emphasize joseph’s commitment, but it was a great place to dig into more detail or new topics. If you’re still not sure whether to buy this book, O’Connor offers a free excerpt if you sign up for his newsletter here.
what does it cover?
This is an excellent how-to guide that takes you through the steps to better design your site, selecting batteries, PV modules, charge controllers, choosing your converter, PV mounting and electrical cabinet.
starts at the very beginning by looking at how solar power works, from the sun, through your solar panel, charge controller, battery, and inverter to power you. In the design section, the focus is on energy efficiency so you can build a system that suits your energy needs. the section on understanding electricity is also helpful in helping you get the most out of what you’re doing. I found that the more I understood the physics behind it, the more I understood why I was doing what I was doing with my solar.
This book was first published in 2016, but has just been updated to a second edition. the new edition has updated charts and figures, as well as new sections based on reader feedback. There’s more detail on batteries and how to choose between them, along with practical improvements that O’Connor himself has been working on. it’s reassuring to know that the content of the book is based on the author actually working on the best ways to get on board with off-grid solar rather than just telling the theory.
why it should be on your shelf
- This is a book written from experience. it’s a true sharing of knowledge from someone who has gotten to know the subject in great depth
- an inspiring yet down-to-earth tone that gives you the confidence to go ahead and do it.
- lots of bonus material support via website, newsletter, and youtube videos, adding to the comprehensive and expert nature of o’connor’s writing.
exit amazon solar network.
step-by-step projects for self-reliance
about the author
Instead of being written by one person, this book is put together by the editors of Cool Springs Press. Cool Springs Press is a leading publisher of step-by-step guides, particularly those related to DIY, gardening, and home improvement. These credentials suggest that they are the perfect people to write a book on projects to increase self-sufficiency in the home. this volume does not disappoint.
what does it cover?
This book aims to help the average household become more self-sufficient through a series of over 60 projects. but the projects are so diverse that they will take you a long way to living completely off the grid. Each project is presented with easy-to-follow instructions, including details of all the tools and materials you’ll need. instructions are supported by clear and helpful photos of key stages of the project.
Projects are classified into sections. chickens & other critters, nurturing your garden and food preparation & conservation contain great projects for your home, but it’s the section on the comforts of home that takes this book a step further in terms of being helpful in turning your mindset from self-sufficiency to living off the grid.
why it should be on your shelf
- This is a great book to get you started working towards your self-sufficiency or off-grid life goals right away.
- A book that helps you break down your to-do list into projects practical and achievable.
- has instructions that are clear and easy to follow for projects that are essential to better living. the photographs really make a difference in the book, as well as being well shot and informative.
get your copy on amazon.
conclusion
Books give you the opportunity to learn from others holistically, perhaps more so than articles on the internet. the ones that really stand out are those with an honest exchange of experiences between you and the author. they’ve done what you’re trying to do, they’ve learned along the way, and then they’ve written about it.
There is nothing more powerful or inspiring than reading about someone who has overcome the challenges you face and can provide you with great information and advice on how to do it yourself.