You can never have too many books when it comes to gardening. Some inspire you to be more creative, some help with basic chores and maintenance. It is important in southern California to select books that are written with our climate in mind. Here are a few of my favorites:
Southern California Gardening, A month-by-Month Guide by Pat Welsh. This month-by-month guide written for Southern California gardeners helps you to understand your gardening chores for the year.
American Horticulture Society Southwest Smart Garden Regional Guide by Pat Welsh. This book "Reassess your gardening practices by employing the latest tools and techniques, and tapping into expert gardening resources. It's easy to create a beautiful, successful and earth friendly garden"