Reviews with content warning for Racism - Consumed: The Need for Collective Change: Colonialism, Climate Change & Consumerism

I enjoyed the author's voice (literal and figurative). The tone was very conversational and felt more like an audiobook. The beginning felt quite strong, but as the book went on, it started to feel a little unfocused.

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kshertz's review

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challenging informative medium-paced

4.25

I really feel like this is a book that everyone should read. It is so incredibly informative and intersectional. It takes into account everything that we know about being a consumer society and yet it is still hopeful about all of the different things we can do. It puts everything in the perfect context and has really opened my eyes to what I can do to stop certain aspects of capitalism within my own home. It was a fantastic book. I look forward to reading more by this author.

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solenekeleroux's review

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hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

5.0

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lovelymisanthrope's review

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challenging informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

I absolutely adored this novel, and I definitely think everyone should read it! I did listen to it as an audiobook, and it was narrated by the author, which was a pleasant surprise, and made the topics discussed all the more impactful.
This book explores an array of topics surrounding consumerism, but what I was most interested to read about was the fast fashion industry and its negative impact on the world. Aja discusses her own journey to becoming involved in journalism and fashion, and how she personally stands her ground and built her career with integrity and morals. Along with her personal anecdotes, Aja has done her research and she discusses the negative implications of fast fashion as a whole, and how these companies are destroying the entire world. She also offers some great ideas to get started in becoming a more enlightened and mindful consumer who minimizes their negative impact. She provides some self quizzes that allow the reader to really reflect on their choices.
This book was well-researched, well-written, thoughtful, and very enlightening to read.

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sdupont's review against another edition

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informative medium-paced

4.25

Consumed is very informative and insightful. This book will definitely make you reflect and consider your role in society as a consumer. I will say at times the book was repetitive but the quality of the content was high. I do recommend this book.

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redroseses's review

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challenging hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

5.0

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emily_pns's review

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challenging hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

Aja Barber writes as though she is speaking frankly to a friend, and I'm thankful for it. It's what this topic needs. She beautifully weaves together the intersectional structures that allow fast fashion to thrive at the expense of human life, while admitting her own privileges and mistakes.

I loved that the book had 2 parts: 1 to spark your firey rage and one to give you hope. Barber provides the reader with tools to take action. It's a doom and gloom book, with actual, real light at the end of the tunnel.

My only complaint is that I wish more professional sources were used. Podcasts and websites and great, but I felt the citations could have been stronger, especially when it came to some of the statistics. Otherwise, amazing message and tone, and worth a read!

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