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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
Everything that Kingsolver writes is visceral, magical, and moving. This book, while not fiction, changed my life.
Fun memoir that makes local eating seem (almost) attainable for most people. Lots of good information, engagingly shared.
In general, I liked this book and felt that it was a nice mix of entertaining and educational. For those who don't know, the book follows author Barbara Kingsolver and her family as they attempt to eat only locally grown food (much of which they grow themselves) during a whole year on their family farm in Virginia. Given the themes of the story, it was fitting that three members of the family contributed uniquely to the writing. I would recommend the book to anyone who is interested in learning more about local food movements and/or farm life or who would enjoy hearing about a family's experiences while embarking on a one-year challenge together. On the con side, I do think the narration comes across pretentious at times.
A wonderful book. Interesting, authentic, and honest. It's the first book of its kind that I've read. Makes me want to read some of her other works.
V
V
I learned so much about how to support local farmers and enjoy the day to day struggles of eating whole, local foods. Kingsolver gets a little political toward the end, and why I don't always agree with her, she has certainly earned my respect.
I bought this book, read half a chapter and then lost it over a year ago. I found it recently when scouring my shelves and so far it the 2nd part of the chapter she is comparing learning about agriculture/farming/growing food to music appreciation, relating a biology teachers' story about students thinking that pansies, turn into peonies that turn into chrysanthemums because landscapers come and change out the plantings and tying it all together to suggest this may be at the heart of the reason for our country's shift away from believing in evolution. Great start!
I really enjoyed this peek into one family's attempt to eat local for one year. It gave clear rational reasons why eating locally grown/produced food is more environmentally friendly (sustainable), nutritionally wise, and economically beneficial.
While most of us don't have farms we can grow our own produce on, Kingsolver did give some suggestions how anyone can increase the amount of local food they are eating. She also managed to avoid the elitist trap of the wealthy, never once suggesting that everyone could eat 100% local.
I liked the book's breakdown into months of the growing season. I actually learned quite a few things to enhance my own gardening. The last couple chapters and the wind down did get a bit overlong.
While most of us don't have farms we can grow our own produce on, Kingsolver did give some suggestions how anyone can increase the amount of local food they are eating. She also managed to avoid the elitist trap of the wealthy, never once suggesting that everyone could eat 100% local.
I liked the book's breakdown into months of the growing season. I actually learned quite a few things to enhance my own gardening. The last couple chapters and the wind down did get a bit overlong.
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
I'm obsessed with this book! Can't stop telling people about it - "did you know, my little town has not one but TWO" (holds up fingers) "two! features, which I think is pretty amazing for a book that takes place 600 miles from here." So yes, my little town might be a hope-beacon for people on journeys of local food awakening.
To say that "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" is about food (about Barbara Kingsolver's family who ate locally for a year, largely from their own garden) is absolutely accurate and yet misses so much. This book is about family and community, about corporations, about noticing, working, and exploring. The book is funnier than I expected, it's not over serious or sanctimonious.
This book was a loan, handed to me by someone saying "read it!!" several months ago and I wouldn't have chosen it on my own but I'm so glad that I did read it; "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" the right thing at the right time and has been a joyful companion on my own recent activity in intentional living.
Read it!!!
To say that "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" is about food (about Barbara Kingsolver's family who ate locally for a year, largely from their own garden) is absolutely accurate and yet misses so much. This book is about family and community, about corporations, about noticing, working, and exploring. The book is funnier than I expected, it's not over serious or sanctimonious.
This book was a loan, handed to me by someone saying "read it!!" several months ago and I wouldn't have chosen it on my own but I'm so glad that I did read it; "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" the right thing at the right time and has been a joyful companion on my own recent activity in intentional living.
Read it!!!
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
A funny and beautiful love letter to food and where it comes from. Kingsolver's prose bring you right into her heart and home. How I'd love to spend time gardening, cooking, and eating with this family.
This was not a five-star read for me only because I couldn't help but feel frustrated every time the argument was made that eating locally and organically isn't that hard. She often argues that the extra expense is worth it, but I think that discounts how many Americans have no wiggle room in their budgets for any extra expenses - this book was written pre-2008 financial crash and the age of it shows. I think she also seriously discounts how much harder going local food is when living in a city. I love my local farmers' market - and this book has been a good reminder to patronize it more - but the options there are somewhat limited and far more expensive than at the grocery store a block away. I have the luxury to afford that expense but understand many do not. I also have no room or way to do any long-term food storage in a studio apartment.
That being said, I truly enjoyed this book - as I have every Kingsolver I've read - and would recommend it to anyone who needs a reminder that food is so much more than just what we eat.
This was not a five-star read for me only because I couldn't help but feel frustrated every time the argument was made that eating locally and organically isn't that hard. She often argues that the extra expense is worth it, but I think that discounts how many Americans have no wiggle room in their budgets for any extra expenses - this book was written pre-2008 financial crash and the age of it shows. I think she also seriously discounts how much harder going local food is when living in a city. I love my local farmers' market - and this book has been a good reminder to patronize it more - but the options there are somewhat limited and far more expensive than at the grocery store a block away. I have the luxury to afford that expense but understand many do not. I also have no room or way to do any long-term food storage in a studio apartment.
That being said, I truly enjoyed this book - as I have every Kingsolver I've read - and would recommend it to anyone who needs a reminder that food is so much more than just what we eat.
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced