Blog Update!
For those of you not following me on Facebook, as of the Summer of 2019 I've moved to Central WA, to a tiny mountain town of less than 1,000 people.

I will be covering my exploits here in the Cascades, as I try to further reduce my impact on the environment. With the same attitude, just at a higher altitude!

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Sleeping Naked Is Green - review and book club

Sleeping Nekkid is GreenOur very own Green as a Thistle (aka Vanessa Farquharson) has written a book, Sleeping Naked Is Green, which is out now for your reading enjoyment. (Are those your legs, Vanessa, or did you use a body double?)

Reading through Vanessa's book, which, in many ways, chronicles her year of blogging about her one-a-day green changes, was very nostalgic for me since I read her blog religiously and remember many, if not all, of the posts she discusses in the book. That's not to say that the book is just a repeat of what's in her blog. Far from it. The book expands considerably on the changes she was making as well as provides more background on the effect the changes had on her life.

Arduous posted a review of the book yesterday as well and, for many, reading this book brings us back to that heady world two or so years ago when some of us green bloggers were just starting out: No Impact Man, Green as a Thistle, Little Blog in the Big Woods and Crunchy Chicken.

Vanessa's voice always stood out for a number of reasons: she represented the young and hip crowd. She's single with no kids and isn't a complete environmental nut job like some of the rest of us. Her writing has always been truthful and witty and made some of the most mundane of eco changes entertaining. She even managed to draw in readers outside the regular environmental circles.

For those of you who weren't reading along back then or are new to trying to green your personal lives and reduce your carbon footprint, then you'll find this book not only highly educational, but highly entertaining as well. I have to say that she's made a big impact in my life and has helped frame my own environmentalism. And, I can honestly say that I was seriously melancholy when she stopped blogging so she could write her book.

I'd like to propose having a mini book club in reading this book. I'd like to bring up highlights to discuss and to showcase some of the changes that she's made that have the most (or, should I say, least) impact. It would make for a great review and plus, it's Vanessa for crying out loud.

What say ye?

Are you interested in a Sleeping Naked Is Green book club?

19 comments:

Notwasted said...

I tried to get through the blog but it just seemed like green washing.

Amanda said...

I read her blog in a few days last year when I first started trying to make "green" changes and loved it. I'm so excited her book is finally out!

Karine said...

After her challenge finished, I was just waiting for the book to get out. I read her book last month and I just loved it. I would be glad to discuss it!

Anonymous said...

I've read her book already and it inspired our family to make a daily change. We're on day 25 now. I would definitely participate in a book club.

Anonymous said...

I would love to read the book, and I totally will. But I have a stack of about 8 books in the queue right now so I don't think I could do it in time to participate. I will happily read along, though. :)

Anonymous said...

Can I participate in the book club if it's my own book? :) Maybe not, eh? Well, at least you know I'm around in the blogosphere if you have any questions! Also, a little note to Notwasted: If greenwashing denotes making false claims about being environmentally friendly, I can say with 100% honesty that I am far from guilty of that. Read the book and you will understand the lengths I went to in the name of Gaia worshipping :)

Crunchy Chicken said...

Thistle - Of course, you can participate in your own book club. It's way more fun that way!

Meghan (Making Love In The Kitchen) said...

Can I participate if I am a main character and come in on page 5 and have my words of wisdom,encouragement, scattered throughout, along with the sharing of my unsafe (but enviro friendly) contraception methods? If Thistle is in, I want in too!

Meghan

ps- Notwasted... had you gotten through her blog, you would have seen that it was not green washing at all. She may have started out with changing over her paper towel but after 366 days, great lessons were learned and BIG changes were made. Everyone has to start somewhere. That is what she has inspired.

Crunchy Chicken said...

Meghan - Since I'm sprinkled about in the book and I'm participating in the book club, then there's certainly no reason why you can't participate!

Anonymous said...

Oh, and P.S. Those are NOT my legs on the cover!! Haha... everyone always asks me that. I think Houghton Mifflin just used some stock photo or something because flying me down to a warm place for a photo shoot in tall grass would not have been green at all... :)

Meghan (Making Love In The Kitchen) said...

But those could totally have been your legs (Shhh... go with it).

And so glad I can participate. Can we have a discussion question as to whether my family comes across as nuttier than Vanessa's? Or are we keeping all discussion green?

Crunchy Chicken said...

Meghan - We can discuss whatever wacky thing you like. As long as it has at least some tenuous connection to the book, it's fair game. I can even do a poll for you :)

Melinda said...

I'm in if Vanessa is in. :)

Notwasted said...

Perhaps what I said came out as more offensive than I meant it to be.
Granted I did not get through the entire 365 days.
I will try and go through and read it again, or see if my library has a copy of the book.

From what I read of the blog it seemed to focus a lot on consumerism still, purchasing a lot of items etc.

Karen said...

I'm reading this book along with my sister and posting my own Green Attempts on my blog!
I love the book so far, so fun and so honest!

Sonja said...

Just picked the book up (ya I know, not green and not in following with August challenge). I am excited!ou

Unknown said...

I bought the book last week and I've already finished it but would love to participate in the book club! Love the book!

Jason C said...

Did they steal that cover from the Grist book?

Sandy said...

I can't put the book down! Can't wait for the related posts!