I won this book from Green Bean and I thought I'd pass it along to some other lucky winner now that I am finished reading it.Plenty: One Man, One Woman and a Raucous Year of Eating Locally, is written by a Vancouver couple that, not too surprisingly, spends one year eating locally. Written in a similar vein as Barbara Kingsolver's Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, this story is a little more apropos to those who don't have a lot of land or, really, any land to grow and store their own food.
Here's my mini review:
It was interesting reading how this couple struggled with keeping to their 100 mile diet and how they went about trying to find foods that fit within their criteria. On one hand it was admirable that they stuck to their guns (for the most part), but I was disappointed by the incredible amount of travelling they did during this time. Granted, much of it was work related, but still. It seemed to offset their efforts.
I found the format of authors switching between chapters confusing and half the time couldn't remember which one was writing when I picked up the book again. The crabbing about their relationship and each other was distracting and, even though it may have pertained to what they were experiencing, it came off as being really childish. I wasn't as inspired reading this one as opposed to the several other books out on the market that deal with the same content and the writing isn't nearly as good as with Kingsolver's, but that's a hard comparison.
I guess my recommendation is that if you haven't read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle or The Omnivore's Dilemma, then you will probably like this book. It isn't as good as the other two, but if you can borrow a copy, then give it a whirl.
Now that I've totally turned you off from reading this book with my fabulous review I must say that it is still worth a look-see if you are interested in reading about other's experiences with trying to eat locally. And, hey, it's free! So sign up if you want to win this copy by adding your name to the comments of this post. This contest closes on Friday, July 11th at 6:00 p.m. PST.
Good luck!
97 comments:
The idea of eating locally is not new to me.... the practical reality is! I am quite curious how they did this, so would love to receive the book.
Just this year, we have started to grow our own vegs, in addition to the fruit we already grow. I really want to try this "eating local" with other products!
count me in the drawing please
Wow, I was gonna sign up but that review makes me think it's not even worth the postage!
Thanks but I guess I'll pass... too many good reads out there that I want to get to first. :-)
Well to spite your 'rave' reviewÜ I would love to read this and then will likewise pass it on to some poor soul who doesnt know any better. I am really really kidding here. I have been wanting to read it and have read one of the others but will takes my chances if I am lucky enough to win!
I will try this book if I win , then pass it on to someone else. Thanks for including me
My library doesn't have this one, and I would like to read it... I would pass it along as well if it chances to fall to me.
*puts name in hat*
Even with less effective writing, I'm really curious to see how they fared in a less hospitable climate than Kingsolver.
I'd read it! I've been thinking about the annoying lawn lately and curious how people do it w/o a large amount of space. I'm one of those people that reads books and watches movies despite what reviews say. Sometimes I regret the movies, but usually when it applies to reading a book, I feel like I at least get some brain exercise. Count me in!
I haven't read the other two, so I'd be happy to read this one. Thanks for the chance!
I'll give it a try!
Erin
I loved Animal, Vegetable, Miracle - I'm sure I will love this one as well. Sign me up! And keep on Crunching!
Yes, I am still interested in reading it, after your review! :) Thanks for passing it along!
I couldn't agree more with your review! I rented the book from the library and couldn't get into it at all, for exactly the resons that you described. It always makes me happy when others share my feelings on negative book reviews--then I don't feel like I am being overly critical :)
count me in the drawing. I'd like to give it a go.
I'm interested. I need something to read in between shelling peas, so please count me in.
put my name in the hat!
I'm in too!
I would read it then pass it along. :)
I have the book, but I just wanted to voice some encouragement for those who haven't read it yet. I thought the bickering and sometime-depression made the book more palatable than Kingsolver's (which I also loved, but which seems a little halcyon for my generation). You're right, Crunchy, that they do an extravagant amount of traveling, but I don't think the book is trying to give a "Be like us" message, just an honest account of their experiment in living their truth. Fwiw.
I am disappointed to hear about their amount of travel, and would like to read the book myself to learn about their local food quest! Please count me in the drawing!
Count me in! I am eating locally for 2008 and would love to read about others that have done it.
You know what? I think I just realized that I'm actually maturing...hard to believe but it's (possibly) true... I was going to put my name in (after all--a free book--how could I not?) and then I realized--I have at least 20 books on my shelf that I've been meaning to read, but haven't yet... If I won, it would sit with the other 20 until I eventually got around to reading it, thus depriving other people of the chance to read it right now. And you know what? I'm not gonna do it. Please DON'T put my name in. BUT, please do congratulate me on my self-restraint!
While I loved Kingslover's book, I would enjoy reading another approach to eating local.
--Ave
I actually would recommend this book very highly, especially to folks who have read the big two already. The two voices I found to be very distinct--perhaps because my partner and I read it aloud together?--and one of the two is very funny. The thing that I think makes it good for more advanced localists is how strict they are. Kingsolver shows how to eat mostly local in a doable way, and they really push the borders to find out what to do when it gets hard. Pretty interesting.
Hope whoever wins it enjoys it as much as I did. (Don't need to include my name in the drawing.)
I really enjoyed the book, and their sensitive, emotional, "day-in-the-life" writing style. I liked the travel sections, though I see your point. But I thought it was interesting to see (through their eyes) where their food was coming from. And all travelling was done within the 100 miles, so they did what they had set out to do. (In Canada the book is called "100 Mile Diet").
I'm not signing up for the draw, as I have the book, but just wanted to put in my 2¢.
I'll read it!
Add my name for the drawing please.
I've been waiting for this book at my library for over a year now (I'm pretty sure it's gone MIA). Your review is kind of what I've heard, so I didn't want to buy it new. It would be lovely if I won. Thanks, Crunchy!
I'm in, too, La Crunche' - this book is on my "To Read" list - which, if it gets any longer, might become a Library catalog of its own!
Carla
I'm in, despite your obvious 'love' of the book.
I would like to read it. Please include me.
I just wanted to add a note for those of you that may be turned off by my book review, that I am exceedingly hard on books.
Usually with the book clubs, I don't want to shut down conversation by being overly critical, but since this is a book review I wanted to write what I felt. But, like I said, I'm rather persnickety with books :) So, take it with a grain of sea salt.
I'd like to read it!
I totally agree with limesarah!
--Erika
Count me in. Thanks!
Count me in the drawing, please.
You sure know how to sell, sell, sell Crunchy. LMAO
Heh, I remember reading Beany's review and she was talking about how the book stressed her out because she kept worrying the couple would break up. That said, I'd be interested to read it and see what I thought. Then I'd do a review of my own and send it back out in the blogosphere.
Count me in please! :)
count me in for the drawing
count me into the drawing! Haven't read the other two books either! lol!
Please include me. Especially since I only have a couple of radishes in my garden and the growing season is finally just arriving here. At least I can dream.
please throw my name in the hat......when i'm done reading it.....i'll do a giveaway on my blog too!
Count me in for the drawing! Thanks.
I'd read it if I won it - despite your review. Otherwise, I'll stick with The Omnivore's Dilemma.
Count me in.
~Mad(elyn) in Alabama
www.xanga.com/madewyn
I have thoroughly enjoyed Michael Pollan's and Barbara Kingsolver's books and have hesitated to read this one for the reasons you state. However, I would like to know how they managed their 100-mile diet and so what the heck, I'll enter the drawing!
Hi - please enter me into the drawing! I did read Kingsolver's AVM, but I realize many authors cannot live up to her writing experience, so I'm willing to forgive that.
Throwing my name into the ring. I've read snatches of the book while sitting at Barnes & Noble.
thanks, I'm in.
diana
Ooh - add me, please! I'm intrigued but concerned about things like wheat and such. I guess we have plenty of local sources of olive oil (which I already buy) but I'm not so sure about bread...
Pick me, pick me! Oh, it's Plenty. Never mind. ;-) I totally agree with you that this is a good (quick) read if you haven't read AVM or OD. I also think Pleny might appeal more to young couples than to us old mom types.
I'm interested. Thanks!
Im in!
I have read both the other 2 books--but its always good to read another one!
Please throw my name in the drawing hat! I just finished reading "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" (love that blackberry basil crumble recipe!) and would like to read "Plenty" to see how their experiences were similar/dissimilar. Thank you!
i have read all 3. each has a different viewpoint. and each a different lifestyle. i found kingsolver's hardest to put down, pollan's the most fact filled, and plenty the most likely to resemble and urbanite's life.
if i win, i will give the copy to my library, as there is no way such as this will get purchased around here.
I would be honored to read a book once owned by a Bean and a Chicken. Count me in, I loved AVM, but would like to know more, so I'll give it a whirl if I win!
I enjoyed this book, although not as much as some others that I've read on the subject. I think what turned me off the most was that they made it seem impossible to eat locally unless you basically have a job with completely flexible hours (i.e. freelance something or other). It was a quick, interesting read but at times I found it more discouraging than encouraging just because of the time aspect involved. It's definitely a good summer read though.
I've been interesting in reading this book. Although, your review makes me a little less interested . . . :)
Please add me to your drawing. They are reading this book at a book club by us at Elizabeth Anna's Old World Garden. My husband and I thought it sounded kind of interesting.
Count me in! Thanks, meghan
Count me in too!
Wow, I would love, love, love to receive this book! I appreciated Animal, Vegetable, Miracle - a lot. I was doing my best to be a locavore 100% before reading it, and still am. I wonder if this book would hit a little closer to home, though, which I mention because of a point made in your review. I am not in a position right now to acquire the land and and community of friendly neighbor farmers that helped so much in Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. What a wonderful giveaway! Also, great blog. I read it daily!
I would love to be entered into the drawing. I find it very interesting to read of others' experiences as they strive to eat local.
Please include me in a chance to win the book
Jill S
I would love to win this book! My library doesn't have copies and I've been wanting to read it since the first day I read about the experiment on Treehugger!
Please sign me up. Likely I will not do the 100-mile diet but I like reading about people who are totally different than myself. Gives me perspective.
THanks!
Please put me in the drawing! Thanks!
I'd like to be entered in the drawing...thanks!
Would love to read this book.... Please enter me in the drawing
I'm in too. Hubby and I have just begun concentrating on local food and growing some of our own. Another's experience could be a great encouragement.
Count me in, my library doesn't have this either.
Please enter my name in your contest- I wanna win the book and see if we come to the same conclusions!
It sounds interesting despite the negatives, lol.
I take it that it is based on the 100mile club?
cheers
Cat
I'm interested...
Please add my name to the drawing. Thanks.
I'd be interested in taking a read. =]
Count me in the drawing =)
DON'T add me to the drawing -- I won the OTHER copy from Green Bean/Katrina (my copy has since been donated to my local library). But I wanted to say both that I really enjoyed the book AND that I agreed with your review, including the things you didn't like.
I didn't find the two writers' voices to be too confusing, but perhaps that's because I tend to read to a chapter break before putting the book down for the day. Like you, I was distracted by the relationship fuss -- or rather, I was waiting for it to be addressed and brought to completion later in the book -- you know, some kind of explanation of what the problem had been and how it was resolved. Having to just presume they were stressed from the project was bad enough, but then having their issues magically disappear at the end of their year just struck me as unreal. As someone whose relationship broke up last year even as we were focused on getting prepared for an uncertain future, I wasn't surprised to see the inclusion of the problem, just wish it had been brought to a cleaner completion.
I found their persistence in seeking out local food sources to be really inspiring! That's probably the best part of the book IMO.
Even with the various things I didn't like, I really enjoyed the book and am glad I read it. And that's coming from someone who's already read AVM and Omnivore's Dilemma. I'd say this wasn't as good a piece of writing as those, but it was much more of a "follow along with us ordinary people" read, which is inspiring to me as one of those ordinary people.
Oooh I've been wanting to read this for a while. Please enter me in the drawing...thanks!
I read the book last year, and it inspired us to start a 100-mile diet of our own. I thought the authors could have left out the relationship problems and made it a better book. But it was a book I couldn't put down. Kingsolver's book, beautifully written, took me three months to finish.
Here they are, living in an apartment in Vancouver Canada, starting in March, with NOTHING on hand from what I could tell except a bag of salt, and totally strict, and still managed to stick to it. When I planned ours, with a well-stocked pantry, I allowed 10 stated exceptions (5 each), and we could use what we had on hand. I also had a winter CSA membership. I didn't want to end up spending 2 months eating only potatoes, with dandelion as garnish.
Anyway, don't put me in the drawing. But I think it is a worthwhile and interesting book. They also have a nice website.
I totally agree with your review. I never even finished it. It is unfortunate I read it after all the other local food books. If I had read it first, I probably would have liked it.
Sign me up :)
I'm in!
I'm in and I would absolutely read then pass it on!!
Can I try?
Erin E. (there's another Erin)
Ooh! I'd love this book...Lisa in MN
Add me to the list please!
sure-sign me up-will donate it to the library when I'm done with it-
I'd like to read the book, count me in!
-alanna randall
It's on my list of must reads. Please count me in! Of course I would share it with others after I was done :)
Count me in!! I've been wanting to read this book.
I'd like to be in the drawing!
met you a yr ago when you had shared the news of your husbands diagnosis, have been following along ever since - my many thoughts to you and yours this weekend and what the heck add me to this giveaway too
I would love to win a copy of the book. After reading it, I would then pass it along via my blog. Can't wait to see who gets it, though
Sign me up! I'm devouring "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" chapter by wonderful chapter, I'll need a new read soon! I promise to keep the book giveaway karma going after I'm finished with it...
sign me up! i'm very interested in eating locally and how to apply it into my life. thanks for the opportunity.
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