Book Reviews

Doughnut Economics is the first ever economics “page turner” I’ve ever encountered. Admittedly, I am wicked nerdy, but even I am often lulled into a lovely afternoon nap when reading economic texts. Doughnut economics gripped me from the outset, though, by addressing some of the most pressing questions that have been circulating in my own mind over the last 20 years since achieving my economics degree: how logically can GDP continue to grow indefinitely? Why do we assume that

Packed with insights regarding the beauty industry and loaded with practical tips, Sustainable Beauty offers a toolkit for making skincare and cosmetic routines more ethical and sustainable. I found it to be a quick, engaging read. It includes valuable insights regarding how to interpret labels in the cosmetics sector, and natural, more recyclable alternatives to traditional cosmetics. I made a number of simple and immediate changes to my beauty routine after reading. One v

Braiding Sweetgrass is a beautiful collection of essays explaining some key differences between the schools of thought that guide many Indigenous American cultures and those that inform the dominant culture. Fundamentally, this begins with a difference in the understanding of the relationship between people and the land. This is an incredibly thought-provoking read, at times pushing hard on the boundaries of generally accepted consumer culture in revelatory ways. From the fi

I have long loved Barbara Kingsolver’s fiction works, and found this to be a lovely exploration of what challenges and victories await when we think long and hard about what we eat and from where it comes. It made me re-think the meals I order in restaurants, and how I shop for groceries. Kingsolver and family provide a fun and interesting way to really deepen our understanding of how long and complex our food supply chains have become. In determining to only eat local food,

Unsettled is a highly scientific look at the strengths and weaknesses of climate modeling, common issues with weather and climate data, and gaps in our scientific knowledge. Running counter to the doomsday rhetoric we encounter at nearly every turn, I found Unsettled to be a pleasant (if a bit dry) reminder of the difference between anecdotal evidence supporting a narrative, and scientifically derived findings. To be clear, Koonin is not a climate denier. He is clear that cli