Maybe this book would have been more interesting to me at a different point in my parenting journey but at this stage, nah. It feels shallow, strangelMaybe this book would have been more interesting to me at a different point in my parenting journey but at this stage, nah. It feels shallow, strangely religious, a bit preachy, and a bit vapid with a veneer of respectful parenting. There is something that bothers me deeply about parenting books where someone has little or no experience with things but uses them as fear-mongering tactics to validate their world view. OK, this doesn't only happen in parenting books, but it bothers me more in parenting books because new parents are so often insecure and bulldozed by lunatics.
if you have read any other books about respectful parenting, homeschooling, family connection, etc there is probably nothing new in this book for you. ...more
I was really into the idea of this book because it's all about trying to tie up the loose ends of why us young, modern folk are so into knitting, makiI was really into the idea of this book because it's all about trying to tie up the loose ends of why us young, modern folk are so into knitting, making pickles, gardening, keeping chickens, attachment parenting, homeschooling, etc. I'm as introspective and thoughtful as the next women's college feminist. I read the first several chapters and it bored the everloving shit out of me. The author seems to have huge blindspots when she recaps the "history" of these "domesticities," like her references to sub/urban vegetable gardens that seem ignorant of both WWII victory gardens AND immigrant populations who have always gardened. It was not well-researched or complete enough to hold my interest or add anything to what I already know about this so-called "New Domesticity." It felt like a grasping outsider effort, and not a good one, to rationalize why people would want to make their own lives so difficult.
This book would probably be a lot more interesting to someone who hadn't read anything like, say, Farm City by Novella Carpenter (which - say what you will about Novella's book - that book has real, interesting information about traditions of food production in urban areas).
So, no, I didn't finish this book and barring an unforeseen academic career in which I have to write about modern domesticity, I never plan to. I'll be too busy making jam to worry about this hole in my knowledge base....more
I made it three discs through this audio book and I have no fucking idea what's going on. I think I should try this again in paper form after I read WI made it three discs through this audio book and I have no fucking idea what's going on. I think I should try this again in paper form after I read Wolf Hall. But maybe I just have a problem with so many english dudes in one book? I have to give this audio book a big DO NOT RECOMMEND. ...more
I couldn't get into it and Laura said I don't have to finish it. I just don't really love reading sexy kingsolver.I couldn't get into it and Laura said I don't have to finish it. I just don't really love reading sexy kingsolver....more
This was due back to the library before I could read every page so I'm marking it as "abandoned" instead of "read," but I pretty much loved everythingThis was due back to the library before I could read every page so I'm marking it as "abandoned" instead of "read," but I pretty much loved everything i read in it. I mean, it's a book about chickens and culture in the voice of a women's studies professor. Since I'm in love with keeping chickens and I went to a women's college (where *every* class is a women's studies class!) this was right up my alley. If you don't really like reading academic cultural studies about chickens, both in a big-ag way and a backyard flock context, then maybe you should skip this book. But if that sounds appealing to you, you should definitely check this out post-haste. Dude, how many chicken books have you ever read that reference Donna Haraway? I rest my case. ...more
Dear Future Self, You think you will really like this book based on the description and the authors involved, but you won't like it. Sincerely, Jess of Dear Future Self, You think you will really like this book based on the description and the authors involved, but you won't like it. Sincerely, Jess of July 2012
I tried. I've wanted to read this book for years. People I respect and like and often agree with love this book. For some reason, it just isn't workinI tried. I've wanted to read this book for years. People I respect and like and often agree with love this book. For some reason, it just isn't working for me at all. It's driving me crazy. I've listened to half of the audiobook. Not only do I not have a firm grasp on what's happening, but I also don't really care at all. So, back to the library, little book. I hope your next borrower can love you more....more