A Year without “Made in China” (2007) by Sara Bongiorni
382.60951 Bongiorni
Bongiorni tells the story of her year of not purchasing anything made in China after seeing the pile of toys on Christmas day. Check out her humorous adventures trying to buy everyday items without that ubiquitous "Made in China" stamped on them.
Consumed: How Markets Corrupt Children, Infantilize Adults, and Swallow Citizens Whole (2007) by Benjamin R. Barber
339.460973 Barber
Barber hypothesizes that "consumer culture has turned adult citizens into children by catering to the lowest common denominator." An interesting premise with some good analysis, but his detailed examination and sometimes dense text isn't for the faint of heart. (Quote taken from David Siegfried's Booklist review of the title)
The World without Us (2007) by Alan Weisman
304.2 Weisman
A study of what would happen to Earth if the human presence was removed examines our legacy for the planet, from the objects that would vanish without human intervention to those that would become long-lasting remnants of humankind.
Not Buying It: My Year without Shopping (2006) by Judith Levine
640.73 Levine
Levine chronicles her year of not spending any money on anything but the basics she needs to live. What are these basics? Read her book and see if you agree!
Give it up! My Year of Learning To Live Better With Less (2006) by Mary Carlomagno
179.9 Carlomagno
Carlomagno "gives up" different items each month and tells the lessons she learns. From reading the newspaper to television to alcohol and dining out, each sacrifice leads her to a new discovery.
The Long Tail: Why the Future of Business Is Selling Less of More (2006) by Chris Anderson 658.802 Anderson
Anderson argues that smash hits happen because of limitations in shelf space -- it only makes sense to stock shelves with winning products. With Internet retailers able to offer a "seemingly infinite" inventory, the competition scatters consumer attention into "cultural shards." An interesting look at the online market.
The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals (2006) by Michael Pollan
394.12 Pollan
What should we have for dinner? When you can eat just about anything nature (or the supermarket) has to offer, deciding what you should eat will inevitably stir anxiety, especially when some of the foods might shorten your life. Today, buffeted by one food fad after another, America is suffering from a national eating disorder. As the cornucopia of the modern American supermarket and fast food outlet confronts us with a bewildering and treacherous landscape, what's at stake becomes not only our own and our children's health, but the health of the environment that sustains life on earth. Pollan follows each of the food chains--industrial food, organic or alternative food, and food we forage ourselves--from the source to the final meal, always emphasizing our coevolutionary relationship with the handful of plant and animal species we depend on. The surprising answers Pollan offers have profound political, economic, psychological, and even moral implications for all of us.--From publisher description.
Once you're done reading, join us in discussing the book on February 19, 2008 at 10:30 a.m.!
Nickel and Dimed: On not getting by in America (2001) by Barbara Ehrenreich
305.569092 Ehrenreich
Essayist Ehrenreich takes some time to live the life of the minimum wage worker. Her experiences while learning to make ends meet are sobering and entertaining at the same time.
Affluenza: The All-consuming Epidemic (2001) by John De Graaf, David Wann, Thomas H. Naylor
306.0973 De Graaf
Based on the PBS documentaries of the same name, this book looks at the epidemic of overconsumption here in the United States. So what is "affluenza?" The authors define it as "a painful, contagious, socially-transmitted condition of overload, debt, anxiety, and waste resulting from the dogged pursuit of more." They then look at the social problems that stem from affluenza and how to be part of the solution rather than the problem.
Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping (1999) by Paco Underhill
658.834 Underhill
You'll have to request this one, but it was too good to leave off the list. Mr. Underhill's company, Envirosell, is paid to observe shoppers and shopping behaviors and make suggestions to improve sales. You'll never look at a store the same way again!