apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Based on what's available in my local library, I voted for Animal, Vegetable, Mineral.

The library has Michael Pollan's book, too, but as a vegetarian I don't think I have his dilemma (and I really don't want to read about killing animals, regardless of the method).

I vote for Animal, Vegetable, Miracle as well - I tried to read Michael Pollan's book once and quickly became disinterested.

Cadillac Desert, Cadillac Desert...(I so want to get it off my bookshelf...) It's supposed to read like a novel.

Just my two cents:

I haven't been able to finish either the Pollan book (he just loves to expound AT LENGTH on his favorite topics, read Botany of Desire instead, it's shorter, way more interesting, and covers similar ground, esp. if you're not a meat-eater) or Cadillac Desert, I made it through the first 3/4 fine but it gets really repetitive by the end. If you choose it, I will wish you luck as it is genuinely a good book. But Pollan was a better writer when his soapbox was smaller.

However, I absolutely devoured the Kingsolver book, I don't normally love her stuff but she makes it all sound attainable without being too preachy and I've already had some great successes with some of her recipes. To me it is much more proactive and less of a downer. Of course we can't all do what she can as we don't all live on fertile little farms but it's more inspiring than depressing.

I've already read The Omnivore's Dilemma, but I find it comes up in conversation regularly. I think it's the kind of book I could re-read each year and get more out of. That said, I'd still love to tackle Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, which I haven't gotten to yet.

One additional comment for Luisa in Dallas. I'm a lifelong vegetarian and I thought just the same as you when I started The Omnivore's Dilemma, namely that it wouldn't really apply to me. In fact, I was worse. I felt a bit self-righteous, believing I'd be patting myself on the back for all my years of veg eating. I was wrong. We too have the dilemma(s) he discusses, which generally involve being mindful about the health and purity of the things we eat. The book applies to anyone who eats, and it was transformative being under the microscope myself.

Teebz, you made a good point about the Omnivore's Dilemma. If that's what is chosen, I'll join in, and I'm sure to learn something. Thanks!

I've read both Omnivore's Dilemma and Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, and found them both very thought-provoking. I'd love to discuss them here. I've not heard anything about Cadillac Desert except what I've read here at ATGreen, but would be happy to give it a go. I didn't vote because I know I'll join in no matter what book we pick :)

I read Animal, Vegetable, Miricale this summer, and loved it (tried making my own cheese after reading it - yum!).

I would also be interested in reading the new book "World Without Us" by Alan Weisman - it's about what would happen if humans suddenly went extinct, and how slowly or quickly everything we left behind would be absorbed back into the environment. It sounds really facinating, but I just haven't had the time yet (Christmas break, maybe).