Three Books I've Been Reading
It's been a bit since I've shared about what's been on my reading table, so I thought we were due!
(If you'd like to find out more about each book, click on the title...that'll take you to the Amazon page for each book)
All the Money in the World
This book is the newest from Laura Vanderkam, the author of 168 Hours. I enjoyed 168 Hours, even if I did disagree with some things in the book, so I was excited to dig into All The Money (we'll just refer to it as ATM from here on out!)
Vanderkam has a very engaging writing style...it just kind of draws you through the book without you even realizing it. I think that's a remarkable quality in a non-fiction book, which doesn't have the advantage of a plot to keep you reading!
ATM isn't a typical personal finance or frugality book. There are no chapters on coupons or index funds or IRAs.
Rather, it's a look at the relationship between money and happiness and how we can spend and save our money in ways that are meaningful.
An interesting thing Vanderkam points out is that sometimes, the big-ticket items in our lives are the ones bringing us the least happiness (and vice versa). For instance, it's quite possible that you'd be happier living in a small home, buying $5 lattes every day than you'd be living in a "dream" home with no money for small extras.
She also points out that if the average couple spent less on the engagment ring/wedding/honeymoon, they could use that money to have regular date nights for years to come. I'm inclined to agree that the date nights would probably be a better choice for the health of the marriage.
I didn't agree with everything in the book (I rarely do!), but ATM did make me think and it challenged some of the ways that I view money.
I'd definitely recommend it to you...it's a fun and thought-provoking at the same time.
Buying America Back
Mr. FG and I have been thinking more and more about ethical buying in the last year or two...we're trying to look for local shopping options and we're also looking for American-made products when we need to buy something (a task that's pretty difficult, since most everything in the stores seems to be made in China!)
The book was written by Alan Uke, a successful businessman who walks the talk...he operates his manufacturing business right here in the U.S., using as many U.S.-made parts as possible.
The book explores the reasons that some other countries have been much more successful than the U.S. has at keeping a trade deficit at bay...for example, Germany, Japan, and Korea all have a much more balanced trade ratio than the U.S. does. Part of the reason for this is that the people in those countries go out of their way to purchase domestically-made products.
A big problem in the U.S. is that the products we buy aren't very clearly labeled...it's possible for a product to be mostly made somewhere else, but as long as the final transformation of the product takes place here, it can be labeled as "Made in the U.S.A.". By the same token, some products that are mostly made here can't be labeled as such due to technicalities.
Uke is proposing a new labeling system, one that would list all the countries contributing to the product by percentage. This would allow you to choose between a product that's 40% U.S. made and one that's 10% U.S. made. It also would help you to choose products made by countries with which the U.S. has a good trade ratio (China is, uh, not one of those countries.)
It is true that consumers can vote with their dollars, and Uke says that's the reason the local food movement has been successful. So, if we Americans would get behind buying American made products (or products that have a good trade ratio with us), we could indeed make a big difference.
I do wish it was simpler to find American-made products (especially clothing!), and if there were two of me, I'd love to start a website/blog devoted to finding and reviewing American-made products. I've looked, and there's just not much out there, and what is there is very web 2.0 and disorganized.
If only there were more hours in the day.
An Everlasting Meal
I'd never heard of Tamar Adler before her publisher sent me this book, and after I read it, I started wondering how I could possibly have not heard of her before because she's a really fantastic writer.
At its core, the book is about instinctive cooking, which is very much the opposite of the way I cook (Hi! My name is Kristen and I like detailed recipes.) But Adler makes it all sound so manageable and delicious and her choice of words is just so entertaining...I almost feel like I want to become one of those cooks who adds a pinch of this and a dash of that and tastes as she cooks.
Adler is a very resourceful cook...she uses lots of vegetables and inexpensive cuts of meats and stretches them to make many meals. She hates to waste anything, and advocates buying local, responsibly-raised food, so she's a girl after my own heart (or maybe I'm a girl after her heart?)
In the chapter on eggs, she says:
"Beat two or three eggs in a bowl, adding a pinch of salt and a teaspoon of heavy cream if you want. This is not a trick, but an expression of the fact that things taste good with cream added."
Mmm-hmm. Dairy cream has to be one of the best foods on the planet.
As if it weren't enough that she loves cream, Adler even has a chapter on how to rescue mushy vegetables, burnt food, and more.
Whether you're a new cook or a seasoned hand in the kitchen, I really think you'd enjoy this book. Actually, even if you don't cook at all, Adler's writing is good enough to keep you interested.
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What have you been reading lately? And if you've read these books, do share your thoughts!
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Today's 365 post: Baby Spinach
Joshua's 365 post: And the answer is....
I actually just won a copy of An Everlasting Meal yesterday from Jules on her blog Pancakes and French Fries, so I'm so happy to read your positive review! Your "web 2.0" comment regarding the made-in-America sites could not be more spot on - all the ones I've found look like they were set up 10 years ago and no one's looked at them since. I have found that Fair Indigo carries some American-made clothing, and I've been quite happy with all my purchases.
I agree with trying to buy more American made products. I am disappointed that we don't have more and would like to be more loyal in my purchases. We are going to be in the market for a new van soon and have agreed to buy an American made car. The other problem we run into is quality. Maybe I am just wishing for the good old days but it used to be where much more was made in the US and things lasted. If they broke you could actually fix them and not be such a throw away society as we are now. Of course those good ol' days were actually before I was born. 🙂
Having looked at new cars in the past few years, I can report that new cars are highly labeled as far as content and sourcing is concerned.
Do keep in mind that labeling requirements will increase the cost of the item labeled. This doesn't mean it shouldn't be done but it is a factor to be taken into account.
Myself, I am not interested in seeking out US made goods just because they're US made. I think the world is better off if people in China/Indonesia/Bangladesh/etc have jobs, too. YMWV.
I used to work for one of the American automakers and I just want to point out that in recent years, it is more a myth that Japanese vehicles are better quality than American ones. That was the case many years ago, but not anymore. Living in the Detroit area (where the whole economy hangs on the auto industry) I can certainly attest to the value of buying American. Things have been incredibly difficult here.
Quality level depends on the make and mfg. I value safety, long life, good gas mileage and few repairs in my vehicles. If it doesn't last 10 years I think I bought a lemon, anything less than 15 is a disappointment. After practically memorizing the standard new car guides I found only two cars that met my requirements: the old standbys of Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.
I would like to put all 3 of those books on my list 🙂 Question - do you take them out from the library? Buy second hand?
I LOVE to put books on hold at the library...I always check there first to see if they have a book before I buy it. Also, check out half.com for good used book prices.
Any chance you are planning on hosting a giveaway for these books after you are finished reading? They all sound interesting. I'm cutting back on buying any new-to-me books until I read the ones I already own. I seem to have a problem with buying books but never reading them, but if I won them well that would be a whole different story 🙂
I just got An Everlasting Meal at the library yesterday! Yay for the library!
If you have books to get rid of, you could try Paperback Swap.
Tee-hee! Guess what book is on my 'Pickup Notice from your local library' in my inbox! A book you would really like is 'Supper of the Lamb' by Robert Capon. Excerpt from flyleaf - 'Using the recipe 'Lamb for Eight Persons Four Times' as his point of departure, Robert Capon has written an exuberant treatise on the art of living and a unique cookbook. Between recipes, he shares his delights and prejudices, from his respect for onions (oh yes!), wine, and sharp knives (double yes! especially the old bread knives) to his disapproval of diets and cocktail parties.'
I agree with the viewpoint in ATM about spending less on the rings/wedding/honeymoon and saving that money. My husband had it in his mind that he had to buy me this really expensive diamond..I talked him into buying a cheaper one and using the remaining money to buy a couch or some piece of furniture for our house. We set our budget for our wedding at $1,000 (and actually stuck to it)! Of course at that budget we had a small and intimate wedding, which we got a lot of compliments on. People loved that we were able to pay attention to all our guests and they said it was the most enjoyable wedding they had been to. We skipped all the fancy flowers and just had a small bouquet for myself. We skipped the fully catered meal and had more of a "potluck" style meal prepared by family. We skipped the really expensive photographer and paid a friend with experience to take pictures (which turned out lovely). I know this wouldn't work for a lot of people, but it surely worked for us and we wouldn't change it. It was nice to not start our married life off with debt from an expensive wedding and to have some extra cash available for date nights, etc...
When my husband proposed, he asked what kind of ring I wanted. I told him to buy me a refrigerator instead. We have been married 55 years!
We also want to be more intentional about buying. We are doing better in the food department... but clothes? Seems impossible! I've looked online, and there seem to be good choices for American made casual clothes... but the clothes I need for work? Forget about it. It's really tough! I wish I knew what to do to at least take a step in the right direction. Does the book address steps we as consumers can take?
I just got an email the other day from Land's End advertising their Made in USA items. Just put "made in usa" in their search engine and you come up with items: http://www.landsend.com/ix/index.html?search=made+in+usa&store=le&action=newSearch
Most were things for the home, but there were a few clothing items: men's shoes (very expensive, but I know from my former husband's experience they last forever), men's t-shirts, socks and ties.
I also did the same thing with LL Bean and the Vermont Country Store. Both came up with a fair number of items and the Vermont Country Store actually had some women's clothes.
I think you could do this, Kristen. Maybe it could be a feature that would replace Saturday shopping!
I may have to check those books out.
I am currently reading The Dyslexic Advantage by Drs Brock and Fernette Eide and I highly, highly, did I say highly? recommend this book to any parent of a Dyslexic child.
To buy "made in USA", we will be buying less due to cost. (Not a bad thing because we have too much stuff, as I am trying to downsize.)
I agree the sites that have list of where to look for made in USA are poorly set up.
As to weddings, the costs have gotten out of hand. One great idea I heard of a couple getting married was that was where they had their wedding before they brought in their furniture. They spent the money on what was most important to them--a shelter.
To save money on books, I either borrow from the library or buy at a library booksale. Before I buy a book, I borrow to see if it is something I really want. I also borrow CDs and DVDs at the library.
I remember my mother many, many years ago mentioning that it was less expensive to import an unfinished product (a coat without buttons) and to make in the USA.
In your searching for American made items, did you find this site? http://americanstation.com/
They gather information about the companies, and give an profile of each one along with a link to each site. They are relatively new but continue to add more links 🙂
(It is owned by a brother of a friend of mine, but I don't know him personally)
The Reason for God, by Timothy Keller. Highly, highly recommend: http://timothykeller.com/books/the_reason_for_god/
Now I want to read Everlasting Meal...I'll have to see if my library has it. Right now I'm reading Organized Simplicity from the inter-library-loan system and I really like it! I'm also going to the library today to pick up the Use It Up Cookbook, hoping it has some great ideas!
Tamar Adler has a beautiful way of writing and cooking.
I was introduced to her when Food In Jars shared this: http://www.tamareadler.com/2011/10/10/how-to-stride-ahead-part-2/
Related to buying American, or at least trying to avoid buying products made in China, I enjoyed a book called, 'A Year Without "Made in China": One Family's True Life Adventure in the Global Economy,' by Sara Bongiorni. Before I read this, I had never considered the challenge of determining the exact origin(s) of a product. If you don't have time to read it, NPR interviewed the author, too:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12056295
Yes, I liked that book as well. In addition to presenting interesting info, she was a hunorous writer. Kid's toys and electronics were the toughest things for her to find as I recall. I still chuckle over the part where her husband wore kid's sunglasses found at the park becuase he'd lost or broken his and they hadn't found any to replace them not made in China.
Jen, I thought that was really funny, too! It was also amazingly difficult for her to affordably replace her kids' gym shoes!
I, too, enjoyed this book. I just put a hold n it at the library to read it a second time.
Thanks for the suggestion....picking it p from our library today! 🙂
I'm in the Flooring Industry and people are surprised to learn that most carpet is still made in the United States. A spillover effect of the Great Recession is that the emphasis on price has never been higher. Consumers demand the lowest price at all costs. Does the job include a living wage for the installer? Does it include enough margin for the dealer to pay his salespeople benefits, to have a showroom stocked with samples so that customers can come and see a "live" product after searching for it on the internet? Do they find a price on the internet and then go to a brick-and-mortar store and expect the internet price? Nobody seems to care where the product is made. Price is the bottom line.
Hi Kristen,
I've been following your blog for just a few weeks, and I've really enjoyed your writing and your helpful ideas.
I live in a city where there is a lot of choice to buy clothing, food, soap, etc. made in Canada (where I live), and it does mean that these items are a bit more expensive than buying something from Walmart. But if it means we all buy less stuff, and better quality stuff, then everyone wins 🙂
"She also points out that if the average couple spent less on the engagment ring/wedding/honeymoon, they could use that money to have regular date nights for years to come."
Or weekend trips every few months. 🙂 We've found those are really happy for our relationship.
Made in America. It's tough for a lot of people to understand how we've perpetuated the problem by buying cheap goods at places like Walmart (who used to, by the way, be a proponent of Made in America...before they tried to rescue their failing bottom line many, many years ago). I happened to have stumbled across the PBS Frontline DVD "Is Walmart Good for America?" in my local library. Very interesting viewing and extremely informative on the effects of what we buy.
I will certainly be on the look out for Tamar Adler's book. I'm a pinch of this, dash of that cook too and it sounds like a good read.
I have not shopped at Wal Mart in years because of that issue (and many others) - in their push for lower prices, Wal Mart undermines the economy in the US. To achieve those low prices, they purchase mostly from overseas suppliers, helping to drive manufacturers in the US out of business which then eliminates jobs. I read in Inc. magazine several years ago, when China was just beginning to become big as a supplier, that if Wal Mart were a country, they would be #5 on China's export list, that's how much Wal Mart purchased from Chinese suppliers at that time. I think a lot of people just don't think it thru to how much that low price actually costs us as a society.
My husband and I have also been focusing on trying to buy things that are made in the USA, and we use this website to help identify sources: http://www.stillmadeinusa.com/
If I can't find made in the USA, I look for friendlier countries with higher quality standards than You Know Who. We are also trying to buy more things locally than online, like buying plants from our local nurseries or books from a local bookstore. I did read a good suggestion that rather than buy cheap, foreign made stuff for people, give them a gift certificate/card for a local business - like a haircut, meal, massage, etc. Once you start having a surplus in your life, I think it is important to start practicing good stewardship with it. Interesting reading list. 🙂
ATM sounds like a good read and seems to share my logic. Perhaps I should read that this summer for inspiration!
Oh! Can't wait to pick up "An Everlasting Meal".
I have ALWAYS bought American. And that starts with my car. I have ALWAYS driven Fords, starting first with a 1966 Mustang convertible, baby blue! It was the late 1970's and that's what I drove in college. What fun.
Today, I drive a Ford Focus that gets 40mpg on the streets and 44mpg on the highway. No gimmicks. No batteries that have to be replaced in 8 years. Just pure, authentic, good ole' American technology.
Read the labels. American products are out there. Even in Wal Mart!
We are also fans of buying/ driving American made cars. We have always bought Chevrolet's(never brand new). Although I have heard that a lot of /or portions of those are even built else where. 🙁
I try and look for items while shopping, that are made in America or at the very least NOT made in China, it is VERY difficult. Even shopping locally, while yes, you are supporting a local business, there products are often also made in China or other foreign country.
Thanks for sharing those books, I may just have to read All the Money in the World. 🙂 Juli
Thanks for posting this! I just finished reading Organized Simplicity, which I got on Kindle for FREE thanks to you, and I needed something new to read. 🙂
Interesting selections! I typically only read to veg out and relax so I almost always lean towards fiction, but I may check those out. Do you normally only read books about topics that you're interested in like food, money, or frugality? Or do you also read fiction?
I was going to ask you what you thought of An Everlasting Meal after it was in your 365 blog.
I nearly didn't buy it (not in my county library in the UK) because some of the reviews on Amazon said they found her writing style distracting. I loved it though; it made me want to go and cook immediately! I do cook like she does, but after reading her book I felt I could do it much better. I cooked greens with garlic and olive oil a la Tamar yesterday and the dish was scraped clean!
I have added 'Buying America Back' to my reading list - thanks for sharing!
Wow! How did you do that? You made every one of these books on my "must read" list! I'm checking the library today! :)!
Yes! I was so excited to see you're reading The Everlasting Meal. It's what I'm reading and I LOVE it. It makes me want to completely change the way I cook.
I agree with buying American for new items, but buying used items made anywhere is still better for our planet and pocketbooks.
I started reading An Everlasting Meal. I really enjoyed it as it has inspired me to cook more often and with what I have. Thank you for the recommendation. You continue to encourage me to do better.
Hello... My name is Shawna and even if I go by a recipe I will always, always, always change it in some way. I don't think I have EVER gone strictly by a recipe. The everlasting meal sounds like a book I'd love!!! Thanks for the suggestion!!!!
While traveling last year we found the Made in America store and they also have a website http://www.madeinamericastore.com/ which is quite normal. 🙂
All of these books look really interesting. Why does my "to read" list keep growing? 🙂