Sleeping Naked Is Green

May 4, 2009
Canadian journalist Farquharson takes readers on her 366-day journey to live a more environmentally conscious lifestyle, making one positive change each day. While a few changes are worthy (the author sells her car), some seem a bit bizarre (she turns off her fridge and freezer—though she doesn't divulge exactly where her food is coming from after that point) and many are superficial or symbolic efforts rather than well thought out and executed commitments. In her first month, for example, she pledges to check her tire pressure and opt for natural glass cleaners, while three months later she's promising to “fill the kettle with exact amount of water needed,” recycle her wine corks and forgo Q-tips. While the details of her environmental crusade can weary, her griping about the efficacy of chemical-free shampoos and deodorants and the ugliness of sustainable footwear is fresh and funny; in these moments, Farquharson's appealing candor and nonsanctimonious attitude make other ecowarriors seem dour by comparison.

May 1, 2009
Toronto-based arts reporter Farquharsondecides to take the green plunge and liveasecologically as possible for a year while blogging about her daily efforts and conundrums. Young and single, sheworries about losing her hipster cred by actinglike a hippie, so she begins her greening with baby steps while imagining Al Gore looking over her shoulder. Writing anecdotally with friendly candor and blithe humor, Farquharson makes each of her carefully considered attempts at reducing waste, pollution, and her carbon footprintentertaining and informative. Many of her strategies forsustainable living involve shopping, whether its using tote bags or selecting phosphate-free soaps and organic produce, and the very ordinariness of her choices drives home the fact that every aspect of our daily lives has anenvironmental impact. Aftershe unplugs her refrigerator andgives uppajamas to cut down on laundry, Farquharsons green year ends, and she discovers thather eco-practices have become a natural part of her life. Lively and specific, Farquharsons forthright chronicle of the ups and downs of green awareness is the perfect book for eco-skeptics.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)