How Green Are My Wellies?

Hi, I'm Helen and I work at the library in Events. I am really interested in green/eco/sustainability issues and I read most of what comes through the library to do with these topics. I know there are a lot of people interested in this sort of stuff, so I thought I would start reviewing what I read to share with you all.

This book, ‘How Green Are My Wellies?’ by Anna Shepard came out in 2008, so it isn't a new book, but it is a very good one. The author had a column in an English newspaper called 'The Eco-Worrier' for a long time and this book contains a lot of the adventures she had while researching her column. (Because this book is English, some of her advice doesn't work for a New Zealand setting, but most of it does.)

What sets it out from the manifold other ‘how to live greener’ books, is that Anna Shepard has a very engaging, funny voice in her writing. The book is not a finger-wagging ‘do this now’ kind of book. Her tone throughout is one of light-heartedness and adventure. The best ‘green’ books get people inspired by showing what an adventure green-living can be, how it isn’t about guilt and suffering but enrichment and engagement. This book achieves that with Shepards wonderful witty anecdotes and humour.

The book is divided up into months of the year, and she goes through the relevant seasonal ideas and hints. There are all kinds of interesting tips and asides and resources. Also funny throughout the book are her stories about her long-suffering, not-especially-green partner and her slightly dotty but very green mother. I also like the way she admits her failing and flailings and doesn’t pretend to be perfect – hence she calls herself ‘the eco worrier’ rather than ‘eco-warrior’.

By the time I finished the book, I had learned a lot, resolved to do better, laughed a lot and also, felt like I’d read a warm-hearted memoir, rather than just another green ‘how-to’ manual.

This is a stand-out specimen of the very full ‘green-living’ book market.

You can check the availability of this title HERE.

(Please let us know via the comments if you enjoy reading book reviews by library staff. If you do, we will endeavour to keep them coming!)