Eco Reading Challenge

Today is Earth Day and I've been thinking about doing this on my blog for awhile now.

The Eco Reading Challenge

It's simple. Part One, pick 5 books*** with a Environmental theme and read them in 5 months. Not sure what to read? Here are a few suggestions:

In Non-Fiction, you can read books written by or about famous or not so famous environmental activists like

*An Inconvenient Truth by Al Gore
*The Big Picture by David Suzuki
*Jane Goodall: The Woman Who Redefined Man by Dale Peterson
*Never Cry Wolf by Farley Mowat
*Unbowed: A Memoir by Wangari Maathai
*Walden; Or, Life in the Woods by Henry David Thoreau (free ebook from Project Gutenberg)


Other non-fiction, including self-help guides, crafting books, etc. These books have topics such as growing your own food or eating locally, making the home more eco-friendly

*Animal Vegetable Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver
*David Suzuki's Green Guide by David Suzuki
*The Green Beauty Guide: Your Essential Resource to Organic and Natural Skin Care, Hair Care, Makeup, and Fragrances by Julie Gabriel
*Sewing Green: 25 Projects Made with Repurposed & Organic Materials by Betz White
*The Scavengers' Manifesto by Anneli Rufus
*Ecoholic: Your Guide to the Most Environmentally Friendly Information, Products and Services in Canada by Adria Vasil
*Gardening Eden by Mike Abbate (this links to My Friend Amy's Giveaway)

Fiction might be a bit tricky but with some imagination you can find something, like:

*The Children of Men by P D James
*The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
(In both these books men have become sterile thought to be the result of the environment.)
*Watership Down (Rabbits must leave home due to human encroachment).
*Owls in the Family by Farley Mowat
*The Lorax by Dr Suess
*Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver
*Destroy All Cars by Blake Nelson (Released May 1, 2009, Review by Alea @Pop Culture Junkie)

You can read books about wild animals, environmental disasters, people (real and fantasy) who live close to nature. You could read books where the protagonist has a job as a fishermen, logger, biologist, activist, whatever. Go crazy! Do not limit yourself to these books. These are just examples. Add any books you can think of that would fit in the comments if you like.

Now for Part Two. If you are Canadian you probably know who George Stroumboulopoulos is. He is a news show host on the CBC. Last year, he started a campaign called One Million Acts of Green, asking people to commit to one thing to help the environment. He reached 1 million but is working toward 2 million. I'm not George but we can start a little project here on book-a-rama where we commit an Act of Green Reading.

For example:

*buy used books or books made from recycled materials whenever possible
*take reusable shopping bags when buying books
*replace light bulbs in reading lamps with compact fluorescent ones
*move to window or outside to read instead of turning on lights
*wear a sweater when reading instead of turning up heat
*plant a tree to read under

HOW?

Make a list of your books and tell us your Act of Green Reading on your blog and link it to Mr Linky.

WHEN?
The Eco Reading Challenge will be from May 1- Sept 1. As you post your reviews, add them to the Eco Reading Challenge Reviews blog.

If you complete the challenge by Sept 1, I'll put your name in a drawing for some tawashis I plan on crocheting out of some beautiful green organic cotton I bought. I haven't made any yet. When I do I'll post pictures. A tawashi is a Japanese scrubber for fruit/vegetables or dishes. Very environmentally friendly.

Please let everyone you know on your blogs, Twitter, etc about the challenge. Thanks!

*** Edited: I'm not married to 5. Please pick any number you are comfortable with (1-5).

Please link to Mr Linky with your Eco Reading Challenge post with book list and Act of Green Reading only.

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