Book Review: Give A Sh*t by Ashlee Piper

If you are looking for a great introductory book about being sustainable and environmentally friendly, RUN (don't walk) to your nearest public library and pick up a copy of Give a Sh*t by Ashlee Piper!

This book, which Piper describes as a practical handbook, is hands down the best book I've read so far about how to live a sustainable life. She absolutely nails the idea that you don't have to do it all in order to be eco-friendly, and that even just trying to stick to one or two things, like not using single-use plastic or eating mostly meat-free can make a huge impact on your environmental footprint. 

Give a Sh*t is broken down into 5 categories, In your Home, In the Kitchen, In your Closet, In the Mirror, and In the Wild. Each chapter mixes whimsical anecdotes, mind-blowing facts from credible sources, and a boat-load of sass, innuendos, and curse words. I haven't laughed so hard reading a book about the environment ever, and Ashlee made me want to tear apart my closet, purchase a reusable straw, and only use homemade cleaning products for the rest of all time. I really believe that her laidback approach to the topic is what makes Give a Sh*t so great — so many environmental guidebooks are serious, dense, or specific to a particular topic (like Wear No Evil by Greta Eagan), but Piper captures just enough of everything and doesn't make you feel bad if you can't do it all. 

Now, if impolite vocabulary is not your cup of tea, I completely understand! But I think that there is still a lot to learn from this book. I don't generally prefer mass use of curse words for no reason, but Piper strikes a unique balance that made me totally okay with her choice of language. There's really no harm in giving this book a shot! Just make sure to borrow, rent, or digitally read the book so that you're not wasting paper. 

Overall, this book was an 11/10 for me, and I can easily see this becoming a go-to gift for people who are looking to be more conscious of their impact. I haven't purchased a book in quite some time, but I could even see myself purchasing this book because I think I would reference it a lot. If you need a head start on making your life more sustainable, this book is an absolute MUST.