A Year of Living Simply: The joys of a life less complicated (Kate Humble)

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There's plenty about "earthships" and about shopping too and I must admit, I love her attitude to shopping in a physical shop. It's also interesting reading about her gain knowledge on gardening.

A lot of us are trying to live simply and this was an interesting read on people who are doing just that. I shall try some of the recipes that she Last great book you readI’m in the middle of Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet. It is, as I expect from her,captivating, haunting and beautiful. She’s the poster girl for good, clean country living, but don’t befooled by the wholesome image. Kate Humble tells Francesca Babbwhat makes her happy – and what makes her really lose it.it would be lovely to be able to travel by train, take the slower path, rather than fly - but that isn't an option for many people if it's cheaper to fly. We can't all pay someone to teach us to make bread, advise on our garden, or buy the kind of toaster that can be repaired.

I enjoyed Humble's writing style - which is pretty informal and reads as if she is having a casual conversation with a friend - as well as her optimism and zest for life. I also enjoyed the chapters about the Earthships and various organisations such as Mens Shed and repair cafes who do excellent work within their communities. Kate Humble pours her enviable knowledge into attainable goals. It’s a winning combination and the prize – a life in balance with nature – is definitely worth claiming.’– LUCY SIEGLE

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Last thing you put on your credit cardI don’t have a credit card, but the lastthing that went on my debit card wasanimal feed. I didn’t get the chance to read until recently, by which time (as happens) my mood had changed somewhat and I couldn’t really remember why it was I had it. I began to read therefore a little bit grumpily and with unfair expectations that I would be preached at. Overall, this was an enjoyable read. Kate raises several thought-provoking questions and challenges us to think about what are the simple things in life? There were a number of good quotes that I have taken on board for myself, some of which I’ve added to this post.

Bottom line – an enjoyable read if you know very little about alternative lifestyles/technologies and don’t mind the pipedream that it might all come true for you, too. Some bits go on too long. I can’t believe how long the Earthships section went on for. Only for her to finish by revealing that they are primarily made with concrete so they’re not that good for the environment after all and that it’s better not to build a new house.Then in 2018, she published another book titled Thinking on My Feet: The small joy of putting one foot in front of another. Rumors, Controversy Recently I got very into Kate Humble’s television series Twice the Life for Half the Price. The premise is that families living in urban environments seek out a life in the country that delivers less of the stress of modern life and more of life on the land, for less money or at least relatively less for what they have in return. What distinguishes this programme from others about escaping to the country is that the lives they seek out are real and authentic country lives, rather than chocolate box versions bought out of their appreciated London assets and healthy pension pots. As a result the programme is both more accessible and more satisfying.