This turned out to be a different book than I hoped it would be, and I was therefore left somewhat disappointed by it. Perhaps this is my fault, for not adjusting my expectations when it became clear what it _wasn't_, but I feel like it squandered its potential.

This is an effective and engaging introduction to the idea(s) of "utopianism" writ large. There's an expression "the fish are the last ones to notice the water," and it applies forcefully to so many of our assumptions about how the world is currently structured. Our social and political and economic systems feel inevitable, but they are anything but. That is the most powerful take-away of this book - not only are they not inevitable - they are indeed changeable, even if those systems seem intractable.

If there's one thing a reader should take from this book, it is that we should dream big, and question fundamental assumptions about how the world works and could work.

Most of the chapters are about various ways in which we could structure our lives more cooperatively, and expand our communities of love and care and notion of "family" and possessions to encompass a wider group of people. This is a deeply radical idea in the stubbornly individualistic and self-centered United States, and many if not most of the experiments that Ghodsee describes would be (and were) met with fierce resistance.

What I was hoping for with this book was a more systematic analysis of historical utopian experiments, with lessons about where they succeeded and where they failed. This was not that book. It was more of a broad survey. But it was a good overview of utopian ideas, which are sorely needed more than ever as face the interlocking crises of the Anthropocene.

(I learned about this book after hearing Kristen Ghodsee on Ezra Klein's podcast, and received an advanced reader's copy from NetGalley)

This was an entertaining and informative read. I found myself sharing what I learned from this book with those around me. I recommend it to fans of good and highly readable non-fiction.

"Everyday Utopia" by Kristen R. Ghodsee is a thought-provoking exploration of the potential for creating a more equitable and just society. With a blend of historical analysis, personal anecdotes, and sociopolitical commentary, Ghodsee presents a compelling argument for reimagining our understanding of utopia and pursuing tangible change in our everyday lives.

One of the book's notable strengths is Ghodsee's ability to bridge theory and practice. Drawing on examples from both historical and contemporary contexts, the author demonstrates how utopian ideals have been manifested in various societies and movements. She emphasizes the importance of envisioning and striving for a better future, while acknowledging the limitations and challenges that come with such endeavors. Ghodsee's nuanced approach invites readers to critically examine their own assumptions and consider alternative paths towards social transformation.

Ghodsee's writing is accessible and engaging, making complex concepts and theories accessible to a wide range of readers. She combines academic research with personal stories and anecdotes, providing a human touch that helps to ground the book's ideas in real-world experiences. The author's passion for social justice and her compelling arguments make for a thought-provoking and immersive reading experience.

Moreover, "Everyday Utopia" is timely and relevant, addressing pressing issues such as inequality, climate change, and social justice. Ghodsee invites readers to envision a future that challenges the status quo and offers innovative solutions to systemic problems. Her analysis of the role of individuals and communities in effecting change serves as a call to action, inspiring readers to think critically about their own roles in shaping a more utopian society.

However, some readers may find that the book's breadth of topics and ideas can at times feel overwhelming. Ghodsee covers a wide range of subjects, and readers seeking a more in-depth exploration of specific concepts or case studies may feel the need for further exploration beyond the book's scope.

In conclusion, "Everyday Utopia" is a thought-provoking and insightful book that challenges readers to reconsider the possibilities of creating a more just and equitable society. Ghodsee's combination of historical analysis, personal narratives, and sociopolitical commentary offers a compelling vision of how individuals and communities can work towards a better future. If you're interested in exploring new perspectives on social justice and reimagining the potential for utopian ideals, this book is a valuable and inspiring read.

with EVERYDAY UTOPIA kristen ghodsee has executed an unapologetically feminist and socialist blend of sociology, history, biology, and memoir to argue for more communal, more equitable, and more sustainable ways to organize our families and communities. this book covers a lot of ground, and i liked it's wide-ranging nature: from primatology and plato to off-grid leftist tiktok and adult dorms, from early religion and ancient humans to soviets and star trek, ghodsee masterfully synthesizes SO much in an approachable but academic tone. she forms a picture of our human history as one that has always aspired to better and different than whatever the dominant culture/politics/religion of the day proscribed as the best way to live.

clarifying all the ways in which our capitalist, consumerist, individualistic western society prevents us from living better was tough to read, but i most appreciated ghodsee's unfailingly optimistic conclusions: better is possible, and utopia can truly be found in the everyday personal choices we make.

this was the antidote to today's bleakness and pessimism and to the dystopian media that colonizes our TV screens, shelves and psyches. it made me unexpectedly emotional and hopeful for the future, a rare feeling indeed in our zeitgeist and one that i would like to sustain outside the pages of this book.

This book was not what I expected, but I learned a lot. The author provides a deep history of utopias and utopian thinking. There is a lot of data given, but I really take that with a grain of salt. We don’t really know how we would behave given many of the conditions described in the book. The author is biased toward a feminist view of utopian culture. That’s not a problem for me, but just be aware. The author’s title can only be considered relevant if you think of it as her desire to try to get us to look at our everyday life and think about where utopian thinking could be applied. She discusses childcare, housing, education, family dynamics and violence, and capitalism. She brings up many different aspects of utopian living in history and in today’s intentional communities. She examines it all the history, current problems, and possible utopian solutions with the questioning mind of a feminist. In retrospect, I thought this would be a book that detailed stories of people who are successfully living in everyday utopias -- this is not that book, but more an academic review. I don’t think it lives up to the sub-title of wild experiments. You can make your own decision about that. I will purchase this book as I continue to think about what utopian living could look like in the future. Thank you to Net Galley and Simon & Schuster, Inc. for providing an arc in return for my honest review.

I got this hesitantly since I wasn't sure how interested I was. A lot research and work obviously went into this. I liked overall, and hope we can make significant changes, reflecting many of these ideas that will make our societies better.

Thanks very much for the free ARC for review!!

I wanted to like this book, I really did, but in the end, it wasn’t a compelling read. I recommend you read about an “everyday utopia” from a different author, for example, Rutger Bregman