The serviceberry has many names - shadbush, saskatoon, juneberry, and sugarplum to name a few. Using the set up of the author picking these berries on a summer day and the birds eating the berries along side her, Robin dives into the idea of economics and the natural world.

This book provides a basic outline for ecological economics. Having absolutely no background in economics, I appreciated the simplistic approach and explanations to help me understand the fundamental ideas. The basis of this book is an economy valuing reciprocity instead of scarcity. It may seem idealistic in this consumer driven capitalist western world, but many of the ideas are applicable to individuals and focus more on perception vs action.

This book is written in prose and poetic language, which is vastly different to most texts on economics. Because of this back and forth between the poetic language and the content, I found it hard to follow the narrative at times. I would be reading and forget the original point! I did appreciate that this was a short read (it started as an essay and was expanded upon), as I think I would have lost interest if it was any longer. However, I did find many interesting ideas presented in this book and a few things I want to apply to how I live my life. For example, I resonated with the idea of never taking more than half, and never being the first or the last to take when foraging.

I don’t read a lot of non-fiction, but if you do you may appreciate the unique perspective and presentation of The Serviceberry!

Beautiful prose, vivid descriptions and knowledge sharing. This book will envelope you and ask you to see the world and its future differently. Stunning

If you’re looking for a read that challenges the status quo and invites you to rethink your relationship with community and nature, look no further than The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer! This beautifully crafted essay explores the concept of a gift economy, illuminating how such a system can enrich our lives and foster deeper connections within our communities.

Kimmerer’s exploration of a gift economy resonates deeply with me. The idea of banking goodwill and nurturing reciprocal relationships is not just a lofty ideal; it’s something I experience in my own life and I think we all do! For instance, my neighbour often shares fresh carrots from her garden, and in return, I whip up a delicious carrot soup for her. It’s a simple exchange, but it embodies the spirit of generosity and community that Kimmerer so eloquently champions.

The book also discusses the joy found in our little free libraries sharing freely with those we do not know This along with little free pantries, are perfect examples of reciprocity in action, where sharing knowledge and resources creates a sense of belonging and connection. Isn’t it wonderful how giving can feel just as good, if not better, than receiving?

Kimmerer’s critique of cutthroat capitalism is particularly striking. She aptly points out that we attribute its outcomes to “the system,” but that in fact it is really a small number of individuals that often dictate the rules and benefit. This perspective encourages us to reflect on our own roles within this framework and consider how we can shift towards a more community-oriented approach.

The Serviceberry is more than just a book; it’s a call to action. It provides food for thought about how we live in our communities and what we should strive for—not only for ourselves but also for the health of our planet.

Would I recommend The Serviceberry? Yes, for anyone seeking inspiration on how to cultivate a more connected and compassionate world. Let’s embrace the gift economy and see how it can transform our lives!

Thank you to @simonschusterca and @netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this essay.