The Serviceberry

This is a lovely bite-sized book that talks about community care, environment, Indigenous traditions, and how they work hand in hand to make our natural environment and world a better place. It'd be perfect for anyone who cares about the environment and climate change, including non-readers! At only around 100 pages, it's something that everyone can enjoy reading. This would also make a fantastic gift book.

I thought this book was beautiful. I absolutely loved the message.

It really talks about how we need to focus more on a gift economy. On a give and take relationship and not just a take one. Our world has become so obsessed with money and material items that we have lost respect for our resources. When there is no relationship involved, we take more than we need.

When a neighbor says help yourself to some of the tomatoes in our garden, we would only pick a couple that we needed. But if we saw a random tomato patch in a field, we would clear it out.

If we were gifted a plate by a friend, we would cherish that plate. But if we went and bought it at the store for $10, we wouldn't care so much. Relationships matter. In today's market economy, we have lost the relationships connected to the items we consume. We have lost respect for our environment.

This book is small but will definitely leave you with a whole new outlook and a lot of things to think about.

Kimmerer writes it, I buy it.

She has a way with words making the natural world sound so magical and enticing and she’s placing it all in the palms of her readers hands.

Much like Braiding Sweetgrass this was a beautiful ode to nature and the indigenous way of life.

Stunning.

This is a lovely, feel-good essay about abundance and reciprocity, using the memoir of the serviceberry. This book uses examples in nature to highlight how we can perceive, imagine, and build our own gift economies, centered on themes of abundance and reciprocity. Depending on where you're coming from as a reader, this book may not be breaking any new ground for you with regards to the concepts of capitalism vs. reciprocity, but paired with the beautiful illustrations, this does make for a beautiful package, and a beautiful story. This is the kind of book you gift to the people you love, to let them know how much abundance and joy you wish for them in this beautiful, beautiful world.

Short but extremely sweet - this is an extremely well-done description and reimagining of our societies in a world ravaged by capitalist economies. I feel so encouraged by Robin's thoughtful exploration of regenerative gift economies and the many levels which they can benefit people, our planet, and the more-than-human beings around us. I so appreciated the real-life examples of how these kinds of economies are already playing out in our world and how they can interplay with our current economic systems. It made me feel hopeful about the future and reminded me about the importance of giving back to others and the earth whenever we can. As long as we have joy on our side there is hope :) Robin really did it again! A must read.

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.

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