Written by: Mark Boyle
I had previously read Kath Kelly’s ‘ How I Lived a Year on Just a Pound a Day’ and obviously immediately saw the similarities.
I struggled with the first twenty or so pages, but soon found myself enjoying his journey and how he coped. Mark did cover a lot and is obviously an asset to the communities he is involved with. I didn’t always find myself agreeing with his views, but you don’t have to agree to respect, you don’t have to want to life a specific lifestyle, not to find it fascinating or thought provoking and indeed find useful tips and advice within the pages.
Mark wrote about living off the land, a sense of community, friendships, local trade, food waste and energy consumption among other topics.
To the extent Mark was willing to go for his year without money was admirable, though painful to read at times. Plus not only was this a year without money, but he took challenges, like visiting family and friends in Ireland (he was living near Bristol), plus putting on a couple of events.
From living in the caravan with the mouse to coping with cooking, it was a good read. Growing food, picking food and even ‘dumpster diving’ was involved. It was amazing to read how much food goes to waste.
There was plenty of facts and tips etc, though I wish there had been more. Mark does direct us to plenty of resources to discover more.
So an enjoyable book, though if I had to choose between Mark’s or Kath’s, at the moment I choose Kath’s. Though if either of them write a follow up I would read both.
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