By Kate Raworth
My favorite book to recommend to all of us trying to better understand our current financial state, and who best addresses the social and ecological challenges we face in the 21st century, is this one from a British economist. Her primary premise is that universities are training our future economists based on the theories of 1850, rather than a new model to prepare us for 2050. She calls for a new set of rules to end our addiction to growth and to create a business model based on service and regeneration.
By Matthew Desmond
This gem has been on the bestsellers list forever, won the Pulitzer Prize, and is just now available in paperback. A powerful glimpse into our current world of poverty and economic exploitation, and extremely readable as Desmond recounts the personal stories of eight families in Milwaukee. The recurring theme is “home,” and our universal need for this security and safety.
By Erin Lowry
This is a great collection of real-life financial do and don’ts, and an explanation of all things having to do with getting your finances in order. Covers realistic advise and planning to get yourself out of the hole after college, and how to plan long-range. Released earlier this year, it is very current advice.
By Laurence Kotlikoff et. al.
On the other end of the spectrum is this great book of advice to really understand how social security works, and how best to make it work for you after retirement.
By Gene Logsdon
The subtitle tells it all. This is sadly Logsdon’s final book of essays, but his eloquent writing once again reminds us that small-scale farming is in every imaginable way contrary to the large-scale agribusiness thinking. It can not be valued through accumulating wealth, but rather “recognizing nature’s beauty, cherishing the land, respecting our fellow creatures and valuing rural traditions.” Realistic, down-to-earth and so inspiring.
By Wendell Berry
Every book list of recommendations has to include at least one by Wendell Berry. Known as the poet of responsible living, in Home Economics, Berry includes 14 essays all about stewardship and focusing on the home.
“If economy means ‘management of a household,’ then we have a system on national accounting that bears no resemblance to the national economy whatsoever, for it is not the record of our life at home but the fever chart of our consumption.”
(Katharine Nevins is co-owner of MainStreet BookEnds of Warner, an independent, family-run, community bookstore since 1998.)