Reviews

Consumed: The Need for Collective Change: Colonialism, Climate Change & Consumerism by Aja Barber

emi_dilli's review

4.0

So many “yess!!!” moments. Aja has changed how I fundamentally think about fast fashion and the power of the individual to enact change.

frogwitch13's review against another edition

informative inspiring slow-paced

3.75

witchofottawacounty's review

reflective fast-paced

2.75

angelicarose's review against another edition

challenging funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.0

readingonthehudson's review against another edition

challenging hopeful informative fast-paced

5.0

mj_86's review against another edition

informative reflective fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Slavery, and Colonisation

Moderate: Sexism, Cultural appropriation, and Classism

Minor: Ableism and Fatphobia

jennifer_salem's review

reflective slow-paced

1.0

I’ve read part 1 and very tempted to DNF. I was hoping this book would be insightful & informative, but thus far the style of writing is off-putting. It’s often patronising & repetitive, with some concepts/ideas overly explained. The most interesting parts so far have been from quotes by other authors, of which there are many. Very tedious to read, hoping part 2 might be better. 

mulvana's review against another edition

hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.0

lknano's review

informative medium-paced

3.0

This was an interesting, well-written, and engaging book that tried to give an insight into the dark side of fast fashion, specifically the overconsumption aspect of it, the impact of colonialism, and the role of race and wealth within the fashion industry and consumerism (focusing mainly on the operation of these mechanisms/concepts in USA and UK). At times, the topic of sustainability was also discussed. Although this is an informative book in many aspects, some parts were quite repetitive, meanwhile others were not explored enough, especially in the first part of the book. Personally, I would love if the author would introduce more theories/philosophies/case studies about the operation of fast fashion from a to z. The topic of colonialism (and race) was explored throughly, while others took a backstage (which was a shame because it would have enriched the understanding of the operations of the previously mentioned mechanisms even further). The second part of the book was great as it introduced the steps we could take to try dismantling (as much as we can) this toxic fast fashion cycle.

brittanykroeckel's review against another edition

hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

3.5

I enjoyed the content of this book, but I think the execution of it wasn’t my favorite. Also, I’m not sure if it’s because it was a nightly read for me, but I struggled at certain points to get through it. Lastly, the first part with her personal anecdotes felt random in the grand scheme of the majority of her book. 

I will say I did learn valuable information that I will keep with me and would still recommend to someone for educational purposes. 

P.S. the audiobook in Audible was so different than the kindle ebook that I literally couldn’t use it.