There is a growing body of recent non-fiction work that takes a single subject, and really delves into it, from a lifestyle and research perpective. Richard Louv’s Last Child in the Woods, and Daniel Pink’s Drive are two that come to mind. Another is Carl Honore’s, In Praise of Slowness: Challenging the Cult of Speed.
I read this book about a month ago, and was immediately drawn in. It seemed to be exactly what I needed, at exactly the right time. Honore makes a solid case for embracing slow in our everyday lives. That is, taking time for everything, and, in turn savouring more of life. From slow parenting, to slow food, to slow cities, Honore profiles the growing slow movement around the world.
Part informative, part research, part cautionary tale, In Praise of Slowness, is wholly inspirational. It’s a wake-up call for those of us who have felt pressured to accomplish more, in less time. For me, it came at the right place and the right time, but, more likely, it is simply the right place and the right time for the world to read this book.
Very intelligent, well-researched, and with the capacity to be life-changing, this is a book for anyone who wants to be more grounded, and get more out of life – by doing less. With an insightful look at homeschooling, and how it fits with the slow movement, this book is a glorious read.
