“Farquharson’s appealing candour and nonsanctimonious attitude make other ecowarriors seem dour by comparison.”
— Publishers Weekly
“Writing anecdotally with friendly candor and blithe humor, Farquharson makes each of her carefully considered attempts at reducing waste, pollution, and her carbon footprint entertaining and informative … Lively and specific, [her] forthright chronicle of the ups and downs of green awareness is the perfect book for eco-skeptics.”
— Donna Seaman, Booklist
“I finished reading the book yesterday and honestly, I couldn’t put it down — I really enjoyed reading it. I look up to you for how determined and honest you were with your challenge, despite how hard it was.”
— Oleksandra, Toronto.
“I’m halfway through Sleeping Naked Is Green and I absolutely love it!!! I’ve already told everyone I know about the book. Thank you for proving that you don’t need to eschew the rest of the world and smell like patchouli to help save the earth. Your book rocks!”
— Angie
“Just wanted to say that I finished your book and thoroughly enjoyed it. I liked your candidness about the challenges you faced and I even picked up a few new ideas. Thanks for a great read.”
— Maureen, Oshawa.
Here’s where you can get my book, Sleeping Naked is Green (also known as the best book ever written… you know, they offered me the Pulitzer, but I wasn’t sure if the gold medallion was sustainably mined, so I turned it down. OK, but seriously — it’s good! Funny, not preachy. Earnest yet cynical. There’s even a love story thrown in for the romantics).
So, without further ado:
IF YOU’RE SLEEPING NAKED IN CANADA, you can buy it here:
IF YOU’RE SLEEPING NAKED IN THE U.S., you can buy it here:
Finally, if you’re a member of the media (that basically means a journalist of the print, broadcast or online variety), a fellow green blogger, or a book-club leader, you can request a complimentary review copy of Sleeping Naked using this form.
Now, go and get multiple books for all your friends and family! Recession? Credit crunch? I don’t know what you’re talking about.
May 10, 2009 at 1:36 am |
Hi Vanessa!
Just wanted to say that I finished your book this past Tuesday and thoroughly enjoyed it. I liked your candidness about incorporating green changes and the challenges you faced. I even picked up a few new ideas that I have already put into practice. Thanks for a great read and I’ll be recommending it to others.
May 11, 2009 at 3:26 am |
Hey Vanessa,
So I have finished reading the book yesterday and honestly, I couldn’t put it down – I really enjoyed reading it. I look up to you for how determined and honest you were with your challenge, despite how hard it was. I am really happy that you and Jacob have finally realized the feelings between you too and I wish you both long happy love-filled years to come! (P.S. sorry for spoiling the plot for some
May 13, 2009 at 7:54 pm |
I found your book at the local bookstore and breezed through it in 2 days. It was wonderful. I loved every minute of it! The changes you made are things that I could do, can do, will do… should be doing now! What I liked most is that I can easily relate to your experiences to me, in the sense that you are young, canadian, female, writer and care about the enviroment. I guess what I’m trying to say (in a stumbling ,rambling sort of way…) is that reading your book was like reading a letter from a friend; heartfelt and real.
May 17, 2009 at 4:56 pm |
I just finished reading your book (a friend told me about it and then I saw it advertised in the Chapters Mothers’ Day Flyer). The book was great (despite my disagreement about ON wine, haha).
While I had already adapted many green living changes as far back as I can remember it has been a little while since I sought out new ones. Your book inspired me to adapt some more. I just poured some vinegar into my kettle and I can’t believe how well it works! I found organic wheatgrass cat litter that is made in Montana (I live in AB so that is fairly local) and it works great. While looking for the cat litter I came across some dry cat food that has free range chicken and eggs in it…and as a huge bonus it is made in AB.
Thanks for the honesty and inspiration! I will definitely be gifting your book to friends and family.
May 25, 2009 at 6:14 am |
Just finished your book and thoroughly loved it. Picked up the book in Chapters and wanted it. A very up close and personal look into trying to change behaviour and life patterns we are used too. Change is a challenge and you mastered it with courage and perseverance. I felt like I got to know you and will miss the evenings with a glass of wine and your clever wit. Thanks again Judy
May 26, 2009 at 9:29 pm |
Vanessa!
I went to high school with Emma and just finished your book. I am in the remote corners of Algonquin Park for the summer and trying to leave as small a footprint here as possible. Your changes have been very inspiring. I showered in the dark this morning. For someone who hates mornings, it was bliss. No harsh light jolting me awake and I was able to enjoy the Northern Ontario sun that was streaming through my window.
Thank you for the tips and laughs
Jessica
June 5, 2009 at 8:58 am |
Vanessa!
Congrats, great book. Great title. Good to know sleeping naked is green. Little did I know I had been doing my bit to save the planet for years now..
Anyhoo – I’m halfway through the book, I hijacked it from Matt, sorry, but I’m a faster reader. Love it. It’s great. I actually wandered around Naturalia (www.naturalia.fr) yesterday and battled between purchasing local green lentils and my preferred yellow ones that are grown in Canada. Should I buy my “Bio” organic, fair trade divine quinoa even though it came a long way more then likely in a kerosene guzzling plane or should I stick to couscous made in France and not support the bowler hatted ladies in Bolivia that may have had something to do with my addiction to their staple food? These are the dilemmas of the bobo Parisian set….or they would be if they actually read the labels. I think just shopping at Naturalia is enough for most of them.
But I digress…
Well done. You’ve made a difference!!
June 11, 2009 at 1:44 pm |
Great book Vanessa! I couldn’t put it down or stop laughing until it was done. I am recomending it to everyone I know.
Bravo!
June 21, 2009 at 2:48 pm |
I just finished reading your book! It was absolutely phenominal.. I loved it! I laughed a lot, and was definitely inspired! It was intriguing to realize how many little things I do, and how many more I do now having read your book. In fact, I’m going to walk the 5 kilometers to the nearest store that sells DivaCups by me, and get one this week! (I’m pretty excited about that change!)
Anyway, just wanted to commend you on your green challenge, and your book for that matter. And say thank you for the inspiration. (And, for the laughs, and even fulfilling my love for cute romantic love stories).
Like Judy above, I’ll definitely miss the clever wit that came along with the book. However, I’ll be checking for updates on your blog regularly now. As well as checking out your column at the Post!
June 26, 2009 at 10:59 pm |
I just finished your book. I read it in 2 days, and could not put it down. In the past year or so I began (trying) to go green. Your book is definitely an inspiration; although I don’t know if I would be able to make all the changes you did. Congratulations on completing the green challenge.
By the way, I came upon your book/blog through reading an article in whole living body and soul magazine about you, the challenge and the memoir. I am now recommending it to all of my friends.
July 1, 2009 at 9:12 pm |
Hmmm. The question is, can I wait till I’m in the US later this year to buy it, or do I go hunting through British Amazon for a copy? Would it be greener to wait, and use my luggage space for it?
July 2, 2009 at 12:19 pm |
Hello!
I know this page is loaded with praise for SNiG already, but a little more praise never hurt any blogger, right?
I just finished your book on my deck yesterday and thought it was great! It was a fun read, and I’ve spent the last couple of days blabbing about your experiences to all my family and friends! The book was a birthday gift from a(n equally un-green) friend of mine and I couldn’t think of a better gift. I’m going to start making some green changes around my house. Definitely.
Thanks for keeping up with the blog, too. I’ll keep checking back for more tips!
July 11, 2009 at 2:40 am |
Hahahaha! I was in the doctor’s office, wearing a very sexy do-up-in-the-back gown, waiting for the doctor and reading your book. And what section was I reading? Of course, the section about not wearing a gown/bringing my own. As I was already wearing it it was to late to go naked (and besides, I’d never met the man before) but I’ll bring a gown from home for next time.
So enjoying your journey and learning lots, too!
PS I got mine in *gasp* Walmart.
July 19, 2009 at 7:54 pm |
Just started “August” in your book..really like how you put the month&days in the beginning with each green thing you are doing for each day of the month.
You gave me some “new” ideas to do in my own green for life adventure! Jackie
July 20, 2009 at 10:43 am |
Hello ! I believe that reading and showing your book will increase the green in my modest blog !! please, would You send me the file? Thank you and best regards ;->>>
July 23, 2009 at 4:25 am |
Yellow (Hello), Vanessa!
I’m not quite done with finishing your book just yet but I had to let you know that you are one funny character. Lol. Everything thats being said inside your book, I feel like I completely understand and most definitely can realte. I absolutely love it! I hope your planning some future book signings because I know I will be the first person in line meet you and to compliment you on the great job.
July 25, 2009 at 8:25 pm |
Sooo… I loved your book, and by loved mean it’s on my top shelf with all my other favourites (alphabetical order of course) lol. It was recommended on shedoesthecity.com, and after reading the review I knew I had to at least check it out. Needless to say I haven’t shut up about it since I purchased it and subsequently talked a few of my friends into purchasing a copy, I’m sorry that I didn’t pass it on, which would have been the “green” way, but I’m probably just as neurotic about my books as you.
Ps. I don’t think I’ve ever craved a bottle of wine so badly. Oh vino. lol
July 30, 2009 at 12:43 pm |
[...] just cannot get enough of it. Recently I was reading an article on Vanessa Farquharson’s new book Sleeping Naked is Green. It is Vanessa’s story of her commitment to doing one ‘green’ act every day for a year. [...]
August 1, 2009 at 12:05 am |
Vanessa,
I just finished your book and have not been able to stop talking about it with friends. As someone who has slowly been making a lot of these changes over the last few years, I really enjoyed your self-deprecating take on making green changes in your life. I could not stop laughing about the story of your sister and mother house sitting!!! I do find it hard not to come off as an eco-snob sometimes and balance my choices with those of my family and friends when I visit them or they give me gifts. But it seems you managed to strike a good-balance in this area.
August 17, 2009 at 3:45 pm |
Just got finished reading your book, after the title caught my attention on the new book shelf of my library. After reading the back, I decided to check it out. I have an amazing friend from Rhode Island that introduced me to, keeps me aware, educated, laughing and real about ‘greenness’. I do the little things and am still growing but was fascinated by and smiled/laughed a lot at your experiences and amazing humor and learned a lot from them too! Even started some conversations with my husband about being more conscious of our impact and riding bikes more than just for exercise. Big plus! Thank you for sharing all this and being honest. I think I appreciated your honesty the most. Many blessings!!!
August 19, 2009 at 4:50 am |
Vanessa,
I’m about halfway through your book and needed to check out the original blog – I keep thinking, if only I had found you a few years ago, when all this started! I really admire your tenacity to undertake such a challenge – many people, including myself, couldn’t do it. But you have inspired me to try to make small changes in my own life. It is great to read about your experiences as a 20-something in big city Canada, as that’s where I find myself in life right now as well. I’ve also really enjoyed your accounts of life in Toronto/cottage country – I’m a fellow Ontarian who has been transplanted to Vancouver and misses it dearly. Thanks for giving me a little bit of home with a green edge!
August 19, 2009 at 8:05 pm |
I’m currently reading your book and I love it! I’m already a self proclaimed eco-freak but it’s helped get my friends to be more green. We all love that it’s written from the point of view of someone completely normal who obviously has the same struggles as everyone else when it comes to being environmentally conscious!
Cheers Vanessa!!!
August 24, 2009 at 11:55 pm |
Hi Vanessa,
Just finished reading your book and have recommended it to everyone I’ve talked to. Your year was so inspiring-especially because you didn’t proclaim to have all the answers and you had vices to deal with just like the rest of us. Reading your story and now being hooked on your blog has got me looking at my own life and trying to ‘greenify’ things. Thanks for the inspiration!
September 1, 2009 at 4:35 am |
[...] footprint, links, reading | Leave a Comment Last week I zipped through a new book called Sleeping Naked Is Green, which details Toronto journalist Vanessa Farquharson’s year-long journey to become greener. [...]
September 6, 2009 at 3:30 pm |
I’m reading your book right now and I LOVE it! It’s amazing the changes you’ve made and you’ve definitely got me thinking (constantly) about greening my own life. Thanks for the inspiration and for sharing your story!
September 6, 2009 at 8:15 pm |
BIG FAN of your book! Laughed and gagged my way through it! Any chance it’ll be translated into French? I think it’d be a big hit here in Quebec!
Eileen Donnelly
Rimouski, Quebec
September 9, 2009 at 5:08 am |
I ordered your book from the library because I thought the title sounded good – never having heard of you before. I couldn’t put it down and read it in less than 24 hours. I laughed out loud many times. I LOVED it! So easy to read; so real; and very inspiring! Thank you for sharing so much of your life. Are you still “‘poo free”? I gave that up last fall and have found some homemade recipes that work really well.
September 10, 2009 at 11:42 am |
I have just finished reading your book and I loved it. I was always wondering about where to start with greening my life but you showed me it’s all in the small changes you make, everything helps. I bought your book when I was in Canada but now I am back home (the Netherlands) and I will make sure that your book gets read by the Dutch as well. You are an inspiration and I hope many more will follow your example. I definitely will!
September 19, 2009 at 9:22 pm |
Hello, Vanessa,
I just finished your book today and thought it was great. I’ve been trying to keep up with the new eco-books as they come into the independent bookstore I work for in Washington, DC and so far this has been one of the most accessible I’ve read. Are you familiar with Summer Rayne Oakes? She had a green buyers’ guide come out last winter. It was delightfully informative, but I noticed it lacked an FSC certification, which made me wonder. I need to do some follow up research on that. In any event, kudos for having your book production be low impact too. You wouldn’t believe the number of eco-books that come in exhorting people to live more sustainably while not being produced sustainably themselves. I’ll be recommending yours to quite a few people including the folks on the climate change panel at Politics and Prose. Hopefully, I’ll be able to convince them to make it a book group pick.
Thanks again,
Nikki
P.S. Did you ever find a workable solution to the organic shampoo? I’ve been looking for a while and have only found minimal success. They all seem to over-dry my hair which then means I have to condition more and I’ve discovered once-a-week olive oil treatments are a little too heavy for fine hair.
September 27, 2009 at 10:43 pm |
I just finished reading your book about an hour ago and decided I’d have to look at the website after reading about it for so long. This is great and I think what you’ve done is brilliant. I’m actually considering a similar challenge for myself (but maybe after I’m at uni, as I can’t make my parents buy all organic or stop watching tv). I got your book from a library because I’d seen it in Chapters on several occasions and just HAD to read it (brilliant marketing with that title), but I didn’t have the money at the time. I suppose that’s better for the environment, but I do intend to buy it at some point, it’ll definitely make a good re-read.
I could tell you about how impressive your challenge and daily changes were, and how I admire you for being so committed to something you care about, but frankly that’s not the reason why I liked your book. I liked it because I find you so relate-able in so many ways. You don’t pretend to know everything or do everything perfectly, which as environmentalists we tend to feel pressured to do. Instead you made changes that were best for you, and went into this with an open mind.
So, thanks for being an inspiration to so many people, and adding one more person to the list of environmentalists making a difference in CANADA other than David Suzuki.
Good luck with your future pursuits.
Environmentally yours,
Simone
October 4, 2009 at 5:06 am |
Hey I just wanted to let you know that I was told to read your book by my professor for my human ecology class and it changed my life. I cant say that I’ll be turning off my dorm fridge or anything but I’ve decided that from now on im only going to read during the day to keep the lights off at night. It’s small but it’s a start right? You seriously made my week and my top five book list, which coming from someone who is a complete nerd about reading, means alot. I have been toying with the idea of changing my major into something other than Environmental Science but you made me remember the reason I chose it in the first place. I hope your words reach more people my age.
Keep writing.
-Emily
(Rutgers University, U.S, NJ)
October 5, 2009 at 7:27 pm |
I just returned your book to the library. I loved it. I even took some notes. I will admit I’m slowly going a little green, but have a long way to go. However, I did take some of your suggestions and have started doing them myself. Keep up the good work!
October 18, 2009 at 1:12 am |
[...] and see where it takes us. And if I’m left feeling whiny and put-upon, I’ll think of this woman, who did a whole lot of stuff to green her life over the course of a whole year, including getting [...]
November 11, 2009 at 7:36 pm |
I love the concept and content of your blog and this book definitely caught my eye. I look forward to reading it!
Stay Green
-Kanette
(Eco-Posh Events, Michigan)
November 16, 2009 at 6:18 pm |
Your book is my bible.
November 20, 2009 at 4:32 am |
Hi, Rory Again. #1 on Christmas wishlist? This Book.
November 20, 2009 at 10:04 am |
Dear Vanessa,
Your book was handed in an airport on my way to work the D.R.Congo. It was one that I didn’t necessarily want to read, but I opened to the first page, I found I couldn’t put it down. 18 hours later (including passport haggling, bad airline food, and those annoyingly small beers) I finished your book. I have to admit there are some things you have done that are astonishing. I am a farm boy and still would never have a composter in my house! Others I might adopt, I really don’t want to fix my fridge anyways (but I might miss my cold beer). All in all it was a great read, and I have already recommended it to many friends, and forced it down the throat of the crew here in Bukavu DRC.
Thanks for keeping me entertained and making me think,
Kevin
P.S. The vacuum operated washrooms on planes use a pressure differential. They don’t require extra fuel. I’m an aircraft mechanic if you haven’t yet guessed.
November 30, 2009 at 9:36 pm |
Just finished the book. Laughed out load, groaned a little & had moments of deja vu! I will not promise to give up mascara, shaving or vino -but do eat organic, compost & freeze in a seriously underheated home. Might not be much, but now I have something to hand to all those people who scoff at my saying “every little things helps”. What will I hand them – my used copy of your book of course!
December 4, 2009 at 2:40 pm |
being naked looks hotter than hot
December 8, 2009 at 5:38 am |
I had bought your book for my brother in laws girlfriend who is “green” for Christmas. I started to leaf through it at home and have just finished it.. thanks for the read, it was entertaining and gave me some ideas to think over… I probably am going to add a gift certificate for Heifer on top of this gift…and I definately am going to start thinking of ways I can change in the future..
December 8, 2009 at 5:41 am |
I had bought your book for my brother in laws girlfriend who is “green” for Christmas. I started to leaf through it at home and have just finished it.. thanks for the read, it was entertaining and gave me some ideas to think over. I will still give her the book..used is green..and have now checked out your website and will add it to my favorites!
December 9, 2009 at 9:20 pm |
Hi Vanessa!
I too just finished reading your book, and LOVED it! We’re already pretty green in our apartment in Edmonton, but there’s always room for improvement!
Thanks so much for the inspiration.
December 10, 2009 at 6:41 pm |
Hello.
I’m a portuguese girl (17 years old) and I just want to thank you for writting such a good and inspiring book.
It’s brilliant, funny and I learned so much from it.
Once again, thank you very much!
December 13, 2009 at 5:16 am |
I’m just about finished reading your book and what I found so encouraging was that it made me feel less alone in my environmental quest. So often you feel like the little changes you make don’t amount to much but when you read a book like yours you realize how many of us are making these changes and the ripple effect that has. I try to buy local as much but winter in Calgary not happening so much. I’m with you on the wine thing too, love my Argentinian Malbecs but they are organic. Keep up the good work! I haven’t quite discovered who your new love was by the end of the book, rooting for Jacob!
January 12, 2010 at 5:15 pm |
Hello friend,
I feel as if I have found a new friend while reading your book…(not of the creepy stalker ilk) and am thoroughly pleased, if not a bit smug, learning that I have been doing many of your green changes for years. I bought your book, with chagrin at purchasing it new (I am a used bookstore addict), as I made my way to the laundromat and realized that with two hours to kill I had forgotten an ever-handy read. It couldn’t have been a better time to have submitted to consumeritis. So thank you for filling my mindless slump while doing laundry and for furthering my pleasure as I read passages to my boyfriend upon returning home. We are in the midst of gathering tools to build an earthship (hokey name, but amazing building concept) and are always on the search for green ideas for living, while still loving life. Cheers to you!
January 22, 2010 at 5:16 am |
I recently finished reading your book and absolutely loved it! Your experience, perspective and wit were very refreshing, and I thoroughly enjoyed your writing – especially as a journey towards finding a relationship that was right in front of you the entire time. Fun, fun read.
I live in Salt Lake City, and began my journey towards green when my oldest son was diagnosed with autism. I began to discover the world of toxins/non-green living and how it all affects our health – yikes!
I love the Diva Cup, my nose cannot stand chemicals (“fresh” ie formaldehyde smells), and I proudly use my recyclable shopping bags! I toured Toronto when I was 16 (loved it), and was shocked as a college junior in Germany to see how advanced they are in the green efforts – many, many years ahead of USA.
We need to keep spreading the word. . .making changes one change, one person, at a time. Thank you!
January 28, 2010 at 12:42 am |
Vanessa,
Just wanted to write a quick note thanking you for creating such an amazing blog and that I having a great book to follow up with (which I recently finished). May I say that I’ve been inspired to make more of an effort to make changes in my lifestyle, also because of me reading your book, my friend and I have decided to do our upcoming class bulleting board called “Borrowing Books is Green”, the majority of the materials used for the project are made or printed on recycled materials.
Anyways, thanks again. ^_^
January 29, 2010 at 2:16 am |
Can you please tell me a natural substitute for deodorant that you found worked? Thank you.
Kathy Lea