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A Kind Life: Eat Plants, Buy Less, Slow Down―and Save the Planet
"A Kind Life takes readers on a personal journey, laying a pathway of how to live more kindly on the earth" —Keegan Kuhn, co-director of Cowspiracy
What does it mean to live a kind life? In this inspiring book, a mother-of-two provides a blueprint for how she and her family adopted a plant-based lifestyle, sharing the eye-opening facts that convinced her they needed to make a change.
Carina Wohlleben grew up at nature’s doorstep, in a mountain lodge surrounded by forests and fields where her family grew vegetables and raised animals. Her father, the forester and bestselling author of The Hidden Life of Trees, taught her about the value of wilderness and the importance of preserving nature for everyone.
But it wasn’t until she was a new mom that she had an epiphany about how her own daily habits were connected to the ecological crisis we are facing.
After learning that we can reduce our environmental footprint by 25 percent simply by forgoing animal products, she transformed her life, adopting a vegan diet, rethinking all her travel and consumption choices, and rediscovering her connection to nature.
Carina writes candidly about the challenges of making this transition as well as the health benefits she and her family noticed after cutting out animal products. She also addresses issues such as unsustainable agriculture and forestry practices, the environmental impact of our transportation and shopping choices, and how slowing down and making do with less is not only better for the planet but improves our own sense of belonging in nature.
Carina's account of balancing motherhood with environmental choices is interspersed with profiles of young people around the world who are making a difference. This book is a must-read for anyone who is considering a change, and anyone who believes it’s not too late to save the planet.
What does it mean to live a kind life? In this inspiring book, a mother-of-two provides a blueprint for how she and her family adopted a plant-based lifestyle, sharing the eye-opening facts that convinced her they needed to make a change.
Carina Wohlleben grew up at nature’s doorstep, in a mountain lodge surrounded by forests and fields where her family grew vegetables and raised animals. Her father, the forester and bestselling author of The Hidden Life of Trees, taught her about the value of wilderness and the importance of preserving nature for everyone.
But it wasn’t until she was a new mom that she had an epiphany about how her own daily habits were connected to the ecological crisis we are facing.
After learning that we can reduce our environmental footprint by 25 percent simply by forgoing animal products, she transformed her life, adopting a vegan diet, rethinking all her travel and consumption choices, and rediscovering her connection to nature.
Carina writes candidly about the challenges of making this transition as well as the health benefits she and her family noticed after cutting out animal products. She also addresses issues such as unsustainable agriculture and forestry practices, the environmental impact of our transportation and shopping choices, and how slowing down and making do with less is not only better for the planet but improves our own sense of belonging in nature.
Carina's account of balancing motherhood with environmental choices is interspersed with profiles of young people around the world who are making a difference. This book is a must-read for anyone who is considering a change, and anyone who believes it’s not too late to save the planet.
216 pages, Paperback
Published October 8, 2024
8 people are currently reading
169 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 28, 2024
I truly loved this.
I loved the writing style and tone.
I loved all the information.
I loved the reminder that I can make the changes I want to make.
I loved the writing style and tone.
I loved all the information.
I loved the reminder that I can make the changes I want to make.
February 11, 2025
I don’t know how to describe this book… Cute? Like good for you. I do not at all understand the need to write this book. It offers very no value to the reader.
It’s like hey I watched a documentary and now I feel so inspired that I am making some changes and 5 years of doing so has been so remarkable that I need to write a book about it?? I am now the expert and it’s just that you all do not realise this or that.
It’s not something I would do personally. I also don’t understand how people can be so blind and unaware of the world around them, where food comes from and how…
I also wonder if she knows how badly animals are treated, why not unite and push for better conditions and better ways of farming as well. Instead of distancing oneself from all of it.
It’s like hey I watched a documentary and now I feel so inspired that I am making some changes and 5 years of doing so has been so remarkable that I need to write a book about it?? I am now the expert and it’s just that you all do not realise this or that.
It’s not something I would do personally. I also don’t understand how people can be so blind and unaware of the world around them, where food comes from and how…
I also wonder if she knows how badly animals are treated, why not unite and push for better conditions and better ways of farming as well. Instead of distancing oneself from all of it.
March 4, 2025
Good, full of statistical information. Not much on the buy less and slow down aspects.
October 17, 2024
3.5☆
|| A KIND LIFE ||
#gifted @greystonebooks
•
"It's not easy persuading people to be more mindful of the environment. Apart from the financial issues, I think this is because we get comfortable and we fear change. The well-known trope "humans are creatures of habit" hits the mark. It's really difficult for us to break old habits, whether it's the way we travel, what we buy, or the way we eat--and that goes for me, too, of course it took a few tries before I was able to follow through with my decision to give up animal products."
•
"Trying to reduce our environmental footprint is often associated with deprivation, but I think that's the wrong approach. It's all a matter of perspective."
•
"Humans have a huge impact on nature, and in many places, we've destroyed it. As a species, it seems, we're extremely possessive: instead of adapting to our environment, we mold our environment to suit ourselves, turning it into what we think it should be. However, there are numerous examples that make me feel optimistic and show that not everything is irreparable. Nature is capable of healing--itself and it won't take centuries to do so."
✍🏻
This book was an interesting read. Wohlleben mixes her past and present with science and ethics to offer a blueprint for how she and her family adopted a plant-based lifestyle. I have read books with similar subject matter but I enjoyed Wohlleben's perspective, being a mother of two. I have been vegetarian for most of my life and on again off again vegan as well so some of the info in this book I was already aware of but it's always humbling to refresh. I found this an accessible approach to living an eco-conscious plant-based lifestyle. For those that are looking to start that journey, or maybe like me you're living it but looking to go deeper this book is an easy read that gives you lots to think about.
•
About The Author:
Carina Wohlleben is a scientific advisor and partner at the Wohlleben Forest Academy. She has studied geography as well as nature conservation and landscape ecology. A trained vegan nutritionist, she also offers vegan cooking courses and nutrition advice.
For more of my book content check out instagram.com/bookalong
|| A KIND LIFE ||
#gifted @greystonebooks
•
"It's not easy persuading people to be more mindful of the environment. Apart from the financial issues, I think this is because we get comfortable and we fear change. The well-known trope "humans are creatures of habit" hits the mark. It's really difficult for us to break old habits, whether it's the way we travel, what we buy, or the way we eat--and that goes for me, too, of course it took a few tries before I was able to follow through with my decision to give up animal products."
•
"Trying to reduce our environmental footprint is often associated with deprivation, but I think that's the wrong approach. It's all a matter of perspective."
•
"Humans have a huge impact on nature, and in many places, we've destroyed it. As a species, it seems, we're extremely possessive: instead of adapting to our environment, we mold our environment to suit ourselves, turning it into what we think it should be. However, there are numerous examples that make me feel optimistic and show that not everything is irreparable. Nature is capable of healing--itself and it won't take centuries to do so."
✍🏻
This book was an interesting read. Wohlleben mixes her past and present with science and ethics to offer a blueprint for how she and her family adopted a plant-based lifestyle. I have read books with similar subject matter but I enjoyed Wohlleben's perspective, being a mother of two. I have been vegetarian for most of my life and on again off again vegan as well so some of the info in this book I was already aware of but it's always humbling to refresh. I found this an accessible approach to living an eco-conscious plant-based lifestyle. For those that are looking to start that journey, or maybe like me you're living it but looking to go deeper this book is an easy read that gives you lots to think about.
•
About The Author:
Carina Wohlleben is a scientific advisor and partner at the Wohlleben Forest Academy. She has studied geography as well as nature conservation and landscape ecology. A trained vegan nutritionist, she also offers vegan cooking courses and nutrition advice.
For more of my book content check out instagram.com/bookalong
February 12, 2025
I feel like this book was titled incorrectly. Although well written, the subject matter was only about being vegan, and I was more interested in the “buying less” and “slowing down” aspects that the title suggested. I learned more about veganism, which is cool, but also was more interested in other topics the book hinted at, but didn’t go into much detail about.
February 21, 2025
DNF, although it was good reading for insomnia. Put me right to sleep! When it didn’t read like a statistics textbook, it was very much “I watched a documentary and now I’m a vegan and I can’t believe everyone else is not vegan!” There wasn’t any practical information about how to make changes in your life.
August 17, 2025
Comes across as holier-than-thou (and I personally am a vegetarian and an environmentalist). Lots of "I feel" statements instead of facts.
December 19, 2025
For more bookish opinions, visit my blog: Craft-Cycle
An okay read.
Originally published in German, I feel like the translated title is a bit misleading. The book focuses on arguments for veganism and connecting more with nature. There isn't a whole lot in the Buy Less and Slow Down departments.
It also comes from a very privileged perspective and one that focuses on the individual rather than ways we can push for largescale change by pressuring our governments.
The book covers information about the environmental impact of things like diet, transportation, and forestry. Wohlleben presents multiple reasons to switch to a plant based diet (land use, greenhouse gases, water use, ethics, antibiotics, manure). Those reasons are valid, but are presented in a way that tries to guilt people into veganism. She completely ignores food insecurity and that not everyone has the privilege to just completely change their diet to whole foods, which are usually more expensive than highly processed foods.
As a vegetarian, I really don't like the argument that humans should not consume any animal products. I think it's far better to have the majority of people reduce their meat and animal product consumption and change the conditions of factory farming. The issue isn't eating some meat; the issue is the horrible effects of factory farming.
There were other sections that didn't really seem to fit with the rest of the book like the chapter on childbirth to show how we've lost our connection to nature.
I didn't feel the book had all that much practical information on how to implement changes or large-scale solutions to the problems. It felt more like a memoir with some stats. It focuses more on Wohlleben's opinions and perspectives than practical ways people can live a more sustainable life.
The book ends with a list of seven "simple" tips for living more environmentally aware. The tips include a vegan diet (definitely not simple or achievable for many people) and buying local seasonal produce (access being very dependent on where you live). The majority of the tips involve buying things that are usually more expensive than non-environmentally-friendly products from natural skincare and fabrics to recycled products, and does not cover greenwashing tactics.
I didn't find this book very helpful. I think most people who eat a plant-based diet will already know most of the arguments for it and that people who consume animal products will disengage with Wohlleben's attempts to guilt them into changing their diets.
An okay read.
Originally published in German, I feel like the translated title is a bit misleading. The book focuses on arguments for veganism and connecting more with nature. There isn't a whole lot in the Buy Less and Slow Down departments.
It also comes from a very privileged perspective and one that focuses on the individual rather than ways we can push for largescale change by pressuring our governments.
The book covers information about the environmental impact of things like diet, transportation, and forestry. Wohlleben presents multiple reasons to switch to a plant based diet (land use, greenhouse gases, water use, ethics, antibiotics, manure). Those reasons are valid, but are presented in a way that tries to guilt people into veganism. She completely ignores food insecurity and that not everyone has the privilege to just completely change their diet to whole foods, which are usually more expensive than highly processed foods.
As a vegetarian, I really don't like the argument that humans should not consume any animal products. I think it's far better to have the majority of people reduce their meat and animal product consumption and change the conditions of factory farming. The issue isn't eating some meat; the issue is the horrible effects of factory farming.
There were other sections that didn't really seem to fit with the rest of the book like the chapter on childbirth to show how we've lost our connection to nature.
I didn't feel the book had all that much practical information on how to implement changes or large-scale solutions to the problems. It felt more like a memoir with some stats. It focuses more on Wohlleben's opinions and perspectives than practical ways people can live a more sustainable life.
The book ends with a list of seven "simple" tips for living more environmentally aware. The tips include a vegan diet (definitely not simple or achievable for many people) and buying local seasonal produce (access being very dependent on where you live). The majority of the tips involve buying things that are usually more expensive than non-environmentally-friendly products from natural skincare and fabrics to recycled products, and does not cover greenwashing tactics.
I didn't find this book very helpful. I think most people who eat a plant-based diet will already know most of the arguments for it and that people who consume animal products will disengage with Wohlleben's attempts to guilt them into changing their diets.
April 17, 2025
I didn’t get much out of this book. I picked it up because the subtitle reflects my values, and I was curious about how the author would handle these topics and what new things she could teach me. Meh. It’s not so much a bad book as one I couldn’t see the point of.
I learned more about her life than interested me. I learned a few new facts, not many. Quite a lot of the material was opinions, unsupported by anything more than a strong belief that they are true. Despite the subtitle, the book is 90% about veganism. The book doesn’t really have a central focus, though, and it meanders from subject to subject. The coverage of the topics themselves tends to be shallow and lacks balance: e.g., she feels that airplanes are the main thing we should worry about where climate change is concerned. I’ll see if I can find a home for this book with someone who might appreciate it more.
I learned more about her life than interested me. I learned a few new facts, not many. Quite a lot of the material was opinions, unsupported by anything more than a strong belief that they are true. Despite the subtitle, the book is 90% about veganism. The book doesn’t really have a central focus, though, and it meanders from subject to subject. The coverage of the topics themselves tends to be shallow and lacks balance: e.g., she feels that airplanes are the main thing we should worry about where climate change is concerned. I’ll see if I can find a home for this book with someone who might appreciate it more.
Read
September 29, 2025DNF - Got 2 chapters in and couldn't stomach the flip-flopping from judgemental and holier-than-thou attitude:
to statements about being gentle and nonjudgmental with yourself:
It's almost as if the author assumes you've already made the decision to become vegan and is just writing to placate any fears or doubt a new vegan has. I skipped ahead and read various passages to see if the whole book was like this, and in general, the book is insufferable, just like vegans in the 90's-00's were.
to statements about being gentle and nonjudgmental with yourself:
It's almost as if the author assumes you've already made the decision to become vegan and is just writing to placate any fears or doubt a new vegan has. I skipped ahead and read various passages to see if the whole book was like this, and in general, the book is insufferable, just like vegans in the 90's-00's were.
May 4, 2025
I couldn't even finish this which is rare for me. Even if I'm not loving a book, I still try to give it a chance and muscle through it. Not this one. About 40% of the book is just the kind of holier than thou vegan yapping that everyone hates. Hard pass. That being said, I do think there are valid arguments for veganism. I never even found the parts of the book about slowing down and buying less, etc. Avoid this book at all costs, I don't think there is anything here for anyone.
November 23, 2024
Enjoyed the way information was presented in this book. So many take-aways from this book.
November 1, 2025
It's fine, but other writers have covered the same ground with more engaging prose and firmer background research.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews