The Good Life: How to Grow a Better World

by Hannah Moloney

For Hannah Moloney of Good Life Permaculture, a good life is one built around community and sustainability. In The Good Life, she shares inspiration and practical advice to help you live happily and sustainably.

From growing your own tea, to building a DIY water tank, making yoghurt and co-housing, with The Good Life you'll gain the skills, self-reliance and confidence needed to engage meaningfully with your space, your food and your community. Whether you have a half-acre, a backyard, a tiny balcony or no balcony at all, there are tips and tricks to suit everyone.

Full of wisdom, hope and inspiration, The Good Life is your ultimate guide to improving your wellbeing and the wellbeing of those around you to create a better world for all.

Genres: Nonfiction, Gardening, Sustainability, Climate Change

Hardcover

Published January 1, 2021

Reviews

[Kaitlyn]

While I felt intimidated to start as often these kinds of books take alot on mental power to geth through I was happily surprised that this was an easy read, with lots of amazing photography and easy to digest sections I found myself unable to put it down and after I finished I felt myself suitably enthusiastic to continue my own work to live my own good life

A great book for people just getting into to sustainability and community resilance and a welcome refresher for those who have been doing it for awhile

[Christy]

It was okay! Had some good information in it but it really just is a coffee table book.

[Diana]

Love this book. It’s bright and beautiful and lovely to look at. The garden is amazing; something to aspire to.

[Christina Baehr]

An endearing and likeable mix of cheerful coffee table book, memoir, and permaculture 101 manual. I consumed it and then found myself returning to it for inspiring pick me ups about gardening and composting. It’s very easy to read and has the simplest explanations about worm composting and also fertilising your garden that I’ve ever seen.

I really appreciate that Hannah breaks things down into achievable steps. Her hope and excitement about living a more productive and less wasteful life is contagious and helpful.

I should say, I’m not completely ideologically aligned with Hannah. As a Christian, I’m right there with her on taking care of creation, honouring the design of fellow creatures (from chickens to bees), and working towards a more equitable future for other people. Reading this book was helpful to me in understanding how and why I might work alongside people like Hannah and also areas where we might part ways. Her generous and warm way of talking about her life philosophy is a real door opener.

[Rachel]

This made me feel really hopeful ❤️

[KJ]

Inspiring. Showing that a good life is possible for all.

[Tamara]

3.5 stars.
I really enjoyed this book and share the philosophy 100%.
I would have liked to learn more about permaculture or how they've planted their garden using those techniques.

[Hayes]

Purchased this for Hanna in her 4 weeks of covid iso and then pinched it off her afterwards.

Reads like an amalgamated set of blog posts - took about 3 hours to get through given half the book is comprised of (albeit very nice) photographs and illustrations.

On one hand it is a good intro to permaculture and growing food / community. On the other it doesn’t go into much depth on any of the topics, and is heavy on the ideological front. Was hoping for something a bit more substantial as I enjoyed the author’s segments on Gardening Australia.

Having said that she put together one of the best explanations of composting systems and how they work in very few words. Case studies for community enterprises were also good too - just wish they were fleshed out more.

2 stars is probably a more accurate assessment if you’re after a good permaculture read.

[Jess]

God I loved this book (unfortunate there's not an image of the cover on here because it's a fab photo). I borrowed it from my library but I will be on the hunt for a copy of my own.

I love Hannah, her energy, her optimism, her RADICAL HOPE. Super excited to learn more about all of the principles shared in this book, and I now have a few new things to read / investigate.

Highly recommended this book, especially if you're in Australia. I'm excited to read her next book about growing fruit and veg, and then her new book, which is on order from my library ☺️

[Dale]

I read it in one day... the words, information, inspiration and beautiful photographs flow and bubble along with the joy of a good life that is doable, all or in part, today, tomorrow, whatever, wherever, whoever the circumstances... it covers a little bit of everything but not too much. This is a gift of a book. No matter how far into your good life journey you are... or aren't, it will change your life. I will be referring to it time and time again.

[Mischa]

Short but inspiring! This is a chunky book that’s a bit light on text but filled with photos, and that’s not a bad thing. It’s definitely not a technical manual, but more of a look at Hannah’s life, home, work, and approach to the world. There’s some simple how-to stuff which is just complex enough to get you started, but not too bogged down in the details. Overall a quick, refreshing and inspiring read.

[SS]

Great, approachable book for those that want to make a difference to the world, one step, one person at a time. Full of practical tips, case studies, gorgeous photos, wisdom all wrapped up in Hannah's sense of fun and play.

[Rosemary]

This is a lovely book which pulls together the main current ideas on permaculture, fighting climate change, and community sufficiency. There are many beautiful colour photos and Hannah Moloney's personality shines through. Accessible to beginners.

[Nia Jacobsen]

Loved the connection to Australia and it's First Nations peoples! This book gave me hope and some inspiration for how to make a better world.

Would have liked learning a bit more about permaculture though.

[Michelle Thorne]

Wholesome, inspiring and full of good energy! This is the book to read to make you feel and act to create a better world! 🌳

[E]

Easy read with good breadth to introduce different ideas across‘permaculture’ : not just the garden. Loved the smiles of her family & friends along with the personal stories -

[Jessica]

Loved this book. Very practical and interesting. Loved all the photos and illustrations.

[Clancy]

Beautiful book filled with inspiration. Written in a joyful and easy to understand way. Would highly recommend!

[Krystle]

What a delightful, inspiring read. Thoroughly enjoyed!

[Emily Gaughwin]

Game changing. Everyone should read this book.

[A]

Beautifully put together, accessible and ideas for all types of budding gardeners.

[Rachel Abercrombie]

Joyful, hopeful and inspiring!

[Vas]

A good read that made me question how I can lead a good life and what new ways I can contribute to my community. Also had some great inspiration for the garden!!

[Irene Adler]

Yes, one of my people.

I was so delighted by this book I'll read it again. Soon.

And the trampoline idea is genius.

[Andrew5000]

A good book about good gardening

[Paula Moros]

Perfect for spring reading. Maloney manages to be right-on without being too bougie. An ernest voice softened by experience. Delightful.

[Kath]

Inspirational and practical. I loved her ideas about 'radical hope', living according to your values and the need to find joy in your life in order to sustain and nourish yourself.

[katherine (winnie) 🏹]

idk if it was just the copy i got but there were a decent amount of typos so that’s the only reason this isn’t five stars i also dk if that’s petty or not but i meannnn

[Sharon Robertson]

Inspiring read with amazing photos in healing our environmental footprint