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Thanks for Sharing

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In this fascinating book, Eleanor Tucker sets out a bold vision of how sustainable sharing can save us money, and lead to a happier future.

What is the Sharing Economy? How can it help us live more affordable, more sustainable, and ultimately more fulfilling lives?  What would happen if for one year a family pledged to share as much as they possibly can? Instead ofowning more and more stuff, what it’s like to stop owning things and borrow, lend, rent and swap instead?

These are big questions, but features writer Eleanor Tucker sets out to answer them in this thoroughly absorbing and entertaining guide to sustainable sharing, or as it is also known, 'collaborative consumption'.

In this engrossing study, Eleanor straps us into on her year-long experiment along with her somewhat reluctant family. Over the course of the year, with the aid of various sharing apps, they will pledge to buy as few new things as possible, instead relying on the power of sharing, lending, renting and borrowing to supply their needs.

Each chapter introduces a different type of sharing into her day to day life, from the little ‘things' (food, clothes) to the bigger ’things' (cars, furniture, the space around us), and shows how the growth of tech has revolutionized an age-old practice. 

The book contains best-for recommendations based around different types of sharing, to create an easily accessible shortcut into sharing.

Written with warm and relatable humour as well as a deeply-researched knowledge of the history of sharing, this unmissable guide could truly change the way you consume.

 

258 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 9, 2023

4 people are currently reading
94 people want to read

About the author

Eleanor Tucker

2 books2 followers
Eleanor Tucker writes across genres, from narrative non-fiction to commercial fiction and screenwriting. A former advertising creative in award-winning agencies, she went on to become a features writer for national titles including The Guardian, The Observer, Marie Claire and Psychologies, covering beauty, sustainability, tech, parenting and society. Her first book, Thanks for Sharing blends memoir and reportage as she explores the sharing economy with curiosity and humour. Her debut novel, Turn Back Time, explores beauty standards in middle age and what happens when a woman is suddenly handed the chance to rewrite how she sees herself. Originally from Oxford, Eleanor studied at the University of Edinburgh and now lives in Edinburgh with her husband and two teenage children. She also speaks, and hosts author events.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
Profile Image for Reading_ Tamishly.
5,307 reviews3,477 followers
March 12, 2023
From the title, the blurb and the cover I thought this book would be about reusing or recycling things.

However, it’s a me things I guess that the book do not turn out as I thought it would be.

This book is more like a memoir or glimpses of things that the author thinks about certain things which I do not expect from the book. I do feel that the reading experience could have been so much better with a better presentation of the contents.

First of all, for a nonfiction book I expect the writing to focus on things the title talks about. Second, the writing should be able to make valid points that are both appealing and interesting as well as informative. I find the content to be informative with references and foot notes given wherever applicable. I appreciate this. But I feel this isn’t the book I am looking forward to read when I see this title.

Not a book for everyone but I feel this would be a good read for readers who love reading nonfiction.

Thank you, Quarto Publishing Group - White Lion, for the advance reading copy.
Profile Image for Isabel Mack.
6 reviews2 followers
June 12, 2023
I run a social enterprise which facilitates a sharing economy concept and so I started this book with perhaps a greater understanding of the topic than many.

Elle’s book is a great introduction to the sharing economy, offering a relatable and entertaining insight into the realities of sharing your stuff with neighbours.

Elle highlights the benefits of sharing, not just for the planet but also it’s power reconnect communities, save money and enable more people to gain access to things they need.

This books shows there is so much more we could be sharing. Elle documents both the wins and the mishaps for an honest review of her sharing experiences. From the joy of discovering ‘magic bags’ to the stress of returning a borrowed car in the dark as the app counted down.

This book isn’t about recycling, upcycling or repurposing, it’s about sharing what we have in ways I’d never even thought of!
Profile Image for Laura.
750 reviews45 followers
April 2, 2023
This is not necessarily what I expected and to be honest, I’m not quite sure it is quite what the author was aiming to write. The title suggests something quite different from the content, the author talks about her life, experiences and opinions on various topics.

About half way through the book there is a ‘guide to sharing’ which is split into two very short parts! Part one in the middle of the book and part two at the end, everything in between is the author's ramblings, there is a lot of stating the obvious but also a fair chunk of informative stuff which some people might not know about. I liked how the author uses humor to keep things moving.

Overall this book was not for me but I am sure there are going to be plenty of readers out there that would appreciate and benefit from reading through this one.

I’m giving this one a generous 4 stars.
Profile Image for Dora Okeyo.
Author 25 books202 followers
March 16, 2023
This is interesting- I mean, in terms of what you can share and how and what that means for sustainability and reducing waste. I was particularly intrigued by the food waste and how to make use of leftovers, cooking at home instead of eating out- so this is definitely something that maybe I could try with my clothes and books for a start.

Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.
Profile Image for Laura Lee.
986 reviews
June 27, 2023
Not as informative as I was hoping. Doesn't really apply to the USA. Author is British.
Profile Image for Joy Corkery.
587 reviews16 followers
March 24, 2023
Originally published here: https://joyfulantidotes.com/2023/03/2...

On a whim, I requested Thanks For Sharing from Netgalley to learn more about the sharing economy. I feel I did and I didn’t. If you are already familiar with the concept, the information provided might seem quite basic. By that I mean what the sharing economy is and the different types of products you can share. However, I did discover a whole bunch of companies that make sharing much easier (although be aware that for many of the categories, the companies are predominantly UK/US based).

The blurb of this book claims it is well-researched, but it depends on how you personally define well-researched. Each chapter does include some information from experts explaining how sharing is not really a new concept, and providing information about how certain sharing economies came to be about and why. However, while I felt I learned a lot here, this type of information was minimal. Most of the research comes from the author’s dedication to the sharing economy and what she personally learned on her journey. Also valuable research, in my opinion.

I liked the way Thanks For Sharing was written. While each chapter introduces a new economy, the others which the author has experimented with are not forgotten and we see how she progresses with them overtime. I also really liked the author’s humour and her relationship with her family was really sweet.
Profile Image for Katie.
142 reviews3 followers
Read
March 29, 2023
First off, thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. I’ll be honest, it was a DNF for me. I tried, believe me the idea of this type of living really appeals to me. Living more sustainably, sharing more, really becoming aware of needs and wants is all something I aspire to be like; but this just left me bored. I’m not sure if it’s because I couldn’t relate to using an app for this type of loving or because it wasn’t based in my own country but I couldn’t connect. It might be something I would pick up again at a later date, probably from my local library; but for me I just couldn’t connect.
Profile Image for Michelle Ogden.
328 reviews7 followers
April 29, 2023
Eleanor Tucker is on a mission to be more sustainable and use her stuff wisely. The rise of sharing apps has made possible a wider range of co-use possibilities. Remember when we were little and it was common to borrow something from a neighbor? Today it is harder to do that. We don’t know our neighbors and it would be creepy if someone popped up at your front door asking to borrow your pipe wrench that you haven’t met before. Tucker signs up for various types of sharing apps and tries them out. She is a mother of two kids, married and tries her best to be green. Some of the apps she tries focus on food, clothes, stuff, and pet sharing. She gives her honest opinion on what works for her life and there are some surprises. She really likes the clothes sharing! This is all great if you live in an area where lots of people near you are also using the apps. I think if you live in a rural area where you would use lots of gas or petrol, it would not be as green a concept. This is a great experiment and a wonderful way to consume less stuff and put fewer things into the landfill. Recoup some cost from that fancy dress you bought by lending it out for a fee, get that once in a lifetime purse and share it to offset the cost, or lend out rarely used item you have taking up space. Give it a try and you might make new friends too.
Profile Image for Staceywh_17.
3,696 reviews12 followers
March 22, 2023
With the country in the throws of an economic crisis and the insurmountable energy bill rise I was hoping Thanks for Sharing would be my saviour and help me navigate my way to a more sustainable way of living.

The bulk of the book focuses on the author's own experiences of sharing, renting and borrowing. Whether it be clothing, cars, furniture or even dogs there's an app or group on social media for it.

I have previously used Olio and Too good to go and have had some great bits from them foodwise. I also source clothing from Facebook marketplace that's free and pay it on when I've finished/outgrown it.

I don't think I'd be comfortable sharing my dogs though as obviously there are no licences required and I'd be too worried they'd fall into the wrong hands and not be returned.

And with the furniture rental, I get it, but surely in the long run it would be cheaper to purchase the item outright rather than paying a monthly fee, presumably with interest?

While Thanks for Sharing is an interesting little book, I wish it could have concentrated more on the whole recycle, re-use aspect of 'sharing'.

Many thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for my tour spot.

Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Profile Image for Carol Cerdan.
1 review
May 21, 2023
This is such a funny, honest and human read. Changing habits to live a more sustainable life is something I am very interested in and want to do...but also worry that it will be too difficult. But Eleanor's book is not preachy or po-faced, rather very relatable and makes suggestions that are very achievable. It actually made me feel quite hopeful about our future as humans. I didn't really know what the sharing economy was before I read this and now I feel very informed! I love community and helping others, this book has lots of interesting and useful tips on how we can connect and use each others stuff, skills and spaces.

It's not often I laugh out loud when reading a book, but at points I had tears in my eyes. I read it very quickly as it was so enjoyable and know that I will dip in and out of it many times in the future. Already I have been putting into practice some of Eleanor's recommendations, which feels very satisfying!
26 reviews1 follower
May 2, 2023
Thanks for Sharing takes a deep dive into the sharing economy. Eleanor is a wonderful storyteller and presents an honest review of her many different experiences throughout her dive into this alternate economy. I found myself inspired to explore this idea of sharing resources rather than owning everything I only occasionally need. Her honest perspective and concerns (will I stink up this rented dress if I use natural deodorant? will anyone want to borrow my mom vehicle?) all felt very relatable. Her insights into this experiment were also interesting. While I don't want to own designer clothing, like her, I might feel more put together and confident at a formal occasion if I rented something that fit really well. I also am looking into the experience outings that she described and am excited about supporting local economies as a participant rather than a consumer.
Profile Image for Melanie.
516 reviews11 followers
March 10, 2024
"Thanks for Sharing' by Eleanor Tucker is a nonfiction book that tells of the authors trials of various methods in the sharing economy.

Instead of buying things, the author looks at how skills and items can be shared, swapped or hired and thus reducing the impact on the climate and also the families finances. This is trialed over a year and the book tells of the author and her families adventures.

This book is fascinating and opens your eyes to avenues for swapping and sharing that you didn't even know where out there.

It is well written and the added bits of humour in the writing make it a really enjoyable read.

The book is split up in readable chunks and is well written.

Highly recommended to everyone as it really does enlighten you to what is out there with regards to sharing.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley in allowing me to read in return for a review.
1 review
August 21, 2023
Joyful, witty and a delightful retelling of the ups and downs of sharing experiences with many relatable stories. The instance of dragging your family across town...the pain of rental only for something to turn up the wrong size. Elle also introduces us to new ways of seeing the sharing economy and left me excited to try some of the other wonderful, but lesser-known, sharing experiences! Would highly recommend to anyone who is keen to know more about the fabulous world of sharing and discover how these adventures can redefine the way we connect with others and the world around us!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Lauren.
496 reviews7 followers
April 28, 2023
Mostly a memoir based on the author’s own experiences getting used to sharing and sustainability in their everyday life, this book was a good read, but hard to relate to - primarily because most of the situations and the resources are not applicable to my own life. I think this would be a good book to read for people to learn more about sharing and get excited about it, but not necessarily for beginners as it doesn’t feel very beginner friendly. 3.5 Stars
Profile Image for Leslie.
725 reviews20 followers
December 1, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for the digital galley of this book.

One woman’s foray into a year of the sharing economy instead of the spening economy (where possible). Shw finds apps to share food, cars, parking spots, random household things, skills, even dogs!

It was a fun read that made me think about doing more than just buying my clothes used and putting books in little free libraries.

13 reviews
March 22, 2023
Funny and informative

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s such a funny, well-written and informative read, and it’s opened my eyes to more ways to share and save money and resources. The humorous anecdotes on family life, zooming with strangers and city living had me laughing out loud. Highly recommended!
3 reviews
May 5, 2023
I flew through this book. It's such an interesting topic and a joy to read.
I laughed out loud at the entertaining stories of Elle and her gang navigating the sharing economy.
It's inspired action in my daily life too and I love remembering the stories when I list a dress or book a magic bag.
Loved it
1 review
February 19, 2024
Great read. Lots of insight in the world of all things sharing. Opened my eyes to trying things like renting clothes and borrowing rather than owning tools. It’s certainly made me think more about simplifying life. I will definitely be renting someone’s car when we visit France this year. Nothing gained and all that!
Profile Image for Kelly Pramberger.
Author 13 books62 followers
March 8, 2023
I was interested in this book because of the title and cover description. I am working on saving vs spending so I was looking to see what tips may be included. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. I did learn some bits of helpful information but others dealt with Europe and not the US where I live.
Profile Image for Ali C.
132 reviews1 follower
March 29, 2023
I misread the cover and thought that this was more of a how-to than a memoir. Its more of a memoir, which unfortunately was not what I was looking for. Couldnt bring myself to finish it.

I received a fre ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Ilianas Bookshelf.
103 reviews8 followers
March 30, 2023
I was not expecting a memoir when reading, I thought it would be a book about how to declutter your life and be more organized.

It ends up being the author's view on things, her own experiences, and renting and borrowing.

It was an interesting book, for sure.
1 review
July 7, 2023
Interesting, inspiring, practical and properly funny. I have recommended this book to lots of people and it has given me plenty to think about. Thanks for investigating all those potential sharing opportunities for us.
1 review
March 7, 2024
A great intro to some of the different ideas within the sharing economy in the UK. Some of the businesses I knew about, some I didn't. But the best thing about this book is the author takes you on her own journey of discovery as she tries everything out - and it's funny. Really funny.
Profile Image for Raakel.
133 reviews
June 22, 2023
Informative - I had no idea there is an app for sharing food
Profile Image for Gordon McLachlan.
1 review
July 11, 2023
A fantastic book, well-researched, witty, and informative. Aside from being a pleasure to read, it will change your outlook on life!
Profile Image for tabitha✨.
370 reviews6 followers
July 24, 2023
3.5⭐️

entertaining, informative & relatable. interesting read if you want to learn more about the sharing economy. it is largely anecdotal but this approach offers an accessible introduction.
4 reviews
January 13, 2024
Hilarious! And so genuinely educational and helpful. I'll definitely read any other books this author publishes.
Profile Image for Joan.
524 reviews2 followers
February 1, 2024
Fun and lots of cool ideas. She’s in the UK though so not everything is do-able in USA.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews

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