The 2010 Green Books Campaign

Well, well, well, just look at who supports ‘going green.’ Still confident that our mother earth is more powerful than all of our minds working at once, I do support the efficient use of our limited resources. There are so many ways to go about doing this, and supporting the Green Books Campaign is one way.

Last month, after reading some of the background on the campaign, I decided to participate by selecting a book to review from a list of books printed using eco-friendly resources. I must say, not only was I pleasantly surprised by the recycled paper quality; I also was treated to what amounted to a wonderful read.

The Sitting Swing by Irene Watson

This is a deeply personal & powerful memoir of a woman seeking to answer a question buried deep inside the most sacred question ever asked. I must admit however, initially it took a good minute to get into The Sitting Swing. I found myself asking the very question Irene herself was asking. What did she want? – Followed by wanting to know if she had done something to be forced into treatment? If she was forced, why? If she went voluntarily, again why? What happened?

Ironically, what makes this memoir powerful, it was the volatile relationship with her mother that not only addresses that very sacred question, but in a most uncanny manner brought The Sitting Swing full-circle. I was quite intrigued by the end. Reflecting back on the mother’s purpose; purposes her mother clearly believed in, though guilelessly and naively followed, coupled by the principles Irene pursued in finding her purpose was absolutely edifying.

With purpose our life is more meaningful, rewarding, and enriching. What I believe Irene’s mother was trying to show her. But without a purpose we flounder and lose ourselves, the subtle message powdering the center of the book, which comes full circle by the end. Picturesque.

The Sitting Swing, provided by the publisher, is part of the Green Books campaign. Today 200 bloggers take a stand to support books printed in an eco-friendly manner by simultaneously publishing reviews of 200 books printed on recycled or FSC-certified paper. By turning a spotlight on books printed using eco- friendly paper, we hope to raise the awareness of book buyers and encourage everyone to take the environment into consideration when purchasing books.

The campaign is organized for the second time by Eco-Libris, a green company working to make reading more sustainable. Join the discussion on "green" books and support books printed in an eco-friendly manner! A full list of participating blogs and links to their reviews are available on Eco-Libris website.