Kevin Lee Jacobs

Gardening, Recipes & Home Décor Tips

Book Giveaway: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle

BY Kevin Lee Jacobs | 44 Comments

Last updated on December 2nd, 2011

I’VE LEARNED SO MUCH from all of you who communicate with me here at A Garden for the House. Just last week, in the comments under Twinkie vs. Carrot , reader John C. from Indy mentioned Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, a book I had not read, but felt I should. Consequently I ordered three copies — two of which are up for grabs in a random drawing. Would you like to win a copy of this inspirational work?

I think Julie Neal’s review, which appears on Amazon’s site, pretty well explains the premise of the book.

Three hundred and sixty-eight pages, no pretty pictures, and it’s about food? Yes it is, and it’s fascinating. Written by best-selling novelist Barbara Kingsolver, her scientist hubby and teenage daughter, “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle” chronicles the true story of the family’s adventures as they move to a farm in rural Virginia and vow to eat locally for one year. They grow their own vegetables, raise their own poultry and buy the rest of their food directly from farmers markets and other local sources. There are touching human stories here (the family’s 9-year-old learns a secret to raising chickens for food: don’t name them!) but the book’s purpose is serious food for thought: it argues the economic, social and health benefits of putting local foods at the center of a family diet.

As most of you already know, I intend to grow and preserve as much of my own food as I possibly can this summer. Maybe you are planning to do the same thing. And that’s good, because we can keep each other company. Anyway, Kingsolver’s book sounds like a healthy dose of inspiration to lead a healthier, more local life.

For a chance to win Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, just do these three very simple things:

1. Post a comment below. Tell me something you are planning to plant in your garden this summer. Be sure to include at least part of your email address at the end of your comment, so that I can quickly verify that you’ve subscribed to my newsletter.

2. Subscribe — if you haven’t already — to my weekly email newsletter.

3. Join A Garden for the House on Facebook, by clicking the “like” button at the top of that page.

This drawing ends Thursday, February 24, 2011 at 11:59 PM. As always, I’ll use the gadget at Random.org to select a winner.

Don’t miss anything at A Garden for the House…sign up for Kevin’s weekly newsletter.

Related Posts:
What Would You Plant in Your “Subsistence Garden?”
My Trellis Tragedy
Making & Freezing Piperade
A Walk in the Kitchen Garden
How I Plant, Grow, Harvest & Store Potatoes

Comments

  1. 1

    X says

    I'm already halfway through this book and am dreaming of my children tending chickens in the backyard. Our crazy city has laws against keeping fowl but the children will have their garden, the family will have their veggies, and the Mom (that's me) will be happily canning like a mad woman! Oh and reading your blog which I just found:)

  3. 3

    Adele says

    Wow – sounds like a fun read. You turned me on to soybeans last summer, so I will add them to usual crop of veggies I grow.

    I'm on your newsletter list and also your FB page.
    AdeleB…@aim

  4. 4

    Anonymous says

    This year I'm adding fraise des bois (alpine strawberries) to my garden! I've always read about these delicious little berries, and I'm excited to grow them.
    [email protected]
    I subscribe to your newsletter and like your FB page as well.

  7. 7

    Eric says

    I've heard great things about this book. Even if I don't win it, I'll probably buy it!

    Anyway, for two years you've been telling us to plant Seascape strawberries. So these will be the new thing in my veg. garden.

    As you know, I subscribe to your email newsletter, and I'm on FB.

  8. 8

    samf36 says

    Sounds like a great book. I grow a very large garden and can, freeze and dry many many veggies and fruits. I have a canning/drying area set up in my garage .

    I like you on facebook and signed up for your email.

    [email protected]

  12. 12

    Sydney says

    We always do tomatoes and peppers, but this year (and very soon!) I hope to grow peas. There is nothing much better than fresh peas!

  13. 13

    Yolanda says

    Would love this book. I'm definitely going to plant gold nasturtiums among the veggies this summer.

    I'm on FB and I subscribe to your wonderful newsletter.

  14. 14

    Tinah says

    Hi, Kevin. This year I am growing my usual tomatoes and peppers. You have inspired me to try winter sowing! I have a few containers started and I'm excited to see what comes up.
    I am on FB and I also subscribe to your newsletter…my email starts with tinahcha

  15. 15

    Terry says

    I am definitely planting butternut squash! I have only 2 left from last summer, its going to be a long long wait for more! I am on FB and your newsletter. My email starts with terry.

  17. 17

    Amber says

    I like A Garden for the House on Facebook – my FB name is Amanda Moore
    Thank you for the giveaway 🙂
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

  18. 18

    Barb Roberts says

    Kingsolver is an amazing writer and an amazing human being whose thoughtfulness and insight into both the human condition and environmental issues we face show a rare wisdom. Thank you for your wonderful blog. I learn so much from your ideas! I subscribe to your newsletter and FB. Barb (BarbR7)

  21. 21

    dona alexis says

    I have read most of Kingsolver's earlier novels and looking forward in reading my 'win' in my garden this spring.

    I already planted 6 different tomatoes under lights with some Italian eggplants, wave petunias, zinnias and more. I am experimenting with different types of lettuce under lights, in the ground and in my new cold frame.

    The garden will have 3 different new types of peas and beans. Man, I can't wait!!!

  23. 23

    Jed Swift says

    Hi Kevin!

    I agree with you that this is a great book and a lesson to us all about how to eat and grow locally. I could not put this book down and know that one of your readers will love it!

    Best, Jed

  24. 24

    Cynthia Standley says

    Kevin, I'm giving the winter sowing a trial. It is pouring rain here in No. California; hopefully they won't all drown. I'm am trying 4 varieties of squash this year. cstandley

  25. 25

    Renee G says

    This summer I want to be sure and include a few chard in my garden. I love adding this to soups and salads. We grew some a few years ago, but I forgot to pick up seeds last year.
    rsgrandinetti@……com

  28. 28

    phoebesviolets says

    After several garden-less years, I will finally have an outdoor space to grow! Besides flowers for cutting and herbs, I plan to grow as many tomatoes as possible. Can't wait!!! I enjoy your column and often share articles with others.
    plantlady052847 (Jan)
    PS: raised chickens and ducks as a child–named them all!

  32. 32

    Carolsue says

    I friended YOU on Facebook using the name Carol Anderson and the following e-mail:
    Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

  33. 33

    Sonia says

    Cool giveaway, I've been wanting to read this book for a while now! I'm in the process of converting my front yard into an edible landscape, and am looking forward to trying some heirloom pumpkins and squash this year. I'm also on a quest to see how many types of purple vegetables I can grow: carrots, broccoli, kale, tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, onions… Fun!

    I'm subscribed via soniagoesglobal[at]gmail[dot]com. Thanks!

  34. 34

    smweir48 says

    I plan on having a go at potatoes this year. I revisited vegetable gardening last year and also joined a community garden group set up in our town. We have a group of about 6/8 people for our piece of land and are really looking forward to the spring and getting started.
    My own garden last year I planted carrots, beets, radish and salad mix , green peppers and always a few tomato plants.
    Looking forward to trying something new this year.

  35. 35

    jegr says

    I would love to win this book. I can't wait to plant a salad mix with different varieties of lettuce, spinach, arugula and Swiss chard. Can't wait for real tomatoes. Mine are nothing like the orange cardboard from the grocery store.
    I subscribe to e-mail and am on FB.

  36. 36

    CarrieAnn13 says

    I have heard this book is amazing. I am planning on planting butter nut & acorn squash this year & I am hoping to successfully grow strawberries this year. I subscribe to your newsletter & like you on fb. My email is in my profile alse casc******hotmail

  37. 37

    Katie says

    I'm a subscriber and I like you on Facebook!

    One thing I know for sure I'm going to plant is a whole bunch of tomatoes! The sun gold cherry tomatoes are the family favorites, but we usually do a variety. Planted alongside the basil…yum!

    kt1969 at comcast dot net

  38. 38

    cpage2323 says

    I have been wanting to read this for a while. I just got the cheesemaking kit that is in kahotts with the book. I can't have an outside garden and my house but I have a friend down the road who has a farm and I always work with him every year. I had probably 300 lbs of tomatoes to can and such last season, but he never grows basil, which is just so easy to grow I think I will insist he let me plant some there this year.
    I am a new email subscriber(trixie420247 at yahoo dot com) and new fb friend(tina wofford page)

  41. 41

    Anonymous says

    I have have my wintersown seeds lounging in the back yard patiently awaiting the arrival of spring. As soon as the Forsythia bloom I will be planting my snow peas!
    kermit

  43. 43

    Anonymous says

    Kevin, thanks so much for this great giveaway! I love Barbara Kingsolver's fiction, and I look forward to reading her memoir. Your blog is wonderful (in fact, it's the only one I read!). Keep up the good work.
    Gratefully,
    Louise

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