I was intrigued by the idea behind “Not Buying It: My Year Without Shopping” by Judith Levine. Disgusted with the gross materialism surrounding Christmas, Levine wonders if she can go a year buying ONLY necessities.Naturally, what’s a “necessity” to one person probably isn’t for another. But Levine did cut out meals out, buying fancy wines, giving gifts and lots of other things that most of us take for granted.

For the most part, the book is a straightforward look at how hard it is to live in a consumer culture without consuming. And how wonderful it is once you realize how unnecessary all of the crap is that you keep filling your home with.

I liked that about the book.

I didn’t love it when Levine got up on her soapbox towards the end of the book. While I experienced many of the same frustrations that she did in the 2004 elections, I wasn’t all that crazy about reading about it now.

And while I agree that politics is important, I didn’t see a strong connection between the politics of either party and buying too much crap.

I think Levine was arguing more for people to get involved in the political process, and she probably has some good points there. They just got a little buried under the ranting.

This is not a book to teach you how to “Simplify Your Life”. But if you’re wondering why anyone would, or you want to know how it’s possible, then this book will be helpful.