To get out of my fiction habit I decided to take part in Non-fiction November and picked up “Eviction.” It was very illuminating.
These past few years I’ve often wondered how people who work for minimum wage are getting by. And this book clearly told me that they are not. Not at all. I knew some things about the welfare system in this country but I didn’t realize just how unhelpful it was until this book. A three person family shouldn’t have to live off a $50 a month while giving 80% of their aid to a landlord only to be kicked out anyway because they called an ambulance when their son had a seizure. And to think it’s probably gotten 10 times worse due to the housing crisis.
A quarter of the way through I started limiting myself to 2 chapters a day because I could feel the anxiety and stress of his subjects coming through the page.
I felt devastated for them but also grateful everything I have.
I just finished reading this book. It is very informative and compelling. I have also ordered “Poverty” from the author, but have not started it.
His book Poverty by America is also excellent. The podcast “vibe check” will be interviewing him about it in the upcoming week!
His book Poverty by America is also excellent. The podcast “vibe check” will be interviewing him about it in the upcoming week!
It’s a completely different book than “Evicted”. Both are good.
Seems fitting given his evidence is largely based on vibes.
Shots fired
I just finished reading this book. It is very informative and compelling. I have also ordered “Poverty” from the author, but have not started it.
This book was infuriating on so many levels.
I recommend that everyone read it; it’s excellent and it will make you think.
This book was infuriating on so many levels.
I recommend that everyone read it; it’s excellent and it will make you think.
Read " Nickeled and Dimed". What I’ve notice is that the lower in pay the more you have to be on your feet.
Read " Nickeled and Dimed". What I’ve notice is that the lower in pay the more you have to be on your feet.
I can completely relate to your feelings. It’s eye-opening to see the struggles people face, especially those working for minimum wage. I had a similar reaction, and it’s disheartening to realize the inadequacies of the welfare system. I had to pace myself through the book as well; the stories are so powerful, they evoke a mix of emotions. It’s a stark reminder of the disparities in our society. I’m grateful for what I have, and this book adds a new perspective to Thanksgiving.
Right. Like I’m enraged and terrified for the people featured in the book but I’ve also never been so grateful to have a job, to be able to pay rent with ease, to have family that can pay rent and who I can depend on. Things were rough for my mom when I was growing up but I don’t think I realized how close we were to having this book become our reality. We moved states to stay with my grandparents and I’ve never been more grateful that we were able to do that.
I can completely relate to your feelings. It’s eye-opening to see the struggles people face, especially those working for minimum wage. I had a similar reaction, and it’s disheartening to realize the inadequacies of the welfare system. I had to pace myself through the book as well; the stories are so powerful, they evoke a mix of emotions. It’s a stark reminder of the disparities in our society. I’m grateful for what I have, and this book adds a new perspective to Thanksgiving.
This book is high in my TBR list. I keep procrastinating, though, because I just know it is going to be incredibly upsetting. I feel so enraged and helpless when reading things like this. I have to pace myself or else I’m going to drive myself insane.
This book is high in my TBR list. I keep procrastinating, though, because I just know it is going to be incredibly upsetting. I feel so enraged and helpless when reading things like this. I have to pace myself or else I’m going to drive myself insane.
Evicted, not Eviction.
Great book, though. Having grown up frequently unhoused and poor, I was shocked by how surprising the reality is to people reading this book for the first time, people who have never lived it. The stories within were in line with my experiences.
I work in low-income housing. It’s horrible that most people I work with pay more than what I pay for a mortgage payment. What’s more horrible is the how money for rent assistance basically dried up during covid and has never bounced back. Part of my job is to help people find help to avoid eviction, and it’s nearly impossible now. It’s grim.