Read about a woman who turned a passion project into a book

Unraveling — Peggy Orenstein

Under-the-Radar Book of the Week

Unraveling by Peggy Orenstein

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What It’s About

The early days of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic were spent largely in fear, isolation, and sadness, and many picked up hobbies to cope. Whether it was a new pet, a sourdough obsession, or, for Peggy, making a sweater. She’d always been a knitter, but this time she wanted to really make her own sweater, from start to finish.

That included shearing wool from a sheep, spinning it into yarn, dyeing it, and knitting it into a wearable garment. Along the way, she learned about each step of the process and how many of our garments get made today, involving fast fashion and the downside to quick-changing trends and labor practices in garment production. The environment is harmed when unused clothing piles up, and many workers are well below the poverty line, working long and grueling hours making pieces consumers only wear once.

Peggy adds humor and heart to her investigation into what goes into making a sweater, including the grueling work that goes along with it that is often unseen by consumers in a department store casually throwing tops in their cart.

Here’s her finished sweater!

Photo via The Washington Post.

Why You Should Read It

Yes, I’m a knitter. In fact, I’m a general doer. Any kind of hobby, art, craft, etc., I’ve probably tried, currently do, or have on a list to try at some point. But even if you’re not a knitter or a crafter, I’d still recommend this book, as it’s about more than the act of knitting a sweater.

Orenstein’s focus on something so singular is something I admire, and the dedication she spent learning about her materials, their path through production, and how one simple garment affects so many people and places was incredible to read about. It might inspire you to finally try that obscure hobby you’ve always said you’ll do one day.

If you’re looking for more reading about fast fashion and its impact on the environment, check out Worn by Sofi Thanhauser, or if you’re looking for another stunt memoir (a memoir focusing on one project or one particular time in a person’s life, one of my favorites is Rough Magic, which I’ve recommended on the newsletter before.

Misc.

It’s been ages since I’ve been into a television show, so I have been thrilled that one has grabbed my attention. Silo (streaming on Apple+) is a dystopian futuristic story about humans who live in a huge underground silo, not knowing what happens outside, only that it’s bad.

This has been fueling my dystopian obsession lately, as that’s largely what I’ve been reading. The adventure and the hope for change is what draws me to these stories. I’m currently reading Electric Kingdom by David Arnold and The Wonder State by Sara Flannery Murphy.

Giveaway!

This summer, enter to win a mystery box of ARCs! Books will be from all across genres, but will all be 2023 releases (a few 2022). There will be at least 3 winners, and the books are from all genres, including romance, mystery, thriller, and nonfiction (among others!).

To enter:

• US only

• Must be 13 or older, or have parent/caregiver permission

• Be a subscriber — both free and paid count!

• Every comment on any June or July post will earn you 1 entry. This applies to What’s on my Stack posts AND weekly book recommendation posts.

• To earn a bonus entry each week, share a post and come back, leaving a separate comment with a link on where you shared it!

More Books

Can’t get enough, or looking for a different recommendation? Browse the archives, or check out some popular past recommendations: 

• Read a lyrical historical novel about a young painter

• Read one family’s struggle to stay together amid an unexplainable, almost magical event

• Read about a lawyer fighting against an unfair justice system

I also love hearing from readers! Let me know what kinds of books you’re looking for that you’d like to see featured, or send in your most recent five-star read (or two) and get a recommendation just for you. You might be featured in an upcoming newsletter! Reply to this email to get in touch!

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