Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America
Ratings115
Average rating3.6
Did you know it was on the top 10 banned book lists in 2010 https://www.ala.org/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/top10/archive
I really don't consider this a radical book. This is everyday life to work paycheck to paycheck. The author is a tourist of this world, in the way that there is no danger from missing a meal or not having some place to stay. In this experiment she can quit any time she wants! I'm glad she stuck out as long as she did. I think she did her best and was well aware of her station and blessings in life ESPECIALLY at the end. She learned a lot and good for her! This book isn't written for me, it's for those who are at her social class level (and higher), social studies classes in the 90s, or perhaps workers looking for validation. Although, looking at some reviews this book still seems to strike a nerve with some BIG TIME. Hit dogs holler.
That being said -here's my holler. The author is still a tourist. The tone comes off completely snobbish and it makes it harder to connect with her. If she could only just save us working poor people with her phd!!!!! BUT would we shun her for being so smart????
Anyway...
How did it age? This book was in the 90s - it address a lot of the frequent stereotypes and inaccuracies i heard as a kid. It is good to see that current discussion is progressing away from them. (IMO) I think this part won't hold up as well, and maybe that's in part of this book being part of that discussion. - Good news!
The bad news are the parts that still hold up! (2025) Like, the cost of living, no adequate wages, anti-union actions, lack of or bad welfare programs, the housing crisis is on-going, and rents eat up a majority of a paycheck. So, you can still read this book and get something from it - modern day.
RIP
Did you know it was on the top 10 banned book lists in 2010 https://www.ala.org/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/top10/archive
I really don't consider this a radical book. This is everyday life to work paycheck to paycheck. The author is a tourist of this world, in the way that there is no danger from missing a meal or not having some place to stay. In this experiment she can quit any time she wants! I'm glad she stuck out as long as she did. I think she did her best and was well aware of her station and blessings in life ESPECIALLY at the end. She learned a lot and good for her! This book isn't written for me, it's for those who are at her social class level (and higher), social studies classes in the 90s, or perhaps workers looking for validation. Although, looking at some reviews this book still seems to strike a nerve with some BIG TIME. Hit dogs holler.
That being said -here's my holler. The author is still a tourist. The tone comes off completely snobbish and it makes it harder to connect with her. If she could only just save us working poor people with her phd!!!!! BUT would we shun her for being so smart????
Anyway...
How did it age? This book was in the 90s - it address a lot of the frequent stereotypes and inaccuracies i heard as a kid. It is good to see that current discussion is progressing away from them. (IMO) I think this part won't hold up as well, and maybe that's in part of this book being part of that discussion. - Good news!
The bad news are the parts that still hold up! (2025) Like, the cost of living, no adequate wages, anti-union actions, lack of or bad welfare programs, the housing crisis is on-going, and rents eat up a majority of a paycheck. So, you can still read this book and get something from it - modern day.
RIP
