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Nickel and Dimed
Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America | Barbara Ehrenreich
Our sharpest and most original social critic goes "undercover" as an unskilled worker to reveal the dark side of American prosperity.Millions of Americans work full time, year round, for poverty-level wages. In 1998, Barbara Ehrenreich decided to join them. She was inspired in part by the rhetoric surrounding welfare reform, which promised that a job -- any job -- can be the ticket to a better life. But how does anyone survive, let alone prosper, on $6 an hour? To find out, Ehrenreich left her home, took the cheapest lodgings she could find, and accepted whatever jobs she was offered. Moving from Florida to Maine to Minnesota, she worked as a waitress, a hotel maid, a cleaning woman, a nursing-home aide, and a Wal-Mart sales clerk. She lived in trailer parks and crumbling residential motels. Very quickly, she discovered that no job is truly "unskilled," that even the lowliest occupations require exhausting mental and muscular effort. She also learned that one job is not enough; you need at least two if you int to live indoors.Nickel and Dimed reveals low-rent America in all its tenacity, anxiety, and surprising generosity -- a land of Big Boxes, fast food, and a thousand desperate stratagems for survival. Read it for the smoldering clarity of Ehrenreich's perspective and for a rare view of how "prosperity" looks from the bottom. You will never see anything -- from a motel bathroom to a restaurant meal -- in quite the same way again.
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Born.A.Reader
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🍇 Dinnertime with my daughter 💕

🍇 🍇 Nickel and Dimed. A nonfiction book where the author goes under cover working minimum wage jobs (one of which is a server) to highlight the difficulties the poorer class faces in day to day life. Tagged.

@TheSpineView
#Two4Tuesday

TheSpineView Awesome!🤩📖📚 7mo
13 likes1 comment
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Karisimo
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I read this #temptingtitles #withmoney a long time ago and the impact has stayed with me!

@Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Eggs Perfect 🤩 12mo
CatMS As true today as when written, may even worse with homelessness on the rise. 12mo
30 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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sarahbellum
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Pickpick

Finished this audiobook while making progress on a Xmas gift for my mom (she‘s into astrology & her sign is Cancer) #audiostitching #litsycrafters

I mainly enjoyed this book; I thought the narrator was excellent. So much privilege & seeming contempt for others, especially overweight people, though. I found many of the stats & facts uncomfortable and, no doubt, things are more dismal now than in the late 90s when Ehrenreich did her experiment ⬇️

sarahbellum I would have liked to hear more about how capitalism/consumerism keeps creating these low wage jobs and how folks can actually get out of this awfulness (education being a big one, but also interventions as a society). A very tangled web, indeed. My first #roll100 read for Nov @PuddleJumper 1y
Catsandbooks So cool! 😍 1y
Aimeesue I read Nickel & Dimed years ago, and I still think about it often. What a cute little crabby! 1y
RowReads1 I‘ve read this book several times for classes over the years🥱. It‘s important, however definitely dated. Adorable crab! Cancers rule🦀 (edited) 1y
48 likes4 comments
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Tonton
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RIP https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/sep/02/barbara-ehrenreich-author-dies-nic.... “She was never much for thoughts and prayers, but you can honor her memory by loving one another, and by fighting like hell.”

batsy Oh, no. Sad news 😞 I learned a lot from Nickel and Dimed and always appreciated her articles. 2y
28 likes1 stack add1 comment
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ravenlee
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Mehso-so

A meh book on an important subject. Maybe this hadn‘t aged well, despite the fundamental problems remaining unchanged. Maybe I‘ve read other books on similar subjects that worked better for me (Freakonomics and Fast Food Nation, both last year, come to mind). I just wanted more from this and didn‘t get it. Another done for #AwesomeAugust

Megabooks I thought this recent release was much better and one of my favorites of 2018. 5⭐️ highly recommend!! 2y
ravenlee @Megabooks thanks! I saw this recommended somewhere else as an updated/improved version, too. Stacking! 2y
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Staci
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Pickpick

It was very good and unfortunately still relevant today.

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Scochrane26
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Pickpick

This has been on my Litsy tbr for a long time. Written 20 yrs ago but sadly, still very relevant today. Not much I didn‘t already know, but it was interesting to hear about the author‘s experiences in the low wage jobs. Definitely some white privilege. 3.5/5 ⭐️ 16 pts #mistletoemaniacs #wintergames @Clwojick

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Gregvdvinne

“The working poor are the great philanthropists of our society” ~ Barbara Ehrenreich

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BookMaven9
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Pickpick

🌟🌟🌟🌟
Excellent peek inside the world of the working poor surviving on minimum wage and slave labor. Having been in this industry for about 5 years in the early 80s, she was spot on in what she experienced.
‘Cons: The author interjected herself too much into the narrative and I found her self importance, and arrogance very distracting.

Megabooks This is a fantastic, similar book updated for the digital age. 3y
BookMaven9 Thank you! I just added it 3y
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KS1805
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Pickpick

Much like Evicted, this book helps tell the story of poor in America. When she writes that the poor are largely invisible, I have to agree. Without these stories to illuminate what housing and low wage work are really like, it is easy to believe that it is a failure of drive and motivation. If you are one of those people who think that, pick this book up.

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Minervasbutler
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Pickpick

Angry , illuminating, yet dryly amusing and self-deprecating eye-witness account of life among the working poor. 20 years old now and I suspect conditions have worsened since she carried out her research. An uncomfortable but important read.

Lcsmcat The thing that bothered me about this is her failure to use public libraries as a resource. I know everywhere I‘ve lived the public library has reached out to the homeless and underemployed, whether for a climate controlled space in bad weather or computer resources. 4y
Minervasbutler @Lcsmcat fair point though it may not have been prevalent in 1998 4y
Minervasbutler And also she was severely limited by both time restraints and the price of gas as to how much travelling she could do. She was usually working 2 jobs. 4y
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Lcsmcat @Minervasbutler I read it in 1998. But maybe I‘ve lived in cities where libraries were more proactive (Baltimore, Salt Lake City, St. Louis). I remember during a very hot summer in Baltimore in the 1980s , there being a big public outreach for those without AC listing public buildings, including libraries, where people could go to get out of the heat. 4y
Leftcoastzen I love this book. 4y
67 likes3 stack adds7 comments
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Insightsintobooks
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goodbyefrancie This is such an important book! 5y
Insightsintobooks @goodbyefrancie I've heard good things about it. 5y
44 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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kspenmoll
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#MaidinJuly #botmbuddyread

In 2001 I read Nickel and Dimed- I love this journalist/author Barbara Ehrenreich, and have read much of her work. She wrote the introduction to Maid, and as fitting, she came in contact with Stephanie Land through a non profit she founded to promote journalism on economic inequality, especially by those who are working class & are struggling.

TheBookHippie I‘ll look this up! 5y
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Ephemera
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Pickpick

This book came out in 2001, so the hourly pay of these jobs has hopefully gone up since then. The author took low paying jobs in 3 states to see how it feels to try to live on low hourly pay. This is a sad book to read, but everyone should read it. If you are middle class, it will show you what it means to be a working poor person. We need to change this and have a national hourly wage of at least $15.

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Skyrimir
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I am so conflicted by this book. I think it is eye opening in some parts, but sometimes the way the author words things really just oozes privilege or her jokes aren‘t coming off quite right. I am going to read it with my seniors, most of whom have no idea what it‘s like to live paycheck to paycheck. I think addressing her privilege will be helpful too.

RainyDayReading I remember having to read this for a Sociology class in College. We never discussed it though. We read it, answered 10 questions we were asked about it and then never touched it again. So needless to say I don‘t remember much about it 😅 5y
22 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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SleepyDragon
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1. Yup
2. It fluctuates. This year, 6 out of 27 have been NF. F to NF ratio is 7:2 (plus 2 in progress, though. So 21:8?) Between 35-40%
3. Memoirs and academic, especially the sciences and language arts
4. Tinkering with Eden by Kim Todd, As You Wish by Cary Elwes
5. ✔
Currently reading Truevine by Beth Macy
Started but set aside The Western Lit Survival Kit by Sandra Newman
#hellothursday @wanderinglynn

wanderinglynn Thanks for playing! 😀 6y
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SleepyDragon
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Pickpick

First #BookaWeek title finished for @TheReadingMermaid 's #BookaWeekChallenge.

⭐⭐⭐(3)

A good read, though not as enlightened as I had hoped. I'm not the target audience, though, since I've been there. A few passages were somewhat tone deaf, otherwise I would have given it 4 stars. #RtC #economy #workingpoor #livingwage #renttoodamnhigh

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SleepyDragon
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I mean, I get what she's saying, but she could have worded that a whole lot better.

Some interesting thoughts about mandatory drug testing in this chapter, though, as well as affordable housing shortages.

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SleepyDragon
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Oh hell no. She did not just say that she knows what it's like to be black because of how people treat her when she's wearing a maid uniform at the store. WTF!

RavenLovelyReads Yeah- I had issues with the lens she used to view her pretend life. Everyone I know that has read the book has loved it- I was starting to think I was the only one that didn‘t :) 6y
SleepyDragon @RavenLovelyReads Yeah, I'm not loving it. It's actually kind of ticking me off, but I'm conflicted as I think she had good intentions. 6y
CSeydel Well, she does say “a tiny glimpse.” Let‘s hope she just means she has a better understanding of what it would be like? 6y
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SleepyDragon @CSeydel The thing is, she doesn't. 6y
CSeydel Ok. 6y
SleepyDragon I mean, not if she's making the comparison. 6y
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SleepyDragon
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We can tell when your books are just for show.

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SleepyDragon
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Here's my stack for #BookaWeekChallenge in no particular order. Starting with tagged because it's due back at the library.
#BookaWeek @TheReadingMermaid #September #TBR

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SleepyDragon
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4 books in 4 weeks ... That's one more than my average, so I'll have to push myself. Also, I'll have to start with the tagged book I've already started because it's a library book. It's okay though because I'm only a few pages into the first chapter. Anyone else want to join this #readathon? Will post my stack later, once I figure it out. #BookAWeekChallenge #BookAWeek #ReadingChallenge #September @TheReadingMermaid

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SleepyDragon
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Had a hell of a Monday, so I'm just getting around to posting this now. My phone battery died before I got a screenshot of my timer before it reset. Didn't make #12intwo, but I was within 15 minutes of #6intwo. That's pretty good for me. I've been too anxious today to do any reading. My husband took our 3 yr old daughter for a sleep study. She doesn't handle them well. Anyway, over the weekend I read the tagged and The Fall of Hyperion.

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Leftcoastzen
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Book:Elmet (still on TBR)
Author:Barbara Eherenreich
Movie:Elmer Gantry 🤔that was a book too!
Food:egg salad
#manicmonday

JoScho Thanks for playing ❤️ 6y
37 likes1 comment
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SomedayAlmost
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Pickpick

Tipping matters in America. A discussion on Twitter about tipping reminded me of this clear & important read. 4.5 stars. (Slow service is often due to under-staffing or the kitchen‘s fault. Waitstaff in US are more likely to be women. Who scrape by on less than minimum wage plus tips. Slow service stinks, especially when your kids are hungry, but I always try to leave something.) Pic via Goggle. #nonfiction #workingwomen #waitingtables

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DreesReads
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My entry for the #24in48 12-hour challenge: a book that has changed your world view. I read this years and years ago, and I found it very disheartening. The rise of crappy jobs, unaffordable health insurance, and expensive housing. People trapped in places with no public transit so they need a car, and live in a room with limited privacy and thus no place to keep their things (cash, valuables) safe. The cost of bank accounts. Rampant theft.

DreesReads This book is why I don‘t shop at Walmart. It‘s why the local food bank is my favorite place to donate. And it‘s why when we are on a road trip we eat at independent delis/bbq joints/whatever. 6y
Readerann I thought about this one right away as well. It has definitely stayed with me. 6y
26 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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Suzze
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When I think of #LadyMadonna, I always think of “making ends meet”. So, the cost of living in 1968 (when the song was released) with some of the lyrics. I was still in high school, and worked at a drug store, so I do remember bread was 4 loaves for $1. #HeyJune

GypsyKat Wow! I love your take on this! 6y
Cinfhen I literally just spent $6.97 for a dozen eggs!!!! I‘m super pissed, too 😤😡🤬I didn‘t realize they were organic free range and I didn‘t notice the price until I looked over my receipt!!! #ImmigrantIssues 😩so when I see 38cents my blood boils 6y
Suzze @Cinfhen And this is why my son now raises chickens in the back yard. 🐓 6y
Cinfhen Smart guy!!! I‘m still seething 6y
66 likes1 stack add4 comments
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arlenefinnigan
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GypsyKat Good choice! 👍 6y
Sleepswithbooks I have this in my TBR basket 🙃 6y
40 likes2 comments
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arlenefinnigan
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batsy Nice one! 6y
Cathythoughts Very good 👍🏻 6y
Cinfhen Still on my TBR 6y
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Mdargusch Perfect pick! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 6y
emilyhaldi Classic!! 6y
Reviewsbylola This book really made an impact on me. 6y
arlenefinnigan Such a good book. 6y
BooksBikes12 This book is so true of the hardships that people face in our great country. 6y
arlenefinnigan @Books_Bikes_12 aye. Trying to persuade my husband to read it cos he doesn't believe there's any real poverty in America. 6y
41 likes1 stack add9 comments
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Cataluna49
Pickpick

Can not believe it took me so long to read this book. Not only is it an eye opener, it will absolutely make you depressed at the state of life that many of us have to have to just not live in a cardboard box. It shows us the impact of having profits put before people and sadly shows that, unless we make a huge cultural shift, it will just get worse. Absolutely is a must read.

SassyBookworm Totally agree! This was the required book to read for my college freshman class! (It was a few years ago 🤫) But I still remember it, great book! 6y
2 likes1 comment
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arlenefinnigan
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Reviewsbylola Good one!! 6y
arlenefinnigan @Reviewsbylola perfect fit, innit? 😉 6y
batsy Yup, perfect 👍🏽 6y
35 likes3 comments
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vivastory
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Ehrenreich forced herself to rely solely on the money she made at various menial jobs while researching this book. Barely gettin' by, indeed.
#fiercefeb day 2: #9to5
@batsy
@Cinfhen

Cinfhen Excellent choice !! Another book I really want to read 6y
batsy Oooh, this was gonna be my pick today 😁 Great choice (great minds)... yes do read it @Cinfhen ! 6y
arlenefinnigan Good choice! 6y
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SassyBookworm This was a book that was assigned to all incoming freshman the year I started college! Such an eye opening book! I still remember so much about it (after all these years! 😳). (edited) 6y
vivastory @Chrysta23 sadly still relevant with the movement for a living wage & the elimination of retail jobs 6y
SassyBookworm @vivastory exactly! Sadly even in my small town technology, while great, has slowly begun to begin to replace many workers leaving many unemployed. Including myself (tho not retail) but from my former company downsizing. 6y
Suet624 And now amazon wants to run grocery stores without cashiers. 6y
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TheAnitaAlvarez
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Pickpick

There‘s a few problematic things in this book: of course you can‘t just go and choose the working class life for some time just to try it. However, I think there‘s some value to this type of first-person journalism, and Ehrenreich does interview her coworkers who live on a minimum wage forever. And it is well written and interesting, as we usually see these companies from the consumer‘s perspective. #RoryGilmoresReadingChallenge

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icedteacoffeeandbooks
Bailedbailed

I read this due to it being in the curriculum for the kids I'm teaching. Though after having them read it as well what seemed off to me is insulting to them. A rich lady came to play with the poor so she could write a book about their lives. Definitely don't teach this book or force it on kids who live in poverty it's not well received

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goodbyefrancie
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...and the second half of my Goodwill #bookhaul. You know, because I needed more books. 😁📖📖📚📚📚

Freefallinmissy Don't we all !!!! 7y
mellisarock Just posted my goodwill haul too! 🙋🏻❤️ 7y
goodbyefrancie @mellisarock It's a great way to get books cheap, and you never know what you might find! 7y
70 likes3 comments
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arlenefinnigan
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arlenefinnigan
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LauraBeth I liked this one! 7y
Joybishoptx I like to call this essential reading 💕 7y
Reviewsbylola Great book! 7y
23 likes3 comments
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queerbookreader
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50% off sale at Savers ✅

Notafraidofwords Santiago is amazing. 7y
SharonGoforth Wow!! 7y
Hooked_on_books Nice stack! 7y
LeahBergen Nice!! 👍🏼 7y
queerbookreader @Notafraidofwords Omg I'm glad to hear!! I desperately need more chicanx lit in my life so I picked it up when I saw it 7y
55 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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Well-ReadNeck
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TRUMPED UP READING LIST - 3 of 4
Yesterday, I asked for some reading suggestions from both sides of the aisle for post-election. Thank you so much for all the recs (and I also combed @BookishFeminist wall and the #overthis hashtag @lemonlime799 ). Along with some other suggestions out there, here's what I have for now. I did cull the list somewhat for my purposes but wanted to share with you. Please forgive the multi-posts.

#TrumpedUpReadingList

rubyslippersreads I read too fast and thought the sixth book on the list was " The Combover of American Politics." ??? 7y
kspenmoll Nickel and Dimed a good one! 7y
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EndlessAdventures101
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Pickpick

I was excited to find this book while browsing through Barnes and Noble. This was a eye opening read about what it means to live while working a job that not only pays little, but respects the individual so little. Loved it and will definitely pass along to my friends and family! #nonfictionnovember

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readordierachel
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Even if you are disappointed with the presidential choices this year, there is so much more at stake. State and local elections matter; these are the votes that affect you and those much less fortunate than you, and your vote really does count. Exercise the rights that people fought so hard for you to have. I hope all you US littens get out there and vote today if you haven't already.

#imwithher #politicalnonfiction #photoadaynov16

RanaElizabeth Yes! Ballot measures especially are so important. And unfortunately, often written in ways to confuse the voter. Do your research and vote down-ticket! 7y
readordierachel @RanaElizabeth Yes, yes, yes! There are so many great voter guides out there (at least in CA and I assume in other states) to help folks wade through all the BS. 7y
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LiteraryMind
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Pickpick

To understand the poor and lower class, means to open your heart wide enough to fully listen and understand the struggles they face. Nickel and Dimed is not only educational, but a source for learning to appreciate what you have and finding inspiration to help and advocate for the less fortunate. #LendAHand ✋🏻#MattChase #HelpInk.org

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jessicabrazeal
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Pickpick

Necessary.

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Orbeck33
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Pickpick

Such an important read if you want to understand the poor working class. Should be required reading.

Jensol77 Makes you appreciate what you have. So many Americans survive in so little. 8y
6 likes9 stack adds1 comment