Consumed: The Need for Collective Change: Colonialism, Climate Change, and Consumerism Paperback – October 5, 2021

Consumed was a well-researched and eye-opening book about what how fashion industry is ruining our planet one piece of fabric at a time. Aja discussed various topics about the correlation between fashion and the environment including overconsumption, fast fashion, colonialism, climate change, and more.I loved that she includes various voices from marginalized people and allows them to tell their stories and give their opinions on the different topics. Also toward the end of the book, she includes a few exercises for readers to leave their thoughts.There were a lot of sad yet interesting facts that I had no idea about pertaining to how much damage we as a society are doing to the planet. For example, “the US alone sends 21 billion pounds of textile waste to landfills every year.” That is a disgustingly high number.Also, with the supply chain. Aja makes it a point to mention how little the minimum wage is of garment workers in different countries.Did you know garment workers make about $82 USD a month in Sri Lanka?? What about $103 USD a month in Bangladesh?? These women (yup, around 80% of garment workers are women) are busting their asses putting out an insane amount of products and their working conditions are terrible. Its gross.At the end of the book, there is an extensive list of resouces for readers to go to for more information on the environment and fashion industry.Overall, Aja did an amazing job at presenting the problem, pointing the finger at those truly in the wrong (big companies, billionaires/millionaires etc), explaining and giving solutions/ tips to readers about what they can do to help change this global crisis that we are dealing with.This was an amazing resource and bonus points for it coming from a BIPOC perspective as the fashion industry likes to exclude us and is majority white. I’m pretty conscious of my shopping and sustainability habits, but I’m definitely not perfect. I have strived to do my best for the environment every single day and will continue to do so.

I was not familiar with Aja Barber until I read this book. Neither did I read the reviews on “Consumed” prior to reading it, as I wanted to form my own opinion. If I were to capture my feelings about this book in a single word, it would be "relatable."The fashion industry exposé has become a well-established literary genre, featuring works by renowned authors such as Siegle, Cline, Press, Bedat, and Thomas. These writers have delved into the subject, conducting extensive research or presenting first-hand accounts to shed light on the prevalent issues. Their narratives closely examine the supply chain, from the troubling practices in cotton production leading to farmer suicides in India, to the harsh realities faced by textile and garment workers in poverty traps exemplified by the tragic incident at Rana Plaza. Additionally, they explore what happens to garments at the end of their life cycle, often finding their way to places like the Kantamanto market.The pattern followed in this genre is now recognizable to many readers: approximately half of the book is dedicated to presenting the problems plaguing the fashion industry. The other half passionately advocates for solutions, aiming to inspire positive change in the way the industry operates.Barber's book has faced considerable criticism from reviewers, and I, too, stumbled upon those reviews later on. However, it became apparent to me that she never intended the book to be a scholarly or journalistic piece, as some reviewers seem to expect. This is a book about her journey and what she has learned along the way.The initial chapter, "Sustainability and Me," did not particularly impress me as it appeared more autobiographical than focused on sustainability. Nevertheless, once the reader shakes off preconceived expectations of what the book should be like and just embraces it for what it is, there is great learning to be experienced. Barber fearlessly explores her perspective on significant issues such as colonialism, cultural appropriation, privilege, discrimination, and overconsumption. Her writing style, shaped by her background in social media and blogging, resonates deeply with Gen Z readers. Barber articulate her thoughts past the anger and build a narrative aimed at understanding behavior and advocating for change. Using simple examples, like the blue ball/green ball analogy and stories from her upbringing, Barber is able to connect with the reader and discuss uncomfortable subjects. She presents the reader with a reality check, pointing that all have a role in the system, but with a good dose of compassion.My intention, as an educator, is to engage student in the discussion about systemic issues and collective change. I recommend “Consumed” as an entry level read as it meets young people where they are. While some books can make someone walk away from a subject, I feel that Barber’s book entices the reader to learn more. For that reason, I am glad she wrote it.

The content of this book was extraordinary. It’s a fantastic introduction and you specifically the realm of fast fashion and how it needs to change and who it’s hurting.I struggled with the first portion of the book because I was attempting to read it, and the tone was so casual, and the organization so free-flowing, That I almost couldn’t follow it. I deeply deeply struggled with things that I thought an editor could sharpen up, or clarify, or shifted around. It read like an extended blog post rather than a cohesive book.That said, as soon as I put headphones in to listen to the book, and heard Aja’s tone and humor, and her style, I was hooked. It felt far more familiar and comfortable as a podcast series thank in print, just as listening to an album is superior to just reading the lyrics.This is not a scholarly work, but academia isn’t the only place that should have a voice. If it reads like social media or television, that’s very expected because that’s Aja’s gift (honed by a butt ton of work and experience). That’s her space. And she does it exceptionally well.

This book spreads awareness to our over consuming nation and ways to slow down and buy more sustainably!