The premise of Siesta Lane is similar to other books that are significantly more well known – Henry David Thoreau’s Walden jumps to mind (I think this is intentional). Minato is originally from Chicago, but living in Eugene, Oregon when she decides that she wants to simplify. She goes in search of a home that fits her new philosophy – a small place where her life is less likely to negatively impact her environment. She finds Siesta Lane – a community of several small houses (about 150 square feet each) with no indoor plumbing and like-minded individuals who share her environmentalist perspective.
Siesta Lane is a book that is well-suited to read just a little at a time. Minato’s chapters are short, and like Thoreau’s sections in Walden, are written on specific topics. She throws in her poetry in places, which provides an interesting contrast to other similar books. Minato’s book is less instructional than other diaries of the simple life; hers is a more introspective book. After reading about her year of living simply, a life like Minato’s seems more accessible than ever.
Siesta Lane is a book that is well-suited to read just a little at a time. Minato’s chapters are short, and like Thoreau’s sections in Walden, are written on specific topics. She throws in her poetry in places, which provides an interesting contrast to other similar books. Minato’s book is less instructional than other diaries of the simple life; hers is a more introspective book. After reading about her year of living simply, a life like Minato’s seems more accessible than ever.
