Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich

Barbara Ehrenreich’s book, Nickel and Dimed has brought many aspects of what the New York Times calls, “the working poor” to the center. She sheds light on a class many of us never really stop to think about and gives us an all access backstage pass to their everyday life. I mean, how many people actually wonder where their waitress lives, or how much the cook at McDonalds can afford to eat? Honestly, before …

…I don’t know if I could do what they do. She tries to express to us just what these people go through, and she conveys this by casting herself in the role as “Barb.” She is daring us to think outside the box. Forget what you’ve always believed to be true, and figure out the truth for yourself. I think if we did that, we’d all be a little better for it.