Living
Halfway

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 Jean G 
 
2024-02-18
 
 
  
Informative
This book is thought provoking and informative. I enjoyed the multi generational aspect and how the story unfolded, layer by layer. Some of the dialogue was stilted and affected, especially the librarian's. An appropriate ending. I recommend this book to anyone interested in health, nutrition, agriculture.
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 Katie 
 
2024-01-22
 
 
  
A generational tale
*spoilers*........I liked this book, it's about several generations of a family of farmers who over the years get on board with big farms. Each generation moves a step away from the old traditions of caring for the land and harvest. Machines, fertilizer, pesticides, that sort of thing. Each generation is also slowly suffering from more and more health problems, as well as being terrified by the ghost they've called the man in the wheat. He appears to the farmers as a man with his skin and face melting, and none of them realize until it's almost too late that he is the ancestor trying to send a warning. The land needs rest, and the chemicals are not only harming the soil but harming the health of the farmers and their family.While not exactly an exciting book with a lot of horror, it was still a good read and gives you something to think about with the way things are in todays world and the way our food is grown. I've never read a book with generational hauntings, so it was an interesting idea. There are times when self harm and suicide are talked about a lot, and the characters and timelines took some time to figure out because of the writing style. I'm not a note taker but I feel like that would have helped me a ton
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 Amanda 
 
2024-01-12
 
 
  
Story of respecting nature and listening to our ancestors
Everything in our world is connected. The food that we eat, the way that it grows, our relationships, and our health. Sometimes in ways that we would never considerOrdinary Soil tells the story of how moving from the old ways of growing healthy crops to feed families and transitioning to cash crops has an impact on our health. And the impact can last for generations.This book has a lot of emotional turmoil, following a suicidal man who only wanted to provide for his family, and instead faces losing it all. It has redmption...how learning to look past the stubbornness of "how it's always been done" can literally change your life.It is a little slow at times, but it's a great read.
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 lag32583 
 
2024-01-05
 
 
  
Very good
A moving and thought provoking tale of ancestry and the soil that connects us. It delivers a powerful message.I received a gifted copy.
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 Cheryl Camardo 
 
2023-12-11
 
 
  
Well done -
A nice story that introduces the connection of the soil to humans in a way that also links us to the past. An important story for the next generation of farmers. As a gardener and soil advocate, I appreciate the lessons the author is providing, including the resistance of change. The proof of regenerative/ancient practices wide scale is at its infancy. I believe this book will help folks see the benefits. Save the soil. Save lives.
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 Mar 
 
2023-12-07
 
 
  
Wife is in love with the book
My wife loves the book and is very happy. She enjoyed every time she spend reading it.
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 George M.E. Taylor 
 
2023-11-13
 
 
  
An outstanding read.
First off, I would like to thank NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group Press for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of this book.Ordinary Soil is no ordinary story.At first, I struggled with what was happening in the story, but once I caught up things just started to fall into place. And boy did it hit and hut hard. This story is ripe with feelings and there was always a lump in my throat.I'm honored to have been one of the first to read it in its complexity.Watch and read as generations pass before your eyes, taking you on the path of the male members if this ancient family.And under the feet of those generations is the dirt that carries them, the dirt that the first generation made vows over, vows that would haunt the following men that worked the earth.Fantastic read. Wusj I could read it again, but it's been archived. I will have to buy it.
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 Melodie 
 
2023-11-02
 
 
  
In all things, what is given is returned.
"Mark, you better come home."He knew what those five words meant.You'd think Alex was an Okie, the way he writes my home and its weighty relation to the earth. Opening this novel, a real treatise on the way so much sadness is so ordinary, feels overwhelming at first. There are many characters to parse out and relationships to dive into. But That feels, especially as an Oklahoman, like a perfect mirror to our southern/midwestern ways. We are ordinary, connected, solemn.I felt deeply the webs of generational trauma- generational toxicity, and the wistful nature of reconnecting to your family through land cultivation. This book is thoughtful, thought-provoking, and thorough. Well worth the read.
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 Doris Snyder 
 
2023-10-30
 
 
  
Oklahoma
As an ancestor to the First Families of the Twin Territories; this book was an important piece of literature for me. My great great grandfathers farmed hundred of acres. Thank for writing this Alex.
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 Octavia McGee 
 
2023-10-20
 
 
  
Fantastic Fiction Novel With A Bit Of Facts
Ordinary Soil by Alex Woodard is a beautifully written novel that follows Jake and the things that are going on in his life. There are a lot of real topics that are touched in this novel that made me think about issues that are going on in the world. Readers can expect to feel some type of emotions when reading a serious story like this one. While this isn't something that I would generally read, there were things that I liked. For one, I enjoyed that there were flashback scenes from the past. It reminded me a bit of Holes by Louis Sachar where the past was connected to the present. I also enjoyed the way Alex Woodard brings up serious topics without being morbid about it. Even though there are a few moments that are sad and could be hard to deal with, Alex Woodard doesn't romanticize what's going on in the novel. Overall, I enjoyed the novel and can't wait to read what Alex Woodard writes next. I would recommend this book to readers that enjoy novels with serious topics and to those that like historical fiction. I rate this novel 4 out of 5 stars.
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Amazon rating score: 4.3 of 5, based on 22 reviews