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Summary: Functional life without flair, style and flowers?
Review: I do agree with some chapters of the book like getting rid of useless clutter and stop buying things we don't really need. But if I'd just black suits and white shirts, it wouldn't be very uplifting. If I'd reduce my plants (in order to avoid mess), get rid of cute things (that could get dusty) stop having a convenient, stylish or fancy handbag, wearing black (in order not to see the dirt on my clothes) my life would be rather "cold" and functional. I like decorating my home in order to live cozy and charming. Life is also a question of HOW. My life shall have atmosphere. Finaly I wonder why the book has no suggestion of having can-food an getting rid of pets. It will save lot of time and money. :-)
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Summary: Refreshing... take what you like, leave what you don't!
Review: I enjoyed this book overall, although I did not agree with all of her suggestions (i.e. Not making the bed all day to simplify my life? Come on, Elaine, I can't stand looking at it!) I especially appreciated her suggestions on the social aspects of our daily lives. She has quite a few good practical ideas, while some are not for everybody (including me). However, even the "bad" ones will make you think about what we do! For $10, it is not a bad buy at all!
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Summary: I'll give you "downsizing" -- throw away this book!
Review: I found this book in the "bagain section" of a local bookstore. The title and nice packaging was what drew me to it, and I flipped it open to a page about "consolidating your checking accounts," one of the 100 suggestions on simplifying your life. So I thought, "okay, $3.99, I'll take it." Well, when I got home and read the first section, I found so many idiotic methods to simplifying my life, I felt like throwing it away right then and there. It would seem that Mrs. St. James would have me throw out all my clothes (except "one simple, practical outfit"), get rid of my phone, don't answer the door, pack useless items in dated boxes and throw them out without looking in them (oh yeah, that was a great one!), don't go shopping, don't go to the movies or ballgames (what she considers "extravagant outings").... in essence, lock myself in my small, simple house, alienated from all social contacts, like some kind of rude, unfashionable hermit in the woods! What if I ENJOY going to the movies, Elaine? What if I LIKE to shop? What if I enjoy engaging at least to some extent in the consumerist world in which we live? St. James would have us believe that we can't make our lives "simple" if we take part in the way the world runs these days. Not to mention the contradictions throughtout the book. What dawned on me about 20 pages into it was that she wasn't very happy before her "simplification" and that she STILL is not very happy. I usually like "101 ways to..." books, but frankly, this one is "simply" terrible. In short, SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE BY NOT BUYING THIS BOOK!
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Summary: Simplify Your Life
Review: I happened to come across this book in the local library catalog around End Sept 2001. The book was translated in Chinese, and in the recommended list. I was attracted by the Chinese Title of the book, it had a "Tao" touch to it. I reserved it, the available date was estimated to be Jan 2002, but then 3 weeks later, it was available. It was introduced by 3 famous Chinese/Taiwanese scholars, all avocating Taoist's simplicity of life, then I flipped to the table of contents, I was a bit disappointing. Anyway, I took two hours to read the entire book, and found that I'm already doing most of them. I'm a person with a successful career, a happy marriage, 3 cats, 1 dog, 1 domestic helper, living in a 1500 square feet apartment, interested in yoga, meditation, and a healthy lifestyle. I've been trying to simplify my life in the past 10 years, it took many years for my husband to understand my way of life. I was labeled as anti-social, ego-centric, indifferent and weird at first, but now people say I'm peaceful, calm, know how to enjoy life, look younger all the time. All in all, I find it is a typical self-help, for-the-idiot type of book, simple, and get result fast. Don't just take the tips at face value, you should ask yourself why you want a simple life. Search within, your soul will tell you. The nature of your soul is pure joy, love, and happiness. If you are not experiencing these, your life is too complicated.
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Summary: In terms of "pearls of wisdom", this is a full necklace!
Review: I have read this book several times over the past few years - it has become a "touchstone" for me, particularly when life seems most harried. I have implemented many of the authors' suggestions, and they have all paid off enormously in terms of giving me back "ownership" of my life. I have given this book as a gift to many close friends; I consider it a "must" read
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Summary: Simplify Your Life -- Read it at the bookstore!
Review: I spent a lovely two hours in the bookstore the other day, reading this book. It's short enough that you can do that. Some good tips, some "no duh" tips and some really rather insipid ideas. Even if you walk away with one good idea, it's worth it. Just don't buy one more thing you don't need.
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Summary: A little good advice can go a long way.
Review: If there's even just one single idea in it that "works" for you, then it's still good. For me, it was "Get to bed by 11:00 at least one night a week." What a great idea, and it works! I always wrote off ideas like that because I can't do it all the time. Her point - that you don't need to do it all the time, just do it sometime! - was what resounded for me. And for that, I say thanks.
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Summary: Only a place to start
Review: If you are into simplicity, you don't need this book. If you want to learn more about frugality, save your money. If you are not a rich yuppie, don't buy this book.This book is helpful to the person who is just starting out on the simple path in life. There are some helpful suggestions, simplify your meals, don't answer the phone, ect. The problem is, for many people, getting rid of the boat, or only having one checking account isn't even an option. The audience for this book is not the middle middle, or lower middle class person. Further, there is little to no help for those whose idea of simplicity is saving more money. While many of the ideas could save you money, other will cost money. To find this book helpful, you really need to consider what you want. This book is NOT for all readers.
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Summary: Write Simple Living Books for Big Bucks
Review: Let me add one more way to simplify your life. Quit collecting books on how to simplify your life. Books like Elaine St. James all have an anti consumerist, anti "Stuff" tone, unless that stuff you are consuming is their books. I had to laugh when St. James described her and her husband's downsizing move across the country to Santa Barbara California. Last time I was in Santa Barbara $400K would buy you a small comfy ( bungalow needing "TLC". Ah yes the simple life.
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Summary: Everyone needs this book.
Review: Ms. St. James' wonderful little book was the Christmas present I bought for myself! A calming read that shows us that all is not lost, there is hope for the overcomitted ... and this is the "how to" book. No whining, no "what about my needs" pop-psychology, this is an excellent common sense approach to reevaluating our life choices, and doing something about them
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