Could You Live in a Tiny House?

You Can Buy Happiness (and it’s Cheap)

By: Tammy Strobel

Genre: Non-fiction/ Self-Help

Pages: 224

Published: 2012

Read:  January

3.5 out of 5 stars

I picked up this book to see how people can be crazy enough to live in tiny houses. Although I would like to downsize my house – its way too big for a family of three – I could never live in a tiny house. People need a space to get away from others; not to mention move around. However, that really isn’t what this book is about. She was way more realistic; even though a tiny house sparked her and her husband’s joy she understands it isn’t practical for everyone. In her book, she provides you with the questions to ask yourself in order to guide you to your own happiness. She does push that it isn’t “stuff” or money that brings people happiness. I believe most people, whether they follow it or not, know that to be the truth.

I'm a Tidy Freak now...

Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up

By: Marie Kondo

Genre: Non-fiction/ Self-Help

Pages: 291

Published: 2016

Read:  January

2.5 out of 5 stars

After reading The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, I felt this is just a condensed, abridged edition. Also was confused why it’s called the illustrated version when I didn’t feel it had very many more illustrations than the original edition. The few extra it offered, which were the ones that didn’t involve the KonMari method of folding, weren’t that exciting, cute or inspirational. If you read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, I feel there is no need to read this one and if what you desire is the condensed version pick up, The Life Changing Manga of Tidying Up: A Magical Story. It’s a great quick read and on my ideal bookshelf.

I am a happier person...

The Minimalist Home

By: Joshua Tucker

Genre: Non Fiction

Pages: 256

Published: 2018

Read:  January

3.5 out of 5 stars

I was one of the many that jumped on the bandwagon when the Netflix show, Tidying Up with Marie Kondo aired. I started by decluttering my bedroom and haven’t wanted to stop. I was skeptical about it changing my lifestyle and the claim that it improves your entire attitude. I am here to tell you it really does work; I am a happier person. So when I ran across The Minimalist Home while working, I decided to give it a try. The “Becker Method” as he calls it is almost the complete opposite of the Konmari method. He declutters, or minimizes by room, versus item. I have adopted my own method, by doing a combination of both methods. It works for me.

As far as Becker’s book, I did not care for the way it was structured. He went through the method room-by-room, which lead to a lot of repetition. It became annoying to read really quickly. I did appreciate his introduction to the minimalist theory and the benefits of downsizing your house. However, I feel that Kondo’s book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up was a much better written and enjoyable book to read.