Rating: 
Summary: I moved to Santa Barbara, Ca with this book.
Review: My husband and I own our own trucking company hauling freight all over the country. We hated our career even though it was lucrative. Reading this book got us to simplify our life on the truck and save up enough money to buy a house in Santa Barbara also. Two years later the real estate market shot up, and we had enough money to get out of our business and take a year sabbatical in Kauai. We're living a very relaxed and simple life. Thanks Elaine.
Rating:
Summary: Thumbs up.
Review: My life is over-cluttered, over-taxed and over-stressed.
This book is easy to read and easy to relate to.
I feel as though the reader knows just what i'm going through.
Implementation starts in earnest July 4th
Rating: 
Summary: Simply Swell for Suburban Soccer Moms
Review: My very favorite piece of advice in this book is "Give up the boat," which pretty much says it all. For grown-ups who are interested in reading actual books as opposed to shallow one-liners, just about anything else is better. Start with the excellent The Simple Living Guide by Janet Luhrs, the equally excellent The Healthy Living Space by Richard Leviton, and the oldie but goodie Voluntary Simplicity by Duane Elgin. Sweeping Changes deals more specifically with your home environment, and books by Andrew Weil offer health and wellness advice and information that incorporate these values. The magazine Real Simple tends toward Martha Stewart slick, but it often contains good advice, and always contains amazing (and simple) recipes. Definitely worth the subscription price. I'm sure there are many others of substance I'm forgetting or haven't yet discovered, but there are books out there worth looking for.
Rating:
Summary: Simply Swell for Suburban Soccer Moms
Review: My very favorite piece of advice in this book is "Give up the boat," which pretty much says it all. For grown-ups who are interested in reading actual books as opposed to shallow one-liners, just about anything else is better. Start with the excellent The Simple Living Guide by Janet Luhrs, the equally excellent The Healthy Living Space by Richard Leviton, and the oldie but goodie Voluntary Simplicity by Duane Elgin. Sweeping Changes deals more specifically with your home environment, and books by Andrew Weil offer health and wellness advice and information that incorporate these values. The magazine Real Simple tends toward Martha Stewart slick, but it often contains good advice, and always contains amazing (and simple) recipes. Definitely worth the subscription price. I'm sure there are many others of substance I'm forgetting or haven't yet discovered, but there are books out there worth looking for.
Rating:
Summary: You know it's true...
Review: That boat costs more, and is more trouble than any occasional thrill it may provide. And you know you don't need all those National Geographics from 1962 (don't kid yourself either, they're worth NOTHING). Elaine St. James knows this and is not afraid to say it. After reading her book I got rid of everything in my house I had not used in a year, and I feel Great. The only thing I don't understand is that she attempts to simplify the task of keeping house pets rather than just getting rid of them. All those cats were doing was shredding my furniture, vomiting up furballs, and leaving smells that could not be removed. After finishing this book, I took those cats to the pound! I have never felt better in my life.
Rating: 
Summary: simplistic simplification
Review: The book reads like a collection of household tips, e.g., "Hints from Heloise". Truly simplifying your life takes a lot more thought and effort than the tips in this book would imply. We live in a society that strongly encourages us to consume and/or strive for status. Real life simplification for many people, myself included, has meant painfully recognizing and kicking away many ego crutches, summoning up the discipline to let go of a lot in order to focus on what really matters. To her credit, the author has a significantly deeper take on this whole process in her later book, "Living the Simple Life". That is recommended as a complete replacement for "Simplify Your Life"; don't waste your time on it unless your intent is just to free up a few hours in an otherwise unchanged lifestyle. Also consider "Voluntary Simplicity" by Duane Elgin. It offers a sociologist's perspective, which is a bit dry but includes opinions of dozens of people he encountered in his research on the nationwide movement toward a less materialistic, more relationship-oriented style of living.
Rating:
Summary: simplistic simplification
Review: The book reads like a collection of household tips, e.g., "Hints from Heloise". Truly simplifying your life takes a lot more thought and effort than the tips in this book would imply. We live in a society that strongly encourages us to consume and/or strive for status. Real life simplification for many people, myself included, has meant painfully recognizing and kicking away many ego crutches, summoning up the discipline to let go of a lot in order to focus on what really matters. To her credit, the author has a significantly deeper take on this whole process in her later book, "Living the Simple Life". That is recommended as a complete replacement for "Simplify Your Life"; don't waste your time on it unless your intent is just to free up a few hours in an otherwise unchanged lifestyle. Also consider "Voluntary Simplicity" by Duane Elgin. It offers a sociologist's perspective, which is a bit dry but includes opinions of dozens of people he encountered in his research on the nationwide movement toward a less materialistic, more relationship-oriented style of living.
Rating:
Summary: This book is a gem!
Review: There's a few recent naysayers who reviewed this book and were very negative, but remember, a lot of people are very defensive about any suggestions that go against the grain of how they've lived their entire lives. Also, a lot of people are consumed with keeping up with the Jones'. This book is not about being a hermit, being cheap, or giving away all your possessions. It's about keeping those things that contribute positively to your life and discarding the rest. Getting to the essence of things if you will. Most people wear 20% or less of their wardrobe. Why not then give the other 80% to friends and charities and enjoy a clutter free closet where you can easily find what you are looking for? If you find yourself stressed out going to 10 holiday parties, then try going to only 2 and see how you feel. I came across this book in 1994, and have gradually employed a lot of the ideas. I've found a few things that I tried that weren't for me, but overall it's been a huge positive in my life. It's great not being choked with possessions and clutter. It's freed up so much time to do volunteer work, exercise more, enjoy the outdoors more, and just to drink my coffee slow in the morning. This book is fantastic for those who wish their lives to focus on doing and contributing and experiencing, rather than buying, consuming, storing, moving, weeding-through, tripping-over, collecting, and trying to impress.
Rating:
Summary: Simply the best
Review: This book changed my life (and still changing it). This is one of the best books I red and thank you Elaine for helping me find myself.
Rating:
Summary: Simplify Your Life - 100 Ways to Slow Down and Enjoy the Thi
Review: This book changed my life! It really helps you to see what you can change in your life to make it better. I read this book at the beginning of every year. If you are stressed out and ready to get off the roller coaster of today's world, this book is for you!
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