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Rating: 
Summary: better than "simplify your life"
Review: "Living the Simple Life" is an expansion on "Simplify Your Life", written 2 years earlier. Compared to that book, which reads like a laundry list of tips on cutting down on laundry, this one is more reflective. It has fewer bite-sized "tips", and more thoughtful, open-ended suggestions. I found its tone still gratingly 'yuppy' in places (e.g., "i can't help having an emotional attachment to my BMW"), still 'Martha Stewarty' in others (e.g., yet more discussion of linens) but these were less frequent than before."Living the Simple Life" appears to be aimed at those who simply are over-burdened and want off the rat-wheel to have more time for families and hobbies. This is fine insofar as it goes, but I'd have given 4 stars if there had been any mention of the simple life as a route back to a life of community, how the simplicity movement relates to a larger yearning for a healthy society. Many see the simplification movement as vital to maintaining a healthy human presence on the planet, since our atomized, resource-gobbling, materialistic society is transforming into a less livable place in many ways. Lowering our consumption and getting in touch with each other and our roots seem like a natural, healthy response. However this connection either did not occur to the author, or it was edited out. There was a brief passage on having time to volunteer, but the other 340 pages were about personal goal-setting, time management, motivation, self-assertion, and other mechanics of simplifying. Personally I think not mentioning the larger implications of the act of simplification, i.e., beyond one's personal gain, made the book a bit shallow, although it's still much better than its predecessor.
Rating: 
Summary: Living the Simple Life
Review: Elaine St. James offers many practical tips to simplfy your life. Many are just plain common sense. Whilst reading her book, I couldn't get over the feeling that the author seems to be lacking spiritual depth in her commitment to the simple life. She and her husband Gibbs, seem to be very wrapped up in their little world. They both have already achieved financial success with their careers; its obvious they are not hurting for money. They have already lived in the fancy house, driven the luxury car, worn the designer clothes and got tired of all the trappings. I do not dispute that many of the authors suggestions are worthwhile and offer the reader some food for thought, however I think if you are looking for a book that deals with simplicity on more of a spirtual path, I would look elsewhere.
Rating: 
Summary: you'll learn how to be more productive at work
Review: Just heard LIVING THE SIMPLE LIFE, authored and read
by Elaine St. James (a best-selling author of two other
books I recently enjoyed, INNER SIMPLICITY and
SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE) . . . LIVING seems to put all
her previous ideas together into one complete blueprint
for success and fulfillment . . . you'll learn how to be more
productive at work, ignite creativity and find time to explore
new challenges . . . the book is another excellent contribution
to what is becoming an ever-widening collection that should
prove indispensable to anybody that thinks he or she has
too much to do. There were many worthwhile suggestions; among them:
A good exercise is to sit down and go through all the major areas
of your life and decide how each would be different if the only
person was you [that you had to be concerned about]. Resign from any organization whose meetings you dread. It's helpful to figure out what you don't want with you life . . . .and
then move to eliminate it.
Rating:
Summary: Simple and Good
Review: No, this is not a book about time management. At least not directly. I do many of those things and still have had a hard time finding time. I have been trying to simplify my life, and this book is a good route. As the author points out, it does not mean moving into a shanty in the woods miles from anyone. There are many good suggestions and good examples. It is simple to read and can be read five minutes at a time without losing the train of thought. In addition to simplifying and reducing stress, you may find yourself spending less, saving more, more time with your family and be happier as well. Recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Simple Easy-To-Read Advice for everyday situations.
Review: Personally, I see nothing wrong with Mrs. James book. I'm quite disturbed by the way people have slammed it summing it up as "an article". Obviously, those people were somewhat angered by her way of thinking. My guess is they are not ready to face their own challenges and demons. On the other hand, perhaps they simply do not wish to simplify their lives, and that is their choice. Some are minimalists and some are not. Yet, that is the way of the world, disgard what makes one uncomfortable. Perhaps, a reader should just take this book for what it is, practical little observations on everyday joys to help inspire one to at least start cleaning up their lives. It seems so ironic that some people would want a complicated book on how to simplify! In short, do not buy this book if you are looking to read a great analytical work of academa! Instead, only buy this book if you want a fun true-to-everyday life helpful read. I loved it!
Rating:
Summary: 24/7 isn't normal!!
Review: That could be the subtitle of this and St. James other Simplify books. Advertising, media, and our culture train bad habits into us, draining our energy, creativity, finances, and, in general, cluttering our lives with "stuff." I liked this book and felt, by the end, I "knew" the author (and I liked her, too). Some reviewers are more critical of this book, and there are weaknesses. Like most self-help book, too many pages are dithered away convincing us that Simplifying is good (presumably, the reader understands this already.) Also, many of these tips have meaning to those (and there are lots of us) who have been caught up in the yuppy-variety of consermerism (for example, you'll find out here what to do with the towels that no longer match you Color Scheme.) There is something here for everyone, though, and us older readers would like to grind the pages and sprinkle them over the young. And take a tip from St. James: check this book out at the library to keep your shelves clear!
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: This book is about how to enjoy your life more, and get rid of the clutter that you do not enjoy. I really have followed the advice. And I am happier for it. One of the suggestions is to ask yourself some simple questions. Like what is complicating your life? And then listening to the anwser. My favorite is never touch a piece of mail more than once. This alone changed my life. No more looking for an address or a bill. It also has a section on changing our habits as consumers. If you are simplifing. You need to change your buying habits so you just don't reclutter your life. I would give this book to all my friends, but unless they are ready to make the change, it would not do them any good. If you are ready, buy the book.
Rating:
Summary: A Good Place To Begin
Review: This book would be a good place to start for anyone just starting to consider scaling down and simplifying life - or even for someone who is just curious about the whole idea. It is a very basic book, and for people who've already made significant changes towards more simple living, it won't be very useful. But if you are overworked, stressed out, buried in clutter and feel you don't have a moment for yourself, pick up this book! It would be a good place to begin. Most of what the author recommends, our family already does. Some of it IS common sense, but most of it is "counter cultural" and many of us wouldn't think of doing these things on our own. I think she has some really good ideas. She is also a good example of someone who has lived an extremely successful, hectic life and moved toward a more simple existence - without depriving herself of anything she truly values. I agree with another reviewer that she's a little "misanthropic" - she does seem to consider people "clutter" and to be quick to recommend ditching the humans in your life. While this can sometimes be good advice with certain individuals, I truly value my family, friends, and "houseguests" [which she implies are always "unwanted"]. I would not care for a life without these dear ones - simple or no. Sometimes people are messy, and sometimes we do need to move on from damaging relationships; but in general human companionship is worth the "complications" in my opinion. This is a good general "beginners guide to the simple life" and is also a very quick and easy read - good for mommies like me [and others] who have to do their reading in 5 minute snatches here and there!
Rating:
Summary: if you need it...
Review: This is the first book that I read on the subject of simplifying ones life. It is a small sized book with tiny 2-3 page chapters. It is easy to read in bits and pieces. It has been a few years since I first read this book and I just went back to browse over it again. I realized that many of the authors' suggestions I began using back then and am still using. There are some very do-able tips such as trying to touch each piece of mail only once. I was inspired to cancel my weekly newspaper and to scale back on the number of magazine subscriptions as I didn't have time to read them and was feeling pressured to "get to the pile". I also donated many sets of linens to a charity after I realized I had too many and wasn't ever going to use them all. There is a great section on saying no and not feeling guilty about saying no. That alone is worth buying and reading the book. I found the book had some wacky suggestions such as owning only one fork, knife and spoon. Other suggestions I couldn't put into effect were when I buy one item of clothing to get rid of one that I already have. I also could not do her meal plan where they eat the same 7 dinners every single week. Yuck. The part that I found not so helpful was that there were really no suggestions regarding being a family with young children. I realized that it must be simpler to simplify ones life when in middle age years (as the author is and describes) than with babies underfoot. I also realized that parents of young children could benefit from some specific ideas to simplify our lives that are unique to our situation. Parents are very pressured to buy the right toys, a lot of toys, the right clothes, enroll in the best preschool, have elaborate birthday parties, do sports at an early age, etc. I would love to hear from someone that it is all right and a good idea to simplify and scale back all this craziness with our young children. I think I have found that in "Mitten Strings for God" by Katrina Kenison-but I have to find the time to read it!
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