Rating: 
Summary: Blah
Review: I echo the below review noting that this book seems to be an unsubtle marketing exercise. Almost every example seems to be one cooked up by the author's firm in the Minnesota woods or suburbs. Also, a few of the model homes (e.g., p148) I found to be really ugly. The same example homes show up over and over. The text and design are more suitable for coffee-table book than a serious discussion. The advance review on the back cover is from the author of "Care of the Soul." Please. There are two or three insightful ideas here, but they deserve a more thorough, practical and analytical treatment.
Rating:
Summary: Outdated 70's Look, but a Good Concept
Review: I was disappointed once I got past the first couple of chapters. It was simply the same information repeated. No specifics really - and very few floor plans to show how the concepts are applied. The example of the couple who were disappointed with their 4000+ sq. ft., 500k suburban tract home rebuilt with the author for the same price, a 2300 square foot home. This isn't the goal of most people. The author doesn't really offer many tips other than cutting out the dining room and having the step-down "great rooms" that were popular during the 70's, along with using a bedroom/study that has a door as the away room. Almost all the rooms shown have dark wood trim and ceiling beams in all rooms with white walls. It would have been a better book if it showed the work of many architects instead of one.
Rating: 
Summary: Shows You How to Have a Big House in Less Space
Review: I bought this book as a Christmas present for my parents. My Dad grew up in a small house and insists on keeping their big house even now that he is retired and they have an "empty nest." Mom sees the need to reduce their costs and the effort required for upkeep of a large home. I'm happy to say this book has given them ways to compromise and yet both get everything they want - it's a real 2000 Percent Solution!
Rating: 
Summary: Purely written to market her firm.
Review: After reading the book I was disappointed. It seemed like another gimic book trying to "sell" another new trend. What was so shocking is that the homes were all upper market, very expensive. What we need are designs that build smaller and less expensive homes...that are still fun to live in.
Rating:
Summary: Will change the way you think about homes!
Review: I always thought "bigger is better" when it came to homes- and was depressed because I knew we'd never be able to afford something big. After reading this book, I have a new perspective (and better mood!) Full of great ideas on how less is actually more in a lot of ways. The triangle-matrix (budget vs. quality vs. quantity) is really very helpful- also could add "location" to that equation. The ideas & photos in this book inspired me to think of other ways to save space and make the most of what I have. A great book!
Rating:
Summary: Concept is excellent, text is short on specifics
Review: If you want to expand your ideas about what a nice home should be then this book may be for you. And if you are looking for a book full of pictures to help you communicate with your architect during your next meeting, then again this is a good choice. But if you are like me, trying to design you own small house to be space-efficient and comfortable, then you may find that Susanka does not supply you with much worthwhile information. Her concept, I believe, is excellent. And the book makes no claim to be a do-it-yourself guide. But I was still hoping for some more substance behind the glossy photos. There is little information about the process of laying out a house from scratch to fit a site and its occupants. There is no real method for how to go about optimizing your use of space in the overall floorplan, or how to address common problem situations. It is full of many excellent space-saving examples- but by the time I was finished reading this book I never wanted to see another white room with light wood trim again. The 199 pages of this large-font book are full of "architecturally designed" houses that appear to my eye a bit dated. I also think she is too devoted to the upper levels of the budget spectrum. Most people who are building a "Not So Big" house don't have a half million dollars to spend, which her case studies apparently did.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful photos and ideas
Review: I live in a small cottage and this book made me think I wouldn't need much more space, once I decide to buy or relocate. Beautiful pictures, though I would have liked more ideas for west coast homes--we don't need mudrooms in California. :) Would enjoy a follow-up book for homes in urban areas, such as townhomes, condos, etc.
Rating: 
Summary: great idea, but repeated over & over & over
Review: This was such a refreshing "concept" in home design. I had been looking and looking at new homes and just kept saying "this doesn't feel comfortable". I would look at a house and say these few rooms are all we really need but the builders kept adding so much extra wasted space for rooms that no one would ever use. This book zeros in on those concepts perfectly, but maybe a short story instead of an entire book would have been more appropriate. I kept saying OK, OK I've got the idea, now give me something else, but no other ideas came out. Even so, I enjoyed the book very much because the concept is so unique. A lot of the pictures were quite dated. I would recommend the book if you have not yet considered: you don't have to have the biggest house on the block to have the best house on the block!
Rating:
Summary: Blending Maine cottage lifestyle into suburban Minnesota
Review: We are in the process of relocating from Cape Porpoise (Kennebunkport) Maine, to the Twin Cities. My husband noticed a number of Spring Preview homes displayed this book and encouraged me to take a look. The thought of relocating hasn't been thrilling, but after reading this book, I admit to looking forward to the process of building a new home which I hope will incorporate a sense of our Maine cottage charm with a bit of a more sophisticated Minnesota lifestyle.
Rating:
Summary: Inspiring, Beautiful, Sensible, and Practical!
Review: Ms. Susanka's book is exactly what I've been searching for; finally someone who shares my goals! Although my husband travels weekly, he is home a lot working on projects. I am homeschooling my three children and enjoy a number of quiet activities - hard to do with three children in the house! In The Not So Big House, many ideas for consolidating activities are shown; quiet "away places" are not sacrificed for active "project" places. I believe, by following Ms.Susanka's ideas and advice, we can have a house that meets all our needs without being too big to maintain.
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