Year of No Clutter

A Memoir

By: Eve O. Schaub

Narrated by: Callie Beaulieu

Eve has a problem with clutter. Too much stuff and too easily acquired, it confronts her in every corner and on every surface in her house. When she pledges to tackle the worst offender, her horror of a "hell room", she anticipates finally being able to throw away all of the unnecessary things she can't bring herself to part with: her fifth-grade report card, dried-up art supplies, an old vinyl raincoat. But what Eve discovers isn't just old CDs and outdated clothing, but a fierce desire within herself to hold on to her identity. Our things represent our memories, our history, a million tiny reference points in our lives. If we throw our stuff in the trash, where does that leave us? And if we don't...how do we know what's really important? Everyone has their own hell room, and Eve's battle with her clutter, along with her eventual self-clarity, encourages everyone to dig into their past to declutter their future. Year of No Clutter is a deeply inspiring - and frequently hilarious - examination of why we keep stuff in the first place, and how to let it all go.

©2017 Eve O. Schaub (P)2017 Tantor

The humor.

I listened to the book on audible. I loved the sense of humor that was presented in the reading. I was also able to visualize because the adjectives were well used. Not a book that gives detail guidance as to how to declutter. But a book that I would recommend for the humor.

Funny and insightful

Loved this book! I have read and listened to several books on decluttering and hoarding. This is going in as one of my favorites though. Eve gives a humorous and unique way of looking at decluttering and a realistic mindset of why many people hold on to things. I found it interesting the link she made with her family and their various levels of hoarding and dealing with it. But what I found most helpful was the many ways she uses to get rid of things, but especially her creative method of recreating the piles of old clothes, sheets, and fabric into an autobiography rug. As well as the mountain of her children's artwork down to a keepsake book. But I also love how she realizes that it is ok sometimes if there are just some things she just can't part with, no matter what her brain tries to tell her. And I celebrated with her as she reclaimed the Hell Room into a loving, creative space for her family to use and enjoy.

Great Narrator!

This book was so fun and funny! Heartfelt, honest, and interesting-the author’s memoir was a compelling listen. What I’m so grateful for is the EXCELLENT narration! It felt as though the writer was really speaking to you, but without the the self-conscious, awkward usually horrible reading that occurs when an author reads their own book. (Why do some authors think they are professional narrators just because they can write?!) This narrator was FANTASTIC! Just loved it and I highly recommend the book.

The BEST

This was the BEST clutter I’ve ever read. Highly recommend, Eve is funny and a delight to listen to.

PERSONAL ACCOUNT OF THE DECLUTTERING PROCESS

Very interesting to hear of her personal struggles with removing clutter, to which I can relate. Funny anecdotes. Enjoyed the book very much.