The Year of Less

Twenty-something coming of age

While I initially dove into this book with the hopes of being inspired to declutter, shop less, and simplify life all together, I soon realized this was actually a memoir of reflection and discovering how to become an adult. The author Cait has a special place in my heart now, as she put into words the challenges and blind spots living in your twenties throws at you. Being a mother and 15 years her senior, I couldn’t help but be reminded of the self-consuming thoughts and focus one has at that age. So while this book may not offer resounding help for an older adult with a family (with lots of shopping needs) I know it will help me think more about saving money and rethink some absent-minded shopping habits. This would be a good read for someone setting out on their own life so they can learn how to budget and think about their (retirement) future. She made a good point: that decluttering actually helps you learn more about who you are with the decisions you make of what to keep, and also what items you buy deliberately to last. Lastly, this story can help us remember to have more empathy for others, that some people put on a good face, but may actually suffer from depression or loneliness.

105 of 108 people found this review helpful

Trite message with horrendous Narration

If anyone had any sense, they would have stopped her within the first five minutes and gotten pretty much anyone else to read this book. This was the author?! The way she was reading this sounded like she didn't care about anything she was saying, which was painful to listen to and impossible to care about as a reader. What a horrible waste of a credit. I bet the book itself would have been more compelling because the message is a valid one but the tone of the writing along with the abysmal quality of the audio narration makes me want to steer clear.

65 of 71 people found this review helpful

A Personal Story, Not A Self Hell Book

I really wanted to like this, I really did. I can relate to being a young adult looking for fulfillment in having less, but this novel was JUST the author recounting her life. At least it was 1 hour in. So already, 1/5 of the book is the author talking about her life. I understand a certain level, being that this is autobiographical, but I really didn’t see how this much was necessary. So if you are looking for tips/guidance to living a minimalistic life, you won’t find it here unless you grind through the authors blog-style-writing.

The narration by the author is serviceable, but not THAT good either. I found myself not minding after awhile though.

26 of 28 people found this review helpful

More of a memoir than an instruction book

This book revolves much around Flanders' year and it is more of a memoir than a self-help book. Honestly, the author's life is not that interesting. I got bored of her life's details and stopped listening in the middle. I really didn't need to know Flanders' long-distance boyfriend and how it ended. This hasn't much to do with minimalism.

26 of 29 people found this review helpful

Finished it

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Spoiler alert!
The premise is great; however, I could have done without the family drama details. I was looking for more of a motivational story and tips for decluttering & stopping impulse shopping. I listened to this story and finally had to increase the speed because the narrator's voice was grating.

Would you be willing to try another book from Cait Flanders? Why or why not?

Not really

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Year of Less?

The details regarding her mother & step-father's divorce and her reaction to it.

32 of 36 people found this review helpful

Your Epiphany

Great Daily Deal $1.95
This is about you, if you need a good therapy session for the price of the daily deal.
If you need a list of how to, then this may not do the trick. See Goodbye Things, author Fumio Sasaki which changed my life from a daily deal.
I do use the 1.25x speed to match the author’s intent. No,author is not an Audible narrator, but in the intro she tells you she is a person who can be or was out of control. BUT she is committed to making big changes in her life e.g. losing 30 lbs in 1 yr, getting rid of $30k debts in 2 yrs.
This book is about affirmations for you via a lady who was out of control, took action, but more importantly she wrote it down on a blog, hence the overflow notes are the results of this book.
If you are a recovering shop-aholic as I am, and need a boost to get back on tract of spending less, then this book is for you.
Spending should be considered a treatable disease, just like Alcoholism. If you are frustrated, and want a quick fix, think of AA steps because very few self help books nail it in one, just don’t give up.
Were my comments helpful?

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

I could not put this down

Would you listen to The Year of Less again? Why?

I loved this book. It was not what I expected it was a such a good story one we can all learn from. I loved the honesty it was refreshing. I felt so proud of this young lady and I am so happy she wrote this book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Year of Less?

Her honesty made me feel bot sad at times at at other times happy for her.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene was when she Tod the story of how she morned her parents divorce. It really helped me look at letting go in a different way.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The part that moved me was what an amazing best friend she had and what she would do for her.

25 of 29 people found this review helpful

Wish the author's personality shown through more

I liked the theme but wish the author's personality showed through more in her narration. I recommend finding her "author talk" about the book at Google and watching that video instead.

After a few chapters in, I started listening to just the first 3 minutes and the last 3 minutes of each chapter. I didn't understand how the personal stories, which made up the bulk of each chapter, related to the theme of the book.

I also found the writing style to be repetitive. The author literally said the same sentences 2-3 times throughout each chapter. Perhaps the style makes sense in a blog format, but it didn't work for me in this book.

I will be "spending less" by returning this and getting my money back. If you're looking for something in this vein I recommend "Frugalwoods" instead of this, or checking out the author's blog.

9 of 11 people found this review helpful

great life lessons, financial advice & motivation

I really loved this book, so much heart and great wisdom from this writer. I hope to read more from her soon.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

So so so insightful!

This book is the perfect read for anyone who just made a purchase they regret or who ever made a purchase they regretted. It gives a fantastic outline to follow for anyone who wants to make more mindful decisions about consumerism. Thanks Cait!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful