Sarah j

anyone curious about Minimalism MUST READ

Revisado: 06-21-17

ME: always organized/clean no problem discarding incredible success with konmari curious since about full blown minimalism

This guy really breaks minimalism down. I like "the minimalists" from the Netflix documentary but they can be a little preachy and a little too philosophical for some. Fumio of course gives some minimalist philosophy but its from a logical practical place.

I think what makes this book stand out is that its incredibly well formed and clear yet I think you could open any random page and get some good advice . This book is no chore to get through I was hanging on every word, as a minimalist I suppose everything he writes has a clear purpose. It seems like he has an answer for everything its almost like he is reading the readers mind answering their questions, providing solutions to their excuses before they are even formed. This book contained so many lightbulb moments.

I really liked what some may see as the self deprecating nature of this book ( something kondo does as well) I just see it as honest. He speaks a lot about his former self all the mistakes he made all the failures and unhappiness, even now at one point saying "she since dumped me" haha.

The theme of this book is basically: I was unhappy, minimizing my things made me happy I believe it can make you happy too here's how.

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wow now THIS is fiction

Revisado: 06-21-17

This book suffers most in the start and finish. Starting was just to slow for my personal taste the ending I think most people found slightly rushed and unbelievable. This book however is a true piece of well thought out, well researched, beautifully written fiction that I am still thinking of weeks later. Can't wait to read more Lisa See

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young adult fiction at best...

Revisado: 02-09-17

I'm in the minority here but don't waste your money.

First let me say I bought by accident looking for the other "girl before" book which was enthralling my best listen since "girl on the train", fabulously written. I didn't want to return this one though because when I read the description I was intrigued by the concept. For me that's where the merit of this book begins and ends , The story ended up being painfully predictable and the writing boring and flat on subject matter that is already difficult and hard to listen to. Odd combo.The whole thing could be summarised in extremely short paragraph and still deliver the same message. Like many books I come across that don't quite hit the mark, there was something Young Adult about it , if the author had left out any of the obviously sexual/violent parts it might actually make a really good book for 10-14 year olds. I probably would have loved it at that age.

I think this book exists in its own world, that can be lovely and charming depending on the book however I think the subject matter and concept here demands more realism , more details and less vagueness, more pain and grit. It got stuck in a mediocre middle, It would have been much better if shortened significantly and many a thing left to the imagination or lengthened considerably and had more character and relationship development ( so many single faceted characters! what else does Clara love besides Glenn and her daughters? ) more descriptive writing ( no idea what any of these characters even looked like!) . The complicated feelings for Glenn were also something I wish the author could have expanded on in different ways instead of the same thing again and again.

as far as the audio production goes I found the actresses take on Clara cloying and irritating a lot of the time.

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Educational, Eye Opening

Revisado: 10-19-16

Narration was perfection. Simple, clear and non distracting exactly what you want in non fiction.

This story was clearly a work of non fiction. If you are looking for a dramatic romeo and juliet story that sweeps you away this isn't exactly it. There is some Drama of course, their lives are in danger but, everything plays out at a slower, calmer pace but that's fine these are two real people with real lives. I found the side stories of other Afghani's incredibly interesting. This book really gives you a picture of what life in rural Afghanistan is like. The love story is not exactly the great romance it is advertised to be. Just two young people living in restrictive conditions who knowing nothing of the outside world find each other to cling to.

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Lovely Cute story !

Revisado: 10-19-16

This was a very well developed, well written story. The narration was a little irritating as millie sometimes but it was fine. This was cute, very sweet and still true to reality. I get how great it is but I just didn't get swept away by it, didn't connect with it the way others have. I would suggest this to anyone looking for a light listen with a happy ending

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OK on the story YIKES on the narration

Revisado: 10-19-16

the problem here is not the narrators themselves (i'm sure there are books out there that they would be perfect for) but the entire direction of the narration: lack of direction and even worse casting. Not sure how it works but if I was an author I would be making damned sure that my work was lifted up by the audio performance, instead of brought down, that the audio-book would be an experience in and of itself. ( To hear this listen to " The Orphan Master's Son" or "Girl on the Train" both masterpiece of narration here on audible)

Gabe was Laughably overacted. Like some prohibition Chicago detective or a spoof on Dick Tracy. Colin was similarly cheesy although to a lesser degree. Eve was OK as herself, I eventually warmed to her cold period like voice but when she had to do others voices , Americans it was downright bizarre almost a speech impediment, incredibly distracting. I'm sure the narration is why I had a hard time connecting to the characters but even so these characters, well all except Eve were underdeveloped. I loved Eve she exemplified motherly love. Also the "love story" should have developed sooner and the "twist" was VERY predictable yet unrealistic. " Gone Girl" is a great example of a well done "crazy twist" the endless comparisons to this novel are not apt. Amy is person capable of such insanity, its believable.

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mmm not great

Revisado: 09-26-16

I feel like one person read this and said “OMG it’s the next ‘Gone Girl’ “or “It’s the next ‘Girl on the Train!’” and it just spread like wildfire to people like myself left desperate and lost after finishing both those books. That’s the only explanation I can come up with as to how it ended up on the best seller list. It certainly wasn’t on merit of writing alone. The story line is interesting and up there with its girl titled counterparts but the writing really did leave much to be desired, could have done so much more with the concept. It felt a bit amateurish to me, like a novel you would pick up at the airport if your flight was delayed, something “young adult” about it despite the subject matter. It really felt like a story as well, really distinctly storyish in its own little polite world. You don’t get a sense that the characters are real human beings at all nothing to get lost in, nothing to relate to or emote about. Don’t get me wrong this wasn’t unlistenable it was OK and I really did want to find out how it ended so I finished it in a day but no great fiction . I also thought it was very drawn out would have been much better as a short novella.

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Amazing! Exactly what I needed

Revisado: 09-21-16

Any additional comments?

I TRULY believe this book would be helpful to any person with a space to call their own. no matter if that is a whole house, condo, room or even an office. This is really life changing stuff here. If you are fully committed to the konmari method this book is an invaluable guide. My problem with the first book is that as great as it was I wanted more, more guidance more direction. Sometimes that direction is perfect like "hmm that really does make sense no wonder my socks are always so worn out, I need to follow her suggestion" and sometimes that direction guides you to your own decisions "I really hate folding my smaller underwear, its easier just to toss them all in a pretty box in my underwear drawer. they are just as easy to take out and their visual joy factor is still strong. I think Kondo would approve". regardless of what she says at the beginning I think this guidance is really necessary.

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Life changing

Revisado: 09-21-16

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this book is truly life changing. Read it in paper back first and it is so important to me I felt like it was prudent to also give it a listen in audible form and I indeed did catch things I didn't in the hard copy. I suggest everyone read this once ( not long) or listen just to see if it is for you. Although I don't agree with Kondo about everything, namely her need for a second clarifying guide book ( which I also loved), "life changing" is no exaggeration. However if you are already committed to this process the first book is pretty extraneous and My advice would be to purchase the second if you only want to buy one.

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disappointing: campy narration

Revisado: 09-21-16

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The book itself is a decent kind of mindless read but the listen ruined it. This narrator reminds me of a nerdy drama teacher, so over the top his inflections are so exaggerated I am willing to bet it betrays the authors emotional intentions. Especially when narrating the voice of a woman I cringe. I had high hopes after "the life we bury" which surprised me in a good way, however the tones of these two books couldn't be different.

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