Year of No Clutter

A Memoir

By: Eve O. Schaub

Narrated by: Callie Beaulieu

Length: 8 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

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 But what Eve discovers isn't just old CDs and outdated clothing, but a fierce desire within herself to hold on to her identity.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 Author Channeled ME!

I have come out of the closet in the past year and have declared that I am a hoarder. I wouldn't become champion on "All-Star Hoarders," but I do my share. I called myself a saver or a recycler, but I had to finally come clean with myself and admit the truth. While I have "come out" as a hoarder to some people, I still do not have the candor that Eve Schaub has in this book. I love her so much.

I do have to admit a bit of jealousy knowing that she has that huge room and most of her clutter was confined there. Mine is not. But my house is much smaller.

The main thing I loved about this is that she honestly and rationally explained why she is the way she is. I, too, save things for sentimental reasons. As she said about her father, he didn't want to give things up because he might forget the memory that the item evoked.

Something that has prompted me to let go is the thought that my adult children will be burdened by my "legacy" if I don't cut it down.

I so appreciated taking this journey with Eve in making her Hell Room usable again. I'm not sure if I'm ready to get rid of that fifth grade report card (yes, I do have it!) but I hope to channel a little of Eve O. Schaub as I sort through the souvenirs of my life.

Great book, just okay narration

Lovely, lively writing but I struggled with the narrator's sometimes monotone performance. It just didn't seem like a good fit. The story really resonated with me though and I'd happily listen to it again. As someone who struggles with both clutter and mental illness herself I really appreciate the author's frank, funny, and poignant story.

Clutterers can relate!

Eve wrote my story! I could relate to all of it! You have to be a clutterer/collector to understand, or live with one. I loved it! It's always nice to know that I am not alone in my struggles!

Helpful insight

Great read! Can't wait to read it again and gather more thoughts and insight. The narrator was truly delightful.

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.

Written for me..

This is the book I most needed at this time. it has created the momentum that I hoped for. I will let the process unfold and return to the book as needed. There is a great deal of insight and, for me, historical information that was important. Even though I am a generation older than the author, her content nicely weaves through all generations.

Depressing look at the darkness

I got this while dealing with a horrible manager at work who played a lot of power games. I wanted to have more knowledge about power in order to cope. The book describes many dirty dealings throughout history. The narrative wanders throughout time and place, giving numerous anecdotes of humanity’s rottenness. It was useful to gain understanding about what goes on in the minds of the powerful and abusive. The book was well-narrated. However, it was so depressing that I couldn’t finish it.

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.

Humorous and Real

As I listened to the story, there were times I wanted to stop but couldn’t. Through the humorous, all be slightly, disturbing, eyes of the author, I saw myself in some of the declutterring dilemmas she described. I enjoyed the personal, honest account of her journey and those around her. By the end of the book, I was screaming to, “Please, rip the carpet out!!”