Paper & Glam Book Club discussion

It's time to start our second year of reading together!

Here we go with January's selection...I can't wait to hear your thoughts. I'm not planning to start until the New Year but I know the early-birds are already between the covers.

Please let us know your thoughts as you finish up and any discussions questions you'd like to incorporate into our monthly live chat, enjoy!

I started reading it last week (still working on it). I find some of her ideas a little strange (touching everything to let it know it's loved) but others are good. Before I finished the chapter on clothes I had gone through my closet and thrown out one bag and donated a second one.

It also motivated my husband (who read it first) and me to go to our basement and take a critical look at what we had downstairs (result: lots of stuff to get rid of).

Although I know I'm going to have trouble getting rid of any books. I actually had done exactly what she suggested (take all your book off the shelves) a few months ago during a big clean and got rid of some then.

I loved it! Yes, some of her ideas are strange but that makes it a very funny read, not unimportant in a book about something as boring as tidying.
Immediately after I finished it, I cleaned the entire house, threw out a few bags and donated as much. As she predicted this even inspired my partner to clean out his closets and man-cave as well!

I was indeed afraid of cleaning out my precious books, but cleaning out all of the other categories does get you on a 'cleaning-high' and makes it easier. Afterwards it did feel as a huge relief not having to see some of the books I knew I would never get around reading and felt guilty about every time I passed by the bookshelves.

It is still a work in progress and it's funny how every time you pass an untidy spot you remember some of her words and immediately feel the need to do something about it. Especially the story about the young woman who wanted a more feminine home and a place where she could do yoga in peace inspired me.

I actually read this right before I saw it was January's pick! While some of her practices did seem a little off to me, it did inspire me to do a major purge and clean. With Christmas this week though none of it is getting done, so I'm looking forward to getting it done in January!

read this and loved it! This was my start of becoming a Minimalist! I've recommended this book to a handful of people and they love the concept and have applied it to their lives as well.

Just finished this one! Really liked it...not sure I will fully implement her method but going to try some aspects of it for sure!!!

I've already read a few blurbs - loved what I read - and can't wait to receive this book from Amazon in a few days. I feel a major freeing purge coming on!

I listened to this on Audible and just completed it today. I found myself taking notes and having a strange impulse to tidy my house, lol. Even though one of my New Years resolutions is to tidy my home I have yet to begin. However, hearing the theories presented in the book I now have a better understanding of why I have been putting off something that I am resolved to accomplish.

It's all good, Julia.
Did you like listening to the book?
Debi

Thanks Debi! Yes, I enjoyed listening to it because it gave me a break from reading (I've read a lot of different books this month) a hard copy. I liked being able to multitask (mindless cleaning chores) while I listened. Now I'm on an audio book kick!

I bought this book months back and it took me awhile to really get into it-- but the last two days I have just been reading it and have really found myself making notes! 2016 is all about getting rid of clutter and focusing on quality for me -- less is more quality vs quantity and I have gotten so much inspiration from this book! I do like the cultural aspects that come out as well in the book -- one thing that got me was her point to unpack your purse daily and I was like noway not happening and then she makes a point that we will leaving something or have duplicates and today I forgot my bank card when I switched bags and bought a duplicate lip gloss so touché ! Still not sure I can unpack my purse nightly but point take !
I did buy the follow up book that has been released spark joy -- I like that concept does this spark joy -- interesting pick and read !

I found a few of her ideas a little outside my comfort zone which I imagine is the point. I did however get inspired to go through almost my entire house and sort through every room if not almost every drawer, cabinet and box. I feel like a new woman this year because of it. I decided to revamp my planner game and set myself up with a few exciting new year goals/ resolutions that I'm looking forward to accomplishing. This was an excellent way to start off the year. Thanks for the pick Lisamarie...

Yay, Kassidi!

Love reading all your thoughts on your January read while prepping for book club tonight. I'm so excited to hear everyone's experience sparking joy and tidying!

I'm not entirely done with the book. I fell off reading because I started watching Downton Abbey! Smh. Binge watching shows. Anyway so far I agree with everyone else, I like some of her concepts but some of it's a little out there for me. Thanking your things and folding them like they have feelings is a little much. I will definitely be trying some of her ideas. We will see how it goes.

I've still got the last chapter to read but so far I agree with many of the comments. Some parts are a bit repetitive and some of the author's own experiences seemed a bit mad (not sure how healthy it was for her to be so obsessed with tidying as a child!). However, I like the premise of tackling one category of "stuff" at a time and I tried this with tops last weekend and after a quick count up when they were piled up on the floor I had more than 50! It was so much easier to get rid of things I don't need (or don't bring me joy!) when I could see properly what I actually had. I also like the focus on folding and I am now the proud owner of a clothes folder (like Sheldon has on Big Bang Theory) and it is amazing - I didn't realise how much difference it would make! Great choice of book, looking forward to the next one!

I read it back last summer and loved applying the principals to my lifestyle - although I don't 100% agree with everything in the book, I do believe that you should only surround yourself with things that bring you joy. I enjoyed the book and the teachings but I did find it very repetitive - I feel like she could have surmised the principles into a chapter or two. Nonetheless, I have recommended this book to several girlfriends!

Just finished this last month right after a big home overhaul and I still found some usual tips and ideas. I plan on revisiting some areas for some touch ups.

*useful*