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gasoline_allie's review against another edition
3.0
This is not a how-to guide for tiny house construction or even a practical guide to tiny house living, and no one should expect it to be. Just as it says in the tin, this is a memoir by a woman who chose to build and live in a tiny house after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure.
I feel somewhat conflicted. I liked a lot of what she had to say, such as how easy it is to be so wrapped up in making a living that we forget to live, how there is joy in minimalism (but getting rid of your books hurts!), and that everyday things, from the sunrise to frost on the window, are small miracles meant to be noticed and treasured. I was envious how things that are real issues in alternative housing—such as finding a place to build her house, finding a place to park it, and dealing with local zoning laws that are not tiny-house friendly—were barely concerns for her at all, but that didn’t diminish my enjoyment. It just made me think about how many of us lack a community of friends and neighbors.
It’s the distance that bugged me. Memoirs invite intimacy, don’t they? I expect to feel like I really know someone. Despite Williams sharing her illness, her sense of her own mortality, and her grief, I always felt like she was holding herself at a great distance from her readers. Because of this, her humor often felt forced, and anecdotes from her life felt fictionalized. Not saying they were, mind you. Just that they felt that way. And, no, people don’t have to share their inner selves with strangers. I certainly wouldn’t…but that means I wouldn’t write a memoir.
I’d give this 3.25 stars, if goodreads allowed that level of nuance.
I feel somewhat conflicted. I liked a lot of what she had to say, such as how easy it is to be so wrapped up in making a living that we forget to live, how there is joy in minimalism (but getting rid of your books hurts!), and that everyday things, from the sunrise to frost on the window, are small miracles meant to be noticed and treasured. I was envious how things that are real issues in alternative housing—such as finding a place to build her house, finding a place to park it, and dealing with local zoning laws that are not tiny-house friendly—were barely concerns for her at all, but that didn’t diminish my enjoyment. It just made me think about how many of us lack a community of friends and neighbors.
It’s the distance that bugged me. Memoirs invite intimacy, don’t they? I expect to feel like I really know someone. Despite Williams sharing her illness, her sense of her own mortality, and her grief, I always felt like she was holding herself at a great distance from her readers. Because of this, her humor often felt forced, and anecdotes from her life felt fictionalized. Not saying they were, mind you. Just that they felt that way. And, no, people don’t have to share their inner selves with strangers. I certainly wouldn’t…but that means I wouldn’t write a memoir.
I’d give this 3.25 stars, if goodreads allowed that level of nuance.
christenebs's review against another edition
4.0
Closer to a 4.5. This book made me think about what I own and why I own it.
cher_n_books's review against another edition
3.0
3 stars - It was good.
Was less about minimalism and more about her personal life than I was expecting, but still an interesting and thought provoking read. Those interested in tiny house living will also find this one worthwhile.
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Favorite Quote: Most important, I stumbled into a new sort of “happiness,” one that didn’t hinge on always getting what I want, but rather, on wanting what I have. It’s the kind of happiness that isn’t tied so tightly to being comfortable (or having money and property), but instead is linked to a deeper sense of satisfaction—to a sense of humility and gratitude, and a better understanding of who I am in my heart.
First Sentence: For months now, I’ve been waking up at four in the morning.
Was less about minimalism and more about her personal life than I was expecting, but still an interesting and thought provoking read. Those interested in tiny house living will also find this one worthwhile.
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Favorite Quote: Most important, I stumbled into a new sort of “happiness,” one that didn’t hinge on always getting what I want, but rather, on wanting what I have. It’s the kind of happiness that isn’t tied so tightly to being comfortable (or having money and property), but instead is linked to a deeper sense of satisfaction—to a sense of humility and gratitude, and a better understanding of who I am in my heart.
First Sentence: For months now, I’ve been waking up at four in the morning.
marblesonglass's review against another edition
4.0
I'm intrigued by the idea of tiny house living. Though I'm not sure I'd be able to do it full-time, the idea of a tiny little getaway just for myself sounds amazing.
caroparr's review against another edition
3.0
A highly readable account of how a forty-something woman changed her life. Diagnosed with congestive heart failure, and beginning to tire of her conventional house, Williams decided to build a tiny house by herself and then live in it. No hot water and only a composting toilet, but she is parked in the yard of friends who give her access to a shower and wifi. I have no interest at all in doing this but loved reading about it.
govmarley's review against another edition
3.0
I love tiny houses. I want to build one and live in it. My husband, who is a giant, does not share my love of small spaces. You see, he's over a foot taller than me, and would not like to live in the small box Dee Williams designed for herself and her dog.
A house on wheels? Yes, please. Then you can hit the road and go where the four winds take you. (Not literally, because I don't think this house would stand up to a tornado, but you take my point.) Sometimes life makes you stop and listen. The author had some health issues that made her take a different path. For some people it's tragedy. For some it's grief. For some it's a close call or a glimpse of someone else's horror. Whatever causes the wake-up call, more people need to hear it. Life is too short. Are you living the life you want?
She is a free-spirit, a vagabond, and thinks differently than most of the world. I like that. Dee, if you are reading this, I want to hang out on your front stoop and chat. I'll bring the coffee.
A house on wheels? Yes, please. Then you can hit the road and go where the four winds take you. (Not literally, because I don't think this house would stand up to a tornado, but you take my point.) Sometimes life makes you stop and listen. The author had some health issues that made her take a different path. For some people it's tragedy. For some it's grief. For some it's a close call or a glimpse of someone else's horror. Whatever causes the wake-up call, more people need to hear it. Life is too short. Are you living the life you want?
She is a free-spirit, a vagabond, and thinks differently than most of the world. I like that. Dee, if you are reading this, I want to hang out on your front stoop and chat. I'll bring the coffee.
kayleigh_reads_romance's review against another edition
Kinda boring. Not really about tiny houses at all.