Blog tour: A Year of Living Simply

Welcome to the blog tour for A Year of Living Simply by Kate Humble!

Synopsis: If there is one thing that most of us aspire to, it is, simply, to be happy.  And yet attaining happiness has become, it appears, anything but simple. Having stuff - The Latest, The Newest, The Best Yet - is all too often peddled as the sure fire route to happiness.  So why then, in our consumer-driven society, is depression, stress and anxiety ever more common, affecting every strata of society and every age, even, worryingly, the very young?  Why is it, when we have so much, that many of us still feel we are missing something and the rush of pleasure when we buy something new turns so quickly into a feeling of emptiness, or purposelessness, or guilt?

So what is the route to real, deep, long lasting happiness?  Could it be that our lives have just become overly crowded, that we've lost sight of the things - the simple things - that give a sense of achievement, a feeling of joy or excitement? That make us happy.  Do we need to take a step back, reprioritise?  Do we need to make our lives more simple?

Kate Humble's fresh and frank exploration of a stripped-back approach to life is uplifting, engaging and inspiring - and will help us all find balance and happiness every day.

How did this book end up in my hands? In order to join this blog tour, I received a copy of this book ahead of publication in exchange for my honest opinion.

Did the book meet my expectations? I am all for minimal and simple living. At present it is more of a dream than a reality but despite that – or perhaps because of that – I find myself drawn to the experience of others, who might have succeeded where I haven’t yet… or who might be trying just as I am. On the eve of moving home, this book has been filling my cup of motivation quite nicely. I found it relatable and approachable, entertaining and authentic. I have a thing about not skipping here and there in a book so I religiously read it from the first to the last page. Now that I’ve done that, however, I feel like it’s one of those books that I will keep at hand to dip in and out of again.

Three words to describe it. Inspirational. Aspirational. Practical.

Do I like the cover? It is simply elegant and beautiful. It fits the book perfectly. Also, the illustrations within the book are gorgeous.

Have I read any other books by the same author? No, but I feel like I need to read Thinking on My Feet, preferably before the year is over.