Editorial Review:
Have you ever found yourself asking, “How did my life get so out of control?” Or wondering if this bigger life you have created is actually a better life?
Most of us have lives that are as cluttered with unwanted obligations as our attics are cluttered with things. The bigger-is-better idea that triggered the explosion of McMansions has spilled over to give us McLives–leaving us with chaotic, overcommitted schedules and no time to do what we want to do.
In The Not So Big Life, architect Sarah Susanka expands her revolutionary philosophy on inhabiting space to show us how to better inhabit our lives. Through simple exercises and inspiring stories, Susanka reveals that all we need to do is make small shifts in our day–subtle movements that open our minds as if we were opening windows to let in fresh air. The result: We quickly discover that we have all the space and time we need for the things in our lives that really matter. These small changes can yield great rewards. In her elegant, clear style, Susanka convinces us that less is truly more–much more.
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Customer Reviews
Average Customer Rating: 
When bad books happen to good architects  2008-09-04
One of the worst books I've come across in a while--I barely got half way through it. In fact, I was listening to it on audio book in my car on a long trip--good thing I didn't fall asleep at the wheel. Repetitive, mushy, new-agey mumbo jumbo--nothing practical to grab onto here. The most interesting comments in the book were about planning homes--something she REALLY knows about. Stick to architecture, ditch the psychology, Susanka!
Great insights  2008-08-08
This book has been amazingly helpful with looking at my priorities and making time AND changes. Well written and packed with gold nuggets that are helpful in everyday life.
not so big, not so much 2008-06-10
I LOVE the Not So Big House books - I have purchased all of them. I saw "The Not So Big Life" at our public library and took it home, and am I glad I borrowed and didn't purchase it. I enjoy the writing style and outlook of her architectural style books, but unfortunately this book is lacking in practical method in simplifying your life, which is what I expected from the title. It makes annoying assumptions that the reader has the luxury (as obviously the author has) to step back from the real world. Making copious lists of life experiences and their effect on my psyche doesn't do it for me. I tried several times to read it from the beginning, to "flip through," to try and find chapters that applied to me, with no luck. Some reviewers say the book worked for them, but I highly encourage you to check it out at your local library before placing your order.
Buy This Book! 2008-04-14
Incredible! No one should ever build a house without reading this book and the whole series of her books.....it is simply amazing the insight provided .....she sees things at a completely different level; things that are hidden to the rest of us. If you are not building a house this is a great book about life. Will save you thousands of dollars in wasted $ and will insure that you build not just a house but a home!.
Slow writing and few new insights make for a book that is worth reading, but not worth buying  2008-02-23
I got this book from a friend who knows how VERY much I enjoy Susanka's Not So Big House books. I also love reading books about how to improve myself and my life, so this seemed at first glance like it'd be perfect for me.
Unfortunately, since I have read a few self-improvement books, I didn't find anything truly new and helpful here. I appreciate that Susanka is trying to draw in an audience that might not normally buy self-help books, but her writing pace here is slow, lacks passion, and didn't get me fired up to do even the things that I already thought were a good idea. (I think a good editor might have made all the difference here, unfortunately the editor didn't edit much.)
Don't get me wrong, the book is not without value; but for me, growing up with a new-age mom, excited all my life about reading books that help me make the most of myself - I didn't find anything truly new here, and it wasn't presented in a fashion that made up for its lack of newness.
At the end of the book I had three bookmarks in it - one for a quote that showed the importance of our surroundings to our inner life, and two for points that Susanka made that I felt were new takes on old subjects. But overall, I didn't get the cover price in value out of this. Not that I am bitter, the Not So Big House book that I own is falling apart at the seams from use, so I owe the author a debt of gratitude there.
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