#am reading Stuffocation, living more with less 

Author: James Wallman

Discovered: Reviewed in the Daily Telegraph

Where read: (in part) In the sun by the Thames at Marlow

What's the story?

James Wallman is a writer, journalist and trend forecaster who sets out, in this book, to present some brilliantly accessible research into mass and post-consumerism. When did we start replacing things before they were worn out and borrowing money to do so?

     

The Word's Shortlist view:

As much as a week in the South of France was the perfect opportunity to binge on fiction I found myself craving some new ideas on my return to work. Afterall, there’s nothing like some life-changing research to clear the post holiday blues! Could Stuffocation be the answer?

‘Stuffocation’, Wallman suggests, is the tipping point at which accumulating more possessions results in anxiety. The book challenges purchase decisions we’ve all made to have the 'latest' or to to keep up with peers (like those pesky Joneses) but then compares that with the ascetic existence of true and committed minimalists.

Wallman concisely tracks the course of consumer history from pre-industrial revolution subsistence to over production and mass consumerism. Research and real life stories, from Barbra Streisand to Mad Men, bring the statistics to life.

So where does all this wind up? Wallman argues (and don't forget he's a proven trend forecaster) that there is a safe place where 'considered consumerism' meets Experientialism. More than de-cluttering and down sizing this is about experience over possessions and about the Millennial obsession with social media fuelled status updates.

Who should read this book?

Is this a book for the affluent of middle England?  Perhaps, but to dismiss the book as middle class is short sighted. Read this book if you've ever faced the decision; new TV or holiday. 

What’s next on the bookshelf

Worst. Person. Ever by Douglas Coupland

Tweet of the week:

Complaints about sexism in literary publishing continue http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/jul/31/male-writers-hide-gender-sell-more-books …

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