A Year of Living Simply opens with Kate writing about the bereavements that she suffered quite close together and the realisation that she just need to re-connect with nature and to live a much simpler life. We follow her over a year as she meets with various people who are all living more simply and she takes inspiration and ideas from all of them.

I wanted to read this book as soon as I saw the title as it just feels with all the anxiety around world events at the moment that making life as simple as it can be is the way to go. A Year of Living Simply was written before the pandemic so isn’t about that but so much of what Kate writes about could be written about what a lot of us have learnt in recent months, about the things that really matter to us.

I knew I was going to love this book when I realised that what set Kate off on her journey was the loss of her father. I immediately identified with the urge to make changes in your life when you lost a parent, I was the same when my mum died. Kate starts by attempting to declutter cupboards in her house and I loved reading about that. As you may know I finally decluttered my house a couple of years ago and it has changed my life, it’s so much easier when you have less stuff.

Through the book Kate meets with people who build and live in self-sustaining eco homes, which was fascinating. The homes sound so beautiful and I could really imagine what they must be like to live in. She also meets a woman who set up a cafe that combines grabbing a coffee with having household items repaired, or being taught to repair your own belongings. This really was interesting and I wish there were more of these cafes around the country (and the world). I hate how much we throw away simply because we don’t know how to repair things or because it’s cheaper to buy a new one.

I loved reading about Kate’s attempts to start her own vegetable garden. I really appreciated that she shared her failures as well as successes, it made this book very down to earth. I have only attempted to grow vegetables once and it was a disaster as I had no real idea what I was doing. Kate has made me see that with a bit of research and persistence that I could get there if I tried again.

The book is written in such a way that feels so inclusive – it’s one woman’s journey to discover a simpler life but she absolutely brings you along with her. I loved that about it – Kate’s writing is really lovely.

A Year of Living Simply is a gorgeous book. It’s both soothing to read and also a book that will inspire you to think about how to make your own life simpler and to focus on the things that really matter to you. This book is perfect for anyone and I will definitely be buying copies for Christmas gifts this year! I highly recommend this one!

I loved this book so much its such a refreshing book to read at the moment during the COVID 19 and it was lovely to hear all about kates life and adventures and all the people she has come across, This book comes across Just as Kate does on the TV full of Life.

I would recommend this book..

With thanks to Netgalley & Octopus Publishing for the ARC of this book in exchange for this review.

3.5 stars

I chose this book as I really enjoy Kate’s enthusiasm as a TV presenter. This comes through in the book and you find yourself reading it in her voice. I admire the intent to live a simple life, something many of us strive for but fall short. It’s full of anecdotes and stories of friends who have done this. In a way, however, it takes a back seat and watches. It’s a fine line between inspirational and preachy and I felt it crossed the line a time or two. I also found it ironic that, in wishing to live an environmentally friendly life, impacting as little as possible on the world’s resources, one would fly to Albuquerque to research (and hep). Having said that, it’s a gentle and interesting read.

This book is like a big, warm hug - it manages to put across some of the vital themes we should all be addressing to ensure a future for our planet, but extols the joy to be found in living more simply and cutting down on the things we all see as essential, but are really not necessary at all. The people Kate Humble meets, the ideas she shares with them, her own experiences and the extraordinary beauty of our planet (and of her own small part of it) are all conveyed with honesty and a refreshing lack of pretension or preaching. Savour this book, and if everyone who reads it takes on even one of Kate’s ideas, the world will be a better place.

This book was a delight to read. I loved Kate Humble’s humorous writing style. It is very apt that this book is coming out now. The idea of living more simply is one a lot of us think about. There is a lot of good ideas in this book and stories about the people Kate has met whilst researching ways to live a simpler life.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

A wonderful book ,Kate Humble writes such wonderful words she takes the reader with her as she explores all aspects of simple living .one of my very favourite books .

I enjoyed this start to end. Katie has an easy, natural style much like her presenting. Her anecdotes and tales are easy to read and helpful. Her suggestions were attainable and adaptable to most lifestyles, and as encouraging and they were enjoyable to read.

In light of the Covid-19 pandemic that has caused poverty, unemployment and growing levels of anxiety around the world I felt this book was a bit frivolous and badly timed. Kate comes across as a lovely person but I couldn't relate to her point of view.

Kate Humble takes us on an inner and outer journey of living a less cluttered and more satisfying life in every way. This story of seeking to live more simply may be deeply personal but its wisdom is universally applicable to us all. Her words tread lightly, full of warmth, passion and charm, yet they leave a great imprint in our hearts.

Through diverse experiences, such as: foraging, forest living, building an eco-friendly Earthship home, productive gardening and bread making, whether relishing fresh melons, savouring chilli jam or eating Marmite on toast, the author encourages us to live thoughtfully and reminds us to take note of the small, prosaic things of life that nurture our souls.

We are taken on a journey of discovery to places we might never get to visit. We’re also dropped straight into our ordinary existence and get to see how wonder-filled it actually is. Here you will find evocative nature writing sprinkled with delightful, humorous anecdotes, and several inspiring stories of the experts who willingly teach her new skills along the way.

This is a rattling good read and a refreshingly open account of one woman’s great desire to simplify her life while not resorting to asceticism or living a colourless or joyless kind of existence. On the contrary, we are encouraged to retain what we love, and live our best carefully curated lives, while respecting the environment. Grateful thanks to the author, Octopus Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.

Warm wonderful read the author draws you into her world her life .her suggestions for making life happier easier .From the opening pages I enjoyed getting to know Kate Humble she is like a dear friend with a warm fun loving personality who brings you into her life with open arms.So many wonderful suggestions her lovely friends a book to relax grab a cup of tea and enjoy.#netgalley #octopuspublishing

A charming and well-written collections of anecdotes about Kate Humble's exploration of living a rural life, complete with some great memories of places and people that will stay with you.
There is a nice balance between her passion for saving the planet and the minutiae of learning new skills as an adult trying to make a go of rural life.
Most people can already bake bread, use a sewing machine and tidy their own cupboards without coaching - but it is fun to read about someone else's experiences.
This is for anyone looking for practical advice about how to transform their daily life. The emphasis is on mindset and intention. We can't all have a farm in Wales and a french lakeside retreat.
But the recipe for chilli jam sounds easy and delicious.

Loved this book from cover to cover. Resourceful, innovative and humorous. A great read for a budding gardener like myself. It made me look at the land and our planet in a more pro-active way. Highly recommended.

Full of warmth like snuggling up in a warm duvet.
Lots of wonderful anecdotes.
Makes you really feel that you are there looking through her eyes!
A book that can be read and read over again