Overview
Uncover the hidden stories behind America's obsession with stuff in this witty and insightful exploration of our consumer culture.
What drives our urge to accumulate? Why do we cling to items long past their usefulness? Alison Stewart delves into the psychology, economics, and environmental impact of our overflowing homes and landfills. From profiles of junk removal experts to explorations of the minimalist movement, Junk offers a fresh perspective on our relationship with possessions.
Discover the surprising history of clutter, the psychology of hoarding, and the creative solutions people are finding to combat our culture of excess. Meet the quirky personalities who make a living from our castoffs, and learn how you can declutter your own life while making a positive impact on the planet. Perfect for fans of social commentary and anyone seeking a more mindful approach to consumption.
Reviews
“Finally, a book that explains my lava lamp, boxes of cassette tapes, and three pairs of clogs. Thank you, Alison Stewart! This book is overdue, and I promise not to put it on one of my piles.” —Hoda Kotb, cohost of the Today Show
“To my dear beloved survivors: when you one day clean out my basement, you’ll find a copy of Alison Stewart’s Junk. Sit down on the pile of New Yorkers, turn on that halogen floor lamp I used in college, crack open a can of Jolt Cola (you’ll find about three cases), and read about why all the stuff around you isn’t necessarily junk—except for that stack of VHS tapes. That's just crap.” —Mo Rocca, correspondent for CBS Sunday Morning and host of My Grandmother’s Ravioli
“Somebody’s going to say it, so let me be the first: Junk is a treasure. It’s an enlightening look into our modern world featuring space garbage, spam, and chicken-shaped table lamps. Buy it, read it, and store it in the attic.” —A. J. Jacobs, author of The Know-It-All and The Year of Living Biblically
“If you suspect that you are holding onto things that hold you back in your life, you want to read Junk by Alison Stewart. Whether they are the physical items stuck in a drawer or ideas stuck in your head, Junk will make you think about what you keep and why.” —Cheryl Hunter, Life Coach and author of Lose It: Turn Setbacks into Success
“Absorbing and enjoyably compelling research on the packrat conundrum in our society.” —Kirkus Reviews
"[A]n engaging narrative." —Booklist
"Stewart’s compelling and readable book is for those who are fascinated by stuff and are in search of something other than decluttering or organization manuals." —Library Journal
Author Biography
Alison Stewart is an award-winning journalist whose 20-year career includes anchoring and reporting for NBC News, ABC News, and CBS News. Stewart is the author of First Class: The Legacy of Dunbar, America’s First Black Public High School, and is currently the host of the Travel Channel program, Follow My Past. She lives in New York City.
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