A year of nothing - Summer Autumn

by Emma Gannon

'In nature, things are allowed to break down and regenerate and build back up again. But as humans, it feels trickier. Life is busy. You can’t really schedule in a breakdown’

Sometimes it’s all a bit too much.

Have you considered doing nothing about it?

For years, Emma Gannon has written about work, wellbeing and productivity. Then she was struck by chronic burnout and could barely get out of bed.

Something had to change.

Returning to TPP with A Year of Nothing, the author gives a moving account of why she had no choice but to switch off, go underground, and find joy and wisdom in mundane pleasures.

Split over two books and four seasons, Emma writes with warmth about dog borrowing, dopamine dressing, learning how to swim (again), choosing to be child free, tuning into nature and much more.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction

69 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2024

About the author

Emma Gannon is the Sunday Times bestselling author of eight books, including ‘A Year of Nothing‘ and ‘Olive’, her debut novel, which was nominated for the Dublin Literary Award. Her second novel, ‘Table for One’, published in 2025 with HarperCollins. Emma also runs the popular Substack newsletter, ‘The Hyphen’, which has thousands of paid subscribers. She also hosts creativity retreats all over the world and was a judge for the 2025 Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction.

Reviews

[Katie Allen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe I'm getting old and critical, but when I buy something that is advertised as a book, I guess I expect a book? This feels like a collection of polished journal entries that summarize each month of the year that she "did nothing." It felt rushed and superficial for a book that's actually about some really deep stuff. I appreciated a few points here and there, but overall, I felt like I just finished reading a long article with a clickbait title.

[Megan Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second half of this book is better than the first. More insightful.

[Simona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Emma's writing. I really cherish her self-reflection, simplicity in words, and complex and deep subjects (such as burnout) that she writes/talks about.

This is a tiny book about building yourself up from years of work: creative work, people-pleasing/emotional work, over-commitment, numbing yourself with alcohol, etc.

After reading this, I feel a little bit more inspired to pause, re-discover a new hobby, and be a bit more intentional with my time and the people surrounding me.

5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Min Master · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly Emma Gannon could write anything at this point and I’d buy it and love it and tell everyone else to read it.

Her words bring me so much comfort and I feel very understood when I read her books. So gentle and so heartwarming - l simply adore her 🥹

[Ilaria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up part II of this book on a morning where I felt scattered and anxious – and it felt like a warm blanket placed on my chest. I loved the simplicity of it, the fact I didn’t have to decipher what the author was trying to convey.

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend!

[Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Adrienne Gordon]

Fascinating!

[charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second part landed at the right time. I loved her “letters from love”

[Kerri Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely easy read with some useful tips and an insight into mental health and the fast paced world we live in. Would recommend for a quick comfort read