A Year of Nothing: The inspiring Observer Book Club pick

by Emma Gannon (Author/Narrator)

Foreword by JULIA CAMERON, author of THE ARTIST'S WAY

After years of writing about work, wellness and productivity, Emma Gannon hit a chronic burnout left her unable to get out of bed. Something had to change.

A Year of Nothing follows Emma's quiet rebellion against the cult of doing. Over four seasons, she steps away from the noise and rediscovers joy in life's simplest pleasures, from dog borrowing and dopamine dressing to relearning how to swim and embracing a child-free life.

This is a gentle, hopeful guide to what happens when you stop trying to fix everything and choose to feel instead.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Audiobook, Self Help, Biography Memoir, Mental Health, Biography

Audiobook

Published July 1, 2026

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

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book about the author's 'Year of nothing' after a burnout is split into monthly journal-like sections. I really liked the useful, accessible and practical ideas at the end of each month, from cheerful dressing to readdressing your relationship to alcohol, these were really easy for you to take and try to implement them in your own life. But I wanted to know more about how she couldn't function and the depth of what she was feeling and thinking was lacking. The title for me also doesn't quite fit, as she does an awful lot from expensive retreats, holidays and alternative therapies in her year of nothing. It's also comes from a very privileged position of being able to take a year off work and having lots of financial/family/friend support. While I loved the positive practical elements the depth, truth and honesty in a small book about burnout recovery was missing for you to be able to trust and want to listen to and take her advice. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc for my honest opinion.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author is an incredibly privileged woman with a stable marriage, a job writing, savings, and resources who has a breakdown from the strenuous life of writing and promoting her books. Happily, she is able to take a year off, supported by her partner and family to literally do nothing except rest. And at the end, she has a deal to write a book about it and instruct us on the art of doing nothing.

Snark aside, I wish everyone had the privilege to take a year off when in the midst of a breakdown. But alas, most of us have bills to pay and children to care for. Still, perhaps all of us need to do more resting and resist the urge to hustle.

[Emily Katy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This chronicles Emma Gannon’s year of burnout in diary entries. Despite liking the writing style, it wasn’t what I hoped for. The writing felt quite surface-level, and I kept wanting more depth and vulnerability in how she explored her emotions. While that may have been an intentional choice to protect her privacy, I didn’t connect with this book in the way I hoped to.

[Eda · Rating 2 out of 5]

It will resonate with you if you're rich enough

[Violet · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this very short book about the author's year of recovering after burnout a bit underwhelming and too self-indulgent to be enjoyable or relatable. Sure, burnout is an awful thing to go through, but who is able to take a whole year off, and spend it exploring alternative therapies, writing "letters of unconditional love" to themselves, and spend a week in a luxury spa and hotel in Portugal to rest.... The parts about being anxious and unwell were full of platitudes, and the book could have been a blog.

Free copy sent by Netgalley.

[Casey · Rating 2 out of 5]

5 stars to Emma Gannon on her survival of burn out - I’m very glad she got through such a challenging period of her life. It’s frustrating that she barely acknowledges her privilege though, for example being both mentally and financially able to go on holidays and to wellness retreats. Of course other people having it worse doesn’t take away from what she went through - I dislike slithering into the direction of suggesting so - but this book would likely sting anyone experiencing the likes of being financially on the brink whilst living through the worst of a mental health condition or being too unwell to leave their house.

Some lovely sentiments and messages throughout the book - I found the swimming chapter and its mentions of her parents particularly sweet. I would have liked the depth of emotion she explored in the likes of Olive and Table for One, two books that made her an author I’ll never skip a release from.

[Dannii Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A concise insight to what healing from burnout can look like. This is less like a book of tips and tricks, although some terrific insights are imparted, but more a look into Gannon's own brain, how it sabotaged her, and how she brought herself back from the brink.

[Rebecca Eccleston · Rating 2 out of 5]

I started this book hoping for an uplifting, reflective read, but instead found myself growing increasingly frustrated. Much of Gannon’s “year of nothing” felt difficult to relate to, shaped by privileges such as reflexology appointments, a gifted retreat abroad, a spontaneous flight and a stay in a sexy hotel, treehouse glamping, and guidance from a fellow Martha Beck life-coach student. It just felt like a lot of the content was inaccessible to the majority.

[susanprosa · Rating 2 out of 5]

"I have too many thoughts. That was my problem"
Or at least, the problem I recognised most clearly while reading/listening this book.

Like the writer, I have always been positive, productive and willing to keep going, and for a long time I believed those qualities were what made me valuable. But this book made me question how often I use business, optimism and overworking to avoid sitting still with myself.
What I appreciated most is that this isn’t really an argument for eliminating noise altogether. I like movement, plans, people and the energy of everyday life.
And this book felt like an invitation to slow down without needing to abandon the life you have. To make space for stillness, not only in the calendar, but in the to-do list, too.

There are moments when the book leans into familiar territory, particularly around changing one’s relationship with alcohol and the language of transformation. But beneath some of the clichés, there is something honest and valuable, the reminder that we don’t have to punish ourselves through overwork, constant availability or endless self-improvement.
I especially liked the idea of disappearing for a while, that can be an act of trust. It can feel frightening to step away and wait to see what comes back to you. The uncertainty is uncomfortable, the limbo can feel endless. But perhaps that is part of the process, an old-fashioned existential crisis, or a cocoon period, before understanding what we are becoming.
This book reminded me that not every moment has to be productive or easily explained. Sometimes we need to stop, be quiet and let life happen around you.

The book ends with a gentle reminder to be a beautiful flower, not because we are performing, blooming on command or proving our worth, but because we are allowed to exist exactly where we are

I streamed the audiobook on Spotify during a long Sunday walk. When it ended, the song that instantly came to my mind and that felt like it belonged on the book’s soundtrack was John Grant’s “Queen of Denmark.”

[Katie Whitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was finding myself annoyed reading this book, as Gannon goes on about a life that I would kill for, with fulfilling work, great family and friends and the ability to basically do nothing (and by nothing I mean go on holidays and sound bath retreats) for a year, but then I realized that it might be a more important realization that even someone who has so many things going for them can feel the pull of burnout. I think our society is set up in a way that is very literally killing all of us, with overwork and exhaustion a very common problem. I don't know that Gannon's book really offers any insight into what to do about it, since most of us can't take a year off to do nothing, but I did find myself relating to at least some parts of this book. I was confused because a part of the blurb said something about her embracing a child free life and it seems like at least some of her fiction tackles that but I don't remember her directly addressing that besides remarking that some of her friends have kids so must be even more exhausted.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Emma Gannon falls into a deep depression and this book recounts her efforts to return to life and the world. Gannon is a younger person, and I think the appeal of the book might be to those who are facing depression at a young age.

[Daria Ageeva · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought this would be about exploration of burnout, what made the author feel burnout and how to avoid it in your own life. However this was not it, instead it highlighted how privileged you have to be to be able to take a year out of doing real life to focus on yourself and do nothing, not everyone comes from a position of financial wealth and family support where they are able to just take the year off to go swimming and wear the same fleece day in and day out. A lot of the solutions also seem like instagram ads (like women only retreats) which normal people are unlikely to afford in the first place. I should of known I wouldn’t enjoy the book when there were digs made that some of the initial medical help that was offered was via medication and that it was ‘great that pills work for you but I just knew they wouldn’t work for me’ vibes she was giving off, but I’m not quitter and thankfully this book was short.

Also how can you have burnout from writing but be writing during your burnout?

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has written a gorgeous memoir of the year she suffered a breakdown, which she now calls a "breakthrough," and invites us on her journey of recovery. I loved it and so will readers longing for a break from their own too stressful lives. Recommended!

[Eline Pullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a gentle read on burnout and recovery and the road to finding who you are. I liked the fact that the author mentioned all kind of books in this memoir. Added a lot of titles to my reading stack. Also loved the fact that she writes about the healing aspects of writing, and after every chapter there are some questions to write or journal about yourself.

Here and there I would’ve loved to read a little bit more nuanced or in depth about some of the subjects in the book. While reading the question: “how could it be possible for the average person to take a year off work and do so much traveling and searching as the author did in this novel?” Kept spinning in my mind. I would have loved to read more about that part of the journey.

[Seawitch · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very short book - almost a long article - about things the author did to recover from severe burnout.

She’s thirty-ish and has the means to stop work for a year and rest and have bodywork and go on retreats and be with other like-minded people.

I liked the little reflection questions she asks at the end of each chapter of her story.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think an acknowledgement of one’s privilege wouldn’t have gone astray. I also baulked at some of the value judgments. *But* I do appreciate this book and Emma’s honesty for adding to the important conversations we should all be having about stillness.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

A mediocre book talking through basic self care practices to cope with burn out. Not as much depth, or wisdom, as I’d hoped. Affirmed money doesn’t buy happiness or mental health, but it overall did seem to help the author who was able to go on many retreats to try!

[bookswithanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so personal, and that's precisely why it had such a profound effect on me.
More and more often, I came across the idea of finding joy in simple things. A YouTuber I used to watch a lot always said, “Celebrate mundanity.” and I loved that mindset!
I found the book very emotional and also loved the questions for reflection after each month. A definite recommendation.

Thank you NetGalley for the Arc!

[Squigz is Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant and timely listen about burnout, opting out, and making space in your life for...well, life.

I am a week out from finishing up with my full-time job. I'm moving interstate, alone, back to where I grew up, closer to family, to a quieter pace of living. Each time I have a conversation with someone about the move, there is a preoccupation with what I will be doing for work.

It's never been more apparent to me than now that we live in a society that defines each other by work. And while yes, living doesn't come free, surely there is more to life than working ourselves into states of burnout, living anxious lives with only two days a week free?

This book found me at the right time. Listening to it was like an affirmation that downsizing my life and opting out of the grind is the best path forward, for me, at this point in my life.

There is much to live for, and life is short enough. I'd prefer to spend it well with less, than constantly on the verge of collapse.

The book itself was only a two and a half hour listen, with each chapter framed around a month, within its season, and with a core focus. I loved every bit of this book and highly recommend it to anyone who is feeling like they need a change.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 rounded down. a nice read with a few helpful insights but i flipped through the fancy retreat chapter with disbelief. the amount of financial privilege required for this seemed to go entirely acknowledged.

[Vikki · Rating 1 out of 5]

A year of nothing? Sounds great! Sign me up. Oh, requires having lots of savings and no responsibilities, hmm.

No helpful suggestions on how to recover from burnout while continuing with the bits of your life you cannot drop. Caitlin Moran’s book on being hopeful was much better, and more realistic.

[Anna Baker · Rating 1 out of 5]

Self indulgent pish written by obscenely privileged woman who has zero self awareness and is severely out of touch. Started reading hoping to feel inspired, finished feeling more pissed off than when I started. The only saving grace is the short length.

[JuliaR · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some reflections are interesting, but I couldn't stop thinking about the privilege of being able to have a year of nothing and how that was glossed over. I also didn't appreciate the author's view on traditional medicine and her focus on alternative methods, pushing aside the fact that therapy and medication are important to be considered in such scenario.

Overall not bad, but I'm the audience.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Es hat sie wie einen Schlag getroffen, als plötzlich nichts mehr ging. Direkt nach der Veröffentlichung ihres letzten Buchs konnte Emma Gannon nicht mehr. Der Burnout fesselte sie für ein Jahr ans Bett und obwohl sie wusste, dass er irgendwann vorbei sein würde, beängstigte sie die Vorstellung, dass sie nicht wusste, wann ihr Leben endlich wieder normal verlaufen würde.

Ausgerechnet bei einem Wochenende in einem luxuriösen Hotel mit Freundinnen rief ihr Körper Emma Gannon zur Ordnung. Für sie kam ihr Zusammenbruch unerwartet, nicht so für ihre Freunde und Familie. Die bemerkten sehr wohl, dass Emma immer schmaler wurde, dachten aber dass es mit der Arbeit an dem neuen Buch zusammenhängen würde. Für sie war Emma immer Superwoman, bis sie es dann plötzlich nicht mehr war. Das mag einer der Gründe sein, warum sie so verständnisvoll waren. Auf der anderen Seite ist es aber auch das, was gute Freundschaften ausmacht: dass man in jeder Lebenslage füreinander da ist.

Auch wenn der Burnout ein gravierender Einschnitt in ihrem Leben ist, sieht ihn Emma Gannon auch als Chance. Sie nimmt sich die Zeit, sich zurückzuziehen und auf ihren Körper zu hören. Zu ihrer Heilung gehört auch der Rückzug aus der Öffentlichkeit. Für jemand, zu dessen Beruf es gerade gehört, sich in der Öffentlichkeit zu bewegen, kann es das Ende der Karriere bedeuten. Aber wie auch bei Familie und Freunden kann Emma auf eine Gruppe Menschen zurückgreifen, die hinter ihr stehen und sie auch in dieser Situation nicht im Stich lassen.

Mich hat überrascht, wie reflektiert Emma Gannon über ihren Zusammenbruch schreibt. Es war für sie eine schwere Zeit, aber sie sieht sie auch als Chance. Das Jahr des Nichts, wie sie es nennt, ist kein verschwendetes Jahr. Durch zuerst erzwungene Ruhe nimmt sie Dinge anders war. Plötzlich sieht sie bewusst, worüber sie früher hinweggesehen hat. Sie erlebt die Natur und den Wechsel der Jahreszeiten anders und lässt ihre LeserInnen daran teilhaben. Immer wieder stellt sie kleine Aufgaben und regt zum Nachdenken an. Gerade das hat mir gut gefallen, denn so war die Lektüre keine einseitige Angelegenheit mehr.

Emma Gannon zeigt mit ihrer Geschichte, wie wichtig es ist, dass man auf sich achtgibt. Aber sie zeigt auch, dass in allem eine Chance steckt, man muss sie nur ergreifen

[Bianca · Rating 4 out of 5]

How funny that this book ended up being the one that helped me rediscover the joy of reading a British author. I usually avoid books that lean heavily into despair or emotional heaviness, and yet A Year of Nothing surprised me in the best possible way.

After years of writing about work, wellness, and productivity, Emma Gannon reaches a point of chronic burnout that leaves her unable to keep going as before. While this is a serious and painful experience, she writes about it in a way that feels hopeful, reflective, and quietly positive rather than overwhelming. The tone is gentle and honest, never sensationalised.

I especially appreciated reading about what helped her during this season, as well as what didn’t. She explores a range of ideas and natural or alternative remedies with openness, without turning the book into a prescriptive self-help manual. While I didn’t personally relate to chronic burnout, I deeply related to her desire to slow down — to stop and “smell the roses,” to journal, to travel not for ticking off destinations but simply to notice, see, and enjoy beauty.

The seasonal structure of the book added to its charm, giving it a natural rhythm and a sense of time passing gently rather than urgently. I also enjoyed how Emma weaves in other authors she was reading at the time without it feeling like a long or overwhelming reading list.

There is a light-heartedness throughout — even in something as simple as her sometimes very modest to-do lists — that quietly reminds the reader not to take life, or ourselves, quite so seriously. I also liked the “Over to you” sections at the end of chapters, where she invites the reader to pause and reflect in their own way.

This is a memoir, and I didn’t relate to everything — but it doesn’t need to be universally relatable to be meaningful. A Year of Nothing feels like a comfortable, companionable read: the kind of book best enjoyed in winter, with a cup of tea and a cosy blanket. And who knows — you may find yourself gently inspired to adopt one or two small ideas from it.

One final note I appreciated: unlike many contemporary British books, this one contains very little swearing, which made the reading experience all the more pleasant for me.

A thoughtful, calming, and quietly encouraging book about rest, reflection, and learning to live at a different pace.

[Dee Hancocks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Year of Nothing is certainly way more than that. This is a life laid bare, a year of self-discovery and breaking from expectations. Luckily the author was able to take time off and go on the kind of retreats others will only be able to dream of, but the lessons learnt are shared in a thoughtful manner. My main take away was that most of the work was internal. The questions that are put to you the reader are there for consideration and to give space.
I really liked this as this took the book beyond a memoir and instead a sharing of learning. The author explains her reasons for calling the memoir A Year of Nothing, which I liked it was about releasing that pressure internally and externally and just being. Hopefully others that read this will find comfort, wisdom and inspiration like I did. Thank by you to the publisher and NetGalley for an e-copy. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

[Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

I refused to not finish this book because it cost me €20. I really liked one of her novels so I was excited to get this when I was in Berlin.
Listening to on the nature of daylight on a beach in Portugal was strike 1, Rick Rubin mention strike 2, and strike 3 was when I started wondering if “chronic burnout” is real or if it’s just depression. I think if you can’t get out of bed and wear the same thing every day that sounds like depression mama

[Judith · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

I really loved this short audiobook. Of course the topic is something that I can relate to very strongly. It sometimes feels like she romanticizes having to be forced to take "a year off" but I think it's a very healthy way to look back at something that in her view was inevitable and that forced her to notice the smaller joy in life again.

[Shyuan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was at one of my lowest points when I came across this book. For three months after my dog passed away, I could barely function. When I did manage to get up, it was mostly on autopilot, going to work because rent still needed paying. On one of those days, I was out with a friend who was trying her best to cheer me up. We wandered into a bookshop, and this was the first book I noticed on the shelf. My first thought was how much I wished I could just give in, do nothing, and spend my days thinking about my dog. I also wondered, perhaps hopefully, whether this book might help me.

I bought it, brought it home, and then left it untouched on my table for months while I retreated back into my cocoon of depression.

Recently, feeling a little lighter, I finally picked it up, and it was literally covered in dust. I have to say, I really appreciated how openly the author invited readers into such a raw and emotional period of her life, dealing with burnout and trying to recover by doing nothing for a year. She also shares some thoughtful ideas about rebuilding confidence, such as wearing something fun or nice for a small dopamine boost, or writing letters to your future-self so that when you are struggling later on, it is your past-self offering comfort. I thought that was genuinely lovely.

However, as much as I valued her vulnerability, I do think the book could have acknowledged privilege more directly. She was in a position to take a year off without the constant pressure of finances, and had access to luxury spas, wellness retreats, and a support system many people simply do not have. In reality, a lot of burnt out people cannot afford to stop. I wanted nothing more than to shut down and grieve longer for my dog, but life does not always allow that. It keeps moving, whether you are ready or not.

By no means am I trying to dismiss what the author went through. Burnout is real and painful regardless of circumstances. I just wish there had been a little more awareness of how fortunate she was to have the option to pause in that way. I was also hoping for deeper insight into her mental state during the hardest moments, more honesty about how it felt when she could not function, and what was going through her mind at the time.

“I became hyper-aware every time I visited the house, trying to freeze time and hold on to the memories. I went to his upstairs bathroom, and memorised the bath and the basin, which were all an old turquoise colour, and while washing my hands with a little old-fashioned bar of soap, I looked out of the window at this garden with the window slightly open and tried to breathe in the air of his house. I wanted my nostrils to always remember the warm, comforting and familiar smell. I wanted to be able to access this at any time.”

That said, the April chapter really broke me. I was in tears reading about the death of her grandfather, who had dementia in the final years of his life, and how his passing happened during her year of nothing. The way she described going into his home and trying to absorb every last trace of him hit me hard. It reminded me so much of losing my dog. Before I sent her for cremation, I kept smelling her fur and taking in every detail of her, her outline, her warmth, because I knew afterwards I would only have photographs. I would no longer be able to touch her, hold her, or smell her again. Even now, the way the house slowly lost her scent still hurts me.

Overall, I did find comfort in parts of this memoir. I just wish it had gone deeper into her emotional and mental space during that difficult year. Had it done that, I think I would have connected with it even more.


QUOTES THAT I LIKE:
“The universe has it covered. You will be okay.”

“The house felt like a person too, with a mood of its own.”

“In that moment, I realised not only the power of dopamine dressing, but also the power it had to affect other people. It’s like seeing a small dog on public transport, you can’t help but smile. I promised myself I’d wear something fun each day for a few days to see if the experiment would stick – and it did.”

“Retreats are a chance to look at yourself, reflect and make changes, but it does not mean needing to overhaul every crevice of your being overnight, take an axe to your relationships or light a match to everything and anything. For me, this trip was a reminder that I can stay calm even in rush hour, if I choose to. This was not about changing the outside structures right now, but about tuning in to the layers underneath, changing up the insides. The frequencies of my life.”

“I guess that’s the point of life. We don’t really know anything.”

“Life, like music, is always unfolding, like a great symphony.”

“Having capacity and a sense of expansiveness is a true sign that we are doing well.”

“I’m stronger, less fragile, less afraid. When you are deep in the thick of burnout and recovery, you really don’t think you’ll ever be well again. And then it passes, just like everyone says it will. You realise the power of your own resilience, and you have a toolbelt that feels rightfully earned.”

“Remember how special the small things are. Make time for it.”

[Kulraj Kohli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Self help after a long time 🫶🏻